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Mega and Giga Coasters: World’s Scariest, Highest, and Fastest Roller Coasters

by Lauren Axelrod on 11/03/09 at 4:01 am

These monstrous beasts defy the laws of gravity, making our brains slosh around in our craniums and occasionally produce a trace of sickness as you are thrown over the sidecars. Sounds fun right?

There was a time when I was child that I was terrified of these wooden and metal beasts. My Dad made me ride the Gemini at Cedar Point when I was barely tall enough to ride. On the way down the first hill, I started to lift out of my seat and the bar started to come loose. I started to scream bloody murder, and for the rest of the day, I couldn’t even look at another ride. You would think that this one moment would keep me from riding any more roller coasters, but how wrong you are.

Roller coasters give you a sense of thrill this is unrecognizable to most people, except when you hear the shrieks coming from the lady riding next to you, and all you want to do is cover up her mouth, or throw her off the side. lol I kid, kid.

Millennium Force: Cedar Point

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Image via Wikipedia

Millennium force stands taller than 300 feet at it’s highest point, reaches speeds of 93 mph, and is considered to be the tallest circuit roller coaster in the world. However, in 2000 it was beaten by Steel Dragon 2000.

“Millennium Force has been voted the number one steel roller coaster in the world in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket awards five times since the year 2001, and has never been ranked lower than number two since it opened in 2000.”

The Steel Dragon: Nagashima Spa Land Amusement Park

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The Steel Dragon was built in 2000 right after the Millennium Force at Cedar point. The name was derived from “The Year of the Dragon”. The track is the longest in the world measuring – 8133 feet, 2 inches (2479 m)in length.

Top Thrill Dragster: Cedar Point

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Now this is what I’m talking about. The first “Strata Coaster,” measuring 400-499 feet tall. The Dragster can reach speeds up to 120mph, it stands tall at 420 feet in the air, and has a drop of 400 feet. The overall ride takes about 17 seconds, but it’s well worth the wait.

Xcelerator: Knotts Berry Farm

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“Xcelerator was Intamin AG’s first hydraulically-launched coaster”. Xcelerator’s has a powerful hydraulic catapult motor accelerating it to over 82 mph in 1.8 seconds. The Xcelerator has the ability to reach speeds of 117 mph, but it doesn’t need to. The power of the jolt is enough to send the car shooting down the steep tracks and around the over banked turns.

Kingda Ka: Six Flags

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“At its opening on May 21, 2005, it became the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, claiming the title from Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point.” Kingda is located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey, she reaches speeds of 128 mph after launch, stands close to 456 feet high, and has a drop of 418 feet.

Ride Of Steel

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The Ride of Steel is located at the Darien Lake Theme Park Resort and it’s construction was mirrored from the Superman-Ride of Steel at Six Flags America. This hyper-coaster stands 208 feet high and has a max speed of 74mph. Of course, this coaster is more notorious for mechanical breakdowns than cheap thrills, causing a rider to get thrown from their seat in 1999. Mmm, a bit to much like Final destination, I’ll keep my distance.

X-Six Flags

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The X2 located in Valencia, California at Six Flags is the worlds first 4th Dimension roller coaster. What’s truly unique about the X is that the seats rotate 360 degrees backwards and forwards. The X stands 190 feet at it’s highest point and the 3,610-foot length of the track includes “two inversions including a skydive, two “raven turns“, one back flip, and a twisting front flip.”

The Pipeline

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This Ultra Twister was the first successful coaster of it’s kind, built in 1985 at LaQua amusement park in Tokyo, Japan.  Six Flags purchased one of these coasters for their Adventure Park, where it stayed until 1990, then it was moved to Six Flags Astroworld until the park closed in 2005.

The Beast: Kings Island…The Beast is Located at the Back of the Park, Behind Vortex

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I had to include this one considering it’s my favorite one on earth. The Beast has been around for years, through construction and the fear of being torn down. However, with constant upkeep, this beast of wood is one heck of a thrill through sharp tunnels, 180 degree turns, and reaches speeds of 65 miles an hour. This may not seem that fast compared to the others, but trust me, this one will take your breath away. The length reaches 7,359 ft, which actually feels like you’re on the coaster for 2 minutes.

