December 21, 2024, 3:07 p.m. ·

Six Flags Great Adventure has submitted a permit to local authorities to begin demolition work on Kingda Ka.

The company announced last month that it would close the Intamin Accelerator roller coaster, which held the record as the world’s tallest roller coaster. (See Six Flags closes world’s tallest roller coaster.) At the time, Six Flags said it would unveil its new “multi-record launch roller coaster” in 2026.

Six Flags filed the work permit with Jackson Township, New Jersey. The permit – C-24-04732 – is listed under the work type “Modification,” although the comment box for the application notes says “DEMO OF KINGDA KA/ ZUMANJARO RIDE.”

(Zumanjaro was the drop ride attached to Kingda Ka’s 456-foot-tall top hat tower.)

The approval may indicate that while Six Flags is removing the Kingda Ka and Zumanjaro rides, it is not removing all of the steel structure of those attractions. That would qualify the work as a renovation rather than a complete demolition. Six Flags has applied for a “demolition” permit for the other attractions it plans to remove at the New Jersey theme park.

Six Flags opened a modification of the Top Thrill Dragster ride at Cedar Point under the old name Cedar Fair, which retained the Intamin Accelerator’s Top Hat element and most of its track. However, “Top Thrill 2” was canceled just days after its debut. (See: Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point is already closed.) The park has been working to get the coaster back in use for the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s Intamin Accelerator Formula Rossa, which holds the record as the world’s fastest roller coaster, was tested again after its closure earlier this year. This ride does not feature the signature top hat element found at Kingda Ka, Top Thrill, and other accelerators, including the original Xcelerator at Knott’s Berry Farm.

So… take all of this as you will, and feel free to speculate along with other fans about what exactly Six Flags in New Jersey is up to and what the future of the Intamin Accelerator series will hold.

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