BEst roller coasters in Florida

5) Manta: Seaworld, Orlando

This was the first non-kiddie roller coaster that I ever went on, and I thought it was insanely intense. With a max speed of 56 mph and a height of 141 feet, Manta might not seem like the most terrifying coaster to an experienced rider, even compared with some other Sea World coasters. But it does have four inversions, and two in-line twists, including one wicked barrel roll. What makes this ride worthy of being called one of the top five coasters in Florida is the "flying coaster" aspect. When you get on the train in the station, they give you a shoulder harness and lock your ankles to the seat before turning you 90 degrees so you are horizontal and looking at the ground. You then ascend up the lift hill hanging down, before falling down on the initial drop. It's a unique aspect that isn't seen in a lot of other coasters, and makes for a breathtaking ride.

4) Kumba: Busch Gardens, Tampa

When I was in line for this ride, it looked so intense that I was having second thoughts about riding it. Kumba opened in 1993, making it the oldest active coaster in the park. Its name comes from the coaster's characteristic roar, which has a tendency to make park-goers jump. The ride wraps around the queue multiple times, and it carries an iconic two-corkscrew masterpiece. The ride isn’t the fastest or the tallest, but man does it pack a punch. All of the inversions are so clean, yet they whip your body around in a fun (but not painful) way. The ride consists of seven inversions, and has a pretty long duration of 2:54. It's one of the most fun rides in Florida, but be warned: if you are one who gets sick easily, DON’T ride this coaster.

3) Montu: Busch Gardens, Tampa

This is the only inverted coaster at Busch Gardens, and if it weren’t for the brand new Iron Gwazi (featured later on this list), this would be the most intense ride in the entire park. The queue to this ride is designed to make you excited for the experience, but not in the way you would imagine. It starts with a big archway, and from this vantage point it's possible to see the entire coaster, making the ride pretty enclosed. The queue has no AC or fans, which makes the wait go by so slow, and yet makes the ride so much better. The ride has a max speed of 60 mph, but when you are going through the underground tunnels, the sound makes it feel like you are going so much faster. With seven intense inversions, including the first-ever Immelmenn, plus a wicked twisting barrel roll back into the station at the end of the ride, Montu makes for one awesome ride.

2) Veloclicoaster: Universal Islands of Adventure, Orlando

This is the only coaster on this list I haven’t been on, and yet it is this high on the list because of popular feedback and the POV video. With two crazy launches and a bunch of turns with crazy whip, this coaster held the crown as the best coaster in Florida until about a month ago. With a blazing max speed of 70 mph and four staggering inversions, this is one heck of a coaster. The scenery for this ride also gets an A+. The signature hill and 140-foot drop complete this ride, and make it the best coaster in Orlando.

1) Iron Gwazi: Busch Gardens, Tampa

After two years of delays, Iron Gwazi finally made its debut in March 2022 as Florida’s tallest, fastest, and steepest coaster. I actually was one of the first 1000 riders (and received a badge for being so). At a staggering 206 feet tall with a 206-foot drop, three inversions, and a blazing max speed of 76 miles per hour, Iron Gwazi is the best roller coaster I have ever been on in my life. The initial 206-foot drop gives you some crazy out-of-the-seat airtime, and I almost blacked out all three times I rode on the drop. Then a series of gut-wrenching turns, a zero-G roll, and a signature wave turn (all at over 70 mph) take you by surprise. It might not have all the inversions that Montu and Kumba have, but man this ride is so exhilarating it is almost not even funny. Iron Gwazi also has 12 sustained air-time moments, every one of them launching you out of your seat. If you want the thrill of your life, I highly recommend this coaster. Just ride with caution…