The Son of the Beast: The Baby

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“Son of Beast has been considered by many roller coaster buffs as one of the biggest “busts” of all-time, due to its high bumpiness throughout the ride.” I don’t agree with this statement one bit. The biggest thrill you get from a wooden coaster is the bumps, so I imagine the statement might have been made by steel coaster enthusiasts. The Son of the Beast reaches speeds of 78 mph, stands close to 220 feet high, and has a 214 ft drop. The first time I rode this was when it first made it’s debut. I have to admit, I felt like I was going to fly out of the side of the car the entire time; but, I kept my cool and had a stiff cocktail after leaving the ride. Cheers!

Also check out:

Totally Extreme and Historic Roller Coasters of Today and Yesteryear – Part Two

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85 Comments

denus

Mar 11th, 2009

you coudnt talk me out of getting on ANY ride, ive been on every single roller coaster ive had the chance to, i loved the massive one is disney land, not very big but when you went upside down, thats always cool.

Good article!

Sakuragi

Mar 11th, 2009

I’ve never been on any roller coaster. Seriously.

Stacey T Pollock

Mar 11th, 2009

Fantastic article and pictures. I love roller coasters and could ride on them all day long, until I pass out!

Yovita Siswati

Mar 11th, 2009

wow… fantastic coaster, but I am afraid I don’t have enough courage to ride it :-)

Joe Dorish

Mar 11th, 2009

Great pictures Lauren! They really capture the thrill of coasters. I absolutely love riding them and Kingda Ka is my favorite.

Jo Oliver

Mar 11th, 2009

The beast and the dragster look like they could make vomit itself …vomit. Someone would have to tie me at gunpoint for me to get on one of these death traps. I am one of those control freaks that dont fly, because I am not in control of the plane. I dont ride with anyone, because of course, I am such a better driver;) Not really! But, at least the control is in my hands.

CutestPrincess

Mar 11th, 2009

aww… im afraid of heights… i dont wanna try that over my dead body! lolz! fantastic article!

Lost in Arizona

Mar 11th, 2009

*Stomach churns* *Face turns pale* Trying to hold onto my lunch…agggh! Just looking at these picks makes me want to cry..lol!

Mercedes Selvira

Mar 11th, 2009

Omg, I absolutely love roller coasters! I literally moaned aloud in desire just looking at the pics of Millenium Force and the Beast :)
My favorites are the wooden coasters, like Gemini and Mean Streak at Cedar Point. I haven’t been to any of the other places mentioned.

Mercedes Selvira

Mar 11th, 2009

PS, thanks for bringing back some good memories with this excellent feature :)

Melody Arcamo Lagrimas

Mar 11th, 2009

So cool, but I guess, I’d rather pass up.:)

Melody Arcamo Lagrimas

Mar 11th, 2009

Dugg!

rockjuneDrock

Mar 11th, 2009

I just really love to watch it but I dont wanna ride on it! hehehe

rileyd

Mar 12th, 2009

I love roller coasters, the beast it’s my favorite whenever I’m
there I always have to ride it.

The Quail

Mar 13th, 2009

Awesome article;I found it to be very informative as well as awesome pictures.

Chris Stonecipher

Mar 13th, 2009

Lauren,
This is a fun read! I went to Cedar point about 20 years ago and rode the Gemini and the Blue Streak. Fun rides!

Bren Parks

Mar 13th, 2009

wow COOL!

Ruby Hawk

Mar 13th, 2009

We used to take our boys to ride these monsters. their dad rode with them but not me. I wouldn’t get on one of them for all the tea in China. they scare me to death.

Juancav

Mar 13th, 2009

I´d ride these monster only if I´d drive it.

