25 Scariest Amusement Park Rides In The World

Posted by , Updated on March 23, 2024

Everyone relishes a good thrill occasionally, and this largely explains the very existence of amusement parks. The exhilarating mixture of anticipation before boarding a ride and the subsequent adrenaline surge that follows can be incredibly addictive. While many rides offer different degrees of risk, there are some that elevate the thrill factor to a completely new plane. Here’s a list of the 25 Most Terrifying Amusement Park Rides Across The Globe.

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25

Superman Escape

Movie_world_superman_escape_zzSource: https://www.parkz.com.au/

Who hasn’t wanted to become Superman, flying all over the world? Well, you can get the next best thing at Warner Bros. Movie World in Queensland, Australia. Launching from 0 to 62 miles an hour in under 2 seconds, this roller coaster includes not only insane twists, turns, and drops but also intense special effects. You might rethink the whole wanting to be Superman thing after this ride.

24

Shivering Timbers

MichiganAventure_ShiveringTimbers_Dscn8247Source: https://www.miadventure.com/

One of the biggest attractions at Michigan’s Adventure, Shivering Timbers is the 5th longest wooden roller coaster, measuring at 5,383 feet (1640 meters) and going at top speeds of 65 miles an hour (105 km/hr). It has three hills at roughly 100 feet (30 meters) tall each. So, yeah, it’s not for the faint of heart.

23

Sky Scream

Sky_Scream1Source: https://coasterpedia.net

Located in Germany, the Sky Scream may not be the fastest or the tallest roller coaster, but what it lacks in specs, it makes up for in its totally wicked design. The ride goes back and forth on the track before picking up enough speed to rocket the train on all its bizarre twists, turns, and loops.

22

The Smiler

The_Smiler_on_opening_daySource: https://www.altontowers.com

Like something created by a maniac, The Smiler boasts the world record for the number of times you go upside down on a roller coaster. It’s got a 4.5 g-force going at 52 miles an hour (83 km/hr). Oh, and did we mention there was a horrific accident?

21

El Toro

el toroSource: https://www.laronde.com

El Toro is translated, “The Bull,” and the name couldn’t be more fitting. With a 176-foot (53 meter) drop and speeds hitting up to 70 miles-per-hour (112 km/hr), El Toro is one of the fastest and tallest wooden roller coasters in the world. Good luck trying to tame that bull!

20

Intimidator

Intimidator_305_ride_as_seen_from_Eiffel_TowerSource: https://www.carowinds.com/

There’s nothing more intimidating than standing in line at a roller coaster, staring up at the first massive drop. For the Intimidator, that drop is 232-feet (70 meters) high with a 72-degree angle, hitting speeds up to 80 miles per hour (128 km/hr). Do everyone a favor and don’t eat right before this one.

19

Insanity on The Stratosphere Tower

StratosphereSource: http://www.stratospherehotel.com

Ever wondered what it’s like to hang off a skyscraper with nothing underneath but the air and the ground below? The Insanity at The Stratosphere Tower answers that question and more, hanging people 900-feet above Las Vegas while spinning them around in circles. Anyone afraid of heights would be wise to stay away from this one.

18

Stealth

Stealth CoasterSource: http://www.totalthorpepark.co.uk

The Stealth roller coaster is a super short ride. Some might say it’s stealthy. Propelling from 0 to 80 miles an hour (128 km/hr), it quickly climbs up a 205-feet (62 meter) incline and then immediately drops, making a 90-degree turn before returning. Blink and you might miss it, but chances are you’ll still feel the 4.5 g-force going down.

17

Ultra Twister in Japan

The_last_loop_in_Ultra_Twister,_Nagashima_Spa_LandSource: https://rcdb.com

The Ultra Twister at Nagashima Spa Land in Japan has a very unusual design. Putting four people in a car, it takes the riders up a vertical incline, thrusts them down a track, and spins 360-degrees through a tunnel, stops, lowers the car down an elevator, and shoots the car backward while twisting 360-degrees. Talk about a mind job.

16

Tower of Terror II

Tower_of_Terror_DreamworldSource: https://www.dreamworld.com.au/

The first roller coaster to reach 100 miles per hour (160 km/hr), the Tower of Terror II lives up to its name and then some. As passengers sit inside a tunnel, they are shot out like a canon riding up a vertical incline before riding back down. When a theme park ride gets a sequel, it’s either epic, terrifying, or a bit of both.

