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Even if you are among those who fear roller coasters and would never get on one in a million years, you must admit that they look like a lot of fun. Roller coasters have been making people squeal with joy for many decades now. Where in the beginning there were only the wooden trains, now there are steel, and suspended roller coasters, standing roller coasters and flying roller coasters. But that old thrill still stays the same. Here are 13 amazing roller coaster rides from around the world, each with a video experience of what it's like to be on one of these epic amusement rides. |
| Kingda Ka, Six Flags, New Jersey |
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Located in Jackson, New Jersey is the world's tallest steel roller coaster, standing at a height of 456 feet (139 meters), Kingda Ka is also the second fastest roller coaster in the world and holds the world record for longest drop for a steel coaster at 418 feet (127 meters). Each train can be seated by up to 18 people, with an average of 1,400 riders an hour. The ride take about 28 seconds to complete (I bet it looks longer to the people on it!). During that time, the riders may experience a pressure of up to 5 G-Forces. The ride goes from 0 to 128 miles an hour in 3.5 seconds, goes up at a 90-degree angle and plummets at a 270-degree spiral. |
| Images sources (Theme Park Review)(coasterman1234)(Theme Park Review) |
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| Colossos, Heide Park, Germany. |
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| At 197 feet (90 meters) tall, Colossos is the tallest wooden track in the world. The ride is 4,409 feet (1,344 meters) long, goes 68.4 mph (110 kph). It's 2 trains hold 30 passengers each, meaning it can take up to 1,500 riders an hour. This is also the 3rd fastest roller coaster in the world. The Statue of Liberty is a 1/3 scale model. |
| Images Sources: (Micahel Welsing), (Stefan Scheer) |
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| The Smiler, Alton Towers Theme Park, United Kingdom |
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The Smiler holds the world record for most inversions on a steel coaster. This ride is the master of flipping, and you'll be flipped about 14 times during the duration (2 minutes and 45 seconds! The ride is 3,834 feet (1,170 meters) long, with the longest drop being 98.4 feet (30 meters). You will experience 4.5 G-Force and see your car accelerate to 53 mph (85 kph). If that's not enough excitement for you, the ride also has "The Marmaliser", which is a device with 5 legs, each with a different function but all with the same goal of making the passengers smile. The interaction between device and ride create an unforgettable experience. |
| Images Sources: (Tijd is vluchtig), (TowesStreet), (Michael Garnet) |
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| Steel Dragon 2000, Nagashima Amusement Park, Japan |
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| The longest roller coaster in the world, Steel Dragon used an enormous amount of steel as added protection from possible earthquakes (always a possibility in Japan). This 4- minute ride will take you over 8,133 feet (2,479 meters) of track, going through 2 tunnels and going up 318 feet (97 meters) in 95 mph (153 kph). This speed puts it as the 6th fastest ride in the world. |
| Image Sources: (Holiday Point), (Janma), (David Morton) |
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| The Beast, Kings Island Park, Ohio, US |
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| This is the longest wooden coaster in the world. Located in Ohio's Kings Island Amusement Park, the Beast stretches for 7,359 feet (2,243 meters). It is one of the oldest roller coasters still in use and opened in 1979, when it was the tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster in the world. It is estimated over 50 million people have had fun riding the beast. |
| Image Sources: (Warren County CVB), (Eli Duke), (Mattdelsander) |
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| Gatekeeper, Cedar Point, Ohio |
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| This blue monster includes the tallest inversion in the world as part of its ride. This 164 foot (50 meter) inversion is sure to elicit screams from just about anyone. The GateKeeper has broken Wing Coaster records for track length, height, drop height and speed, as well as number of inversions. It has 4,164 feet (1,269 meters) of track. |
| Image Sources: (Tracy the Astonishing), (Jeremy Thompson), (Jeremy Thompson) |
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| Outlaw Run, Silver Dollar City Theme Park, Missouri |
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| 3 inversions are the record for a wooden roller coaster (for obvious reasons), and this title goes to Outlaw Run. In addition, its 81-degree drop will be listed in the next Guinness Book of World Records as the steepest wooden roller coaster. Its track goes on for 2,937 feet (895 meters) and arrives at speeds of 68 mph (109 kph), a height of 107 feet (33 meters0 and a drop of 162 feet (49 meters). Ride time is 1:27. |
| Image Sources: (Missouri Divison of tourism), (Silver Dollar City), (Silver Dollar City) |
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| Parrot Coaster, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, China |
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| The Parrot Coaster in China holds the record for longest winged coaster track - 4,193 feet (1,278 meters). It is relatively new, opening just last year. It has 3 inversions and can reach speeds of 67 mph (108 kph). |
| Image Sources: (Ocen Kingdom), (Theme Park Review), (Steven Edit) |
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| X2, Six Flags Magic Mountain, California |
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| Can't talk about roller coasters without mentioning the famous X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain! With a length of 3,610 feet (1,100 meters) and a height of 190 feet (58 meters), X2 will take you, at 67 mph (122 kph) through 2 inversions at a maximum vertical angle of 88.5 - all in 2 minutes time. |
| Image Sources: (Jeremy Thompson), (Beaster725), (Jeremy Thompson) |
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| Vortex, Ontario, Canada |
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| Another type of roller coaster is the suspended train. The Canadian Vortex is just such a suspended coaster, 91 feet (28 meters) tall with a top speed of 55 mph (89 kph), it is perhaps the fastest suspended roller coaster in the world. |
| Image Sources: (Jeremy Thompson), (Mathew Ingram), (wykah) |
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| Iron Dragon, Cedar Point, Ohio |
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| Iron Dragon, on the other hand, is the world's LONGEST suspended roller coaster, with a track stretching for 2,800 feet (850 meters). With water spraying and the wind howling in your face, this ride is so much fun for those magical 2 minutes. |
| Image Sources: (RobotHeart), (Michelle), (Buschap) |
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| Riddler's Revenge, Six Flags Magic Mountain, California |
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| How about "Stand Up" roller coasters? Well, Riddler's Revenge at Six Flags Magic Mountain is the fastest (65 mph (105 kph)), the tallest (156 feet (48 meters)), the longest (4,370 feet (1,330 meters)) stand up roller coaster ride in the world. It also has the most inversions (6) and the longest drop (146 feet (45 meters)). Put it all together and those are highly packed 3 minutes of excitement and fun. |
| Image Sources: (Jeremy Thompson), (Michael Kazarnowicz), (Jeremy Thompson) |
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| Manta, SeaWorld Orlando |
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| This 'flying coaster" has a 113 foot (34 meter) drop. On the way you'll be passing so close to the water you can probably touch it with your hands while it sprays the screeching passengers. |
| Image Sources: (wbeem), (Jeremy Thompson), (Robyn Lee) |
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