TOP THRILL 2: REVIEW; Zamperla Goes All-In on Cedar Point's 120mph Coaster

Top Thrill 2 Honest Review; New Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio Ride for 2024. The Unbelievable Transformation of the Original Top Thrill Dragster is complete! An unexpected manufacturer has created one of the World's fastest roller coasters at this popular theme park! But have they created something better than the original?
A Review Top Thrill 2: The Successor of Dragster.
0:00 The Unsuspecting Zamperla Gets The Job of a Lifetime
1:39 Top Thrill 2 Ride Experience: A Review
2:16 The New Triple Launch
4:49 The Heartline Changes Everything!
5:42 An Intense Finale
6:57 Reflections
8:09 Top Thrill 2 vs. Top Thrill Dragster
10:23 Final Thoughts & Conclusion
The Cedar Point, Ohio attraction would now utilize a new magnetic LSM launch, and instead of the impressive 0-120 mph speed, riders would traverse the same piece of track three times; once at 74mph, a rollback, backward at 101mph, the biggest vertical spike in the World, and then finally: the 120mph top speed during the third and final launch.
Buckle up for a wild ride as we delve into TT2: Cedar Point's Newest Thrill Machine. An analysis and in-depth honest review. How an unsuspecting manufacturer defied expectations to create one of the fastest roller coasters on the planet. Zamperla takes one of the world’s most recognizable coasters, Intamin's "Top Thrill Dragster;" and turns it into one of their own. #rollercoaster #review #cedarpoint #topthrill2 #themepark #AmusementInsider
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Top Thrill 2 vs Top Thrill Dragster. Cedar Point's new roller coaster, Zamperla vs. Intamin. TT2 Review.
POV Footage by Cedar Point.

[@AmusementInsider]

You can read the review in text form here: behindthethrills.com/2024/05/cedar-point-top-thrill-2-new-coaster-review/

[@Killercutsvideo]

Wow, I love how it doesn't crest the hill on purpose and you get that insane 2nd launch!

[@AirplanesAndAirtime]

Yes it’s by far the biggest rollback into spike element

[@user-nq7mz9oq7h]

Yguyugiyguiyug

[@knatt5300]

After riding Top Thrill 2 for the first time these are my thoughts: It is a good ride! I was surprised how rough or shaky it is. It's almost as though the wheels are not properly balanced or something.😑 While I was reversing up the spike I did think "I am glad it does not have a twist in it." That would be too much. I don't know why but the straight spike works better! One thing I think they should change and it would be very simple to do and that is add some clocks in the queue line. It feels so isolating not having a phone in the pocket and not being able to see what time it is. It shut down for 10 minutes while I was waiting in line and after I got off it was down for about 30 minutes. I hope they get everything sorted out.

[@reiemg]

I just got home after my first ride. It was at night, back car, CRAZY energy in the whole train. I mean screaming like this was our last ride ever, it was truly something spectacular. That roughness is there, but like a woodie, it added to my enjoyment. It’s like the ride is tearing itself apart, almost like Steve does but just in a speed regard now. The whole ride was brought so much higher from the transformation and I couldn’t be happier about it. I’ll miss the hydraulic sure, but the third launch just takes me right back to it, and after a serious grey out on the spike I cannot wait to see the legacy the ride gets to carry forth. It’s an absolute win for the park.

[@MythicHellebore]

I went on it front, middle, and back. I prefer the back. I was off my seat the whole way over the top hat. Also, I got ejected hard into my restraint. Amazing ride and can't wait to do it again.

[@jimkubak]

As someone who thought I'd hate the ride without the iconic launch, this review is spot on.

[@JamesonThomas24]

I can’t wait to ride this in a few weeks. Bummed to hear it’s rough-you can really see the shuffle in some of the videos. Low key I was hoping they would have the spike launch up like Mr Freeze Reverse Blast, but it looks so fun as is. Can’t wait to stare at those TVs for 2 hours tho

[@AmusementInsider]

Ride in the very front or the very back - seems like it is a bit smoother on either end from my experience.

[@KnightrideThrillz]

i wouldn't say it's rough, it's more of just a pure shake which is to be expected because of the lack of lateral supports just like the og. and i would say the shakiness actually assists the ride's intensity because if it was glass smooth with no shakiness whatsoever, i feel like it would be really boring honestly

[@AttractionSource]

Still getting used to Zamperla being up there with the big players now - such a fitting ending statement haha. Great review!

