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Kingda Ka is so much more than just a roller coaster, it provides a truly complete thrill experience, sure to excite even the most seasoned rider. I rode this about two weeks ago for the first time, and I was truly blown away by the sheer exhiliration and fun factor! My first impression of the ride was that I was definately glad that I had purchased a Flash Pass. It seemed as though they ran one train just for Flash Pass guests, and the other train for guests who were willing to wait in the regular queue. This resulted in drastically shorter wait times for the Flash Pass guests, in that they were told to come back for their ride in anywhere from 30 - 60 minutes, where guests in the queue were waiting 90 - 120 minutes for their rides. Hmmm.... Anyway, I was at the park on Sept 3 2006, which was the day after the Ernesto Storm had passed through, leaving the park with many technical difficulties in returning to a normal operating state. It wasnt until about mid-afternoon that I first saw Kingda Ka in operation at all, and throughout the rest of the day, its operational status was on and off. My ride for Kindga Ka was scheduled for about 7:50 pm, so I entered the queue area at this time, and was glad to see that I would be boarding the next train! Well, with no time left to build up courage, or back out, I strapped myself into the seat and waited. Hmmmm... something is .. wrong... First, I was told to release my belt and return to the queue area. Well... that doesnt sound good.. but okay. I got out of the coaster and got back in line. Apparently the train ahead of mine was stuck. Adding to the atmosphere of tension, someone in that train was absolutely panicking! They were swearing and screaming and demanding to be let off! This just shows what respect Kingda Ka demands. A lot of people ride this, almost like they are fearing for their lives, looking for any excuse to back out at the last second. So after about 10 minutes, they release the restraints on the first train, and give the passengers the option of leaving or waiting while they investigate the train, and try to get it fixed. I was very surprised when EVERYONE left! Now, keep in mind that this train was full of people who waited in the regular queue, for probably close to two hours! Well, I wasnt going to be so easily intimidated! After about another 15 minutes I heard the Staples Easy Button go off "That was easy!", over the PA system, and apparently they had fixed the problem. They seemed like they were going to run the trains empty at one point to test them, but with the park closing soon for the night, and lots of people waiting to ride, I guess safety took a back seat. I would be a guinea pig for my ride! Anyway, at this point both trains boarded. We both leave the station at the same time, the other train in front. Once both trains were sitting in the launch area, the other train suddenly shoots off into the night.... leaving only the sounds terror filled screams in the air. Our train of course, is left sitting in the launch area, strapped in, or trapped in depending on your perspective, forced to watch the other trains path, knowing this would soon be our fate. Then.... the wait. Our train sits in the launch area for about 2 or 3 minutes, knowing that our launch could happen any time. During this time, you can really feel an atmosphere of tension in the train. Lots of people are very nervous about what is going to happen to them. But really, there is no backing out at this point. Even if you were thinking of chickening out, the control booth operators are far away, so there really is no backing out. Then just when you are wondering how long you are going to have to sit in the dark with your head firmly pressed against the head rest as to avoid whiplash... a click.... a loud hissing noise.... a slight roll back ... screams ... then you are OFF!!!! Man... the acceleration is unbelievable! The next thing you know the on-ride c
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