[CRAIG NIGRELLI]

IT’S THE END OF THE LINE FOR THE TALLEST ROLLER COASTER IN THE WORLD. BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THRILL SEEKERS ARE OUT OF LUCK WHEN IT COMES TO RECORD-BREAKING THRILLS.

LET’S GO FOR A RIDE. BUT YOU MAY WANT PUT DOWN THAT SANDWICH FIRST.

SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE SHUT DOWN THE 456-FOOT HIGH KINGDA KA COASTER THIS WEEK AFTER NEARLY 20 YEARS IN SERVICE – TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW ADDITIONS TO THE JACKSON, NEW JERSEY PARK.

GREAT ADVENTURE IS REMOVING ITS GREEN LANTERN COASTER AS WELL.

THE CHANGES COME AS PARENT COMPANY SIX FLAGS ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCED AN INVESTMENT OF MORE THAN 1 BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS TO ENHANCE GUEST EXPERIENCES AT ITS 42 PARKS.

THIS INCLUDES SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE UNVEILING A RECORD-BREAKING LAUNCH COASTER IN 2026.

IN A STATEMENT PROVIDED TO STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE PRESIDENT SAID QUOTE

“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.”

KINGDA KA – NOT ONLY WAS DUBBED THE WORLD’S TALLEST – BUT WAS ALSO THE FASTEST IN NORTH AMERICA – GOING FROM ZERO TO 128 MILES PER HOUR IN 3 POINT 5 SECONDS.

FOR A FEW YEARS – KINDGDA KA WAS ALSO THE FASTEST IN THE WORLD – BUT DROPPED — AS ROLLER COASTERS DO — TO NUMBER 2 IN 20-10 WITH THE OPENING OF THE FORMULA ROSSA  (ROSE-UH) COASTER IN ABU DHABI – WHICH HAS A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 149 MILES PER HOUR.

COMEDIAN KEVIN HART HAD THE CHANCE TO RIDE THAT ONE A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

BUT THIS ALL LEAVES THRILL SEEKERS WONDERING – WITH KINGDA KA NO LONGER IN PLAY – WHAT’S NOW THE TALLEST COASTER ON EARTH?

AS OF TODAY THAT ANSWER APPEARS TO BE THE TOP THRILL 2 COASTER AT THE CEDAR POINT AMUSEMENT PARK IN OHIO – ALSO PART OF THE SIX FLAGS BRAND. THIS COASTER HAS A HEIGHT OF 420 FEET.

BUT THIS IS ROLLER COASTER RANKING IS ABOUT TO BE THROWN FOR ANOTHER LOOP –

WHEN SIX FLAGS QIDDIYA (KHA-DEE-UH) IN SAUDI ARABIA OPENS – WITH A LAUNCH TENTATIVELY SET FOR 2025.

THE PARK WILL FEATURE THE ROLLER COASTER FALCONS FLIGHT – WHICH WILL BECOME THE TALLEST AND FASTEST COASTER ON EARTH —  WITH A MAX SPEED OF 155 MILES PER HOUR AND A HEIGHT OF 640 FEET – THAT’S EQUIVALENT TO A 60-STORY BUILDING.

THANKS FOR TAKING THIS RIDE WITH US. WE’LL UNDERSTAND IF YOU NEED A MINUTE BEFORE SCROLLING TO THE NEXT VIDEO OR TAKING ANOTHER BITE OF THAT SANDWICH.  

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M CRAIG NIGRELLI.

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