The Central Florida landscape notoriously lacks the sky-high cliff, cavern, bridge or dam ledges that host most bungee jumping experiences — which only means that locals have gotten creative in bringing bungee thrills to adrenaline junkies. Manmade towers and bungee slingshots, both part of the bungee jumping family, allow adventurers the chance to be flung through the Florida sky at breakneck speeds.
Kiss the Sky in Kissimmee
Don’t be fooled by the name: The Kissimmee Skycoaster is anything but a roller coaster — it’s actually billed as “the tallest thrill ride in Florida.” Daredevils, take note: on the Skycoaster, one to three people are strapped together, laid face down, and raised 300 terrifying feet above ground, to the top of two looming towers. After a moment admiring the sparkling lights of Orlando, a tug of a cord sends them plummeting to Earth. The details: Fun Spot America, 2850 Florida Plaza Blvd., Kissimmee, Fla. Tickets: $40 for single rider, $35 for double riders, $30 for triple riders, $20 with purchase of single day pass.
Slingshot Over Orlando
Remember watching cartoons where people get shot out of a canon? The Slingshot on International Drive in Orlando is a little bit like that, only better, because it’s real — and it involves a bungee jumping cord. Brave slingshot riders are buckled in at ground level, placed in a reclining position, and slowly dropped into the purported mouth of a volcano. In the blink of an eye, they’re released, and sprung 400 feet into the air. With adrenaline pumping and heart pounding, you’ll experience total weightlessness before eventually reaching the end of the cord’s length, and bouncing happily back toward Earth. The details: Magical Midway Thrill Park, 7001 International Drive, Orlando, Fla. Tickets: $25.
Launch First, Think Later
In a region as flat as Central Florida, it’s easy to spy the rainbow-colored towers of Kissimmee’s Slingshot from afar. Leave your fear of heights and speed at home. The Slingshot straps riders into a “launch capsule” at ground level before catapulting them toward the sky at speeds up to 100 mph. You’ll reach breathtaking heights of 320-plus feet before making your way back down. The details: Old Town Slingshot, 5770 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, Fla. Tickets: $25.
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