These Are the 10 Best Roller Coasters in Florida

Manta coaster SeaWorld Orlando — Photo: SeaWorld Parks

There is no shortage of theme parks in Florida, and they offer plenty of roller coasters. But which ones are the very best? It’s subjective, of course. But after logging plenty of miles riding the rails, we consider these to be the 10 best roller coasters in Florida.

Before we get to the rankings, a few notes. After perusing the list, you may think that a couple of classic rides are conspicuous by their absence. Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain, both at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, are certainly two of the most popular and beloved coasters on the planet, let alone Florida. While they are nicely themed, neither offers ride experiences or thrills that compare to the attractions that made the list.

We were considering giving an honorable mention nod to Space Mountain because it is such a classic and iconic attraction. But the ride experience has become so rough, that we vetoed that idea. (The version of Space Mountain at Disneyland in California got a major makeover in 2005 and is much smoother than its Disney World counterpart.)

Also missing is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida. The highly unique ride offers plenty of thrills and is quite a sight, but it can be fairly brutal, with lots of head banging, shimmying, and generally uncomfortable moments. It therefore does not make the list. Despite an overhaul that included new trains and the replacement of most of its track, the Incredible Hulk at Universal’s Islands of Adventure remains relatively rough and also did not make the cut.

Slinky Dog Dash came on the scene in 2018, a coaster that's the centerpiece of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It's a wonderful and charming ride that is accessible to young children, yet still offers decent thrills. While it's a great addition to Walt Disney World, it does not displace any of the other coasters on Florida’s top-10 list.

Mako at SeaWorld Orlando

The state’s only hypercoaster, Mako really delivers the thrills. At 200 feet and a top speed of 73 mph, it features a flurry of airtime that is sheer bliss for coaster fans (and may cause more casual fans to freak out). The themed ride casts passengers as sharks on the prowl.

Note that many coaster fans would take exception to our ranking of Mako ahead of VelociCoaster (see below). The Universal Orlando ride is generating a lot of positive buzz and, from the day it opened, has been rightly regarded as an instant classic. It can be argued that there are many coasters across the country and around the world that are similar to Mako, but there is only one VelociCoaster.

While we agree with these considerations and understand how many would consider the Jurassic World coaster to be a better ride, we believe that Mako gets the top nod because it is taller, faster, more powerful, and smoother. Both dole out plenty of airtime (something we crave in great coasters), but Mako’s is much more intense. As we acknowledged earlier, ranking the “best” rides is a subjective art. Subjectively, we are partial to ultra-smooth coasters like Mako.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

In 2021, Universal Orlando unleashed Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and the attraction immediately vaulted to the number two position. With a top (launched) speed of 70 mph and a height of 155 feet (a tophat tower that drops passengers down the other side at a severe 80-degree angle), the dinosaur-themed ride certainly boasts bona fide thrills–if not quite as intense as SeaWorld’s Mako. It also features a freaky zero-G stall over the walkway to the ride, a wild barrel roll finale mere inches above Islands of Adventure’s lagoon, and plenty of airtime (although not as much or as sustained airtime as Mako). Toss in dino-mite storytelling elements and it’s easy to see why VelociCoaster ranks so highly.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

While it does not deliver the thrills of Mako, VelociCoaster, and other more extreme coasters on our list, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike coaster nonetheless offers an exhilarating, wonderful ride experience. With its multiple launches, backwards-racing moments, and other wacky elements, it is at the outer reaches of what is typically considered a “family” coaster. Toss in its immersive, captivating theming (including an encounter with the jolly half-giant himself), and the Universal ride lands at the number three position on our rundown.

SheiKra at Busch Gardens Tampa

Four out of ten of Florida’s top roller coasters are at this Tampa Bay park, and its floorless diving coaster, SheiKra, is the best of the bunch. It doesn’t just dive 200 feet and reach a top speed of 70 mph. Before it releases its torrent of thrills, the coaster teases its passengers by dangling them over the edge for a protracted moment of terror. And it includes a second dive for good measure.

Cheetah Hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa

The non-traditional coaster incorporates three launches and reaches a fairly robust 60 mph. Despite its speed, it remains accessible as a "family" coaster. Cheetah Hunt is wonderfully themed, delightfully smooth, and eminently re-rideable. It's not even close to the biggest, but it's surely one of Florida's best coasters.

Montu at Busch Gardens Tampa

An incredibly smooth, yet potent thrill machine, Montu is one of the best examples of an inverted coaster (in which the trains are suspended below the track, and passengers’ legs dangle). Among its wonderful elements, the ride navigates into underground trenches for some dizzying fly-by moments. And speaking of dizzying, it offers plenty of inversions.

Manta at SeaWorld Orlando

One of the best flying coasters, Manta is also nicely themed with lush landscaping. The inversions and "flying" position may prove to be too intimidating for some thrill-challenged guests.

Kumba at Busch Gardens Tampa

The park has a stunning array of coasters, including this aggressive monster that drops 135 feet, reaches a top speed of 60 mph, and includes some intense G-forces. At nearly 3 minutes long, Kumba keeps its passengers screaming for a while.

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Aerosmith-themed ride offers a launch that propels passengers from 0 to 57 mph in 2.8 seconds. It also includes three inversions. All while rocking out to amped-up songs such as "Dude Looks Like a Lady." The thrills don't compare to coasters higher on the list, but they are nonetheless intense.

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) would appear to put it in the “family” category. Stats can be deceiving, however. This little ride packs a wonderful punch, yet remains rock-solid smooth. Although it is a wooden coaster, its structure is actually made of steel. The ride (and the park) fly under the radar amid the area's mega theme parks but should be on your radar.

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.

TRON Lightcycle Run

Originally scheduled to open at the Magic Kingdom (next to Space Mountain) in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in 2021, TRON has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will be similar to the TRON coaster at Shanghai Disneyland. That highly themed attraction cleverly uses magnetic launch technology to blast passengers into the “Grid” of Disney’s classic sci-fi film. At nearly 60 mph, the kick-ass ride is the fastest coaster at any Disney park.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Another heavily themed indoor coaster, Epcot’s Cosmic Rewind was also scheduled to open before Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration kicks off in 2021, but has been delayed as well. Its vehicles will rotate 360 degrees, and the coaster will feature a reverse launch. Disney is characterizing the attraction as a family-friendly “storytelling coaster.”

Ice Breaker

Delayed to 2021, Ice Breaker will be SeaWorld Orlando's sixth coaster, and it will be a doozy. The launched coaster will navigate a 93-foot spike at 100 degrees (that's beyond vertical, folks), hit 52 mph, and climb up, over, and down an 80-foot top hat tower. SeaWorld promises the ride will deliver plenty of airtime, including while the train is going backwards during the launch sequence.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Related Articles

More Related Articles