If you’re an adrenaline junkie, it’s likely that you’ve braved all manner of theme park rides over the years. Towering roller coasters, plunging drop towers and soaking-wet rides are all on offer – but would you dare to ride these five extreme attractions? Each of them takes thrill-seeking to a new level – and in some cases, have been proven to be genuinely dangerous.
5. Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom (Six Flags Magic Mountain, California)
Lex Luthor is one of Superman’s leading “bad guys”, and it truly would take an evil genius to dream up a ride like Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom. Standing at a ridiculous 415 feet tall, this drop tower is attached to the side of the Superman: Escape from Krypton roller coaster, enabling the two enemies to do battle.
It’ll take you some 95 seconds to be dragged to the top of the tower, giving you plenty of time to take in one of the most amazing views on offer from any theme park ride in the world. You’ll probably be a bit preoccupied, though, think about the extraordinary 400-foot drop that is to follow, which will see you hit a top speed of an incredible 85 miles per hour. Don’t eat lunch before riding this one!
4. X-Scream (Stratosphere Tower, Las Vegas)
If you suffer from a fear of heights, then X-Scream is even more of a challenge than Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom. Standing at the top of the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas, it is more than 866 feet above the ground below. It is essentially a torture device for those with vertigo, and consists of a 69-foot straight piece of roller coaster track.
After boarding the open-top car, you’ll watch in horror as the track tilts downwards and sends you flying out over the edge of the tower. Will it catch you at the end before you plummet the your doom? You better hope so!
3. Nothing’ But Net (Zero Gravity Thrill Amusement Park, Texas)
The concept of Nothing’ But Net is simple, but so, so cruel! After being suspended some 100 feet in the air, you’ll be dropped down into a suspended net. This is taking bungee jumping to a new level…
Fortunately, a harness is in place to ensure that you’ll land safely on your back. But do you really trust it?
2. Cannonball Loop (Action Park, New Jersey)
Here’s one ride that you sadly won’t be able to take on any more. In infamous Action Park in New Jersey was the scene of at least six deaths. Surprisingly, none of them came at the hands of the truly ridiculous Cannonball Loop – perhaps because it was shut down almost immediately.
After flying down a steep slope, riders on this water slide would be sent through a ludicrously tight vertical loop. If they didn’t weigh enough, they could expect to fall to the bottom, probably sustaining a nasty bump in the process. Would you have braved it?
1. Human Trebuchet (Middlemoor Water park, England)
The concept of the Human Trebuchet at Middlemoor Water Park in Somerset, England was simple. A version of the medieval siege warfare machine was used to sling humans into a giant net, which would catch them safely.
Unfortunately, the ride proved to be less safe in practice. In December 2002 a student fell short of the net and was killed. You can no longer ride this beast in reality. But would you have stepped up to challenge back in the day?
