When I got back into coasters in 2016, I was like "got to ride this". Yeah, it's got a lot of downtime; will not run in very cold weather/rain, etc. But dammit, it's fun! And apparently I read something that Kingda Ka and Zumanjaro can now run simultaneously.
If Kingda Ka had lapbars instead of shoulder harnesses it would be better than Top Thrill Dragster due to its higher intensity. As it stands now though, Dragster is slightly better. With that said, I prefer Storm Runner to both of them.
Yes i definitely agree, I rode Kingda Ka this weekend and felt like harnesses kill the thrill of the ride and its more rougher than Top Thrill Dragster.
Kingda Ka is actually the second most intense roller coaster I've been on (behind Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion), and my 5th best roller coaster I've been on.
I actually got a huge amount of airtime on both the top hat and the speed hill on my most recent rides. Maybe it was running unusually fast. I haven't been on Top Thrill Dragster so I have nothing to compare it to. I believe the roughness is caused by the fact that the launch track is higher off the ground than the one on Top Thrill Dragster. It has no lateral bracing, so it shakes side to side during the launch. I'm surprised Intamin didn't rectify this when they added Zumanjaro.
I think the optimum row for smoothness might be row 2. It definitely isn't the front row, the wind resistance you're putting up + the rattle of the track combines to be really not comfortable. But you do get the best views in the front row... of the adjacent car park (which is another reason why I think TTD is far better!)
That’s the unfortunate part. New Jersey state law requires over the shoulder restraints for amusement rides 400ft or taller. I’ve been on this ride twice and love it. Both times I was near the front. There was a slight rattle, but I didn’t mind it since it has to hit 128mph in like 3 seconds. I wonder if the launch section was a little longer to give it more time to hit the max speed, would that reduce the rattle for those sitting in the back. Still a fun ride, I have it as my 3rd favorite coaster at SFGA. I would rank my top 5 SFGA coasters as El Toro, Nitro, Kingda Ka, Bizarro, and Batman. This list will definitely be different when Jersey Devil opens.
I couldn't pick one or the other, if only that I live in New York City, have been on Kingda Ka way more times, but was on Top Thrill Dragster first back in 2004 (I'm about to be 40, and I still love my coasters!). The moments before each launch are truly the only coasters that still scare me every time, but you're right in that Kingda Ka has gotten rougher (and it's been a good few years since I've been back on that). Dragster, I remember riding twice in 2004, and I didn't expect the intensity of that kind of launch But at night, when we rode it a second time, with all of the lights on the track, and riding in the front seat, my ex and I ate about a dozen mosquitos screaming, and the rest died on my brightly colored shirt as we killed them zooming through. So, yeah, while it sucks that you can't watch the launch from the side of Kingda Ka, at least I didn't eat bugs since it was so dark. All said, they're amazing, they're both kind of one-trick ponies, but what a trick. I like other rides better at both parks that do more interesting things, but I am glad they both exist.
There is no such thing as a better Roller Coaster, because each ride is ether for you or its not. However I do personally prefer Kingda Ka because the lunch is more scary due to the wind to the face. Top Thrill Dragster let me down because I wanted it to be scary but felt underwelmed coming off it. I rode them both back in 2012.
Fortunately for me, I am not bothered by the rattle at all, even though I do feel it. I have ridden front, back, & middle. The restraints do take away from the ride, but again, it doesn't cause any discomfort. So I have Kingda Ka ranked rather high, in my top 30. But because of Dragster's setting & better restraints, it's in my top 10.
i think kingda ka is way better than ttd. it feels more intense, theres more theming, its taller and faster, theres an extra element, it has an amazing soundtrack, and i just love the aesthetic of kingda ka. also i think the roughness makes it feel more uncontrolled and more crazy
Even though I've ridden both this and TTD, naturally I'm a little biased since Great Adventure is my home park. I have so many fond memories of Kingda Ka and it's also a great talking point with my GP friends. Hell, I think most of them would deem TTD the unoriginal coaster!
TTD is better, Kingda Rattle is too rough and those restraints are awful. They need to replace them with the shoulder straps I305, Storm Runner, and Fahrenheit have
@@bandmfanboy Power Tower at 240 feet vs. TTD at 420 feet - arguably not so similar. I have never been to SFGA. Have you been on both Power Tower and Zumanjaro? How do the experiences compare?
@@FameyFamous I have been to both. Power Tower is a S&S tower, so it's a longer experience. I liked Zumanjaro better though. What I meant was that it would be too similar for the GP, so they would never build it.
