Top Thrill 2 Reopening Sooner Than Expected?

[@FunkAndFluff]

In a sea of amusement enthusiasts who present their opinions and speculation as if fact, lines such as "please take in mind that nothing I'm saying is confirmed, so please take this with a grain of salt and not as the absolute truth" really helps you stand out as a dude with serious integrity. Rock on, Ryan.

[@F.r.e.a.k.e.n.s.t.e.i.n]

Nothing is official unless it comes from the park!

[@mikeyg9958]

Don’t be vague. Who are you talking about?

[@gg2847]

@@mikeyg9958Pretty much every coaster enthusiast on the internet lol

[@aureouss2823]

It’s quite ironic as well since his predictions are typically more accurate than nearly all other creators.

[@virtuewrestling9091]

I mean, while he’s prefacing his info correctly, let’s not act like presenting specification is really responsible to begin with. People keep acting like thoosie KZbinrs and influencers are more reliable than actual reporters and journalists, but that’s just because we don’t apply the same standards to them.

[@MidcourseDiscourse]

This totally makes sense. The park takes time to get a better idea of the part issue. Then, moving forward this season, replace the part as frequently as needed, and possibly come to a permanent solution during the off-season.

[@Matt-wd6in]

Yep, totally agree with this take. CP wants this ride open, assuming it's safe to do so. The ride has been SBNO for over 2 years now, and CP is feeling the sunk costs of revamping the ride. They want to start seeing a return on their investment, even if it means replacing the part more frequently than originally anticipated. Like Ryan says, Zamperla is probably helping foot the bill too for replacement parts, depending on the SLAs outlined in their contract.

[@Danrarbc]

It might not even take until the off season. Zamperla would be redesigning this part already. If that’s ready before the end of the season CP would just install the redesigned part instead of the original.

[@arturobianco848]

Depending how big the redsign is it might come even sooner. I can fully see it that they just run one train empty or in the off hours to test.

[@MidcourseDiscourse]

@@arturobianco848 true, although I’ve heard that a fundamental design change to the trains would require new state approval, so I’m not sure if they could work that in with regular operations.

[@Danrarbc]

@@MidcourseDiscourse Why would a single component redesign be a fundamental design change?

[@Mirandaplayswithquaky]

The same was true for the Wheels on Millennium Force. When it opened, the Park was running one train at a time, or taking trains off about every hours. It was frustrating back then in 2000 with the que at 4 to 6 hours.

[@imsquidward5187]

great memory, i bet cp is taking a similar approach then

[@lukekibbles]

To be there in 2000 waiting 4-6 hours with the OG millennium force fans would’ve been more worth the wait

[@cerberus1166]

yeah but to have an extra 24 years of experience and to offer no insight that could benefit zamperla, and for zamperla to not know is kind of a joke especially when this isnt a from scratch coaster like mil force, and also isnt 20 years ago

[@CookingFromCookbooks]

Might as well start making your TTD2 problematic coasters video now 😂

[@Sonic-gy7kq]

For real. I’m expecting 2-3 more extended downtimes within the next 6 months. It’s no better than the original just cheaper overall for the maintenance and parts from manufacturers/manufacturer in general.

[@nevaehhamilton3493]

Yeah. I have a pretty good feeling that TT2 is a failure.

[@twistedmetal313]

Sometimes an FEA on a part is not totally accurate. Also, the durometer of a polyurethane wheel usually needs adjustments. Some of this stuff just needs to actually run in real life, then be analysed and adjusted accordingly. Have a little faith everyone. There are a lot of people working very hard on this, all just for us!

[@haunter_1845]

I agree. If it's a polyurethane wheel in question then there's a lot that can be done to tweak the formulation.

[@nevaehhamilton3493]

Last time we had faith in something, we were immediately kicked in the metaphorical balls with the betrayal of disappointment and letdown of reality's harshness. It's happened far too many times for me to count. And not once was I surprised with the outcome.

[@haunter_1845]

@@nevaehhamilton3493 Which "we" do you mean?

[@nevaehhamilton3493]

@@haunter_1845 referring to the general populace including myself. After all, I can't be the only one who thinks this, right?

