An apparent “leak” suggesting Kingda Ka is getting the axe

[SonofBaconator]

Pleasseeeeee take this with a grain of salt…..

 

 The only reason why I’m bringing it up is because now with the new merged chain, the new six flags, and more importantly, former Cedar Fair, now own two of the tallest coasters in the world with one of them getting a complete overhaul. It makes you wonder if Cedar Fair’s desire to cut down on maintenance heavy rides will spill over into Six Flags parks.

https://www.reddit.com/r/rollercoasters/s/DnU6eYeLjU

[Bwb.32]

honestly wouldn't surprise me one bit, it makes total sense, and we all witnessed Cedar Fair doing this to their parks prior to covid. 
Vortex being removed for the obvious example

though i imagine the pace of high maintenance removals would likely be slower within the six flags parks, especially as their parks tend to more lacking in lineup variety IMO

i gotta add as well, where theres smoke, theyre usually fire, apparently sources first disclosed this to some known content creators as far back as 2 months ago, even if this is a website edit, its entirely possible that this is still happening 

[Tr0y]

I don't think they would be willing to go with Zamperla though? Would they pick Intamin??

[Bwb.32]

11 minutes ago, Tr0y said:

I don't think they would be willing to go with Zamperla though? Would they pick Intamin??

current word from the creators who had sources disclose this to them 2 months ago (at least) is the Mack Spinner Tower Concept shown in KI's survey, is headed their way, and is being plus'ed, to instead be a 400 foot tall tower
Edit: source:

honestly wouldn't be a bad move in my opinion, would make Cedar Fair the only chain to have both the worlds tallest (for now lol, then North America's tallest) and worlds tallest spinning rollercoasters

plus then one of the other huge parks in the chain gets a new statement piece that doesn't cramp TT2's style

 

[Tr0y]

Whatever we are getting, think Diet Coke. 

[Oldiesmann]

I grabbed two rides on Kingda Ka when I was there in July. Didn't get Zumanjaro because it was closed (supposedly for routine maintenance and to allow them to get it re-certified by the state). I doubt I'll make it back up there next year as I already have plans to head out to Virginia instead.

[disco2000]

Maybe the new company will Geauga Lake the place  

What ride will they dump in our Vortex spot  

[BeeastFarmer]

2 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

Maybe the new company will Geauga Lake the place  

What ride will they dump in our Vortex spot  

Chang!

[SonofBaconator]

It does make you think though, if pre merger Six Flags parks will start pruning maintenance heavy rides like pre merger Cedar Fair. 

[DJSkyFoxx]

The idea of a super tall spinning coaster sounds like a giant nope from me dog. My ability to ride spinning rides is very limited on the speed and kind of spinning performed and spinning roller coasters are just not something I think my equilibrium can handle. And the idea of a really tall and fast one just sounds...gimmicky IMHO. I realize that might sound really amazing for some as a possibility and I'd be happy for ya'll. But I would sit that one out. 

On another note, the possibility of Ka either getting torn down or revamped doesn't shock me. I would be more upset if they tore it down since I have yet to get a chance to ride it. But if they do make an announcement for its retirement in any capacity, it would make it to the top of my list of coasters to ride as not to miss out on it.

[johnjniehaus]

I'm interested in what others are hearing. I have been getting all sorts of rumors from fellow ACE members about multiple unannounced coaster removals in the works across the chain. According to the rumors I've heard, Six Flags Great Adventure is removing green lantern and Kingda Ka will not reopen in its current form. Rumor has it that six flags over texas is removing La Vibora (already listed as defunct on RCDB) and Shockwave. Then I hear that Carolina Cyclone and Hurler are getting the axe over at Carowinds... 

My question is, have any of you heard or can confirm these rumors and if the rumors are true, why would the chain hold off till the off season to make announcements of massive ride removals or will the announcement it at all? I understand people are going to be furious about certain removals but I don't understand the strategy of "then we just won't tell them". I'd prefer to be told in a timely fashion and have a chance for last rides rather than have multiple coasters removed over the off season with no official announcement from the park. 

[BeeastFarmer]

My opinion and my opinion only.

With the merger ongoing, they are trying to eliminate duplicated costs and other "unnecessary" costs in order to prop up the financial reports.

Also, merging two different companies into one is a daunting task. Cedar Fair and Six Flags had many shared values but vastly different cultures.  People are fighting to stay in or move up the food chain.

This can lead to upending of cultures as now there are 42 entities vs 11 or 12 as before. Cedar seems to be running the show at the top and so Six leaders are probably fearful for their immediate and long term future.