I'm not a Great Adventure fan boy but I wish Kingda Ka was better than TTD. It would be really cool if you had a T bar and the coaster didn't hit the brakes until the entire train had completed the hill. It would also be really cool if it could run at the same time as Zoomanjaro like you see with Superman and Lex Luther at SFMM. And that's why people take issue with Kingda Ka. It could have easily been the deluxe upgraded version of TTD but it turned out to be the bigger but inferior version. Maybe New Jersey is to blame.
Kingda Ka is a lot rougher than TTD. Add to that, the uncomfortable restraints (which was probably a SF decision, or more likely a NJ govt insistence), and it’s an inferior coaster to TTD. That said; it’s a good ride. But compared to TTD, it’s a distant second.
They could change the restraints just like how they changed the law for ka and zumanjaro so they can duel maybe new intamin lap bars like on there new hypers
I'm not even that tall at 5 11" and I rode Kingda Ka 3 times this year and had scratches on both of my shoulders from the awful restraints. I actually got to ride it back to back in a middle seat and the rattle is extremely bad on the launch. If it had lap bars and the rattle wasn't so violent, this would be a straight upgrade to TTD. I do love Kingda Ka though and I ride it annually but I can't ever say it's the best ride in the park or better than TTD. Still, it is one of the most intense coasters out there and I can appreciate how long that launch feels. Nothing beats a front row ride on this beast.
I def. got air on the hill but it is cut short by the brakes. The advantage is part technical. After 3 non-front rides I feel like by brain has been shaken in my skull. Probably why it sometimes takes weeks to recover from a trip to GrAdv. I did get a front row reride in ~38 degrees, unbelievable (-ly cold, like naked). Restraints no problem but TTD made me grab on, the sudden twist hurt slightly.
One thing to note NJ laws requires rides 300ft tall to have OTSR ,which is why no giga will ever be Built NJ and The State of New Jersey would not allow six flags to built bleachers,NJ has the strictest laws with guest safety
I literally rode this in the summer of 2019 and 2020 and I got into the back. I heard alot of rumors on the back being painful and rattly. I was willing to move past that. I got into the train with my Dad and we moved out of the station. As usual I was excited and yeah. Once the train moved back and let out that TSSS sound, the train launched and at first for a second or 2 it was smooth but as we moved down the launch train the ride got a rattle that was so painful I got a headache. I got a headache by the time the train went up the top hat. I hadn't enjoyed the ride at all that I wanted it to end. But by the time we were at the top the train was already falling down the spike. The spike and valley was even worse.
Ok I can agree this is shaky, but NJ can’t do anything about that, there are too many laws in NJ that make it hard to make Ka enjoyable. I like the ride because it is thrilling. I went on this 2 months ago and I got off thinking, wow I just did that. I sat in the 2nd row to the back, when we were launching up the hill I had no idea what was even going on, I’m only 13
I prefer Ka's restraints to Dragster's. Dragster's restraints are crazy tight, and to me, Ka's restraints are much more comfortable. But different people will have different opinions, variety is good. Just be thankful it has the restraints it does, because if it had the T-bar six flags insurance would have forced those f🤬king shin guards from hell like ride of steel at six flags america.
The only issue of the coaster I have besides the rough back row is the ending of the massive wide airtime hill I hate when the restraint gets pushed down into your thighs it’s so uncomfortable
I did a 22 Park trip a couple of years ago and this was my biggest disappointment in the park. Other then Joker but I could guess that would be poor. The launch felt like it had 2 stages of boost and the rattle was so harsh you could not enjoy the ride or see clearly. Dragster is a far superior ride experience. What is interesting is Stealth at Thorpe Park is a mini Ka with like half the height and slower launch but same rubbish restraints and is a better experience of no rattle, no clamping and so much air time on the hill it can bruise your shoulders. I wish Kingda Ka was better.
Kingda Ka was the worse Roller Coaster I ridden when I first went to Six Flags Great Adventure! Because of the restraints and head rest! To me, I get this coaster a 1 out of 10, it was the worst! But don’t get me wrong, I like the theme at Kingda Ka though.
By far the worst coaster I've ever been on lol my body was vibrating and shaking the entire ride... I couldn't even see...0 enjoyment..I thought mean streak was bad until I rode this
@@XscreamThrills 🤣 I know alot will disagree...but that was my feelings when I came off of it from being smashed by the restraints..plus I was sitting towards the back which didn't help either
I'm very lucky to have ridden this in the front. Easily one of the most intense coasters I've been on, up there with Skyrush.
Quick question, is there a stomach drop feeling on king da ka? Just asking bc I know the g forces on the spiral can affect that feeling
When I got back into coasters in 2016, I was like "got to ride this".
