World's Tallest Drop Ride Record to be Smashed... In Orlando... Or Miami

© Skyplex I-Drive Orlando

The Skyplex on I-Drive in Orlando has already been announced to include Skyscraper, the world's tallest roller coaster when it opens in 2017... but developers have already added another record to the structure - the world's tallest drop ride.

Named Skyfall, the attraction will be attached to the side of the tower and plunge riders down from 460 feet at over 90 miles per hour after holding them in suspense for 15 seconds.  In order to not interfere with the Skyscraper roller coaster, Skyfall will be located behind its supports and track - meaning the two rides could pass by each other while in operation.

© Skyplex I-Drive Orlando

The current record for tallest drop ride is held by Zumanjaro at New Jersey's Six Flags Great Adventure - which stand 415 feet tall.  Developers behind the Skyplex entertainment district and tower have not released new concept art for the project that includes Skyfall.  They have added some high resolution images of the tower that includes the layout of Skyscraper, however, which are pretty fun to look over.  One other promising note - Theme Park Review just recently confirmed that Intamin will be responsible for both the coaster and the free fall, which is great news for both rides.

Interestingly, there's also a planned project in Miami named Skyrise that would be a 1,000 foot tall observation tower and entertainment complex - a planned major tourist draw.

The tower would contain the Skyrise Drop, a free fall tower that starts at around 650 feet above the ground.  Yikes!  I'd ride it, though.

The ride would be on the North side of the giant tower and utilize one 12 passenger car.  Developers are quoting 95 miles per hour as the speed attained on the way down.

The Skyrise project has had a lot of drama surrounding it, and so it remains to be seen if we will be able to fall from 650 feet some day.  Keep your fingers crossed!