Latest news with #GreatAdventure
Politico
21-05-2025
- Health
- Politico
B-B-B-Bennies and regrets
When I first heard the term 'death spiral,' I figured it was the name of a new ride at Great Adventure. Turns out it's even more fun. It's what's happening to the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program for local government employees, and probably soon for educators as well. The Department of Treasury on Tuesday released a dead serious report about the problems plaguing the plans, which have faced huge premium increases over the last couple years and, according to the Murphy administration, are due for more without major structural reforms. The report led to finger-pointing as to who's the blame. The administration points to one big cause as the rich benefits offered, including paying for expensive hormonal weight loss drugs like Ozempic. And they say the governing bodies for the plans, split between management and labor, often deadlock. Public sector unions like the CWA and PBA call this 'scapegoating' their members, blaming 'greed' and healthcare cost, along with the administration's 'refusal to address the real drivers of increasing costs and long-term instability: profit-driven healthcare.' But nobody disputes the benefits plans are in deep crisis. Here's the death spiral part: Because rates are rising so fast, some local governments with comparatively healthy work forces can find cheaper rates in the private sector. The governments with less healthy work forces stay in, which further increases the rates. Just a few days before this report came out, Assemblymember Carmen Theresa Morales introduced legislation that would, starting in October 2026, require local governments that enroll in the local government-and-educators portions of the program to stay in at least five years. That's not a coincidence. And I doubt it's the last piece of legislation we'll see on this. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — No public schedule QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'I have passionate differences and disagreements with Charlie Kushner, but I supported his confirmation because he has been unrelenting in reforming our criminal justice system and has substantively helped achieve the liberation of thousands of people from unjust incarceration.' — Sen. Cory Booker, the only Democrat to vote in favor of Kushner's confirmation as ambassador to France. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Sean Kean, Alaine Williams, Mollie Binotto, Brigid Harrison, Joshua Henne, Michael Gartland, Melissa Pollitt WHAT TRENTON MADE THE REPUBLICAN DEBATE — Republican gubernatorial candidates Jack Ciattarelli, Bill Spadea and Jon Bramnick disagreed on plenty during last night's 2.5 hour debate — much more than I can get into here. But here's one thing they agreed on:: The federal assault charges against Democratic U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver. 'If you touch a police officer, that's aggravated assault,' Bramnick said. 'You cannot obstruct. So if the video shows a congressperson or anybody else is obstructing the arrest of an individual, that's what the law is. … I just think in this environment she's got a little bit of a problem.' Spadea said: 'I would hope that a member of Congress would have more sense than to hit a police officer. I hope she is charged to the fullest extent of the law and serves whatever punishment is appropriate.' And Ciattarelli: 'Video shows that this person who you mention laid her hands on another person. So that to me says that the charges are legitimate.' (McIver is shown shoving and elbowing into officers on videos, and being shoved by one, but none show her hitting them). Where they differed on this was whether Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, whose arrest touched off the whole scuffle, should have been arrested in the first place. Habba dropped the charge against Baraka on Monday, which Bramnick said 'maybe those allegations weren't so strong.' Spadea, by contrast, said 'it's too bad' she dropped the charge against him. I thought President Trump's endorsement of Jack Ciattarelli would have played a bigger role in last night's two and a half hour presidential debate, but other than the opening statements — in which non-endorsed Bill Spadea actually brought it up first — it didn't feature heavily. 'Let me be very clear: the president endorsed a poll — a poll that was conducted and paid for by Jack's campaign,' Spadea said. Ciattarelli shot back that Trump endorsed him for a many reasons, including his electability and fundraising. 'He endorsed me because i'm the only person who can beat the Democrats in November, and the goal is to win,' he said. Bramnick, known as one of the few Republican New Jersey lawmakers who's critical of the president, just joked about it. 