Yeah, it's got a lot of downtime; will not run in very cold weather/rain, etc. But dammit, it's fun!
And apparently I read something that Kingda Ka and Zumanjaro can now run simultaneously.
I just went on it for the first time last Saturday and I couldn’t believe it
I’m going on it in 2 days in scared asf
If Kingda Ka had lapbars instead of shoulder harnesses it would be better than Top Thrill Dragster due to its higher intensity. As it stands now though, Dragster is slightly better. With that said, I prefer Storm Runner to both of them.
Storm Runner is 🙌
Yes i definitely agree, I rode Kingda Ka this weekend and felt like harnesses kill the thrill of the ride and its more rougher than Top Thrill Dragster.
Kingda Ka is actually the second most intense roller coaster I've been on (behind Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion), and my 5th best roller coaster I've been on.
I actually got a huge amount of airtime on both the top hat and the speed hill on my most recent rides. Maybe it was running unusually fast. I haven't been on Top Thrill Dragster so I have nothing to compare it to. I believe the roughness is caused by the fact that the launch track is higher off the ground than the one on Top Thrill Dragster. It has no lateral bracing, so it shakes side to side during the launch. I'm surprised Intamin didn't rectify this when they added Zumanjaro.
I think the optimum row for smoothness might be row 2. It definitely isn't the front row, the wind resistance you're putting up + the rattle of the track combines to be really not comfortable. But you do get the best views in the front row... of the adjacent car park (which is another reason why I think TTD is far better!)
That’s the unfortunate part. New Jersey state law requires over the shoulder restraints for amusement rides 400ft or taller. I’ve been on this ride twice and love it. Both times I was near the front. There was a slight rattle, but I didn’t mind it since it has to hit 128mph in like 3 seconds. I wonder if the launch section was a little longer to give it more time to hit the max speed, would that reduce the rattle for those sitting in the back. Still a fun ride, I have it as my 3rd favorite coaster at SFGA. I would rank my top 5 SFGA coasters as El Toro, Nitro, Kingda Ka, Bizarro, and Batman. This list will definitely be different when Jersey Devil opens.
I couldn't pick one or the other, if only that I live in New York City, have been on Kingda Ka way more times, but was on Top Thrill Dragster first back in 2004 (I'm about to be 40, and I still love my coasters!). The moments before each launch are truly the only coasters that still scare me every time, but you're right in that Kingda Ka has gotten rougher (and it's been a good few years since I've been back on that).
Dragster, I remember riding twice in 2004, and I didn't expect the intensity of that kind of launch But at night, when we rode it a second time, with all of the lights on the track, and riding in the front seat, my ex and I ate about a dozen mosquitos screaming, and the rest died on my brightly colored shirt as we killed them zooming through. So, yeah, while it sucks that you can't watch the launch from the side of Kingda Ka, at least I didn't eat bugs since it was so dark. All said, they're amazing, they're both kind of one-trick ponies, but what a trick. I like other rides better at both parks that do more interesting things, but I am glad they both exist.
There is no such thing as a better Roller Coaster, because each ride is ether for you or its not. However I do personally prefer Kingda Ka because the lunch is more scary due to the wind to the face. Top Thrill Dragster let me down because I wanted it to be scary but felt underwelmed coming off it. I rode them both back in 2012.
the only things I can possibly think of that would rank worse for originality would be a boomerang, a kiddie coaster, and a batman.
This coaster in my opinion is awesome,I like both top thrill dragster and Kingda Ka because I always ride the front row
Unfortunately, not an option with assigned seating right now
@@XscreamThrills yeah I’m definitely not going to the park until assigning seats is lifted
It's not that bad
Fortunately for me, I am not bothered by the rattle at all, even though I do feel it. I have ridden front, back, & middle. The restraints do take away from the ride, but again, it doesn't cause any discomfort. So I have Kingda Ka ranked rather high, in my top 30. But because of Dragster's setting & better restraints, it's in my top 10.
i think kingda ka is way better than ttd. it feels more intense, theres more theming, its taller and faster, theres an extra element, it has an amazing soundtrack, and i just love the aesthetic of kingda ka. also i think the roughness makes it feel more uncontrolled and more crazy
If the roughness doesn't bother you, than I see your point 👍
TTD is better solely because it has lapbars
@@AdamSmith-gs2dv kas restraints aren’t even bad idk why people shit their pants over then
I rode twice in the back row and now I know why there was no wait for it...
lol
Even though I've ridden both this and TTD, naturally I'm a little biased since Great Adventure is my home park. I have so many fond memories of Kingda Ka and it's also a great talking point with my GP friends. Hell, I think most of them would deem TTD the unoriginal coaster!