[@simtanic8]

This just makes my excitement to plan a trip even greater. I've been wanting to ride TTD since it opened, and now that it has been upgraded..... just DAMN! It looks great.

[@KICoasterGuy]

Oh damn I love the way you frame the story for this, and honestly this whole thing really is one hell of a story. It was awesome seeing you at the preview btw!

[@AmusementInsider]

Great seeing you too!

[@zachpeterson2135]

I personally think the "roughness" is being over exaggerated by a lot of people. But I agree with pretty much everything else you said aside from the reverse launch being the low point of the ride.. the first launch is hand down the weakest "element" Anyway, agreed that I think this is overall a much better ride experience compared to TTD.

[@AmusementLabs]

Lots have said the spike is perfectly smooth while the launch is rough. So I just want to make sure people lay blame of that with Intamin, not Zamperla. Zamperla did great with the parts THEY fabricated.

[@jo3yd12]

The spike is smooth because the weight of the train is no longer forced downwards on the track, instead it’s perpendicular to the track. That’s why it feels smoother. There is something wrong with the trains themselves, whether it be the wheels or whatever.

[@znul]

@@jo3yd12you can tell the difference between zamperla made track versus intamin track when you look at the crossties

[@ShaunRajewski]

@@jo3yd12 It's not the trains, it's the original track. The launch track and the pull up to the top hat are only vertically supported with no cross bracing causing those sections to sway and move, bringing the trains with it. The original ride had it too (watch old videos down the launch track), but you only went over it once and in a shorter amount of time.

[@FAFO4wisdom]

So all roller Custer's have a gap between the upstop wheels and the track. During the launches air flow under the trains causes them to lift up until the up stop wheels catch. The higher the speed the more airflow fluctuation you get. This is what causes the trains to feel like they're riding a rough surface rather than smooth.

[@Rambobrambo]

Great review! Never got to experience the original TTD and I'm very excited for the new edition.

[@Calakapepe]

Thank you for being honest about the shaking. Also thank you for pointing out the altered supports with its higher heartline cause I was suspecting this with how much whip ppl had but wasn't sure. Due to the shake, I do have concerns about the ride's longevity. I fear it will get worse. Banshee & FOF at my home park have gotten worse and worse at different rates but.. if there's shake now, it could get worse if nothing is addressed. I know it's not a feature

[@KemoKidd]

I noticed the shake in other videos and wondered if it was the camera or ride so I'm glad he mentioned it too.

[@Calakapepe]

@@KemoKidd I saw a couple others mentioned it but they brushed it off as not a big deal

[@knatt5300]

It really does matter what seat you sit in as far as how much shake you experience.

[@global.coasters]

Can't wait to try out the other rows this weekend!

[@nathanpayne5358]

I’ve heard several people talking about the roughness and that’s definitely a bummer but I’ll have to check it out for myself. A smooth ride means more now that I’m older and that’s why I could ride Vengeance all day every day. Great video

[@masongamerd2981]

my suspicions were correct, but i really dont think the roughness will do much to it

[@ifensler]

It’s really not that bad, imo

[@nathanpayne5358]

@@ifensler excellent!! thanks!!

[@timk987]

It’s not rough. It is literally just the track swaying side to side. If you’ve ever seen a race on tv we’re the show the driver in- car, that’s more rough. Think of it as another element of theming and you’ll like it even more!

[@nathanpayne5358]

@@timk987 sounds awesome!! I can’t wait!!🤙

[@shawneggers4484]

Awesome review as always!! Love the heart line insight!!

[@patrickwagner6247]

I'm so glad the spike isn't twisted. I always liked non spiraled spikes better. I feel like twisted ones neuter the floaty moment you can get from going up one backward before dropping back down. It's why I always preferred Possessed to Wicked Cyclone on the backward spikes. I also love the sensation on Pantheon too.

[@alexzuelke5209]

i hope Zamp will be able to get them enough parts, the OG dragster was NOT kind to its trains and with these being one offs and there not being a 4th spare (we usually left the gold train off as a spare for TT1) i worry how compacity will be affected if they lose a train.

