Amusement Parks are often judged by the roller coasters that they have but this it doesn’t necessarily mean that the top 10 amusement parks have the top 10 best roller coasters and although coasters are often rated by their height, it doesn’t necessarily mean the tallest ones are the best. Out of the ten tallest roller coasters, five are located in the USA, three in Japan, one in Australia and one in Canada. Here is a list of the top 10 tallest roller coasters in the world, with the name of the country and theme park they are in and their height.
10
Fujiyama, Japan – Fuji-Q Highland Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi – 259 feet
At the time of its opening in 1996, this was the tallest roller coaster and in 1997 and it was also ranked as fastest but in 1997 its spot was taken over by the Tower of Terror in Australia.
9
Thunder Dolphin, Japan – Dome City Attractions Bunkyo, Tokyo – 262 feet
With a rail that is 3,500 feet long and reaching speeds of 81 MPH, this coaster travels through both the LaQua Building and a Ferris Wheel with no centre.
8
Leviathan, Canada – Canada’s Wonderland, Maple, Ontario – 300 feet
This ride is located in a park just outside of Toronto and is the first one to be made by Bolliger and Mabillard who are now renowned for their exceptionally smooth rides.
7
Intimidator 305, USA – Kings Dominion, Doswell, Virginia – 305 feet
This crazy ride does not have any inversions or other gimmicks; it merely relies on sheer speed and g-forces, to intimidate its passengers.
6
Millennium Force, USA – Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio – 310 feet
This ride uses an elevator cable to lift the trains to the top of its 310 feet and on the way down, the train reaches speeds of 93 MPH.
5
Steel Dragon 2000, Japan – Nagashima Spa Land, Nagashima, Mie – 318 feet
Due to possible earthquakes, more steel had to be used to build this ride than is usually used for coasters, bringing the cost of building it to more than US$50 million.
4
Tower of Terror 11, Australia – Dreamland, Queensland – 377 feet
When this ride opened in 1997, it was the fastest and tallest in the world. It can attain a speed of 100 MPH and, in places, causes its passengers to undergo 4,5G of pressure.
3
Superman: Escape From Krypton, USA – Six Flags Magic Mountain, California – 415 feet
In 2011 this ride went through an upgrade making it higher and faster. The ride is unusual in so far as it has the cars reverse out of the station.
2
Top Thrill Dragster, USA – Cedar Point, Ohio – 420 feet
This ride has 1,000,000 riders per year and is so tall, to avoid being an aviation risk, it has to have Strobe lights half way up and at the top.
1
Kingda Ka, USA – Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey – 456 feet
Reaching a top speed of 128 MPH in 3.5 seconds this was the fastest ride in the world until it was overtaken by the opening of the Formula Rossa in 2010 but still today, remains as the tallest roller coaster in the world.