Glynis Smy

Mar 14th, 2009

Sorry my friend I cannot join you!! I am not a fan! Great article though!

Glynis Smy

Mar 14th, 2009

Sorry my friend I cannot join you!! I am not a fan! Great article though!

Auron Renius

Mar 14th, 2009

Great article but too scary for me!

R J Evans

Mar 15th, 2009

I have to agree with Auron – way too scary! However, loved it and blogged it!

http://www.webphemera.com/2009/03/world-scariest-highest-and-fastest.html

Thanks!

Ro Marie

Mar 19th, 2009

Ha Ha! Now I have another list to put on in my things to do before I die pile! :D

Pastagaz

Mar 20th, 2009

I’ve ridden the kingda ka twice, it’s awesome but the scariest rollercoaster for me is the X in Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Nai

Mar 20th, 2009

How could you have a list like this and not mention X at Six Flags: Magic Mountain. Have you seen that thing?! Just the pictures make you want to puke.

Lauren Axelrod

Mar 20th, 2009

I’ve never seen the X at Six Flags, but I will look to include it. Thanks for the heads up.

Scott

Mar 20th, 2009

Oh hell no. I – no way i’d do any of these rollercoasters.

Jess

Mar 20th, 2009

I live about 40 minutes form Kings Island so I am lucky enough to get to ride The Beast and the Son of the Beast quite often and I love that you had them on your list.

Grammar Nazi

Mar 20th, 2009

“The first time I rode this was when it first made it’s depute.” Did you mean “debut”?

Karl

Mar 20th, 2009

The picture of “The beast” is not the beast. I’ve never been there but I think it’s the Vortex. You can however see the beast in the background. I found out all of this after seriously questioning that I was seeing a wooden roller coaster in the picture.

Rachel

Mar 20th, 2009

I love how half of these are in Ohio of all places…
(I’m from Ohio, and I wish I was more of a roller coaster fan)

Lauren Axelrod

Mar 20th, 2009

Hey Karl

This pic is form Wiki and I know the front one is the Vortex, especially considering I have ridden that one a hundred times, resulting in horrible headaches. Ouch

Rachel

I’m from Ohio, so I just had to give props to the best of the best.

virginia

Mar 21st, 2009

wheres behemoth at canada’s wonderland? isnt it actually the fastest in the world or something

Knux

Mar 21st, 2009

I hated Son of Beast; sorry. The Beast is tons of fun, but the Son makes you feel like you got a backbreaker from a wrestler. It hurts way too much.

Lauren Axelrod

Mar 21st, 2009

Hi Virginia,

Actually, as far as what I read, Behemoth is Canada’s tallest and fastest roller coaster.

C Jordan

Mar 21st, 2009

Thanks for the white-knuckle ride lauren! :)

Kerrie

Mar 21st, 2009

I would make a big fuss before anyone could get me to ride a roller coaster… but after the ride, I wanna go again!

Lauren Axelrod

Mar 21st, 2009

Knux

I would have to agree with you there. I felt like I was going to be thrown over the side the entire time. It’s a bit to rough for me and I love coasters.

Lauren Axelrod

Mar 21st, 2009

By the way, for all of you X fans, I have added it and it should be updated soon. As always, thanks for reading.

Steveo

Mar 21st, 2009

I go to Cedar Point every year. Best coasters on earth and it’s in my backyard.

JD

Mar 21st, 2009

I have to agree with The Beast. I grew up on this coaster. Heading up that first hill, hearing the *click* *click* *click* *click* *click* *click* of the chain carrying you, until there is silence and the rush begins! Flying through the woods, ducking in and out of tunnels and what feels like near misses with trees. Catching your breath going up the second hill you can almost hear the old wood creak or has the wood absorbed the screams of those that have gone before you? My opinion, best ride of your life!

lilsaint

Mar 21st, 2009

Great article but i think you are missing one rollercoaster…. the BEHEMOTH in Cadanda’s Wonderland. Ladies and Gentlemen if you like the movies of The Fast & The Furious and you ave kids with a license please read my article about the movies it is called the fast & the furious.

