The Orlando area theme parks have some of the best rides and attractions of any amusement park in the world. And without a doubt the most popular rides are the roller coasters as they add excitement and thrills to theme park vacation.
In this article we are going to list our Top 15 roller coasters at the Orlando theme parks including those at Walt Disney Disney World, the Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando.
As we have said many times, we at Endless Summer Florida love to make “Top 15” (or any number of that matter) lists as we really enjoy seeing the comments from theme park visitors as to which rides they think are the best. Since new rides and attractions are constantly being built (like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind), our list to top rides always change.
The top five roller coasters on our list are among the newest in Orlando but to be completely honest, we had a difficult time ranking those from six to twelve. For example, the Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Florida is one of our favorite rides of any theme park and while we wanted to give the ride a higher ranking, there were other coasters that deserved to be higher on the list.
While everyone’s opinion is different on which rides are the best, I think we can agree that over the past few years the line up of roller coasters at the Orlando theme parks has vastly improved.
The Top 15 Best Orlando Theme Park Roller Coasters
15. Slinky Dog Dash
14. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
13. Space Mountain
12. Revenge of the Mummy
11. Kraken
10. Manta
9. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
8. Expedition Everest
7. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
6. The Incredible Hulk
5. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
4. Ice Breaker
3. Mako
2. Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind
1. Jurassic World VelociCoaster
15. Slinky Dog Dash
Although more of a “family friendly” roller coaster than a thrill ride, Slinky Dog Dash is still a great roller coaster that features excellent theming and is quite a lot of fun.
Located in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Slinky Dog Dash reaches 40 miles per hour and features two launches, a number of drops, twists and turns (there are no inversions). Themed after Disney Pixar’s Toy Story movie franchise, riders will enjoy all being part of the story as they travel through Andy’s backyard.
This attraction is a fully outdoor coaster so although the ride closes during bad weather, it provides some of the best views in all of Toy Story Land. Check out our full on-ride POV video below.
14. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
One of our favorite rides at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Located in the Adventureland section of the park, this roller coaster is themed as a runaway train in an American Southwest mining camp.
Originally opened in 1980, Big Thunder Mountain is one of the classic rides at the Magic Kingdom. This indoor / outdoor coaster travels at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and has a number of twists, turns and bumps.
Check out of on-ride point-of-view video of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
13. Space Mountain
For more than 40 years Space Mountain has been recognized as the top thrill ride at the Magic Kingdom. Originally opened in 1975, this fully indoor roller coaster ride is themed as a rocket ride to outer space flying past stars, planets and meteors.
There are two coaster tracks, Alpha and Omega, that are almost identical in design. Guests depart from Mission Control entering a “superspace tunnel” before blasting off through space at speeds of almost 30 miles per hour. This ride if fairly dark and lasts about two and one-half minutes.
While the ride is a little “jerky” and in need of being refreshed, it still is among our favorites at Walt Disney World.
12. Revenge of the Mummy
Another of our favorite rides at the Universal Orlando Resort is the Revenge of the Mummy. Located in the New York section of the Universal Studios Florida, the Mummy is an indoor roller coaster themed after the movies with Brendan Fraser and Tom Cruise.
During the ride guests will journey into Imhotep’s tomb and avoid having him take their souls. After few opening scenes, rider are launched at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour twisting around fire and man-eating locusts. And Brendan Fraser will made an appearance at the very end of the journey.
Check out our on-ride POV video of Revenge of the Mummy.
11. Kraken
Originally opened back in 2000, the Kraken is a floorless roller coaster that is located in SeaWorld Orlando. For a short period of time this coaster had a complimentary virtual realty experience but that was room as it look a long time to set it up on the individual riders.
Kraken is a pretty intense coaster that features a total of seven inversions and two vertical loops as well as a corkscrew, cobra roll and a spiraling zero-g roll at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. This attraction underwent a major refurbishment in 2016.
Check our our on-ride POV video to the Kraken roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando.
10. Manta
Manta is a roller coaster where riders are situated in a “prone position” (flying like Superman) to experience what it feels like to be a manta ray. This attraction is one of the most fun and exciting coasters at SeaWorld Orlando.
Opened in 2009, this quick one and one-half minute ride features four inversions and travels at speeds of up to 56 miles per hour. There a fun twist near the end where the manta appear to make a dive into the water.
Check out our on-ride POV video of the Manta roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando.
9. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
One of the best indoor thrill rides at Walt Disney World is the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this popular coaster takes riders on a super stretch limo ride through Hollywood, California for an Aerosmith concert.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a fully indoor launch coaster that accelerates from 0 to 57 miles per hour in less than three seconds. Riders get to listen to Aerosmith music while pulling up to 5 G’s. There are three inversions which include a sea serpent roll and a corkscrew. At this time Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the only ride at Walt Disney World that features inversions.
