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Best Roller Coasters in Florida!

Best roller coasters in Florida are some of the most exhilarating and beloved in the world, drawing visitors from far and wide to experience heart-pounding twists, turns and drops.

In this post we’ll look at the history of roller coasters in Florida, explore the key categories used to judge these gravity-defying marvels, and finally, unveil the top roller coasters that are must-rides for any enthusiast (and tips on visiting them!).

Florida Roller Coaster History Highlights

Florida has a rich history in tourism and when it comes to theme parks and roller coasters, some of the most iconic rides in the world call Florida home. Here are a few interesting Florida roller coaster historical fun facts

The Starliner, 1963-2004: located in the Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City Beach, was the first permanent roller coaster in Florida. It was a wooden roller coaster and very popular in its day. When the park closed in 2004 (to make way for more condos), it was moved to Cypress Gardens (now Legoland) in Orlando, and operated until 2008. Here’s a newspaper clipping announcing the move of the Starliner, here. When Cypress Gardens changed to Legoland, the Starliner was closed permanently.

The Magic Dragon Roller Coaster was another early roller coaster in the 1960s. It was a small coaster that children could ride, and was located in FairlyLand, an early theme park in Lowry Park, Tampa. This 15 acre park opened in 1957, and over time it grew to include a zoo, which eventually overtook the theme park. FairyLand was changing and slowly shutting down by 1987 and completely gone by 1996.

Hurricane Wooden Roller Coaster was an enormous standalone coaster built in 2000, located in Dania Beach (South Florida). It was a local favorite hang out for years, but its location couldn’t draw enough outside attendees. It was unfortunately plagued by financial issues and ultimately shut down in 2011, and the coaster was left to rot. Here’s the full history of the Hurricane Roller Coaster, here.

Space Mountain in Walt Disney World, the most iconic Florida roller coaster, opened in 1971 and is still in operation today. Millions and millions of people have ridden Space Mountain, including multi-generational families!

What does "Best" Mean for Roller Coasters?

Main Categories of Roller Coasters: When it comes to judging roller coasters, several key factors come into play. These include:

Speed: How fast does the coaster go? Speed is a crucial element in delivering an adrenaline rush.
Length: The longer the coaster, the more twists, turns, and drops riders will experience.
Drops: The height and intensity of drops add excitement and anticipation to the ride.
Inversions: Coasters that feature inversions, such as loops and corkscrews, offer a unique and thrilling experience.

and my personal roller coaster enjoyability standard…
Theming: Immersive theming enhances the overall ride experience, transporting riders to different worlds and narratives.

Florida is home to several major world-renowned theme parks that offer a wide variety of roller coasters. Here are the most famous, popular, “best” roller coasters in Florida, and why they are so popular and beloved…

Best Roller Coasters at Walt Disney World in Orlando

Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World

Space Mountain in the Magic Kingdom: first opening in 1971, this ride is a classic dark ride with big drops but kids can ride this one if they are over 44″. Here’s more on Space Mountain.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in the Magic Kingdom: indoor/outdoor roller coaster is one of the best “themed” coasters of all, packed with fantastical scenery and animatronics direct from the classic Disney cartoon. This ride is incredibly smooth, and though there are no big drops or loops, it’s great fun for kids while adults love it too. Here’s more on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train here.

Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: indoor coaster features high-speed twists and turns set to the rhythm of Aerosmith’s greatest hits, providing a rockin’ experience for riders since its debut in 1999. Here’s more on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster here.

EPCOT at Walt Disney World

NEWEST!!! Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind: Disney’s first OMNICOASTER which has rotating vehicles that turn guests toward the action, and it’s EPCOT’s first roller coaster which is described as the “first ever reverse-launch on a Disney coaster and is one of the largest fully-enclosed coasters in the world!” (opened late 2022). Here’s more on Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind ride here.

Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: outdoor plus dark ride simulating an old-time wooden roller coaster, where you start at the base of Mount Everest in a Tibetan Village, trying to speed through the icy Himalayan Mountains to outpace the mythical Yeti monster. Bid drops and fast speeds, Here’s more info on Expedition Everest here.

Best Roller Coasters at Universal Studios in Orlando

Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios

Jurassic World VelociCoaster: mega award-winning thrill ride is 154 feet high, has a max speed of 70mph with 4 inversions including a 360 degree barrel roll, and widely considered the most intense ride at Universal. It also may be the most fun as riders are being chased by Velociraptor dinosaurs the whole time, even with the TWO launches this ride provides! Opened in 2021, this ride is arguably the most popular of all the Universal roller coasters. Here’s more on the VelociCoaster ride.

The Incredible Hulk: outdoor coaster starts with a launch to 67mph and an upside-down zero-gravity roll just above water, then into multiple inversions and a long and thrilling twisty turny ride. Here’s more on The Incredible Hulk roller coaster here.

Universal Studios

Revenge of the Mummy: enclosed dark themed coaster ride is smooth and fast, and unique with dark effects like popups and even some humor. Not for kids because it’s definitely still a roller coaster and fast with some sudden drops, jolting twists and turns, and does have some fire effects. Here’s more on the Revenge of the Mummy ride.

Best Roller Coasters at SeaWorld in Orlando

Mako: Orlando’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster, reaching heights of up to 200 feet and speeds of 73 miles per hour. Named after one of the ocean’s fastest sharks, this hypercoaster delivers relentless airtime and thrills. Awards: Winner of multiple Golden Ticket Awards for Best Steel Coaster. Here’s more info on the Mako roller coaster here.
Manta: designed to mimic the movements of the elusive manta ray, this ride is often touted as “the best” roller coaster at SeaWorld, even above the Mako. Riders are in a “flying” position, which makes this ride unique, and it starts off with an inverted 140 ft nosedive . Here’s more information on the Manta here.

Best Roller Coasters at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay

Montu: Considered to be a beast of a coaster, featuring seven inversions and speeds of up to 60 miles per hour with a 60 foot vertical drop. Named after the ancient Egyptian god of war, this inverted coaster offers a thrilling themed ride experience unlike any other. Awards: Named one of the top steel coasters in the world by Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards. See more information on the Montu roller coaster here.
SheiKra: Floorless dive coaster that features a breathtaking 200-foot drop at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Riders are suspended over the edge before plunging into a series of inversions and twists. Awards: Voted the Best Steel Coaster by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. More on the SheiKra roller coaster here.

With so many options to choose from, there is a roller coaster in Florida to suit every thrill-seeker’s taste! Here are some great Florida theme park books, favorite roller coaster books, plus gift ideas for people who love roller coasters: