Can You Put Your Hands Up On Kingda Ka?
Six Flags Great Adventure: Yes or no?
on the lanuch and in the station it says keep ur hands on the hold bars. why i always wanted to put my hands up. so can someone tell me if u can put ur hands up from when you u leave the station during the whole lanuch and all the way down to the end.
IDK about Kingda Ka, but at Hypersonic, which has similar launch to time (80mph in 2 secs. [40m/sec] on Hypersonic and around 130 mph in 4 secs [32m/sec] on Kingda Ka), they make you keep your hands down until you go over the top crest of the tower after you launch, because the forces exerted could dislocate arms in the air with no padding behind them. I have seen someone do it, and suffered no injury, but was almost kicked out of the park. I would ask a ride attendant to make sure.
On launch coasters like this, you're best to keep your head back against the rest, your hands on the grab bar and your neck and shoulders relaxed. You're taking some pretty serious forces here that can mess you up if you put a body part in the wrong position.
I'd like to point out that "can you" and "should you" are two different things.
On TTD (one time) and Xcelerator (too many to count), I generally keep my hands down until the train stops being pushed.
You've got a little window of time to put your hands up here, because it's rather hard to do during the upward curve, so do it before or after.
Now I'm not advocating anyone disobey the posted ride rules about keeping your hands down, but, I do it all the time, and I'm still here to tell the tale.
It's quite a rush, really, knowing that there's just a lap bar and seat belt keeping you from certain death. Whee!
You can't do that!If you do that you will leave behind your hands.
Uh, I put my hands up on Xcelerator every time I ride. Even on the launch. Most people in the train have their hands up.
I've never had an incident.
From Jen Horne
Posted August 14, 2005 at 11:38 PM
Just because some lucky individuals have never had an incident occur does not mean that you are 100% protected. I would not risk it personally. Just enjoy the ride as it is....it is one heck of a ride!
umm...Jason, I put my hands up in Xcelerator... my arms felt like it was almost ripped off! Its better if you hold your hands in Kinga Ka because its like somewhere 100 miles per hour in 2.3 seconds, thats faster then superman: escape.
Six Flags is dumb enough to have over the shoulder harnesses on Kingda. CP is alot smarter than Six Flags and TTD was a way more satisfying ride experience!
Josh, I've never felt one thing putting my arms up on Xcelerator. It always adds to the experience for me. Anyway, Superman I hold on until you climb the tower, then I put my arms up. I leave them up on the way down too.
I've put my hands up on Kingda Ka a million times (ok, not a million but at least five)! I don't think it "hurts" any more than putting your hands up on any other ride. What I find interesting, though, is that when you're sitting there waiting to launch (after pulling out of the station) there is a recording that says something about head back, arms down, etc. I don't know if it's coincidental, but it seems to me like they play it again whenever anyone else puts their arms up! So, wait until you launch to put your arms up or they might not send you!
im so envy of you lot, im from the uk, and i love theme parks, i go to the ones over here, but i would love to go to six flags to ride the kinda ka. i would also love to go to ceader point aswell, to ride the top thrill dragster.
i would love to come over, what theme parks are the best there, cause to me they look all fab.
got the coaster dvd set, and typoon pc game lol.
tracy
I heard KK is a very bumpy ride... Is that true?
I have never liked a Six Flags park, and I have had an especially large distaste for Great Adventure, but them making Kinda Ka makes me sick. Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point (best park in the world) was a meaningful record breaker as not only the tallest and fastest in its time, but also the first to break 400 ft. Great Adventure basically went to Intamin and said "I'll have what he's having". This disgusting, awful park, slapped on a little hill at the end and called it their own when they obviously copied it. Then, they had the audacity to add 2 M.P.H. and add 36 ft. and cheaply beat out Top Thrill Dragster as tallest and fastest in the world. When you are going that fast and you are up that high, you honestly can not feel the difference of 2 M.P.H. and 36 ft. Actually, it is less than a complete copy because it lacks the intensity, theme, outstanding maintenence, beautiful view (Lake Erie) and originality that Top Thrill Dragster holds. The Golden Ticket awards are on my side as they show that Top Thrill Dragster has by far beaten Kingda Ka in the steel coaster category ever since the copy debuted.
