Florida is the theme park capital of the world. Sorry, Cedar Point! Yes, you have the most roller coasters in a single location, but the state of Florida has you beat in terms of quantity and quality. Don’t worry! Everyone still loves you!
Now that I’ve apologized for any potential hurt feelings (you’re good too, Knott’s Berry Farm!), let’s get back to the point. Florida has an amazing assortment of roller coasters throughout the state. Many of the best ones are in two places, though. Let’s be honest that Orlando and Tampa are the unofficial theme park capitals of Florida. The list will reflect that. Similarly, I prefer thrill rides that also have themes, which means that something undeniably wonderful like The Dragon at Legoland Florida or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train won’t make the cut here due to velocity limitations. The Incredible Hulk narrowly misses because it’s not very…Hulk-ish. Keeping these criteria in mind, here are the best roller coasters in Florida!
9. Test Track
Test Track is undeniably a masterpiece, an immersive ride experience. A replacement for World of Motion, it’s a fascinating exploration of car engineering. Disney and Chevrolet, the ride sponsor, show what a manufacturer has to evaluate in building a new vehicle. It does this in a manner so seamless that many riders don’t even realize that they were a part of such a simulation.
As an attraction, Test Track is the gold standard. It’s an amazing, engaging ride that satisfies on every level. As a roller coaster, it’s harder to judge. The stop-and-start elements of the attraction aren’t what people have come to expect from roller coasters. And those blinding few moments of daylight when the doors open, thrusting the rider into sunlight, are only a small portion of the ride-time. Yes, the rush of surging from 0 to 64.9 miles per hour is invigorating, but it only lasts for about 40 seconds. As much as I love Test Track (it’s probably my favorite attraction on this list) I don’t think that’s enough to slot it higher on the list of best roller coasters.
8. SheiKra
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is quietly a powerhouse in the field of roller coaster design. Several of their attractions merited consideration for this list. In the end, I settled on two for this list (sorry, Montu!). SkeiKra is the inferior of the two in the same way that one of Paul McCartney or John Lennon is the inferior Beatle. People harbor strong feelings about each one, and the same is true of the best two attractions at this park.
SheiKra is a dive coaster that effectively takes a section of stadium seats, connects them together, and then races the whole group through 3,188 feet of track at breakneck speeds. The theoretical maximum velocity is 70 miles per hour, but due to the design of these seats, you’ll feel like you’re going much faster. It offers one of the most exhilarating, out of control sensations possible on a roller coaster. The only reason why I didn’t slot it higher is that the ride is a bit uncomfortable for some. The unique design definitely isn’t for everyone.
7. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
Look, anything that’s good enough for Sharknado 3 is good enough for me. Okay, that shameless bit of cross-promotion was a misstep, but in terms of explosive roller coasters, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit delivers one of the coolest ride experiences available in Florida.
The attraction is an x-coaster with a 90-degree vertical drop. You don’t have to know a lot about geometry to understand that a 90-degree drop is straight down! With a top speed of 65 miles per hour and a lot of breaks, turns, corkscrews, and faux inversions, Universal delivers one of the most inventive coaster rides yet created. And you even get to pick your choice of tunes for the ride!
Comments
Wow. I have never disagreed with a list on this site more than this one.
How can you even have Test Track on this list? It is not by any definition a roller coaster. It's not even in the roller coaster database. Then you arbitrarily discount rides with "velocity limitations" but then you include space mountain which actually has a slower top speed than the two examples you listed as being excluded. Then the most egregious error. Leaving the Hulk and Montu off of the list? Wow just wow. They are two of the best rides in Florida let alone coasters. And they are oftentimes ranked decently high in several "best of" coasters in the country. That's nothing to say about leaving off dragon challenge, Cheetah Run, or Manta off the list You state you crossed the Hulk off of the list because it didn't qualify due to lack of themeing but you include the Kumba which has absolutely zero themeing and is on my personal list for worst coaster in Florida because it rides about as smooth as chunky peanut butter. The thrill of Kumba may last for a couple minutes but the headache it gives you will stay with you for the rest of the day.
My personal Top 10 FL Coasters (I have not been on Mako yet)
1. Montu
2. Dragon Challenge
3. The Hulk
4. Kraken
5. Thunder Mountain
6. Rockin' Roller Coaster
7. Space Mountain
8. Expedition Everest
9. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
10. Manta
But I get it. It's your article and your list and you absolutely love Test Track, I do too! (even though it is not a roller coaster) and I love your other articles and this website so we'll just have to agree to disagree :)