10 best roller coasters in the world
Thrill-seeking families can get their adrenaline pumping on some of these awesome theme park rides around the world – including Disney’s newest roller coaster!
1. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: COSMIC REWIND, WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT IN FLORIDA
Blast off on an awesome intergalactic chase through time and space on the longest fully enclosed roller coaster at any Disney theme park in the world. Featuring legendary cosmic outlaws – Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora and Star-Lord (a.k.a. Peter Quill), the innovative attraction is another major milestone in the ongoing transformation of EPCOT and made its debut as part of the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary celebration. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 composer Tyler Bates created more than two hours of new music for the attraction’s score.
Guests board Xandarian Starjumper on Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida: Kent Phillips
2. KINGDA KA, SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE, NEW YORK STATE
Standing at nearly 140 metres tall and with a drop of 127 metres, Kingda Ka is the tallest roller coaster in the world. As the ride leaps out of the starting gate, you’ll find yourself rocketing up the height of a 45-story building, 90 degrees straight up! And what a speed. Kingda Ka reaches a speed of over 200 kilometres and hour in just 3.5 seconds, so you’ll feel the force throughout your body as you climb. And then the drop back down, complete with a 270-degree spiral, will sort the champs from the wimps. You’ll find it at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, between New York City and Philadelphia.
The world's fastest rollercoaster Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi
3. FORMULA ROSSA, FERRARI WORLD, ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
If speed is your thing, then the Formula Rossa at Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi is the place for you. Officially the world’s fastest roller coaster, with eye-watering speeds of nearly 240 kilometres per hour, it’s no surprise that every rider is issued with protective goggles before they can ride.
4. SLEDGEHAMMER, LUNA PARK, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
The Sledgehammer will carry you high above Sydney Harbour as you are swung and spun simultaneously. The ride, which has both a full swing and a half swing mode, delivers incredible G-forces as you swing back and forth, with a twist for good measure. Prepare to feel the full force as the hammer drops.
5. GHOST RIDER, KNOTT’S BERRY FARM, ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, USA
The Ghost Rider is the longest and fasters roller coaster on the Californian coast. At nearly 5000 feet long, it is a great ride with plenty of twists and turns. Generally considered the crowning piece for Knott’s Berry Farm’s park, the Ghost Rider is a wooden roller coaster, something that is increasingly hard to find. While steel roller coasters are becoming the mainstream choice, there is a character to wooden roller coasters that isn’t to be missed.
Ghostrider rollercoaster at Knott's Berry Farm in California
6. G-FORCE X, SUNWAY LAGOON X PARK, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA
Prepare to leave your heart behind as you are launched from 0 to 120 kilometres per hour in just two seconds. You’ll reach a height of 65 metres before free-falling back towards the ground. The G-Force X is Asia’s highest slingshot ride. Prepare to scream!
The Leviathan rollercoaster at Canada's Wonderland in Ontario
8. GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY – MISSION: BREAKOUT, DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE, ANAHEIM, USA
If you’re a fan of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, or chaotic adventure in general, this ride is for you. With a range of special effects and a fantastic soundtrack, Mission: Breakout will take you through a series of six free-fall drops in the darkness of space!
9. EMPORER, SEAWORLD THEME PARK, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA
This new coaster, which opened in March, features a 14-story vertical drop, loops, inversions, and barrel rolls. On this amazing ride, there is something for everyone on a track that boasts of being the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in California.
Emperor rollercoaster at SeaWorld San Diego
10. WILDFIRE, KOLMÅRDEN WILDLIFE PARK, KOLMÅRDEN, SWEDEN
There is something magical about the Wildfire roller coaster at Kolmården Wildlife Park in Sweden, which races over rocky hillsides and between fir trees. The Wildfire is the fastest wooden coaster in Europe and the second tallest wooden track in the world. You’ll reach up to 114 kilometres per hour and travel through three inversions and numerous airtime hills.