Just from my experience with launch coasters. I have been on Top Thrill Dragster (TTD) and have put my hands up. Also, I've put my hands up on Hypersonic XLC which has a much rougher launch than TTD (same with pretty much every other launcher at Kings Dominion). Once you start moving, it doesn't hurt to put your arms up. It's just the initial launch that they're worried about. If you think about it, being jolted from a stand still to those high speeds, the forces are more than enough that they can dislocate raised arms. Now that might not happen, but it can. Better to be safe than sorry and keep them down before the lauch, but once you get past that initial jolt, you're good to go and you can put them up.
By the way, I am just as equally disgusted by SFGAdv by building Kingda Ka like that. Real cheap way to beat out Cedar Point (Cedar Fair, Inc.) like that. I'm so happy to hear that they are selling Darien Lake. Know I'll have no need to go to a Six Flags park again unless all my buddies want to go to Six Flags America in Maryland. I won't drive of course so they'll just have to wait till they can drive.
TTD is smooth as silk and KK is horrible and rough, take ur pick
^That's not true I've been on both and if I had to pick I would say TTD is rougher.
I put my hands up on KK before the launch and stuff it didnt hurt at all-but I didnt have them like straight up, more like and L. But on TTD they play the "Hands Down" Thing over and over again until everbodys hands are down before the launch.
Hypersonic's launch isn't rough...it's a lot more intense because you're accelerating at a much high higher rate.
Yes it is more intense. The initial jolt of acceretion is much greater than than any other launch coaster that I know of/ridden. Lets just look at the numbers:
Hypersonic XLC:
0-80 mph in 1.8 seconds
Xcelerator
0-82 mph in 2.3 seconds
Kingda Ka
0-128 mph in 3.5 seconds
Top Thrill Dragster
0-120 mph in 4 seconds
While all these times are close together, the difference in G-forces is huge. I'd do all the math but it's been a couple of years since physics class. Pretty much what it comes down to is that on Hypersonic XLC, I get a headache pretty much every time that I ride. Yes I do keep my head back and my arms down for that one. On the other hand, I can ride Top Thrill Dragster all day long with no problems.
Jenn your like the only person in america that would say that Kingdaka is smoother than TTD.
I love how Ryan constantly praises Intamin but bashes Kingda Ka. I bet if Kingda Ka were in Ohio, he'd think it was the greatest ride.
i bashed ka? interesting, TTD is just smoother and better, and most people would agree with me, wake up son.....
From Stephen A.
Posted September 6, 2006 at 3:28 PM
My friend kept his hands up the whole time, nothing happened.
“KK is horrible and rough”
“KK is horrible”
“TTD is smooth, Kkrap is not”
Ryan, that sounds like bashing to me. Also, if you actually read what I wrote, I never said KK was better than TTD, so I have no waking up to do.
That's great for your friend Steven. But people these days don't know their bodies and what their limits are. Why do you think there have been so many accidents this year (of course it could just be that the media is loving all the attention they're getting with this). The reason all of these parks and the manufacturers are telling you to keep your arms down is because the risk of something happening right at the launch is very high. For some people, that's not a problem, others, it's a high risk of: muscle damage, discolated shoulders, torn rotar cuffs, torn ligaments, torn cartilage, stingers, ect... If you feel comfortable enough to put your hands up, go for it, it's great. If you aren't sure, don't or you just might be the next story on this website.
Let me preface this whole thing by openly admitting I have never been on TTD. That being said...
I think that Kingda Ka is very very smooth. No, I don't have anything to compare it to but I've never even thought for one second that it was bumpy/jarring/uncomfortable.