[@AmusementInsider]

It would help a little if the load platfom could also be used as an unload during two trains. But yes This thing really needs to stay on three trains all the time

[@daftsteve]

Cant wait to ride this coaster tomorrow

[@MythicHellebore]

After riding front, middle, and back. I prefer the back. It is now in my #1 spot on my favorites list.

[@matheuscastello6554]

i'll say, i was a zamperla doubter, i'm glad they managed to prove me and like 90% of coaster enthusiasts wrong... eager for their future projects now! and eager to experience top thrill for the first time some day after zamperla's work on it ^^ although there's still improvements to be had, of course, with the roughness you mention, and the unreliability of the launch, hopefully these can be addressed

[@global.coasters]

Yeahhhh!!!!! Been waiting on this one 🤙❤

[@CoasterMoutain205]

I rode it in row 7 tonight! It’s a significantly better ride experience and probably one of the best launch coasters I’ve been on (based on overall ride experience).

[@danthecoasterman22]

My one ride was amazing - dying to get back on it and try the back!

[@jamesm7517]

Got to ride it today. Last row on the black train. I found no roughness of any kind even the rattle I barely felt. The LIMs feel different on TT2. The first launch was good and then about 1/2 way down you feel a big push from the LIMs. It seems to be the same in reverse. The third pass is what this ride was about. 100mph from the station back to 120 and up and over with ejector air time. It did break down for over an hour. Saturday will be the test to see how reliable it will be.

[@alexisvought9125]

the twist is absolutely insane!!!!

[@austintayloradt]

I definitely prefer the added whip and airtime from the higher heartline (and I think from more speed over the top hat as well) - I will say that for my wife and my mom, it was edging on being a little too much, even slightly headache enducing...I'm wondering if that has to do with the shake in the train? that was always the risk of going with a first ever Lightning Train from Zamperla, vs. the more tried and true VelociCoaster/Pantheon trains from Intamin - quite possible that the Intamin trains would not have had the rattle issue, but hopefully something they can fine tune and mitigate as they work through the kinks (ideally without neutering the speed/whip at all)

[@larrytaylor2692]

I think they should have made it into a full length coaster after the top hat and used that speed for a really long awesome ride

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

Yeah, but I don’t think they have enough room.

[@timahtoo]

Completely agree about straight track

[@Pidge287]

Viva Zamperla!!!

[@Verdelite]

Just curious, is there a front row queue for this ride? because ive never done a strata and i will literally not get on it if im not in the front 🤣

[@coastermadab]

Beautiful as per always Austin.

[@AmusementInsider]

Thanks!

[@bendixonmusic7149]

I've always thought an airtime hill after the top hat like Stealth and Kingda Ka would make sense on this, especially as this has lap bars that would allow you to feel it fully

[@LukeE94]

The ride has it’s up and downs.

[@CoasterExplorers2024]

Top tier review right here! 😎

[@AmusementInsider]

Much appreciated!

[@adreamalways14]

I like your point of view and how you read it and all that I agree on some things but then you also have to look at this was also creating part of Wicked Twister 2 for the back that people were missing when it was taken down so you got to look at also the accident also you got to look at the change of the reliability the downtime and everything else this is a way better than the only thing I have an issue is the name but I think for the older and Young Folks everybody's body type and size and experience is different

[@lay10vids]

Rip the intensity, the acceleration, and the _thrill_ . Sad I never got to ride the original.

[@trevor852]

Rip. The original was an amazing experience. The launch felt like a total gut punch. Not to downplay the new version, but it’s definitely a significant downgrade.

[@davidnevolo4402]

Seems like it keeps 120 until the ascent and dragster probably burned off speed. Wild. Also like a lot of new coaster trains are lighter and maybe thats responsible for the shake? Not sure but seems to be a recurring theme this spring.

[@piffjackson6010]

The launch fails part is so cedar point 😂

[@Archangel0582]

I will be riding this in the front car and in the back. I've heard both are great. I'll post in July!

[@AmusementInsider]

Have fun!

[@flashback0978]

they should have added some lateral bracing to the launch track, that would probably help with the roughness to some extent - The big question however is while you were there did it go down at all or run reliably the entire time ?

[@AmusementInsider]

Down for 1 hour total out of 7 hours

[@flashback0978]

@@AmusementInsider thats not bad considering its past and technically it is a prototype for Zamprela, it certainly did better than Wild Mouse did last year then

[@Brandon-qd2lb]

Thought they refurbed all of the launch track? Is the track not smooth out or is a combination of the top heavy trains?

