Lucas Beaumont
1. The Voyage, United States: Approximately two kilometers long, The Voyage, has been rated the best roller coaster in the world for the past three years by the ‘Amusement Today’ magazine. The Voyage takes the traditional wooden roller coasters to their limits; it among the three fastest and longest roller coasters in the world. There are also five underground tunnels in the ride, which is a world record. The roller coaster opened in May 2006 and it is located in the Holiday World amusement park in the American state of Indiana.
2. Boulder Dash, United States: This largest and fastest roller coaster on the East Coast, the United States, was also the first to be built completely on a mountainside. Opened in 2000, this wooden roller coaster doesn’t amuse using tricks; its main attractiveness lies in a very long and enjoyable ride; when it runs at over 96 km/h it seems to fly over the large rocks and tall trees. The coaster is especially for the outdoor-loving persons.
3. El Toro, United States: Designed by Intamin AG of Switzerland, El Toro (which means ‘the Bull’ in Spanish) was the first roller coaster to use a cable lift hill when it opened on 11 June 2006. El Toro is located in the Mexican section of Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in Jackson Township in New Jersey. El Toro is a 55 m tall roller coaster with a maximum speed of 110 km/h in a ride that lasts for 95 seconds.
4. Phoenix, United States: This amazing roller coaster has a fantastic history. It was originally built in 1947 for the Playland Park in San Antonio and was known as The Rocket back then. It was closed in 1980 only to be rejuvenated later in 1984 when Dick Knoebel bought ‘The Rocket’, reconstructed it and relocated it to its present location in Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Its classic looks are still preserved.
5. Thunderhead, United States: The roller coaster is considered the main attraction of the ‘Thunderhead Gap’ section in the Dollywood amusement park in Tennessee. It was opened on 3 April 2004 and boasts of 32 crossovers and 22 turns. Thunderhead is the first roller coaster in the world to feature a station flyby. Constructed at the cost of seven million US dollars, the wooden roller coaster is capable of achieving a speed of approximately 90 km/h in rides lasting for two minutes.
6. Ravine Flyer II, United States: Ranked by the Amusement Today magazine as the best new ride of 2008, Ravine Flyer II replaced its Ravine Flyer in 2008. It is located in the Waldameer Park, an amusement park, in Pennsylvania. The coaster is 25 m in height and its 35 m drop is the tallest in the state.
7. The Beast, United States: Opened in 1979, The Beast is sprawls over 35 acres and is the longest roller coaster in the United States. Even after 30 years, it is still one of the main attractions at the Kings Island amusement park. The duration of the ride is 250 seconds and it touches the speeds of around 65 mph. The coaster has also developed a cult like following among some of its enthusiasts.
8. The Prowler, United States: Constructed at a cost of US $8 million, the roller coaster at the amusement park Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri, made its debut in May 2009.
9. Hades, United States: Located in the Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, the Hades roller coaster was opened on 14 May 2005. This amazing roller coaster runs through two underground tunnels, one of which is the longest in the world. This wooden coaster is capable of achieving the speeds of 110 km/h and is 41 m tall.
10. The Shivering Timbers, United States: Opened on May 1998, the roller coaster was introduced to public on the 30th anniversary of the park. The 38 meter tall roller coaster has a top speed of 92 km/h and it is located in the Muskegon County in Michigan.
