Roller Coaster Enthusiasts Feel the Need for Speed

ROLLER COASTER

ENTHUSIASTS FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED

Anticipating the jolt of G-force is worth the wait in theme park lines across the country this summer. Adrenaline junkies and roller coaster enthusiasts live for the thrill of steel coasters. So, which state boasts the best steel coaster? We want you to decide. Check out this list and get your thrill on!

FLORIDA

CHEETAH HUNT LOCATION: Bush Gardens, Tampa Bay, FL

WHAT TO EXPECT: Not for scaredy cats! Boasting 4,400 feet (about the elevation of Denver, Colorado) of excitement, the Cheetah Hunt reaches a maximum speed of 60 MPH and is the park’s longest thrill ride. This triple launch roller coaster carries riders high above the park, then races down along the ground through a rocky gorge. It’s no wonder that it’s quickly made it to the list of favorites of coaster enthusiasts. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 48 inches ICE BREAKER LOCATION: Sea World, Orlando, FL

WHAT TO EXPECT: Get your scream on with Sea World’s Ice Breaker. USA Today awarded the coaster with the designation as “One of the Most Anticipated Rides of 2022.” The Ice Breaker features four airtime-filled launches, both backward and forward, and ends in a reverse launch with the steepest beyond the vertical drop in Florida - 93 feet high. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 54 inches HAGRID’S MAGICAL CREATURES MOTORBIKE ADVENTURE LOCATION: Universal Studio Island of Adventure, Orlando, FL

WHAT TO EXPECT: Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan, roller coaster enthusiast, or are looking forward to the latest Universal Orlando Resort attraction, Hagrid’s coaster features 7 launches (more than any coaster in the world) with speeds reaching 50MPH. Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride as this will be the time to hold on tight and trust Hagrid to get you through your journey. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 48 inches

MARYLAND

SUPERMAN: RIDE OF STEEL LOCATION: Six Flags America, Upper Marlboro, MD

WHAT TO EXPECT: Maximum thrill level is guaranteed on this twisting track of 5,400 feet (about half the height of Mount St. Helens). Known as a hyper coaster, a modern breed of oversized roller coasters that are pumped to more than 200 feet tall, SUPERMAN: Ride of Steel features an exhilarating 200-foot drop with speed up to 73 MPH. With its twists and low bank turns, the rider feels as if he’s flying over Metropolis ready to save the day. This coaster is built for speed and doesn’t disappoint. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 54 inches

MASSACHUSETTS

SUPERMAN: THE RIDE LOCATION: Six Flags New England, Agawam, MA

WHAT TO EXPECT: Yes, there are multiple SUPERMAN roller coasters each housed within a Six Flags Park. Superman: The Ride is a much tighter coaster that creates extreme G-force pressure on the riders. Top speed is reached as the drop is longer than the height by it entering a tunnel at the bottom of the first drop. Superman: The Ride is an adrenaline rush akin to the momentum of Superman’s racing at the speed of light. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 54 inches

MISSOURI

TIME TRAVELER LOCATION: Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO

WHAT TO EXPECT: Time Traveler is the World’s Fastest, Steepest & Tallest Spinning Coaster. The coaster boasts the most inversions on a spinning coaster (that would be 3); includes a 95-foot-tall vertical loop; and sends riders to unprecedented speeds with its two launches. Time Traveler defies the laws of gravity, breaks speed barriers, and makes history with speeds of 50.3 MPH and 10-story, 90-degree vertical drop. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 51 inches

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MISSOURI

WILDFIRE LOCATION: Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO

WHAT TO EXPECT: Wildfire is a high-flying, multi-looping, cobra-rolling coaster that will leave you breathless! Don’t believe us? The coaster travels at speeds up to 66 MPH, and features a vertical drop of 15 stories, five inversions, a full loop, cobra roll, corkscrew and high-speed spiral. Get ready to fly! MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 52 inches

BOOMERANG LOCATION: Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, MO

WHAT TO EXPECT: Boomerang begins by being pulled back up a 116-foot-tall hill to being nearly vertical! Once the rear reaches the top of the hill, the riders are dropped and sent soaring through the station, through three inversions and one loop. The train then gets pulled up a second 116-foot-tall hill and once again dropped, but this time backwards—so goes the name! MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 48 inches THE RIVER KING MINE TRAIN LOCATION: Six Flags – St. Louis, Eureka, MO

WHAT TO EXPECT: This steel coaster is reminiscent of older wooden coasters, but a solid contender for thrill-seekers. This longtime favorite coaster promises medium-sized thrills for enthusiasts. Kids find it exhilarating. Watch out for the end of the journey! An unexpected plummet takes riders through a pitch-black mine shaft with a 41-foot steep drop. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 42 inches

NORTH CAROLINA

FURY 325: FEEL THE STING LOCATION: Carowinds, Charlotte, NC

WHAT TO EXPECT: At 1.25 miles long, Fury 325 is the nation’s longest steel coaster. The ride crosses both North and South Carolina state lines. Known as a giga coaster. The ride reaches speeds of up to 95 MPH. This coaster is not for the faint of heart. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 54 Inches

SOUTH CAROLINA

SWAMP FOX LOCATION: Family Kingdom Amusement, Myrtle Beach, SC

WHAT TO EXPECT: This wooden coaster is a thrill for coaster enthusiasts of all varieties. Reaching speeds of 50 MPH, the coaster features lots of twists and turns. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 52 inches

THE COASTER: TWIST ‘N SHOUT LOCATION: Family Kingdom Amusement, Myrtle Beach, SC

WHAT TO EXPECT: Called a “wild-mouse” coaster, this steel coaster features cars wider than the track. The four-passenger cars make quick, sharp turns resulting in riders being on the edge of their seats. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 48 inches

TENNESSEE

TENNESSEE TORNADO LOCATION: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN

WHAT TO EXPECT: A triple spiral-looping coaster that makes riders feel like they have landed inside a funnel cloud. Falling 128-feet, the coaster reaches 70 MPH during the fall. MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 48 inches

VIRGINIA

INTIMIDATOR 305 LOCATION: Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA

WHAT TO EXPECT: Known as one of the tallest, fastest and thrilling coasters on the East Coast, the Intimidator 305 challenges even the most ardent enthusiast. The coaster features a 300-foot drop at an 85-degree angle. Are you ready to be intimidated? MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT: 54 inches