[@haunter_1845]

@@nevaehhamilton3493 Thanks, I only asked because this community has a unique mix of GP (customer), engineers, operators, maintenance, and management. As an engineer myself, I'm wondering who you're worried will let you down?

[@SamsonSilvo]

Well, this video aged like milk... We're now more than halfway through June and TT2 is STILL closed!

[@cerberus1166]

yup cedar shouldve just stayed with intamin. how zamp is having this much trouble on a coaster they didnt build from scratch is ridiculous, also with 20 extra years worth of technology and experience.

[@Brady-ey1ft]

@@cerberus1166yeah I do think they should’ve stuck with Intamin they made a bunch of favs

[@MSTiekims9952]

This seems like the best strategy if true. I mean to close it (potentially) for a whole season when people have made plans to get to the park/ bought season passes would be a nightmare for the park - Kennywood and Steel Curtain are a prime example of this. Keeping it going and making replacements as needed while a permanent fix is being worked out makes the most sense.

[@Dalton363]

I think the ride testing is more of a examination of the specific part and how it is wearing down so quickly rather than preparing for opening

[@j.johnson7891]

You were right

[@SpiderWaffle]

If it is wheel bogies, I'd first think of the vibration and them maybe not being supported enough to combat the natural frequency resonance. This extra vibration could significantly move the parts up the cyclic loading fatigue to failure curve. It's easy to underestimate this, other factors like the polyurethane wheels gaining flat spots as the rides sits overnight (normal) and the first cycles of the day needing more power and force all contribute a lot and could be miscalculated or omitted. The shrouds over the large wheels look suspect to me.

[@Brockyman]

They probably have replacements of the OG part. It never failed, just wore a little faster than expected. They probably want a better, longer lasting part for maintence reasons

[@rollacoaster421]

Your "predictions" videos are the only ones I actually watch and give credence to. Your insight and track record with predictions are impeccable.

[@CaseFamilyVlogs]

Its really an amazing ride experience! I hope more people get to ride it soon!

[@arturobianco848]

Yup hope to do it in august so fingers crossed its operational again then.

[@warriorfam3489]

im going june 3 and 4 hope its open

[@Briantheinflatableguy]

I was there on Saturday (5/25) and there was no testing or people there at the ride. I did see an employee walking by steel vengeance with a top thrill 2 polo on.

[@InfinitePlaylist909]

Cedar Point panicking that 12 of the top coaster influencers on youtube made videos saying the ride would be closed for weeks 😅 hope it gets up soon & safe.

[@hey1steve1]

Life Cycle Maintenance v Reliability Centered Maintenance often comes up with new products.

[@josephmorris7447]

You make some of the best coaster content, we appreciate you! ❤

[@nancyfarkas3592]

At least they are trying to fix it BEFORE they have a serious injury

[@kmh032008]

If it were to reopen sooner based on part replacement (and finally redesign) we need more transparency from cp and zp as to what the changes are. Public deserves that.

[@northernlights799]

I don't know if that's really that smart. Many people already think that roller coasters are "dangerous" and can therefore misunderstand an honest statement (perhaps even partly intentionally). These people then go on to say that Cedar Point and TT2 are dangerous and ignorant people believe that. Of course, a statement for us as a community would be really interesting, but unfortunately not everyone thinks like we do.

[@shibasurfing]

@@northernlights799 you and OP both have good points

[@RayBcv1030]

They did say that lol

[@OQIF87NREU]

Notably, this coaster, or at least its predecessor, was previously allowed to nearly kill a person because it was not being monitored closely enough. I could see this being used to argue for more or less transparency, depending.

[@mirai4652]

@@northernlights799how would you feel if a wheel cracked on the train you were riding in?

[@Coolguy-cj3xl]

I am there from Sunday-Tuesday and I live in Texas, so it's quite the trek. My plane+hotel tickets were nonrefundable so I didn't have the option to reschedule.... I really hope it will open up this weekend.... Fingers crossed.

