Although most of the world’s most renowned roller coasters are located in North America, there are a handful of overseas thrills I’d love to experience.
As I approach a total of 100 roller coasters on my lifetime credit list, I started to think about all of the roller coasters that have intrigued me for years that I’ve yet to get a chance to ride.
From newer coasters at Cedar Point to parks like Dollywood and Busch Gardens Tampa that remain unvisited by me, there are still countless roller coasters just within American borders that I’d love to experience a ride on.
Yet roller coasters are far from being confined to one continent, with several of the world’s most sought-after coasters being located overseas despite the overwhelming density of theme parks in the U.S.
Attention to international coasters has seen an increase within the past year following the opening of Falcons Flight at Six Flags Qiddiya in Saudi Arabia, which is the world’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster by significant margins.
While I personally have no interest in funding a totalitiarian regime that is trying everything from sports to comedy to sanctify their image, there are scores of other overseas coasters that have caught my eye and made their way onto my bucket list.
There are roller coasters on every inhabited continent on the planet, including often overlooked roller coasters that can be found throughout South America and Africa – with the world’s highest G-force on a roller coaster found on Tower of Terror at Gold Reef City in South Africa.
With the world’s most notable coaster manufacturers now having a presence that spans the globe, there are seemingly endless options when it comes to incorporating coasters into an international trip.
Although I could probably come up with at least a dozen overseas coasters that I’d love to ride, this abbreviated list takes into consideration the theme park and location the coaster is located in as well.
1. Zadra – Energylandia (Zator, Poland)
Located in what is now the amusement park with the most roller coasters in the world, Zadra stands tall as one of the park’s signature attractions, reaching heights of 206 feet with a vertical first drop that reaches top speeds of 75 miles per hour.
Often compared to Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa by American enthusiasts, Zadra offers a classic Rocky Mountain Construction layout in what was the first I-Box coaster built from the ground up, as opposed to using an existing wooden structure as is the case with many American RMC coasters.
Including three inversions and packed with airtime, Zadra appears to be an ideal encapsulation of what RMC coasters have become known for – intensity, fast elements and seamless inversions that come together in a smooth, harmonious experience.
To add to the appeal, Zadra is one of just 19 coasters at Energylandia, guaranteeing at least a day packed full of rides. Those ascending the coaster’s lift hill will also be treated to picturesque views of the quaint countryside of southern Poland, providing a view far different than that seen at most American parks.
2. Steel Dragon 2000 – Nagashima Spa Land (Kuwana, Mie, Japan)
Briefly the world’s tallest and fastest coaster upon its opening, Steel Dragon 2000 remained the world’s longest roller coaster until the opening of Falcons Flight last December – leaving it truly in a class of its own.
Reaching heights of 318 feet while giving fantastic views overlooking the nearby Ise Bay, Steel Dragon 2000 takes a 307-foot plunge while reaching speeds of 95 miles per hour – still tied for the fastest in the world for a roller coaster with a traditional lift hill.
Traversing a total of 8,133 feet, Steel Dragon 2000 differs from the scores of coasters where you’re getting off seemingly seconds after being strapped into your seat. This coaster looks to be a true novel experience, a ride built to grandiose proportions while still relying on traditional elements and a typical out-and-back layout, differing from the launch-heavy record-breakers of today.
The coaster also takes up a massive footprint within the park, delivering great vantage points of the surrounding water and resort, with plenty more to do at Nagashima Spa Land outside of the historic coaster that served up its first thrills over 26 years ago.
In addition to 11 other roller coasters and a pair of water rides, Nagashima Spa Land boasts multiple hotels, a shopping mall and a hot springs complex, offering plenty to make a trip out of for those traveling to south Japan, with the park located around 25 miles away from the city center of Nagoya.
3. Oblivion – Alton Towers (Staffordshire, England, UK)
A brief but thrilling ride that delivers on its novelty, Oblivion was the very first dive coaster built from Bolliger & Mabillard, remaining a classic ride at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England.
Perhaps the premier theme park in all of the United Kingdom, Alton Towers is incredibly unique due to local regulations that prohibit roller coasters from ascending above the treeline in an effort to preserve the surrounding views of the English countryside.
Therefore, manufacturers and designers had to get pretty creative when it comes to delivering rides that are still thrilling, and Oblivion is the perfect example of taking advantage of the limited vertical real estate.
Despite only reaching a height of 65 feet, Oblivion plunges 180 feet into an underground tunnel, delivering a drop far beyond what would be possible with staying above ground. Reaching speeds of 68 miles per hour while also administering up to 4.5 G-force, the coaster packs in a great deal of intensity in a very short window of active ride time.
While dive coasters are much larger, faster and varied today, Oblivion remains a treasure for its primitive but adventurous interpretation of the format – with basic elements that are enhanced by a unique feature that makes the ride a one-of-a-kind experience over 28 years after serving up its first thrills.
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