ADRENALINE junkies, meet your maker: The tallest coaster in the world (and fastest in the country) may be your match. Though it took an entire day's attempt and a two-hour delay, I was determined to conquer Kingda Ka, a hydraulically launched roller coaster at New Jersey 's Six Flag Great Adventure. The ride has won the awe and fear of thrill-seekers everywhere, as it's remained the fastest and tallest coaster in North America since its 2005 launch.
With a rapid take-off that launches passengers from 0 to 128 miles per hour in just three and a half seconds, it's no wonder that Kingda Ka's reputation precedes it. And as a self-proclaimed amusement park desperado, I needed to try it. SYSTEM SHUTDOWN On my trip, however, it only earned my ire, as — despite attempt after attempt to get a spin — fate seemed against me.
Read More on Travel Upon arrival at Six Flags , my friend and I made a beeline to the ride, which shut down immediately for undisclosed reasons. Kingda Ka is infamous for its frequent breakdowns, so we were disappointed but undeterred. In an attempt to wait out the closure, we got in line for the El Toro coaster.
But thirty minutes into our wait, it unexpectedly began to pour, and — you guessed it — El Toro shut down. Most read in Travel Two hours after entering the park, we were drenched and disappointed, without getting on a single ride. The skies, however, soon cleared, allowing us to wander the park as we waited for Kingka Ka to reopen.
With plenty of ti.