At Japan’s Fuji-Q Highland Park is the “world’s fastest accelerating roller coaster” Do-Dodonpa, which reportedly can launch riders from 0-112 mph in 1.56 seconds, which they call “super-death speed”. Personally I’d love to ride something that claims to hit “super-death speed”. That kind of acceleration is around 3 G’s, which is about what astronauts feel at launch. I’ve ridden Kingda Ka at Six Flags in New Jersey which was the world’s fastest and tallest coaster when it was opened in 2005, and goes from 0-128 mph in 3.5 seconds. And that felt like it was going to knock me out it was so hard core.
Now in Japan recently up to 6 riders have claimed back and neck fractures from their coaster’s acceleration. Those claims are being investigated since they are the only claims of injuries since the ride opened in 2001. More than likely the injuries are from riders not following ride instructions, like keeping your head and pack against the seat so you don’t get knocked into it when it launches. And they launch hard too. If you’re not ready for it, or are sitting weird, they can really mess you up.
But this coaster is far from the fastest one out there. That record is currently held by the Formula Rossa at Ferrari World (yes there’s an entire amusement park dedicated to Ferrari) in the United Arab Emirates. Formula Rossa launches you from 0-149 mph in just around 4.9 seconds. And its also on my list of coasters to ride.
However a new fastest coaster champ is already being developed for Six Flags Qiddiya, which is just outside the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. “Falcon’s Flight” is reportedly being designed to be the fastest, tallest, and longest coaster in the world reaching up to 155 mph over 2.5 miles of track with a 525 foot drop off a cliff into a canyon and I am so there! Anybody got enough airline miles to get me to Saudi Arabia? One way is fine, I’ll hitch my way back.
Now since we live in the theme park capital of the world, I’m looking at you Busch Gardens, Sea World, Disney, and Universal to make the next great coaster in America!
Check out videos of both Do-Dodonpa and Kingda Ka, and a computer animated video of what Falcon’s Flight will look like when it opens in 2023.
Here’s Do-Dodonpa:
Here’s Kingda Ka:
And here’s Ferrari World’s Formula Rossa:
Here’s Falcon’s Flight:
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