Also, I just have to say this. I know that many people are upset by the mere idea of Kingda Ka, because (let's face it) it's a blatant rip off of TTD. HOWEVER, I live in Upstate New York and travel pretty far to get to SFGA. I know that the chances of me ever getting to Cedar Point are slim to none, so I for one am thrilled that there's this type of coaster closer to me!
Besides (wink wink) can't we all just get along??
From Greg S
Posted September 13, 2006 at 5:26 PM
Knott's used to not launch Xcelerator when people had their hands up. They'd tell them to put them down, and then launch. NOW, they don't say it. I saw them launch a train full of riders with their hands up.
I don't know if it was the ride ops that day, or they just don't care anymore?
most people that have been on both prefer TTD since it only uses a lap bar and is super smooth unlike KA which is on the jerky side
Kingda Ka is by far better then TTD. It's faster, taller, and better. I don't know why most people prefer top thrill dragster. Whoever Ryan is, he must have ridden in the back seat of kingda ka. If you ride up towards the front, it is very smooth.
it's just the fact that KA is a silly rip off of TTD and plus it has OTSR'S. Shakes ya 2 death as well, TTD is ranked #10 and KA is ranked #28, which is the way it should be. the theme on TTD is alot better to, it actually fits the ride and the colors of KA r super ugly like throw up. So its pretty easy to see why people like TTD alot more then Ka.
I do have to say that the whole principle of why Kingda Ka was built just makes it a bad ride. If you're going to go for the world's tallest and fastest, you don't do that by building the exact same thing as something else and just make it only 20ft taller and 3 mph faster. That's just a low blow.
I don't think Kingda Ka is really a rip off of Top Thrill Dragster. At one point, the concept of an inversion was brand new. Revolution was the first roller coaster with a loop, however, you would not say Lochness Monster or any other looping roller coaster is a Revolution rip-off simply because it utilized loops. Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster were even built by the same company. Intamin developed a new technology and a new idea for a roller coaster and they're going to use. It's not as if one coaster company is stealing ideas from the other. If Kingda Ka was the exact same length, speed, height, etc. of TTD, then it would be a rip-off, but it's not - it's taller, faster, and has a second hill. If every roller coaster built by a company was dramatically different from its predecessors, their would be so few roller coasters in existence. Did you really expect Intamin to never build a TTD type ride ever again???
That's true, but to build it that close together was obvious that they were just trying any way possible to beat out Cedar Point. Also the fact that they only broke the record by so little.
Althought I have never ridden TTD, but I have ridden KK. I still think KK is alot better then TTD. A flying dragster makes no sense, but KK's theming is perfect. And they put OTSR on KK because they want you to be safe
well u have ur own opinion but ur in the minority big time with this ride. OTSR's ruin the ride cuz it takes away ur freedom, enough said.
Actually, they put the OTSR's just so it'd be easier to fit the larger sized guests on the ride. The lap bar system that TTD uses makes it a lot tougher for larger people to fit in not to mention that many of them try to squeeze in even when it's obvious that they won't be able to fit. What really gets me when this happens is when these particular people get mad at the staff and start blaming them for letting them wait all that time just to get turned away last minute. Maybe if they would try the test seats at the entrance of the rides like anyone who questions that should, then they wouldn't waste their time. In my opinion, after riding TTD, I wouldn't want to ride KK because of the OTSR's. They cage you in where on TTD your whole upper body is free and just thrills beyond all comparison.
From steve lee
Posted September 16, 2006 at 10:09 PM
The attendant at the entrance to the queue really should try to catch the large folks befire they get in line. There's no nice way to say it, but it would certainly stop the temper tantrums if they find themselves unable to ride (definition of irony, however: You can still get MF and TTD T-shirts in XXL).
Heck, I almost couldn't ride Flight of Fear just because my legs were too long.
How tall are u steve? I was thinking of taking my friend to PKD with me and he is 6''6, was wondering if he would be able to ride anything?