I can understand that it being your home park
Kingda Ka's theming is probably gonna look like Scream theming once you visit Six Flags Mexico
TTD is better, Kingda Rattle is too rough and those restraints are awful. They need to replace them with the shoulder straps I305, Storm Runner, and Fahrenheit have
i don’t think they can but idk
You didn't mention Zumanjaro. Did Z add to or detract from the KK experience? Do you think a similar drop tower will be added to TTD?
I doubt Cedar Point will add a drop tower to TTD
CP already has Power Tower literally across the midway. Why would they need another similarly sized drop tower?
@@bandmfanboy Power Tower at 240 feet vs. TTD at 420 feet - arguably not so similar. I have never been to SFGA. Have you been on both Power Tower and Zumanjaro? How do the experiences compare?
@@FameyFamous I have been to both. Power Tower is a S&S tower, so it's a longer experience. I liked Zumanjaro better though. What I meant was that it would be too similar for the GP, so they would never build it.
guys does this ride feel like ur breath is being taken away? bc i wanna go on next time i go but im nervous cause i don’t wanna passout
Don't think so, you'll be fine. If your nervous focus on your breathing and you won't pass out 😉
@@XscreamThrills thank you haha that made me less nervous :)
I mean, even if the state mandates it, at least they could switch out the restraints with the new ones like Maverick and Storm Runner have.
The front row still shakes like crazy, but KDK is a must do if you go to six flags great adventure
So the front row isn't much better? that's disappointing to hear
Imo Kingda Ka's launch is more intimidating, since there are no warnings that you're gonna launch
I'm not a Great Adventure fan boy but I wish Kingda Ka was better than TTD. It would be really cool if you had a T bar and the coaster didn't hit the brakes until the entire train had completed the hill. It would also be really cool if it could run at the same time as Zoomanjaro like you see with Superman and Lex Luther at SFMM.
And that's why people take issue with Kingda Ka. It could have easily been the deluxe upgraded version of TTD but it turned out to be the bigger but inferior version. Maybe New Jersey is to blame.
Kingda Ka is a lot rougher than TTD. Add to that, the uncomfortable restraints (which was probably a SF decision, or more likely a NJ govt insistence), and it’s an inferior coaster to TTD. That said; it’s a good ride. But compared to TTD, it’s a distant second.
Agreed!
They could change the restraints just like how they changed the law for ka and zumanjaro so they can duel maybe new intamin lap bars like on there new hypers
Is it best to sit in the front or back on the ride??
Up front
@@XscreamThrills okay thank u!
I'm not even that tall at 5 11" and I rode Kingda Ka 3 times this year and had scratches on both of my shoulders from the awful restraints. I actually got to ride it back to back in a middle seat and the rattle is extremely bad on the launch. If it had lap bars and the rattle wasn't so violent, this would be a straight upgrade to TTD. I do love Kingda Ka though and I ride it annually but I can't ever say it's the best ride in the park or better than TTD. Still, it is one of the most intense coasters out there and I can appreciate how long that launch feels. Nothing beats a front row ride on this beast.
yea i wish they had lap bars, but it’s a law of NJ that they need the over the shoulder sadly
I def. got air on the hill but it is cut short by the brakes. The advantage is part technical.
After 3 non-front rides I feel like by brain has been shaken in my skull. Probably why it sometimes takes weeks to recover from a trip to GrAdv. I did get a front row reride in ~38 degrees, unbelievable (-ly cold, like naked).
Restraints no problem but TTD made me grab on, the sudden twist hurt slightly.
One thing to note NJ laws requires rides 300ft tall to have OTSR ,which is why no giga will ever be Built NJ and The State of New Jersey would not allow six flags to built bleachers,NJ has the strictest laws with guest safety
Edit:grammar no Giga will be built in Jersey*
Do you think great adventure could retract part of the launch segments?
Not sure, but I hear the issue is the supports, not the track.
I literally rode this in the summer of 2019 and 2020 and I got into the back. I heard alot of rumors on the back being painful and rattly. I was willing to move past that.
I got into the train with my Dad and we moved out of the station. As usual I was excited and yeah.
Once the train moved back and let out that TSSS sound, the train launched and at first for a second or 2 it was smooth but as we moved down the launch train the ride got a rattle that was so painful I got a headache. I got a headache by the time the train went up the top hat. I hadn't enjoyed the ride at all that I wanted it to end.
But by the time we were at the top the train was already falling down the spike. The spike and valley was even worse.
