Thrills and spills

Sure, Disneyland and Universal Studios have pretty decent rollercoasters. But if you are looking for adrenaline rides that will keep you at the edge of your seats and beyond, here are some highly recommended rides.

KINGDA KA: SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE (NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES)

Peaking at a height of 139m and running on a 950m track, Kingda Ka is one of the world’s tallest rollercoasters.

The ride’s jungle theme was inspired by a golden tabby Bengal tiger that lived in an adjacent exhibit before being moved to the Safari Off Road Adventure, which is also located at the Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park.

If you can bring yourself to stop screaming for a minute while on the ride, you’ll notice that the track is surrounded by bamboo plants and there is jungle music playing in the background.

On the bright side (depending on how you see it), the ride only lasts 50.6s. It’ll be over before you even have time for regrets.

• Ticket pricing:

Adult: US$69.99 (S$94)

Child (1.4m and below): US$44.99

Website: sixflags.com/greatadventure

THE SMILER: ALTON TOWERS (STAFFORDSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM)

The more commonly known inversions in a roller-coaster ride include the corkscrews and dive loops. But this ride will also turn your world upside down, thanks to features like heartline rolls, sea-serpent rolls and cobra rolls.

This ride holds the Guinness Book of Records for the most number of inversions in a rollercoaster ride to date — 14 to be exact. A key feature of the ride is the large spider-like structure that serves as a centrepoint for the coaster track.

Furthermore, the rollercoaster intertwines within the structure, causing greater interaction with riders to enhance their experience. The track is divided into five block sections, allowing a total of five cars to move on the ride at any one time.

By now, you should probably get the hint not to eat before getting on the ride.

• Ticket pricing:

Adult: £51.60 (S$92.40)

Child: (12 years and below): £45.60

Website: altontowers.com

TAKABISHA: FUJI-Q HIGHLAND AMUSEMENT PARK (TOKYO, JAPAN)

You might want to hold on to your pants for this one, literally. Freefalling at 121° is not something you experience every day. More commonly known as one of the steepest rollercoasters in the world, Takabisha is Japanese for “high-handed” or “domineering”.

The “beyond-vertical” drop is not the only drop you should be worried about, though it’s probably the worst of them all. Across the 1km ride, you will also experience the heartline roll, inverted top hat, banana roll, corkscrew airtime hills, dive loop, inline loop and finally, the Immelmann loop.

Apart from the record-breaking vertical drop, the two-minute ride also comprises sharp 180° turns as well as various loops before coming to a halt.

• Ticket pricing:

Adult: ¥5,700 (S$75.60)

Child: 3-11 years old: ¥4,300;

12-18 years old: ¥5,200

Website: fujiq.jp/en

FORMULA ROSSA: FERRARI WORLD (ABU DHABI, UAE)

Formula Rossa was opened on Nov 4, 2010, and has held the record for being the world’s fastest rollercoaster since. The coaster aims to recreate the Formula One experience for riders. Strapped into F1-shaped trains, riders are launched at a top speed of 240kmh around a 1.3-mile steel track.

Thrillseekers are required to wear safety goggles to protect their eyes from potential impact with airborne particulates or insects — such is the sheer speed of the rollercoaster.

Formula Rossa uses a hydraulic launch system that is comparable to the catapults aircraft carriers use to launch planes off their flight decks. Riders can expect to experience centrifugal forces of up to 4.8Gs during the ride.

• Ticket prices vary, depending on the pass — bronze, silver or gold — you buy.

Adult: AED 250–AED 510 (S$91.30–S$186.30)

Child (1.3m and below): AED 205–AED 425

Website: ferrariworldabudhabi.com

ROLLERCOASTER JARGON

• Heartline roll: A 360° roll.
• Sea-serpent roll: An inversion featuring two vertical loop halves that are connected by two opposite-facing half corkscrews.
• Cobra roll: Made to resemble a cobra’s head, this roll takes the riders upside-down twice.
• Immelmann loop: Riders go through a half-loop and a half-twist then travel in the opposite direction, making a 180° turn.
• Dive loop: The track twists upwards and to the side, then dives to the ground in a half-vertical loop.