Top Thrill Dragster vs Top Thrill 2 - Side by Side Launch Comparison

Cedar Point is opening the newly refreshed Top Thrill ride. Here is a side by side comparison between the old Top Thrill Dragster, against the new Top Thrill 2, comparing the original launch to the new 1st and 3rd launch.
Both clips were taken off Cedar Points youtube channel.

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

Top Thrill 2 will definitely be a new fan favorite when it opens. It looks like Top Thrill 2 goes over that Top Hat quickly like back in the opening of Top Thrill Dragster.

[@travisvanalst4698]

I don’t think it’s going to be as popular as you think it is.

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

@@travisvanalst4698 It could get popular if it’s a good ride.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

@travisvanalst4698 yes it will thoosies complain to much

[@bcjammer87]

It’ll be a favorite of people who’ve never ridden TTD. The 0-120 mph launch was the whole ride. TT2 is weak AF.

[@lb3843]

@@bcjammer87 I rode Kingda Ka... Now that's fast! Top Thrill 2 will still be cool!

[@Howlingburd19]

Whether you dislike the new decision or not, they probably made the correct decision. Coaster enthusiasts can criticize it all they want, but the transformation is going to help in multiple ways. Probably the most impactful change they did was switching to a magnetic launch. While magnetic launches don’t have the amount of energy to make it to the top in such a short distance, they are are a lot more reliable. This means they won’t have to spend as much money on repairs and there won’t be as much downtime.

[@YessssssHazel]

It may not be able to clear 420ft on launch 1 but I know they could at least do a launch to 365ft on the first launch which will give it way more acceleration on the initial blast. Red Force has a 365 ft top hat and the acceleration on that is insane.

[@wedwardscat]

Indrivetec's lsm's which are used on maverick, could make it over the top eithin the distance. Its just that the company that made these lsms differst in strength from mavericks lsm's and are weaker.

[@MattPico-i1p]

@@YessssssHazelwhere you getting 365? You mean like 175?

[@YessssssHazel]

Sorry I guess it’s 367FT.

[@Divinecter]

@@YessssssHazelRed Force 367

[@dr.dylan123]

The new one flies over the top omg

[@jayrussell3796]

Losing the initial G's from the original might actually be made up by the weightlessness of going over the top now. I hope.

[@dindog22]

I wish they had put a little airtime hill on the launch track

[@MilleniumGForce]

that would be painful while you go forwards but ok

[@memelord9737]

@@MilleniumGForceit would probably just be like Pantheon and Toutatis

[@MilleniumGForce]

@@memelord9737 do you know how fast it goes?

[@haydfors]

@@MilleniumGForcebro think of kingda ka. It would be fine

[@MilleniumGForce]

@@haydfors thats the breaks.

[@billchief397]

Epic edit. So all will gripe about the initial launch but ive ridden the old version and know this looks much more to it...that backward will take your breath away i can tell

[@CoasterCrafter662]

Of course the backward spike will be amazing... but I feel it's reasonable to miss what was one of the best launchs in the world (if not THE best, considering the closure of Do-dodonpa...).

[@billchief397]

@CoasterCrafter662 true...but also won't miss constant down time either. 2019 was down the whole time we were there.

[@lb3843]

@@CoasterCrafter662 Kingda Ka still exists at Six Flags

[@CoasterCrafter662]

@@lb3843 Indeed, but I've heard TTD's launch was even better... I'm not sure about that though, since I've only ridden Kingda Ka.

[@lb3843]

@@CoasterCrafter662 Definitely will have to ride TT2 to compare it with KK.

[@jayrussell3796]

Whether it's whining or not, I'll sure miss that gut wrenching old launch. It left your belly behind.

[@ytcomment4242]

I would like to see the comparison after maybe 1:30 on a typical day. TT2 on the left vs a "this attraction is temporarily closed" sign on the right.

[@joshfreund6008]

You can just.go next door to that 50' tall Zamperla with a chain lift and see that sign

[@kiwikiwi2483]

HA! Good point cause the average guest experience with that ride was guest not experiencing it at all 😂

[@BartoloVids]

As TT2 has now been closed for the whole summer

[@GDAccelerate]

this aged HILARIOUSLY well

[@fritzypooo]

now the mythical double rollback is a design feature

[@Mr.Misanthrope]

Going 1/3 of the way up at 70 and going up 98% of the way at 115 are most certainly the same. Glad we're on the same page.

[@rcengineer]

@@Mr.Misanthrope Another factor is that if you're expecting a rollback every time, it's no longer exciting when it happens.

[@DS-ys2xp]

Flys over that top hat. Nice bonus

[@joelbolton7252]

The lines will be insane, partially because the new ride takes longer to cycle. I hope they are ready!

[@RealPixelbit]

Holy shit, this thing flies over that top hat!

[@EddieJiuJitsu]

That lightweight aluminum train sure looks like it rattles a lot!

