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

[johnjniehaus]

47 minutes ago, DJSkyFoxx said:

Hey Kentucky Kingdom, you should buy your coaster back! *nudge nudge*

Literally right! I prefer a standup over a floorless but even if they move green lantern to another park and convert it to a floorless it's still better than scrapping it. There ride isn't that old. Heck if they moved iron wolf and it's still beating the crap out of people at six flags America, they by golly had better let green lantern live on at another park where people would be really happy to ride it. Imagine how much people would love it if it went to one of the smaller six flags or if it went to valleyfair? People at those parks would value that ride much more. It's not that green lantern is a bad ride but it faces a similar situation that Mantis at CP did which was that it's one coaster in a sea of other good coasters and it just so happens to be more uncomfortable than some of the others so the ridership is lower and the complaints are higher. (I personally never thought it was uncomfortable but I have an amazing track record with stand-ups) My point being please six flags don't scrap it but let it live on and delight some guests at a smaller park who would be thrilled to have it in their lineup. 

[BeeastFarmer]

1 hour ago, DJSkyFoxx said:

Hey Kentucky Kingdom, you should buy your coaster back! *nudge nudge*

If possible, outfit it with the surfcoaster trains. 

[johnjniehaus]

Here's a response from the ACE regional rep I got this morning confirming the la vibora and El Diablo removals. I contacted the park as well but they've been pretty tight lipped about all the potential removals so far so I'll most likely get the typical check the website and attractions are subject to availability automatic response 

[johnjniehaus]

Just as I suspected...

Six Flags: "we aren't removing anything. It's all just rumors" 

ACE Regional Rep: "demolition has already begun" 

The lack of communication or pure dishonesty is more upsetting to me personally than the actual closures/ride removals. 

[disco2000]

2 hours ago, johnjniehaus said:

Just as I suspected...

Six Flags: "we aren't removing anything. It's all just rumors" 

ACE Regional Rep: "demolition has already begun" 

The lack of communication or pure dishonesty is more upsetting to me personally than the actual closures/ride removals. 

And people complain about KI PR/marketing....

[Vortex1987]

Maybe....... just because Cedar Fair is in charge with this merger....... they don't want Ka surpassing Cedar Points TT2. So that way Cedar Point can be the flagship park still. (Besides the maintenance and technical issues the ride has been plauged with)

 

With how Cedar Fair treats the parks, this wouldn't surprise me at all. Keep Cedar Point the king. Just like how KI got Orion that was 287 feet tall because they didn't want it overshadowing Cedar Point. 

 

Dang you Cedar Fair. They don't like anyone but Cedar Point. Lol. (Just kidding, but it seems like Cedar Point gets the best additions always while the other parks get "less impressive" additions. )

[johnjniehaus]

1 hour ago, Vortex1987 said:

Dang you Cedar Fair. They don't like anyone but Cedar Point. Lol. (Just kidding, but it seems like Cedar Point gets the best additions always while the other parks get "less impressive" additions. )

Don't get me wrong CP is my favorite amusement park ever and I'm happy to have it in Ohio but it's interesting that they get 3 new coasters back to back to back years and the newly acquired six flags parks instead of getting new coaster get coasters taken away from them. 

[Orion-XL200]

Wasn't there a recent notice of commencement or something where the FAA approved the addition of a ride based on height? Or is that a fever dream?

[johnjniehaus]

Some interesting news across the chain... 

Carowinds desperately needs a water ride and hopefully it is a replacement for the river rapids ride because that is a large area that needs a new attraction 

Apparently Canada's Wonderland is getting a water attraction but this could be a water park addition 

Kings Island gets a family thrill attraction...not gonna lie, it sounds like our new coaster in 2026 dreams got flushed down the toilet. 

Knott's getting water park upgrade 

Magic Mountain gets first of its kind coaster in North America?!? Now that is something of interest... There's not much that Magic Mountain doesn't already have so let the speculation begin!

Great America desperately needs a new/better kids area and the 50th anniversary celebration will be alot of fun if it's anything like Kings Island (or they could totally blow it like great adventure did). Park enhancement is what interests me...do we dare hope for an American Eagle retrack?

