FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

5. Steel Dragon 2000 – Nagashima Spa Land

 

Image: Nagashima Spa Land

The all-rounder, Steel Dragon 2000 weighs in at 318 feet tall, hits 95 mph and is 8133 feet long. The Dragon is the tallest coaster in the world with a lift hill, everything taller having a launch, and therefore is arguably the most terrifying anywhere. The ridiculous layout starts off as an out-and-back, with three huge plus-200 feet hills, before a twisted helix section, and finally an airtime- filled bunny hill section. In 2003 the ride was put out of action due to an accident involving a wheel flying off and injuring a nearby guest. This led most to believe that the ride would never open again, but fortunately it reopened in 2006 and has since operated smoothly.

4. Tower of Terror II – Dreamworld

 

Tower of Terror II

 

The debate rages on as to whether Tower of Terror is really a roller coaster. I’m in the yes camp, but many are still firmly on the no side. The reason is that Tower of Terror is a shuttle coaster; meaning that the track isn’t a full circuit. Instead, it launches to one end, and then falls back down. In principle is the same as a drop tower; however in my books clearly drop towers and shuttle coasters are very different. Whichever side you’re on, Tower of Terror is one heck of rush. Arguably the most simple ride concept ever, you launch horizontally, travel up a vertical tower, and fall all the way back down in reverse. But the thing is, that launch is at 100 mph and you end up stranded 377 feet up in the sky. Also, Dreamworld has changed things up a bit so you now launch backwards and face the drop head on. With an insane 6 seconds of free fall airtime, the tallest, fastest ride in the Southern hemisphere is not to be taken lightly

3. Superman: Escape from Krypton – Six Flags Magic Mountain

 Escape from Krypton from distance

 

Image: Jennifer Harbourn

Simply put, Superman is effectively identical to Tower of Terror. The same model, built by Intamin, they both opened in 1997 and they both reach 100 mph through huge magnetic launches. There are two differences however; the first is that Superman has two tracks, running parallel to one another, and that Superman has an extra 40 feet on the top, making it 415 feet tall. Really it’s cheating, it is physically impossible for the trains to travel any further up the tower than they would on Tower of Terror, however it does make the ride look that bit more impressive and garnered it the title of the world’s tallest roller coaster for 6 years.

2. Top Thrill Dragster – Cedar Point


Top Thrill Dragster opened in 2003 as the tallest, fastest roller coaster in the world and was a true trendsetter. The year before, Cedar Fair, parent company of Cedar Point and many other parks, trialled a brand new launch system, the hydraulic launch from manufacturer Intamin, on Xcelerator at Knott’s Berry Farm. The ride was a resounding success and as a result a record-breaking version was added to Cedar Point in 2003. Dragster launches riders to 120 mph and sends them over a 420 feet ‘top hat’ element. Almost as simple as Superman and Tower of Terror; it sends riders up vertically, over the top of the hill, down vertically and back to the station. The simplicity has been hailed as genius; it gives such an immense buzz there’s just no need for any more track, and as a result it’s been copied numerous times.

1. Kingda Ka – Six Flags Great Adventure

 


 

Image: Six Flags

So here it is; the ultimate scream machine in terms of altitude, the 456 feet tall and 128 mph coaster from New Jersey. Very similar in design to Top Thrill Dragster, but with an extra airtime hill on the end, many discredit the lack of creativity on Six Flags' part, but I for one credit the sheer audacity to build such a colossal ride in what was then a relatively minor park. Since then Six Flags Great Adventure has become one of the very finest in the world, and Kingda Ka has remained the jewel in the crown.

 
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Comments

Millennium force is my favorite out of the ones on the list that I have been on.

In reply to by Christina (not verified)

If only I could have let him know that an exalted karmic Jupiter is a way
of the Universe telling that person that it will all
work out in the end and that even if things seemed utterly void
of hope that divine guidance and inspiration would come from it.
Kate, Ledger's older sister was an actress and
became a publicist later. During the interview Heath Ledger claims
that that he had taken two Ambien pills, after taking just one had not sufficed, and those left him in "a stupor, only to wake up an hour later, his mind still racing.

Add new comment

About Theme Park Tourist

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...