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Home > New Jersey > Six Flags Great Adventure > Kingda Ka > Review Comments

2 Rating Posted by: kowrip on 8/15/2005 1:33:00 AM

I finally got a chance to ride this thing twice this past Saturday. Both rides were in the second row. The overall scenery and appearance of the ride station is very good. I was very impressed by its appearance. The launch is absolutely unreal. Ive been on several LIM launched coasters and also on Storm Runner, but KKs launch blows the others away. The launch is arguably the best part of the ride. The ascent up the hill was so-so. Cresting the top of the hill and starting the descent is an awesome rush ! The view is great and the height is unreal. The spiral was also excellent. It adds a great touch to a very simple ride. The bunny hill, as expected, was so-so. At that point in the ride, it doesnt really add any significant excitement. Overall, the ride experience was excellent. The launch alone is worth going on this ride. Also, the restraints did NOT take away from the ride experience. These restraints that are used on KK and also Storm Runner are way different and much better than other OTSR restraints. I think a major factor in how riders rate this experience will be the wait time. I got to the park at 9:30 with my brother. Our main objective for the day was to only spend about 3 hours in the park and ride KK at least once .... twice if possible. We completed the first ride by 10:30 and the second one by 12:00. After our 2nd ride, the wait was well over 2 and 1/2 hours. In 2 hours we managed to get 2 rides on this record breaking coaster. We also got rides on Medusa and Nitro before leaving for the day. So, we both had a very favorable opinion of the ride. However, if we had arrived at 12:00 when the line was close to 3 hours long, I would not have had the same opinion. The ride experience is outstanding, but I would seriously consider planning out the rides like we did or use the Fast Lane. Another recommendation is to ride in the second row. The even rows are raised about 4-5 inches higher than the rows in front of them. So, by riding in the 2nd row, you get a clear view of the track just as if you were in the front car but without the extra wait time !

Great review, kowrip - I especially appreciate the tips youve provided, regarding your experiences with waiting in line, and cutting back at the time spent therein. Im planning a trip to GAdv next week with this coaster fimly in mind as a priority, and Ill remember your advice, to say the least.

My personal tips: I give big recommendations to the fastlane gizmo. It saves time, and it vibrates to let you know if your reservation time has changed - a tipoff if KK has overheated. Being ready to head in at the park opening at 10 and making a beeline for Ka also would be a good idea (if getting to ride it is your big goal for the day). And for heavens sake - hydrate. It was sweltering last weekend, and I saw a girl faint. Drink mucho water, people!

I remember being particularly ticked, when I saw a woman faint while in line to get into the park - thanks to the fact that only about two security guards were on duty checking bags - and there were at least 200 people waiting to enter. Add to this a heat wave, and youve got trouble. This was two seasons ago, and I really hope that things have improved. Anyhow, how much does the Fastlane feature cost, and, more importantly, whats the fastest route from the front gate to Ka? Well definitely be doing the beeline thing, thats for sure - and getting there as early in the a.m. as possible. Thanks.

KK is to the left when you enter the park - just follow the signs to the "golden kingdom"... its tough to miss the big thing. The line for KK wasnt that bad, it was in the line for Superman where I saw a woman get all woozy. And in fairness to SGGA, it was nearly 100 degrees with about 9 million percent humidity. And they did have folks peddling lemonade roaming the longer lines. I >think< the Fastlane thingee is ~$18 per person.

adriahna - the park has made vast improvements since last year. I went last Friday and will be there again this Friday. Lots more security personnel checking bags and walking around the park. Fastest way to KK is head to the Boardwalk section, stay on the right side as you walk past the games and then enter on the right into the Golden Kingdom.

Thanks for the compliments on the review, Adriahna. I was there on Saturday and it was ridiculously hot and humid. Praxis, I wonder if we saw the same girl. Just as we got on KK, a girl behind the air gates waiting for the next train was about to pass out. I think they called her a medic and got her some water, but I cant say for sure because our train left the station. In any case, the KK queue has some shade and the mists of water blowing but it still wasnt enough. Definitely keep drinking water and be sure to use the restrooms before getting in line. If you dont want to pay for the Fast Lane, get there by 9:30, head straight for KK when they open and get in as many rides as possible while the line isnt too long. Then go walk right on all the other great rides !

