The Best Roller Coasters for the Worst Faces

There are two types of people in the world: the kind who find extreme pleasure in screaming their lungs out on thrilling roller coasters, and the kind who absolutely do not. In either personality there is one thing in common: the face that is made when the camera clicks your picture going down that first intimidating drop. Your cheeks will flatten against your face as if melting from the force of the air, your eyes find it hard to do much more than squint against the wind, and your mouth will undoubtedly be in a full battle between hiding those screams you’re trying to contain and smiling up to your ears from excitement. If you’re looking for a fun-filled day full of some of your worst faces and best memories, look no further than this list of the best roller coasters for the worst faces!

 

El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure - New Jersey

The number one ranked wooden roller coaster in the U.S. is hands down El Toro, featuring the third tallest point and second highest drop height of any coaster in the nation. This intense 1 minute and 42 second ride features a 180 foot first drop and guarantees plenty of air time throughout! The top speed of this coaster is 70 mph, making it the second fastest wooden ride in the nation and also features a chain lift up the first daunting hill. This 2006 ride is located in the Plaza Del Carnaval at the park and gives you a true sense of ‘The Bull’ with horns attached to the front train, wagon wheels strewn about, and a plaza theme throughout your ride (that is if you can manage to keep your eyes open to look around!).

Goliath - Six Flags Great America - Illinois

The Goliath is another wooden coaster, known for having the longest and steepest drop of any other wooden coaster in the world. This topper track features stacks of wood and reaches speeds of 72 mph, winning the fastest wooden coaster award. The infamous first drop is 180 feet as well, but this time is at a 85 degree angle. This coaster features two zero-gravity areas and two inversions. The ride lasts a very quick 100 seconds and can seat 24 passengers per train, featuring 2 trains. Make sure you hold on tight for this gladiator themed thrill ride!

Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion - Virginia

This Dale Earnhardt inspired steel coaster is an eye popping 305 feet tall and features over 5,000 feet of track. Reaching 90 mph, this ride has earned its way to the top 10 roller coasters in the whole world. The Intimidator features the biggest drop height as well as highest top speed of its kind.The drop takes place on an 85 degree angle as well. This coaster makes the rider experience extreme G-forces that are sometimes referred to as ‘gray out’ areas in which the rider is known to get minorly light headed. The Intimidator is known for its excellent banking ability and will be sure to contort your face to its extremes! 

Kingda Ka - Six Flags Great Adventure - New Jersey

Are you ready for the world’s tallest coaster? Sitting at an impressive (and terrifying) 456 feet, Kingda Ka at Six Flags in New Jersey owns the bragging rights to the world’s fastest drop. Reaching speeds of up to 128 mph straight out of the gates in just 3.5 seconds, the coaster’s name comes from a species of Bengal Tiger, the most fierce of its kind. Kingda Ka uses a steel accelerator and is the second ever strata coaster to feature a hydraulic launch. Get ready for face melting speeds as you twist up the 456 foot track, and then come backwards into another break neck pace piece of track. Don’t blink or you might miss this 28 second ride that has been breaking records since its inception in 2005.

Fury 325 - Carowinds - North Carolina

This hornet inspired steel coaster reaches a maximum height of 325 feet, making it the tallest and fastest giga coaster (a coaster ranging from 300-400 feet in height) and the fifth tallest coaster overall. This coaster uses a chain lift and reaches speeds of up to 95 mph, culminating its first drop at 81 degrees. The most terrifying/exciting aspect of this coaster is the buildup of anticipation as you are slowly lifted up the first drop. The next 60 seconds sends you through several high speed curves, twists, and turns and even takes your train above and below the park’s main entrance sign, producing an exciting coaster experience unlike any other.

Millennium Force - Cedar Point - Ohio

This steel coaster broke six world records when it first came out in 2000, and has since kept the title of the 3rd longest coaster in the world with 6,595 feet of track. Lasting 2 minutes and 20 seconds, this coaster was the world's first giga coaster, sitting at 310 feet. This coaster features a 300 foot drop as well as a 45 degree drop angle and careens its riders 93 mph into two tunnels, three over-banked turns, and four stomach dropping hills. Though most of its original records have been long surpassed the Millennium Force still remains in the top 10 of tallest and fastest coasters in the nation. This coaster has also been voted the number one steel coaster nine times now, five times as second! Get your face ready for this classic thrill ride!

Bizarro - Six Flags New England - Massachusetts

Featuring a one mile long track and a 221 foot drop, this mega coaster is the other steel coaster in the nation that has been fighting for number one, receiving number two the nine years Millennium Force got first and number one the five years it got second. Created in 2000, this superman inspired ride is located in the DC Superhero Adventure section of the park and actually used to go by the name of Superman: Ride of Steel. The coaster reaches speeds of up to 77 mph and uses a chain lift to take you down the first 72 degree angled drop. The ride lasts 2 minutes and 35 seconds and allows the rider experience a 3.6 g-force.

The Mamba - Worlds of Fun - Missouri

This coaster is included for its thrill factor mixed with it’s age, a coaster created in 1998 that hasn’t stopped causing horrible faces since its inception. The Mamba, named such after the vicious snake, features 5,600 feet of track, a 205 foot drop, and speeds of up to 75 mph. The ride lasts a full three minutes and twists its riders through five camelback bumps and an impressive 580 degree helix after the first hill. This hyper coaster is the sixth longest in the nation and gives you an excellent backdrop of downtown Kansas City.  Don’t worry, the staff will show you the ridiculous face you make on the two tallest hills once your ride is over!