The Sunshine State is synonymous with world-class theme parks, a veritable playground for thrill-seekers. Nestled within these sprawling entertainment complexes lies a treasure trove of roller coasters, each vying for the title of "best." Determining the ultimate champion is, of course, a subjective endeavor, influenced by personal preferences and adrenaline tolerances. However, after countless hours spent navigating the twists, turns, and drops of Florida’s coaster landscape, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most exhilarating and unforgettable rides. This Florida Roller Coaster Smackdown offers a guide to the must-ride coasters for enthusiasts visiting the state.
Before diving into the rankings, it’s important to acknowledge a few notable omissions. Two iconic attractions, Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, both located at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, are undoubtedly beloved classics. Their popularity is undeniable, but their overall ride experience and thrill factor simply don’t measure up to the attractions that made our list. While Space Mountain was considered for an honorable mention due to its historical significance, its increasingly rough ride experience ultimately led to its exclusion. The Disneyland version in California, which underwent a significant refurbishment in 2005, offers a much smoother experience.
Another coaster absent from this list is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida. This ride stands out for its unique vertical lift and customizable soundtrack. While visually striking and offering a decent dose of adrenaline, it can be a rather jarring experience, often resulting in uncomfortable headbanging and general discomfort. Consequently, it didn’t make the cut. Similarly, despite receiving new trains and track replacements, The Incredible Hulk at Universal’s Islands of Adventure remains relatively rough and is also excluded.
A more recent addition, Slinky Dog Dash, which debuted in 2018 as a centerpiece of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is a charming and family-friendly coaster that provides enjoyable thrills. While a delightful addition to Walt Disney World, it doesn’t quite displace any of the top contenders on Florida’s list. This Florida Roller Coaster Smackdown aims to focus on the most intense and memorable experiences.
So, without further ado, let’s embark on a thrilling journey through the best roller coasters that Florida has to offer:
1. Mako at SeaWorld Orlando
Claiming the top spot is Mako, SeaWorld Orlando’s imposing hypercoaster. As the only coaster of its kind in the state, Mako delivers a truly breathtaking experience. Towering at a staggering 200 feet and reaching a top speed of 73 mph, this steel behemoth unleashes a relentless barrage of airtime moments, sending riders soaring out of their seats. The ride is themed around the powerful mako shark, casting passengers as predators on the hunt.
The debate between Mako and VelociCoaster (featured next on our list) is a heated one within the coaster enthusiast community. VelociCoaster has garnered immense praise since its debut and is widely considered an instant classic. While there are many coasters across the globe that share similarities with Mako, VelociCoaster stands alone in its unique design and theming.
Despite acknowledging VelociCoaster’s exceptional qualities, Mako earns the top position due to its sheer scale, speed, power, and remarkably smooth ride. While both coasters deliver ample airtime, Mako’s is undeniably more intense and sustained. Ultimately, the ranking of the "best" rides is a subjective matter, and we are particularly drawn to the ultra-smooth nature of coasters like Mako. This Florida Roller Coaster Smackdown prioritizes the overall experience of speed, smoothness, and sustained thrills.
2. Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Roaring into the second spot is Jurassic World VelociCoaster, which made its debut at Universal Orlando in 2021. This dinosaur-themed masterpiece boasts a top (launched) speed of 70 mph and a height of 155 feet, culminating in a thrilling tophat tower that plummets riders down at an extreme 80-degree angle.
The ride features a nerve-wracking zero-G stall suspended over the walkway leading to the attraction, a daring barrel roll finale just inches above the Islands of Adventure lagoon, and plenty of opportunities for airtime. Combined with its immersive and detailed storytelling elements, it’s easy to understand why VelociCoaster consistently ranks among the best. Though its airtime might not be as sustained as Mako’s, its intensity and unique features are undeniable.
3. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
While not as extreme as Mako or VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure offers a uniquely exhilarating and immersive ride experience. This coaster defies typical categorization, pushing the boundaries of what’s considered a "family" coaster. With multiple launches, backwards racing sections, and a host of other unexpected elements, it’s a wild and unpredictable journey.
