Top Thrill 2
Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox roller coaster
Top Thrill 2 is a launched roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. The ride originally opened as Top Thrill Dragster in 2003, becoming the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, as well as the first ever strata coaster. The original was an Accelerator Coaster model from Intamin designed by Werner Stengel, featuring a height of Template:Convert and a drop distance of Template:Convert. It could accelerate from 0 to Template:Convert in 3.8 seconds and was themed to Top Fuel drag racing, with a launch track designed to resemble a dragstrip. Although its height and speed records were surpassed by Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2005, the ride consistently ranked as one of the world's top steel coasters.
Following a serious incident on August 15, 2021, in which a guest was struck by a metal object that detached from the ride while they were standing in line, Top Thrill Dragster was indefinitely closed by Cedar Point pending an investigation and assessment of the ride's future.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, the park announced that Italian ride manufacturer Zamperla would be redesigning the roller coaster. The updated version, renamed Top Thrill 2, features a second Template:Convert vertical spike tower and replaces the original hydraulic launch system designed by Intamin with a linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch system. Although the LSM launch generates less instantaneous power than the original hydraulic system, it uses a triple-launch sequence—forward, backward, and forward again—to accelerate the train to its original top speed of Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The coaster reemerged as Top Thrill 2 on May 4, 2024, featuring a new, longer ride experience. However, its inaugural season was cut short after only a week of operation due to issues with the trains, which required modifications.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The ride reopened for the 2025 season and reclaimed the title of tallest roller coaster in the world following the permanent closure of Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
According to Rob Decker, Vice President of Planning and Design, the park began working on a new project shortly after the debut of Millennium Force in 2000.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The goal, as he stated to Intamin, "was to set another world record, and our parameters were the tallest, fastest roller coaster".<ref name="Higgins" /> After considering modern propulsion methods used on coasters at the time, Intamin ultimately decided to design a new hydraulic launch system that would provide the most cost effective solution in a small footprint.<ref name="Higgins">Template:Cite web</ref>
Construction
After the 2001 season ended, one of the park's Dodgem rides, which was located across from Magnum XL-200's entrance, was relocated to Michigan's Adventure to clear the way for the new ride. In April 2002, work began on the concrete foundation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The concrete footings were kept hidden behind a fence when the park opened for the 2002 season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In August, an informal announcement from Cedar Point confirmed the park was building a new ride for the 2003 season.<ref name="Announcement-URC"/> Track pieces identified as Intamin were previously spotted near Mean Streak.<ref name="Announcement-URC">Template:Cite web</ref> Vertical construction by Martin & Vleminckx<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> began in the fall season, months before the formal announcement.<ref name="TV announcement">Template:Cite AV mediaTemplate:CbignoreTemplate:Dead YouTube link</ref> By October, the roller coaster had reached Template:Convert in height,<ref name="200 ft support">Template:Cite news</ref> and the highest peak was topped off in December.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The construction of the record-breaking top hat element, which stands Template:Convert, required the use of two cranes that could extend up to Template:Convert in height.<ref name="Higgins" /> At the time, only four such cranes existed in the US.<ref name="Higgins" />
An official announcement revealing details on the new ride was made the following month on January 9, 2003.<ref name="TV announcement"/> Officials for the park stated the goal was to build "the tallest and fastest roller coaster on earth", reaching Template:Convert in height and accelerating up to Template:Convert in 4 seconds. Its height also classified it as the world's first strata coaster, which is any full-circuit roller coaster with a height or drop between Template:Convert.<ref name="Strata record">Template:Cite web</ref> The large investment tied it with Millennium Force as being the most expensive in park history.<ref name="TV announcement"/> The structure was built by Intamin's subcontractor Stakotra.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In March, Cedar Fair registered a trademark for the name "Top Thrill Dragster".<ref name="trademark">Template:Cite news</ref>
Operation as Top Thrill Dragster (2003-2021)
Top Thrill Dragster's media day was held on May 1, 2003,<ref name="PB history">Template:Cite web</ref> and it officially opened to the public three days later.<ref name="RCDB">Template:Cite RCDB</ref> It became the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, surpassing Superman: The Escape at Six Flags Magic Mountain in height, which had opened in 1997,<ref name="MacDonald-Superman" /> and surpassing Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland in speed, which had opened in 2001.<ref name="Blade-Jan2003" /> It lost both records to Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in May 2005.<ref name="Witsil" /> Intamin designed both Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster, and the two shared a similar design and layout that differed primarily by theme and an additional hill featured on Kingda Ka.<ref name="comparison">Template:Cite web</ref> Shortly after it opened, a faulty valve on the hydraulic system caused a short-term closure.<ref name="2004 incident"/> The ride continued to experience a variety of issues dealing with its hydraulic system and launch cable, which frequently led to downtime early on in its tenure.<ref name="2004 incident"/>
