Nothing says excitement like a top-tier amusement park ride. Hit the road with your family and enjoy some of these great attractions.
Splash Mountain (Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL)
Walt Disney World may have more thrilling rides, and attractions with more popular characters, but nothing melds the two quite like Splash Mountain. What begins as a leisurely river rafting trip through scenes from the tale of Bre'r Rabbit culminates in a watery plunge that soaks everyone on board.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, Orlando, FL)
Help Spider-Man fend off his most fiendish foes in this 3-D thrill ride. Digitally projected images and a fast-moving ride vehicle combine to create a stunningly realistic battle against Electro, Doctor Octopus, the Hobgoblin, and other bad guys.
Superman: Ride of Steel (Six Flags New England, Agawam, MA)
The initial steep incline -- and subsequent 221-foot drop -- are what you'll first notice about Superman: Ride of Steel. But the numerous zero-gravity crests are what make riders feel as though they're truly soaring through the air, just like the Man of Steel himself.
The Master Blaster (Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels, TX)
Cross a waterslide with a roller coaster, and you get the Master Blaster. Patrons ride on inflatable rafts and are actually propelled uphill by gushing water. Featuring steep drops and a total ride length of more than 1,000 feet, the Master Blaster is one of the most popular water-based attractions around.
X-Scream (Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV)
Located 866 feet in the air, the X-Scream is a thrill ride like no other. Patrons strap into their seats atop the Stratosphere tower before they are dangled right over the side! If that weren't enough, this ride ends with a twist that'll make more than your heart drop.
Curse of DarKastle (Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA)
Looking for a high-concept attraction? Curse of DarKastle is a moody, atmospheric ride that combines 3-D visuals with environmental effects like fog and water, creating a full-immersion experience with an engaging medieval story line.
Goliath (Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA)
If bigger is better, then Goliath is certainly one of the best. The initial drop of 255 feet means that Goliath's cars reach a top speed of 85 mph. For a brief period of time after the attraction opened, Goliath was the tallest and fastest coaster in the world.
Millennium Force (Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH)
Since it opened in the year 2000, Millennium Force has ranked either first or second on the Golden Ticket Awards' list of the best steel roller coasters. When it opened, it was the tallest and fastest coaster in the world, but has since lost that distinction to another Cedar Point attraction called Top Thrill Dragster.
Perilous Plunge (Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA)
Most parks have a water flume ride, but none is as exciting or advanced as the Perilous Plunge. After a soothing trip along the currents, the ride culminates with a 115-foot drop - a world record for rides of this type. Expect to get soaked!
River Battle (Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN)
River Battle isn't just a water-based ride that sweeps you along the currents of a rushing river. Each seat is equipped with a powerful squirt gun, which players can aim at over 100 targets, passersby, and each other! This ride is a blast - literally.