'I did not get the endorsement from Donald Trump. I waited up late at night. No phone call.' Bramnick, who moonlights as a stand-up comedian, had a lot of punch lines that landed. This was was my favorite, in response to a question about the Trump administration's $5,000 'baby bonus': 'I think people are good with having babies without having a bonus. They know how to do it.' —'NJ Transit strike halted but financial questions remain' —'As NJ Transit trains start to roll again on May 20, here's how talks played out' —'For the first time, group homes in N.J. would face fines for harming disabled residents' —'N.J. man arrested in Florida for alleged death threats against Gov. Phil Murphy' —"What NJ transit wage deal with union means for coming fare increase' —"NJ Transit extends ticket expiration dates after strike by engineers' TRUMP ERA HABBA: MAMMA MIA, HERE SHE GOES AGAIN — Alina Habba targeted Democrats when she became New Jersey's top prosecutor. Now she's following through, by POLITICO's Matt Friedman, Erica Orden and Ry Rivard: From the moment she was named New Jersey's interim U.S. Attorney, Alina Habba made it clear she would use the office as a political bludgeon … Habba talked to a far-right activist about turning 'New Jersey red,' announced investigations into its Democratic governor and attorney general over immigration, called out Sen. Cory Booker's hometown of Newark for crime and said 'I'm looking at you, Paterson' over the city's immigration policies. Habba, who had no prosecutorial experience but represented President Donald Trump in three civil trials in recent years, found an opening this month to make her mark, when three Democratic House members and a progressive mayor running for governor showed up to inspect a migrant detention center in Newark. … It wouldn't be the first time New Jersey's U.S. Attorney's Office has been tainted by politics. … 'Chris Christie used that office brilliantly for his own political purposes, but he didn't come at it with a meat cleaver the way she's approaching it,' said Gerry Krovatin, a prominent New Jersey defense lawyer and Democrat who has often represented clients prosecuted by the New Jersey U.S. attorney's office. — 'New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver faces felony assault charge in conflict at ICE facility, court filing shows" — 'DOJ sends a warning to judges and lawmakers who stoke Trump's wrath on immigration' —'Congressional hearing on ICE upended by charges against a House Democrat' —'I'm looking forward to my day in court': McIver claps back at Trump's charges —Snowflack: 'McIver case reveals the injustice of Trump's Dept. of 'Justice'' SALT — Blue-state Republicans, GOP leaders land tentative deal for $40,000 SALT deduction by POLITICO's Meredith Lee Hill and Benjamin Guggenheim: House Speaker Mike Johnson and a group of blue-state Republicans have reached a critical but tentative deal to boost the cap on state and local tax deductions to $40,000 in the GOP megabill, according to three Republicans with direct knowledge of the private agreement. The new deduction cap, which would be per household, will be limited to taxpayers making below $500,000. Under the tentative deal, the income cap and the deduction will grow 1 percent every year over a ten-year window. The deduction stays in place after the 10-year window and doesn't snap back to previous levels. President Donald Trump is expected to endorse the SALT agreement. However, GOP hard-liners and fiscal hawks who deeply oppose a higher SALT cap boost still need to sign off on the measure. FLYING BLIND — 'Newark's air traffic nightmare continues as controllers lose contact with planes a 4th time,' by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: Federal Aviation Administration officials are investigating yet another outage at the air traffic control center handling flights to and from Newark Liberty International Airport — the fourth such incident reported in the past three weeks. This one was brief, lasting only seconds, and did not interfere with operations, according to the FAA. The outage affected Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control center, known as TRACON, which manages air traffic control in the airspace surrounding Newark Liberty. The facility has come under mounting scrutiny since a total radar and radio frequency blackout on April 28.' MEDICUTS — 'What GOP's Medicaid cuts could cost NJ,' by NJ Spotlight News' Lilo H. Stainton: 'New Jersey stands to lose $3.6 billion — nearly a quarter of the federal funding it expected to collect — for its Medicaid program in the new budget year under legislation now advancing in Congress, according to an analysis by state officials. A Republican proposal, consisting of 11 smaller bills bundled together into an immense 1,116-page bill over the weekend, would cut as much as $300 million in hospital aid, impose work requirements on thousands of low-income adults and eliminate coverage for at least 360,000 residents, state analyses of the bills show.' ANY WAY THE WIND BLOWS — 'Not dead yet? Trump reversal on NY/NJ wind farm stuns opponents of offshore wind power,' by The Press of Atlantic City's Wayne Parry: 'In a rare about-face, President Donald Trump has reversed his opposition to an offshore wind farm being built off New York and New Jersey, allowing it to proceed after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul promised to work with his administration on 'new energy projects.' Hochul and Equinor, the Norwegian energy company building the project off Long Branch in New Jersey and Long Beach on Long Island, said Monday night the U.S. Interior Department has lifted a stop-work order it imposed on the Empire Wind I project nearly a month ago. … The Ocean City-based Protect Our Coast NJ group called Trump's reversal 'shocking.' 