National Roller Coaster Day: Where is the world’s largest and which is the fastest?
August 16 is National Roller Coaster Day. Find out where you can find the largest roller coaster in the world, and which one takes you on the fastest ride.
Feeling the vertigo in your stomach, the wind hitting your face and adrenaline running through your veins as you are launched at unimaginable speeds along winding steel rails and impressive drops: this is the best way to celebrate National Roller Coaster Day, which takes place on Friday, August 16.
To mark this day, here is a selection of some of the best attractions of this type in a ranking prepared by Civitatis, the excursion and guided tour company.
What is the largest roller coaster in the world?
The world’s largest roller coaster is located in Six Flags park in Texas- Kingda Ka, also the fastest in North America. This inverted U-shaped track rises 45 stories into the sky and accelerates from 0 to 128 miles per hour in an astonishing 3.5 seconds.
This is an attraction only suitable for the brave, with a 90-degree incline and a 270-degree spiral dive.
What is the fastest roller coaster in the world?
This honor goes to Formula Rossa, located within Ferrari World in Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
If you want to live an experience similar to riding a racing car, Formula Rossa is the best choice. This roller coaster is inspired by Formula 1 single-seaters, and reaches speeds of up to 150 miles per hour in less than 5 seconds. It’s a sight to behold thanks to its hydraulic launch system, very similar to that of aircraft carriers. A must-try for anyone passionate about speed.
READ ALSO: Oxxo convenience stores to launch in the US
Here are other attractions that Civitatis recommends for roller coaster lovers.
Steel Vengeance in Cedar Point, Ohio
In Cedar Point park in Ohio, you will find one of the most impressive roller coasters in the world, Steel Vengeance. Opened in 2018, it combines an imposing wooden structure with steel rails in order to offer a unique and wild experience. Despite not being one of the tallest- it is only 200 feet high- it has a 90-degree drop and a speed of 74 miles per hour, leaving anyone who tries it breathless.
Big Thunder Mountain in Disneyland, Paris
Disneyland Paris is magic and excitement, but it’s also adrenaline, and the ultimate example of this is Big Thunder Mountain, the most famous roller coaster in the Parisian park. Its route simulates an abandoned mine in the Wild West and also allows you to enjoy some of the best views of the amusement park while enjoying the speed.
Iron Rattler in Six Flags, Texas
Among the many roller coasters throughout the United States, the Iron Rattler stands out. This attraction, located at the Six Flags Fiesta park in San Antonio, Texas, is a hybrid type, and reaches a maximum speed of 70 miles per hour. The park defines it as a technological marvel due to its combination of classic wood with modern rails made of steel, which allows the experience to be taken to another level with twists and loops of unprecedented speed and fun. Tradition and innovation, united in a unique roller coaster.
READ ALSO: New Jersey commuters to receive free transportation
Mako in SeaWorld, Orlando
At SeaWorld Orlando, you can find one of the most exciting roller coasters in the world. It has drops of up to 200 feet in which those who dare to ride it will believe they are diving into the waters of the park at almost 75 miles per hour. Since its inauguration in 2016, it has become the star of the park and one of the reference places for lovers of adrenaline and speed.
Batman Gotham City Escape in Warner Park, Spain
Rarely have 111 seconds been so much fun. Batman Gotham City Escape is the only multi-launch roller coaster in Europe, and it’s also the only way to escape from Gotham’s villains via three launches. It boasts a top speed of 65 miles per hour, twists and turns, and a maximum height of 150 feet. This Batman roller coaster has become the main attraction at Parque Warner in Madrid, Spain.
Red Force in PortAventura, Spain
The list is rounded off by one of the most iconic amusement parks in Europe, PortAventura. It is home to some of the most famous roller coasters in the continent, such as Shambhala, Dragon Khan, Furius Baco and Red Force. The latter is considered one of the fastest in Europe, reaching 110 miles per hour in just 5 seconds, and being the highest at 367 feet high.