It's our 2024 Summer of Traveling to all different Six Flags parks! We're in New Jersey visiting one of the best at Six Flags Great Adventure! We were here yesterday, but there was one big coaster, the biggest one in the world, that wasn't running. If we're going to call ourselves REAL roller coaster fans, we HAVE to ride it! That's it in the background. Kingda Ka stretches 456 feet into the air. It's the tallest roller coaster in the world.
Ian was really excited to go, but ah, it appears that security is holding everyone at the central hub.
At exactly 10:30am, according to the iPhone, the security guard said "You guys can go!" and we were off!
Just like when we went to Japan, for at least the first few minutes of the day, there is not a No Running rule. Everyone took off running to their favorite ride and luckily for us, we were leading the pack!
Now, I run pretty regularly, so this wasn't a big deal for me, but the kids are used to more short bursts of energy instead of prolonged exertion. I think they were a little worn out by the time we got to the front of the ride, but we made it! First in line!
As soon as we got to the queue entrance, a security guard stopped us. No loose articles allowed. Not even in zippered pockets. Uh... Bummer. There's lockers right beside the ride to rent but that's going to take a little while to figure out and I see people coming!
So, instead of going in a locker, my phone and sunglasses went on top of all the lockers (hopefully they'll be safe and out of the way) and down the queue we went!
Just for fun, I plotted the distance. 1818 feet in about 172 seconds. Including the walking sections, that puts us a little over an 8 minute mile!
And then, we were there! At the front of the line with no one in front of us! Front row baby!
Ian and Alli took the very front row, while I followed right behind them in the second row. And then we waited. Kingda Ka has a hydraulic launch system and expects a certain weight range. The crew operating the station won't launch unless there are 14 people in the 18 passenger train.
Finally enough people made it through the queue to fill up the rest of the train. Then we were off!
The launch is so intense, especially if you're in the front row. With nothing to buffer you from the wind, you feel all 128mph as you're launched in 3.5 seconds with enough momentum to make it over at 456 foot hill at the end.
At the top you get an amazing view.
The whole thing is over so crazy fast. There's just 3 parts to this ride, the fast launch, the giant hill, then the drop down the hill and coasting back to the station. It's 28 seconds in duration.
It was a lot of fun. Theresa caught up with us and got some photos while we were riding.
Awesome kids! You have now conquered the tallest roller coaster in the world!
Definitely a fun ride.
At this point, Theresa said goodbye to us for a little while and headed back out of the park and to the Planet Fitness nearby. Gotta get those workouts in and there's really not much that she can ride here at the park.
Over at Justice League Battle for Metropolis, the kids and I battled Lex Luthor's robots and other goons as we help save the Justice League.
The Flash even let us time him as he did a lap around the entire park!
How's the park looking right now? Kingda Ka - Closed, Superman - Closed. Hmm. Let's stop for lunch.
Ian found a great place that had a really good quesadilla, though it would be better if there were something for the handful of tortilla chips underneath. Salsa or something. I picked something easy, ready to continue with the rest of our riding day.
Where we'd hit Nitro!
And then splurge on some ice cream using Theresa's dining credit that she's not here to use.
I remember Cyclotrons like this at carnivals and state fares. The kids haven't done one before and were surprised at how little safety restraints there were. Just a loose rope in front of you while you lean against the wall!
It's fun to see animals throughout the parks, but we always feel bad when we see the big cats.
We can hear Superman running trains. Are they opening soon?
The worker at the front (poor guy) said that no, they didn't know when/if it would be running.
Probably not today. It's a shame that this big name ride is down so often.
Back over to Nitro, which is one of our favorites here in this park.
Front row, hands up!
We bounced around different rides, doing whatever we felt like. It's a pretty good day for crowds here.
Theresa is back! With treats!
Sufferin Succotash. It's Sylvester!
Just a few minutes left before the park closed (6pm).
The Buccaneer Pirate ship seems like a precursor to the giant pendulum rides like Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth.
You've got to start somewhere. But it's a little rough when parents are trying to force a kid onto it. We sat for 2 minutes while loading as the dad tried to drag his screaming and crying child on. Even after getting the child seated, they were trying to crawl out, so thankfully the dad relented and let them get off. That would have been a miserable ride otherwise.
The last ride today is the Swashbuckler that we rode before.
Alli - That was shorter than the first time.
Joe - Good thing too! I was watching someone directly opposite us and they looked like they were about to puke!
It's 6pm and the park is now closed. It's been a really fun time of riding coasters today. I'm really glad we got to ride Kingda Ka! And not just once but 5 times! Tomorrow we're coming back for more!
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