Kingda Ka

Kingda Ka

Kingda Ka prior to the addition of Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom
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 / 40.1392167; -74.4364972Coordinates: 40°08′21.18″N 74°26′11.39″W / 40.1392167°N 74.4364972°W / 40.1392167; -74.4364972
Status Operating
Opening date May 21, 2005 (2005-05-21)
General statistics
Type Steel – Launched
Manufacturer Intamin
Designer Werner Stengel
Model Accelerator Coaster
Track layout Strata 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 54–77 in (137–196 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
Pictures of Kingda Ka at RCDB

Kingda Ka is a steel accelerator roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, United States. It is the world's tallest roller coaster, the world's second fastest roller coaster, and was the second strata coaster ever built. It was built by Stakotra,[1] a subcontractor to Intamin.

The train is launched by a hydraulic launch mechanism to 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds.[2] At the end of the launch track, the train climbs the main top hat tower, reaching a height of 456 feet (139 m) and spanning over a 3,118-foot-long (950 m) track by the end of the ride.[3]

History

Plans to build Kingda Ka were announced on September 10, 2004, at an event held for roller coaster enthusiasts and the media.[4] The event revealed the park's goal to build "the tallest and fastest roller coaster on earth", reaching 456 feet (139 m) and accelerating up to 128 miles per hour (206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds.[5] On January 13, 2005, Kingda Ka's tower construction was completed,[6] and on May 21, 2005, the ride opened to the public. Kingda Ka became the "tallest" and "fastest" roller coaster in the world, taking both world records from Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. It lost the title of world's fastest when Formula Rossa at Ferrari World opened in November 2010.[7] Intamin designed both Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster, and the two share a similar design and layout that differs primarily by the theme and the additional hill featured on Kingda Ka.[8] Both rides were built by Stakotra[9] and installed by Martin & Vleminckx.[10]

On August 29, 2013, Six Flags Great Adventure officially announced Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom for the 2014 season. The new attraction was attached to the Kingda Ka coaster.[11] The drop tower features three gondolas integrated into the existing structure which is also be built by Intamin. Kingda Ka closed at the start of the 2014 season in order construct Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom on to Kingda Ka. Kingda Ka reopened on weekends on Memorial Day Weekend and fully reopened when Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom was completed on July 4, 2014.[12]

Ride experience

Kingda Ka's layout and experience is nearly identical to Top Thrill Dragster.[13] After the train has been locked and checked, it moves slowly out of the station to the launch area. It passes through a switch track, which allows four trains (on two tracks) to load simultaneously. When the signal to launch is given, the train rolls back slightly (to engage the catch car) and the brakes on the launch track retract.[14] There is a voice that says, "Arms down, head back, hold on". The launch occurs five seconds after the hissing sound of the brake fins retracting or the warning voice.[15] Kingda Ka's horn previously sounded before each launch,[16] but it was silenced due to noise complaints from nearby residents; the horn now sounds only when Kingda Ka first launches after being idle for a length of time. When the train is in position, the hydraulic launch mechanism accelerates the train from 0 to 128 miles per hour (0 to 206 km/h) in 3.5 seconds.[2] At the end of the launch track, the train climbs the main tower (or top hat) and rolls 90 degrees to the right before reaching a height of 456 feet (139 m).[3] The train then descends 418 feet (127 m) straight down through a 270-degree right-hand spiral. The train climbs the second hill of 129 feet (39 m), producing a moment of weightlessness before being smoothly brought to a stop by the magnetic brakes; it then makes a left-hand U-turn and enters the station. The ride lasts 28 seconds from the start of the launch.[17][18]

Theme

Green switch tracks at bottom of ride
Switch track at the station's exit

Kingda Ka is themed as a mythical tiger, named for the 500 lb (230 kg) Golden Tabby Bengal tiger who lived in an adjacent exhibit before moving to the park's safari.[19] The ride's sign and station have a Nepalese style. The queue line is surrounded by bamboo, which augments the jungle theme.[20] Jungle music is played during the wait and throughout the Golden Kingdom section of the park, which was built for the ride.[4]

The hydraulic launch motor is capable of producing 20,800 peak horsepower (15.5 MW). Because of the high speed and open nature of the trains, the ride will not operate in light rain.[21]

Trains and station

Kingda Ka's four trains are color-coded for easy identification (green, dark blue, teal, and orange) and are numbered; the four colors are also used for the seats and restraints. Each train seats 18 people (two per row). The rear car has one row, while the rest have two.[22] The rear row of each car is positioned higher than its front row for better visibility.

