As part of our 15-day countdown to Coaster101.com’s 15th Anniversary, we wanted to highlight 15 fictional rides from television, film, and in one case, online media, that we wish we could ride. Personally, whenever I see a roller coaster or park as the background of something, I always try to figure out where it is, or if it’s completely fictional. Based in actual theme parks or not, we definitely want to ride these attractions! Just a quick note: While some rides on this list are “actual” roller coasters, for one reason or another, you can’t ride them as presented in their respective media.
Richie Rich’s Roller Coaster
Appears In: Richie Rich (1994)
When I visited Rich Manor The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC earlier this year, I was slightly distraught to find out that the roller coaster featured in the film, a Christmas gift from Richie Rich’s father, didn’t actually exist on the grounds of America’s Largest Home. For coaster enthusiasts, the coaster is actually fairly distinguishable as the former Iron Wolf at Six Flags Great America, in Gurnee, IL. However, if you’re looking for your piece of 90’s movie nostalgia, you’ll actually have to head to Six Flags America outside of Washington, D.C., where the coaster is now-known as Firebird (and no longer has its stand-up cars.)
Start the video below at 3:30 to see the roller coaster in action!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r6ClNhQLaI
The Merryville Brothers
Appears In: Saturday Night Live (Multiple Episodes)
A recurring bit on the classic sketch comedy show, the melodious Merryville Brothers are occupants of a dark ride gone awry. When the ride breaks down in a show scene, the animatronic figures start to come to life, and the mild-mannered Merryville Brothers actually have some sinister plans in mind. The Merryville brothers have featured some serious star power over the years, featuring appearances by Jim Carrey, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, and even Tom Hanks.
Click here to watch the original Merryville Brothers sketch, featuring Jim Carrey!
“The Last Ride”
Appears In: Boy Meets World (Season 2, Episode 16 – “Danger Boy.”)
Billed as one of the most terrifying amusement park rides ever created, the fictional Adventure Park in Philadelphia was where Cory and Mr. Feeny headed to prove to everyone that they weren’t “safe.” According to legend, protests by parents groups, clergymen, and NASA engineers tried to shut down the opening of the ride, which requires a waiver just to ride. The ride reaches speeds of 90mph, and elements include a “vertical flume,” a “spinning wall of fire, and the “screaming dive of death.” Those restraints look a little wild, though!
The Rattler at Cliffside Fun Park
Appears In: Blank Check (1994)
Much like Blank Check’s main character, Preston, I too want to ride the wooden roller coaster, The Rattler. Also like Preston, I don’t have the arbitrary 7 tokens needed to ride The Rattler at his classmate’s birthday party, so I’d be stuck holding the bags. The Cliffside Fun Park is actually a sanitized version of Six Flags Fiesta Texas, which opened in 1992. As you’re probably aware, the Rattler has gone under the RMC Knife, and is now Iron Rattler.
Check out a little taste of “Cliffside Fun Park” at the Video Below.
As a quick honorable mention, and without ruining the plot of the film. One thing I’ve always wanted, because I watched this movie, was my own water slide that emerged from my house into a pool One day, I’ll get there, I suppose.
The Flat Rides at Troublemaker Park
Appears In: Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (2002)
Another film that takes place at a Six Flags in Texas is Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams. Rebranded as “Troublemaker Park,” several of Six Flags Over Texas’ attractions have been digitally altered to become some of the most insane flat rides I’ve ever seen.
The park’s Oil Derrick became the “Whipper Snapper,” their SkyCoaster became the Nerve Wracker, and a simple spinning ride became “The Vomiter.” However, the most physics-defying ride is “The Juggler,” which spins “as fast as the United States government will allow,” and has flips, turns and bounces before literally juggling the ride vehicles. It’s the epitome of one of those Facebook videos your relatives tag you in asking if you would ride an attraction.
Velociraptor
Appears In: Vacation (2015)
Can you imagine driving across the country in an Albanian-made rented van just to ride a Vekoma Looping Coaster? (Coaster enthusiasts, you don’t have to answer that question. We know you would.) But that’s what the Griswolds did in the 2015 reboot of the Vacation franchise. Of course, you “can” actually ride the Velociraptor (it’s the coaster formerly known as Ninja – now Blue Hawk – at Six Flags Over Georgia), but you’re almost guaranteed of not getting the TRUE experience that the Griswolds had, driving cross country through countless mishaps, only to wait in line for four hours, having a fight with someone who purchased a Flash Pass, and getting stuck upside down on the ride — all while singing Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX142h48lYY
Jurassic World Gyrospheres
Appears In: Jurassic World (2015)
Maybe the most interesting vehicle on this list is the Gyrosphere from Jurassic World. According to the Jurassic World website, riders can roll aroud the west side of Isla Nubar with dinosaurs in glass-encased Gyrospheres. Be on the lookout for Apatosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and many more! Your in-sphere monitor will help you identify these relatively docile dinosaurs. Our advanced invisible fence technology assures the animals will stay in designated zones without unnecessary bars or cages. And if you venture too close. our automated system will roll your Gyrosphere back to a safe distance. suitable for older children and adults.
