URGENT UPDATE: A roller coaster enthusiast has just revealed his top 10 favorite rides in a viral TikTok post that has amassed an astonishing 4.6 million views since its debut on July 25. Jacob Backall, a 22-year-old theme park marketing professional, curated this list after riding nearly 500 coasters across multiple continents.
His ranking features only U.S. roller coasters, spotlighting thrilling locations in Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, and Tennessee. “I grew up outside of Philadelphia and have dedicated my life to experiencing these incredible rides,” Jacob shared with Newsweek. His journey began in 2012 at Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he first rode the Wild Mouse, igniting a lifelong passion.
Jacob has since transformed this enthusiasm into expertise, becoming a self-proclaimed “human encyclopedia” for roller coasters. His top pick? The Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio—an impressive 205-foot hybrid coaster that has been dubbed the greatest roller coaster of all time. “It’s a creative layout with airtime that makes you feel weightless,” he explained.
In addition to Steel Vengeance, Jacob’s top 10 includes coasters like the Jurassic World VelociCoaster in Florida and Pantherian (formerly known as Intimidator 305) at Kings Dominion in Virginia. Each ride was chosen based on unique elements, smooth transitions, and exhilarating airtime, rather than just height or speed.
Jacob, who now has 492 different coasters under his belt, is just eight rides away from reaching a significant milestone of 500 coasters. He anticipates achieving this goal by the end of the year, with his sights set on eventually conquering 1,000 rides.
The roller coaster community has played a vital role in Jacob’s journey, providing him with friendships and shared experiences. “You’d be surprised how many others share this unique hobby,” he noted.
As roller coaster season heats up, thrill-seekers everywhere are eager to check out Jacob’s top picks. With his engaging TikTok content and expertise, Jacob Backall’s recommendations are set to inspire a new wave of roller coaster enthusiasts.
For those interested, here’s a glimpse at Jacob’s top 10 roller coasters:
1. Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point, Ohio
2. Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal Islands of Adventure, Florida
3. Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa, Florida
4. Fury 325 at Carowinds, North Carolina
5. Pantherian at Kings Dominion, Virginia
6. Skyrush at Hersheypark, Pennsylvania
7. Lightning Rod at Dollywood, Tennessee
8. Maverick at Cedar Point, Ohio
9. Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia
10. Guardians of the Galaxy at EPCOT, Florida
Stay tuned for more updates as Jacob continues his thrilling journey through the world of roller coasters!