Cool, you guys. My husband an I had been hesitant to go this year - with the expenses of owning a business and all, wed basically been sticking to the old standards - Knoebels, etc - especially in that theyre free admission, pay-as-you-ride. HOWEVER, an event we were at this past weekend had a Chinese raffle, and - kick ass - we won two free admissions to the park. Ill actually be going with my brother, as hes a gung-ho coaster freak, and my husbands not into them AT ALL. Im seriously excited about it.

Larry - You plan on being there all day? I was going to head up after work, usually get there are 5:30.

Larry and Cyclonic - do you guys know if its a pain to bring in a backpack? For obvious reasons, thats usually my preferred amusement park choice - do they still basically just check it at the gate? I wont have much in it. Also, are they cool with water being brought in?

Adriahna, they were announcing "no bottles, cans or coolers are allowed inside the park" on Saturday. So, if you are going to attempt to bring in your own water, youll have to hide it. Your best bet is to have it on you because they check bags, but the only scanning they do on people is with the walk through metal detector. A backpack shouldnt be a problem. They have spaces near the ride loading areas where you can place your loose articles before riding. Obviously, I wouldnt leave anything too valuable there.

Kowrip, remember both times on the ride, you were screaming, "GET ME OFF! ITS TOO HIGH! ITS TOO FAST! THESE THINGS GO DOWN!"

Man, that was funny.

Adriahna, six flags wants you to buy their 5$ 24 oz water. They wont let you bring any food in at all.

Exactly, Scott - despite the free admission, Im none too eager for the food and drink prices. I was stunned at how expensive things were last time we were there, and I was hoping to get ahead of the game, especially in regards to avoiding heat stroke. Ive already been through that in a park, and it seriously sucked.

Thats why parks like knoebels are great. They want you to have a good time.

You know it - and thats why I tend to stick with them. And speaking of, Im way due for a Knoebels fix... but then, when arent I?

Youll get no argument from me that the food and drink prices at SFGAdv are crazy. Thats whats nice about having a season pass. You can go for just a few hours and not have to really buy anything except for maybe a bottled water or two. Unfortunately, it was so hot on Saturday that in the 3 hours I was there I had to buy 2 - 24 oz. waters. By the way, the 24 oz. bottles are $3, not $5. Thats high, but not TOO bad.

Cyclonic - I probably wont be there into the evening. Im going with a friend and her daughter and last year the daughter peetered out around 3PM. If I can convince them to drive on their own Ill give you a call during the day on Friday.

This year I finally bought a refill bottle. I sometimes bring a cooler and leave a sandwich and drinks in the car or I drive out to the WaWa for a big sandwich. All Six Flags parks have a policy need to allow food or drinks to be brought into the park unless special needs. You can bring an empty sports bottle and fill it at a fountain.

sorry to hijack the thread

#19 - You heard correct. Please stay away from Kingda Ka so the theres one less person in front of me in line.

Ill keep your advice in mind when I go, anon - Ill make a point of avoiding KK at all costs. Moron.

The new Intamin OTSRs are awesome. They dont even really touch your shoulders. They are more like lap bars with an extra security measure. They dont take ANYTHING away from either Storm Runner or KK. Both are excellent rides !

Thank you, kowrip - Ive seen the pics of KKs OTSRs, and youre right - its easy to see that they barely touch you at all. Nor do they get in the way of the view...

oh.. adriahna, you ruined my fun

Sorry, Bob - you can still sling some remarks around, you know...

By the way - did you catch the bogus KK review that was posted this afternoon? Ive already gotten rid of it - it actually started out with, "I havent ridden this yet, but I have to speak my opinion...". It basically went on and on, criticizing KK because its basically a bigger version of TTD... but to the guys credit, at least he gave it a nine, so as "not to change the overall rating"... sheesh...

