Twists, Turns, and Thrills: Exploring the Best Roller Coaster in Orlando

Adrenaline junkies from across the globe flock to Florida for their chance to experience the biggest and baddest Orlando thrill rides.

From plummeting to your doom on a haunted elevator ride to coming face-to-face with a mummy, the rush of adrenaline never stops in the theme park capital of the world! Follow along as we do a deep dive into the best roller coasters in Orlando!

From the fastest, tallest, to the scariest roller coaster in Orlando, this list features the crème de la crème of Orlando’s exhilarating ride scene. Whether you’re a fan of immersive storytelling or a speed demon craving the rush of G-forces, we have the perfect selection of the best roller coaster Orlando.

Each one is a standout in what is arguably the best theme park city in the world for thrill rides. So strap in, hold on tight, and join us as we plunge headlong into the world of the best rides in Orlando!

Kraken — SeaWorld Orlando

Many who visit SeaWorld Orlando think of it as a pleasant family affair. However, the iconic Kraken thrill ride also proves that this family-friendly theme park has much to offer to thrill-seekers!

As one of Orlando’s floorless roller coasters — yes, this amazing ride is floorless — passengers soar 150 feet high at a whopping 65mph.

The Kraken coaster was modeled after a mythological underwater beast freed from the deepest troves of the sea, which is evident by the massive climbs and drops of the track.

Did we mention that guests sit in open-sided seats? You’ll feel like you’re diving in and out of the water at astronomical speeds when you ride the Kraken.

kraken roller coaster ride in seaworld
Kraken: Flickr/Josh Hallett

Mako — SeaWorld Orlando

Ready to ride the tallest Orlando Florida roller coaster? This thrill ride sends passengers 200 feet high for a stunning view of the Orlando skyline right before hurdling them 73 mph on a hypercoaster track.

You’ll feel weightless as you glide along the mile-long track at incredible speeds. Mako has shattered records, including the tallest, longest, and fastest coaster in Orlando! Again, a thrill ride in SeaWorld Orlando!

At this rate, we’re ready to consider SeaWorld Orlando as a candidate for the title “best theme park in Orlando for thrill rides!”

Tower of Terror — Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Fans of “The Twilight Zone” know just how frightening the television show can be. Disney Imagineers took that fright, bottled it up, and made a popular Orlando thrill ride out of it.

Related Post: Best Disney World Thrill Rides – 13 Adrenaline-Inducing Experiences

Guests enter the Twilight Zone and face their fears as they plummet down 13 stories in a haunted elevator.

The best part about the Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? You never know what’s coming next, thanks to a completely randomized dropping sequence.

disney's hollywood studios the twilight zone tower of terror exterior

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts — Universal Studios Florida

This mind-blowing, 3D steel roller coaster ride at Islands of Adventure takes you deep into the heart of Gringotts Bank, where an adventure awaits you. Be careful — Voldemort and Bellatrix are lurking below the bank, too.

The combination of special effects, 3D animation, and a pure adrenaline rush has secured Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Universal Studios’ position as a top Orlando thrill ride for years to come.

Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain — Disney’s Animal Kingdom

There’s no bigger rush than coming face-to-face with the Abominable Snowman while speeding through the Himalayan Mountains on an out-of-control train.

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With an 80-foot drop and soaring speeds, you’ll get around the Himalayan Mountains both forward and backward in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Are you ready to meet the legend of the Yeti while screaming at the top of your lungs?

Lake in foreground and people riding Expedition Everest at Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom - Orlando, Florida, USA
photo credit: Visit Orlando via Facebook

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey — Universal’s Island of Adventure

Sometimes, all it takes to make an Orlando thrill ride truly wonderful is a bit of magic. Experience the magic of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with Harry Potter and friends on this one-of-a-kind thrill ride.

Featuring groundbreaking technology and mind-boggling engineering, the ride brings guests right into the wizarding world.

Related Post: Wizarding World of Harry Potter Orlando – 12 Top Must-See Places

You’ll feel a rush unlike any other when you join Harry Potter and friends on an adventure filled with magical creatures, spellbinding interactions, and sudden surprises.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is right in the heart of Universal’s Island of Adventure, waiting for you to embark on a thrilling Forbidden Journey!