[@TerpSlurp3r]

Expect it to not open. It will ruin your trip if you get your hopes up. You still have steve, maverick, milly, among other greet rides. Fast Lane plus is highly recommended

[@marcwilliams5486]

Would you had fun last year, same type of weekend? You're still going to have a good day at the park 🤷🏿‍♂️🎢

[@Coolguy-cj3xl]

To be honest, I mostly came for Steel Vengeance and Maverick! Shame TT2 won't be open but it's really no huge deal.

[@jayducharme]

While a disappointment, it's normal for big new rides like this to need some tweaking. I'm sure Zamperla is going to get this issue solved as quickly as possible. After all, they kept touting their new trains as requiring less maintenance. They need to make this work to prove that the company is capable of producing record-breaking rides that are reliable. The entire amusement industry is watching them.

[@techpappee]

At the very least we can assume an Engineer (Eltoro) has an educated guess, more than most that have commented, on realistic reasons. It makes sense to me. Heck they wouldn’t run it without knowing they can. No one including CP wants a déjà vu to happen.

[@ZZCoasters]

I feel like they know they have to have it ready by Coastermania on June 7. Pretty much the whole event (2.5 hours of ERT, backstage tour, poster, Q+A) revolves around Top Thrill 2. While I don't think it will operate this weekend, I can see them using this strategy to open it next weekend, Memorial Day weekend.

[@summermazur3064]

I agree, but hearing they've made a revised CoasterMania itinerary, "just in case", isn't too reassuring...

[@chriskay1449]

@@summermazur3064 They should do that regardless. That is jsut them being prepared. It doesn't mean anythign towards how long it will be until it reopens.

[@warriorfam3489]

Not glad i took this with a gallon of milk bc i got my hopes up when i went and it was closed loo

[@joshmoreland2698]

Thank you!! The only source I trust for Top Thrill info.

[@sonicdopamine]

Preciate you doing these short update videos 🤝🏼

[@briannabrittany3127]

The issue is that ALL the trains have developed cracks in the wheel carriages in the short time since opening day. That is a fundamental design flaw and not something that can be fixed by "frequently replacing parts" when needed. They would be replacing wheel carriages and parts every week or so. No way this ride re-opens earlier than mid-July at best. The trains have to be redesigned.

[@j.johnson7891]

🎯

[@queenielouweekly3160]

Grazie da Italia ElToroRyan! I am looking forward to riding TT2 soon, and at times, felt hopeless that I wouldn't be able to ride it. While my hope is still low, as are my chances, I am holding out hope that it'll be ready in time for my visit on May 29th, 2024.

[@masta6726]

Can't wait for Problematic Roller Coasters: Top Thrill 2

[@nathanielthomas2502]

You are absolutely the best coaster enthusiast channel out there.

[@charlesphilstrom5592]

Thanks Ryan! I always appreciate your informed perspective and the details you choose to focus on.

[@SteveWynston]

glad I decided to check your channel, I had been looking at flights and hotels for a trip soon.

[@CoastersThrillsAndAirtimeHills]

The problem is it's all speculation. Nobody knows what is wrong with the ride. It could be complex, it could be simple. Literally nobody other than Cedar Point/Zamperla know.

[@ginog5037]

Alreay been on it, JUST AMAZING 👏 I'm sure Tony wants zero safety issues, better safe than sorry...

[@WHOOOOOOOOCARES]

Wow they fixed those blockzones mighty quick!

[@MattMcIrvin]

Those blockzones need to be replaced every 10,000 cycles or so but Zamperla's getting into the replacement blockzone business.

[@WHOOOOOOOOCARES]

@@MattMcIrvin for those of you who are unfamiliar…

[@jeffpara9113]

Whats a blockzone?? 😉

[@HOTMiSCHiEF1]

From the roof top shout it out!

[@dangamber5707]

Love the ending ! Great video! Top thrill 2 is just awesome! It will take some time to get it running smoothly, but it will happen and bring many smiles each day!

[@JakeBlaylock]

Cedar Point is my home park; I always anticipate an El Toro Ryan video, but these ones? These ones having me waiting with bated breath

[@Pea2-vo2mb]

can you do a video on the six flags surcharge on food a week ago it was 99 cents added to each order now it's 1.30 (1.99 refill bottles) are now 3.28 technically at the bottom of all the food menu screens shows the surcharge, this happened after the park failed at charging people additional 20 and splitting the premium peking lot (no one used it ) it's bad!