THANK YOU,
LilSaint

Lauren Axelrod

Mar 21st, 2009

Uh, lilsaint there is no promoting in this comment section, and as I previously stated to Virginia, I was picking the top coasters and Behemoth is Canada’s tallest and fastest roller coaster. Not that it’s not impressive, but I found the others to be much more popular and well known according to roller coaster lovers.

I do thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Mickey P

Mar 21st, 2009

I’m from ohio and last year the son of beast got shut down because something screwed up on it. The beast is a fantastic ride and yes the picture of the orange and blue coaster is the vortex but right behind it is the beast. You can find it by following the beast footprints through the park.

Lauren Axelrod

Mar 21st, 2009

Hi Mickey

Thanks for the comments. I’m actually from Ohio so I have seen and ridden the Beast many times. Although, it has been about 9 years now since I moved to Florida. I really miss it

Raiders757

Mar 21st, 2009

Volcano the Blast Coaster at King’s Dominion in Virginia is a lot of fun. The same can be said about Alpinegeist and Apollos Chariot at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg Virginia as well. THe fun factor is really high on these three, and that matters more than records and such.

Oh, and I can’t forget the Shockwave at King’s Dominion, and the Griffon at Busch Gardens. Can’t believe I almost forgot them.

ErikaJean

Mar 22nd, 2009

Growing up in Ohio, I’ve been on the millennium and ALL of the Kings Island coasters! The beast is the BEST!

kamlesh786

Mar 22nd, 2009

cool

Miner

Mar 22nd, 2009

I loved your article. It’s very interesting and exciting to learn about rollercoasters. For me, it depends on which roller coaster it is before I choose to ride it. Keep Writing!

lucy_ball

Mar 22nd, 2009

the top thrill dragster at cedar point is friggin FANTASTIC. i am terrified of heights, and my fiance’ coaxed me into going on it. when i sat in the seat and looked up i was like omg what did i let you talk me into!!! It was SOOOOOOOOO fast when you drop you feel like you’re completely out of your own body, totaly forgetting about the seat your in.

jo oliver

Mar 23rd, 2009

First on Hot Content today…had to come back and say Congrats!

RJ Chamberlain

Mar 23rd, 2009

Rollercoasters are bloody awesome fun Lauren. Unfortunately I havent experienced any of the above but can say I know lots about them now.

RJ

Betty Carew

Mar 23rd, 2009

Wow it’s hard to believe that people get on these I would not be one of them. great write Lauren and super pics

Sotiris

Mar 23rd, 2009

WOW. Speechless. I thought that Zeus de Tonerre in Parc Asterix was the biggest rollercoaster there is :P

Lauren Axelrod

Mar 23rd, 2009

Hi Sotiris,

There’s always a bigger and faster one right behind all of these fantastic rides. I can never keep up with technology, but if you find a coaster that is 500 feet high, let me know. I’ll be there!

Emily

Mar 23rd, 2009

These are some of the best.
I\’ve done the Milennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, and the X (which is now the X2) at Six Flags. I went to Knott\’s Berry and wanted to ride the Accelerator, but it was closed! I was so disappointed!
They were all amazing, but the X took the prize. The seats that flip were so much fun. You forgot to mention the bursts of flame that go off on the ride!
Where is King\’s Island? I want to go there! And the Kingda Ka looks amazing!

Bill Thomas

Mar 24th, 2009

I’m 98% sure that the picture featured for Steel Dragon is actually a picture of Magnum XL-200. Still a nice coaster, but definitely not a current record-breaker.

Also, I know my coasters, wood and steel, and in all honestly, Son of Beast left me with a terrible headache, totally inexcusable….

Hanna

Mar 24th, 2009

I worked at King’s Island as a teen. You know what the best thing about the Beast is…. It is HAUNTED! Well, you know how it goes, maybe yes, maybe no. Anyway, once in awhile a light follows the cars around the track at night. It may be that it is a natural phenom of some kind, but The Beast had gotten a reputation for being haunted. Made riding at night even better.