Empty coaster seats, with restraints in place
Kingda Ka's seat restraints

Each of Kingda Ka's trains has an extra row of seat mounts. The panels could be removed for the installation of additional seats in the future. This modification would increase the capacity of each train from 18 to 20, and the hourly capacity of the coaster from 1400 to 1600 riders per hour. Kingda Ka's station is prepared for this modification, with entrance gates for the currently-nonexistent row of seats.[22]

Kingda Ka's over-the-shoulder restraint system consists of a thick, rigid lap bar and two thin, flexible over-the-shoulder restraints.[23] Because the over-the-shoulder portions of the restraint are not rigid, the hand grips are mounted to the lap bar. Kingda Ka's restraints are also held down by a belt, in case the main locking system fails. To speed loading, riders are asked to secure their own restraints if possible.

Kingda Ka's station has two parallel tracks, with switch tracks at the entrance and exit. Each of the station's tracks is designed to accommodate two trains, so each of the four trains can be operated from its own station. While all of the trains are mechanically identical and able to load and unload at each of the four individual station bays the original plan was for all trains to operate at the same time and for each train to load and unload at their own station. During normal operation, trains on one side are loaded while trains on the other side are launched.[23] When both sides of the station are in use an employee directs riders in line to go to a particular side, where they can choose to sit in the front or rear of the train.[14] During recent seasons it has become common that only one train bay (the forward one on the side opposite of the parking lot) be used for the loading, unloading, and dispatching of trains and that the other train or trains in operation on any given day wait either in the station behind a loading/unloading train or outside of the station on the brakes that follow the second hill. Two operators load, check and dispatch each train; another launches the trains. Kingda Ka's music is by Safri Duo; almost their entire Episode II album is played in the queue and station. The other is the remix version of Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger", played by DJ Quicksilver. Both of these may be heard during the queue and in the station.[24]

Rollbacks

Kingda Ka rollback warning sign

A train may occasionally experience a rollback following a launch. A rollback occurs when the train fails to make it over the top of the tower and descends back down the side it was launched. Kingda Ka includes retractable magnetic brakes on its launch track to prevent a train from rolling back into the loading station.[16]

Incidents

Bolt failure

On June 8, 2005, a bolt failed inside a trough that the launch cable travels through. This caused the liner to come loose creating friction on the cable and preventing the train from accelerating to the correct speed. The rubbing of the cable against the inside of the metal trough caused sparks and shards of metal to fly out from the bottom of the train. The ride was closed for almost two months following the incident.[25]

Damage occurred to the launch cable which was frayed and required replacement, to the engine including minor damage to seals, and to many of the brake fins. The brake fins in the launch section are mounted to keep fast-moving trains from moving backward into the station. However, the fast-moving train being pulled forward caused an unexpected stress on a number of fins bending them forward. Not all required replacement, but there were more damaged brake fins than Six Flags had replacements for. Extra brake fins had to be ordered from the manufacturer, Intamin in Switzerland, and the ride had to undergo thorough testing following the repair.[21] Kingda Ka reopened on August 4.[26]

Lightning strike

Kingda Ka was struck by lightning in May 2009 and suffered serious damage.[27] The ride was closed for three months while being repaired and reopened on August 21, 2009.[28]

Hurricane Irene

tall green framework for steel roller coaster
Kingda Ka's tower

On August 27, 2011, Kingda Ka suffered unspecified damage shortly before Hurricane Irene. On Saturday, August 27, Six Flags Great Adventure did not open due to the approaching hurricane. While it is unknown whether additional damage occurred due to the storm, the coaster was damaged to the extent that it could not run before Irene.[29] Kingda Ka remained closed until the start of the 2012 operating season on April 5.[30]

