That feeling of your stomach jumping into your throat, the slap of wind hitting your face and the rush of the free-fall. Now that the school year is over, crowds are flocking to theme parks to get their summer thrills.
Travel Channel’s series “Insane Coaster Wars” returns for a third season Sunday night, highlighting the fastest, scariest, most death-defying rides.
Here’s a look at the most scream-worthy attractions in the world:
Gravity Max, Lihpao Land Discovery World, Taiwan
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The ride slowly inches up a 114-foot lift before stopping at the top just long enough to unleash a family of butterflies in your stomach. Then, suddenly, the track breaks off, flipping down 90 degrees to align with the 34-story verticle drop. It’s the only “tilting” roller coaster of its kind in the world.
Full Throttle, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, Calif.
This is a brand-new, stark-white steel roller coaster that boasts the world’s tallest vertical loop at 160 feet. No slow start to get your footing here — the ride launches out of the station at 66 miles per hour in less than 5 seconds and goes right into the record-breaking loop.
Iron Rattler, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio, Texas
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Part wood, part steel, this ride is the first of its kind to flip passengers with a terrifying barrel roll.
Kingda Ka, Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
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At 456 feet, this is the tallest coaster in the world. A face-distorting 128 miles per hour acceleration paired with the dizzying height will take your breath away.
Wicked Twister, Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
The world’s largest suspended-impulse coaster looks like something out of a nightmare.
Formula Rossa, Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. This is the fastest roller coaster in the world — covering 1.3 miles in 90 seconds.
Takabisha, Fuji-Q Highland theme park, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan
Not for the weak of heart, this ride has a stomach-turning 121-foot drop, which is the steepest in the world.