Why Top Thrill 2 genuinely kinda sucks (2023)

[@CoasterDash]

Hi, i'm Marc! I operate this KZbin channel in which I produce content related to the roller coasters and theme parks of the world. If you like what you see, feel free to subscribe and support what I do. It’s free and every single person who chooses to do so is greatly appreciated! Subscribe to CoasterDash for More! Countdowns Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLYPuVokppFixiNZgiUYKWGFsz4DMpQjZ_&si=J22EQ8cNSR4eUmsm Vlogs Playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLYPuVokppFix4v-AHUutU0wrcfLMtXgAr Check out my Instagram page here :) instagram.com/coasterdash/ Check out my other KZbin channels! Subscribe to “TravelDash” at this link - youtube.com/@TravelDash Subscribe to “Front Seat POVs” at this link - youtube.com/@FrontSeatPOVs If you need to get in touch with me, you can reach me at “[e-mail]”. I am available through Instagram DMs as well. - check out my Discord Server! It was created by a group of fans who are seeking additional members | discord.gg/Y28tt7CSsz -

[@Paolo8772]

Hi, @CoasterDash!

[@fosterwhom]

you cant forget the oddily specific record “THE TALLEST AND FASTEST TRIPLE LAUNCH STRATA COASTER”

[@rcengineer]

coincidentally also the only triple launch strata coaster

[@Jalmaan]

In 5 years it will have to be redone by Intamin, they'll add a twist to the backwards spike, a bunny hill in the middle and the name will be T3.

[@macemaster5295]

Lol, I love the T3 reference

[@SNORKYMEDIA]

Nah six flags will tear it down and build batman the ride

[@Aidanthewatermelon]

@@SNORKYMEDIAthey would make it taller and Callie the top Batman or smth

[@randomdefender1532]

Or better they can remove the spike and restore the 0-120 mph launch.

[@orionscythe]

and turn it into an SLC

[@jtj8622]

I think people are seriously under estimating traveling 100-120 mph for the entire length instead of just briefly. Yes it won’t have the punch but it will definitely be an experience like no other.

[@j.johnson7891]

We are glad that the spike doesn't twist - it takes away from the airtime. I think you're seriously underestimating how insane a spike this high with only lap bars will feel. Also, 120 mph is 120 mph. The first launch won't be as punchy, but the ride overall will not feel slow. Top Thrill 1 was an amazing couple seconds of force but over so quickly - it was never the best in the park. With the longer ride time, 3x launches and better reliability, this has a chance to top the original, overall as a ride.

[@mack.attack]

yes that's why toyota camrys are just as fun to drive as lamborghinis, 120mph is 120mph. also i know exactly how it will feel, it will feel exactly like superman: efk. it will go the same speed and therefore reach the same height. lol

[@j.johnson7891]

@@mack.attack riding in on a roller coaster is a bit different than riding in any car so that's a bad comparison. Superman EFK has total different trains and lap bars so that's a bad comparison as well

[@brianfoss571]

@@j.johnson7891 Keep in mind that most of the extended ride time is occurring on *straight track* with mild acceleration. On the third "launch", you're mostly feeling the wind hitting your face. If you find that thrilling, cool. But I'd have liked to see some ejector airtime pops added to the launch segment. I expect the wait for the back row on the spike will be worth it, as that'll send you about 20 feet higher than EFK does. But otherwise, TT2 will feel more like Wicked Twister than Dragster. Fully expect I'll enjoy Raptor more than this.

[@timothykaczmarek5871]

Top Thrill was NOT the most fantastic thing. It was a major problem for the park. A spike with a twist is a LOT better than what they did with this 'new' thing. There's no airtime on this thing so you don't know what you are talking about

[@timothykaczmarek5871]

It was a good comparison.

[@Jillousa]

This video is not going to age well. The reviews have been amazing now that it's opened

[@tyfallon]

Imagine reviewing a coaster you have never been on 💀

[@randomdefender1532]

Let's see how long that popularity actually lasts!

[@bennyftw885]

This comment is not aging well

[@wifidoorbellguy4351]

This Comment is not Going to age well, now that it's Closed

[@gators146]

You cant say it sucks if you havn't ridden it yet.

[@fadbob_]

I agree with everything you said except about twisting the spike. straight spikes are just better ride experience wise. They give you pure sustained weightlessness not interrupted by any laterals. And besides, you already have an entire 420ft twisted drop!

[@sliced1345]

Completely agree!!! In fact, if anything, I would straighten up the drop - it would make it more scary.

[@leighyorgason6702]

¹​@@sliced1345

[@boilercoasters8442]

Honestly the one element on new dragster I'm looking forward to is the 270 degree twist down the main drop. The Zamperla trains are higher up than the OG trains so the twist down the tower will give more insane laterals than the OG, especially if you're sitting on the left side.

[@CoasterDash]

Excellent point! I’m curious to see how the forces will feel with the new trains.

[@Username-bh8bl]

After riding it yesterday, this is 1000% true. Back seat and you’re flying out of your seat and to the side the whole drop. Honestly might be my favourite drop in the park. Must ride in back

[@taylordixon5871]

It seems like everyone around me on Pantheon LOVES being launched backward up a spike. This is only going to be higher and faster. Think everyone is gonna love it

[@fredsanford336]

I agree but CP probably only cares whether these plebes are satified🤣

[@brianfoss571]

Yeah, but it's gonna be undermined by a third launch that barely accelerates and has no ejector airtime hills. If you love Possessed, you'll love this. If you love Pantheon...TT2's spike isn't a warmup, it's almost the climax of the ride. That's not great pacing.

[@fanta104]

@@brianfoss571ejector airtime hills? since when did regular dragster have that?

[@brianfoss571]

@fanta104 Way to miss the point, man. Dragster's overhaul could have involved **adding** ejector airtime hills like Pantheon's if Intamin were involved. There would have been ample budget for this if Intamin set up a 60 mph backward launch up a 150 ft spike, followed by the forward launch to 120 mph. But since Zamperla's doing this with limited experience converting accelerator coasters, they're doing 3 launches, which requires a significantly taller spike. So CP wouldn't be willing to spend more adding airtime pops.