15

Hades 360

WisconsinDellsWisconsinRollercoasterSource: https://www.mtolympuspark.com

Hades 360. It might seem like a regular old wooden roller coaster, but looks are deceiving. Hitting up to 70 miles per hour (112 km/hr), this roller coaster is an oddity as it’s the first wooden roller coaster have a 360-degree roll and has the world’s longest underground tunnel. With a name like Hades 360, you can bet it’s pretty terrifying.

14

Wicked Twister

Wicked_Twister_(Launch)Source: https://www.cedarpoint.com

Wicked Twister propels passengers 72 miles per hour (115 km/hr) up a 215-foot (65 meter) vertical incline that twists and then shoots them back to the other side to do the same thing all over again. Wicked Twister, indeed.

13

Fury 325

Carowinds-Fury325EntrySource: https://rcdb.com/12273.htm

The Fury 325 has broken a ton of records. One might even say it’s an over-achiever. It reaches up to 95 miles per hour (152 km/hr), and its maximum height is 325 feet (99 meters), effectively making it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. So, if you’re looking to get your scream on, this might be the place to go.

12

Takabisha

Takabisha_under_construction_3Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Opening in 2011, the Takabisha literally translates in English as “Domineering.” It’s famous for becoming world’s steepest roller coaster with a 121-degree drop, making it into the Guinness Book of World Records.

11

Eejanaika

EejanikaSource: https://rcdb.com/3254.htm

Let’s stay in Japan for a second and talk about Eejanaika, which translates to “Ain’t it great!” It probably should mean, “Ain’t it horrifying!” The world’s second “Fourth Dimension” roller coaster, its seats can rotate in a controlled 360-degree spin. According to the Guinness Book of the World Records, it holds the record for the roller coaster with the most inversions…and probably also the messiest clean ups by janitors.

10

Formula Rossa

Formula RossaSource: https://ferrariworldabudhabi.com/

Hold on to your hats, and make sure to be buckled in because Formula Rossa is the world’s fastest roller coaster, reaching speeds up to 149 miles per hour (239 km/hr). Located at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi, it models itself after Formula One racing, which makes a whole lot of sense considering, you know, the whole 149 miles per hour thing.

9

Top Thrill Dragster

Top_Thrill_Dragster_at_Cedar_PointSource: https://rcdb.com/1896.htm

Top Thrill Dragster saw a lot of world records broken in its prime, including the world’s fastest and tallest roller coaster. Of course, it didn’t stay on top forever, being surpassed by Kingda Ka and Formula Rossa. Though it still holds the unique position of being one of two complete roller coasters with a 400-foot (121 meter) drop.

8

Kingda Ka

Kingda_Ka_(Full_Layout)Source: https://www.sixflags.com/

Kingda Ka! It sounds like a monster from a cheesy 1950’s movie. In some ways, that might not be far from the truth. Being the tallest and second fastest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka is a behemoth, measuring at 456-feet high (138 meters) and hitting speeds up to 128 miles an hour (205 km/hr). It’s safe to say this thing will blow our minds when all is said and done.

7

Kathmandu Funpark Ferris Wheel

Full_view_bhrikuti_mandapSource: http://www.news.com.au

Let’s talk about rides so unsafe it’s insane that they’re still in operation. Most Ferris Wheels go at a nice, slow and steady pace. At Kathmandu Funpark in Nepal, however, a Ferris Wheel goes so fast it looks like anyone could fall out at any moment. In fact, in 2014, a girl fell out of the Ferris Wheel car and hung on for dear life, waiting for someone to climb up and help her.

6

The Cannonball Loop

Action Park LoopSource: http://io9.gizmodo.com

In Action Park of Vernon Township in New Jersey, they built a waterslide so dangerous it was shut down within a month. Called The Cannonball Loop, at first glance it’s easy to see that this thing was a death trap. It’s surprising they didn’t throw the lunatic who invented it in a jail cell. This was not a one-off problem at Action Park, a place known for its dangerous rides that collected a stack of lawsuits, injuries, and unfortunately, six fatalities.