[@marcussheen]

Top heavy trains I think - similar to what we see with Kingda Ka vs Top Thrill 1.0

[@beyondverticalthrills]

Im going to CP in a few years, which launch would you say is the most powerful?

[@ifensler]

Backwards launch is the most forceful feeling

[@AnotherSwissYoutubeUser]

6:40 is it comparable to the final roll on Blue Fire?! Because that's basically a horizontal counterpart of the vertical spiral.

[@wiilu0073]

Oh the best element by faaaaaar on blue fire !

[@AmusementInsider]

Feels different because you don’t get the negatives. But definitely throws you to the side.

[@easterbunnys3542]

As of 5/9 CLOSED

[@brightwell66]

It's subjective but I thought it was 100% better than top thrill I thought it was awesome I wanted to get in line again My favorite part was the Spike Of course I'm a fan not a critic

[@DanielBlaney]

I strongly suspect this ride is going to have issues with the wheel assemblies particularly because of the shaking and the mismatched heartlining.

[@teddym2808]

I completely disagree re airtime hill in launch. Spike, yes, I agree, a twist would have ruined the outright exhilaration of raising up from the ground so fast, especially in the back row, but the launch sequence is perfectly suited to a small ejector airtime pop in the middle. Couldn't disagree more.

[@BenSchubert1995]

3rd launch is best launch in the front row, first row, left seat.

[@Leviathan10937]

0:55 the tower is kinda altered mabye not physicly but paint wise its been altered : D just wanted to say

[@chrisogrady28]

I really think it should do a 100mph initial launch, there's enough LSM fins for it, then a 120 backwards launch so it uses the entire spike, then just use the third pass to maintain the 120

[@flipperion]

It would fly off the spike, not that wise

[@StadiumofLOLMAPS]

Looking forward to riding this in a few weeks, but I could see it getting a bad rattling reputation in a few years.

[@spacegeneral8630]

Gotta get back to Ohio. Now this is more reason to go

[@maverickmuir2376]

I think we're jumping back 2:36

[@Vansmackable]

Rough ride is really a big downer. I don’t even need a review to tell me about it, it’s so obvious when I see the video. Unfortunately, this will be a deal breaker for many of us and I’m a speed/intensity guy. Hope I’m wrong.

[@TheBHAWK89]

This "🎩" is a top hat. I dont know why coaster enthusiasts call it that because it doesnt resemble a top hat in any sort of way lol 🤣🤣🤣

[@legoboy12336]

The music for the first 5 seconds sounds like Stranger Things

[@corybourrier9722]

0:27 this track looks very warped from this angle

[@5MadMovieMakers]

Fans of straight track, unite!

[@dth2brny121]

Simply put, Zamperla has officially made the whole world shut up. They smashed this redo into TT2 out of the park, and into the atmosphere. 💯

[@BoyRoy18]

I stil beleve intamin should had did it better. I think they would push it over the top in one go with a airtime hill in the middel. If the did put 2 motors parralel, same as mack did with voltron, intamin could have done this way better

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

Personally, I like the ride overall. I just think they should do something with the rattling.

[@RAIMSTER]

I agree intiman would have done better. I think six flags GA will have intamin reimagine kingda ka and build a spike to prevent any accidents like dragsters. These hydraulic launches are proving to not be responsible, sadly. Six flags said they are investing lots of money now and we have a good chance of getting intimans version of top thrill 2! Hopefully we can see them put a bunny hill on the launch and have a better rollback. Maybe even go a bit higher on the spike as well and make it close to 500 feet, since intiman has been very daring lately. They’re really trying to compete and they realize they need to make cedar point regret going with zamperala to reimagine dragster.

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

⁠so use the same company the created the disasters launch system that never worked and almost drowned people with shoot the rapid’s😂

[@c-tha-man9463]

Riiiiiggggght...and isn't Pantheon still having problems?

[@RAIMSTER]

@@JJJJ-he8bz intiman has made improved and more reliable rides now compared to the past

[@coastercrush3635]

Hopefully it don't get worse in the roughness and be unbearable to ride

[@mikelanzafame3401]

Main concern is Safety and longevity. it’s a retrofitted 20 year old track coaster from TWO separate companies. And shakiness looks like a consequence of that. I would be concerned about this if I were CP. My guess is they decrease the speeds of the launches to reduce shake and uncomfortable heart line rollls.