[@IndependentLogos]

Would be far better if it launched you nearly to the top of the top hat on the first launch. The acceleration by far was the best part of the original. They took one of the fastest launches in the world and turned it into a mid ride. Not worth the trip to CP.

[@mack.attack]

TTD was unreliable, but assuming that this new, untested concept being built by a manufacturer with zero experience on any project of any kind on this scale let alone a RETROFIT of another manufacturer's experimental ride on this scale involving complicated track switching mechanisms and multiple launch sequences will be somehow *more* reliable is absolutely insane. This ride is missing the entire point of TTD, which was the 0-120mph launch. The top hat was just cherries and whipped cream. TT2 will be a massive let down if it ever opens this season, which there is absolutely zero chance of happening, at least not on time. Get real, people.

[@Wildcattttt]

I don’t know what to think about Top Thrill 2, at least there’s Steel Vengeance, Maverick, and Millennium Force 🤷‍♂️

[@Keystone_Koasters]

And magnum, raptor, gatekeeper, and Gemini

[@chazgames3690]

And a lineup that is better than every ride in the uk 😢😂

[@oked2011]

​@@chazgames3690NOPE in the UK theres alton towers and thorpe park some of there coasters a RECORD BRAKEING

[@IndyCoasterCreator]

@@chazgames3690 Hyperia, Saw, Nemesis, Smiler, Icon, Sik and Stealth all seem way better than Cedar Point's B&Ms

[@neilrefusekid]

steel vengeance, milliennium force, maxx force, fury 325: *aM i A jOkE tO yOu?*@@oked2011

[@bluefirespotcat2979]

*eye roll* I love it when people poo-poo on a ride that hasn't even been finished/ridden by anyone yet. Instant dislike.

[@Nick_J_]

Bad take. TT2 being longer is a huge bonus, and that alone makes it better than TTD. It was simply too short to really be a great ride. The floater on the rear spike will be absolutely god tier on the new one. Plus, TTD’s launch wasn’t even the best hydraulic launch. Storm Runner’s was always way punchier. Top speed is irrelevant: 0-to-GO is all that had ever mattered.

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

Thank you for your common sense. I hate coaster enthusiasts because they ruin EVERYTHING they touch. They complain to no end about TT2. But when lightning rod took out its launch (the best part) and replaced it with nothing, coaster enthusiasts gave it a pass. Obviously lightning rod will be more reliable now, but enthusiasts being this much of hypocrites proves that they are babies who do nothing but complain

[@bmezay2003]

@@marcusmcgraw3519comparing a once lift hill launch to a 0-120 mph hydraulic launch is wild

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

@@bmezay2003 no it’s not. TT2 is extending the ride experience, and there is no other coaster in the world that goes above 350 feet twice in one ride Lightning rod, on the other hand, takes out its best feature and replaces it with nothing. They nerfed the ride. Yet you guys are so hypocritical that you look the other way, but complain about TT2 to no end. I’m disgusted by your double standards

[@randomdefender1532]

@@marcusmcgraw3519@Nick_J_ No one rides TTD for the ride time, they ride it for the powerful launch (which is now weaker), intensity, and the overall height and speed. If I wanted a longer ride with more elements, I'll ride something else. I'd take intensity over ride time any day and one powerful launch over 3 weak launches. I'm disgusted that you can't accept others have different opinions than yours and are entitled to their own opinions.

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

@@randomdefender1532 the overall height and speed is still there and used to its advantage more now, but I totally understand your point about the initial launch being weaker and that other people may prefer the old one However, that is still not where my issue is. My issue is that coaster enthusiasts look the other way when it comes to lightning rod taking out the best part. They excuse that one to no end, and the weird pickiness of these enthusiasts is what I’m getting tired of

[@rcengineer]

The swing launch and "ooo backwards launch so scary" (by acceleration EfK is actually a more powerful backwards launch since it starts from 0 lol) and "every ride has a rollback" are almost certainly intended to appeal exclusively to people who never rode the original and don't know what made it good. Also, aside from Intamin being the best choice, S&S has been refining their pneumatic launches for over 2 decades now, so their current offerings are likely far more reliable than the mechanical launches of 20 years ago. Since Dododonpa closed, that acceleration record is now up for grabs, and we all know how Cedar Point loves their records. Stealth may be only half the height of Dragster, and 2/3 the speed, but the launch on that thing means it's almost certainly the better ride now.

[@ceilingunlimited-cp5kq]

Well the verdict is in,and so far the ride is getting RAVE reviews! Hard core coaster enthusiasts,are saying the speed with the ejector air time is absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!!

[@randomdefender1532]

Popularity can't last forever though. Let's see how long that actually lasts for

[@ceilingunlimited-cp5kq]

@@randomdefender1532 Lol nothing last forever. But even old rides are still popular with high ridership.

[@randomdefender1532]

@@ceilingunlimited-cp5kq But some ride's popularity fades faster than others.

[@randomdefender1532]

@@ceilingunlimited-cp5kq But some ride's popularity fades faster than others. Look at how Intimidator 305 (now Project 305) and Skyrush turned out!

[@stephenlee1664]

I'm fucking livid because this ride is closed the one trip I'm able to take to Cedar Point this summer. This has severely soured my view of this coaster and has set a pretty shitty first impression. I hope this doesn't continue to be a issue, but man I don't have much faith in Zamperla to begin with.

[@czechmatebro]

If the launch was split into two more powerful sections with a bunny hill in between nobody would be complaining

[@CoasterDash]

Completely agree!

[@Haazza]

Yeah they should’ve just launched backwards first and then one more going foward completing the top hat, would be so much more fun and powerful and with the airtime hill in the middle

[@czechmatebro]

​@@Haazza but there would not be much space for the backwards launch so the spike would not be very tall.