[@VECTOR_Coasters]

i will be there in a few days so man i hope it’s open

[@johns.774]

Same. I’m crossing my fingers 🤞

[@tectonicshiftfitness2586]

Same

[@therealoneguyyy]

I could see Cedar Point running 2 trains and give one train the new wheels, and then do that to each train, and just keep two open.

[@LandensCoasters]

May you talk about how this ride shakes so much because when I rode it on Thursday for the preview event i realised that it shakes a lot and it was honestly scary and i thought that is why they closed it. Thanks 😊 And btw i love your vids and i am a coaster enthusiast too.

[@Loggodover]

I rescheduled my cedar point trip this weekend and got tickets for Hersheypark instead (already been to cp haven't been to Hershey btw) and then I find out the ride may open this weekend. Great

[@JakeBlaylock]

it didnt, so no worries! Cedar Point is my home park and I went friday. For what it's worth, I'd have rather been having my first Hersheypark experience, so I hope u had a great time!

[@Loggodover]

@@JakeBlaylock it was a great time

[@js1198]

I’m going to ride kingda ka on Tuesday!

[@mulinhuan8410]

I'm visiting CP next week and I really hope that they can get TT2 reopen soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for sure! Thank you for the update Ryan!

[@extendedtour]

We are there mid June as well, got our fingers crossed! 🤞

[@TheGBCWorkshop]

Nothing like watching the new El Toro Ryan video in the kings Island parking lot

[@firewoodblake1243]

I am at cedar point today (5/18/24). There is no activity or testing on TOP THRILL 2. I hope I’m wrong but this seems like a 30 day+ problem.

[@Coasterfan71]

I think they only do testing at night after the park is closed. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong.

[@firewoodblake1243]

I’m staying at the Breakers. It’s 9:03 p.m. and still no activity.

[@Coasterfan71]

@@firewoodblake1243 I saw a video earlier this evening of someone who was at cedar point today. The wheels on the blue train were removed and some of the back wheels on the silver train were removed so I don’t think there will be any testing going on tonight. At least it shows they are working on the problem. I sure hope this gets fixed soon. I was hoping for a Memorial Day reopening or the first of June. I guess we’ll see.

[@firewoodblake1243]

I hope you’re right. Of course I wasn’t staring at ride the whole time, but my room at the breakers had a perfect view of the ride and I didn’t see any activity from Friday night all the way through Monday morning. I did however, see a bunch of guys with Zamperla shirts on eating lunch on Saturday at TGI Fridays for whatever that’s worth. I tried to ask them questions and I got nowhere.

[@olbillybobo]

Was there this weekend, one of the trains is wrapped up and looks like it’s ready to be shipped somewhere

[@OakForestBoys]

I'm just glad they're taking this seriously

[@lynndemartini9379]

What a shame! I can't ride it, but I parked myself at the exit and literally everyone LOVED their ride!! Hoping for the best for Cedar Point and Zamperla!!!

[@Tamwyn107]

I am not sure about this testing process. The usual industry standards is that you make a few slow test first. There you can see if everything is working fine, the train gets well through the track. Later comes the hardcore test, constantly testing in the best case 3x24h in a row, afterwards you dissemble the trains and check everything! All materials, if any hair cracks or anything else happend. That takes two weeks and when everything is working correctly, the next testing round begins: One week, Park like operations. After 3 days of that test it’s ok to ride a coaster but unofficially. Usually at the end of the week you don’t get any surprising results, when you worked good before. Afterwards you are checking every detail again and after a few new tests rounds, people are officially allowed to ride.

[@ThatWolfArrow]

What I imagine is that engineers at the park are trying to figure out a short term fix for the trains before the more robust parts are manufactured and shipped out. Cedar Point obviously doesn't wanna lose out on the potential revenue from people visiting the park to ride TT2, but they also wanna get away from the image of OG dragster being an infamously unreliable ride. But this is just me spitballing, though.

