Most Thrilling Roller Coasters in Florida
Adventurers who are partial to a ride on a roller coaster will know that a good ride will stay in your memory forever, the rush and excitement of the experience never entirely leaves you.
Thrill-seekers and adrenaline lovers across the world head to Orlando each year to enjoy the wide variety of theme parks on offer, and in extension, the enthralling roller coasters these parks have to offer.
At Debbie’s Villas, we understand the importance of making holiday memories that will last a lifetime, so we work hard to make sure that every part of your trip is excellent. We offer a range of attraction tickets and packages to help make everything hassle-free. By booking through us, you also get loads of free extras, including Disney FastPass and Memory Maker, as well as a SmartSIM USA Sim card and more.
Read on to see our recommendations on the most thrilling roller coasters to experience whilst on holiday in Florida.
Revenge of the Mummy – Universal Studios
Based on archaeological thriller and award-winning motion picture The Mummy (1999), Universal Studios takes you on an indoor sensory adventure that feels so real you might just believe it.
As you flee from the evil Mummy Imhotep, prepare to be chased, with him on your tail throwing swarms of insects, fire and warrior mummies in your direction. Standstill launches, 80-degree banked turns and 50-degree angle drops culminate with a plunge into a dark abyss. Top speeds reach up to 45mph, and the extensive storyline is what has earned this ride a place on our list.
Minimum passenger height requirement is 48 inches (120 cm).
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – Universal Studios
A thrill to behold at Universal Studios, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit certainly lives up to its name. Not only do you dip and dive from dizzying heights, but you do it to your own personal song choice, which you select from a playlist at the beginning, making the experience all the more immersive and unique. Want to know a little secret? There is a whole load of additional songs on the ride’s secret playlist. Find out how to access it in our Hidden Gems at Universal blog!
The ride gets the adrenaline pumping from the get-go with a 90-degree vertical climb, followed by a spine-tingling full speed drop. Further drops and thrills occur from heights of 167ft and speeds of up to 65mph. The coaster is also famous for the world’s first ever non-inverting loop, giving you the chance to experience something you’ve never felt before.
The minimum height for this ride is 51 inches (129.5cm).
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Within Universal, you will find The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This immersive experience into the world-famous Harry Potter film series gives you the opportunity to explore some of the biggest parts of the franchise, from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade.
It is in Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure that you will find the brand-new ride (opened in June 2019), Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, designed to take people to never before explored areas of the Wizarding World. The roller coaster takes you on a journey deep into the Forbidden Forest, flying past fierce beasts and magical creatures on Hagrid’s enchanted motorbikes.
With speeds of up to 50mph, the ‘storycoaster’ whizzes and whips you through magical woodlands, which are made up of over a thousand real trees. The opening of the ride caused a sensation, with Harry Potter stars such as Tom Felton and Rupert Grint in attendance.
The minimum height restriction for this ride is 48 inches (121.9 cm).
Incredible Hulk Coaster – Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Experience the strength and power of one of the most famous and supreme superheroes. The ginormous green powerhouse, also known as Bruce Banner, has been a staple among action movie fans for years and is now particularly well-loved after his appearances in the chart-topping Avengers film series.
After a blast of special gamma radiation, which gives you the ability to tear your way along the track with superhuman strength, you’ll find yourself in a weightless, zero-gravity roll. The ride is your chance to be a superhero with speeds of up to 67mph and dives into subterranean trenches.
The height restriction for this ride is 54 inches (137cm).
Mako – SeaWorld
We don’t think you should miss a go on the tallest and longest roller coaster in Orlando! From the heart-dropping height of 200ft, reach speeds of up to 73mph as you take an adventure on the king of the sea, the mighty shark.
Designed to mimic the way a shark hunts and swims, you’ll experience sudden turns, dives, and moments of complete weightlessness as you soar around the 4,760ft track.
You must be 54 inches (137cm) to ride Mako.
Manta – SeaWorld
In keeping with the ocean theme of SeaWorld Orlando, Manta has been designed to glide and fly, just like the majestic manta ray does. The smooth track still provides thrills; however, with a heart jumping, head-first, face-down inverted nosedive, not to mention speeds of up to 56mph and a top height of 140ft (43m).
