Summer is finally here, which means millions will flock to Florida’s theme parks over the next few months.
Which rides should thrill seekers and roller coaster enthusiasts head straight for?
The USA TODAY Network compiled a list of the top roller coasters among all of Central Florida’s main theme parks, ranging from high-speed attractions to those with exhilarating inversions. Here’s how the rides stack up.
Stardust Racers, Epic Universe
One of the most popular rides at Universal Orlando’s newest theme park, Stardust Racers at Epic Universe is a dual-launch coaster that hurls you across the cosmos. The coaster rises to 133 feet in the air and runs along 5,000 feet of track.
For those wondering, there’s no real difference between the yellow and green tracks. However, Adam Rivest, vice president of management and branding at Universal Orlando, recommended to the USA TODAY Network in May to “ride the green during the day and the yellow at night.”
Height Requirement: Minimum of 48 inches
Velocicoaster, Islands of Adventure
The Jurassic World Velocicoaster, inspired by the “Jurassic World” films, thrills riders at Universal Orlando Resort’s Islands of Adventure.
It wouldn’t be a list of the best coasters without talking about Universal Orlando’s game-changing Jurassic World Velocicoaster in Islands of Adventure.
Universal itself described the attraction as the “apex predator of roller coasters.” It allows riders to race alongside life-like velociraptors, some of which are recognizable from the recent trilogy. The Velocicoaster is highly praised for its exhilarating speed, launching from 0 to 50 mph in 2 seconds.
Height Requirement: Minimum of 51 inches
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Islands of Adventure
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure media event at Universal Orlando Resort. This brand new rollercoaster is located at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Members of the media and special guests rode the adventure, and an event opening ceremony included Potter film cast members Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Rupert Grint, Evanna Lynch, and James and Oliver Phelps.
Just a short walk away from the Velocicoaster into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter sits Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
Riders on this attraction board a replica motorbike, complete with a sidecar. These seats offer slightly different ride experiences, with theme park experts claiming the sidecar is a little less intense.
It not only boasts high speeds and a thrilling track, but also features some of the best animatronics at the entire park. Riders will be see Hagrid inside his hut before they plunge into the Forbidden Forest to witness some magical creatures.
Height Requirement: Minimum of 48 inches
The Hulk, Islands of Adventure
Sticking in Islands of Adventure, it’s not a proper theme park day without going on the Hulk coaster. Guests are asked to take part in a science experiment based on Dr. Bruce Banner’s research and are ultimately “blasted with gamma radiation,” giving them the chance to move like the Hulk.
Height Requirement: Minimum of 54 inches
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Universal Studios
Guests take a ride at Universal Orlando’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster.
Ever wanted to groove to music while riding a roller coaster? You’re in luck!
Riders can listen to ABBA, Kendrick Lamar, Shania Twain, My Chemical Romance or DaRule on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit while gliding over steep drops and fast turns.
However, you’d better ride it while you still can! Universal Orlando announced in June that the coaster will permanently close on Aug. 18 to make way for a new experience. It is unknown what will replace it.
Height Requirement: Up to 51 inches
Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster, Hollywood Studios
Moving over to Walt Disney World, Hollywood Studios houses several of the resort’s more intense rides.
Rock ‘N’ Roll roller coaster allows riders to race along the darkened freeways of Los Angeles in a super-stretch limo to the tunes of Aerosmith.
Similar to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, this ride will close soon but is expected to reopen. According to WDW News Today, the attraction will close sometime next year and be rethemed with the Muppets. So say goodbye to Aerosmith while you still can!
Height Requirement: Minimum of 48 inches
Guardians of the Galaxy, EPCOT
Also similar to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind allows guests to jam out to tunes while riding. However, it’s a surprise which of six possible songs you’ll get for your experience.
This coaster is the first reverse-launch coaster at the Disney resorts and has rides that take off on an intergalactic chase through space and time. There are appearances from all your favorite members of the crew, including Chris Pratt as “Star-Lord” and Zoe Saldaña as “Gamora.”
