Goodbye Kingda Ka?

Jeff:

a straight up, single direction launch

Not totally sure what you mean Jeff - you mean change to LIMs and keep the same basic ride?

If they wanted to KK2 it - and let’s hope they don’t name it Kingda Ka Komeback, for any number of reasons - they *could* do that, I guess, but it would be threading a needle. Or they could ditch the parking lot coaster, and we could all go on the last weekend to not ride it because it’s too painful.

Looking at the map, what really confuses me is why they never closed the loop from KK/Zumanjaro around the back of El Toro to Medusa.

Kumbak Ka. Built by Kumbak.

bigboy:

Seriously, what’s the acceleration difference between the two? A few seconds?

Assumptions:

TT2's initial forward launch is advertised as 0-74 mph on Cedar Point's website, but it does not give a time. TTD's launch was always advertised as 0-120 mph in 4 sec, so TTD's acceleration is easy to find. We just have to measure TT2's launch time.

Method:

I watched a POV of TT2 and used a stopwatch (my phone) to time how long it takes between the start of train movement and the nose of the train reaching the end of the stators. The average time I got from five measurements was 6.84 sec. So...

TTD

• 0-120 mph in 4 sec
• Acceleration: 44.0 ft/sec/sec = 1.37 Gs

TT2

• 0-74 mph in 6.84 sec
• Acceleration: 15.9 ft/sec/sec = 0.49 Gs

So Dragster's launch was 2.8X more forceful than Top Thrill 2's launch. That ain't nothin'. I think it's perfectly fair to say that we'll miss Dragster's launch while still being able to enjoy the different experience that Top Thrill 2 provides.

Sucks.

Exactly.

RCDB felt confident enough to list Green Lantern as removed...

https://rcdb.com/8932.htm

For those not familiar with the park, it's next to Kingda Ka. Based on the chatter we felt the rumor to be believable enough. So much as to go out this past weekend and let my boys get their credit on the ride. It was nice to feel that launch again.

Given permits were filed to remove Green Lantern today, I wouldn't be surprised if we got a Super Kingda Ka, with a TT2 swing launch and maybe an actual layout extension. Is it too late to ask if Intamin or Zamperla is doing it???

I really hope it isn't Zamperla, if it is then it will be a new for 2030 type deal.

Edit: If they finish Ka's layout, give us some inversions (the good ones), a multi launch, maybe an extra few thousand feet of track, there is so much speed after that tower that is just wasted.

I didn’t know Ka’s layout was incomplete.

This has been the most heated discussion on CoasterBuzz since Qbot.

I think parks only announce the closure of a ride if the ride is generally liked by park guests. Yeah, I said it.

That’s a good point. If Kings Island announced tomorrow, “Oh BTW, that was it for The Beast, so sawy,” I would drive over there and burn the park to the ground.

The chances of SF choosing Zamperla for a KK2 makeover is likely about the same as Son of Beast getting a RMC makeover next season.

So, like 50/50?

RMC Son of Beast would be awesome!

Maverick00:

Son of Beast getting a RMC makeover next season.

Yes please, but bring back the loop!

KI did include a "Beast 2.0" concept in a poll they sent out this summer in which they'd add another 3000' of track to the Beast. I think they'd be insane for doing this, and perhaps they knew they were trolling by doing so, but still the fact that the idea is even out there is scary.

I always thought there was so much more that could have been added to Ka before heavily breaking it into the station. The second hill seemed wasted. If it had the space, they could have done so much more with the layout.

I understand that what I am about to say is highly opinionated, but here goes....

Looking back on the 50th Anniversary ... it was not a celebratory year for the park.,..

1) Flash was (bad pun) apparently a year too slow.

2) Skyride down.

3) Log Flume down most of season.

4) Big Wheel down most of season.

5) Ka, Green Lantern now gone.

Is this what we have to look forward to with the merger? Isn't the goal of any business to "Give the people what they want?"

Even on its last day...Toro, Tango, Medussa, Mine Train were sealed off.

What am I missing here?

Bakeman31092:

That’s a good point. If Kings Island announced tomorrow, “Oh BTW, that was it for The Beast, so sawy,” I would drive over there and burn the park to the ground.

I would buy the kerosene and torches for you! Id feel the same way if Magic Mountain closed Viper unannounced!

Richie Reflux:

Is this what we have to look forward to with the merger?

The merger wasn't finalized until the season was half over. I'm not expecting the pendulum to swing far enough to notice any operational changes in either direction until the 2026 season.

I haven't been to Great Adventure in over a decade and even back then it was full of empty plots, non-operating rides, and awkward transitions. They just kept on adding on to the park. I could see them wanting to right-size things to a manageable size until they can start making improvements. Or they are going to continue with what they've been doing and make Kingda Ka 2 or whatever.