He'll be able to ride everything except probably FoF and Shockwave. If you do ride Anaconda, make sure you two sit in the front row of the individual cars, more leg room.
Dustin is absolutely right about the cheap shot Kingda Copy dealt to Dragster. KK just avoided plagiarism by adding an unnoticable 36 ft., 2 M.P.H., different name and color, and a little hill (Yes, you can plagiarize yourself, as I would say Intamin did). It IS a copy, plain and simple. David Kirby, just because it does not have the exact same statistics (including 10th best steel coaster) does not mean it is a complete imitation from a company that uses the name Superman for a roller coaster 12 times. Zachary, TTD has an awesome theme complete with sound effects and atmosphere. KK is just like "Uhh...you're in a jungle, ooooh!" Give me a break. Dragsters go fast, just like TTD. KK's theme makes no sense.
the above post basically sums it up, finally someone on here besides me with a brain lol
I experienced TTD for the 1st time this past Sunday. The first time I rode it, I didn't know what to expect other than sheer acceleration, so I kept my hands down. The second time I rode it, I put my hands up. I didn't have any problems and it was a huge rush, especially on the way down.
hope u enjoyed the rest of the park as well
Thanks, Ryan!
David, you hit the nail on the head with your comment before last! Besides, it's alright to make copies of coasters like Superman because they are really good coasters, but they aren't setting any standards. When you build a record breaker, you don't do a copy of it, and you most definitely don't make another that's just a tiny bit faster and higher.
My question- is Kinda ka worth going out there to ride b/c six flags great adventure is about 3hrs closer to me than cedar point? CP is a good 11hr drive for me I live in NC.
Six Flags Great Adventure has 9 coasters including one flying coaster which Cedar Point doesn't have (yet???).
Cedar Point has 14 coasters (2 of which are short rides).
If I had to pick a part based on the number of coasters, it'd be Cedar Point. If I had to pick a park based on friendliness of the employees, I'd also pick Cedar Point (you know that the employees don't care at any Six Flags park). If I had to pick a park for the different variaties of coasters, I'd probably go with Six Flags because they have a flying coaster.
Either way you'll have a great time, but I would rather go to Cedar Point over any Six Flags park because I know that at Cedar Point, the employees love their jobs and want to make sure that the guest has the best visit ever.
How do u know the employees are like that at all six flags, have you been to them all?
From Jen V
Posted April 5, 2007 at 4:30 PM
Wow, some of the comments here are so imature. Intamin built that coaster. Sure, it's a copy, but SOMEBODY had to buy it, and it just so happened to be Six Flags. Intamin only wanted to take it to the top and create a better coaster for more amusement. Wow, I'm sure if CP bought that coaster as well, you would be "Oh wow, CP should take down TTD for more space and leave KK!" And who cares about this logo? A logo? Psssh, wow, dragons and tigers (Or what ever is on KK) are cool too. A logo doesn't change a person's opinion on which to ride, it's the statistics, speed, height, safety, ect. But back to the discussion, I do put my hands up, but it isn't really safe, the force can cause some damage to your shoulders or arms. Can even cause your arms to dislocate, the worst. I put them up right before the launch or on the top, how ever, because the forces are too strong sometimes to put your arms up. @_@
to get back to the original point finally...yes you can theoretically put your hands up on KK. The OTSH restraints probably make it a bit uncomfortable. Just put your arms forward a bit and be ready for a lot of
g's. If your arms aren't strong, then it's best to probably keep them down for the launch and raise them on the hill. It's easy to do on Dragster because there is just a lap bar and a light sequence that starts the ride. Do keep your head back though, that would really hurt. The park says hold on to the bars because hands up on that ride could possibly result in injury. When you get there you will probably see quite a few riders participating in this activity.
Just rode it. Hands up from station-station. No problem.
But keep your head and back straight. The G's at the bottom of the climb and descent can hurt your back if not straight.