The Demonator
Appears In: Drake and Josh (Season 3, Episode 15)
Riding a roller coaster on the first day of operation is always a great time — even more so when it’s a super exciting and intense roller coaster. Drake and Josh had the opportunity to ride the Demonator, the new roller coaster at “Mystic Mountain.” After dealing with accusations of line jumping, and a fight with the park’s mascot, the brothers had the opportunity to finally ride the brand new ride. Though details about the ride are sparse, it’s always great to have a level of dishevelment and shock after riding a coaster for the first name.
The full episode can be found below but is mirrored.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5n7z9c
The Kwan
Appears In: The Cat In The Hat (2003)
Put this water ride on the list of best Universal Attractions never built. Yes, Seuss Landing is in Islands of Adventure, which already has a log flume. But this is far more than just a typical log flume attraction. It’s a high speed water dark ride that even features a plug for the theme parks. If there’s anyone at Universal Creative who is reading this, Google Maps shows some open land behind One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish. Yes, the film has a 9% score on Rotten Tomatoes, we understand that. But this ride (or the long rumored Mount Crumpit coaster!) would be awesome in this space!
100 Floors of Frights
Appears In: Saturday Night Live
This is a Tower of Terror-esque Halloween attraction that features dancing skeletons and copious amounts of David S. Pumpkins. Of course we want to ride it. Any Questions?
Roller Coaster at Circus Giganticus
Appears In: Rugrats (Season 4, Episode 3: “Vacation”)
When this episode first aired in 1995, the whole Rugrats gang went to “Slots Vegas,” where the moms had a day off at “Circus Giganticus,” a loose representation of the Adventure Dome at Circus Circus. The moms rode a roller coaster through the lobby that “pulled six G’s.” This most likely is meant to be Canyon Blaster, the classic Arrow Looper. However, the coaster track looks more like an RMC T-Rex track. Wishful thinking, maybe?
Homemade Roller Coaster
Appears In: Wonder Park (2019)
Though crudely constructed, this homemade roller coaster features jumps, launches banked turns, and at least one inversion. It looks downright fun. Though everything went awry during the end of the attraction, the important thing is that the riders survived. It gives new meaning to the term “Backyard Roller Coaster.”
Zero Gravity Gulch
Appears On: Funny or Die
This may be a bit of a stretch to consider as TV or Film, but it was too good not to include. In an interview with the guys from Podcast: The Ride, it was revealed that Kings Island’s legendary The Beast roller coaster was the inspiration for this roller coaster safety video. When you add in a healthy dose of seasoned ride safety spieler Patrick Wharburton, Zero Gravity Gulch looks like an incredible attraction. If I’m going to get the chance to cross the Canadian Border AND get a turkey panini? 16 miles of roller coaster track is more than worth it!
The Greyhound
Appears In: Smokey & The Bandit (1977) and Smokey & The Bandit II (1980)
As I learned while riding Earthquake at Universal Studios Florida, a lot of explosions in films utilize miniature sets. Not the case in Smokey and the Bandit II, where Lakeside Park’s Greyhound roller coaster was actually destroyed (on purpose) during the filming of the movie. I hate I never got to ride this classic wooden roller coaster, but it’s a neat piece of coaster and film history.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0igcrUfRew
The Regal Cinemas Roller Coaster
Appears In: Movie Screens Nationwide
Were you really a 90’s kid if you didn’t get to experience the Regal Cinemas roller coaster at least once? I always wanted to ride the film reel track through candy and oversized drinks.
Coaster101 15 to 15 Giveaway #3
For today’s entry method, please leave a comment below letting us know which of these you’d most like to ride (or one that’s not listed).
You can enter now through 11:59 p.m. ET tonight.
Giveaway Rules
- The entry period for this giveaway will run until 11:59 p.m. ET tonight. We’ll email the winner tomorrow.
- To remain eligible for your prize pack, you will need to respond with your name and mailing address within 24 hours of receiving the email notification.
- One entry per person.
- Unfortunately, we are unable to ship Prize Packs outside of the U.S.
Best of luck, and as always, thank you for your support of Coaster101!
Of course I’d want to ride the Screaming Mimi from National Lampoon’s Vacation
I would love to ride Spy Kids 2 or Wonder Park.
The Regal roller coaster would be so fun lol. Riding it would be both crazy and funny at the same time hahaha.
I want to ride the roller coaster from Spongebob! Favorite show as a kid lol
Honestly, Zero Gravity Gulch looks to be the thing for me. I wouldn’t mind a 16 mile roller coaster, would just give me more time to have fun
That homemade coaster in Wonder Park tho?.
Chocolate river ride from Charlie & the chocolate factory?