[@frankthecat1660]

The rattle is only made worse due to how high off the track you sit

[@thelord6898]

Oh yeah, that means a whole lot coming from you as a….oh yeah, you’re an absolute random nobody with no authority whatsoever, and no actual idea what you’re talking about! 😂 Everyone, like myself, who’s ACTUALLY RIDDEN THE RIDE will tell you the speed of the launches and the way you fly up and over the top hat are highlights of the ride, with the slight “roughness” being a minor downside. And you’re actually SO DUMB you think CP is going to ruin this ride and nerf the launches to appease a few self entitled crybabies like you? You people are amazing. Never change obvious GP idiot, never change….

[@Fiendstein]

MORE like Refurbished.

[@whenisdinner2137]

Nah it's definitely a different experience

[@Cythrox]

@@whenisdinner2137completely different so much better 😊

[@Skyla286]

Ur not wrong honestly

[@Skyla286]

​@whenisdinner2137 it's definitely a different experience but it's definitely still overall kinda the same coaster in some aspects. Tho definitely a whole new experience but it Is structurally is the old one.

[@whenisdinner2137]

@@Skyla286 Old dragster was literally all about the launch. TT2 is all about the height, and the top hat actually gives ejector airtime all the way down because you're not just limping over the hill like

[@positiveG]

I have no idea if this reviewer liked it or not

[@teentitans0789]

I could not agree more with the theming. It's so generic, lazy and screams AI inspired or generated. I miss the vibrant yellow already, but what can you do.

[@AmusementInsider]

Yeah, the soundtrack on the pathways saves it. but it’s a downgrade otherwise.

[@FAFO4wisdom]

I was on board with you up until you said " its not the most unique ride" 👀🤨 its literally the only one of its kind 🤷‍♂️🤦

[@AmusementInsider]

I get that. But also, all Zamperla added is a piece of straight track 🤷‍♂️ Give me a 95° spike 👀

[@FAFO4wisdom]

@@AmusementInsider I'm just giving you a hard time. 😉

[@Frankenberry]

Not unique???? Dude... Theres not another ride on the planet like it.

[@ultibolt3286]

Pantheon and Toutatis are pretty similar

[@AirtimeAxolotl]

​@@ultibolt3286 and those coasters have an actual layout

[@Frankenberry]

@@ultibolt3286 But are they really??? I mean, I get where you're coming from the only thing similar at all is the fact that they're launch coasters and have a micro version of the spike... the height and speed alone sets TT2 aside from either of those rides.

[@thelord6898]

2:23 0-74 mph not 72! Seriously how do you manage to get that wrong?!?

[@djavatar68]

Unless you live in Ohio, why fly out there just to go on 1 ride? The park isn't even open yet

[@Sauci55on]

Because that specific ride’s pretty frickin’ good probably.

[@djavatar68]

Not for a $400 plane ticket

[@deletedaccountdnd]

Unpopular opinion, the theming and name = garbage.

[@joshfreund6008]

It rattles and the twist up hurt my wifes back...in 5 years itll be trash.Zamperla needs to take a course on heartlining..in fact,.itll probably over stress tge track and cause structural issues sooner than.later

[@ronscurti1269]

YOU OLD PPL HAVE NO BUSINESS RIDING COASTERS

[@joshfreund6008]

@@ronscurti1269just calling 'em as I see 'em...Your Mom rides way rougher... Zamperla has no business building 120mph coasters. By the way, your caps lock button is stuck

[@mikelanzafame3401]

I bet you they will slow down launches significantly as time goes on.

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

As much as I love the ride, if this does happen, I really hope they change the trains to be way smoother.

[@thelord6898]

@@joshfreund6008Sorry your old ass wife broke her hip or whatever but really, fossils like you and grandma better steer clear of these newer coasters for your own good 😂

[@ryanbowers1519]

It will be broken in a few years. Looks cheap

[@mikelanzafame3401]

It does look cheap. And idk how safe I’d feel riding a retrofitted 20 year old ride from two different companies.

[@AirtimeAxolotl]

It looks like something that will be SBNO for a decade, and proves why you should not build something from zamperla

[@ifensler]

@@mikelanzafame3401ever heard of RMC? Steel vengeance? I think it will be fine.