Thats what Im talking about, I posted a comment saying "Im going to keep this open to bash the fanboy" since his name was cedarcrazy. He had so many blatantly biased statements that I just wanted to see people bash him LOL (I would have eventually deleted it of course)

Sorry - missed your comment! If Id seen it, I would have left it there - the comments would have been priceless!

adriahna, great job deleting that post ... I didnt even know you were a sysop ! I hate those types of posts anyway (TTD vs. KK or CP vs. SF). Its almost like its a crime if SFMM or CP isnt in the spotlight for a change.

wow unless you say something good about a ride ppl will kill you in the comments. i really dont care though. i just like CP A LOT! CP is still in the spotlight kowrip, TTD is rated higher than Kingda Ka, not to mention all the records CP has broken and still break. im not saying its a crime that CP isnt in the spotlight (which it still is- roller coaster capital of the world- 16, 4 of which broke records as tallest and fastest at one time)but, i mean, its six flags! six flags does family things, and sure theyre well known, but theyre not renoun for having the tallest roller coaster, it just seems that if one park were to have the tallest and fastest roller coaster, it should be cedar point. or maybe im just a little biased cuz im so obsessed with cedar point!

Your opinion is fine here, cedarcrazy - in fact, Im glad you came around to make a comment. But I deleted your review because it was what we call bogus - you hadnt ridden it. Im glad you like CP so much - I do, too (lets face it, were part of a big club) - its just that we dont take bogus reviews, thats all.

"or maybe im just a little biased cuz im so obsessed with cedar point!" Yep, and we could tell by some of the wild statements you made, such as calling Great Adventure unknown and such...

I believe in giving credit where credit is due. Ive never been to CP, but it looks like an awesome park. SFMM does as well. Obviously, both of them have been putting up some impressive rides and have been sort of competing with each other over the past few years. However, SFGAdv has a collection of coasters that can EASILY compete with CPs collection or SFMMs collection. SFGAdv also hasnt had a record breaker since 1989 (GASM). So, its nice to see them finally get a record again. Its just silly that I see so many CP fans bashing KK or complaining about SFGAdv, even though many of them (yourself included) havent even ridden KK or been to SFGAdv. As a side note, KKs ratings havent been super because it was down for 6 weeks not long after it opened. Youll see that change now.

True - and its only been open since the beginning of this years season. Give it time. But in the meantime, Im looking forward to riding this monster in a week, so that I can come back here and give my opinion on the matter...

Does anybody else find it funny that most of the CP fanboys are posting anonymously? To me, that just screams, "I know my post is immature nonsense, and doesnt have a leg to stand on, but I want to whine like a four-year-old so Ill do it and hide!" By the way I loved this quote: "six flags does family things, and sure theyre well known, but theyre not renoun for having the tallest roller coaster..." They are NOW. Poor, biased CP fans...the attention isnt on your precious little park for two seconds, and all you can do is wave your little rattles around and cry. Time to grow up, fellas! Lets get with it!

adriaha said: " Arent all parks, at one point in the summertime, basically daycare for teenagers?"

Yep, except for Lake Winnie

They wont let me in the park, cmon, who can believe that there is a sizabel park just 2-3 hrs away that I have never been too.. grrr! Anyway, yea, Im tired of the same old anon comments. Its the same person over and over, and theyve been here for a few weeks. If its worth it to them to check the site with frequency, then its worht it to get a name for themselves and sign up. Until then.. they should just keep quiet.

Glad you went ahead and deleted the anon comments, Bob - but now, of course, Ill have to go ahead and delete my responses to them, so that the conversation actually makes sense!