The Incredible Hulk Coaster — Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Wondering what Bruce Banner feels like when he transforms into the Incredible Hulk? This 67 mph coaster with extreme zero-gravity rolls, drops, and turns will help you experience exactly that.

If you’re a rollercoaster Orlando fanatic, you need to ride the Incredible Hulk Coaster and decide for yourself if you want to agree that this thrill ride is the best roller coaster in Orlando.

The ride recently underwent a massive remodel with the intent of making the Orlando thrill ride exceptionally exhilarating!

Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster at Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios Orlando - Orlando, FL USA
photo credit: Consulado Geral EUA / US Consulate – Rio via Facebook

The Jurassic Park River Adventure — Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Immerse yourself in the Jurassic Park universe with a tour of the dinosaurs on the island — that goes horribly wrong.

Passengers find themselves stuck in the Raptor Containment Area, and the only way to escape the incoming T-Rex is by plunging down an 85-foot waterfall drop. Get ready to scream, get soaked, and experience the adventure of a lifetime.

Revenge of the Mummy — Universal Studios Florida

Out of all the Orlando thrill rides on this list, Revenge of the Mummy Universal Studios is my absolute favorite.

It’s not the fastest roller coaster, nor does it have the biggest drop, but the state-of-the-art technology combined with the speed of the ride creates an unmatched adrenaline rush.

Related Post: Universal Studios Orlando Tickets Discount – Ultimate Guide

Thrill seekers have often said that the ride seemed to get faster and more intense every time they rode it. Perhaps the curse of the Mummy has something to do with this?

Family riding Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Orlando - Orlando, FL USA

Slingshot — Magical Midway Thrill Park

While on your Orlando thrill rides tour, why not get launched 390 feet into the air from a slingshot? This thrill ride allows guests to feel total weightlessness in the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Summit Plummet — Disney’s Blizzard Beach

Looking for the scariest roller coaster in Florida? This 120-foot, free-fall body slide includes a terrifying near-vertical drop with a pitch-black tunnel at the end of the plunge.

This waterslide drops you higher than most roller coasters and other Orlando thrill rides. Who said water rides couldn’t be thrilling? Experience it at Walt Disney World Resort now!

Rock n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith — Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Scream along with Steven Tyler and the rest of Aerosmith as they jet off to their Los Angeles concert in a 60 mph stretch limo (also known as an indoor roller coaster) through loops, twists, turns, and plunging drops.

Each “limo” plays different Aerosmith songs, meaning no two rides are ever the same. This ride is undergoing refurbishments at this time. Although there is no reopening date yet, be sure to add this thrill ride to your must-try “Orlando roller coasters” list!

Giant Guitar and the Exterior to the The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney World's Hollywood Studios - Orlando, Florida, USA

Tonga of Taniwha Tubes – Volcano Bay

Take on both tracks of the coiled Taniwha Tubes, Tonga and Raki, at Volcano Bay. Guests can grab their single or double-rider inner tubes to race down either slide, which offers slightly different experiences. Along the way, playful Tiki statues will attempt to surprise you with jets of water.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit – Universal Studios Florida

Buckle up and brace for a heady blast of rock ‘n’ roll fury in Universal Studios Florida’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit! This roller coaster is an audio-visual extravaganza, combining bone-jarring drops and gravity-defying loops with a pulsating soundtrack YOU get to select.

Your chosen beats pump through individual speakers as you skyrocket 167 feet up into the Florida sky, facing a 90-degree ascension that guarantees heart-in-mouth moments.

Once you hit the summit, it’s a wild, non-stop ride of rapid-fire twists, spirals, and sudden plunges, hitting speeds up to 65mph.

The Rockit takes thrill-seekers on an exhilarating, high-octane adventure, keeping you on the edge of your seat with every electrifying beat!

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

Join Marvel’s Spider-Man on this high-flying virtual reality ride as he battles against the villains of the Sinister Syndicate.

