Six Flags shuts down Kingda Ka roller coaster as fans sound off: 'Heartbreaking and insulting'

Kingda Ka, the world's tallest roller coaster, will be among the rides removed from Six Flags Great Adventure to make way for a "multi-record-breaking launch coaster" that will open in 2026.

"We understand that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate our guests' passion. These changes are an important part of our growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences," Brian Bacica, Six Flags Great Adventure president, said in a Nov. 14 press release sent to Fox News Digital.

Additional details about Kingda Ka's replacement will be released "next summer," said Bacica. 

The new ride will be "a must-ride attraction sure to capture fans' imaginations," he added.

The announcement comes after about a month of speculation that the coaster's days could be numbered. Numerous roller coaster enthusiasts reported on YouTube and other social media platforms that there were credible rumors that the ride would be shutting down.

In Thursday's press release, Six Flags Great Adventure also announced that the Green Lantern roller coaster would be closing for the new 2026 ride, as would the Parachutes and the Twister rides. 

Zumanjaro, a "drop tower" ride on Kingda Ka's main structure, will also be closing, Six Flags Great Adventure later confirmed.

On social media, many fans appeared upset over how Six Flags Great Adventure handled the closure of Kingda Ka. 

"Kingda Ka deserved better," said another user on X, who added that it was "heartbreaking and insulting" that the record-setting roller coaster closed without an announcement beforehand.

In addition to the announcement that Kingda Ka would be closing, Six Flags also revealed on Thursday a slew of additions coming to the chain's theme parks.

Six Flags will invest more than $2 billion in the coming years, said a press release from the company.