[@Haazza]

@@czechmatebro they could move the station forward a bit to get it up to like 70 in like 3 seconds then up the spike, it doesn’t matter if it would be shorter than the original spike the acceleration is worth it, and then through the second launch up to 120mph through the airtime hill

[@bobbylindsey]

Finally, an honest take on this abhorrent disappointment. Congratulations, Cedar Point for ruining one of the most thrilling coasters to ever exist.

[@maverickheartlineroll]

exactly

[@BluJFPV]

I’ve now ridden it 3 times. It’s leaps and bounds better than the original setup. The reverse spike is incredibly intense and the new faster speed at the top flings you out of the seat. Wish they would have done this years ago

[@rafetizer]

Glad they didnt. The old launch was flippin amazing. Also, you could actually ride it

[@Doctor_dispatch]

"It's not going to end well" -Owen Grady from velocicoaster's pre show

[@MichiganStance]

This video is so funny 😂 “and it gets even worse when you go up the spike backwards up 400 feet” like what? Yall are weirdos dude

[@coldspider2199]

You might be eating your words bud. I dont live in ohio but i make the drive every year to cedar point. If you love dragster, you would be happy its still standing. I have seen some of the medias reactions to riding it, and it seems there is good floater time on the mini rollback and also amazing g's on the way backwards up the vertical tower. The news reporters are raving about it when they rode it. Yes your right itll be missing the 120mph launch. But as a true legitimate roller coadter lover, im happy to see that at least dragster is still there and the ride time is longer. Plus idk any other coaster that goes over 100mph backwards up a tower. Id say ride it 1st and then make your video. Im looking forward to it and as a cedar point regular, and am very happy to see that part of the park alive again! Plus maybe thatll lower the line for steel vengeance.

[@delvivor2167]

Personally i never went on Top Thrill Dragster and i prob will never ride Top Thrill 2 just because it's way to intense for me and i prefer medium sized coasters but i too am not a fan of Top Thrill 2. I've never been a fan of swing launches and now i think it's becoming really overused in modern coasters. I also imagine now that there is a swing launch that the average number of riders per hour will significantly decrease so i could see this ride not only being less exicting to ride but also a capacity nightmare especially when it opens next summer

[@protowave]

combined with half the original number of trains, the capacity on this thing will be horrible

[@eliasmertens9313]

Let’s all be completely honest here, this means that Intamin is totally gonna serve it when Kingda Ka makes its inevitable final hydraulic launch someday. Really show Cedar Point what they were missing out on.

[@crveech]

I've ridden Top Thrill Dragster twice, and the launch was always the best part. I will have to ride it once it's back open, but I'm also concern it won't be as forceful.

[@dougholmes8468]

I appreciate that rant! Top Thrill 2… It kinda looks weak to me. Let’s b honest, we rode Dragster for the launch I will never forget Dragster, waiting on line all day, then it would break down for like an hour or two. You get closer to the front of the line, they close it down due to bad weather expected, another hour wait, finally in the gate,!!!! You are next (4.5 hours later) 🤣🤣 I would do it all over again for that launch!! (In all honesty, that launch was dangerous and as very sympathetic and sorry I am For all those people injured at Dragster) it just seemed that launch really was super maxing out the train. Why didn’t Cedar Point go with whoever made that Ferrari coaster. That looks like a hell of a launch. The only way I guess we have to accept Top Thrill 2, is that during the design, Cedar Point more than likely said…. “As long as the new coaster has little to no mechanical down time or components that may be out under stress and cause harm or injury, build it “ They definitely had to protect their asses from future law suits and liabilities. Got to understand at the end of the day, it’s still a business built to make $.

[@greghiskhan7426]

I’ve never ridden the original Dragster, but I understand why not everyone is on the idea of it having a swing launch section. That launch taking you 120 mph is what made Top Thrill Dragster so popular. These new changes definitely will feel weird for those who have ridden it. That being said, that 400 spike looks absolutely insane. I’ve ridden Pantheon at Busch Gardens, and that 180 foot spike already felt crazy enough, so I’m curious to see what that’ll be like

[@SkyrushFanboy]

Nice ff7 profile pic

[@jaredbumbis]

I was lucky enough to ride TTD in 2020 and the launch felt insane. I was scared of going 400ft and the launch quite literally blew me away. Cant imagine it without that launch

[@Queue_Thrills]

I actually agree with you 100% on every point. If i made a video on TT2 these are all of the points i would have made. well said. you have me as an ally at least lol.

[@King-ru9ve]

You gotta wonder..Are these accidents planned? Some lady mysteriously gets hit in the head and we get a new coaster?

[@iliketrains3546]

You gotta wonder… a lady gets hit in the head by an unreliable, expensive ride and after that CP decide to change the ride so that doesn’t happen again. Or maybe a CP worker just threw some metal at that lady so we could get a new ride. Yeah that makes so much more sense

[@randomdefender1532]

Normally I don't believe conspiracies, but I'm starting to think CP intentionally neglected the ride (especially after Covid) and may have left the scews loose on the plate so something would happen and they'd have a reason to no longer deal with an unreliable ride. I'm be extremely TO'd at CP (and we should all be) if that's actually true.

[@djaceproductions]

I think Cp didnt want to pay the same company twice to work on the same coaster. I rode Top Thrill since it was build and nothing can replace the feel of that hydraulic launch, i wish they could have did it with LSM instead of using the momentum of the spike, but we shall see when i ride it next season

[@Dheast]

I would abbreviate cedar point *MUCH* differently next time bro.

[@GPK1075]

here's the main question that will decide if you will like dragster or top thrill: Would you rather have one of the best launches in the world or superman krypton coaster at magic mountain attached to the back of the top hat? For me, I would definitely prefer having the best launch in the world, but idk about you 💀

[@tylerpozzi9904]

You mentioned saying that people only rode dragster for the launch, idk how many will agree with me but I think people are going to ride this just for the spike.