Side note, there are 5 different ghosts reputed to haunt King’s Island. I have always wondered if all amusment parks have ghost stories.

Lauren Axelrod

Mar 24th, 2009

Bill
I have to agree with you on the Son of the Beast. I had the worst migraine when I got off the ride; and, interesingly enough there was a rumor that someone died on it when they tested it in the beginning. Hanna “This would explain the ghosts that are said to haunt Kings Island.”

grettah

Mar 25th, 2009

The pictures are great.
Where have I been? Roller coasters have come a long way since I was a child. I was, at one time, fearless. Now, just looking at the heights on these monsters gives me anxiety.

CHAN LEE PENG

Mar 25th, 2009

These are indeed fun, but some of them look scarier due to their height.

DA Cournean

Mar 25th, 2009

What a thrill! Good work, I felt the rush!!

David

Mar 29th, 2009

I once went to Six Flags in NJ on a weekday and Kingda-Ka was open with virtually no waiting line. I made a huge mistake of going on this ride four consecutive times back to back. I would literally get out of the car and jump to the next track ready for takeoff. I suffered from vertigo and nausea all night! There was another time I went on a weekend and the line was about two hours long!

Lauren

Mar 30th, 2009

I am aware of that rollercoasterfan. I know the people that built it and the owners of the park. The picture shows the loop, but notice I did not mention it.

cleblanc

Apr 8th, 2009

how awesome! i gotta go check these places out.

umran

Apr 9th, 2009

bu harika

katelyn brucklacher

Apr 13th, 2009

kool.these r wicked rollar coasters.In disney have u been there?

Meeeeeeeeeeeeee

Apr 30th, 2009

thay look amazing:D

Chris Stonecipher

May 6th, 2009

Lauren,
Just revisiting, because I thought this would be a fun one to add to my Chris Stonecipher and Friends blog. I hope you don’t mind.

Marrissa

Jun 13th, 2009

This must be the most the craziest coaster ever i would want to try it so much it would be AWESOME!!!!!!!

holly

Jun 16th, 2009

hi everyone i’m holly and i whent on holiday there and i whent on all of the rides it was the best holiday ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

GU star

Jun 29th, 2009

WOW cool as coasters i love coasters. great pics they look so fun, i wish i lived in america i live in australia. i would definetly go on them.

lisa

Jul 2nd, 2009

omg all these rides are ridiculous!!!!! if you get on any of these rides you are nuts!!!! i mite get on a few cuz im a lil nutty but the one of the sky veiw and the ride is above the trees is the biggest ride i have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lauren Axelrod

Jul 2nd, 2009

Hi everyone, thanks again for visiting. You know, when I rode the son of Beast I almost flew out, but that never stopped from riding it again. I know I’m crazy. I must be for going back. Hey, you only live once!

michael

Jul 3rd, 2009

I would ride all the coasters

Lord Hox

Jul 9th, 2009

Wow these look crazy fun… scary. I have been on a few roller coasters, but they are getting scarier as I get older.

jordan

Jul 10th, 2009

two or three years ago i was not tall anough for RIDE OF STEAL at darien lake so now im only going to canada’s wonderland and ridding BEHEMOTH but the year im looking forwerd to going to darien lake and going on RIDE OF STEAL please add that ride!

jordan

Jul 10th, 2009

P.S i would go on on any of those rides…..even though im 10 years old!

EveningRaven

Jul 10th, 2009

I want to go on everyone of those! I WANNA BE A ROLLER COASTER WARRIORS!

chris

Jul 19th, 2009

i already rode all of those

robert

Jul 19th, 2009

its was the boom i was scared to death

Ruby

Jul 27th, 2009

the cyclone in coney island !

eddiego65

Aug 13th, 2009

Great exciting rides! I really miss your exceptional works!

Anonamous

Aug 23rd, 2009

i would never go on any of them :(

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