Latest news with #BrianBacica
Fox News
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Implosion of world's tallest roller coaster Kingda Ka caught on camera during planned Six Flags demolition
A record-breaking roller coaster was demolished at a Six Flags park in New Jersey on Friday, marking the end of a thrilling chapter in amusement park history. The Kingda Ka roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure was destroyed by demolition crews early Friday morning, three months after officials announced the closure of the ride in November. Aerial footage of the scene shows the steel beams of the roller coaster collapsing, creating clouds of smoke near one of the park's parking lots. The ride opened in 2005. Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, a drop tower attached to Kingda Ka, was also destroyed during the demolition. It opened in 2014, and was closed on the same day as the iconic roller coaster. Kingda Ka was one of the most famous rides at the Jackson, New Jersey, theme park, clocking in as the tallest roller coaster in the world. Boasting a maximum height of 456 feet, the roller coaster held onto its world record until closing down in November. The Kingda Ka ride began by hurtling riders from 1 to 128 mph in just 3.5 seconds, making it the fastest roller coaster in North America. After passengers shot up the track at a 90-degree angle, Kingda Ka offered a 418-foot drop, also marking the longest drop of any roller coaster in the U.S. Six Flags officials said that Kingda Ka's closure was meant to make way for a "multi-record-breaking launch coaster" that would open in 2026, though details about its successor are limited. "We understand that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate our guests' passion," Six Flags Great Adventure president Brian Bacica said in a press release obtained by Fox News Digital. "These changes are an important part of our growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences." The construction of a replacement for Kingda Ka was part of a $2 billion investment by Six Flags, the company announced, which will roll out this year and next. "The investments, which will total between $500 million and $525 million in both 2025 and 2026, will include new rides, attractions, themed areas, dining upgrades, and technology enhancements that are sure to deliver an unparalleled level of fun and excitement to guests of all ages," the announcement said. Fox News Digital reached out to Six Flags Great Adventure for additional comment.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kingda Ka roller coaster imploded at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey
Once the tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka was reduced to a pile of mangled steel during a controlled implosion set off at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. The 456-foot-tall amusement park attraction was intentionally toppled in Jackson on Friday, effectively ending its reign as king of the coasters mere months before its 20th anniversary. Video of the demolition shared online sees the massive tower of metal start to falter, before it crumbles and disappears into a cloud of smoke and dust. Kingda Ka was suddenly shuttered at the end of the 2024 season, with Six Flags confirming in November it was one of several attractions scheduled to be destroyed this year. The park's president, Brian Bacica, called the decision an 'important part of our growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences.' Bacica also teased a new 'multi-record-breaking launch coaster' set to open some time in 2026. He stopped short of providing further details, but said the new coaster would be 'a must-ride attraction sure to capture fans' imaginations.' Six Flags is also scheduled to debut its long-awaited The Flash: Vertical Velocity coaster later this year. It's been described as the first 'super boomerang coaster' in North America, and just the second in the world, propelling riders up to 60 miles per hour. 'Launching both forward and backward, you'll ascend a towering 172 feet before speeding off into micro gravity as you're turned upside down, nearly 100 feet off the ground,' Six Flags says on its website. Some of the other rides set for demolition this year include the Green Lantern roller coaster, The Twister, Parachutes and the Sky Way. Since its debut in 2005, Kingda Ka has carried millions of riders up its nearly 40 stories before sending them down a 418-foot drop through a 270-degree spiral. In its absence, the tallest roller coaster in the world is now Falcon Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legendary Kingda Ka rollercoaster comes down at Six Flags
JACKSON, New Jersey (PIX11) – The king has fallen as the legendary Kingda Ka ride at Six Flags Great Adventure was imploded on Friday morning. The demolition marks the end of a 19-year run for what was once the world's tallest and fastest rollercoaster. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Kingda Ka was one of several rides that were dismantled as part of a transformation for Six Flags. The Green Lantern coaster, which at point held world records for height, drop, speed, and length, has also been retired. 'We understand that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate our guests' passion. These changes are an important part of our growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences,' said park president Brian Bacica. More Local News Representatives for Six Flags say the park will be replacing the previous coasters with new rides like The Flash: Vertical Velocity. It will mark North America's first super boomerang coaster. 'And in 2026, we'll unveil an all-new, multi-record-breaking launch coaster, a must-ride attraction sure to capture fans' imaginations,' Bacica said. The Flash: Vertical Velocity is set to open in the 2025 season. Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
