Not everyone loves roller coasters. Many people are too scared to ride them, thinking they are dangerous. Others love the thrill. Even though it only lasts a few minutes, that is part of the appeal.
Whether you prefer the rickety old roller coasters from a time gone by that clank and clatter along or the ones with new technology that can add loops and steeper climbs and drops, people love them or hate them. Check out the 5 most dangerous roller coasters in the world below.
In no particular order:
1. Kingda Ka
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The king of all roller coasters, the Kingda Ka is located at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey. Their claim to fame is the tallest and the fastest roller coaster in all of North America.
While the ride lasts longer than a minute, it might feel like a lot longer to some. Hang on tight because you will be shot straight up over 450 feet at the breathtaking speed of 128 mph.
Don’t get comfortable because you are coming staring back down again, but this time in a spiral motion at about 270 mph. The track is U-shaped and made of steel.
2. Yukon Striker
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There are several great roller coasters to choose from at Canada’s Wonderland, Ontario. Just one of the unique features of this roller coaster is the stadium seating.
Known as a dive coaster, it seats eight guests beside each other in three rows. Oh, did we mention it doesn’t have a floor? Adding to that, it is the longest, tallest, and fastest dive coaster.
You slowly climb and then even out, just to be taunted at the cusp of the drop. Straight down, underground, then a 360 loop. The loop is unique for a dive coaster.
3. Gravity Max
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Gravity Max is a tilt coaster, which has a tilted track. The steel track on this roller coaster located in Lihpao Land, Taichung, Taiwan is bound to give you a thrill.
This ride is not for the faint of heart. You climb up very quickly to a height of 114 feet, then pause where it seems there is no longer a track. The tilt is at a 90 degrees angle and so is the drop.
Once down, you are plunged into darkness through a tunnel and then straight out and into a complete loop around. This ride lasts well over two minutes, so strap in.
4. Tower of Terror II
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Located at Dreamworld in Coomera, Queensland, Australia, the Tower of terror II is one of the only remaining reverse freefall rollercoasters. This means the train pulls out, climbs up, pauses, then drops back down again.
The Tower of Terror II was the first of its kind to reach 100 mph. It starts from inside a tunnel, and moves backward through it, speeding up as it goes. It goes up a 90-degree track, pauses, then comes back down, much faster.
5. Full Throttle
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This roller coaster boasted the tallest vertical loops on record, at 160 feet high. Located at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California, it can reach speeds of 70 mph.
You start off by going through one of the loops right off the bat, then right into a tunnel. There you will stop for a few seconds before rapidly speeding up again, only backward this time.
Backward you go through the tallest loop, just as high and just as fast. You will get a great hangtime while you are upside down, so make sure your pockets are empty!