While most people think of dolphins and killer whales (Helloi, Shamu!) when it comes to SeaWorld Orlando, roller coasters are another massive draw for the Central Florida theme park. And we mean that literally! Seriously, roller coasters at SeaWorld Orlando boast big-time thrills, with some of them touting titles like the tallest, steepest or fastest coasters in the city or even the state. In other words, for adrenaline junkies in search of their next rush, you can’t do much better than SeaWorld Orlando.
So, if you’re a thrill-seeker heading to SeaWorld for your next Florida vacation, which roller coasters should you add to your travel to-do list? (Spoiler alert: Most of them!) Strap in and hold on tight as we cruise through our ranking of the most thrilling roller coasters at SeaWorld Orlando. Let’s dive in!
What to Know About SeaWorld, the Roller Coaster Capital of Orlando
For most of the world, SeaWorld Orlando may be thought of as only a marine life park made with animal lovers in mind. Roller coaster enthusiasts know the truth, however. Sure, you’ll see a menagerie of aquatic creatures like dolphins, orcas, sea lions, sharks, otters, penguins and more. But this souped-up zoo-meets-aquarium also holds the title of the “Coaster Capital of Orlando”—and that’s saying something, considering that it counts iconic theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort as neighbors.
Before we break down the best roller coasters SeaWorld Orlando has to offer, let’s tackle some frequently asked questions about these heart-pounding thrill rides.
How many roller coasters are at SeaWorld Orlando?
Currently, SeaWorld Orlando is home to seven roller coasters, the most of any single theme park in the city, clinching it the “Coaster Capital of Orlando” title. SeaWorld’s city-wide roller coaster dominance will only be cemented further with the debut of the Penguin Trek family coaster in 2024, bringing the park’s grand total to eight roller coasters. In fact, if you were to go on them all (minus the still-unopened Penguin Track), you would travel almost 4.5 miles across more than 23,900 feet of track. By comparison, Walt Disney World has nine coasters in total across its four theme parks, with five of them in Magic Kingdom Park, while Universal Orlando has seven coasters spread between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
What are the most intense SeaWorld roller coasters Orlando has to offer?
It really depends on what kind of thrills you’re in the mood for. Whether you have a need for speed, can’t get enough of towering heights followed by steep drops, or love high-flying inversions that turn your world upside down, there’s a SeaWorld Orlando roller coaster for everyone.
Tallest
- Mako – 200 ft (61 m)
- Kraken – 149 ft (45 m)
- Manta – 140 ft (43 m)
- Pipeline: The Surf Coaster – 110 ft (34 m)
Fastest
- Mako – 73 mph (117 km/h)
- Kraken – 65 mph (105 km/h)
- Pipeline: The Surf Coaster – 60 mph (97 km/h)
- Manta – 56 mph (90 km/h)
- Ice Breaker – 52 mph (84 km/h)
Biggest Drop
- Mako – 200 ft (61 m)
- Kraken – 144 ft (44 m)
- Manta – 113 ft (34 m)
- Ice Breaker – 93 ft (28 m), the steepest beyond-vertical drop in Florida at 100 degrees
Most Inversions
- Kraken – 7
- Manta – 4
- Pipeline: The Surf Coaster – 1
Most G-Force
- Mako – Negative Gs
- Kraken – 3.9 Gs
- Pipeline: The Surf Coaster – 3.9 Gs
- Manta – 3.7 Gs
Are there good SeaWorld roller coasters for families with kids?
As you can probably tell from those stats above, SeaWorld Orlando is no slouch in terms of high-thrill coasters. That said, a few of these popular rides can be too intimidating for some parkgoers. Or for families with young children, they might be out of reach for kiddos that don’t meet the ride height requirement. Fortunately, even pint-sized daredevils can get in on the adrenaline-fueled fun, thanks to a few family-friendly attractions.
