Ask most theme park fans "what’s the best rollercoaster in Orlando?" and you’ll likely be given a different answer every time. That’s because there are so many excellent rides and attractions here, and it really depends on what type of experience you want. Some rides go for outright speed, others want to leave you in suspense and still more go for an immersive experience with a whole storyline along the incredible ride.

Regardless of this variety, we’ve put our heads together and come up with this list of rollercoasters in Orlando, found in any theme park in the city, that we feel are the most fun and, depending on your outlook, frightening rollercoasters that will have you shrieking for joy and leave you pumped with adrenaline. Of course, not everyone wants to be scared senseless, so we have included some rides that are fast, but not too fast, although there are plenty of loop-the-loops, gravity-defying twists and intense drops just waiting for the adventurous among you in this list too.

  • 1

    Jurassic World Velocicoaster

    A top-ranked rollercoaster with heart-racing thrills

    Jurassic World Velocicoaster
    • Families

    The Jurassic World Velocicoaster is one of the most popular rides in Universal's Islands of Adventure. Themed after the Jurassic Park film franchise, this launched rollercoaster is the fastest of its kind in Orlando.

    Each ride only lasts 2 minutes, reaching speeds of 70 mph. Riders launch from the loading area to climb to heights of 155 ft and experience 4 inversions, all in mere 120 seconds. You’ll quickly see why this roller coaster has received top rankings and awards since its inception in 2021.

    Location: Universal's Islands of Adventure, 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, Friday from 8 am to 10 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm

    Phone: +1 407-363-8000

    Map

    photo by Eric A. Soto (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

    • Adventure

    The Incredible Hulk Rollercoaster at Universal Studios Florida is one of the world’s most thrilling amusement rides. It sends you whizzing through the air at incredible speeds, twisting around and turning upside down on an epic ride. There’s a storyline to enjoy before you board the ride: you enter the laboratories of the famous Dr Bruce Banner before noticing a glitch in the system, and then the ride begins.

     Strapped safely into your carriage, you spin and turn until you become the Incredible Hulk. The ride goes from 0 to 40 mph in just 2 seconds, and you get to experience a completely weightless zero-g roll as you’re propelled along the course. The rollercoaster reaches 150 feet in the air over the rest of the theme park and gets to speeds of up to 67 mph.

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    • Adventure
    • Families

    Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is one of Universal Orlando Resort’s tallest rides. On it, you can enjoy hit songs on every twist and turn as you travel at a top speed of 65 mph and reach heights of 167 feet. The 97-second ride at Universal Studios is one of the most thrilling and fun rides in the park as you get to choose a song to listen to on the way round and travel at incredible speeds. As the music starts pumping, you are lifted up 7 storeys, high above Universal Studios, before the adrenaline-pumping ride begins.

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  • 4

    Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls

    Universal's Islands of Adventure

    Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
    • Adventure

    Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls is a log-flume water ride at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure. Featuring various water effects, this ride is guaranteed to leave you soaked. Follow Dudley Do-Right as he attempts to save his damsel in distress from the evil hands of Snidely Whiplash – culminating in a 75-foot drop! Non-riders can use water cannons to further soak those riding, and ‘people-dryers’ are available for use outside the exit for a small fee.

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    • Adventure
    • Families

    Despite running since 1975, Space Mountain will still get the heart racing and take you twisting and turning through the darkness until you reach the fantastic sight of thousands of stars and galaxies above you and around you. There are no loop-the-loops or vertical drops in Space Mountain, which means people who might feel apprehensive about such rides can still enjoy a rollercoaster experience.

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    • Adventure

    The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is an enclosed launch steel rollercoaster ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort. The coaster has 3 inversions, goes from 0 to 57 mph in 2.8 seconds, and lasts 1 minute 22 seconds. Enjoy the story that unfolds while you wait in line to board, as Aerosmith are late for a concert. During the ride, you get to enjoy a range of the band’s biggest hits.