Great Adventure looking at a record breaking launch coaster.... possibly KK2? And yes if the new coaster at Cedar Point is TT2 I want KK2 at great adventure. No need to deviate from these stupid names

Over Texas saw the addition of wrath of Rakshasa for great America and said, we'll do you better than that. New record breaking dive coaster coming presumably to the la vibora/El Diablo plot of land near the front of the park. 

Six Flags Mexico gets a family boomerang...at least Kings Island isn't the only park getting a family addition.

[TombRaiderFTW]

I'm gonna go ahead and speculate wildly: I think Magic Mountain will get the first S&S Axis coaster. Unless someone's been developing something in secret and not announcing its availability until after the first one is installed (e.g. B&M Wing Coasters), it's the only standout thing in the industry that comes to mind that hasn't been installed yet, to my knowledge.

My money's on Ka getting the TT2 treatment. The real question: Will Zamperla be the ones doing it?

Kings Island, I dare y'all to make the 2026 family attraction a top-to-bottom redo of Boo Blasters. Give us Justice League: Battle for Metropolis-style vehicles and a similarly-paced storyline. For the two weeks that all of the effects work, that ride would be AMAZING.

[johnjniehaus]

I'm sorry but park presidents/executives are full of crap when they talk about understanding that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult. If they truly understood how it felt, they would not have been borderline deceptive about the pending closure/removal and would have made an announcement allowing people to get their last rides and have those final moments and memories. All I have to say to Mr Brian Bacica is that he's full of it! 

[Browntggrr]

Before social media, any ride announcement may have had a press conference with local media & ACE.

Most of the masses found out when the new park brochures were available at AAA.

Just like TTD, KK is retired as we know it and will evolve into something that will add to the ride experience- hopefully with better results than TT2 experienced this year.

That does leave the question and starts to close the loop on another- who is modifying KK?  and.... given the KK project is a go does that ease the minds of those who believed TT2 would never ride again?  I cannot imagine the decision & investment would be made for KK if there are still uncertainties on TT2.

[WoodVengeance]

7 minutes ago, Browntggrr said:

Before social media, any ride announcement may have had a press conference with local media & ACE.

Most of the masses found out when the new park brochures were available at AAA.

Just like TTD, KK is retired as we know it and will evolve into something that will add to the ride experience- hopefully with better results than TT2 experienced this year.

That does leave the question and starts to close the loop on another- who is modifying KK?  and.... given the KK project is a go does that ease the minds of those who believed TT2 would never ride again?  I cannot imagine the decision & investment would be made for KK if there are still uncertainties on TT2.

Six Flags has stated that the launch coaster for 2026 will be "completely new", so it doesn't seem like it's going to be a reimagining.

[Timchat2]

https://x.com/marcusleshock/status/1857073197713068387

Apparently Kingda Ka will be fully removed and not reimagined. A "completely new" roller coaster will take its place.

(EDIT: Apologies for the duplicate link. The news is happening fast!)

[johnjniehaus]

Even more disappointing that they made no announcement about it. I will be writing their president a letter and will be mailing it to their postal address. Not that it'll change anything but that management of that park the past few years and the fact they had an abomination of a 50th anniversary is absolutely unfathomable 

[Browntggrr]

1 hour ago, WoodVengeance said:

Six Flags has stated that the launch coaster for 2026 will be "completely new", so it doesn't seem like it's going to be a reimagining.

 

Marcus Leshock is part of the media- the same media that rarely produces accurate ride information.  We also know how parks love to pump up the volume in anticipation when it comes to rides.

That being said, until the permits are submitted for KK complete removal like the removal permits were submitted for Green Lantern, the entire ride removal is in question.

Note the "modern advancements" in the provided statements.

[BeeastFarmer]

3 hours ago, Browntggrr said:

Marcus Leshock is part of the media- the same media that rarely produces accurate ride information.  We also know how parks love to pump up the volume in anticipation when it comes to rides.

That being said, until the permits are submitted for KK complete removal like the removal permits were submitted for Green Lantern, the entire ride removal is in question.

Note the "modern advancements" in the provided statements.

The difference with Marcus is, however, that he understands the industry and is an enthusiast. We are not talking about John Mattress here.  Marcus could very well be wrong in his interpretation, but many enthusiasts are as well.