NJCroMag, I see you havent been to cedar point and that you havent researched it at all. Ive been searching things about KK since November and Ive checked out their site on sixflags.com numerous times. You say CP is a little park that doesnt get attention? Well how wrong you are... CP has been voted the best theme park in the world 7 years in a row, it has the most number of roller coasters and rides that a single park on the planet can offer. Millenium Force is still the #1 roller coaster according to Amusement Today and when it opened it broke 13 world records, 7 of which i believe still remain. You havent been to CP, I havent been to that particular SF, but at least I try and get knowledge about it before I just go ahead and criticize people. Why dont you go search for TTD and start posting arguing comments in there, or are you too scared to leave your fellow ignorant SFGAdv fanatics?

The definition of brilliance: Posting anonymously, watching your post get deleted two minutes later and then...doing it again! MUY INTELIGENTE!

c-crazy, YOU were the one to say that Great Adventure was an unknown park, when in fact it draws about 3 million people per year, about the same as CP. You say it was vted the best theme park? Yep, but a subjective panel. Most roller coasters? Well, actually, they are tied with SF Magic Mountain, but well move past that since "technically" youre not wrong. "ignorant fanatics", well, isnt that statement irnoic after some of the outlandish statements that you made in your Kingda Ka "review".

This debate is tiresome..

Cedarcrazy: WHOA, WHOA, WHOA! Do yourself a favor, and go back and read my post again. I never said 1) it was a little park and 2) that it receives little attention. I said, and my post clearly states this despite your obvious confusion, that CP -- for the first time -- is losing some of its attention because of the record-breaker at SFGAdv. For the record, no, I have never been to CP, but I *have* heard plenty about how great a park it is. So take your little suggestion about me doing research and shove it, pal. And while youre at it, get used to the fact that you guys USED to have the record-breaker.

NJCroMag: your precious little park

I can guess that it wasnt intended to be taken literally, rather, a common figure of speech

Yeah, thats about the response I expected. "Oh, Ill show CroMag! Ill re-read his post again! Oh...uhhh...hes right...he didnt really say those things...think quick...THINK QUICK! GOTTA TYPE SOMETHING! Oh yeah, this will really get him." Pathetic. Downright pathetic. Im not the one who reviewed the ride without actually stepping foot on it. We can do this all day, pal. You can keep stepping up to me and I can keep pushing you down. Really, I wont get bored. I promise.

Im curious which 7 records MF still holds ? tallest ? NOPE. fastest ? TRY AGAIN. longest ? INCORRECT.

you all think im abashed, but im honestly not, im bored out of my mind so im sitting here laughing at your responses. were all biased and i just happen to be in a place where everyone else is on the other side, like any of you would actually hold your ground if it were TTD and you were being insulted every post (as if i actually care)

Cedarcrazy: Just curious...do you have an answer to kowrips inquiry? Or were you guilty of not doing enough research on your park?

.. and you dont think I was laughing histerically at your bogus review? LOL

You say that we are all biased, and yes, we all have that special park that is our favorite, but you dont have to be biased. My three favorite parks are Universal Orlando, Dollywood, and BG Williamsburg, but Ill admit that they are all three weak when it comes to flats, or a bit pricey. You dont have to be biased and borderline ignorant to love a place. And no, not everyone is against you, there are hundreds of CP fanboys out there, just go check out PointBuzz or something ike that.

If you didnt care about being insulted then you wouldnt have said anything about it

Bob: "If you didnt care about being insulted then you wouldnt have said anything about it." Careful, Bob. Youre using logic there. Youre going to lose him. Perhaps youd have more success with sock puppets (?). Just a suggestion.

Maybe we should all get back to the original topic of KK being an excellent ride.

ive heard it somewhere before at least a few times and recently, but i cant recall all of them which is why i said "i believe" and i notice that all the other things that make CP superior that i say just happened to be ignored by you all and you have to pinpoint little details and think because of that youve "pushed me down" but you can ask anyone who has gone to both parks, and im sure 95% of them would say CP was BY FAR better. they should put that as the poll on here. and i just love that all the comments by ppl saying CP is better just happen to get deleted by a biased sysop... like the one that said they had gone on both rides and said TTD was far better cuz it actually gets you in the mood (and it does, if you havent seen the station or the entire area surrounding it, check it out) and prepares you to be afraid and thrilled with whats coming, but with the atmosphere of kingda ka, it just gets u in the mood that youll be eaten by a tiger

Bob: If you didnt care about being insulted then you wouldnt have said anything about it

Okay but maybe you missed the point that im extremely bored and i find it funny so therefore its something to do to amuse myself. i love your extremely clever insults, NJ, they really hit home, im crying right now. did a 5 year old help ya with that?

