Central Florida’s Top Roller Coasters

Central Florida is known for its variety of theme parks, especially the Walt Disney World complex, but did you know that the area is also home to some of the country’s most exciting and innovative roller coasters? Coaster enthusiasts on a family vaction needn’t despair. The area abounds in thrills, corkscrews, and “air time”. Here are some of the best:

Kraken at SeaWorld of Florida –
Named for an enormous mythological sea monster, half crab and half squid, the Kraken at SeaWorld of Florida is 4177-foot long floorless roller coaster, the fastest, longest, tallest, and only floorless coaster in Florida when it debuted in 2005. The Kraken is unique in that, unlike traditional floorless coasters, riders are attached to a pedestal-type anchor, with nothing about them but the sky. The intense thrill ride lasts 3 minutes and 39 seconds and reaches a speed of 65 mph. It includes seven inversions, including a cobra roll and a zero gravity roll. Not for the faint of heart.

Incredible Hulk at Islands of Adventure –
One of the most noticeable attractions at Islands of Adventure, the 110-foot high bright green Incredible Hulk roller coaster is one of the park’s favorite and most thrilling rides. The scrolling coaster snakes and turns, reaching speeds of up to 67 mph. The unique aspect of this ride, which opened in 2004, is that, unlike traditional coasters, it climbs the first hill at 40 mph before propelling riders at down the slope with G-force pressure. In fact, Islands of Adventure built a special power generator just to accommodate this ride. The result is thrilling indeed.

Rock n Roller Coaster at Disney MGM Studios –
The Rock n Roller Coaster at Disney’s MGM Studios combines Disney magic with the thrills of a roller coaster. The ride features music by the rock band, Aerosmith, piped into 120 speakers as it goes through a series of corkscrews, loops, and drops, reaching speeds of up to 60 mph. The unique part of this ride is, like Space Mountain in Disney’s Magic Kingdom, it starts out in the dark and launches riders from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. Opened in 1999, it continues to be one of Disney’s most popular attractions.

Kumba at Busch Gardens –
One of the highlights of Tampa’s Busch Gardens African-themed amusement park is Kumba, a spiraling coaster with one of the world’s largest vertical drops. Named for the Swahili word for “roar”, the 143-foot high, steel coaster spins and turns and offers riders a full three seconds of weightlessness as it turns a complete 360 degrees. Built in 1993, it remains one of the park’s signature attractions.

Triple Hurricane at Cypress Gardens –
Compared to some of the corkscrewed steel coasters in Central Florida, Cypress Gardens’ Triple Hurricane is somewhat mild. Modeled after the traditional wooden coasters popular in the early 20th century, the Triple Hurricane climbs 40 feet before dropping about 30 feet and then loping through a series of curves and hills. The 50-second ride is somewhat smooth rather than exhilarating, but offers the charming nostalgic feel of a simpler era of amusement parks. A worthwhile, traditional coaster.