Check out our on-ride POV video of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with Steven and the boys.
8. Expedition Everest
Just off a fresh renovation in early 2022, Expedition Everest is our top ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. At an initial cost of $100 million, this amazing roller coaster is one of the most expensive theme park rides that has ever been built.
This coaster takes riders up to a height of 200 feet through the Himalaya mountains to the base of Mount Everest before dropping backwards at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour. Expedition Everest has an 80 foot drop but this attraction does not include any inversions (but it doesn’t lack on thrills. Don’t forget to keep an the Yeti which protects the Forbidden Mountain.
Check out our on ride-POV video of Expedition Everest.
7. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
One of the most fun and enjoyable rollers coasters at the Universal Orlando Resort is the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Located in Universal Studios Florida just behind the Music Plaza stage, this 17-story attraction can’t be missed.
Riders board 12 passenger train with two guests per row and chose from dozens of songs to listen to during the ride. Artists include Journey, Metallica, Candlebox and more. There is also a “secret” song list which riders can access by press “123” on their keypad (that’s the code at this time but it does change).
The ride starts out with a vertical climb up 167-feet followed by a near vertical drop to a non-inverting loop at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour.
Check out our on-ride POV video of the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
6. The Incredible Hulk
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The Incredible Hulk is one of the most intense roller coasters at any of the Orlando theme parks and is a must ride for those who enjoy thrill rides. Located at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Marvel’s Super Hero Island, this roller coaster is among the most popular at the Universal Orlando Resort.
Riders are launched with the Hulk’s roar and reach speeds of up to 67 miles per hour. The attraction has 7 inversions where riders will experience up to 4 G’s. The attraction was completely torn down and rebuilt in 2016 so it gives a smooth ride experience.
Check out our on-ride POV video of The Incredible Hulk roller coaster.
5. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Located at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure theme parks, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is one the most expensive roller coaster ever built and it does not disappoint.
Guests board a two person motorbike (with a sidecar) that travels through a highly themed Harry Potter setting at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Riders you go forward, background and even free-fall without ever leaving your motorbike – it’s no wonder that wait times can exceed 90 minutes for a ride on Hagrid’s.
Check out our on-ride POV video of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
4. Ice Breaker
After sitting idle for about a year, the all new Ice Breaker roller coaster opened in early 2022. Located at SeaWorld Orlando, Ice Breaker is one of the most highly unique outdoor roller coaster experiences you will find any of the Orlando theme parks.
The attraction is a multi-directional launch, vertical drop roller coaster that features a 100 degree vertical spike, four launches, a 93 foot tall top hat and several air time events. Ice Breaker checks all the boxes for any roller coaster enthusiast – it features great thrills and has a very smooth ride throughout it’s 1,900 feet of track.
Check out our on-ride POV video of Ice Breaker from SeaWorld’s passholder preview event.
3. Mako
We consider Mako at SeaWorld Orlando to be one of the most extreme roller coasters at any of the Orlando theme parks. Originally opened in 2016, this attraction is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Orlando. If you are a coaster enthusiast, it is definitely not to be missed during your next visit.
Themed after ship wreck reef, riders will climb 200 feet before a near vertical drop, racing at speeds of up to 73 miles per hour. With 4,760 feet of track, Mako is a fairly long ride which features banked during and a series of airtime hills. While there are no inversions, it is incredibly fun and exciting ride.
Check out our on-ride POV video of Mako at SeaWorld Orlando.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
The newest roller coaster at the Orlando theme parks is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Opened in May 2022 in time for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World, this amazing indoor roller coaster is located at the EPCOT theme just next to Mission: Space.
Themed after the Guardians of the Galaxy movie franchise, it is rumored that Disney spent around $500 million to construct this attraction making it the most expensive coaster in the world. When looking at the massive size of the ride building, one can see why it cost so much.
Riders board a four-person 360-rotating ride vehicle and go on a journey with the Guardians characters to save the galaxy. The attraction takes riders on speeds of up to 60 miles per our in an immersive hi-tech “story”.
1. Jurassic World VelociCoaster
If you have not made it to the Universal Orlando to ride the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, then now is the time to book that trip. Officially opened in June 12, 2021, the rides sets the standard for roller coasters at the Orlando theme parks.
Located at Universal’s Islands of Adventure behind the Jurassic Park Discovery Center, this amazing coaster will take visitors on a ride at speeds of up to 70 miles an hour. There are two high speed launches, 12 individual moments of airtime, four separate inversions and a 155-foot tall top hat followed by a drop of almost 90 degrees.
The VelociCoaster is our top roller coaster at the Orlando theme parks and one of those rides that should not be missed when visiting The Universal Orlando Resort.
Check out our full on-ride POV video of the Jurassic World VelociCoaster from Universal’s passholder preview event.