Long Live The King: Back from the dead!

[GAcoaster]

I just got word that Kingda Ka cycled today (first time since the breakdown).

 

Unofficial word from my sources is look for a KK to re-open the first week of August if all continues to go well, and the state of New Jersey clears it.

 

More info as I get it, but for anyone planning a trip to ride the world's tallest, fastest coaster, August is looking good now.

[eddie200330]

should've paid more attention to TTD!! Not the brightest choice for a multi million dollar ride now was it ?????

[robbalvey]

^ See, I disagree with that, somewhat. Sometimes it's not just about the 'ride' itself. It's what it could bring to the park. Think about all those Discovery channel shows that included S:TE and TTD. Our relatives (read NOT coaster enthusaists) are sending us newspaper clippings from Kingda Ka (as if we didn't already know) because they see "tallest and fastest" and they cut it out.

 

It certainly is getting attention.

 

While it's also getting negative attention at the momemt, in a year or two when all the bugs have been totally ironed out and the thing is up more than it's down, people will look at this through rose colored glasses and remember a ride that is decent and not remember all the trouble it went through.

 

How often do you hear about the year that Chiller or the Mr. Freeze coasters were down? How often do you hear about S:TE being delayed by 8 months? Or DL's Splash Mountain opening a year late? Or Test Track opening over 2 years late!

 

IMO, it was a good choice of ride for the park, but what these parks should learn is that these 'bigger than normal' coaster investments NEED more than 6 to 9 months of construction and development, regardless of what Intamin might say. In that respect, yeah, I totally agree with you that they need to learn!

 

For example, us in the software development business, if a developer tells us they can do the game in 9 months, we assume 14 to 16!

 

We learn by past experience! Hopefully the next time around the parks will too!

 

--Robb

[TheStig]

^I hear about those things alot! Just kidding, but you do have a point there. IMO, both KK and TTD will eventuially shake themselfs apart in the next ten to 15 years. I just can't see coasters like these two with their height and power to last that long! All in all Im glad that SFGAd got KK running again and hope it brings guests in like it should for next season.

 

Colin C

[Coasterlicious]

Kingda Ka was a good idea for Six Flags IMO.. even though its similar to TTD.. good to hear that its running..

[GAcoaster]

It looks like it will re-open this week. They were launching trains (all four of them) constantly while I was at the park yesterday.

 

I posted a couple of new pics on my site

[GAcoaster]

Sorry to double post, but I just got word that either tomorrow or Thursday Kingda Ka is supposed to re-open as long as the rain holds off.

 

With any luck, I'll be going for ERT on Friday morning!

[SharkTums]

Great to hear!

 

Look forward to riding it in October!

[kenshinmac]

^I hear about those things alot! Just kidding, but you do have a point there. IMO, both KK and TTD will eventuially shake themselfs apart in the next ten to 15 years. I just can't see coasters like these two with their height and power to last that long! All in all Im glad that SFGAd got KK running again and hope it brings guests in like it should for next season.

 

Colin C

Dude seriously... I don't usually do this but get a clue... There are tons of things put under that kind of stress all the time that last for years upon years. If Intamin did the engineering right and the building contractor did things right the ride should remain fine for years to come. It is pushing a lot of G's but it can deal with it.

[Not For Sale]

I was at Great Adventure yesterday, only saw it test once.

[GAcoaster]

Looks like it's been delayed a few more days (August 1st now). Apparently the State of NJ wanted to see more tests and the hydraulics shut down due to overheating in the 100 degree weather yesterday...