Cost cutting can be very detrimental in the long term, but seemingly beneficial in the short term.  As far as Great Adventure, that park has a huge potential.  But after what appears to be a very bungled 50th anniversary, I think upper management wants to start the new direction. If the Golden Kingdom ride removals do happen, it would likely lead to a huge investment in a massive expansion, most likely with a B&M GiGa.  Or they might add another high capacity model and renovate Kingda Ka while removing Chang and Twister.  The old Six Flags model of low capacity lower tier coasters in these massive parks will likely go to the wayside...GA should rival Canada's Wonderland and Dorney combine in attendance numbers.

But I think with all the jockeying around of the companies, the underbelly of weakness will be exposed.  Communication from both chains, as a whole, has historically been weak. So let's say they are going to do this massive reno at GA, I think the park comms team might be reticent to rock the boat lest they jeopardize their positions in the company.  

I haven't heard anything about Carowinds, but they rebuilt a significant portion of Hurler last year.  Cyclone should be a relatively low cost machine, unless it is near the end of service life and requires costly upgrades. But, if they removed those two coasters and possibly the Drop Tower, it would open up some space. But it would make more sense to me, as an armchair enthusiast, to work with the available space where the whitewater ride was, or from a financial standpoint, remove the Borg Assimilator.  That's a low capacity expensive ride to run.  I don't think this will ever be a park to rival CP as a flagship, they have poured money in there and it's still a "meh" park. (Subjective, I realize).   It would need resort amenities and whatnot would be difficult to justify as the park is in an industrial area and the draw in that region would gravitate towards Asheville.  Subjectively, if I were going to Asheville, I'd choose Dollywood over Carowinds every time.  

[SonofBaconator]

4 hours ago, johnjniehaus said:

I'm interested in what others are hearing. I have been getting all sorts of rumors from fellow ACE members about multiple unannounced coaster removals in the works across the chain. According to the rumors I've heard, Six Flags Great Adventure is removing green lantern and Kingda Ka will not reopen in its current form. Rumor has it that six flags over texas is removing La Vibora (already listed as defunct on RCDB) and Shockwave. Then I hear that Carolina Cyclone and Hurler are getting the axe over at Carowinds... 

I can’t remember where this was officially stated but Cedar Fair was already in the mindset of addressing maintenance heavy/older rides from their lineups before the Six Flags merger. Kings Island lost Firehawk and Vortex in back to back seasons and there’s always rumors of Invertigo following suit. 
 

I think it’s a safe bet that Six Flags will prune rides from almost every park (at least ones that haven’t already seen significant removals.)

[silver2005]

I feel this is another knock against going with coasters with a 100+ mph launch speeds- low lifespans.   

I have heard random unsubstantiated swirlings of Superman at SFMM also being eyed for removal.  

[johnjniehaus]

The one I'm going to be angry about is if they take down shockwave at SFOT. That ride is still one of the best in that park and they've done refurbishments to mindbender and revolution so Texas better get things in gear and save shockwave 

[Tr0y]

2 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

My opinion and my opinion only.

With the merger ongoing, they are trying to eliminate duplicated costs and other "unnecessary" costs in order to prop up the financial reports.

Also, merging two different companies into one is a daunting task. Cedar Fair and Six Flags had many shared values but vastly different cultures.  People are fighting to stay in or move up the food chain.

This can lead to upending of cultures as now there are 42 entities vs 11 or 12 as before. Cedar seems to be running the show at the top and so Six leaders are probably fearful for their immediate and long term future.

Cost cutting can be very detrimental in the long term, but seemingly beneficial in the short term.  As far as Great Adventure, that park has a huge potential.  But after what appears to be a very bungled 50th anniversary, I think upper management wants to start the new direction. If the Golden Kingdom ride removals do happen, it would likely lead to a huge investment in a massive expansion, most likely with a B&M GiGa.  Or they might add another high capacity model and renovate Kingda Ka while removing Chang and Twister.  The old Six Flags model of low capacity lower tier coasters in these massive parks will likely go to the wayside...GA should rival Canada's Wonderland and Dorney combine in attendance numbers.

But I think with all the jockeying around of the companies, the underbelly of weakness will be exposed.  Communication from both chains, as a whole, has historically been weak. So let's say they are going to do this massive reno at GA, I think the park comms team might be reticent to rock the boat lest they jeopardize their positions in the company.  

I haven't heard anything about Carowinds, but they rebuilt a significant portion of Hurler last year.  Cyclone should be a relatively low cost machine, unless it is near the end of service life and requires costly upgrades. But, if they removed those two coasters and possibly the Drop Tower, it would open up some space. But it would make more sense to me, as an armchair enthusiast, to work with the available space where the whitewater ride was, or from a financial standpoint, remove the Borg Assimilator.  That's a low capacity expensive ride to run.  I don't think this will ever be a park to rival CP as a flagship, they have poured money in there and it's still a "meh" park. (Subjective, I realize).   It would need resort amenities and whatnot would be difficult to justify as the park is in an industrial area and the draw in that region would gravitate towards Asheville.  Subjectively, if I were going to Asheville, I'd choose Dollywood over Carowinds every time.  