5

The Roller Coaster of Death

North_Korea-Pyongyang-Mangyongdae_Funfair-01Source:https://www.vice.com

At the Mangyongdae Fun Fair in North Korea, visitors are greeted to a mostly abandoned amusement park, filled with run down and outdated facilities. Of all their rides, however, the roller coaster is the most terrifying due to the rusty frame and lack of repair. It might be a good idea to write up a will before getting on this thing.

4

Battersea Fun Fair Big Dipper

BigDipper-Ride-2Source: http://www.independent.co.uk

In 1972, the Big Dipper at Battersea Fun Fair was just another roller coaster. Until a fatal accident changed everything. As a train was going up the first hill, the cable broke loose, causing the train to roll backward. Despite trying to stop the train, it took on too much speed, crashed into another train, and killed six people. The Big Dipper was torn down after the sad tragedy.

3

Eram Amusement Park

Amingholamali_Eram_Park_TehranSource: http://www.cnn.com

Eram Amusement Park in Tehran, Iran, much like North Korea’s amusement parks, is a rusting and sad display of rides, including a horrifying roller coaster that whips passengers instantly from one side to the other, cranking their necks in every direction. Theme park expert Stefan Zwangzer calls Iran’s roller coasters the worst in the world.

2

Fujin Raijin II

ExpolandSource: http://www.japantimes.co.jp

At Expoland in Japan, the Fujin Raijin II was working smoothly, thrilling fans of the ride until the unexpected happened in 2007. The cars suddenly derailed during the course of the ride, flying off the track, killing one and injuring 19 others. Experts found that the wheel axles hadn’t been replaced for fifteen years.

1

Wild One

Wild_One_3Source: https://www.sixflags.com

Let’s end on a little bit of a happier note, shall we? The Wild One has had a pretty solid run over the course of its life, a life that is older than most people on the face of the earth. Built in 1917, the Wild One is an operational roller coaster that’s 100-years old. While it’s probably perfectly safe to ride, the thought of riding a roller coaster that old sends chills down our spine.



Photo:
Featured Image. shutterstock, 25. Chensiyuan, Movie world superman escape zz, CC BY-SA 4.0, 24. Larry Pieniazek, MichiganAventure ShiveringTimbers Dscn8247, CC BY-SA 3.0, 23. Freddo, Sky Scream1, CC BY-SA 4.0, 22. WikipediaCommons.com (Public Domain), 21. tenioman via flickr. CC by 2.0., 20. Ben Schumin, Intimidator 305 ride as seen from Eiffel Tower, CC BY-SA 3.0, 19. Sarah Ackerman via flickr. CC By 2.0. , 18. Uri Baruchin via flickr. CC By 2.0., 17. Horai 551, The last loop in Ultra Twister, Nagashima Spa Land, CC BY-SA 3.0, 16. WikipediaCommons.com (Public Domain), 15. User Royalbroil on en.wikipedia, WisconsinDellsWisconsinRollercoaster, CC BY-SA 2.5, 14. Coasterman1234 at en.wikipedia, Wicked Twister (Launch), CC BY-SA 3.0, 13. Ronwen1, Carowinds-Fury325Entry, CC BY-SA 4.0, 12. Jeremy Thompson, Takabisha under construction 3, CC BY 2.0, 11. Scion_Cho via flickr. CC by 2.0., 10. Sarah Ackerman via flickr. CC BY 2.0, 9. Craig Lloyd from Fort Wayne, United States, Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point, CC BY 2.0, 8. Coasterman1234 at English Wikipedia, Kingda Ka (Full Layout), CC BY-SA 3.0, 7. Sadmadd, Full view bhrikuti mandap, CC BY-SA 3.0, 6. Nicolas D Kiehle via flickr, CC BY 2.0 (mouths removed),  5. (Stephan) at Flickr, North Korea-Pyongyang-Mangyongdae Funfair-01, CC BY-SA 3.0, 4. Smith, James R., BigDipper-Ride-2, CC BY-SA 3.0, 3. Amingholamali, Amingholamali Eram Park Tehran, CC BY-SA 3.0, 2. WikipediaCommons.com (Public Domain), 1. dbking, Wild One 3, CC BY 2.0