'We were stunned to see this news,' said its president, Robin Shaffer. 'We believe that offshore wind anywhere is a terrible idea.' —'How would Medicaid cuts hit disabled community in NJ? Mom frets as GOP offers assurances' LOCAL R.I.P. — 'Longtime Fair Lawn mayor and Bergen County freeholder David Ganz dies,' by The Record's Amanda Wallace: 'David L. Ganz, former Fair Lawn mayor and a longtime member of the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, has died, the borough announced May 20. His death was announced by the borough in a post on Facebook on May 20, which described Ganz as a 'devoted public servant, community leader, and esteemed resident whose legacy has left a lasting imprint on Fair Lawn and beyond.'' WAIT 'TILL WE GET OUR HAYNES OFF YOU — 'Newark school board member involved in Global Studies cases steps down from her role,' by Chalkbeat's Jessie Gómez: 'One of Newark's longest-serving school board members, who faced removal from her seat this year and has spoken out about racial harassment and tensions at a controversial district high school, has suddenly left the board, Chalkbeat has learned. Dawn Haynes, who was serving her third term, has stepped down from the Newark Board of Education effective immediately, according to multiple sources. First elected in 2018, Haynes recently faced criticism from Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León and other district leaders after her daughter filed a legal claim against the district alleging religious, racial, and gender discrimination and other harassment during her time as a Newark School of Global Studies student. In November 2024, the Newark school board voted to ask the state education department to recommend the removal of Haynes due to a conflict that stemmed from her daughter's legal claim, but the petition was shot down in January by the state's education commissioner.' DID CARMELA TAKE IT FROM THE BIRD FEEDER? — 'Cliffside Park reported $38,000 in cash tax payments missing from borough hall,' by The Record's Kristie Cattafi: 'The borough has reported that over $38,000 in property taxes paid in cash by property owners to the tax office last year is missing. The missing funds, which were reported stolen to the borough police, represent second-quarter tax bill payments. The borough has no answers yet about what happened to the cash payments, but it recently recouped the losses through an insurance claim. As a result, the borough will no longer accept cash property tax payments, said borough spokesperson Bill Maer.' COALITION FOR REGRESS — 'HCDO calls on Fulop-linked PAC, candidates, to denounce 'racist' mailer in LD-31,' by Hudson County View's John Heinis: 'The Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) is calling on a super PAC linked to Mayor Steven Fulop's gubernatorial run, as well as some of his down ballot candidates, to denounce a 'racist' mailer related to the 31st Legislative District Assembly race. … The mailer in question is from the Coalition of Progress PAC, Fulop's main backer in gubernatorial race that has also shown support for Schillari and the Jersey City mayor's Assembly candidates. … 'Billionaire Paul Fireman gave Jerry Walker hundreds of thousands of dollars to help turn Liberty State Park into a private golf course,' the campaign piece that hit mailboxes early this month says. … The photo of Walker, running with the HCDO's support in LD-31, was taken from a Hudson County Board of Commissioners meeting and is wearing a silver watch. The original photo, where both of his arms are mostly obscured, appeared in The Jersey Journal last year.' —'How Jersey Shore towns will respond to gangs of teens this Memorial Day weekend' —'Congresswoman Ilhan Omar supporting Mussab Ali for Jersey City mayor' —'So close, yet so far: how Barringer and Technology high schools diverge' —'Morristown police officer accused of driving drunk and crashing car while off-duty' —"Judge denies Hector & Alonso's request for waterfront voting sites in LD-33' EVERYTHING ELSE BORN ON THE PAYOU — 'New Rutgers president will earn $1M+. Inside his record-breaking contract,' by NJ Advance Media's Liz Rosenberg: 'Louisiana State University President William Tate IV will get a big raise when he takes over as Rutgers University's new president this summer. Tate was earning a base pay of $750,000 a year, plus the ability to boost his pay with bonuses, under a three-year contract extension he signed at Louisiana State in 2024. At Rutgers, he will earn a base salary of $1.1 million, plus significantly more in incentive pay and several other perks, according to the terms of his contract. That will make him Rutgers' highest paid president ever.' IT'S HO SCALE — 'A comedian saves a railroad with purchase of a New Jersey home,' by The Wall Street Journal's Betsy McKay: 'A model railroad club is back on track after a television comedian and his wife bought the suburban home where it is headquartered and invited the train buffs to stay. James 'Murr' Murray, a star of truTV's 'Impractical Jokers' and his wife, Melyssa Murray, bought the Rocky Hill, N.J., home where the Pacific Southern Railway operates its trains on a vast layout of miniature cities, mountains and railroad yards in the basement. The Murrays, who live a few minutes away in Princeton, had never heard of Pacific Southern, but learned about it after The Wall Street Journal published an article about the club and its possible derailment. … Far from putting the brakes on the model trains, they're signaling big plans. Murr calls himself a 'massive train buff.' 