Brace Yourself on the World’s Wildest Rides

Buckle up for an adventure on the best thrillers at theme parks around the world.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Tokyo DisneySea in Tokyo, Japan
This immersive, intense themed ride is hopefully the closest thing you’ll experience to travelling through the centre of a volcano. Even though it was built back in 2001, it’s still widely regarded as one of Disney’s best attractions and is among the most impressive special-effects rides in the world.

Kingda Ka

Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari in Jackson, New Jersey
Don’t bother talking about roller coasters if you don’t pay homage to the epic Kingda  Ka. Currently the tallest roller coaster in the world, it’s one of two “strata coasters”, which means it includes a drop of more than 120m. The speed? Get ready for zero to 206km/h in 3.5 seconds. As per its description, this is “not recommended for wimps”.

Transformers The Ride: 3D

Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida; Hollywood, California; Singapore
The mechanics involve you sitting in a vehicle that jolts around between different screens up to 18m tall, projecting highly realistic 3D characters in your face. Similar to the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man 3D, Transformers gets extra intensity points for its realistic battle with a giant Decepticon.

X2

Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California
Classified as a “fourth dimension” roller coaster – and the first of its kind – the X2 features seats that spin 360 degrees independent of the direction and movement of the track. As you travel 122km/h, you’ll be turning so much you can say goodbye to any concept of direction. And lunch.

Millennium Force

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
This has won the Golden Ticket Award (aka the Academy Awards for rides) for Best Steel Roller Coaster nine times since it opened in 2000. Millennium Force doesn’t hold the fastest or tallest records anymore but it’s a textbook roller-coaster experience with all the speed, drops and loops a thrillseeker could ask for.