Roller coaster, as one of the core attractions in global amusement parks and theme parks, have evolved over the years into symbols of extreme entertainment and innovative design. From simple tracks in the early days to modern coasters that deliver shock and immersion, its design, technology, and safety have continuously advanced. Here, we present the top 10 coasters globally, ranked by various polls and visitor reviews. In addition, we’ll also explore the future trends in roller coaster rides development. Let’s dive in and discover more.
Top 10 Roller Coasters Around the World
01. Steel Vengeance
- Location: Cedar Point, USA
- Opened: 2018
- Type: Hybrid (Wood & Steel)
- Track Length: 5,742 feet (1,750 meters)
- Height: 203 feet (62 meters)
- Speed: 74 mph (119 km/h)
01. Steel Vengeance
- Features: It is the world’s first hybrid roller coaster ride to exceed 200 feet. Its steel track is embedded in a wooden frame, combining the classic wooden coaster shake with complex steel track inversions. It holds several records, including the longest hybrid coaster at 5,740 feet (1,750 meters), the fastest airtime hill on a hybrid coaster at 74 mph (119 km/h), and the most airtime at 27.2 seconds.
02. Iron Gwazi
- Location: Busch Gardens Tampa, USA
- Opened: 2022
- Type: Hybrid (Wood & Steel)
- Track Length: 4,068 feet (1,240 meters)
- Height: 213 feet (65 meters)
- Speed: 76 mph (122 km/h)
02. Iron Gwazi
- Features: Transformed from the abandoned wooden roller coaster "Gwazi," it retains some wooden supports but replaces all tracks with steel. The coaster features a nearly vertical drop of 91 degrees (the maximum angle of a traditional wooden roller coaster usually does not exceed 80 degrees). It offers 12 moments of "weightlessness" through a wave-like track, giving passengers a drastic change from weightlessness to overweight within 3 seconds. The entire track provides an immersive flying experience for riders.
03. Zadra
- Location: Energylandia, Poland
- Opened: 2019
- Type: Hybrid (Wood & Steel)
- Track Length: 4,318 feet (1,316 meters)
- Height: 207 feet (63 meters)
- Speed: 75 mph (121 km/h)
03. Zadra
- Features: As the tallest wood-steel hybrid roller coaster in Europe, Zadra's first drop angle at a height of 63.3 meters is only 98 degrees, creating a "pseudo-vertical" design for visual deception. Despite the track length of just 1,316 meters, it features 3 inversions, multiple serpentine curves, and a maximum lateral gravity of 4.5G, earning the nickname "mixed martial arts in roller coasters" from fans.
04. VelociCoaster
- Location: Universal Islands of Adventure, USA
- Opened: 2021
- Type: Steel Roller Coaster
- Track Length: 4,700 feet (1,400 meters)
- Height: 154 feet (47 meters)
- Speed: 70 mph (110 km/h)
04. VelociCoaster
- Features: The queue area recreates the laboratory scene from "Jurassic World." As the roller coaster launches, it triggers T-Rex sound effects and mist special effects. It also features LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) double ejection: the first ejection boosts the speed from 0 to 70 km/h, and the second ejection accelerates to 110 km/h midway through the track.
05. Eejanaika
- Location: Fuji-Q Highland, Japan
- Opened: 2006
- Type: Steel Roller Coaster
- Track Length: 3,783 feet (about 1,152 meters)
- Height: 249 feet (about 76 meters)
- Speed: 78 mph (about 126 km/h)
05. Eejanaika
- Features: Eejanaika is the world's only 4D roller coaster. The seats not only flip with the track but can also rotate 360 degrees independently using motors. Passengers experience over 50 rotations during 14 track flips. Due to the need for precise synchronization between the rotating seats and track movement, maintenance costs are three times higher than a regular roller coaster. However, the daily wait time often exceeds 3 hours.
06. Hakugei
- Location: Nagashima Spa Land, Japan
- Opened: 2019
- Type: Steel Roller Coaster
- Track Length: 5,020 feet (about 1,529 meters)
- Height: 180 feet (about 55 meters)
- Speed: 67 mph (about 108 km/h)
06. Hakugei
- Features: Originally built in 1994 as the wooden coaster “White Cyclone,” Hakugei was renovated with 70% steel track while retaining its iconic wooden support structure and signature vibrations. Its name comes from Japanese mythology, and the track design mimics a whale’s skeleton. At night, blue lighting effects create the illusion of a giant sea creature gliding through the deep.
