Kingda Ka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kingda Ka |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Six Flags Great Adventure | |
| Location | Six Flags Great Adventure |
| Park section | Golden Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 40°08′21.18″N 74°26′11.39″W / 40.1392167°N 74.4364972°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | May 21, 2005 |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Launched |
| Manufacturer | Intamin |
| Designer | Werner Stengel |
| Model | Accelerator Coaster |
| Lift/launch system | Hydraulic launch |
| Height | 456 ft (139 m) |
| Drop | 418 ft (127 m) |
| Length | 3,118 ft (950 m) |
| Speed | 128 mph (206 km/h) |
| Duration | 0:28 |
| Max vertical angle | 90° |
| Capacity | 1,400 riders per hour |
| Acceleration | 0 to 128 mph (0 to 206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds |
| G-force | 5 |
| Height restriction | 54 in (137 cm) |
| Trains | Four trains, with five cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows (except for the last car), for a total of 18 riders per train. |
 Flash Pass Available |
|
| Kingda Ka at RCDB | |
Kingda Ka is a thrilling steel roller coaster found at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. It holds the record as the world's tallest roller coaster. It was also the world's second fastest roller coaster for many years. Kingda Ka was only the second "strata coaster" ever built. A strata coaster is a roller coaster that is over 400 feet (122 meters) tall. To ride, you must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall.
The ride uses a powerful hydraulic launch mechanism. This system shoots the train from 0 to 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds! After the launch, the train climbs a huge "top hat" tower. It reaches an amazing height of 456 feet (139 meters). Then, it drops 418 feet (127 meters) straight down. The entire ride covers a track that is 3,118 feet (950 meters) long.
Contents
History of Kingda Ka
Plans for Kingda Ka were first announced on September 10, 2003. This announcement happened at a special event for roller coaster fans and the media. The park shared its big goal: to build "the tallest and fastest roller coaster on earth." They wanted it to reach 456 feet (139 meters) high. They also aimed for it to speed up to 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) in only 3.5 seconds.
Building the Tower and Opening Day
The construction of Kingda Ka's towering structure was finished on January 13, 2005. A few months later, on May 21, 2005, the ride officially opened to the public. When it opened, Kingda Ka became the "tallest" and "fastest" roller coaster in the world. It took both of these world records from Top Thrill Dragster, another famous coaster at Cedar Point.
Losing the Speed Record
Kingda Ka kept its title as the world's fastest roller coaster until November 2010. That's when Formula Rossa opened at Ferrari World. Formula Rossa then became the new fastest roller coaster. However, Kingda Ka still holds the record for being the world's tallest roller coaster.
The Golden Kingdom Theme
Kingda Ka is located in a part of the park called Six Flags Great Adventure#The Golden Kingdom. This area has a fun jungle theme. The ride itself is named after a mythical Bengal tiger. This tiger was once part of a nearby attraction called the Temple of the Tiger. That exhibit, which was interactive, closed in 2010. The line for Kingda Ka is surrounded by bamboo. Jungle-themed music also plays in the background, adding to the exciting atmosphere.
Your Ride Experience
Once you are safely strapped in, the train slowly moves out of the station. It goes to the launch area. There's a special track switch that lets four trains load at the same time. Before the launch, a recording announces: "Arms down, head back, hold on!" About five seconds later, the adventure begins!
The Powerful Launch
When the train is ready, the hydraulic launch system kicks in. It blasts the train from 0 to 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) in just 3.5 seconds. At the end of the launch track, the train races up the main tower. This tower is shaped like a "top hat." As it climbs, the train rolls 90 degrees to the right. It reaches an incredible height of 456 feet (139 meters).
The Drop and Second Hill
After reaching the top, the train plunges 418 feet (127 meters) straight down. It goes through a 270-degree spiral that twists clockwise. Then, it climbs a second hill, which is 129 feet (39 meters) tall. This second hill gives you a feeling of weightlessness. After that, magnetic brakes smoothly bring the train to a stop. The train then makes a left U-turn and returns to the station. The whole ride, from the start of the launch, lasts only 28 seconds!
The Trains and Safety
Kingda Ka has four different trains. They are easy to spot because they are color-coded: green, dark blue, teal, and orange. Each train can hold 18 people. Riders sit two across in two rows in most cars. The very last car has only one row. The back row of each car is a bit higher. This gives everyone a better view of the exciting ride.
The safety system on Kingda Ka is very secure. It includes a thick, strong lap bar. There are also two thin, flexible over-the-shoulder restraints. Because the shoulder parts are not rigid, the hand grips are on the lap bar. Each restraint also has a belt for extra safety. This belt is there in case the main locking system ever fails. To help speed up loading, riders are asked to secure their own restraints if they can.
Ride Operations and Music
Two operators help load, check, and send off each train. Another operator is in charge of launching the trains. The music you hear in the line and at the station is mostly from the album "Episode II" by Safri Duo. You might also hear "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, played by DJ Quicksilver.
What is a Rollback?
Sometimes, a train might experience something called a "rollback" after a launch. A rollback happens when the train doesn't quite make it over the very top of the tower. If this happens, the train will roll back down the side it was launched from. Kingda Ka has special retractable magnetic brakes on its launch track. These brakes are there to safely stop the train from rolling all the way back into the loading station.
Images for kids
-
Kingda Ka's seat restraints
See also
In Spanish: Kingda Ka para niños