And if's you're scared.............get over it. BEST COASTER ON THE PLANET!!!
I've been on Kindga Ka many times, but I've never been on TTD. The KK ride is smooth, comfortable, and well-worth the wait. I enjoy the KK ride also because waiting in line my adrenaline goes crazy. SFGA in Jackson, NJ, is by far the best park I've ever been to.
You can put your hands up but it hurts like hell on KK. I went on Stormrunner three times on Saturday and hand my hands up the whole time during the launch, that was very easy to do.
I too usually leave my hands down until after the launch just because it's not worth ruining a great day at the park for a pointless injury. I rode TTD two years ago and KK last year and I too have to say that although I enjoyed Top Thrill more, mostly because of the view, Kingda Ka was much smoother to me as well. Great Adventure will never in a million years be half the park Cedar Point is, but they do have some awesome coasters(KK, El Toro, NITRO), no doubt. Living in Houston, I just wish I didn't have to drive four hours just to get to a park!
I agree SFgradv is a awesome park, but where are you guys getting that KK is smooth? OMG KK is everything BUT smooth. It is shaky and vibrating the whole ride. KK is 10 times rougher than hypersonic was, and Hypersonic was pretty rough. Anyway I guess we all have our opinions.
What do you mean SFgadv will never be half the park Cedar point is. Cedar Point is so overrated. People think it is holy ground but it is not.
I'm just bummed because I probably wont ever get to ride because I am 6'4" and I'm still growing and you can't be over 6'5" to ride.
From Steve Pint
Posted November 30, 2008 at 9:21 AM
I think you should keep your hands down, it is probably a risk considering the forces that are about to hit you. But if you really feel the need, you should ask an employee or ride attendant just to be sure.
And what's all this about TTD vs. KK, i actually come to this website to escape fights like these... (Although i am pretty good at proving my point...)
You could put your hands up properly on KK if the over the shoulder restraints weren't there. That's whats nice about Dragster. It has the T-Bar restraint that lets you move about more freely. It is not recommended however, that you put your hands up on the launch. In fact, just hold still and keep your head back until you start up the top hat for your own good.
I dont think I would want to put my hands up while being launched at a 128mph. But then again the launch on KK is not intense at all, very weak feeling actually compared to XLC.
I am so excited to go to SFGA... I also wanted to know if it is worth getting a flash pass to get on all of the rides faster. Is it worth the rediculous prices???
Yes Lauren-without a doubt!! I went in May of last year on a Sunday and Monday, thinking the crowds wouldnt be that bad. Even then the lines were still 1hr waits. So I got the flash pass gold it was absolutly wonderful. The longest wait I had was 14mins for KK and TDK. Everything else was 2-3mins. SGradv is awesome, my favorite park overall, although I only get to go once a year or once every other year.
Thanks sooo much...I am hoping to go now and I am definately not going to chicken out on Kingda Ka like my other cousins!!! LOL...How much did u pay for your flash pass because I think they raised the prices!!!
I posted on this because it was the most recent one on kingda ka.
Anyway, I've heard that it was struck by lightning at the beginning of june, so it was shut down for a little while. Then, i heard it was reopened, but now it's down again... does anyone know what's going on?
Haha I know how old this thread is, but I remembered it and wanted to add something: Yes, you can. It might hurt for some people, but it's a real thrill and can be a compition with your friends! :D I put em up in the front half way through the launch. If I got another chance, I would do it the whole time!
From Eugene Koh
Posted February 16, 2010 at 12:44 AM
Wow, hold on! 2006 to 2009? That's odd! Look! Steve, if you are reading this, You have been a member of TPI for a long time. Can you describe Ryan? He thinks everyone should agree with him! What a fool.
Well, you can, but it isnt recommended and a really bad idea. The speed of the ride dislocates you arms/fingers due to the fact that wind and pressure pushes against your fingers at high speeds. This has happened in a number of cases and is painful. DON'T DO IT!!!!
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