Ride the World’s Tallest, Second Fastest Roller Coaster

My friend Shannon and I on Kingda Ka; we were able to get a shot of us on the coaster from our phones at the area where you can pay for photos, though I know that now, understandably, they’re a lot more strict about preventing people from taking phone pictures! 

#8

I have ridden Kingda Ka, the world’s tallest and second fastest roller coaster in the world a couple of times now, but the first time I rode it was actually with my mother, a coaster junkie like myself. For the past ten years, we have actually gone to Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey) nearly every Mother’s Day, at my mom’s request!

Once you are strapped in, waiting to go up the 456-foot hill, which should eventually reach a maximum speed of 128 mph, there will be what feels like an excruciatingly long period where you sit at the bottom of that hill. Then an announcement says something such as “Arms down, hands back, hold on!” The coaster catapults backward for a second, and then you shoot up the hill.

The first time I rode Kingda Ka, I was most terrified of the warnings that the coaster doesn’t make it up the hill every time, and in that case, will travel back down the hill backward until it re-launches… eek! So far, I’ve never had that experience, though I believe I just jinxed myself!

Once you make it up the top, you stay there for a brief moment (a chance to admire the view or perhaps reflect on and wonder why there are sensors at the top of the hill, until you realize those are to alert airplanes the coaster is there, because the hill is that close to where they fly). On the way down, the coaster twists a few times, so as to avoid a completely straight drop, and once you reach the bottom, you go over a final baby hill, which is actually my favorite part, or at least the most fun.

The ride is over so quickly, I never list Kingda Ka as one of my favorite coasters; I much prefer the longer ride that a coaster such as Nitro offers. Even so, if you’re a coaster junkie, I still think Kingda Ka should be added to your bucket list, as it is still an adrenaline boost each time I go on it.

If you prefer riding Kingda Ka from the comfort of your own home, here is a great video of the experience that someone put on YouTube. It’s also a great chance to decide if you want to add this coaster to your list.

So who else has tried Kingda Ka or plans on adding it to your bucket list? Does anyone else have any other coasters on your list you want to try or any you’ve been on that you would recommend? I’d love to hear about your experiences and suggestions!