# Six Flags retires Kingda Ka to clear way for new record-breaking coaster plans

By IO Digest Desk

Six Flags Great Adventure is retiring Kingda Ka, the towering New Jersey roller coaster that once held the titles of tallest and fastest in the world, and will remove the ride to make room for a new wave of attractions at the park. The decision ends one of the most recognizable chapters in the park's ride lineup and signals a broader redevelopment of the area around the coaster.

The company said Kingda Ka and the Green Lantern roller coaster are being shut down as part of plans to create space for two new rides, including a new launch coaster slated for 2026. Six Flags also said the long-delayed Flash: Vertical Velocity coaster is scheduled to open in 2025. The park described the new project as a "multi-record-breaking launch coaster," although it has not yet released full details.

Kingda Ka opened in 2005 and quickly became a landmark for thrill-seekers. Built at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, it rose 456 feet into the air and launched riders to 128 mph. Its opening made it the tallest roller coaster in the world and, at the time, the fastest as well. The speed record later moved to Formula Rossa in Abu Dhabi, but Kingda Ka kept its height record throughout its life.

The ride was known not just for its numbers but for its visibility. Six Flags said the top of the coaster offered clear views of both the Philadelphia and New York skylines. Its signature layout sent trains straight up the tower before a 418-foot drop through a 270-degree spiral. The park said the coaster carried more than 12 million riders during its operating life.

The retirement also extends beyond Kingda Ka. Six Flags said it will remove the Twister and Parachutes rides as part of the same redevelopment effort, and it is also taking out the Sky Way, the elevated cable car that has circulated around the park since 1974. Taken together, the changes point to a major reworking of one of the park's most visible sections rather than a single isolated closure.

The company framed the move as part of growth rather than contraction. Park president Brian Bacica said the changes are meant to support new experiences for guests, while acknowledging that farewell to favorite rides can be difficult. The company said it intends to share more details next summer, leaving the full shape of the replacement project for a later announcement.

For now, the retirement closes a ride that became one of the most famous in the United States amusement-park industry. Kingda Ka was as much a destination as an attraction, drawing attention because of its scale, its speed, and the engineering required to build a coaster that dominated the skyline. Its removal marks the end of an era at Great Adventure and the beginning of a reset that park officials say will bring new record ambitions.

The park's next phase will be watched closely by coaster fans because Six Flags has tied the redevelopment to another major launch ride rather than a simple replacement. Until more details are released, the retirement of Kingda Ka stands as the clearest sign yet that Great Adventure is preparing to reshape its signature thrill lineup around newer, larger-scale attractions.