[@beowolf9480]

I'd imagine the spike being that tall is in case it has a second rollback, it's going the same speed that Dragster did so they'll probably happen at some point out another, and then they can just let you coast up the spike before letting you go over the top hat

[@JonathanTomko1991]

honestly all i want is the larger rollback and this ride will be a 100% improvement. i think an airtime hill before the top hat is a great idea, but also some other ones around millennium island like the OG plans called for would be awesome too.

[@brianfoss571]

A larger rollback makes *ZERO* sense from a power consumption perspective. Seriously. All of the enthusiast fan POVs depicting this were phenomenally dumb and got us hyped for something that could never happen. In order to climb 350+ feet up the top hat, you have to launch to 105-110 mph on the first go. Even if Zamperla *could* do that reliably with their new Lightning trains, you're taking about 80% of the LSM's energy consumption per cycle and dumping it into the first 5 seconds, leaving the remaining 2 launches to do virtually nothing. Not only does that make the power budget unbalanced, it makes the last 2 launches even more anticlimactic than they already are. The first launch has to be mediocre to make the last two feel at least mildly thrilling.

[@SuperFlashDriver]

@@brianfoss571 Well considered that you also have to take in wind and weather conditions, not to mention it may not be able to run during rainstorms or thunderstorms, anything can happen. And even then, if ti does rollback, hopefully the coaster will go back up the vertical part of the coaster and launch once more (say a third time or so), to make it even more anticipating to finally get over the hill, so the ride can last a minute longer than the usual time for the ride that actually operates. Again, unless this ride officially opens to the public, I'll be holding my opinion on how I feel about this coaster and such.

[@brianfoss571]

@SuperFlashDriver ...Huh? TT2 is already designed for 3 launches. You know that, right? And yes, that 3rd launch, boring as it will be, exists to ensure the train will clear the top hat in any SAFE OPERATING weather conditions. Really not sure what point you're trying to make. Or how it's relevant to my comment about power consumption.

[@SuperFlashDriver]

@@brianfoss571 I think I meant if it does actually rollback or does not make it over the top hill and rollbacks, causing them to do 3 more launches to get it over the hill once more, making the ride much longer (and for me) more enjoyable to ride and such. As for power consumption, that part I wasn't talking about that one. Sorry for the confusion. But as for the name itself, they should have just stuck with "Top Thrill Dragster 2" just to keep the original name as a reminder of what used to be there before it was removed/renovated to become what it is now.

[@brianfoss571]

@SuperFlashDriver If a rollback were to happen after the 3rd launch, there wouldn't be 3 more launches, dude. There's be 2 more. One backward. One forward over the top hat. 😆😆 And they'd be pretty **weak, anticlimactic** launches since you're already going about 110 mph. That does not strike me as value-added runtime. And CP definitely wants to minimize that to cycle trains once a minute. And you know you can comment without replying to someone else who's commented, right? Simply click, "Add a Reply" below the OP. No need to drag me into this if you aren't responding to anything I said specifically. 😆😆

[@Thelightning1out]

I like this layout but not the name

[@Wildcattttt]

Same

[@PolyRocketMatt]

I'm from Belgium and I have been fortunate enough to experience TTD and I must say I am also very mixed on this. Yes 100mph backwards will be great, yes the spike will be cool, but there are so many "if"s with this revamp. No offense to Zamperla, but if this doesn't turn out their relation with Cedar Fair (soon to be Six Flags) will probably deteriorate, leaving them on bad terms with both Intamin AND Zamperla, drastically cutting possible future models (realistically the only manufacturer they'll go for is B&M at that point but they are currently in an innovative phase where intamin was back when they worked with CF still). Furthermore this ride doesn't "do" anything TTD didn't do, it just feels like a "cheap" way to improve the ride length... Honestly, in my eyes and in my personal opinion, CP just wasted a whole lot of money on a gamble that will probably turn out to be reliable, but ruin one of their flagship coasters...

[@brianfoss571]

Zamperla's definitely playing this as safe as possible. If Intamin were overhauling Dragster, we'd have only 2 launches, a 150-ish foot spike, and likely a couple ejector airtime hills added to the launch segment. But Zamperla likely can't achieve 99.99% reliability (less than one "true rollback" per day) with 2 launches, so they have to add a 3rd, gut the LSM acceleration, and spend most of the non-train budget on the 420 foot spike, adding no other major elements. At least this allows them to use a smaller switch track segment than Intamin uses, so that should keep things simpler for them.

[@PolyRocketMatt]

True, and even though I have faith in Zamperla pulling this one off, feels like a gamble still in my eyes

[@brianfoss571]

@PolyRocketMatt It's a gamble that will hopefully pay off in the long run. Zamperla offers more rides that Cedar Fair would be interested in than Intamin does. And I imagine the work they've done on TT2 will help their Double Heart concept with reliability right out the gate. If TT2 is successful, I won't be surprised if Knott's replaces Montezooma with a Double Heart.

[@d_h_entertainment]

Yes, finally someone brings this up. I have been thinking the same thing with the launches. You don't get the force with such drawn out straight track, the spike is just to claim a record, and the increase in launch speeds will probably barely be felt. I think it still will be a fun ride, but may lose that elite status. I am hoping they will surprise us with faster launches for a "gotcha" gag to the announcement, but it's highly doubtful.😮‍💨

[@huntzzio]

Dude everyone talks about how the launches will be forceless

[@boltgaming248]

@@huntzzio if they like forceful launches they can go to japan and ride dododonpa and get spinal injury that is how forceful dododonpa is

[@d_h_entertainment]

@@huntzzio Because it's a big factor of the ride. When the ride originally opened the launch and the height is what drew crowds to the park. I'm not saying a 74mph launch is bad, I've been on plenty of launch coasters that have slower launches that have been great, TMNT Shellraiser, Storm Runner, etc. which are also forceful, but notice how short the launch section is, meaning more force is applied creating a burst. TT2's launch section is so long the launch will mostly be drawn out which will probably make it feel more like the passing launches on a Sky Rocket 2

[@brandoncole5533]

I don't think it would lose it's elite status (the first full circuit strata could never) but I could see enthusiast's opinion of the ride then south

[@thebe_stone_MC]

@@boltgaming248 or just... drive to new jersey.

