Who doesn’t love the exhilarating sensations of boarding a rollercoaster? With eyewatering speeds, tummy-trembling drops and devilish heights, there are no other feelings which compare to boarding these adrenaline-filled experiences. Rollercoasters are some of the most expensive attractions enjoyed around the world. Investors budget heavily to design, produce, and maintain a coaster, as well as ensuring safety and entertainment is up to the highest standard. Here are the world’s five priciest coasters to date..
(Spoiler alert, some do reach NINE figures!)
5. Millennium Force $25 Million
Located at Cedar Wood Amusement Park, Ohio US, steel rollercoaster Millennium Force broke a staggering six world records upon completion in 2000. This included being the world’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster for a short period of time. The steel coaster, manufactured by Intamin, includes a 300-foot drop, high speeds of 93mph (150km/h) and three overbanked turns. 1300 daredevils can take to the Millennium Force seats in a single hour.
4. Thunder Dolphin – $37 Million
With the track running extremely close to buildings and through Tokyo Dome City’s Ferris wheel, Thunder Dolphin gives riders thrilling sensations of a light bird flying through the city’s sky. The coaster offers high speeds and steep inclines, as well as a tummy-churning drop of 80 degrees, which experts suggest feels similar to free-falling. Adrenaline-junkies can also enjoy panoramic views over the breath-taking Tokyo landscape.
Gazing at Steel Dragon 2000 is enough to make anyone weak at the knees and that is even before boarding Japan’s most-famous 318-foot coaster. When launched 20 years ago, Steel Dragon 2000, manufactured by D.H. Morgan, smashed several world records and still remains as the world’s longest ride, with a track length of 2479 metres. Speeds reach a spine-tingling 95mph (153km/h), with dare-devils enjoying one of the world’s fastest lift hills and toe-curling drops. Would you be brave enough to ride?
2. Expedition Everest $100 Million
With six years of planning and construction by Walt Disney Imagineering and Vekoma, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain was the first rollercoaster to cost a hefty nine figure sum. In terms of speed and height, Expedition Everest isn’t as anything special as the other coasters on our list. However, the multi-sensory experience the attraction immerses guests on is what makes it stand out from the rest. Enjoy a tour around the Himalayas before eventually climbing the mighty Everest. Riders also experience front and backwards motions within the exhilarating journey on the Disney World Orlando coaster.
1. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – $300 Million
Located in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, Orlando, this incredible rollercoaster is jam-packed with multi-sensory motions and visuals which can be enjoyed by all age groups. ‘Muggles’ will encounter some of the film’s famous characters and magical creatures, as they take a ride on Hagrid’s iconic motorbike. Attention to detail was second-to-none during production, with 1000 trees planted alone just to create the Forbidden Forest. It did come at jaw-dropping price though, beating the world’s previous most expensive rollercoaster by an eyewatering $200 million.
In other theme park news, Alton Towers is launching a new Oktoberfest event.