Super Grover’s Box Car Derby is the one and only kiddie coaster in the park, with easygoing twists and turns, a starring turn by the loveable blue Muppet from Sesame Street and a height requirement of only 38 inches. Alternatively, little ones looking to take things up a notch might want to give Journey to Atlantis, Penguin Trek (set to open in 2024), Ice Breaker, Pipeline: The Surf Coaster or Manta a try, with each leveling up the intensity. Journey to Atlantis, SeaWorld Orlando’s water coaster, and the soon-to-open Penguin Trek, which will be the park’s highly themed family coaster, are the perfect stepping stones for aspiring thrill-seekers, combining exciting moments with an immersive storyline. The height restrictions for each are also on the lower end of things at only 42 inches, while Ice Breaker follows closely behind at 48 inches. (For more, check out our complete list of SeaWorld Orlando ride height requirements.)
And don’t worry if the height restrictions for everything other than Super Grover’s Box Car Derby are out of reach for your tiny tot or if the coasters are too intense for a thrill-averse guest in your group. Those who are tall and brave enough can still experience these popular rides without an additional wait by utilizing SeaWorld Orlando’s free child swap service. After the first person goes on, all you need to do as you get off the roller coaster is let the ride attendant know that you would like to do a rider switch. They will give you a child swap pass, allowing the other riders in your party to go on without having to go all the way through the ride’s standby line again.
Can you take bags on roller coasters at SeaWorld Orlando?
For safety purposes, no loose items are allowed on roller coasters at SeaWorld Orlando, whether that’s a cell phone, a purse or a bag of souvenirs. Along with having someone in your party who isn’t riding hold onto it for you, you also have a couple of different options for how you can stash your stuff. First, open storage containers are available on the unload side of the roller coasters, where you can keep your things just while you ride. However, these cubbies are unsecured without locks, so you might not want to risk it if you’re carrying something valuable.
Next, there are also a few different kinds of lockers throughout the park. Larger lockers for all-day use can be found near the park entrance. Alternatively, for those who prefer to keep their belongings close by during the day, smaller lockers are also located near select attractions. You can either rent these on a single-use ($2 for two hours) or a multi-use basis ($10 for the day) if you would prefer to move your items from ride to ride.
Are there test seats at SeaWorld Orlando?
Yes! If you’re here reading this, then you already know that going on a roller coaster can be a ton of fun. That said, for some people, they can also be really uncomfortable (or potentially even impossible to ride due to the design of the attraction’s seats, particularly taller individuals or those with a larger body type. Rather than forcing folks to wait in a long line only to find out that they won’t be able to fit safely or comfortably, causing potential embarrassment in the process, test seats are available outside the queue for rides with restrictive seating, saving people both time and stress. Pre-ride sample seats are available outside of the following SeaWorld Orlando coasters:
- Ice Breaker
- Kraken
- Mako
- Manta
- Pipeline: The Surf Coaster
Be forewarned that seating on Journey to Atlantis might also be restrictive for some riders. However, test seats are not available.
Which SeaWorld Orlando coasters have Quick Queue?
Without a doubt, one of the worst parts of going to a theme park like SeaWorld Orlando is having to wait in line for a long time for a ride. Luckily, those who would rather not stick it out in line can skip it altogether by upgrading their visit with Quick Queue. SeaWorld Orlando’s version of FastPass or the Lightning Lanes at Disney World or the Express Pass at Universal Orlando, Quick Queue allows riders to get to the fun even faster by using separate shorter lines that typically have much shorter wait times.
At SeaWorld Orlando, Quick Queue is available in four different options, with each offering unlimited priority access to select rides within the park, including all of the roller coasters aside from Super Grover’s Box Car Derby. Pricing for Quick Queue starts at $14.99 for the most basic option and goes up from there, increasing in price depending on the access given or what day you visit. In general, SeaWorld Orlando Quick Queue prices are higher on busy days like weekends or during periods like spring break, summer or the holidays. (Check out our Quick Queue guide for all of the details.)
All the SeaWorld Orlando Roller Coasters Ranked
And now, the part that you’ve all been waiting for: Our ranking of the best roller coasters at SeaWorld Orlando for thrill-seekers. From here on out, we’ll be breaking down all of the thrills and chills each of these pulse-racing SeaWorld coasters has to offer throughout the ride journey, including their top speed and max height at the peak, as well as other aspects like ride duration and track length. We’ll also include any height restrictions so you can gauge if a ride is right for you and your crew.
