According to an update from a staff member, the unload/loading process for Zumanjaro can actually begin when the mobile roof section over the station is lowered into place, protecting the cars from any falling items from above. At this point, Kingda Ka is cleared for launch and once they roof panel goes up again, Kingda Ka’s operations are put on hold.
Also, according to this source, the operational throughput of Zumanjaro really hasn’t been affected by this proceedure, as the time it takes for Kingda Ka to position and launch two trains is how long it takes to reload and check the restraints at Zumanjaro, so the full impact of this proceedure is being felt mostly over at Kingda Ka.
Also speaking with some other more knowledgeable folks... I’m told that the state is actually justified in wanting some better protection for the Zumanjaro riders as the area where the ride sits has long been a graveyard for lost guest objects dropped during a ride on Kingda Ka. The area would routinely be littered not only with hats, but an unhealthy number of cell phones have been chewed up and spat out here as a few too many guests failed to realize that taking a selfie during a Kingda Ka launch was simply not the best idea.