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  • 7

    Revenge of the Mummy

    Escape Imhotep's curse during this video-heavy enclosed ride

    Revenge of the Mummy
    • Families

    Revenge of the Mummy is a classic Universal Studios rollercoaster in Orlando. This ride is so popular that you can find it at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Singapore. The ride lasts just under 3 minutes and reaches speeds of 45 mph.

    The enclosed rollercoaster is based around the idea that the Mummy movie set was cursed. As you move through both the queue and ride, you're treated to videos and effects that tell the story of a cursed film crew member. During the ride, you’re chased around the track by the movie's villain, Imhotep.

    Location: Universal Studios Florida, 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

    Open: Monday–Tuesday and Thursday from 8 am to 7 pm, Wednesday from 9 am to 6 pm, Friday–Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm

    Phone: +1 407-363-8000

    Map

    photo by Jeremy Thompson (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 8

    Flight of the Hippogriff

    See the entire Wizarding World from the top of this family-friendly ride

    Flight of the Hippogriff
    • Families

    The Flight of the Hippogriff is an excellent example of how a rollercoaster can still be fun for the entire family. The kid-friendly thrill ride welcomes anyone over 36 inches tall. The ride is based on the mythical Hippogriff in the Harry Potter franchise.

    The ride begins with the character Hagrid describing the Hippogriff, before you're off swooping around Hagrid's Hut and over the Forbidden Forest. The ride is only about 1 minute long and reaches a maximum speed of just under 30 mph. From its peak height, you can enjoy great views of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

    Location: Hogwarts Castle, Universal Studios Florida, 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

    Open: Monday–Friday from 9 am to 8 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 9 am to 9 pm

    Phone: +1 407-363-8000

    Map

    photo by Jeremy Thompson (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 9

    Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

    A wild rollercoaster ride across the cosmos

    Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
    • Families
    • Group

    Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is Epcot’s first-ever rock-n-roll rollercoaster ride. The immersive feature is over-the-top and spectacular. It makes (most) participants wish they could stay in their seats and join the titular group of intergalactic outlaws as they traverse the universe to rescue galaxies, shake their booties in epic dance-offs, and explore new planets.

    Zip through the universe and among stars and planets while seated in one of the longest-enclosed coasters in the world. The technologically advanced ride is referred to as an OmniCoaster. Cosmic Rewind is a complete sensory event engaging all your senses and heightened by coaster cars that can turn in any direction as the fast-paced ride takes you ‘hurtling through space’.

    Location: 200 Epcot Center Dr, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, USA

    Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 9 pm

    Phone: +1 407-939-5277

    Map

    photo by elisfkc2 (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 10

    White Lightning

    The main woodie at Fun Spot America

    White Lightning
    • Families
    • Group

    The 2,032-ft White Lighting at Fun Spot America Theme Park in Orlando is an ecstatic blast from the past. Wooden rollercoasters are a nostalgic throwback to the early days of big thrill amusement parks. They tend to be more uneven than their steel counterparts and sway (up to 0.78 inches) as the train rolls along, creating more of a hair-raising experience.

    White Lightning may not be the fastest or the highest, but it’s a ruckus ride that still offers big thrills and chills. With a top speed of 44.3 mph and a height of 68.8 ft, this coaster is an exhilarating 75-second ride with small pops of airtime and laterals in a punchy layout.

    Location: 5700 Fun Spot Way, Orlando, FL 32819, USA

    Open: Monday–Thursday from noon to midnight, Friday–Sunday from 10 am to midnight

    Phone: +1 407-363-3876

    Map

    photo by Aaron Clausen (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

    • Adventure
    • Families

    Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a steel rollercoaster takes you on an accelerated journey in and around the caves of Mount Everest, where you soon find the track torn apart. Your only choice is to retreat deeper into the mountain and run the risk of encountering the yeti. Riders fly at a speed of 50 mph, but you must be at least 44 inches tall to board.

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Ari Gunadi | Compulsive Traveller