It’s up to Spidey to save the Statue of Liberty as he takes you soaring above city streets and scaling skyscrapers. Enjoy high-definition 3-D graphics and watch out for the 400-foot freefall at Universal Island of Adventure.

artists concept art of the Webslingers A Spider Man Adventure ride in Disneyland, Anaheim, California, USA

Jurassic World VelociCoaster – Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Jurassic World VelociCoaster is not just a coaster – it’s an adrenaline-fueled dash for survival that exhilarates and captivates in every twist and turn!

Unleashing the primal power of a dinosaur chase, the Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure provides a heart-stopping journey into a prehistoric era.

This innovative roller coaster catapults riders to 40 miles per hour and then 70 miles per hour in 2.4 seconds, mimicking a velociraptor’s relentless speed.

If you ride this, prepare to plunge into a 155-foot drop and soar through a series of inversions, including a 360-degree barrel roll over the lagoon! It’s the apex predator of roller coasters!

Manta – SeaWorld Orlando

Dive into the mysteries of the ocean aboard Manta at SeaWorld Orlando! This exceptional roller coaster, cleverly designed to mimic a manta ray’s graceful movements, invites riders to experience the sensation of flight in a prone position.

Related Post: SeaWorld Orlando Tickets Discount – Ultimate Guide

As your pulse quickens, the adventure begins with an intense 113-foot plunge before you find yourself soaring high, skimming over water, and swooping into heart-pounding loops at speeds up to 56mph.

The climax? An incredible ‘wing dip’ maneuver that brings you within a hair’s breadth of the shimmering lagoon. And, of course, as SeaWorld Orlando‘s signature, Manta seamlessly integrates thrill with an immersive marine life exhibit, making this coaster a sensational voyage that combines adrenaline rush with aquatic wonder in the heart of Orlando.

People Riding Manta at SeaWorld Orlando - Orlando, Florida, USA

Hagrids Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

For a whimsical journey through a magical landscape, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal’s Islands of Adventure is a must-ride.

Also known as Universals Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. This spellbinding roller coaster zips and zooms through the Forbidden Forest at speeds of up to 50mph on Hagrid’s magical motorbike.

So, if you’ve ever wanted to be Harry Potter riding with Hagrid through the skies, this is a must-try! Weave past enchanting, life-sized creatures from the Harry Potter universe.

Expect a series of thrilling obstacles. Backward drops, intense launches, and a daring free-fall vertical drop. This is one captivating ride through the magical universe that you won’t want to miss.

Best Roller Coasters in Orlando FAQs

The fastest roller coaster in Orlando proudly goes to 'Mako,' situated at SeaWorld. This thrilling amusement ride, clocking in at impressive speeds of up to 73 miles per hour, never fails to deliver a heart-pounding experience to those daring enough to ride.

Named after one of the fastest shark species, 'Mako' truly lives up to its name by providing a swift and unforgettable journey for all coaster enthusiasts.

The tallest roller coaster you'll find at Universal Studios Orlando is the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Towering at 167 feet, this vertical lift hill coaster offers a heart-thumping, adrenaline-pumping ride, making it an unforgettable highlight for thrill seekers.

Coupled with its solid reputation as one of the highest and most exciting rides, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit easily claims the title of the biggest roller coaster at Universal Studios Orlando.

When it comes to sheer adrenaline-pumping thrill rides, Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando takes the crown.

This amusement park stands as the undisputed champion, boasting a bevy of heart-stopping attractions more than any other Disney park in the region.

Visit Magical Orlando, Florida

Now you know which rides are guaranteed to raise your pulse and make you scream! So, get ready to brave the biggest, baddest Orlando thrill rides.

To save on your Orlando vacation, take advantage of Orlando Vacation Packages on Tripster.

Bundle your tickets to the best Orlando theme parks with your choice of lodging in the heart of this thrilling Central Florida attraction.

So, Which are the Best Roller Coasters in Orlando?

Leave us a comment below!


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Written by Nicole King

There are only two things that make Nicole really happy–books and travel! When her head’s not buried in a book, she’s most likely...


1 comment about “Twists, Turns, and Thrills: Exploring the Best Roller Coaster in Orlando”

elliana

February 1, 2023 at 3:35 pm

the kraken is a very big fast ride you will leave your heart on the ride


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