[@SleepyAirplane-yi4mp]

It’s Ben 2 month’s sense this video it’s still not open

[@rhymingbecktionary]

Sick, I had been planning to visit for a couple of days next week before the holiday and was bummed to find out TT2 was closed. Hopefully what you've heard pans out.

[@wifidoorbellguy4351]

Physics.... As you double the speed of an object in motion....you quadruple the forces exzerted on it. Just imagine the forces on the wheels. Which is the problem.

[@frazeysburgelites3490]

It goes as fast as it used to right?

[@wifidoorbellguy4351]

@@frazeysburgelites3490 on the second pass after the rollback , yes

[@cliftonchurch6039]

I could see a situation where during the 1000's of test runs, the wear on this item might have been identified and development on a new part could had begun then. They may have been acting with an excess of caution in the quick closing of the ride based on part wear estimates, and concluded after actual measurements that the current part does still have more life than anticipated remaining. It might be them rolling the dice, thinking the number of rides before the train(s) become unsafe is still high enough to keep running while the development of a better part wraps up. At least, one can hope.

[@chriskay1449]

They wouldn't do that. What they would do is just replace the worn parts since they already have those and doing it as needed while the new part is engineered.

[@HockeyGUY66871]

Id be pretty surprised if it reopens this weekend

[@Sawyersaviation]

I wouldn’t, Cedar Point knows this coaster is a big deal for the people, and people will cancel their trips if not open.

[@koalagames21]

@@Sawyersaviation im going this weekend i was so excited to top thrill 2 but than it closed hopefully it will open

[@neanderthalsnavel7411]

​@@Sawyersaviationthose 4x day CP/vendor status meetings are probably doozies. This is effectively a "production down" issue that is directly impacting revenue.

[@austinsoza1907]

It’s still closed and I’m sure it won’t open this year or ever tbh

[@anonymouscoasterenthusiast]

I'm praying this ends up being the case I'm coming out from utah in mid June for my first ever trip to CP and was really hoping to get on my first strata

[@OneWithLogic]

I honestly didn't expect TT2 to be closed long if it is the (***allegedly***) wheels that were the problem. Premature wear doesn't mean non-operational, so it makes sense that they'd open it back up and monitor as needed sooner rather than later. Hoping they open up before memorial day weekend!

[@bman2217]

I’m going next Wednesday. I’ve gone from accepting that I won’t get to ride it to now I might actually have a chance. 🤞

[@joshfreund6008]

Dont set yourself up for disappointment

[@Zerobar78.]

I ride it twice last Friday, it was great. I'm not worried, it will reopen hopefully soon and I will be riding it again as soon as I can. Hell, there was even an employee(I'm not sure if he worked for CP or the locker manufacturer) helping people make sure they could use the lockers properly(they should be free dammit), as you mention they are watching this ride like a hawk and being very cautious with it.

[@kw1726]

hey, its the future....its still closed ..... although there is supposed to be an update at the IAAPA event on 7/25

[@Cool-13]

Have you heard about Ryan the ride mechanic video?? That sounds about right

[@vol3ric748]

All I need is one ride this Memorial weekend. Pls let this happen 🙏

[@curt887]

Step 1: TT2 mentioned. Step 2: Queue all the anti Zamperla comments that everyone must be dying to read 🙄

[@Sonic-gy7kq]

I expected some days of downtime a few times within the first couple months but to have to reengineer parts of the train is pretty disappointing but that’s what I’d expect from Zamperla tbh. And they didn’t find this in testing before it opened shows it’s rushed

[@Coastsandcoasters]

With the forces being as extreme as they are, and with a troubled history already, if I were in charge I wouldn’t reopen until the problem was fixed, tested, and then tested some more. I wouldn’t cut corners because of cost and loss of revenue on something as important as the future to TT2.

[@aaronpatalune4363]

I’m still more concerned about the water dummy flying off. We need way more transparency on that.

[@jamesmcvicker6642]

Im almost willing to bet it has to do with the wheels being cast with aluminum. Which is known as a string metal when it comes to compression forces, BUT it is also a soft metal when it starts to heat up.