07. Ride to Happiness
- Location: Plopsaland De Panne, Belgium
- Opened: 2021
- Type: Steel Roller Coaster
- Track Length: 3,019 feet (about 920 meters)
- Height: 115 feet (about 35 meters)
- Speed: 56 mph (about 90 km/h)
07. Ride to Happiness
- Features: Using Mack Rides' "Xtreme Spinning" technology, the seat rotation is controlled by track magnets, with the rotation direction, speed, and number completely random. Even the designer cannot predict a single experience. Although the height is only 35 meters, it achieves sensory stimulation comparable to large roller coasters through dense spiral turns and rotations, making it suitable for family tourists.
08. Taiga
- Location: Linnanmäki, Finland
- Opened: 2019
- Type: Steel Roller Coaster
- Track Length: 3,622 feet (about 1,103 meters)
- Height: 171 feet (about 52 meters)
- Speed: 66 mph (about 106 km/h)
08. Taiga
- Features: The track is painted in glacier-blue and aurora-purple, and LED lights are used at night to simulate the Nordic Aurora. Taking advantage of the park's hillside terrain, it incorporates two near-ground “burrow dives,” with the lowest point just 1.5 meters from the ground, creating an exhilarating near-miss sensation at high speed.
09. ArieForce One
- Location: Six Flags Over Georgia, USA
- Opened: 2023
- Type: Steel Roller Coaster
- Track Length: 3,399 feet (about 1,036 meters)
- Height: 154 feet (about 47 meters)
- Speed: 64 mph (about 103 km/h)
09. ArieForce One
- Features: The track is only 1,036 meters long, but it completes 4 flips in 40 seconds (including the rare "zero gravity inversion"), an average of one high-energy action every 10 seconds. As a roller coaster in a small park, it cost only $24 million (compared to $30 million for Fury 325), but it ranks among the top ten in the world, proving that compact design can also achieve top-level experience.
10. Fury 325
- Location: Carowinds, USA
- Opened: 2015
- Type: Steel roller coaster
- Track Length: 6,601 feet (2,012 meters)
- Height: 325 feet (99 meters)
- Speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
10. Fury 325
- Features: Fury 325 is known as the world's tallest Giga roller coaster. Its 325-foot starting height and rapid speed have become a classic in the roller coaster industry. After the first drop, the train still completes the 625-meter curved slope at a speed of more than 100 km/h, and passengers experience weightlessness up to 32 times in 80 seconds.
Future Trends of Roller Coaster: Technology Leading a New Experience
In the future, roller coasters will enter a new stage in the amusement rides industry. Technology will break traditional physical limits and provide unprecedented experiences. According to industry analysis, the following three major trends will drive innovation in the roller coaster sector over the next decade:
Immersive Experiences: Merging Reality and Virtual Worlds
The main goal is to transform roller coaster from "thrill amusement ride" into "storytelling medium," using technology to blur the boundaries between reality and the virtual world.
Merging Reality with Virtual Adventures
MR Headsets: Passengers will see virtual creatures (like alien ships or dragons) interact with the track movements.
Projection Mapping & Vibration Feedback: Passengers become virtual characters, collecting coins in real time, with scores displayed on seat screens.
Multi-Sensory Triggers
Touch: Mist is released during inversions to simulate monster saliva, with jet devices creating a "swallowed" sensation.
Smell: Specific scents (like volcanic sulfur or space dust) are released based on the coaster’s location.
Dynamic Interaction: "Two-way Conversation" Between Track and Tourists
The main concept is that the track is no longer a fixed path, but an "intelligent lifeline" that can be adjusted in real time according to passenger behavior.
Immediate Feedback Track System: Tourists can control the seat rotation speed with handles, influencing the track’s pattern.
Route Selection: Riders can choose different paths (such as "speed mode" or "flip mode") through an app, and the track automatically adjusts.
Variable Track Structure: The track can tilt 30 degrees or adjust in height, creating a sense of unpredictability.
Artificial Intelligence: Full Control from Safety to Personalization
Technological Breakthrough - AI will be directly involved in visitor experience design, going beyond backend operations.
Real-time Risk Prediction: AI monitors riders’ positions, detecting abnormalities and slowing down the ride to ensure safety.
Personalized Experiences: AI adjusts the coaster's speed and movements based on the rider's emotions and physical reactions.
Biometric Records: After the first ride, a "stimulus threshold profile" is created, allowing the system to recommend suitable rides and customize special effects.
Embrace the Future of Roller Coasters: Discover Innovation and Customization Today
With the continuous advancement of technology, the top 10 roller coaster worldwide not only offer thrilling experiences but also drive innovation in the industry. In the future, with the application of new technologies, roller coaster will become more personalized and interactive, and the fusion of virtual and real experiences will become mainstream. It is expected that the roller coaster industry will continue to thrive, delivering unprecedented entertainment experiences. If you want to learn more about custom roller coasters, please contact us now.
