A towering new roller coaster is taking shape at Six Flags Great Adventure, and the park has reached one of its biggest construction milestones. Crews have installed the final piece of track for Bakunawa, giving the attraction its full 382-foot profile. But the height is only part of the story. The new coaster is being built around three launches, freely spinning cars and a claimed six world records. With the track now complete, attention turns to the mechanical and operational work needed to prepare the ride for its planned 2027 debut.
The Final Track Piece Marks a Major Turning Point
There is a big difference between a coaster that is still rising and one whose entire track structure is finally standing. Six Flags Great Adventure has now installed the final section of Project Purple’s track, completing the towering structure and bringing the attraction to its full height. The park says the completed coaster is visible from throughout the property and beyond, giving guests their first full sense of its scale. The milestone also moves construction into its next stage, with crews turning their attention to the systems and equipment required before testing can begin.
Bakunawa Will Reach 382 Feet Into the Sky
The finished track is only part of what makes the attraction unusual. The coaster, now officially named Bakunawa, is listed by Six Flags at 382 feet tall, putting it among the world’s tallest roller coasters. Riders will climb the towering structure before descending back toward the ground in freely spinning vehicles. The park describes Bakunawa as the world’s tallest spinning coaster, combining its enormous height with a ride design that allows each train to rotate as it travels along the track.
Three Launches Will Build the Speed to 100 MPH
Bakunawa is designed to make its acceleration part of the spectacle rather than relying on one conventional launch. The ride features three launches: the first takes riders from 0 to 60 mph, the second accelerates them from 60 to 80 mph while inverted, and the third pushes them from 80 to 100 mph. Six Flags says the coaster will be the world’s fastest spinning coaster, while its maximum bank reaches 180 degrees. The entire ride experience stretches 3,163 feet and has a listed cycle time of 2 minutes and 17 seconds.
The Coaster Is Built Around Six Claimed World Records
Bakunawa is being marketed as a collection of unusual coaster achievements rather than simply another tall attraction. Six Flags lists six world records for the ride: world’s fastest spinning coaster, world’s tallest spinning coaster, world’s fastest inversion, world’s longest stall inversion, world’s first floorless spinning coaster and world’s first upside-down launch. Its freely spinning vehicles let riders face different directions during the experience, adding another unpredictable element to the 382-foot climb and descent.
Track Completion Does Not Mean the Coaster Is Ready Yet
Seeing the entire track standing can make a coaster look almost finished, but significant work remains before guests can ride Bakunawa. Six Flags says crews still need to complete electrical infrastructure, ride-control systems, mechanical installations, the load station, queue, lockers and other operational components. The next major construction milestone is the arrival of the trains, followed by their installation and a comprehensive testing and commissioning program. Bakunawa is scheduled to debut at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2027.