[@joshfreund6008]

Yup

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

No dummy’s on the train and only 2 people on the front, it will rattle less when people weigh down on it.

[@EddieJiuJitsu]

@@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229 I hope that is the case!! My wife and I just dropped $2k on season fast lane passes.

[@bcjammer87]

That’s what happens when you hire a company that has basically zero experience building coasters. It’s like hiring Chevy to build a manned ship to Mars. I think this’ll be an epic failure.

[@EddieJiuJitsu]

@@bcjammer87 I agree with you but I was talking to a local coaster guy who got to ride it today and he said it was amazing. Said it was smooth and the backward launch is insane!!

[@billcook4768]

Lesson learned (hopefully): Ride videos that just face forward are much better than a video cutting back and forth.

[@tracy4019]

Man this is going to be even better than the first one. I cannot wait to ride it

[@justinrickner1140]

I didn't expect this to stack to the original...and then I experienced it. I reconsidered. A+ Great ride!!

[@dawillont7077]

Shame they didn't make the new Top Thrill exactly how it is in the video on the right

[@Lucky_9705]

The industry needs a new launch system that has the reliability of a magnetic launch, but the power of a hydraulic launch

[@bestkickz2464]

I like how the last launch doesn’t kick in until the end, I’m sure it’ll pack a bit of a punch

[@cinniannaxx]

i like how its longer.

[@burm68]

Top Thrill 2 reminds me of the impulse coasters like V2 or Wicked Twister (RIP)... Those were pretty intense already with half the stats of TT2

[@WilliamsAlexanderAguilar]

The most recent study of a group that has seen a significant decline since the early twentieth century has shown a significant increase over that of other people who were born on the same time as the first generation in their parents were more than one hundred 💯

[@ChrisPkmn]

Rest in piece top thrill 2, long live top thrill 3

[@Mr.Misanthrope]

More excited for Skyrush with new restraints 🤷‍♂️

[@Jimmylovessalt]

Good for you.

[@Mr.Misanthrope]

@@Jimmylovessalt thanks. Excited for my trip in June 🥳

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

Still excited for Top Thrill 2. Hopefully it’s fun.

[@revived2036]

Valid

[@Mr.Misanthrope]

@@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229 I'll be honest, I'm not, but I understand why people are. I got to ride TTD well over 300 times between opening season and it closing(most of those were between opening and 2008. First ride ever was an actual roll back and i got another in 2007. I've done it too many times to be excited about a less intense experience.

[@deno2232]

On the new top thrill it looks like they go over that top hat a lot faster now instead of barely making it over like it used to

[@rcengineer]

I think the main issue is yeah, the back launch is cool I guess (though Escape From Krypton also does that, and EfK's looks more powerful by far), but the defining feature of almost all accelerator coasters is that launch, and it's almost insulting to replace it with something that looks comparable to Mack launches.

[@dibble1331]

easy for you to say. you’re not the ones having to fix it like 20 times every day cuz it breaks down. not to mention the amount of people who haven’t been able to ride this because it keeps closing.

[@rcengineer]

@@dibble1331 I have worked at theme parks. Last summer the splash boats ride I worked at broke down literally 5 times a day because management decided to add a 3rd boat and fuck the block system. I know maintenance hell. S&S has been perfecting their pneumatic launches for decades, if they wanted to properly refurbish Dragster, that would have been a good choice. It's not just that LSMs are weak compared to hydraulics or pneumatics, though (some LSM launches are still very punchy). It's that this particular launch that they've installed on Dragster 2 looks weak even compared to other magnetic launches.

[@dibble1331]

@@rcengineer well boo hoo, this is what we’re getting so be happy it’s still around and not getting removed.

[@Mr.Misanthrope]

​@dibble1331 "were lucky to get a downgraded ride. Be grateful Cedar Fair got cheap on us while increasing prices." 🤡

[@FAFO4wisdom]

You're not seeing the big picture. A lot of people traveled a long way to get to the park and ride that ride and it was always broke down. Not everybody lives in Ohio and makes a 30-40 minute drive to the park. Over the last 20 years I've visited the park 8 times and I traveled from Los Angeles. One time that ride was open. If this keeps the ride open more often so people who do travel from long distances can get a ride on it then we're all for it, and you guys can stop crying.

[@Ipoop7colors]

This is a good capacity comparison. Imagine the lines

[@memelord9737]

A long line is better than no line at all in my opinion

[@florianplack2973]

@@memelord9737why?

[@rafetizer]

​@@memelord9737 closed all season.

[@mynameiskrysta]

Now the brakes are at least twice as strong as the launch 💀

[@mynameiskrysta]

Still looks fun even though the dark gray supports are giving radio tower and top thrill 2 is a stupid fucking name

[@CarlileCoasters]

Is it just me or are those new zamperla trains shaking?

