6. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Central Florida locals know a secret that they don’t often share with tourists. The roller coaster capital of the state isn’t Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort. To the contrary, Busch Gardens Tampa has six major roller coasters, which is two more than the entirety of Universal and four more than any single Disney gate. It’s quietly the place to go if you’re an adrenaline junkie…and I apologize to Floridians for spoiling the secret.

Which ride is the best? I’ve culled the list down to three contenders. SheiKra was the first dive coaster in North America, and it features a terrifying 90-degree drop to boot. Cheetah Hunt is a launched steel roller coaster with a somewhat misleading name. It tops out at 60 miles per hour but feels much faster. Still, when you put Cheetah in the name, you better have superhero-level speed. Finally, Cobra’s Curse is a spinning roller coaster with a pre-ride elevator lift. It’s…odd. Out of the three, I favor SheiKra, which is the attraction most likely to cause people to scream until their lungs feel like they’re about to explode. 

5. SeaWorld Orlando

While the entire world seems to have turned on SeaWorld in the wake of the Blackfish scandal, park operators have quietly done a tremendous job in adding breathtaking attractions. They’ve also improved existing ones using futuristic tech. Guests who visit here and come with an open mind will discover a full day’s worth of entertainment.

Once again, three rides jump off the page at this park. The shortlist is Kraken Unleashed, Mako, and Manta. Kraken Unleashed is the oldest of the three, originally opening in 2000 as Kraken. It’s since been refreshed with an optional but invigorating virtual reality element.

Mako is a straightforward hypercoaster that SeaWorld boasts is the fastest, longest, and tallest in Orlando. Manta has the cleverest design of the three. Using the flying steel roller coaster premise, it simulates the experience of life as a Manta, complete with swaying twists and turns. Out of the three, I favor Mako for its novelty, but I still choose Kraken Unleashed as the best due to the brilliance of the virtual reality. It’s like a special look into the not-too-distant future of theme park attractions.

4. Knott’s Berry Farm

This park is the easiest place to pick a winner, and I don’t mean that in a good way. Just as the chicken stands apart in the Best Restaurant discussion, one ride is so much better than the rest that it almost feels out of place.

I’m speaking of Xcelerator, the fussy 82 miles per hour speed demon that’s much like a Gremlin. Never get it wet, as it reacts poorly to water. Despite the frequent downtime and the mysterious closures for repairs, Xcelerator has only one serious challenger over the past few years. That ride, HangTime, features a mind-blowing 96-degree drop, but it’s not up as good as Xcelerator in any appreciable way. Going from zero to 82 miles per hour in 2.3 seconds is hard to beat.