US theme park Six Flags has announced it will launch the world’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster as part of a new mythical jungle kingdom at its Six Flags Great Adventure park in Jackson, New Jersey.

The project, scheduled to open in time for the 2005 season, is the largest expansion in the park’s 30-year history and is designed to transform it into a ‘true family destination’ according to Six Flags CEO, Kieran Burke.

The 128mph, 456ft high rollercoaster, Kingda Ka, will be the main attraction within a new 11-acre jungle domain called The Golden Kingdom which will also feature a children’s play area called Balin’s Jungle Land and an educational tiger exhibit called Temple of the Tiger.

Balin’s Jungle Land will include five themed rides as well as a giant play structure incorporating five elements – three dry and two wet – with 30 different platform levels.

The 33,000sq ft Temple of the Tiger exhibit will feature four Bengal tigers and rare golden tiger cubs, which will interact with trainers in a 1,000-seat auditorium.

The Golden Kingdom will also introduce a range of other exotic animals such as cockatoos and macaws, porcupine, a rainbow boa constrictor, albino python and capuchin monkey.

Six Flags announced earlier this month that unseasonably cool and wet weather over the summer as well as the hurricanes and tropical storms experienced in certain areas of the US has hit results at many of its parks.

As a result it now expects to achieve adjusted EBITDA of $250-255m (£139-141m) for the full year.

“While we are not satisfied with our full-year performance, we believe that important progress has been made on several key fronts, which we believe position the company for significant growth in 2005,” said Burke.

“We have made great strides in delivering a better quality guest experience, in park spending has increased materially and we have put in place a strong plan for new rides and attractions for 2005.”

He added that the company’s performance target for next year remains $300m (£166m) in adjusted EBITDA. Details: www.sixflags.com