The Ultimate Giga Coaster Guide | Everything You Need to Know
Many different types of roller coasters can be found at theme parks, with each one giving riders a completely different experience.
In this guide, we will explain what a Giga Coaster is, who invented the term, and which theme parks have Giga Coaster rides.
What is a Giga Coaster?
Giga Coasters are roller coasters that stand between 300 and 399 feet tall that also complete a full circuit, with riders ending up back where they started the ride.
The term "Giga coaster" was created by Cedar Fair in 2000 to describe their coaster Millennium Force, which was set to open at Cedar Point at the time.
Millennium Force debuted as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, with a height of 310 feet and a top speed of 93 mph.
Although Giga coasters have become an extremely popular attraction at theme parks, they are still rare as there are only seven Giga coasters in operation around the world with four being located in the US.
What is the Largest Giga Coaster in the US?
The largest Giga coaster in the United States is Fury 325 located at Carowinds in North Carolina.
Known for its intense airtime, Fury 325 is a steel roller coaster that stands 325 feet tall (earning its name), reaches speeds up to 95 mph, spans an impressive 6,602 feet, and lasts around 3 minutes.
Riders on Fury 325 will also experience weightlessness and rapid movements from side to side.
Fury 325 is one of the best rides at Carowinds and is a must-ride for roller coaster enthusiasts.
Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, Fury 325 opened to the public on March 28, 2015.
Where Are the Giga Coasters Located in the United States?
Giga coasters can be found at many Cedar Fair Park Locations including:
- Kings Island - Orion
- Cedar Point - Millennium Force
- Kings Dominion - Intimidator 305
- Carowinds - Fury 325
Orion at Kings Island
Orion is a 300-foot-tall coaster reaching speeds of 91 miles per hour, making it Kings Island's tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster.
Having recently opened in 2020, it also happens to be the newest Giga Coaster in the world, which we'll cover more below.
Millennium Force at Cedar Point
Millennium Force opened in 2000 and was the first coaster to break the 300-foot barrier.
For 3 years it held the record as the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster.
Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion
Intimidator 305 is a 305-foot-tall coaster that features a 300-foot drop and reaches speeds of up to 90 mph, quickly living up to its name.
Giga Coasters Located Outside of the US
Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land in Japan
Known as the world's longest roller coaster, measuring 8,133 feet in length, Steel Dragon also stands 318 feet tall and reaches insane speeds of up to 95 miles per hour.
Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland in Ontario, Canada
Leviathan is a steel roller coaster that will climb riders up 306 feet to reach the highest peak in the park, only to then take them through a steep 80-degree drop while also reaching speeds of up to 92 miles per hour.
Leviathan was designed by Werner Stengel and built by Bolliger & Mabillard and opened in 2012.
What is the Newest Giga Coaster?
Having opened in 2020, Orion is the newest Giga Coaster that stands at a height of 287 feet and reaches a top speed of up to 91 miles per hour.
As one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the world, Orion also features a 300-foot initial drop and several airtime hills.
If that's not enough, riders will experience a total of 8 moments of weightlessness throughout the ride.
Orion was manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), a Swiss roller coaster design firm.
Planning and bringing Orion to life was no easy feat for Cedar Fair, as it took around two years and cost around $30 million in total.
However, this effort proved to pay off as Orion has quickly become one of the most popular rides at Kings Island.
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