Where is the world's oldest operating roller coaster?

Roller coasters are some of the best attractions at any amusement parks and many people even travel around the world in an effort to ride every thrilling coaster available. While today’s high-speed coasters feature stomach churning drops and loops and sharp turns, the oldest roller coasters in the world are a little more relaxed.

First built in 1902 in Lakemont Park near Altoona, Pennsylvania, the Leap-the-Dips is the oldest roller coaster in the world. Leap-the-Dips was designed by Edward Joy Morris and constructed by the Federal Construction Company.

Although Leap-the-Dips is older, the Great Scenic Railway of Luna Park in Melbourne, Australia bills itself as the world’s oldest continually operating roller coaster. The roller coaster opened along with the park in December 1912.

Rutschebanen, simply called the Roller Coaster by Tivoli Gardens is the oldest roller coaster in Europe, dating back to 1914. While the age of Rutschebanen might be impressive, Tivoli Gardens had already been operating for over seven decades before Rutschebanen made its debut.

The Scenic Railway at Dreamland Amusement Park in Margate, England opened in July 1920 is the oldest roller coaster in the United Kingdom. This 100-year old British roller coaster was built by John Henry Iles, who had bought the the European usage rights to the scenic railway from LaMarcus Adna Thompson (Thompson had first patented the scenic railway type of roller coaster in 1884).