Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom
| Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom | |
|---|---|
| Six Flags Great Adventure | |
| Coordinates | 40°08′26″N 74°26′01″W / 40.140623°N 74.433543°W |
| Status | Complete |
| Opening date | 2014 |
| Replaced | Rolling Thunder |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Drop tower |
| Manufacturer | Intamin |
| Height | 415 ft (126 m) |
| Speed | 90 mph (140 km/h) |
| Vehicles | 3 |
| Riders per vehicle | 8 |
Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom is a drop tower ride currently under construction at the Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson Township, New Jersey. Standing 415 feet (126 m) tall, the ride will be attached to the existing Kingda Ka roller coaster. It will be the tallest drop tower ride in the world when it opens in 2014.[1]
History
On May 21, 2005, Kingda Ka opened to the public and became the "tallest" and "fastest" roller coaster in the world at that time overtaking both world records from Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point.[2][3]
Rumors that Six Flags Great Adventure would be adding a drop tower attached to Kingda Ka, similar to Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom at Six Flags Magic Mountain, emerged in February 2012. In August, theme park enthusiast website, Screamscape, mentioned that Rolling Thunder may be removed at the end of the 2013 season.[4]
On August 29, 2013, Six Flag's chairman, president, and CEO, Jim Reid-Anderson officially announced Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom for the 2014 season (which will be attached to the Kingda Ka roller coaster) along with the other new rides to be built at other Six Flags parks.[1][5] In the press release, it was confirmed that Rolling Thunder will close on September 8, 2013 and be demolished. The new ride is inspired by the park's 2013 addition, Safari Off Road Adventure.[6] The area adjacent to the Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom will be a new habitat for African baboons, which will replace the 2011 addition, Safari Discoveries.[7]
On April 1, 2014 the final track piece for the drop tower ride were erected into place by park construction crews.[8]
Ride experience
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Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom consists of three free fall drop attractions, with each mounted to a lateral flank of the Kingda Ka structure. All three towers feature a single floorless gondola seating eight-abreast. Before riding riders will queue along a new African baboon habitat. Riders are harnessed in by over-the-shoulder restraints. Catch cars hoist the gondolas up the tower before reaching a dynamic height of 415 feet (126 m). The gondolas are then released into a fast free fall descent, attaining a terminal velocity of 90 miles per hour (140 km/h) for six seconds.[1][7] Once on top of the 415-foot tall tower, riders on a clear day would be able to see Philadelphia which is 52 miles (84 km) away from the park.[7]
See also
- Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom and The Giant Drop, two other Intamin drop towers which are attached to existing roller coasters
References
- ^ a b c "New for 2014". Six Flags. August 29, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Kingda Ka (Six Flags Great Adventure)". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- ^ Marden, Duane. "Six Flags Great Adventure will launch the tallest, fastest roller coaster on earth and new jungle domain with tiger exhibit for 2005". Roller Coaster DataBase. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- ^ "Six Flags Great Adventure". Screamscape. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- ^ Oglesby, Amanda (August 29, 2013). "New Six Flags ride 'Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom' to feature 90-mph drop". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- ^ "Six Flags Great Adventure Announces World Record-Breaking Ride for 2014". Six Flags Great Adventure. August 29, 2013. Archived from the original on September 1, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Rolling Thunder to close for world's tallest drop ride at Six Flags". The Asbury Park Press. August 29, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
- ^ Mirgoli, Nicholus. "Final Track Piece of Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom Completed on the World's Tallest Drop Tower at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ". www.ThemeParkOverload.net. Retrieved 13 April 2014.