THANK YOU ANONYMOUS, BUT BE CAREFUL NOW, YOU MIGHT GET YOUR COMMENT DELETED CUZ THEY THINK IT FUNNY TO ONLY PICK ON ONE PERSON SO I DONT HAVE ANYONE ELSE TO AGREE WITH ME

Cedar: I have a suggestion. Why dont you actually visit SFGAdv and *then* compare the two parks? I havent been to CP, therefore I will withhold all judgment on the place (although like I said earlier, Ive heard its fantastic, and truth be told, Id love to go). As for "setting the mood", if you need the station/surrounding area to do that for you, fine. Personally, when I saw KK up close and personal, the station could have had kittens and duckies painted all over the place, and it wouldnt have phased me in the least. Seeing that monster up close was "setting the mood" enough.

ya anonymous, we had a six flags here but it closed cuz it was losing all its business to cedar point. no one would ever go there, it was always about cedar point and still is, id love for these people to actually go there.

excuse me NJ, but i believe that you have been judging CP as i SF and ive been to six flags before, just not that one

Thats funny, because Geauga Lake doesnt seem to be doing that well either. By the way, if you didnt know, that is the Six Flags park that was by you that is now owned by Cedar Fair, the group that owns Cedar Point. Go figure...

Well, since you mis-read my initial post earlier, I guess its safe to assume youve done so again. RE-READ MY POST. AND IF YOU CANT DO THAT, GET SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU. Here am I telling you Ive heard CP is great and that Id love to go there, and no, thats not good enough. Im still "judging CP." Youre right. I guess I *am* judging it. I should assume the park is a piece of crap until I actually go there. Thank you for showing me the error of my ways. Do me a favor. Just once I want to see you type this out: "Kingda Ka is the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in the world." Go ahead. I want to see if you can do it.

well im gonna go return to my life right now, sorry to have put you all down, but ive had enough humor to last me a week from your pathetic retorts, whatever you say after this i wont see anyway. bye all, and may u actually go to cedar point one day!

I knew you couldnt do it. Thanks for proving me right. Have a nice day.

c-crazy, you are right, that comment will get deleted and for the thirtieth time I will defer the user to go here. In fact, I recommend that you edit your comment and dont use all caps, its considered shouting and as the sites guidelines say, "Keep your voice down." Are the comments deleted because the person is in favor of CP? No, its because after a month of posting, that person should get an account and have a name for himself.

As for the whole "CP is better" deal, I actually liked Great Adventure better, though they are both great parks.

Anyway, this thread is slowly getting out of hand, take it to the FON if you want to continue.

"May you actually do to Cedar Point one day". Ive been, it was fun, but not the best.

all right, one last thing: "Kingda Ka is the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in the world." happy? All I feel is that CP deserves that coaster, not SF. Im not jealous, no matter how much it sounds like it, but id rather go to CP than a SF park any day. Tallest and fastest isnt always the best which you can tell by my top 10. now, adíos!

Well, Im gonna call this one: SFGAdv Supporters 10, CP Whiners 0. (FINAL)

"Im not jealous, but I want what you have." Okay, makes perfect sense to me.

Why would Cedar Point deserve the coaster if speed and height dont matter that much? This kid is just a freakin quack. If Cedar Point is so great then why do they need that coaster? What a loser. I wish I got involved with this sooner. And Im not a SFGadv supporter at all, just to let the record show. I AM a Cedar Fair guy. This kind of crap puts me to shame. Not all of us are idiots like this guy.

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