Are you proposing a Giga or something like KI’s “Giga” for SFGA? 

[BeeastFarmer]

7 minutes ago, Tr0y said:

Are you proposing a Giga or something like KI’s “Giga” for SFGA? 

I just think it will need to be reliable, high capacity, and have a commanding presence.  That is, if they evaluate the portfolio and determine that the park is a keeper and worthy of investment. 

The boomerang they just got, the RMC they got before that and then the free spin should be examples of rides that would go to a WOF or St Louis park in their current iterations.  

[silver2005]

41 minutes ago, johnjniehaus said:

The one I'm going to be angry about is if they take down shockwave at SFOT. That ride is still one of the best in that park and they've done refurbishments to mindbender and revolution so Texas better get things in gear and save shockwave 

As much as I'd hate it, I wouldn't blame them in all honesty and SFOT is in dire need of a big coaster.  They haven't had a big installment since New Texas Giant. 

[disco2000]

6 hours ago, johnjniehaus said:

I'm interested in what others are hearing. I have been getting all sorts of rumors from fellow ACE members about multiple unannounced coaster removals in the works across the chain. According to the rumors I've heard, Six Flags Great Adventure is removing green lantern and Kingda Ka will not reopen in its current form. Rumor has it that six flags over texas is removing La Vibora (already listed as defunct on RCDB) and Shockwave. Then I hear that Carolina Cyclone and Hurler are getting the axe over at Carowinds... 

My question is, have any of you heard or can confirm these rumors and if the rumors are true, why would the chain hold off till the off season to make announcements of massive ride removals or will the announcement it at all? I understand people are going to be furious about certain removals but I don't understand the strategy of "then we just won't tell them". I'd prefer to be told in a timely fashion and have a chance for last rides rather than have multiple coasters removed over the off season with no official announcement from the park. 

And people think our marketing is poor.....

[WoodVengeance]

Imagine if Kings Island was planning to close The Beast after 2024 and kept it a secret from the general public. Then imagine walking into Rivertown at the start of the 2025 season and The Beast is completely gone. The pathway to The Beast is completely blocked off and you didn't get a chance to get a final ride in 2024 because you assumed it was still going to be there and thought "it's the park's most famous ride, so why would they get rid of it?" Could you imagine the immense backlash that would occur on social media and on this very forum if the park did something like that? That's what the general public at Great Adventure are currently dealing with. Kingda Ka, arguably their most famous ride, as well as Green Lantern are getting removed without a peep from the park. Again, I understand that rides will eventually close for one reason or another, but why on earth would you keep that a secret and not let people know to get their last rides in? There have been influencers and YouTube creators that have went through the effort of spreading the word about the recent ride removals, but not everyone who goes to parks like Great Adventure or Over Texas will watch those videos.

[johnjniehaus]

4 hours ago, silver2005 said:

As much as I'd hate it, I wouldn't blame them in all honesty and SFOT is in dire need of a big coaster.  They haven't had a big installment since New Texas Giant. 

They need a new big coaster that's for sure but rumors are la vibora is closing (RCDB already has it listed as defunct). They could do something in that front section if they moved some of the flats and/or got rid of the Larson Loop. Shockwave should never have to make way for something else when there are much worse coasters in the park. I of course am sad to see la vibora get removed if that is what is happening but it was an ok ride as compared to shockwave which is easily in my top 25 out of 300 something credits. That ride has such solid positive Gs in the first half and crazy negatives (airtime) in the second. Also it's a beautiful coaster from the interstate. Come on six flags just keep it around but if you are going to close it please tell us so I make plans to go get my final rides...

[Oldiesmann]

I'm glad I decided to take that side trip to Great Adventure back in July (I had already planned to revisit Hershey, Dorney and Knoebels, and decided I might as well do Great Adventure while I was in the area since it's 9½ hours from Cincy). I got two rides on Kingda Ka and at least two on Green Lantern as well.

[Browntggrr]

22 hours ago, WoodVengeance said:

Imagine if Kings Island was planning to close The Beast after 2024 and kept it a secret from the general public. Then imagine walking into Rivertown at the start of the 2025 season and The Beast is completely gone. 

Ouch!

You consider Beast & KK to be on same level?? 

[BoddaH1994]

25 minutes ago, Browntggrr said:

Ouch!

You consider Beast & KK to be on same level?? 

To the locals of SFGadv, I’d bet it is. 

[WoodVengeance]

3 hours ago, Browntggrr said:

Ouch!

You consider Beast & KK to be on same level?? 

I compared those two specifically because they're arguably the most popular/famous rides in their respective parks.