[@gtrlyfe1012]

Never rode top thrill dragster, unfortunately, but luckily I’ve got Kingda Ka nearby. I love it, wish I could’ve been able to compare them. Top thrill 2 looks cool and I’m excited to check it out next year, but I can understand why someone who loves the original would be disappointed by this new design. I don’t want them to ever change Kinda ka!!

[@cottenplayz]

kingda ka needs to replace their restraints the over the shoulder restraints just look painful especially on the tallest coaster

[@gtrlyfe1012]

@@cottenplayz I can’t compare to the top thrill lap bar trains, but I’ve been on a lot of coasters with overhead restraints, and I personally have no discomfort riding it. As smooth as can be for such an intense launch/ride.

[@cottenplayz]

@@gtrlyfe1012 yeah overhead restraints can be comfortable its just since kingda ka is an older ride i feel like its roughness with the restraints would probably be pretty uncomfortable cause well any camel back i feel would be painful in the airtime with any overhead restraints

[@enderdragonrebel8026]

@@cottenplayzthey are not allowed to do that By New Jersey law, all roller coasters taller than 300 feet are required to have over the shoulder restraints Edit: I’ve been on it, the restraints are fine

[@randomdefender1532]

@@enderdragonrebel8026 Should at least switch them out with the soft straps then.

[@Tipsuns]

bro you always copy what @coasterstudios says.

[@TheKnexMaker]

I wonder is the slow lsm speed is due to then cheaping out on the teck? like even if you got to 100mph on the first launch then the full speed backwards so you can reach over 400ft backlwards and then the full 120 forwards would have been better

[@fredsanford336]

Seems like you got it all figured out! They should have come to you for advice😂

[@TheKnexMaker]

@@fredsanford336 there is no need for this passive aggresive comments. this comunity is full of speculation. just enjoy it

[@CoastersThrillsAndAirtimeHills]

I personally think it needs to be given a chance. Intamin coasters are notorious for breaking down. Let’s just go ride it with an open mind rather than finding reasons why it’s going to be disappointing 😃. Velocicoaster, pantheon and toutatis have all had issues this season. It becomes a bit monotonous when something breaks down all the time.

[@oneandonlysound99]

Completely agreed. I wish both El Toro and Kingda Ka (the latter getting this makeover, the other preferrably GG/GCI but idk might have to be RMCed the pre-fab track always has many questions raised) would get makeovers. Shadow selfs and broken down way too often.

[@CoastersThrillsAndAirtimeHills]

@@oneandonlysound99 yep! Whenever you go to a park, you never worry about a favourite B&M coaster not being available but you do worry about the intamins lol

[@AmericanTrackAscension]

Intamin's new coasters are very reliable. Maybe the problem was the park? People are so quick to put all the blame on the manufacturer. This is also the same park whose B&Ms go down frequently and can't even keep a wildmouse up to par

[@CoastersThrillsAndAirtimeHills]

@@AmericanTrackAscension in contrast, I don’t know why people blame a park. Toutatis at parc asterix - a very well maintained park has had a terrible opening year for reliability. That’s intamin. The other one at Busch gardens Williamsburg has been much the same. Maybe people just need to stop criticising Zamperla and TT2 until they actually experience it. I’ve only ever had positive experiences at cedar point. Will see if my opinion changes in 2024.

[@AmericanTrackAscension]

@@CoastersThrillsAndAirtimeHills because the park is the one maintaining and operating the ride. The manufacturer designs it

[@mutoneon]

This is teen angst.

[@joao.spegiorin]

Well this video aged like fine milk

[@rafetizer]

Tt2 down for entire season past week 1 aged even better, what u think?

[@Nep2e]

This is what I would do. I’ll make the top hat taller than a sky scraper and make the hydraulic launch much faster and after the drop I’ll add a loop and then add the finish line

[@schlenbea]

I was smiling seeing the POV and FPV on the recent rides. I've never been so thrilled by a coaster VIDEO and the reactions by riders confirm an amazing experience. Hopefully you get to experience it in person soon - just let us know if you change your mind. TT2 LOOKS AMAZING imho

[@CoasterDash]

Stay tuned 👀

[@Thrills_And_Chills_WQAQ]

I don’t get this, it hasn’t even opened yet, we don’t know how it even will be

[@dominicbonavita2.087]

Fr

[@jordanwolfson8378]

Maybe we should give Zamperla's completely revamped Coaster division a chance before completely discrediting them like this, though? The ride's not even open yet. Thoosies act like they won't still ride it and enjoy it, and they get way too over-critical.

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

Thank you. Coasters enthusiasts ruin EVERYTHING they touch. Did you notice how lightning rod removed the launch off their ride completely, and coaster enthusiasts give it a pass anyways? They’re total hypocrites

[@fredsanford336]

oooh yayyyy! Another person with common sense😃This brings the grand total of non-snowflake fans to 4!

[@rjones0211]

This comment did not age well.

[@PatrickRyan150]

Guarantee this coaster will be a flop & likely close within 3 seasons.

[@Pokethememedealer]

Im a fan of yours but this is clickbait. Calling a ride awful before its even done being built is shitty

[@alecscheerer_run]

He's ridden far more coasters than most of us have. He has a good idea of what this will be like. This isn't exactly some revolutionary ride we haven't seen

[@boltgaming248]

@@alecscheerer_run but it may be different in terms of ride experience than other coasters with the spike because it hits it at 101 mph or something

[@alecscheerer_run]

@boltgaming248 It'll be worse yeah. Not much acceleration between each launch and no speed hill along the launch and no layout. The spike is taller, but that's something we've seen already. This isn't some revolutionary ride we haven't seen before

[@Dermot88886g]

In fairness to Marc, he loved the original so much and they're changing what he loved about it. Objectively speaking, I'm sure it will be a great ride but for such an enthusiast the changes probably are "awful"

[@InfinitePlaylist909]

I think people really underestimate how close TTD was to being fully removed. Not saying that makes this a great ride, but if you had to choose, I’m thinking most enthusiasts would vote to keep it as-is. It was never, ever going to come back as it was or with an upgraded layout. They pinched every penny they could to keep it, and the GP truly won’t think twice about it.