[@shaneh3109]

Looks a little over hyped. That launch was once so good.

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

The third launch will be the same speed (2 mph more), it flies over that Top Hat quicker than the original.

[@rcengineer]

@@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229 Yes but since it takes 3 launches to get there, the acceleration is FAR lower.

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

@@rcengineer The acceleration is far slower, it will be missed. But considering it opening today, I actually kinda like the new one better. I do like some things on TTD better than TT2, and some things better on TT2 than TTD.

[@reteledman]

Top Thrill 2 is about 4 Original Top Thrill Dragsters long.

[@joeskis]

there's a better POV out now that always shows forward. Redo it maybe?

[@randomdefender1532]

The POV on the right is more intense and much better 👇

[@unseeninja]

I don't get these backwards facing coasters. I just feel sick after riding them. But to those who do, this looks pretty sick.

[@PhxSt0rmz]

Longer ride, faster speed over the top, multiple hang-times, im not complaining one bit. But 0-x mph times doesnt matter to me

[@GlitchedPenguin]

I'm just going to say it, riders lover Top thrill for the high acceleration launch, not the height.

[@Furyman325]

riders are gonna love the INSANE amount of ejector you get on that top hat plus the backwards launch and the spike that lasts forever way more than ttds launch

[@rafetizer]

​@@Furyman325but not those of us who, as he said, rode it for the launch

[@jjsvlogs1655]

imagine getting a rollback on tt2

[@leon-zo4ik]

it honestly baffles me how their glasses are still on

[@fury9245]

glasses strap?? 😭

[@leon-zo4ik]

@@fury9245 oh u right u right

[@MidwestBoom]

Looks cool, I hate how parks just have to have a new ride So they have something to market and can't just fix what they have.

[@wyattbella6459]

Top thrill was plagued with issues for over 15 years. At some point there is no amount of fix8ng that can justify keeping it open in its current state. The flag plate incident was the nail in the coffin

[@CrazyManhog]

Kingda Ka is now *Da Ka*

[@Octuly]

Kingda Ka is still way better than TT2 lmfao

[@mellissajanowski8162]

Talk through

[@PitsTasteGood]

It's a good thing they removed the dragster out of the name. This thing is slow as hell.

[@rafetizer]

Someone dubbed it "Top Thrill Camry" lmao

[@severinjohn]

You could get 2 FULL rides on the old one for what it takes to do 1 ride now in 2024. No thanks...ripoff.

[@Jac0b22]

Lmao you’re delusional

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

Longer ride experience, absolutely less breakdowns. Everytime I went, it was also closed, that’s the reason they re-did it. You understand if they kept the old one running it could cause serious problems, the metal plate hitting the woman was the nail in the coffin.

[@joshfreund6008]

​@@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229 less breakdowns? We'll see...looks at wild mouse, a 50' tall coaster with a chain lift still has issues, It was down for a good portion of eclipse

[@JoeJohnson-mk4qd]

The reason they redid it is because someone got injured from debris of TTD

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

@@joshfreund6008 The main reason Top Thrill Dragster started breaking down was its hydraulic launch. The new LSM launches will hopefully prevent that, I’d say it’s still a great ride overall. Hopefully not having breakdowns like the wild mouse, since Top Thrill 2 is a very different ride compared to that.

[@garymccloskey3710]

Meh!

[@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229]

Ride the ride, if it’s bad call it “Meh!”

[@Jimmylovessalt]

NPC

[@Jimmylovessalt]

@@OfficialEthanStillCodes-9229i know, enthusiasts are litterally npcs

[@ellexking9136]

Gary, you haven't even ridden Top Thrill 2 Yet!! I didn't MEH, The new Wildmouse until I actually rode it. But even before I took my 1st ride on that Piece of Cheese, I've always felt that if Cedar Point wanted to bring back an Awesome Rollercoaster from the past? They should have gone with a new Jumbo Jet. That Anton Schwarzkopf Rollercoaster was Absolutely Popular among Coaster Enthusiasts and General Public. Even after the premier of Corkscrew in 1976, and Gemini in 1978, Jumbo Jet didn't lose its popularity. Still given over a Million Rides between the premier of the 2 mentioned Rollercoasters.🎢⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐‼️

[@rafetizer]

​@@Jimmylovessaltor we just rode it for the insane launch and are smart enough to see this is slow as a turtle by comparison. Not that hard to predict that we wont like it. Considering it was down for almost the entire season, prediction is all most of us could do anyway.

[@OwlcityloveBooboo]

It’s sad I never got to ride the original bit the new version of top thrill looks incredible I love roller coasters 🎢

[@rafetizer]

The launch was unbelievable to watch, and incredible to experience

[@OwlcityloveBooboo]

@@rafetizer lucky 🍀 I’ve never been to cedar point but it’s on my roller coaster/park bucket list I’ve never road the original top thrill dragster but top thrill 2 looks incredible