Climb aboard the giant blue manta ray and experience what it feels like to fly, glide and dive, including corkscrew loops and inline twists. After the ride, we propose going to see the real-life rays and other sea creatures in the park’s extensive aquarium, so you can learn more about them too.
Riders must be a minimum height of 54 inches (137cm).
Ice Breaker – SeaWorld – Coming Spring 2020
Want to be among the first people to ride a brand-new roller coaster? Why not book your holiday with us for spring 2020 to experience the opening of Ice Breaker, currently under construction at SeaWorld.
Described as SeaWorld’s first multi-directional roller coaster, Ice Breaker takes its name and design from icy arctic summits and will be situated near the Wild Arctic area of the park.
On this icy adventure, you can expect a beyond vertical drop, as well as backwards and forwards airtime filled launches.
The minimum height requirement for this ride is expected to be 48 inches (121.9 cm).
Iron Gwazi – Busch Gardens – Coming Spring 2020
2020 is set to be an exciting time in Orlando with the launch of a second adrenaline-inducing roller coaster. Busch Gardens will be home to the great Iron Gwazi; a big air, high-topped, crocodile themed thrill ride.
The ride is actually an extensive upgrade and rebuild to the previous Gwazi roller coaster, a similarly inspired wooden structure. Its big brother, which is due to open in the spring of 2020, will be reaching for the skies with a 206ft (62m) tall peak, then will fall into a dazzling 91-degree drop and reach speeds of up to 76mph. In fact, it will be the fastest and steepest hybrid roller coaster in the world!
SheiKra – Busch Gardens
A day at African-themed animal theme park, Busch Gardens Tampa, is not complete without a ride on SheiKra. A great day out, the park, which spans over 335 acres, also features a further eight roller coasters and two water rides.
The ‘floorless coaster’ takes its name from the shikra hawk, an Asian-African bird of prey that is known for diving vertically to catch its prey.
You might feel in awe staring up to the dizzying heights of the ride’s peak from the ground. That is until you receive a refreshing dousing from the splashdown finale as you wait your turn. Among some of the highest roller coasters in the world, you will climb 200ft (60m) and dangle mercilessly before the adrenaline rush of a 70mph dive.
You must be a minimum of 54 inches (137cm) to ride SheiKra.
Tigris – Busch Gardens
Another essential at Busch Gardens, Tigris promises to excite as Florida’s tallest launch coaster. Twist and turn along the orange track, which has been designed specially to copy the incredible agility and power of one of nature’s most fearsome and spectacular creatures, the tiger.
More than 1,800ft of track will catapult riders around twisting loops, an inverted heartline roll and a skyward surge of 150ft, all at speeds of up to 60mph! There is also a meaningful element to the ride, with information about the difficulties that tigers around the world face today and what is being done to conserve them.
The height restriction for Tigris is 54 inches (137cm).
Expedition Everest – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
In the wild peaks of Mount Everest hides a mysterious and ferocious snow monster, rarely seen but known to snatch up intrepid explorers. Can you outrun him? Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a place where you can explore, learn and play, taking tours around the animal trails and exploring different continents.
Wizz through dark caves and up rocky mountains, experiencing the sensation of falling backwards into the depths of an unknown cavern. Keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of one of the world’s rarest creatures, the giant yeti.
The height minimum for this ride is 44 inches (112cm).
Rock’ N’ Roller Coaster – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Climb into the super stretch limo carriages and get your air guitar at the ready. Complete with Aerosmith soundtrack, the Rock’ N’ Roller Coaster whizzes and loops through a menagerie of traffic, making sure you and the band get to the concert on time.
Part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we can highly recommend several days exploring and riding spectacular attractions at this Disney park. There is also live performances, restaurants, and endless experiences to enjoy with the family.
One of the rides ultimate sensations is the acceleration from 0 to 57mph in just 2.8 seconds. Alongside, you get a professional sound experience, with a 125-speaker, 24-subwoofer, 32,000-watt audio system pumping out your favourite Aerosmith hits, including ‘Walk This Way’ and ‘Sweet Emotion’.
The height restriction for this ride is 48 inches (122cm).
We hope you’ve felt inspired to plan the ultimate adventure theme park getaway! To make your trip special, book one of our Orlando holiday villas to rent. We offer a range of sizes and styles so you can relax in comfort as a couple or with your family.