[@lionpaw2024]

I mean to be fair it is making a comeback with an upgraded layout isn't it?

[@brianfoss571]

Great point. The main reason it wasn't removed is it's a massive plot. If CP were to replace it with a record-breaking Mack XSC, that's a $35+ M investment on top of the cost to dismantle Dragster. Fact is it's much cheaper to add new trains, LSMs, a vertical spike, and a fresh coat of paint. And if doing the bare minimum to keep it operational gives the GP a coaster that's more like Wicked Twister than Maverick, that's a win-win for the park.

[@brianfoss571]

@@lionpaw2024 Are there new airtime hills on the launch track or just before the brake? Sadly, no. The spike is only there because it's necessary to set up the 3rd launch. CP isn't doing anything more than what's required to keep it operational with minimal maintenance.

[@JoshuaStudmire]

How are you gonna hate on a ride that didn’t even open yet?

[@dreams2reality410]

I'm most worried about capacity. With double the ride time I can only imagine how long the lines will be. I also think everyone would of preferred a twisted spike. Because this is uncharted waters for Zamperla I imagine they wanted to keep things as simple as possible. I will be there at the very end of next season once the hype has cooled off a bit and the kids are back in school. Looking forward to riding it. Fingers crossed the revamp goes smooth and this opens in time for next season.

[@CoastersThrillsAndAirtimeHills]

I like the straight spike. I wouldn’t have wanted a twist.

[@69voxbeetle]

Look at the basics. CF decided to go with Zamperla instead of letting the original manufacturer do the revamp - This would probably equal cost savings, I do not see that as a smart move. Second, Cedar Fair merged with Six Flags. SF has the worst safety record in the industry. Third, Cedar Point has been going downhill ever since Mr. Kinzel retired and admission ticket prices have almost doubled. Y'all can ride this thing if you want to - I'm not getting on it.

[@CoastersThrillsAndAirtimeHills]

@@69voxbeetle I reckon they didn’t want to go with intamin because despite intamin’s reputation for building good coasters, they also have a reputation for unreliability. I don’t think any of us will ever truly know the reasons.

[@SnowghostFilms]

The capacity would actually improve. 2 more people per train, same time between launches, and less downtime. Also, didn’t you guys want the drop to not be twisted, and now you are upset that you are getting a 400ft straight vertical drop?

[@MichiganStance]

Learn from these guys kids, don’t overthink everything and just learn to enjoy a ride. Everyone whos ridden it so far has mostly said its better than dragster. Cry about it, go ride kingda ka 😂😂😂

[@rafetizer]

I fail to see how not being able to ride it at all past the first week is better than 0-120 whoopin your ass off the line. Eh, what do i know - ive only been going to the point since the mid 80's

[@MichiganStance]

@@rafetizer idk man, but i rode top thrill dragster a few times back then and got to ride TT2 opening weekend, and i gotta say it is 10X a better experience than the original in my opinion. Never had that crazy amount of airtime ever on any coaster. Only downside is Zamperla’s trains going down and having stress fractures on the wheel carriers. So who knows if it will ride the same when its fixed

[@rafetizer]

@@MichiganStance not bashing people who enjoy the new version, just saying those of us who liked it for the insane launch arent going to be mollified by air time. A LOT of commentors seem to be shitting on this kid's opinion like its some kind of debateable fact. We just want that launch back

[@MichiganStance]

@@rafetizer yeah i can understand that, the launch was absolutely an insane experience every time, my ideal version would be the same launch up to 120 (it actually hits 120 now due to LSM’s, back then it actually used to only go 114-118 depending on weather), go up the first spike and finish the ride how it is now. I feel like they could make it a swing launch with it hitting 120 off the first launch, but maybe not.

[@cleogiraffeingtonthefourth1542]

I saw that first pov Catagory is tow mater going over speed bumps

[@Ristofec]

People complain about everything

[@1138gabe]

I agree with everything in this video, and I'll add that I bet they will have tech issues with the switch track, causing breakdowns.

[@Serenov.a]

The idea of the swit h track sketches me out. Not for any reason. I love coasters more than is probably healthy, but I have a lot of irrational anxieties around them too, and this is a new element that gives me some. Lol

[@travisvanalst4698]

@@Serenov.aThere are lots of reliable coasters that have a switch track lol.

[@Serenov.a]

@@travisvanalst4698 I know. That's why I said it's not for any reason. Also kinda exactly why I called it anxiety. lol. It's totally irrational and I get that.

[@randomdefender1532]

If this becomes a maintenance nightmare then that would've made the makeover pointless! If that's the case probably should've just kept it as it was.

[@rixrobin]

From what I have heard it wasn’t cedar fair that didn’t want to work with intamin, but intamin that didn’t want to work with cedar fair. CF went to a 3rd party to get replacement parts for volcano instead of intamin which caused problems that in part lead to its closure. We’ll see how the merger changes the relationship though.

[@Serenov.a]

I keep wondering how this merger will do with all the intamin rides. I know intamin can be unreliable but they make damn good coasters and tbh, CP is need of a damn good coaster (I don't care who makes it, but things have been so blah since steel vengeance imo)

[@MarshallColeman-n3e]

Uh Marc why are you criticizing top thrill 2 when on the other hand you really haven’t ridden it bruh 🤨

[@billchief397]

All unimpressive talk end up saying it's the best coaster in the end...intamin isn't everything folks there are rising star companies out too

[@A-aronTI]

Yes, this is exactly what we’ve been saying this whole time. The last 2 launches will feel like straight track

[@rafetizer]

That 0-120 launch WAS top thrill. Slowing it down to address reliability issues is hilarious considering it only ran for two weeks of the entire season. It might still be fun, but many of us want that ludicrous speed of the original - not this back and forth fartwagon.

