Kingda Ka - wikipedia 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 ; - 74.4364972 Coordinates : 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 in ( 137 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, a subcontractor to Intamin. Riders have to be 54 '' in order to be able to get on the roller coaster. The train is launched by a hydraulic launch mechanism to 128 miles per hour ( 206 km / h ) in 3.5 seconds. 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. Contents 1 History 2 Ride experience 2.1 Theme 2.2 Trains and station 2.3 Rollbacks 3 Incidents 3.1 Bolt failure 3.2 Lightning strike 3.3 Hurricane Irene 3.4 Bird strike 4 Awards 5 Records 6 References 7 External links History Plans to build Kingda Ka were announced on September 10, 2003, at an event held for roller coaster enthusiasts and the media. 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. On January 13, 2005, Kingda Ka 's tower construction was completed, 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. 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. Both rides were built by Stakotra and installed by Martin & Vleminckx. 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. The drop tower features three gondolas integrated into the existing structure which was also built by Intamin. Kingda Ka closed at the start of the 2014 season in order to 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. Ride experience Kingda Ka 's layout and experience is nearly identical to Top Thrill Dragster. 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. 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. Kingda Ka 's horn previously sounded before each launch, 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. 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 ). 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. Theme 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. The ride 's sign and station have a Nepalese style. The queue line is surrounded by bamboo, which augments the jungle theme. Jungle music is played during the wait and throughout the Golden Kingdom section of the park, which was built for the ride. 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. Jungle themed Kindga Ka entrance sign 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. The rear row of each car is positioned higher than its front row for better visibility. 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. Kingda Ka 's over-the - shoulder restraint system consists of a thick, rigid lap bar and two thin, flexible over-the - shoulder restraints. 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. Switch track at the station 's exit 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Kingda Ka reopened on August 4. Lightning strike Kingda Ka was struck by lightning in May 2009 and suffered serious damage. The ride was closed for three months for repairs and reopened on August 21, 2009. Hurricane Irene Kingda Ka 's tower On August 27, 2011, Kingda Ka suffered unspecified damage shortly before Hurricane Irene ; that same day, 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. Kingda Ka remained closed until the start of the 2012 operating season on April 5. 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. Awards Golden Ticket Awards : Top steel Roller Coasters Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Ranking 42 28 31 25 31 27 ( tie ) 33 38 35 ( tie ) 45 49 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 Jump up ^ http://www.stakotra.sk/kingda_ka.html ^ Jump up to : `` Kingda Ka : Great Adventure ''. Six Flags. Retrieved August 22, 2007. ^ Jump up to : Marden, Duane. `` Kingda Ka ( Six Flags Great Adventure ) ''. Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved May 25, 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Kingda Ka : The Media Event ''. October 12, 2004. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved September 1, 2007. Jump up ^ `` Six Flags Great Adventure will launch the tallest, fastest roller coaster on earth ''. September 29, 2004. Jump up ^ `` 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. Jump up ^ `` Record breaking roller coasters ''. 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Kingda Ka vs. Top Thrill Dragster ''. July 18, 2007. Retrieved June 8, 2012. Jump up ^ http://www.stakotra.sk/amusement.html Jump up ^ `` Intamin ''. Martin & Vleminckx. Archived from the original on November 25, 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2013. Jump up ^ `` New for 2014 ''. August 29, 2013. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Great Adventure 's ' Zumanjaro : Drop of Doom ' ride opens after numerous delays ''. NJ.com. July 4, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Top Thrill Dragster photo ''. Retrieved May 30, 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Coaster Grotto Review ''. Coastergrotto. Retrieved June 4, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Blog Critics review ''. 2007. Retrieved June 4, 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Kingda Ka rollack ''. 2005. Retrieved March 13, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Kingda Ka POV ''. 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Kingda Ka Ride Review ''. 