Bird strike

Shortly before 5:00 pm on July 26, 2012, a young boy was sent to the hospital after suffering minor injuries from being struck by a bird during normal operation. The ride resumed normal operation shortly after the incident.[31]

Awards

Golden Ticket Awards: Top steel Roller Coasters
Year20052006200720082009201020112012201320142015
Ranking 31[32]28[33]31[34]25[35]31[36]27 (tied)[37]33[38]38[39]35 (tied)[40]45[41]49[42]

Records

Preceded by
Top Thrill Dragster		 World's Tallest Complete Circuit Roller Coaster
May 21, 2005 – Present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by
Top Thrill Dragster		 World's Tallest Roller Coaster
May 21, 2005 – Present 		Succeeded by
None
Preceded by
Top Thrill Dragster		 World's Fastest Roller Coaster
May 21, 2005 – November 4, 2010 		Succeeded by
Formula Rossa
Preceded by
Top Thrill Dragster		 World's Tallest Roller Coaster Drop
May 21, 2005 – Present 		Succeeded by
None

References

  1. ↑ http://www.stakotra.sk/kingda_ka.html
  2. 1 2 "Kingda Ka: Great Adventure". Six Flags. Retrieved August 22, 2007.
  3. 1 2 Marden, Duane. "Kingda Ka  (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Kingda Ka: The Media Event". October 12, 2004. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2007.
  5. ↑ "Six Flags Great Adventure will launch the tallest, fastest roller coaster on earth". September 29, 2004.
  6. ↑ "Six Flags Makes History as it Completes the Tallest, Fastest Roller Coaster on Earth's 95-story Tower". January 14, 2005. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Record breaking roller coasters". 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Kingda Ka vs. Top Thrill Dragster". July 18, 2007. Retrieved June 8, 2012.
  9. ↑ http://www.stakotra.sk/amusement.html
  10. ↑ "Intamin". Martin & Vleminckx. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
  11. ↑ "New for 2014". August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Great Adventure's 'Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom' ride opens after numerous delays". NJ.com. July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Top Thrill Dragster photo". Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  14. 1 2 "Coaster Grotto Review". Coastergrotto. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Blog Critics review". 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  16. 1 2 "Kingda Ka rollack". 2005. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Kingda Ka POV". 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Kingda Ka Ride Review". 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  19. ↑ "We go Places information on Kingda Ka". Retrieved June 7, 2012.
  20. ↑ "10 Highest roller coasters on Earth". 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  21. 1 2 Levine, Arthur. "Kingda Ka malfunction- Why Six Flags Great Adventure's roller coaster is not operating". About.com. Retrieved August 22, 2007.
  22. 1 2 "Extra row on train". amusementpics.com. 2005. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  23. 1 2 "Kingda Ka roller coster". love to know.theme parks. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Station music". Scipiomask. 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  25. ↑ "2005 incident". Rideaccidents.com. 2005. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Kingda Ka reopens (2005)". abclocal.go.com. 2005. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  27. ↑ "England: Roller coaster the ultimate terror ride". England: Roller coaster the ultimate terror ride. April 10, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  28. ↑ "Kingda Ka has reopened". Coaster101.com. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  29. ↑ "Road trip to SFGAd". 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  30. ↑ "Opening weekend at SFGAd". 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  31. ↑ "Bird slams into boy's face on Six Flags roller coaster". 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Top 50 steel roller coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 26–27B. September 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Top 50 steel roller coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today: 26–27B. September 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Top 50 steel roller coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today 11 (6.2): 36–37. September 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Top 50 steel roller coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today 12 (6.2): 36–37. September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Top 50 steel roller coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today 13 (6.2): 32–33. September 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Top 50 steel roller coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today 14 (6.2): 34–35. September 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Top 50 steel roller coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today 15 (6.2): 38–39. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  39. ↑ "Top 50 steel roller coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today 16 (6.2): 36–37. September 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  40. ↑ "2013 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today 17 (6.2): 34–35. September 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  41. ↑ "2014 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today 18 (6.2): 46–47. September 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  42. ↑ "2015 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters" (PDF). Amusement Today 19 (6.2): 49–50. September 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2013.

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