Amazing Rollercoasters of Florida > The Thrill Machines
Thrill machines are not for the faint of heart. This breed of roller coaster encompasses those massive steel structures which loom dizzily over head enticing you to come aboard and make your adrenaline flow. Most will start your heart racing by the sheer magnitude of their size and twisted layouts seen even before being securely strapped into the seat. Sure to enthrall even the most daring members of the families, many have small height requirements which will allow for even the younger daredevils to be utterly amazed. The three most adrenaline pumping, heart racing, and laughter educing thrill machines in Florida are Incredible Hulk at Islands of Adventure, Sheikra at Busch Garden’s Africa, and Rock N’ Roller Coaster at Disney MGM Studios.
Incredible Hulk Rollercoaster at Islands of Adventure
Incredible Hulk is one incredible ride. This ride is a true inversion monster, turning riders upside down seven sensational times! Those inversions are only after being launched from 0 – 40 miles an hour in less than 2 seconds. Riders are hurdled out of the launch tube into the first inversion – a zero gravity roll – something sure to make every thrill seeker’s blood pump even faster. After the “zero g” roll, riders are sent into a cobra roll (2 inversions in 1), followed quickly by one of the largest vertical loops in America. At this point, the ride is only half way finished. Riders will scream with joy as they go under a bridge and through 3 more inversions. This ride is full of quick drops, tight turns, and blistering speeds. As with the real Incredible Hulk, seeing this monster come to life will make any rider understand why this is truly one of the most thrilling life size monsters in all of America.
Sheikra at Busch Gardens
Sheikra at Busch Garden’s is America’s first dive coaster. Built in 2005, this ride is meant to give riders the sensation of diving straight down. Named after a mythical bird, Sheikra takes riders up 200 feet in the air, hangs them over the edge for a pulse racing moment, before dropping them at 90 degrees straight down. The hang alone on this ride, will make any thrill seeker question their sanity. After the sensational dive, riders find themselves racing towards the only inversion in Sheikra. Riders become dizzy with adrenaline as they twist and turn towards a second 90 degree dive, proving that one swooping dive was not enough for this powerful monster of steel. Coming up into a fan turn, the bottom edge of the car enters a small body of water. As if a giant bird had just swooped down to grab a fish from the water and headed back into flight, a stream of water is shot from behind the train. Anyone choosing to experience Sheikra’s mammoth speed and pulse racing excitement will truly feel the thrilling experience of flight.
Rock n' Rollercoaster at Disney-MGM Studios
Rock N’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s MGM Studios blends the thrills of a roller coaster with a true rock and roll experience. As you enter the queue, you are transported to “G-Force” Records where you “meet” Aerosmith in a simulated recording studio. Through the use of digital imaging and visual effects, you actually believe you are in the studio with these rock and roll icons. As they leave for a concert, you are asked to be their special guests. The only problem now is how to get to the concert. How about a super fast, super stretched limousine which Aerosmith has arranged to meet you in the adjoining alley? Boarding the “limo” you over hear reports of heavy traffic. Above you the freeway entrance signs count down to your launch. 3 – 2 – 1 launch.
You accelerate out of the alley from 0 to 60 miles an hour in less than 4 seconds. The ride of your life is just beginning. Some of Aerosmith’s greatest hits are pumped into the car as you twist and turn on your way to the concert. This entire ride is in darkness with only scenes of the passing city and landmarks such as the Hollywood sign whizzing past. Believe it or not, this ride to the concert will take you over 2500 feet of track and through 3 thrilling inversions. You’ll get dizzy trying to figure out your next turn and where exactly this insane limousine is taking you. As you hit the brakes at the end of the ride you approach the VIP entrance of the concert venue. You have arrived, ready to enjoy the concert of a lifetime after one limousine ride you won’t soon forget!
Honorable Mentions:
- Dueling Dragons – Islands of Adventure
- Kraken – Sea World Orlando
- Space Mountain – Disney’s Magic Kingdom
- Kumba – Busch Garden’s Africa
- Montu – Busch Garden’s Africa
