Six Flags is making one of its biggest investments in years, unveiling Bakunawa, a 382-foot roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey that is designed to break six world records when it opens in 2027. The attraction replaces the former Kingda Ka site and underscores the company’s strategy of using headline attractions to boost attendance, season-pass sales and in-park spending.

The coaster will accelerate to 100 mph using three magnetic launches instead of a traditional chain lift. Riders will climb a 90-degree vertical tower before plunging through a series of spinning inversions aboard floorless trains that rotate freely throughout the ride, creating a different experience on every trip.

According to Six Flags, Bakunawa is expected to set six world records:

• Tallest spinning roller coaster
• Fastest spinning roller coaster
• First upside-down launch on a roller coaster
• First floorless spinning roller coaster
• Fastest coaster inversion
• Longest stall inversion

The investment highlights how regional theme park operators are competing for consumers’ discretionary spending. Rather than relying solely on seasonal events or smaller attractions, Six Flags is betting that an exclusive, record-breaking ride will encourage repeat visits, attract tourists from across the country and strengthen demand for annual memberships.

Named after the mythical sea serpent from Philippine folklore, Bakunawa will anchor a redesigned Boardwalk section of the park. The ride will feature a 3,163-foot track, two 20-passenger trains and a ride time of approximately two minutes and 17 seconds.

For Six Flags, the coaster represents more than a thrill ride. It is a long-term investment in keeping Great Adventure among North America’s premier theme park destinations while creating a new attraction that cannot be replicated by competitors.

JBizNews Desk | Jackson Township, New Jersey

© 2026 JBizNews. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction or distribution without written permission is prohibited.