Did you know August 16 is National Roller Coaster Day? Why not have a day for the funnest, most thrill seekiest rides at amusement parks everywhere? When TripAdvisor named their top 10 Best Amusement parks in the world, parks in Central Florida were front and centre on that list with Universal’s Islands of Adventure at the #1 spot followed by Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
My kids are both now at the minimum height requirement for roller coasters, so we’re looking forward to spring break to head down to Florida and check these out! More than half of parks on the list are just minutes from Kissimmee, Florida, a spot where vacation homes rule and make for an excellent base for hitting all the roller coasters.
Here’s a look at some awesome coasters including a few lesser known gems.
Slinky Dog Dash Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Slinky Dog Dash – Photo Credit Disney World
Get a glimpse of everything the all-new Toy Story Land has to offer from above as you stretch Slinky Dog’s coils to the limit across Andy’s backyard. This ride opened in June and is the latest addition to Disney’s movie-inspired coasters.
The Great LEGO Race at LEGOLAND Florida Resort
The Great LEGO Race – LEGOland Florida
Go for a wild ride through an imaginary world made entirely of LEGO bricks during The Great LEGO Race which just opened in March and is the first virtual reality roller coaster experience designed for kids.
Rattlesnake Adventure (Zip Line Roller Coaster) at Forever Florida
Forever Florida Rattlesnake Adventure
Launch from a 78-foot-high platform to swing, swoop, zip and dip through the treetops at speeds up to 20mph on the Rattlesnake Adventure, the only zip line roller coaster in the country!
MAKO at Seaworld Orlando
MAKO Coaster at Sea World – Credit Sea World
This epic ride opened in 2016 and is currently Orlando’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster. You’ll climb 200 feet up the initial lift hill to begin your journey on nearly one-mile of steel track, plunging down and surging through tight turns and nine air-time hills, reaching a top speed of 73 mph!
Mine Blower Roller Coaster at Fun Spot USA (Kissimmee)
Mine Blower at Fun Spot
Also at Fun Spot USA’s Kissimmee location is the Mine Blower Roller Coaster which debuted in June of 2017. This gold-mine theme ride isn’t your typical wooden coaster. It’s the only wooden roller coaster in the theme park capital (not to mention all of Florida!) to go upside down in a rare barrel-role manoeuvre.