Adding to the appeal is its captivating theming, which includes an encounter with the lovable half-giant himself. The immersive storyline and unique ride mechanics place Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure firmly in the number three position.
4. SheiKra at Busch Gardens Tampa
Busch Gardens Tampa boasts an impressive collection of roller coasters, and SheiKra, the park’s floorless diving coaster, is the best of the bunch. This adrenaline-pumping ride doesn’t just plunge 200 feet at a top speed of 70 mph. It ratchets up the anticipation by suspending passengers over the edge, dangling them in mid-air for a prolonged moment of sheer terror before releasing them into a heart-stopping freefall. As if one dive wasn’t enough, SheiKra includes a second, equally thrilling plunge.
5. Cheetah Hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa
Cheetah Hunt is a non-traditional coaster that incorporates three separate launches to reach a respectable top speed of 60 mph. Despite its speed, it remains accessible as a family coaster. Wonderfully themed and exceptionally smooth, Cheetah Hunt is a ride that you’ll want to experience again and again. While it might not be the biggest or fastest, it’s undoubtedly one of Florida’s best.
6. Montu at Busch Gardens Tampa
An incredibly smooth yet powerful thrill machine, Montu is a prime example of an inverted coaster, where the trains are suspended below the track, leaving passengers’ legs dangling freely. This coaster navigates through underground trenches, creating a series of dizzying fly-by moments. With its numerous inversions, Montu offers a truly disorienting and unforgettable experience.
7. Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa
Busch Gardens Tampa continues to impress with its diverse coaster lineup, and Kumba is no exception. This aggressive steel monster features a 135-foot drop, a top speed of 60 mph, and some seriously intense G-forces. Clocking in at nearly three minutes long, Kumba keeps riders screaming from start to finish.
8. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Aerosmith-themed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster launches passengers from 0 to 57 mph in a mere 2.8 seconds. This indoor coaster also features three inversions, all while blasting iconic Aerosmith tunes like "Dude Looks Like a Lady." While the thrills might not be as extreme as some of the other coasters on this list, they are still undeniably intense and provide a fun, high-energy experience.
9. White Lightning at Fun Spot America, Orlando
One of only three wooden coasters in the state, White Lightning’s stats (67-foot drop, 44 mph top speed) might suggest a relatively tame "family" ride. However, these numbers can be deceiving. This small but mighty coaster packs a surprising punch while maintaining a remarkably smooth ride. Despite being classified as a wooden coaster, its structure is actually made of steel. Often overlooked amidst the area’s larger theme parks, Fun Spot America and White Lightning are hidden gems that deserve attention.
10. Iron Gwazi
Of the upcoming coasters, this one is the most buzzworthy among thrill ride fanatics. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if it took the top spot on the best Florida coasters list. Iron Gwazi was scheduled to debut at Busch Gardens Tampa just as the park closed in March 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic. Known as a wooden-steel hybrid coaster, it will feature a new steel track affixed to the modified wooden structure of the park’s former Gwazi coaster. All of the wooden-steel hybrid makeovers have produced great coasters. At 206 feet tall and 76 mph, Iron Gwazi will be Florida’s tallest and fastest coaster. And if it is anything like other hybrid coasters (and it should be), the Busch Gardens ride will be remarkably smooth. It will likely be among the world’s best wooden-steel hybrid coasters.
Future Contenders: TRON Lightcycle Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Ice Breaker
Looking ahead, several highly anticipated coasters are poised to make their mark on Florida’s theme park landscape. TRON Lightcycle Run at the Magic Kingdom, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot, and Ice Breaker at SeaWorld Orlando all promise to deliver unique and thrilling experiences. This Florida Roller Coaster Smackdown will undoubtedly need revisiting once these new contenders have proven their mettle. The ever-evolving world of Florida roller coasters ensures that there will always be new thrills to chase and new rankings to consider. This concludes this Florida Roller Coaster Smackdown.