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2012. Jump up ^ `` We go Places information on Kingda Ka ''. Retrieved June 7, 2012. Jump up ^ `` 10 Highest roller coasters on Earth ''. 2010. Retrieved May 25, 2012. ^ Jump up to : Levine, Arthur. `` Kingda Ka malfunction - Why Six Flags Great Adventure 's roller coaster is not operating ''. About.com. Retrieved August 22, 2007. ^ Jump up to : `` Extra row on train ''. amusementpics.com. 2005. Retrieved June 4, 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Kingda Ka roller coster ''. love to know. theme parks. Retrieved June 4, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Station music ''. Scipiomask. 2010. Retrieved June 4, 2012. Jump up ^ `` 2005 incident ''. Rideaccidents.com. 2005. Retrieved June 4, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Kingda Ka reopens ( 2005 ) ''. abclocal.go.com. 2005. Retrieved June 6, 2012. Jump up ^ `` England : Roller coaster the ultimate terror ride ''. England : Roller coaster the ultimate terror ride no. April 10, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Kingda Ka has reopened ''. Coaster101.com. Retrieved June 4, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Road trip to SFGAd ''. 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Opening weekend at SFGAd ''. 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Bird slams into boy 's face on Six Flags roller coaster ''. 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2012. Jump up ^ `` 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. Jump up ^ `` 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. Jump up ^ `` 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. Jump up ^ `` 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. Jump up ^ `` 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. Jump up ^ `` 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. Jump up ^ `` 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. Jump up ^ `` Top 50 steel Roller Coasters '' ( PDF ). Amusement Today. 16 ( 6.2 ) : 36 -- 37. September 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2013. Jump up ^ `` 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. Jump up ^ `` 2014 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters '' ( PDF ). Amusement Today. 18 ( 6.2 ) : 46 -- 47. September 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2013. Jump up ^ `` 2015 Top 50 steel Roller Coasters '' ( PDF ). Amusement Today. 19 ( 6.2 ) : 49 -- 50. September 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2013. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kingda Ka. Official Kingda Ka page Kingda Ka Preview Article Kingda Ka Six Flags Great Adventure Roller coasters Batman : The Ride Bizarro The Dark Knight Coaster El Toro Green Lantern Harley Quinn Crazy Train The Joker Kingda Ka Nitro Road Runner Railway Runaway Mine Train Skull Mountain Superman : Ultimate Flight Other attractions Adventure Alley Air Jumbo Congo Rapids Houdini 's Great Escape Justice League : Battle for Metropolis King Cobra Safari Off Road Adventure Skyride SkyScreamer Zumanjaro : Drop of Doom Former attractions Alpen Blitz Batman & Robin : The Chiller Big Fury Evolution Glow in the Park Parade Great American Scream Machine Haunted Castle Jumbo Jet Lightnin ' Loops Lil ' Thunder Rolling Thunder Sarajevo Bobsled Shockwave Ultra Twister Viper Wild Rider Events Fright Fest Holiday in the Park Intamin List of Intamin rides Current roller coaster models Accelerator Drop Coaster Giga Impulse LSM Launch Mega Mine train MotorBike Prefabricated Wooden Polercoaster ( in association with US Thrill Rides ) Spinning SurfRider Suspended Vertical Lift Wing Coaster Wing Rider Wooden ZacSpin Discontinued roller coaster models Space Diver Stand - up Swiss Bob Other current rides Bounty Flume Ride Flying Dutchman Giant Drop Gyro Drop Gyro Swing Gyro tower Hyper Splash Looping Starship Mega Splash Rapid Ride Super Splash Tow boat ride Other discontinued rides Double and triple Ferris wheels Freefall Notable rides American Eagle California Screamin ' Colossos Colossus Demon Drop El Toro Falcon 's Fury Formula Rossa Kingda Ka Kirnu Millennium Force Possessed Sky Whirl Stealth Superman : Escape from Krypton The Giant Drop Thirteen Top Thrill Dragster Tower of Terror II Volcano, The Blast Coaster Wicked Twister Wilderness Run Xcelerator Website : www.intaminworldwide.com Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kingda_Ka&oldid=815942585 '' Categories : Operating roller coasters Roller coasters by name Roller coasters introduced in 2005 Steel roller coasters Launched roller coasters Roller coasters manufactured by Intamin Stratacoasters Roller coasters operated by Six Flags Roller coasters in New Jersey Six Flags Great Adventure Hidden categories : Good articles Use mdy dates from June 2012 Coordinates on Wikidata Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Eesti Español Euskara Français 한국어 Italiano עברית Magyar Nederlands Polski Português Русский Simple English Suomi Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 18 December 2017, at 06 : 06. 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Question: how tall do u have to be to ride kingda ka
Answer: 54"