Ready to experience some of Florida’s most thrilling attractions?
This adrenaline-packed road trip will guide you to 11 jaw-dropping rides across the state!
1. Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens (Tampa)
Imagine being a falcon, perched atop a 335-foot tower, ready to swoop down on your prey.
Now imagine that prey is your own stomach.
That’s Falcon’s Fury for you.
This face-down free-fall drop tower is the tallest of its kind in North America.
As you ascend, you’ll have plenty of time to question your life choices and admire the Tampa skyline.
Then, at the top, your seat pivots 90 degrees forward.
For a moment, you’re suspended face-down, staring at the ground below.
It’s like the world’s most intense game of “the floor is lava,” except the floor is actually 335 feet away.
Then gravity takes over, and you plummet at 60 mph.
It’s an experience that’ll have you screeching like an actual falcon – or maybe just a very startled chicken.
2. Orlando StarFlyer (Orlando)
If you’ve ever thought, “Gee, I wish I could combine the dizzying heights of a skyscraper with the spinning sensation of a merry-go-round,” then boy, do I have news for you.
The Orlando StarFlyer is the world’s tallest swing ride, standing at a whopping 450 feet.
It’s like your childhood playground swing got bitten by a radioactive spider and decided to grow up… way up.
As you swing in wide circles at speeds up to 45 mph, you’ll get breathtaking views of Orlando – assuming you can keep your eyes open.
It’s an experience that’ll have you feeling like Mary Poppins on a sugar rush, minus the umbrella and plus a whole lot of adrenaline.
3. Mako at SeaWorld (Orlando)
Named after one of the ocean’s fastest sharks, Mako is a hypercoaster that lives up to its namesake.
This beast of a ride stands 200 feet tall and reaches speeds of up to 73 mph.
It’s the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster in Orlando, which is like being the spiciest pepper in a hot sauce factory – it’s saying something.
The ride features a series of hills and turns designed to mimic a shark chasing its prey, minus the whole being eaten part.
As you crest each hill, you’ll experience moments of weightlessness that’ll have you wondering if SeaWorld secretly launched you into orbit.
It’s an aquatic-themed thrill ride that’ll leave you feeling like you’ve just surfed a tsunami – on a rollercoaster.
4. SkyCoaster at Fun Spot America (Kissimmee)
Ever wanted to combine the thrill of skydiving with the swooping sensation of a giant swing?
No?
Well, someone did, and the result is the SkyCoaster.
Standing at 300 feet, this isn’t your average playground swing.
You’re strapped into a harness, hoisted to the top, and then… you pull the ripcord.
What follows is a pendulum-like swoop that’ll have you feeling like Tarzan, if Tarzan traded his vines for steel cables and his loincloth for a safety harness.
As you arc through the air at 80 mph, you’ll have plenty of time to contemplate the beautiful Florida landscape – and maybe question why you thought this was a good idea in the first place.
5. Slingshot at Old Town (Kissimmee)
Remember those rubber band slingshots you used to make as a kid?
Well, someone decided to supersize that concept, and the result is the Slingshot at Old Town.
This ride catapults you 365 feet into the air at speeds of up to 100 mph.
It’s like being fired out of a cannon, except instead of landing in a net, you bounce back down, only to be shot up again.
The whole experience lasts about a minute, but it’s a minute that’ll redefine your understanding of “up” and “down.”
As you’re rocketing skyward, you might catch a glimpse of the beautiful Florida sunset – or just a blur of colors as your eyes water from the g-force.
It’s an experience that’ll have you feeling like a human yo-yo, in the best possible way.
6. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios (Orlando)
If you’ve ever thought, “You know what would make this rollercoaster better? A soundtrack,” then Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is your dream come true.
This 167-foot tall coaster lets you choose your own music before you board.
As you climb the first vertical lift (yes, vertical, as in straight up), you’ll have plenty of time to wonder if you made the right song choice.
Then, as you plummet down the other side at 65 mph, you’ll be too busy screaming to hear the music anyway.
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With its non-inverting loop and several “near miss” elements, this ride is like starring in your own action movie – complete with soundtrack and probably some very unflattering facial expressions.
7. Tigris at Busch Gardens (Tampa)
Named after the largest cat species in the world, Tigris is a steel launched coaster that packs a lot of punch into a compact space.
It’s like if a tiger decided to become a rollercoaster – fierce, fast, and full of surprises.
The ride launches you forward, then backward, then forward again at over 60 mph, before sending you up a 150-foot tall loop.
As you crest the top, you’ll experience a moment of weightlessness that’ll have you feeling like a cat in zero gravity.
The whole experience is over in about a minute, but it’s a minute that’ll leave you feeling like you’ve just gone ten rounds with an actual tiger – minus the claw marks.
8. The Wheel at ICON Park (Orlando)
At 400 feet tall, The Wheel isn’t just a Ferris wheel – it’s a Ferris wheel with ambition.
This gentle giant offers breathtaking views of Orlando’s skyline and beyond.
Unlike its more aggressive thrill ride cousins, The Wheel takes its time, giving you a full 20 minutes to soak in the sights.
Each capsule is air-conditioned and can hold up to 15 people, making it perfect for those who like their thrills served with a side of comfort.
As you ascend, you’ll see theme parks, lakes, and on a clear day, even the Kennedy Space Center.
It’s like being in a flying snow globe, except instead of snow, you’re surrounded by Florida sunshine and probably a few overeager seagulls.
9. Kraken at SeaWorld (Orlando)
Named after a mythical sea monster, Kraken is a floorless coaster that’ll make you feel like you’re flying – or possibly being flung around by a giant squid.
With a height of 153 feet and speeds of up to 65 mph, this beast of a ride features seven inversions.
That’s right, seven times where you’ll be wondering which way is up.
As you twist and turn through corkscrews and dive loops, you might catch glimpses of SeaWorld below – or just a blur of colors as your brain tries to process what’s happening.
It’s like being in a washing machine set to “sea monster,” and it’s absolutely exhilarating.
10. White Lightning at Fun Spot America (Orlando)
Don’t let the name fool you – there’s nothing subtle about White Lightning.
This wooden coaster packs a punch that’ll have you seeing stars (and they won’t be from moonshine).
With its 75-foot drop and speeds of up to 48 mph, White Lightning offers a classic coaster experience with a modern twist.
The ride’s tight turns and airtime hills will have you bouncing in your seat like popcorn in a hot pan.
It’s a bit like riding a runaway train made of Lincoln Logs, if Lincoln Logs could go 0 to 48 in seconds.
The whole experience is wonderfully rickety (in a totally safe way), making you feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the golden age of coasters – minus the questionable safety standards.
11. Screamin’ Gator Zip Line at Gatorland (Orlando)
Ever looked at a bunch of alligators and thought, “I’d like to fly over those”?
No?
Well, someone did, and the result is the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line.
This 1,200-foot zip line sends you soaring over Gatorland’s breeding marsh and alligator-filled habitats.
As you zoom along at heights of up to 65 feet, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of more than 130 alligators.
It’s like being a very fast, very high bird in gator country.
The thrill of the zip line combined with the sight of all those scaly sunbathers below creates an experience that’s uniquely Florida.
Just remember, if you drop anything, it belongs to the gators now.
From face-down free falls to gator-dodging zip lines, Florida’s thrill rides offer a smorgasbord of adrenaline-pumping experiences.
Your culinary road trip starts here.
Use this map to stay on course and savor delicious moments at every turn.
So grab your courage (and maybe some motion sickness pills) and embark on this wild Sunshine State adventure.
Your heart may never forgive you, but your Instagram will thank you.