Which ride is the Sunshine State’s star?

Ranking the best roller coasters in Florida

There have long been roller coasters in the theme park capital of the world. But in recent years, Florida’s theme parks have upped their game with some truly world-class rides. It may be a fool’s errand, but I am going to attempt to rank them and identify my picks for the state’s best coasters. I know, I know. Some of you are going to want to strap me into The Big Apple Coaster at the New York New York Casino in Las Vegas or some other godforsaken ride and make me bang my head on it over and over for not putting your favorite Florida coaster at the head of the pack. But, that’s what comments are for, right? (If you are a paid subscriber, please join the conversation and defend your thrill machine judgement by clicking the Comment button below).

Keep in mind that I am talking about marginal differences here. The top three coasters in the state all merit five out of five stars in my estimation–and I rarely hand out five-star accolades. All six of the following rides are stupendous and belong on any park fan’s list. But only one can sit at the top of the list.

1. Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa
5 (out of 5 stars)

United Parks and Resorts

Yes, at 206 feet and 76 mph, Iron Gwazi is the tallest and fastest coaster in Florida. But it’s only a bit taller and faster than some of its competitors. Still, it is wildly thilling and delivers a relentlessly aggressive ride that just can’t be matched in the state. Iron Gwazi is decidedly not for the faint-hearted. Opened in 1999, it was originally known as Gwazi and was a twin-track wooden coaster. Busch Gardens shuttered it after it had become excessively rough. Later, makeover mavens Rocky Mountain Construction came to the rescue and gave the ride its patented “IBox” treatment. As part of the conversion to a hybrid wooden-steel coaster, the company significantly altered the layout, nearly doubling its height and making it a single-track experience. In typical RMC fashion, Gwazi went from nearly unrideable to the glass-smooth Iron Gwazi. It drops 206 feet at a beyond-vertical 91 degrees, is loaded with airtime of the hang-on-for-dear-life variety, tosses its riders around like hapless prey in the maw of a beast, and leaves me positively breathless. Like Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point, it is an RMC masterpiece.

2. Stardust Racers at Universal Epic Universe
5 (out of 5 stars)

(Universal Studios)

A recent entry into Florida’s coaster-stakes, Stardust Racers immediately rocketed to, ahem, superstardom. Despite its comparatively tame 133-foot height and 62-mph top speed, the Mack Rides attraction nonetheless exerts freaky forces that leave riders giddy. The double-dose LSM launch that sends Stardust Racers soaring up the lift hill and into a heavenly burst of airtime sets the stage. The interplay between the two trains on the dual-track racing coaster is the best I’ve ever experienced. And a nighttime ride aboard the beautifully lit ride is sublime. Focusing on just the coaster thrills (which is how I am basing my rankings for the sake of this article), Iron Gwazi gets the ever-so-slight edge. Factoring in aesthetics, thematic elements, and storytelling, an argument could be made that Stardust Racers pulls ahead of the Busch Gardens ride.

3. VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure
5 (out of 5 stars)

(Arthur Levine)

Another launched coaster, this one from Intamin, VelociCoaster screams out of its fog-filled raptor paddock and never lets up. But its second act, in which a follow-up LSM launch gooses the train from 40 mph to 70 mph and catapults it up a 155-foot-tall top hat tower is where things really get dino-mite. After experiencing some heady airtime at the top of the tower, passengers invert over the entrance area of the attraction into a zero-G stall (in which the train hangs upside down as it races forward) that spans a harrowing 100 feet. For its finale, VelociCoaster delivers a barrel roll, dubbed a “mosasaurus roll” in homage to the Jurassic World dinosaur, mere inches above IOA’s lagoon. Again, based strictly on their coaster rides, I think Stardust Racers and Iron Gwazi are a tad–and we’re really talking about a tad–better. Considering its Jurassic World theme and its storytelling bells and whistles, the complete VelociCoaster package just may inch ahead of its Florida counterparts.

4. Mako at SeaWorld Orando
4.5 (out of 5 stars)

(United Parks and Resorts)

Mako is hypercoaster nirvana. The 200-foot-tall, 73-mph Bolliger & Mabillard apex predator is one swooping airtime hill after another. Unlike the more vigorous ejector air found on Iron Gwazi and, to a lesser extent, Stardust Racers, Mako delivers more graceful floater airtime in which passengers experience tummy-tickling butterflies as they rise out of their seats. SeaWorld has been moving away from its roots as a park that showcases marine life exhibits and shows to one that features roller coasters. Mako is the Florida park’s best ride.

5. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot
4.75 (out of 5 stars)

(Disney)

Some of you are probably thinking, “Has Arthur lost a step or two in his advanced years?” How can I rate Mako 4.5 but rank it higher than Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which I rate 4.75? Hang on there bucko, and let me explain. As I’ve been stating throughout the article, I am ranking Florida’s best coasters in terms of the ride experiences they deliver. Given that criteria, Mako is a better coaster. When I initially reviewed Guardians, however, I was taking the entire attraction into account. Given its wonderful pre-show, stellar storytelling, and the stunning elements on display in its cavernous show building, this Imagineering triumph merits a higher overall rating. The launched Vekoma coaster (which uncorks a reverse launch no less) features unique “Omnicoaster” cars that can pivot 360 degrees. Guardians isn’t particularly tall or fast, but it offers a wholly satisfying, one-of-a-kind ride experience. And like the Omnimover ride vehicles which inspired them, the cars can turn and direct passengers’ attention to the myriad galactic mishegas taking place throughout the cosmos.

6. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure
4.5 (out of 5 stars)

(Universal Studios)

Along with VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (also an Intamin ride) delivers a one-two punch of coaster greatness at Islands of Adventure. It features a total of seven launches, more than any other coaster in the land of Muggles, and is constantly catapulting its passengers on an intoxicating journey through the Forbidden Forest. There is a dead-end spike, a section of reverse-facing ride action, and (spoiler alert) a drop track moment. The family coaster tops out at 50 mph, but oh how it squeezes every last ounce of fun out of its fairly modest speed. Its unique car configuration–motorbikes with straddle seats are next to sidecars with more conventional (and lower-slung) seats–piles on to the fun. Again, like Guardians and VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s incorporates some wonderful storytelling with an elaborate queue, onboard audio, and immersive scenes filled with animatronics.

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There you have it coaster nerds. I’ve taken a stab at sorting Florida’s rides in order of greatness. I know some (many? most? all?) of you will have differing opinions. So have at it, and let us know how you’d rank them.