Ok I can agree this is shaky, but NJ can’t do anything about that, there are too many laws in NJ that make it hard to make Ka enjoyable. I like the ride because it is thrilling. I went on this 2 months ago and I got off thinking, wow I just did that. I sat in the 2nd row to the back, when we were launching up the hill I had no idea what was even going on, I’m only 13
what is more intense? El toro or kingda ka?
Kingda Ka
Derrick - I got my first rollback on Ka yesterday!!
Got mine opening day last year I’ll never forget that day
Kingda ka is my fav coaster ever 10/10 I like this better then steal vengance and el Toro xd
Wow, even over TTD?
@@XscreamThrills yes
@@XscreamThrills I think ttd is way to smooth I dont really like glossy smooth rides there pretty tame
Do you know how tall u have to be to go on this ride
I think 54in
@@XscreamThrills thank you so much you are the best I am actually going on this ride on Monday and was wondering if I was tall enough and I am
They should get the soft padded restraints like ok Maverick, Stormrunner, and Fahrenheit. It would be way better and still pass nj regulations
Interesting, I don't mind the restraints at all
I think height plays a huge factor.
@@XscreamThrills probably true
Great Video!
Thanks!
Is king da ka open?
It was when i was there a month ago
I disagree about the restraints. I’m 6’1 and it doesn’t even touch my shoulders. It does get hellla tight on my legs though
Not sure then, all I know is the restraints crush my shoulders, just like on Cheetah Hunt
I prefer Ka's restraints to Dragster's. Dragster's restraints are crazy tight, and to me, Ka's restraints are much more comfortable. But different people will have different opinions, variety is good. Just be thankful it has the restraints it does, because if it had the T-bar six flags insurance would have forced those f🤬king shin guards from hell like ride of steel at six flags america.
You must be the first to say it 😁
Or worse yet, the u bricks.
I actually do get airtime on the top of that airtime hill
At least someone does LOL
You can get some good airtime in the back
My dad told me the year that Zumanjaro opened up me and him rode it while Kingda Ka launched I forgot that happened
Oh really? I didn't think that was possible
@@XscreamThrills It was only once
You can still ride Superman Escape from Krypton while Lex Luther is doing its thing.
Not possible,
@@zack9777 It was only once I saw a post the other day on Instagram that they were testing both rides I think so I didn’t see people
Is it just me or is every enthusiast tall
I mean if you're too short you can't ride everything 🤷♂️😄
@@XscreamThrills 😂
The only issue of the coaster I have besides the rough back row is the ending of the massive wide airtime hill I hate when the restraint gets pushed down into your thighs it’s so uncomfortable
Bare minimum Six Flags should do what Hersheypark, Cedar Point & Kings Dominion did: replace the hard otsrs with the soft straps
I agree with everything you said in the review!!!
Kinda ka is better than top thrill dragster
This statement has been fact checked and proved false... JK 😀
I'm going on it's sister TTD Friday
WHOOPS.
It was closed when I went.
I did a 22 Park trip a couple of years ago and this was my biggest disappointment in the park. Other then Joker but I could guess that would be poor. The launch felt like it had 2 stages of boost and the rattle was so harsh you could not enjoy the ride or see clearly. Dragster is a far superior ride experience. What is interesting is Stealth at Thorpe Park is a mini Ka with like half the height and slower launch but same rubbish restraints and is a better experience of no rattle, no clamping and so much air time on the hill it can bruise your shoulders. I wish Kingda Ka was better.
The ride didn’t always have assigned seating. It was a thing added after COVID. Hopefully when the pandemic dies down assigned seating will be gone.
When the parks can, assigned seating will go away
@@XscreamThrills that’s awesome
I rode this a few days ago and you could pick your row.
@@collinparsons3363 yeah when I went during the Summer I chose my row which was great
Kingda Ka was the worse Roller Coaster I ridden when I first went to Six Flags Great Adventure! Because of the restraints and head rest! To me, I get this coaster a 1 out of 10, it was the worst! But don’t get me wrong, I like the theme at Kingda Ka though.
i couldn’t ride this coaster more than twice thanks to the restraints
Shoulder harnesses ruin everything
I disagree
By far the worst coaster I've ever been on lol my body was vibrating and shaking the entire ride... I couldn't even see...0 enjoyment..I thought mean streak was bad until I rode this
Yikes! I can see your point though
@@XscreamThrills 🤣 I know alot will disagree...but that was my feelings when I came off of it from being smashed by the restraints..plus I was sitting towards the back which didn't help either
“Dragster Is Better”
-Everybody
Facts
You’re voice is definitely a 10 as far as annoying.
Ahh, I was wondering when some demeaning comments would arrive 🤣