[DJSkyFoxx]

A lot of the reading I have done in regards to the KK matter sounds like removal. But if there were to be some reimagining I'd still like to think that there would have been some sort of last rides ordeal. I really cannot for the life of me understand why parks still pull that stunt. It's one thing if the ride had to close and remain closed due to a serious incident ( TTD ) and would then be reimagined into something else. But when they knew that they were going to remove/remodel a ride, the right thing to do is give folks a chance to get their last rides in. Heck, I never even got the chance to make it out there to ride. Had I know OFFICIALLY that it was closing I would have made arrangements to go ride it. Kind of like how Kings Island gave fans a fair notice to say goodbye to Vortex. I was able to secure my final ride because I was able to make plans for that day. And that was during a time when I lived out of state. It's the right thing to do and it creates a sense of appreciation for fans near and far. Heck, even Cedar Point gave folks a chance to get their final rides on Snake River Falls which may not seem like a big deal, but as they say, every ride is SOMEONE's favorite. 

 

Side Note: I just wanna say, man, I miss the early 2000's coaster boom. It feels so sad seeing all of these wild, massive, intense coasters seeing their way out in some form or another. The hydraulic launch format is mostly dead and I'm not so sure we will ever see another iteration of that the same as TTD or KK for a long time if ever. I am just kinda in my feels about it. I guess because it seems parks are playing it so safe anymore and stuff just seems mostly COPY+PASTE. And with the election leading into a questionable economy I get why every major industry is making moves the way they need to to remain viable. Just. Sad. Period. I miss the coasters of my youth I guess, and this is just another one I didn't prioritize to ride from my teenage years. Now I know better.

[Vortex1987]

Ka's coming down from what ElToroRyan and Coaster Studios have said. 

 

I seriously think that besides the maintenance headache, its because they dont want KA surpassing TT2 so Cedar Point can still be king with Cedar Fair in charge. All they care about is Cedar Point, noone else. 

 

I hope they'll sell pieces of its track like KI did with Vortex. I'd snag one in a heartbeat. 

 

Long live the king. RIP Kingda Ka.

[McSalsa]

Oh man, poor Great Adventure. Losing Kingda Ka is already a massive blow, but the fact Green Lantern, the Top Spin and possibly Zumanjaro are going too makes it horrible. This is possibly the biggest blow I have ever seen a park's lineup take. The 2026 launch coaster had better be insane to make up for this. I hate that no announcement was made for this closure too and they just let YouTubers give the info out. Though I think I see why: they are going to be -3 on major thrill rides in 2025 compared to 2024 (losing 4, but gaining The Flash). Announcing that would likely kill 2025 pass sales.

[SonofBaconator]

1 hour ago, McSalsa said:

Oh man, poor Great Adventure. Losing Kingda Ka is already a massive blow, but the fact Green Lantern, the Top Spin and possibly Zumanjaro are going too makes it horrible. This is possibly the biggest blow I have ever seen a park's lineup take. The 2026 launch coaster had better be insane to make up for this. I hate that no announcement was made for this closure too and they just let YouTubers give the info out. Though I think I see why: they are going to be -3 on major thrill rides in 2025 compared to 2024 (losing 4, but gaining The Flash). Announcing that would likely kill 2025 pass sales.

It’s things like this that make me think that the decision to keep the new chain named Six Flags is more than just because it’s a more recognizable name.

[johnjniehaus]

1 hour ago, McSalsa said:

I hate that no announcement was made for this closure too and they just let YouTubers give the info out. Though I think I see why: they are going to be -3 on major thrill rides in 2025 compared to 2024 (losing 4, but gaining The Flash). Announcing that would likely kill 2025 pass sales

I understand why they did it but it's borderline dishonest in my book to have people renew their passes or buy passes as Christmas gifts and then silently close 2 major coasters and 3 rides and only make a small announcement AFTER you already have most people's money and nobody can get any last rides. The entire situation is ridiculous and unless the 2026 coaster is to die for, I don't see myself going to great adventure in the near future partly because they have closed so many of their unique rides that gave me incentive to travel 9 hours to the park and secondly out of principle because they did everyone so dirty when they failed to communicate their intentions to close rides  They only thought of their own wallet and never took the guest into consideration period. 

[WoodVengeance]

5 hours ago, Vortex1987 said:

I hope they'll sell pieces of its track like KI did with Vortex. I'd snag one in a heartbeat. 

They'd likely only sell it inside the park, so that would be a 9-10 hour drive assuming you're from the Kings Island area.