For this list, SeaWorld coasters are ranked from least to most thrilling, from the kid-friendly fun of Super Grover’s Box Car Derby to the blazing-fast thrills of Mako. Of course, all of our rankings are completely subjective. Because, as they say, thrill level is in the eye of the beholder (or something like that). Anyway, pull down on your lap bar and let’s get started!
8. Super Grover’s Box Car Derby
Originally known as the Shamu Express, Super Grover’s Box Car Derby is the only kiddie coaster at SeaWorld Orlando. Located in Sesame Street Land, this kid-friendly roller coaster now features theming inspired by Grover, the cuddly blue monster from Sesame Street. Just as mellow as the beloved show itself, with some easygoing twists, turns and drops, the ride is an excellent introductory coaster.
Top Speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
Max Height: 31 ft (9.5 m)
Duration: 1 minute, 12 seconds
Track Length: 800 ft (240 m)
Height Restriction: At least 38 inches (96.5 cm); riders between 38 inches and 41 inches (104.1 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion
7. Journey to Atlantis
A SeaWorld Orlando staple since 1998, Journey to Atlantis is one of the park’s original thrill rides. Part roller coaster, part dark ride and part water ride, Journey to Atlantis incorporates the best of both into one truly iconic ride. Three roller-coaster-style chain-lift hills and two soaking-wet splashdowns, one following a chilling 60-foot drop, bring the thrill-ride fun. Meanwhile, immersive dark ride elements transport guests into the lost city of legend, where you will encounter a blacklight-lit forest, Atlantis’ ancient architecture and possibly even a siren or two along the way.
Top Speed: 50 mph (80.5 km/h)
Max Height: 100 ft (30 m)
Duration: 5 minutes, 56 seconds
Track Length: 1,800 ft (549 m)
Height Restriction: At least 42 inches (106.7 cm); guests between 42 inches and 48 inches (121.9 cm) must be accompanied by a supervising companion
6. Penguin Trek (Coming 2024!)
Venture across the frozen tundra of Antarctica on a snowmobile ride during this adventurous family coaster. Making its debut in 2024, Penguin Trek will see guests set out on a wilderness expedition in search of penguins, traversing both outdoor settings and indoor dark ride scenes, which will use special effects and multimedia to immerse riders in an arctic environment. Filled with educational elements, guests will start their icy voyage at an arctic research base before finishing the experience in SeaWorld Orlando’s penguin habitat. Similar to Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, this all-new story coaster will keep the excitement coming with two heart-racing launches. Best of all, at only a minimum of 42 inches (only four inches more than Super Grover’s Box Car Derby), the height requirement is easily obtainable for many kids.
Top Speed: 43 mph (69 km/h)
Max Height: Unknown
Duration: Just over 3 minutes
Track Length: 3,020 ft (920.5 m)
Height Restriction: At least 42 inches (106.7 cm) but less than 77 inches (195.6 cm)
5. Ice Breaker
Nestled near SeaWorld Orlando’s Wild Arctic area, the park’s Ice Breaker roller coaster takes its name from the icy summits of the Frozen North. The first launch coaster in the park, Ice Breaker boasts not one, not two, but four airtime-filled launches. Catapulting riders both forward and backward, the final reverse launch on this arctic adventure sends thrill-seekers soaring high in the air before careening down the steepest beyond-vertical drop in the state, a 100-degree-angle, 93-foot-tall spike. After that, the chills continue with a near-vertical, 80-foot-tall tophat followed by even more rip-roaring twists and airtime hills. Wait times can get pretty long for Ice Breaker, making this a great option for Quick Queue.
Top Speed: 52 mph (84 km/h)
Max Height: 93 ft (28 m)
Duration: 1 minute, 20 seconds
Track Length: 1,900 ft (580 m)
Height Restriction: At least 48 inches (121.9 cm); guests between 48″ and 54″ (137.2 cm) in height must be accompanied by a supervising companion
4. Pipeline: The Surf Coaster
For a totally tubular ride you can’t experience anywhere else, don’t miss Pipeline: The Surf Coaster. The newest roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando (at least until Penguin Trek opens), Pipeline is the world’s first and only surf coaster. Yup! Just like the name suggests, this SeaWorld roller coaster lets riders feel like they’re hanging ten on a gnarly wave, thanks to the ride’s stand-up seats. But these aren’t just any seats. They’re dynamic stand-up seats that give the sensation of riding a wave, taking airtime to a whole new level—especially since you can add in extra airtime moments even when you aren’t going over a hill. If that doesn’t already have you stoked, then Pipeline’s high-speed launch up 110 feet and an inversion definitely will.