[@elliott7568]

Ok I'm going Monday, I'm praying for an opening this weekend 😂😂

[@bfrancioso]

When in June are you planning to be at Cedar Point? Since it's my home park, I easily can head there and say hi to you

[@ibanezguitars360]

I’m praying PRAYING it’s open Saturday! 😭😭😭

[@steveo7771286]

You and me both

[@DLXRY2]

"Between nights it will be examined thoroughly" yes I am sure by the same maintenance men who failed to realize a blatant rusted flag plate back in 2021. CP's maintenance team has always been awful and the constant ride breakdowns show they do not know what they are doing.

[@askjeevescosby2928]

I bet it has to do with how fast it flys over the top hat. They will most likely slow the coaster down

[@corderoanthony2301]

Aside from the obvious situation, I am worried about the fact that TT2 only runs 3 trains (which is effective) though going down to 2 trains greatly reduces capacity. We know this from MF. 4 trains could have been perfect imo.

[@StadiumofLOLMAPS]

If they have shown no signs of updating que lockers, it means they probably don't expect this to go for a month+

[@PeterMartens98]

Really like the videos and updates. Good stuff!

[@zachkelley1867]

It’s funny you talked about it I have been thinking wonder how a warranty on a project works

[@neanderthalsnavel7411]

Not sure how bespoke amusement ride contracting warranty works. Gotta believe CP is the master of favorable terms. And the vendor has talked to someone who used to work for amusement parks for contract defense.

[@UK.Thrills]

so it may be a bit like the big one where it stops on the lift so they can do a wheel check on the other train in the brakes

[@MrUltrAdaman]

You’d assume that they had spare parts on site so could be they’ve swapped the affected part for spares and approved it under extra supervision

[@chriskay1449]

Or Zmaperla has them and can immediate4ly ship them to the park.

[@RidePoint-]

Didn’t see any testing when I was there today. Actually no activity at all on the rides site.

[@MrMakoFL]

So I’ve read posts about this last night and the anonymous poster shared a link to a YT channel that posted a video from late winter or March. Until that park confirms then all of this is hearsay.

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

Part of me would like to see it reopen sooner because it's nice to have it going, but the other part doesn't want to pay $3 to ride..

[@shawnrw3727]

If I were them I’d just cut the number of hours it runs per day. 12 to 8 maybe . Nothing wrong with a later ride opening time. Cut those daily cycles down a little.

[@Coasterfan71]

I think if they don’t open this Memorial Day weekend, I’m thinking the following weekend June 1st it will be back open. Cedar Point will probably want it running before Coastermania. Just my opinion.

[@6393dude]

I'm going on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fingers crossed

[@maxhagenauer24]

I might go here in a week or so and I really want it to be open.

[@SteveWynston]

I don't think they'd be testing the ride if they suspected that the wheels were at risk of delaminating.

[@dindog22]

Maybe they had some extra parts or maybe the guys in The Amazement Shop did a little hocus pocus

[@billchief397]

It's been my thoughts they may scale down the wheel diameter...IF that's it we COULD see it open sooner.BUT this is just my engineer observation view point

[@sjbrown23]

Awesome take as usual and makes a ton of sense.

[@KIfan8386]

Seen tt2 testing yesterday around 6pm and this morning while waiting in line at the magnum gate. Didnt test anymore that i seen after that...

[@chfilms1]

Wonder if they will reopen with existing parts temporarily while modified ones are developed then switch to the modified ones when they are ready

[@deno2232]

Why don’t they just make replacement parts for now while engineering another part that’s able to withstand greater amounts of Gs than it needs to be?

[@PaulDidIt]

They should just ask Bobby Fingers to make the required parts

[@seany84uk]

I can see them using 3 trains and taking 1 one off every couple of hours for inspection

[@patrickstrahm05]

Wonder if the rollback is what made the park worry? I don't think it can self recover

[@RevNoch]

Damn it man, don't give me hope. I'm going to CP for the first time next week for four days. I want just one ride, just one!!!

[@lesliepearson7711]

I'm going to Cedar point this Tuesday. I'm praying that Top Thrill 2 opens this weekend ! I'd love to ride Top Thrill 2 this Tuesday but honestly not getting my hopes up !!! But I hope that Top Thrill 2 opens this weekend !

[@tc6818]

And here I thought it was a Block Zone problem.