[disco2000]

55 minutes ago, johnjniehaus said:

I understand why they did it but it's borderline dishonest in my book to have people renew their passes or buy passes as Christmas gifts and then silently close 2 major coasters and 3 rides and only make a small announcement AFTER you already have most people's money and nobody can get any last rides. The entire situation is ridiculous and unless the 2026 coaster is to die for, I don't see myself going to great adventure in the near future partly because they have closed so many of their unique rides that gave me incentive to travel 9 hours to the park and secondly out of principle because they did everyone so dirty when they failed to communicate their intentions to close rides  They only thought of their own wallet and never took the guest into consideration period. 

Sadly we have seen this trend coming for years, the "bait and switch" of the Prestige pass, etc.

They get by on the fine print and caveat emptor....

Speaking of, have you been following the fiasco at Wonderland with their passes?

They have many levels and had a regular pass that went on sale with the other passes in August for 2025.  A little over two months later, they decided to eliminate the regular pass.  They then moved everyone that had bought the regular pass (and the associated add-ons) prior to 11/8 up to gold free of charge and it became valid for WF 2024, including the freely upgraded add-ons.

The Gold passholders are livid.  They spent a lot more money for the gold and add-ons than they would have spent by buying a regular pass that then got a free gold upgrade.

Passholders flooded Wonderland with complaints and requests for a refund of the difference between what they paid for the gold and add-ons and what the regular and add-ons sold for.  They were told tough luck....

Now they have decided that IF, and only IF, you submit a complaint in writing, they will give you a BAF.  But they are not offering that to everyone, only those that complain.

[BeeastFarmer]

So far this Frankenstein merger is not off to a good start...

[Vortex1987]

36 minutes ago, BeeastFarmer said:

So far this Frankenstein merger is not off to a good start...

No it's not. 

 

They're going to do what it takes to keep Cedar Point king with Cedar Fair in charge. If that requires removing Ka to keep Cedar Point ahead, then I'm not gonna lie, I could see that being the reason why besides the maintenance issues. Just so Top Thrill 2 can be king, not Kingda Ka. 

 

Especially after seeing how Cedar Fair has given KI "budget" options compared to Cedar Point.  

[johnjniehaus]

I'm always the first person to say that Cedar Point is my favorite amusement park I've ever been to. Absolutely love that place but it is true that they are the golden child and anything the chain ever does is always going to revolve around making and keeping Cedar Point as THE BEST park in the USA even if it's to the detriment of other parks. It's not fair, it's not right, but there's nothing anymore can really do about it necessarily. Do I think they removed Kingda Ka purposely to make TT2 the king of American Coasters? No I think there's other factors as well but you better believe if Kingda Ka was at Cedar Point they'd dump millions and millions into keeping it around. 

[Vortex1987]

1 minute ago, johnjniehaus said:

I'm always the first person to say that Cedar Point is my favorite amusement park I've ever been to. Absolutely love that place but it is true that they are the golden child and anything the chain ever does is always going to revolve around making and keeping Cedar Point as THE BEST park in the USA even if it's to the detriment of other parks. It's not fair, it's not right, but there's nothing anymore can really do about it necessarily. Do I think they removed Kingda Ka purposely to make TT2 the king of American Coasters? No I think there's other factors as well but you better believe if Kingda Ka was at Cedar Point they'd dump millions and millions into keeping it around. 

Exactly. The problematic hydraulic launch combined with the fact that Cedar Fair now runs the Six flags parks when Cedar Point has Top Thrill 2 makes me seriously wonder if that Ka was being axe'd because A: The problems with the hydraulic launch and the maintenance nightmare and  B: So that Cedar Point can still be the king, so that  they can have the tallest and fastest coaster in North America, not Great Adventure. It keeps Cedar Point the king and it cuts maintenance costs due to the costly hydraulic launch. Its a win win for Cedar Fair.  Cedar Point will always be the golden child and Ka's removal will keep that true.

 

This is exactly why I despise Cedar Fair.

[Tr0y]

10 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

So far this Frankenstein merger is not off to a good start...

Anything new implemented by Cedar Fair usually has a rough start. Prestige passes, All season dining plan, ect.

[DonHelbig]

On 11/13/2024 at 2:57 PM, disco2000 said:

And people complain about KI PR/marketing....

They don't hire them (PR/marketing) like they used to.