'You just don't find that in America anymore, that kind of dedication to a club and craft and the imagination and sweat and time has been put into it,' he said.' —'OceanFirst Bank improves to 'outstanding' grade from feds after $14M redlining fine' —'Japanese drugmaker lays off 57 from U.S. headquarters in New Jersey' —'I-80 eastbound lanes to reopen Wednesday in Wharton; two westbound lanes set to reopen next week' —'Person may have spread measles at Shakira concert in MetLife Stadium, health officials say' —'Moody's Ratings upgrades NJCU's financial outlook from stable to positive'
CBS News
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Six Flags' The Flash: Vertical Velocity roller coaster opens this weekend. Here's what it's like to ride.
Six Flags Great Adventure is days away from opening, and many thrill seekers will be headed for The Flash: Vertical Velocity coaster, the first "super boomerang" roller coaster in North America. The brand new roller coaster will be ready when the park opens for the season on Saturday, March 29. On Thursday, CBS News Philadelphia got a sneak peek — a chance to ride it multiple times. "Boomerang" coasters are so named because they take you through sections of the track forwards, and then go in reverse. So you'll get to experience the same loops, barrell rolls and vertical spikes forwards and backwards! A super boomerang coaster takes that same boomerang concept and uses a launch system instead of lifts, and has a longer layout, according to roller coaster designer Vekoma. Ryan Eldredge, regional manager of public relations for Six Flags, tells us the coaster reaches 172 feet (or 17 stories) high and has a top speed of 59 mph. Somehow, Ryan was able to get all those words out while riding the coaster — a true pro. "We're going to get a lot of air time," Eldredge said. "You nervous?" The coaster starts by taking riders out of the station forwards before launching them backwards. Then it's back through the start point, much faster this time, before going upside-down. From there, there's a camelback, a barrel roll and a sharp turn upward — before going backward through it all over again. Check out the video above for a look at the ride in daylight! The Flash is not the only new coaster coming to Great Adventure. After demolishing Kingda Ka and some other rides over the winter, Six Flags is working on a multi-world-record-breaking coaster that will occupy that space. That new coaster is set to open in 2026. There is one other "Super Boomerang" coaster in the world called Cloud Shuttle - it's at Fantawild Wonderland in Xuzhou, China .
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Six Flags Great Adventure opens Saturday, and more things to do at the Shore this weekend
You don't have much longer to wait for thrills. Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson opens Saturday, which means you'll be able to ride the long-awaited coaster The Flash: Vertical Velocity. "This groundbreaking super boomerang coaster launches you forward and backward at 60 miles per hour, sending guests soaring 172 feet and twisting through a heart-pounding Zero-G roll," the park has said. The steel roller coaster is manufactured by Vekoma, and park officials say it will be the first of its kind to open in North America — and only the second in the world. It's themed after the famed DC Comics character The Flash, known as "the fastest man alive." Great Adventure is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Flash is located in the Movietown section of the park. Season pass holders can make reservations to ride the new coaster for the first two hours on Saturday, and then it opens to the public. That is also the case for Sunday, as well as April 5 and 6. Wild Safari animal park also opens Saturday. Hurricane Harbor water park opens Saturday, May 17. Go: Six Flags Great Adventure opening weekend, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, tickets are $39, passes range from $69 to $195; Here are more things to do this weekend, including Rosé All Day in Point Pleasant Beach and the Peking Acrobats in Red Bank. The Garden State Film Festival celebrates its 23rd anniversary Thursday to Sunday in Asbury Park and Cranford. In four days, you can enjoy 205 films and film-centered events from over 14 countries over four days in nine venues along with hosting parties, professional panels, celebrities, networking events, special honors and more,' said Lauren Concar Sheehy, the festival's executive director. Attendees may choose from feature and short-length films, documentaries, comedies, children's, thrillers, pilots and student films. There are also "Home-Grown' films shot in the Garden State, including the documentary "Extra Innings: Grandpa Got Game" by Freehold resident Robert Mandelberg. The story follows a group of devoted seniors navigating the challenges of aging while debating safe-out calls in their beloved softball games. It screens at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Asbury Lanes. Other NJ highlights include: Mikey Smith of Howell, whose 'Shore Shack' screens at noon Saturday, March 29, at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park. Entrepreneur Jenny Jing Zhu of Belmar, whose story is told in 'Dream Weaver,' showing at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Asbury Lanes. 