JACKSON, NJ—After nearly 20 years of operation, Six Flags Great Adventure is officially closing its iconic Kingda Ka roller coaster, once the tallest in the world at 456 feet.
The park announced the closure on November 14. Along with Kingda Ka, the park will retire its Green Lantern coaster to make way for new attractions as part of a larger expansion project.
According to a press release, Six Flags has announced the retirement of Kingda Ka as part of a broader expansion plan at Six Flags Great Adventure. The coaster had become increasingly costly to maintain due to frequent mechanical issues, including a 2023 shutdown for repairs after a launch system malfunction. Legal challenges also surrounded Kingda Ka, including a 2019 lawsuit from a doctor claiming the ride caused spinal injuries and a 2018 fine for a broken shoulder harness.
The park’s parent company, Six Flags Entertainment, recently revealed it will invest over $1 billion over the next two years to enhance guest experiences across its 42 parks. This includes the debut of a new record-breaking launch coaster at Great Adventure in 2026, which is expected to surpass Kingda Ka’s height and speed.
Kingda Ka was not only the world’s tallest coaster but also North America’s fastest, reaching speeds of 128 mph in just 3.5 seconds. For years, it held the title of the fastest coaster worldwide until it was taken by Abu Dhabi's Formula Rossa in 2010, which reached speeds of 149 mph.
As of November 15, the title of the tallest roller coaster on Earth now belongs to the Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point in Ohio, which stands at 420 feet.
In 2025, Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia is set to open. It will feature Falcons Flight, which will tower at 640 feet and reach a maximum speed of 155 mph—breaking both height and speed records.
More details on the park’s expansion plans and upcoming attractions will be announced in the summer of 2024. You can find the press release here.
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