Height Requirement: Minimum of 42 inches
Tron Lightcycle Power Run, Magic Kingdom
TRON Lightcycle / Run will open in April at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
One of Disney World’s newest attractions is already a favorite among guests.
TRON Lightcycle Run in Magic Kingdom is one of the fastest coasters at any of its parks. Similar to Hagrid’s coaster at Universal, riders will board an unconventional seat. Straddle the seat like a motorcycle, leaning your upper body forward as you tuck your legs behind you, keeping your knees bent.
It keeps the aesthetic of the original movies, where you’ve seemingly stepped into a computer. Riders race against personified computer programs on futuristic lightcycles.
Height Requirement: Minimum of 48 inches
Expedition Everest, Animal Kingdom
Expedition Everest is an immersive roller coaster ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World in Florida.
You can journey into the icy peaks of the Himalayan mountains to locate a Yeti … without ever leaving Florida!
Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest is one of the tallest coasters in the resort, where riders ascend 200 feet while boarding an old train car. It also has one of the more interesting queues in the entire resort, with “evidence” showcased throughout to aid the storytelling of the ride.
Height Requirement: Minimum of 44 inches
Kraken Unleashed, SeaWorld Orlando
Be careful wearing flip-flops. SeaWorld is home to Orlando’s only floorless roller coaster, Kraken Unleashed.
“Riders’ feet dangle as they travel in open-sided seats, riding on a pedestal above the track at highway speeds to heights of more than 150 feet,” the theme park writes.
Height Requirement: Minimum of 54 inches
Mako, SeaWorld Orlando
Orlando’s tallest and fastest roller coaster is found at SeaWorld.
Mako is a hyper coaster known for its “high speeds, deep dives, and thrills around every turn.” It reaches speeds of up to 73 mph and can climb up to 200 feet high.
Height Requirement: Minimum of 54 inches
Manta, SeaWorld Orlando
Get ready to spin, glide, skim and fly like a giant ray!
SeaWorld’s Manta is a steel flying roller coaster where guests are positioned horizontally to mimic these majestic manta rays. According to the Orlando Informer, it features four inversions: a pretzel loop, two twists, and a corkscrew.
Height Requirement: Minimum of 54 inches
Iron Gwazi, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Ask any roller coaster enthusiast about the top attractions in the US and they will be sure to mention Busch Gardens’ Iron Gwazi. Not only is it North America’s tallest hybrid coaster, but it is also the world’s fastest and steepest.
It is a wood and steel hybrid coaster design, combining the “innovation of a steel coaster and the nostalgia of a wooden coaster.” According to its description, the coaster plunges riders from a 206-foot-tall peak into a 91-degree drop,
Height Requirement: Minimum of 48 inches
Montu, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Known for its speeds and inversions, Busch Gardens’ Montu is also all the rage for theme park junkies.
“Montu has seven inversions, an unique Batwing inversion and was the first coaster in the world to incorporate an Immelmann loop (a simultaneous loop and roll), named for a German fighter pilot,” Busch Gardens writes.
Height Requirement: Minimum of 54 inches
SheiKra, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
One of the most intense coasters in the state, Busch Gardens’ SheiKra has riders climb 200 feet to a 90-degree drop — and lets them hang for a few seconds off the edge. Just get your heart rate going.
“Surrender to speed as you dive straight down into a 70 mph roller coaster whirlwind with an Immelmann loop, a second dive into an underground tunnel and a splashdown finale that drenches SheiKra fans waiting to catch their own piece of the fun,” its description further states.
Height Requirement: Minimum of 54 inches
POLL: Which of Florida’s theme parks has the best roller coasters?
‘The Mummy’ to ‘Seven Dwarfs Mine Train’: See honorable mentions
Did your favorite not make the list? Unfortunately, we couldn’t put every coaster on the list, but here are some more to check out between Florida’s theme parks, as of June 2025:
Walt Disney World Resort
Big Thunder Mountain (Currently closed for refurbishment)
Universal Orlando
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Kumba (Currently closed for refurbishment)
SeaWorld Orlando
Pipeline: The Surf Coaster
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby
LEGOLAND Florida
Fun Spot America
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Going to Disney or Universal? Don’t miss these 15 must-ride coasters