Confirmed: Six Flags Will Implode Its Most Famous Ride, Demolition Date Set

Six Flags Great Adventure is officially moving ahead with the demolition of its most famous attraction, Kingda Ka.

Widely recognized as one of the most iconic roller coasters in the world, Kingda Ka first opened in 2005 and almost immediately captured attention for being the then-tallest and fastest roller coaster on the planet.

Guests climb the top hat on the Kingda Ka roller coaster inside Six Flags Great Adventure Park — Credit: Six Flags

The coaster stands at an astonishing 456 feet, reaching speeds of 128 mph. Its intense acceleration and heart-stopping vertical ascent has made it a popular pilgrimage site for adrenaline junkies, even after its speed record was broken in 2010 by Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi (which was recently also closed for nearly a year).

Kingda Ka’s unique “strata coaster” design—a category for coasters over 400 feet tall—redefined the coaster experience. Riders are launched from 0 to 128 mph in just a few seconds, sending them up a nearly vertical incline that offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding park before plummeting down at an incredible speed.

Sadly, the ride made its final descent on November 10 after months of rumors (and a heck of a lot of denial in the coaster community). Compounding disappointment over its closure was the fact that Six Flags Great Adventure only confirmed Kingda Ka had gone for good four days after shuttering the attraction at the end of its usual operating hours.

The towering Kingda Ka roller coaster with its green tracks and black supports ascends steeply into the sky. A train filled with passengers climbs the initial incline, surrounded by lush trees and a small building at the base. The sky is partly cloudy—a true update of thrill and nature. — Credit: Six Flags

In an official statement, Six Flags Great Adventure confirmed that Kingda Ka has reached the end of its operational life and will be replaced by a “Multi Record-Breaking Launch Coaster” in 2026. It also revealed that the roller coaster – which was developed by Intamin – was closing as part of a larger investment plan for the park that would see transformations for other areas of the park, too.

Brian Bacica, Park President for Six Flags Great Adventure, said: “With our dedication to creating unforgettable experiences, the park’s multi-year expansion plans will bring major investments, including record-breaking thrill rides, revitalized family experiences, elevated dining, expanded events, and continuous enhancements across the property.”

If you were holding out for Six Flags to change its mind, it’s safe to say that it’s time to give up hope. The New Jersey theme park has filed permits with the Township of Jackson building department to demolish Kingda Ka by explosive implosion between February 11 and February 16, 2025.

According to the filing, Six Flags will pay $1,764,000 to implode the coaster.

A ride vehicle goes over the hill on Kingda Ka, the tallest roller coaster in the world, at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey — Credit: Six Flags

It’s a fittingly dramatic ending for a rather dramatic coaster. During its lifespan, Kingda Ka caused its fair share of problems for Six Flags Great Adventure.

Just a month after its grand opening in 2005, the ride experienced a significant malfunction when a failed bolt forced the replacement of its launch cable. This issue also put strain on several brake fins, which were not in stock at the time. Six Flags had to order additional brake fins, and Kingda Ka underwent extensive testing before finally reopening on August 4, 2005.

Over the years, Kingda Ka faced more setbacks, including being struck by lightning in 2009. The lightning strike caused major damage to the ride, forcing it to shut down for three months. In 2011, just before Hurricane Irene, Kingda Ka sustained further unspecified damage, and although it’s unclear if the storm contributed, the ride remained out of operation. The coaster didn’t return to service until eight months later, in time for the 2012 season. Unfortunately, the challenges didn’t end there, as in July 2012, a guest was hospitalized after being struck by a bird while riding Kingda Ka.

The ride continued to experience technical issues, including a lawsuit in 2019, which claimed that the extreme speed and forces experienced by taller riders could lead to injuries, with the harnesses possibly causing discomfort or harm. Most recently, in June 2023, Kingda Ka’s launch cable snapped, damaging its brake fins once again. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the ride had to close for repairs before reopening later that same month.

Did you ever get a chance to ride Kingda Ka?