[@briandavis8629]

Look mom they added a spike and a rollback. What that's not a rollback its a speed bump like that's going to make it better at least at least make it go past the twist on the top hat. Now that's would be a roll back.

[@JohnBarney-yd2wq]

It's disappointing. No new height, no new speed, and the lines are going to be way longer now because it can only use 1 train.

[@skyeskool]

i think this was a bit harsh because he said the end will be like the og dragster so whats the problem we get more + the things we already like

[@rafetizer]

I too like accelerating much, much slower

[@wifidoorbellguy4351]

I'm no Zamperla fan but, I spoke to guests at cedar point who loved the new Top Thrill 2. The guy I talked to rode it over 20 times.

[@TyHart71]

Might wanna take this down bud. Rode it Thursday and it’s better than ever!

[@thekoasterkings151]

I was saying the exact same things about this ride when it was announced! The best way to show that this is a dumb renovation is to boycott the addition so the park does not see a return on its investment, which is why I will not visit Cedar Point next year.

[@byoung255]

A bunnyhop on on the launch plus an airtime hill or ejector hill on the return would have been great additions. I've heard the speed over the tophat has increased. To me that doesn't sound good. That's not what the track geometry was designed for. I guess some people like the extreme ejector sensation.

[@krs12]

Im going to have to agree with you on this one! The new logo and teasers talk about "racing" and feature red and gray. I was hoping for a 2nd tophat, and trains would race. One up the gray tophat and one up the red tophat. first one backdown and across the finish "wins". After you cross the finish you go up the next tophat and get a rollback back into the station to unload/load. 2 full trains running each lap is double the capacity! Switch track could be utilized for any itinal rollbacks.

[@michaelkucharski4251]

I think the first launch should have been 100mph.. with the second and third launches being a lot less powerful. And to your point its pretty much top thrill layout with superman stuck in the middle. While sacrificing the forceful launch, i still think it will be a good ride, and a considerably longer experience with much more time to enjoy the high speed nature of the ride.. Do I trust the lightning trains to track well at very high speeds.. not sure... Now with Cedar Fair and Six flags working together they need to move the old dragster trains to Kingda Ka... I personally am excited for this ride, but I wont lie I will miss the old top thrill.

[@fredsanford336]

Who cares what you think?

[@brianfoss571]

Two reasons that's a bad idea: One, it's extremely anti-climactic to have two weak launches after an intense one. Two, it's terrible power management. Dumping 75-80% of the energy consumption of each train cycle into a single 4-5 second launch is bad for park ops. If CP were doing this overhaul for enthusiasts, they'd bite the bullet working with Intamin to do 2 punchy launches, limit the spike to around 150 feet, and add a couple airtime pops. But instead, they're doing the minimum to keep it running reliably while ceding Maverick to the enthusiasts. We'll see if Six Flags is willing to pay Intamin to upgrade Kingda Ka properly instead.

[@michaelkucharski4251]

@@brianfoss571 with the merger we will have to see what happens to Kingda Ka. Right now we still have Kingda Ka with the amazing launch, and Top Thrill will the extended ride and longer duration of high speed. My daughter is just tall enough to ride both for the first time, it will be be interesting which she finds better. I am sure I will love the new ride.

[@brianfoss571]

@@michaelkucharski4251 Glad she'll be able to ride TT2 and Ka this season! I don't have a problem with TT2 appealing to a wider swath of guests - just enthusiasts hyping it to be the best ride of the year. It'll be above average, but it might not crack my top 5 at CP. As for Intamin, I'd expect Cedar Fair's leadership would be willing to let Six Flags add another Intamin beyond the Ultra Surf. They'd very likely consider an Intamin launched single rail (maybe for Six Flags New England?), as they're not enthusiastic about RMC, and might want to compare it with S&S's family single rail. If Ka does get LSM launches, I'd expect one backwards launch followed by the main forward launch to be picked for ride ops.

[@DylynKay]

I called this when they confirmed the spike. The launches would have to be broken up otherwise and weird since there's no point in making the spike tall if youre not going fast but if you're already going that fast to get up the spike then the third launch will have to be weak. I wish I got to ride ttd before the change

[@rafetizer]

The old launch was fucking amazing

[@wildcatenthusiast8888]

Honestly…I like it. I wish that they added an airtime hill on the launch and a twist to the spike, but other than that, I think this could be a good ride.

[@CoastersThrillsAndAirtimeHills]

Snap! Me too.

[@rranger2834]

So just copy King Da Ka?

[@CoastersThrillsAndAirtimeHills]

@@rranger2834 hmmmm? Lol

[@iliketrains3546]

@@rranger2834 kingda ka has no airtime hill on the launch or twisted spike so no

[@ColeYote]

Yeah, thinking about it, it is super-weird that they wanted to make it more reliable... so they went to a manufacturer that had never done an LSM launch before to retrofit it with an LSM launch. Guess there's no possibility of the launch mechanism exploding now, but there's no guarantee it'll have any less downtime.

[@ForestGilbert]

Agree, the first launch will feel pretty lame, compared to the original. Why wouldn’t they launch you fast enough to almost clear the top hat, giving you a true “rollback“ experience? Then add enough backward launch to travel almost to the top of the backward spike? That would be an awesome ride!

[@kRuBe.]

The one thing I do aggree with is that I do think Intamin would have been better suited for this coaster instead of Zamperla. One more thing, although most people ride this coaster for the launch, my mother rode top thrill dragster when it first came out in 2003 and it became her favorite coaster solely because of the 400 foot drop with just a lap bar.

[@gwnlars_8306]

I'm still relieved that Top Thrill 2 isn't from SBF Visa.