Top Speed: 60 mph (97 km/h)
Max Height: 110 ft (34 m)
Duration: 1 minute, 50 seconds
Track Length: 2,950 ft (900 m)
Height Restriction: At least 54 inches (137.2 cm) but less than 78 inches (198.1 cm)
3. Manta
With wingspans of as much as 29 feet, manta rays are truly majestic marine animals. They’re also the inspiration behind Manta, one of the most enduringly popular rides at SeaWorld Orlando. The only flying roller coaster in the Sunshine State, Manta mimics the feeling of a giant ray soaring through the ocean. After all, swimming is kind of like flying through the water—only with a head-first 113-foot nosedive face down and four inversions, including a 98-foot-tall pretzel loop. In short, Manta is awesome and not just one of the best roller coasters in SeaWorld Orlando, but one of the best rides in the park, period. Is it as thrilling as Kraken or Mako? Not quite, but wow, the feeling of flying over the park does take your breath away. Our recommendation? Ride in the front or back row for an experience you won’t forget.
Top Speed: 56 mph (90 km/h)
Max Height: 140 ft (43 m)
Duration: 2 minutes, 36 seconds
Track Length: 3,359 ft (1,024 m)
Height Restriction: At least 54 inches (137.2 cm)
2. Kraken
If it’s intensity you’re looking for, then you definitely won’t want to miss Kraken. Opened in 2000 as Florida’s first floorless roller coaster, this monster attraction is still the only one of its kind in Orlando. As you might expect of a roller coaster named after a legendary sea creature, Kraken takes guests on a truly wild ride. After a pulse-racing 144-foot drop, riders hurtle into a towering 128-foot-tall vertical loop before leading into six other inversions, including a zero-go spiraling camelback roll. The final subterranean dive even barrels right through the beast’s lair before a grand corkscrew finale. It’s just about as scream-worthy as it gets when it comes to SeaWorld Orlando rides. Sure, it might feel a little rough at times, but that just adds to the thrill.
Top Speed: 65 mph (105 km/h)
Max Height: 149 ft (45 m)
Duration: 2 minutes, 2 seconds
Track Length: 4,177 ft (1,273 m)
Height Restriction: At least 54 inches (137.2 cm)
1. Mako
This one is for all the speed demons out there. The tallest, longest and, most importantly, fastest roller coaster in Orlando, Mako is a hyper coaster inspired by the fastest shark in the world, which can hit speeds of as much as 46 miles per hour. Mako, however, is even faster, with high speeds of more than 70 miles per hour. The ride’s in-and-out track takes inspiration from the titular shark’s movements, offering up twists, turns and plenty of airtime along a silky-smooth steel track. Only instead of reefs and harbors, the hunting ground for this SeaWorld Orlando roller coaster is 200 feet in the air, much of it (appropriately) over water. While you won’t scream your way through any inversions, the roller coaster does hurtle over seven airtime hills, including one that will have you rising out of your seat for a jaw-dropping 4.3 seconds. It’s intense. It’s exciting. And not only is it the best roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando, but according to USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2023, it’s also the best roller coaster in the entire country.
Top Speed: 73 mph (117 km/h)
Max Height: 200 ft (61 m)
Duration: 2 minutes, 18 seconds
Track Length: 4,760 ft (1,450 m)
Height Restriction: At least 54 inches (137.2 cm)
Well, daredevils, that brings our roundup of the best SeaWorld Orlando roller coasters to its thrilling conclusion. Which roller coaster is your favorite to ride? Journey to Atlantis? Manta? Let us know in the comments! Then, find out how you can save on your next visit with our discount SeaWorld tickets. You can buy tickets at a discount for Discovery Cove and Aquatica, too!
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