'Dinner Talk,' by Deal's Louis Politan, will be served at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove. The short drama 'Muted,' from Bridgewater's Chris Zou, screens at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Berkeley. A documentary on the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office Hope One Mobile Unit, which is supported by recovery specialists to tackle the opioid crisis, will be shown at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Asbury Hall in The Asbury hotel. Also screening at this session is a new music video for "Always the Same Dream" by the Asbury Park band Backhouse. Red Bank photog Danny Sanchez, known for his stills, lets the camera roll for two works at the fest: the short 'Babyface,' at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Kingsley in the Berkeley, and 'This Train,' an excerpt from the musical storybook 'Sleeping Beauty Who Just Woke Up,' at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Berkeley. 'Here's Yianni!', starring Joe Cortese and Julia Ormond, was partly filmed in Asbury Park. It shows at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30 at Asbury Lanes. Asbury Park native Queen Stewart tells her compelling story in 'Sense of Urgency' at 2:30 p.m. Saturday inside the Kingsley room at the Berkeley. "Vienna: Suddenly an Angel,' a 20-minute documentary produced and directed by Matawan resident and longtime filmmaker Marko Albrecht, part of a Saturday session in Asbury Hall that begins at 11:45 a.m. The festival offers a variety of ticket packages, from single screenings to the comprehensive $105 Parkway Pass, which includes the Meet the Filmmakers event, gala reception and unlimited screenings of all films. More information, including a complete schedule, is at Go: Garden State Film Festival, Thursday to Sunday, various locations in Asbury Park and Cranford, $20 to $105; 877-908-7050, info@ For the last 32 years, The Peking Acrobats have helped to redefine audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs, and display their technical prowess at trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling and gymnastics. See these displays of contortion, flexibility and control at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. The acrobats are often accompanied by live musicians who play traditional Chinese instruments. Go: The Peking Acrobats, 4 p.m. Sunday, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $25 to $45; 732-842-9000, Want to spend a weekend afternoon sipping wine? Get your tickets to Rosé All Day, a wine-tasting event featuring styles from around the world, plus cheeses, meats and chocolates from Point Pleasant Beach-based Molly Boards. There will be live music, too. The event is presented by Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, which begins Friday, March 28, and runs through Sunday, April 6. Another, The Great Jersey Shore Burger Contest and Craft Beer Fest, takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como. Go: Rosé All Day, 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, B2 Bistro, 709 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, $60, You only have a few more days to see "Red Rose Kay Photography & Multimedia: Landscapes and Nature" at the Barnegat branch of Ocean County Library. Photo artist Kaylee McGrath's Instagram following has grown exponentially since her 2016 graduation from Barnegat High School, and her 2018 graduation from Ocean County Vocational Technical School in Brick. In addition to participating in local arts and crafts events, and staging exhibits at numerous venues, McGrath teaches a mobile photography mini-course for young adults with special needs. The show can be seen through Monday, March 31. No registration is required. Go: 'Red Rose Kay Photography & Multimedia: Landscapes and Nature,' through March 31, Ocean County Library, Barnegat branch, 112 Burr St., free; 609-698-3331, Feeling like you need something to get you through the news cycle? All you need is love. At 3 p.m. Sunday, Beatles fans can experience the magic of the Fab Four with this tribute act at Drew University's Concert Hall. Re-Live The Beatles: The Tribute takes you on a journey through the career of the boys from Liverpool. Sunday's show features music, costume changes and an immersive backdrop, transporting patrons back to the 1960s. Relive the magic of the Beatles' appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show," the Shea Stadium concert, the psychedelic journey of "Sgt. Pepper" and the iconic crossing of Abbey Road. You'll hear lots of hits, from "She Loves You," "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "A Hard Day's Night" to "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,' "With a Little Help from My Friends" and "Hey Jude." Tickets are $35 to $50. Go: Re-Live The Beatles: The Tribute, 3 p.m. Sunday, Concert Hall, Drew University, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, $35 to $50; Sarah Griesemer and Chris Jordan contributed to this story. Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at bcanacci@ This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ things to do include Six Flags Great Adventure opening
