Have you got what it takes to ride the world's fastest, tallest, loopiest, and scariest roller coasters?
There is no shortage of thrills found in theme parks, but roller coasters hold a special place in our hearts.
At first, roller coasters resembled slides more. Russian nobility would get on wooden carts and descend a hill that was artificial. Engineers began experimenting with roller coaster technology in the early 20th century in an effort to increase the thrills they could offer. The coasters could now travel faster, curve, and twist around hills at this point.
And over the past 100 years, the thrills have multiplied exponentially. There are plenty of adrenaline-inducing devices available today, though the criteria for what makes the best coasters — the design, the number of inversions, the speed — may differ from thrill seeker to thrill seeker (and around and around).
Formula Rossa — Ferrari World, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
No other roller coaster in the world can match Formula Rossa in terms of speed. The world's fastest roller coaster was created to resemble a Ferrari sports car. In five seconds, it accelerates riders from 0 to 150 miles per hour. The 1.5 miles of track that make up the track are situated on a Ferrari racetrack. Even though the ride is only a minute and a half long, it is among the most exhilarating 90 seconds you will ever spend on a roller coaster.
Kingda Ka — Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey
This roller coaster is the tallest in the world and the fastest in America. In fact, given its height and speed, it might even be the world's most terrifying roller coaster. Riders are sent hurtling down the track at 128 mph after reaching a height of 456 feet (over 45 stories) in just 3.5 seconds. Kingda Ka is one of the most thrilling rides available, despite the fact that the entire ride only lasts for about 50 seconds. (But to be honest, you probably couldn't handle it for much longer.)
Jersey Devil Coaster — Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey
The Jersey Devil Coaster, which debuted in June 2021 as the tallest, fastest, and longest single rail coaster in the world, is the second coaster at New Jersey's Six Flags Great Adventure to earn a spot on our list. The 12 passengers who ride in each of the sleek trains are seated low and inline (one rider per row), with their legs straddling the monorail track on either side. This thrill ride reaches 58 mph with a 130-foot drop and is named for the folkloric creature that is said to have haunted the nearby woods for centuries. The roller coaster, which rises 13 stories, travels over 3,000 feet of track.
Steel Dragon 2000 — Nagashima Resort, Japan
In Japan, the Steel Dragon 2000 roller coaster holds the record for being the longest in the world. Its 8,000 feet of track, the highest point of which is 318 feet, took more than $52 million to build. The Steel Dragon 2000 propels passengers at 95 mph while descending 306 feet.
Steel Vengeance — Cedar Point, Ohio
Many of the most thrilling rides in the nation can be found at Cedar Point, which is frequently referred to as the roller coaster capital of America. Many of the park's 17 roller coasters, which defy gravity, could be included on this list, but Steel Vengeance is singled out because it is the longest hybrid (wood and steel) coaster in the world. Riders experience the longest airtime of any coaster in the world, nearly 30 seconds, as they travel around the 5,740-foot track with a 200-foot peak.
T Express — Everland Resort, South Korea
The second-tallest wooden coaster in the world, the T Express in South Korea, is 183 feet tall and offers riders a classic (yet still extreme!) experience. The course launches riders down a 150-foot drop to take advantage of its location on a hillside. The ride's top speed is 65 mph, and cars are sent plummeting 77 degrees. It consistently ranks among the top wooden coasters in the world.
Pantheon — Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia
Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is billed as the fastest multi-launch coaster in the world, reaching 180 feet with a 95-degree drop and two inversions while reaching a top speed of 73 miles per hour. On this two-minute ride, where riders experience weightlessness on five hills, three of the speed bursts are in forward motion and the other is in reverse.
Goliath — Six Flags Great America, Illinois
It's a minute difference. The Goliath has the highest drop even though it may not be the tallest wooden roller coaster in the world. Even though the coaster is only 165 feet tall, Goliath's riders plunge 180 feet through a tunnel below ground before emerging on the other side. The roller coaster has two inversions and reaches a top speed of 72 mph, making for an intense ride.
The Smiler — Alton Towers, United Kingdom
Your world will be upended by The Smiler. It has a dizzying 14 inversions, the most of any roller coaster in the world. And at 53 mph, passengers are propelled up through the loops. Don't, however, believe that quantity trumps variety. The track contains several different kinds of inversions, such as a heartline roll, dive loop, and corkscrew. This one should be tried out on an empty stomach, in our opinion.
Full Throttle — Six Flags Magic Mountain, California
The world's tallest and fastest vertical loop can be found on the terrifying Full Throttle. Riders ascend a loop that is 160 feet tall at a speed of 70 mph. The roller coaster feels unpredictable as you're riding it. It jerks back and forth, changing course several times, once even as you were in the middle of the loop.
