On Tuesday, August 16, thrill-seekers across the globe will celebrate the world’s collection of thrills on National Roller Coaster Day! Although our local coaster, the Dania Beach Hurricane, is no more, we are still only a few hours away from some of the greatest thrill rides on Earth.
In Orlando, you can visit Fun Spot America and enjoy White Lighting, Orlando’s ONLY Wooden Roller coaster, with this throwback to the days of Coney Island. Reaching speeds of up to 48 mph, it’s not your grandfather’s coaster, featuring one of the SMOOTHEST rides you will ever experience. White Lightning treats riders to the old-school thrills of gravity-driven speed and unexpected airtime while offering great views of other major park attractions.
You can also experience the Freedom Flyer, where you soar on the wings of this family friendly steel suspended inverted coaster with its unique lap bar system that enhances the thrill for all riders. Whip through tight turns that spin you around and test your nerves with heavy G forces all while your feet dangle just above the crowds.
Travel down the road a ways to the Universal Orlando Resort and feel the power of the Incredible Hulk, enjoy the feeling of flight with Dragon Challenge (rumored to be closing soon,) tame your own magical beast on Flight of the Hippogriff, and more!
Located only a few miles further away is the magical kingdom of Walt Disney World. There, you can enjoy the sounds of a rock ‘n roll limo adventure on the Rockin’ Rollercoaster featuring Aerosmith, soar through outer space on Space Mountain, explore the mountains on Expedition Everest, and so much more!
SeaWorld Orlando offers you a chance to not only ride some amazing coasters, but learn as you’re doing it! Manta allows you to find out what it’s like to spin, glide, skim and fly like a giant ray when you experience the only flying roller coaster of its kind in the world. SeaWorld Orlando’s mighty Kraken is a monster coaster like no other. Mako rises from the ocean depths and soars to thrilling new heights.
In the town of Winter Haven, you can take on lego-sized adventures at LEGOLAND Florida. The Dragon coaster takes you back to medieval times, and provides a great view of the park. Flight School gives you a chance to feel the wind beneath your wings. Coastersaurus brings you face to face with dinosaurs, and your own fear of heights!
Travel west on I-4, and you’ll reach the mecca of coasters in the sunshine state: Busch Gardens Tampa. They have 6 top rated coasters to get your adrenaline pumping including our newest family thrill-ride, Cobra’s Curse, which takes guests up a 70-foot vertical lift and then travels forwards, backwards and ends in a free-spinning frenzy! Be sure to check out North America’s tallest free-standing dive coaster, Falcon’s Fury, which plummets 300 feet at 60 miles an hour, our triple launch coaster Cheetah Hunt, our ferocious, floorless dive coaster SheiKra, the seven intense inversions on Montu, and the full 3 seconds of absolute weightlessness during the dive loop of Kumba.
Maximize your Florida family vacation with the roller coasters and thrilling rides of Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay. You’ll find state-of-the-art coasters to satisfy even the most intense thrill-seeker in your group as well as plenty of family fun for anyone looking to pump just a little less adrenaline.
Of course, if you’re a real thrill junkie, you can travel to any number of adventure parks across the country, such as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in California, which dares you to ride Medusa three times in a row and ride in the front seat of THE JOKER with your eyes open. Let’s not forget the beginner coaster-lovers who can enjoy miniature drops and curves on Road Runner Express.
Whether you love drops or loops, wood or steel – be sure to head out and celebrate this special event.
Palm Beach Happening would love to see pictures of your favorite coaster. Share them in the comments, as well as on Facebook for a chance at something awesome!