USA Today
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
World's tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, is coming down at Six Flags Great Adventure
World's tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, is coming down at Six Flags Great Adventure Show Caption Hide Caption Experience Great Adventure's 'Kingda Ka' Take a ride on Six Flags Great Adventure's 'Kingda Ka' coaster along with Asbury Park Press features writers Alex Biese and Liz Dennerlein. Thomas P. Costello, Asbury Park Press JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – The world's tallest and second-fastest roller coaster, Kingda Ka, has reached its final days, as demolition crews prepare to implode the iconic ride that has towered over Six Flags Great Adventure for nearly 20 years. The eyes of the roller-coaster loving world are on the New Jersey theme park, which originally targeted mid-February for the implosion, according to a permit filed by the park. That has been pushed back for a variety of reasons including weather, but demolition is well underway. For days, gawkers have parked along Route 537 hoping to get a glimpse at the famous highlighter green, 456-foot looping arch of Kingda Ka as it comes down. They've left disappointed thus far – or, perhaps, momentarily relieved. A fan-favorite coaster Matt Kaiser, New Jersey regional representative for American Coaster Enthusiasts, wasn't surprised by the outpouring of onlookers for Kingda Ka's scheduled demise. Six Flags didn't announce that the ride was sunsetting until after the park had already closed for this past season. Before that, rumors had persisted for months among theme park news websites and roller coaster aficionado social media groups. While some die-hards may have traveled across the country to get one last ride in, countless more were left in the dark. Getting the chance to watch Kingda Ka come down is the closest thing they might get to closure. "A lot of people are still emotionally attached to Kingda Ka," Kaiser said. "It's a really big deal for it to come down. It's one of the first things you see when you drive in, before you even get to the park. It's just been so iconic." These twins have ridden 1,000+ coasters: They aren't slowing down A bumpy history Kingda Ka opened in 2005 to massive fanfare. Its 456-foot drop and top speed of 128 miles per hour immediately made it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, according to Guinness World Records. Its speed record held until 2010. But Kinda Ka also faced its fair share of problems. It closed for months almost immediately after its opening due to needed repairs. Months-long closures became a regular occurrence, including a 2009 closure after it was struck by lightning. Most recently, the state ordered Kingda Ka shuttered in 2023 after its launch cable snapped. Riders visited Six Flags Great Adventure not knowing whether Kingda Ka would be open. And it wasn't uncommon for the ride to start the day off fully operational, only to be shut down after a guest waited two hours. What's next for Six Flags Great Adventure Along with Kingda Ka, The Twister and Parachutes have also closed to make way for a new signature launch coaster, which is expected to break multiple records when it opens in 2026. "This major investment is part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the guest experience and offering the next generation of thrilling attractions," Six Flags Great Adventure spokesman Ryan Eldredge said in a statement. Details are expected later this summer. In the meantime, guests can look forward to the opening of the THE FLASH: Vertical Velocity, this spring. The park says it will be the first super boomerang coaster in North America, launching guests both forward and backward with speeds up to 59 mph. Kaiser said the park has a big hole to fill. Kingda Ka formed a formidable trio of top roller coasters — with Nitro and El Toro — that was hard to beat on the East Coast, if not the entire country. "It was one of the greatest combos of coasters at any park," Kaiser said. "It doesn't necessarily need to have the height or the speed, but they need something that can live up to Kingda Ka." What's the tallest, fastest coaster now? The world's fastest coaster, according to Guinness World Records, is Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. It hits just over 149 mph. Cedar Point's Top Thrill 2 is next in line for world's tallest coaster, by Guinness' account, but it won't be for long. Falcons Flight is expected to become the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in the world when it opens "soon" at Six Flags Qiddiya City.