[@austintayloradt]

Spot on - if they were going to have a spike, should have put it after the top hat...single forceful launch, up and over the top hat, up a vertical spike with reverse free fall. I hope we're pleasantly surprised though

[@Random-xe2cc]

I just get confused with one thing This usually gets a pretty long wait time even with dispatch’s being as fast as humanly possible. Cedar point knows it’s a good ride for guest…so why did they make it longer and with less capacity? That swing launch will be cool when you’re on it but waiting what might be 3+ hours just to get on it sure as hell isn’t going to be fun to wait

[@I_forgot_my_Name_sorry]

the 2 spike is also 420 f tall because if it roll back from the top it would be bad...... because ther are no brakes on the launch

[@darrylellis4809]

My question is, is going to go the full height of that spike if not that would be defeating the purpose.

[@Nep2e]

Zamperla closing down would be the best thing ever

[@brianschulz7833]

I think TT2 will be a fun, albeit less intense, ride experience than the original Dragster. I do value ride time in a coaster, so, if nothing else, a longer experience is appealing to me. It is absolutely baffling that Cedar Fair whiffed on the launch track airtime hill-that would’ve been an IMMENSE improvement over the current layout. Sadly, I do have to chalk that up to Zamperla’s inexperience. I think both CF and Zamperla went with the absolute bare minimum, not only due to cost, but also to keep things simpler and therefore less prone to issues.

[@j.johnson7891]

The bare minimum would have been figuring out how to launch this thing to 120 mph with only using one launch, not worrying about building new track. They wanted this thing reimagined and adding a spike + 3 launches achieves that.

[@pyroshayniac1090]

The original launch is what made the coaster so beguiling to me. I’m sad that is gone forever.

[@collinloretitsch4731]

the 3rd launch is the exact same. 120mph in same time. same launch

[@randomdefender1532]

@@collinloretitsch4731 But you're already rolling down from the spike at 100 mph so the LSMs won't accelerate you as much as going from 0-120.

[@notdoctorq]

I'd be a lot more upset if Ka didn't exist giving 90% of the same experience (and being 5 hours closer to me). Never been to CP (going next season), and I'm perfectly okay with TT2 dragging crowds away from Steve, Maverick and Magnum.

[@jannick247]

Using Zamperlas Back in Forth System while Intamin would literally yeet you up there in no time is just crazy.

[@Oriental_Express_USA]

Never thought to put the terms “comfortable” and “coaster” in the same paragraph.

[@nyr36]

The part thats the toughest to swallow is the initial launch going like 20% up the top hat

[@johnfoltz8183]

I want to go on something more thrilling than Strata Coaster 1!

[@RedHotMessResell]

I’ll never forget my first trip to cedar point. For one, it was literally days after that lady got hit by the flying object. And two, my bf was cheating on me and made me cry several times at the park. I always wondered if we made it there earlier if I would’ve ridden top thrill or not or would I have been that lady. I was always uncertain about TTD because it just seemed like it was too extreme for me. But I’ll be interested in seeing what this one does and maybe one day I’ll ride it

[@WilliamRay123]

Yep, your opinion lost me almost instantly. This ride looks amazing, and I dont think you truly understand how insane this spike will be.

[@rafetizer]

And i dont think you understand that we want that original balls to the wall launch back

[@evannmxmx]

I think you’re really underestimating what this ride is gonna be like. While there won’t be as much force it’s not gonna be slow at all. And back row on that 420 spike is gonna be crazy. It will still feel fast as hell. But I do feel like it will be a make or break with doing a pro type by a rather unproven builder in these types of rides

[@adamsensabaugh1417]

If I remember correctly, the CEO of Cedar Point said TTD was the biggest mistake they ever made, and I would have to agree. That thing always broke down, multiple times in line even. If I remember correctly, when it was relatively new the news said soemthing about someone getting metal shards in their face from the ride. I don't understand why people are upset about going with a different manufacturer, they did a bad job on TTD, they did a bad job on shoot the rapids. Honestly if they can get the ride to be reliable that would be great, and I am terrified of heights, so I am looking forward to being on the back of the train so I can stare downwards.

[@rafetizer]

And yet tt2 ran for 8 days total

[@yopeople70]

I was super excited about Top Thrill 2, but you made some good points. If I ever go to Cedar Point again I'll wana ride it, but yea, not much compares to a 0-120mph launch. I like longer roller coasters but I loved Top Thrill Dragster so much I had to call someone after I rode it to say how cool it was.

[@hunterbresler4722]

im dissapointed that the drop is still curved. maybe dragster was different, but kingda ka's twist made the drop feel... bland?

[@bcjammer87]

I agree 100%. The launch was the entire ride on Dragster and they completely killed it. Very disappointing.

[@masonc73]

Taking capacity into consideration, I would have loved to have seen a twisted backwards launch first (paying homage to Wicked Twister), a speed hill prior to the top hat and then a giant stale after the top hat (similar to Zadra)

[@brianfoss571]

There isn't enough space for a stall and a brake run at 100+ mph. Velocicoaster's mosasaurus roll is about 175 feet long at 60-65 mph, so TT2 would probably need one at that's twice as long and wide to keep the forces down.

[@masonc73]

@@brianfoss571, maybe so but they still definitely could have done something more creative on the first half

[@coastermike120]

How do you know it’s Awful you have not Rode it yet?

[@jonny-b4954]

It's basically what I expected, sadly. I did actually think they'd add a Kingda-Ka like camelback before brake run. Was hoping for a helix. But didn't get either. Let alone a bunny hop swing launch. Which are an improvement over a normal swing launch. I'm just not a huge fan of swing launches. I mean, they're cool. But too many coasters are doing them now.

[@plannerbrittany]

I agree- the names a bummer, the No bunny hills is also a bummer too.

[@fredsanford336]

You're a major bummer

[@Jillousa]

With the new launches it's flying over the top hat at a very fast speed compared to previously