Admin August 16, 2024
New roller coaster at Busch Gardens
More screams and excitement will now radiate through the skies of Pantopia at Busch Gardens Tampa, as the newest ‘Phoenix Rising’ roller coaster officially opened to parkgoers.
Fox – 13 News
Happy National Roller Coaster Day! Nothing beats the adrenaline rush after riding an exhilarating coaster. But which ones are considered the top in Florida?
USA TODAY’s 10Best released its list for the best roller coasters in the U.S. earlier this summer, with two Florida rides placing within the top 10.
To help narrow down the best, 10Best had a panel of theme park experts chose 20 coasters, then readers voted for their favorites. Think you know what they are? Here are the 10 best roller coasters in the United States, especially for this thrilling holiday.
When is National Roller Coaster Day 2024? Why is it celebrated?
National Roller Coaster Day is on Friday, Aug. 16 this year.
According to the National Holiday Calendar, the day commemorates the first vertical loop roller coaster which was patented by Edwin Prescott on Aug. 16 in 1898. While there were many roller coaster designs to exist prior to 1898, it is said that Prescott’s design has lead to the thrill rides we enjoy today.
Where are the top roller coasters in Florida?
USA Today 10Best highlighted two Florida roller coasters in their rankings: SeaWorld’s Mako and Busch Garden’s Iron Gwazi.
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld’s roller coaster nabbed the second spot on the list. Orlando’s tallest and fastest coaster gets its name from one of the world’s fastest sharks — appropriate for a thrill ride reaching speeds of 73 mph.
The aquatic-themed park is located at 7007 Sea World Drive in Orlando. Currently for its flash sale, tickets for single day admission start at $68 plus tax per person, cut for its usual $139.99 per person.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
In Busch Gardens, the Iron Gwazi saw the eighth spot. Combining elements of steel and wooden roller coasters, the hybrid coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is named for a mythical half-lion, half-tiger beast.
“Taking the place of the park’s Gwazi dual-track wooden coaster, Iron Gwazi packs in a lot more adrenaline-pumping thrills than its predecessor, leading off with a 91-degree drop from its 206-foot-tall peak, followed by corkscrews, inversions, and top speeds of 76 miles per hour,” the ranking says.
Busch Gardens is found at 10165 McKinley Drive in Tampa. Through Sept. 27, you can buy single day ticket for $107 plus tax and bring another guest for free.
Top 10 best roller coasters in the U.S. to ride
- Phoenix at Knoebels – Elysburg, Pennsylvania
- Mako at SeaWorld Orlando – Orlando, Florida
- Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood – West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
- Wildcat’s Revenge at Hersheypark – Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Lightning Rod at Dollywood – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – Santa Cruz, California
- The Voyage at Holiday World – Santa Claus, Indiana
- Fury 325 at Carowinds – Charlotte, North Carolina
- Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – Tampa, Florida
- Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg – Williamsburg, Virginia
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