Kingda Ka will be 456 feet tall and launch from 0 to 128 mph in 3.5 seconds.  Kingda Ka will also feature the world’s longest drop at 418 feet.

The ride, manufactured by Intamin AG of Switzerland, is similar to what will be the previous tallest, fastest coaster, Top Thrill Dragster of Cedar Point in Ohio.  It uses the same hydraulic launch mechanism, twists up a 90-degree hill only to return down a 270-degree spiral at a 90-degree drop.  Kingda Ka will have a 129-foot-tall camelback directly after the drop that is sure to provide plenty of airtime for its 18 passengers.

Kingda Ka is part of the “largest expansion in the 30-year history of Six Flags Great Adventure,” CEO of Six Flags Inc., Kieran Burke said.

Along with this massive roller coaster, the park will be adding a jungle-themed area called The Golden Kingdom.  This 11-acre land will also include children’s area Balin’s Jungle Land; Temple of the Tiger, an educational tiger exhibit; three shops and four eateries.

The nearly three story Balin’s Jungle Land will have five interactive play areas: three wet and two dry, including spray guns, tipping buckets and a “jumping” fountain.

Temple of the Tiger will cover 33,000 square feet, and trainers will interact with the audience and tigers, teaching guests facts about tigers.

The Golden Kingdom will also be home to exotic animals such as cockatoos, a python and monkeys.

The Golden Kingdom and Kingda Ka are scheduled to open in spring 2005.

ThrillNetwork’s Jerry Huster is covering the announcement and giving ThrillNetwork up-to-the-minute information on Kingda Ka and The Golden Kingdom.

To view pictures of this ride, please see our database gallery on Kingda Ka.  For video (either to stream or download), please see this page to view it.

Note: We have added additional construction photos from Kingda Ka.  You may view them in the database gallery above.

Chip contributed to this report.