Ten of the most terrifying roller coasters on the planet
Summer is almost here, which means that millions of American will be flocking to amusement parks around the country.
And the one major requirement for any park worth its salt is a stomach-turning, death-defying roller coaster.
Part of the fun for thrill seekers is that each one is a little different. Will it have a steep drop? Could it hang you upside down? Or maybe it just causes your heart to race because it feels too rickety to handle that next loop?
From the sharpest drops to the fastest rides, these coasters are an adrenaline junkie’s dream.
#1 WICKED TWISTER: Riders face epic 450-degree spirals at more than 70 mph on this Cedar Point ride in Ohio.
#2 COLOSSOS: This gigantic wooden coaster in Germany lives up to its name as the tallest in the world at 197 feet, and is said to be a “smooth as steel” ride.
#3 KINGDA KA: The ultimate for thrill seekers, this coaster stands 456 feet tall at New Jersey’s Six Flags Great Adventure, and is the tallest in the world.
#4 TOP THRILL DRAGSTER: This Cedar Point ride in Ohio is truly unforgettable — zero to 120 mph in just 4 seconds, and you’re shot 420 feet into the air. It’s over in 17 seconds, but totally worth it.
#5 EL TORO: Translated as “The Bull,” the wooden El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey has a 76 degree drop, and nine separate weightless “airtime” opportunities. Who said steel coasters were better?
#6 VOLCANO, THE BLAST COASTER: This winding coaster shoots riders out of a volcano at Kings Dominion in Virginia, and has one of the world’s tallest inversions at 155 feet off the ground.
#7 FORMULA ROSSA: Abu Dhabi is home to the world’s fastest coaster, topping out at 150 mph in under five seconds. Protective eyewear is required since passengers will experience what 4.8 Gs really feels like.
#8 TAKABISHA: The Fuji-Q Highland park in Japan boasts the steepest drop in the world on its Takabisha coaster. It sends its riders tumbling at 121 degrees at 62 mph.
#9 TEXAS GIANT: The steepest wooden coaster on the planet is this behemoth at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. It has a 79-degree drop, and shoots riders 14 stories into the air.
#10 OBLIVION: This steel roller coaster at Alton Towers in England was the first vertical drop roller coaster in the world. It soars at 197 feet in the air with riders experiencing up to 4.5 Gs of force.
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