During the 2017 season's opening weekend, Cedar Point temporarily renamed the ride "Top Thrill Cubster", referencing a lost wager with Six Flags Great America over the World Series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, timed boarding passes called "Access Passes" were used temporarily to comply with social distancing guidelines.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Closure
On August 15, 2021, a guest waiting in line to ride Top Thrill Dragster was struck in the head by a small metal piece that dislodged from a train,<ref name="2021 incident - SR"/> resulting in a severe injury that was described as a "serious accident".<ref name="2021 incident - PlainDealer"/> The ride remained closed the following two seasons pending an investigation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and a redesign of the roller coaster,<ref name="Organ 2022" /> described as a "new and reimagined ride experience".<ref name="2024 Reopening">Template:Cite news</ref>
At the time of its closure, Top Thrill Dragster had accommodated 18 million riders over 19 seasons.<ref name="CBS News 2022">Template:Cite web</ref> An update was released on social media in September 2022 stating, "Top Thrill Dragster, as you know it, is being retired."<ref name="closing">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Organ 2022"/> Officials provided limited details but confirmed that the roller coaster would reopen as a "new and reimagined ride experience".<ref name="Organ 2022">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Addeo2022">Template:Cite news</ref> A portion of the roller coaster's track near the station was dismantled in late 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In January 2023, the park released the tagline "A New Formula For Thrills" on social media to describe the planned modifications.<ref name="Haidet 2023">Template:Cite web</ref>
Reemergence as Top Thrill 2
There was speculation that Top Thrill Dragster's hydraulic launch system would be replaced.<ref name="LaunchReplacement-Glaser2022">Template:Cite web</ref> In August 2023, the speculation was confirmed after Cedar Point announced plans to transform Top Thrill Dragster into a triple-launched roller coaster using a linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch system, hiring Zamperla to redesign the ride.<ref name="TT2-Glaser" /> Although Zamperla was not a well-known name among major coaster manufacturers, they had experience working on large projects previously, had been growing their coaster division for most of a decade, and their 2019 "Lightning Train" model was well-equipped for the task.<ref name="Zelman-EarlyTT2Review" /> Adam Sandy, Zamperla's Director of Roller Coaster Sales and Marketing, noted that the switch to LSM would increase reliability and allow for lighter trains, which in turn would be manufactured with larger wheels to reduce cool down time and overall maintenance.<ref name="Zelman-EarlyTT2Review">Template:Cite web</ref> Tony Clark, director of communications at Cedar Point, stated that the goal of the transformation was to "enhance the experience, make it more reliable".<ref name="Zenner-TT2Preview">Template:Cite web</ref>
The modified coaster was set to reopen as Top Thrill 2.<ref name="TT2-Glaser">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="WXYZ 7 Action News Detroit 2023 s233">Template:Cite web</ref> Zamperla reused the existing Template:Convert top hat element and added an equally-sized vertical spike at the opposite end of the track.<ref name="TT2-Glaser" /><ref name="TT2-Webb">Template:Cite web</ref> While the maximum height and speed remained the same, the track length increased from Template:Convert.<ref name="TT2-Glaser" /><ref name="RCDB-TTD in 2021">Template:Cite web</ref> The vertical spike was topped out during construction in early December 2023,<ref name="Lofton 2023 n397">Template:Cite web</ref> and testing began in early 2024.<ref name="WXYZ 7 News Detroit 2024 f711">Template:Cite web</ref>
Cedar Point held a soft opening media day event on April 25, 2024.<ref name="First Ride - Glaser">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Houmard Unger Celeste Houmard 2024 r593">Template:Cite web</ref> The ride officially opened on May 4, 2024.<ref name="Hartpence s242">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Taylor m148">Template:Cite web</ref> A short time later on May 12, Cedar Point closed Top Thrill 2 unexpectedly, describing it as an "extended closure" while Zamperla worked to make mechanical modifications to the coaster trains.<ref name="Helms-TT2Closure">Template:Cite web</ref>
The ride remained closed indefinitely through months of speculation and sporadic testing. On August 23, 2024, the park announced that Top Thrill 2 would not reopen for the remainder of the season, but that work would continue with the goal of reopening the ride in 2025.<ref name="Haidet-2024 Closure">Template:Cite web</ref> The issue with the trains was fixed in the offseason, and Top Thrill 2 reopened with the park for the 2025 season.<ref name="Pinckard-April2025">Template:Cite web</ref> It also reopened as the tallest roller coaster in the world following the closure of Kingda Ka in late 2024, although Falcons Flight will capture the title when it opens later in 2025.<ref name="Witsil" />
Ride experience
Layout
As Top Thrill Dragster (2003-2021)
After leaving the station, the train entered the launch area. To the left of the launch area was a "Christmas tree" light, similar to those employed at the starting line of a drag strip. A brief message was played to the riders before the launch: "Keep arms down, head back, and hold on." Once the train was prepared to launch, a motor revving sound effect was played and its magnetic braking fins were lowered from the launch track. It then launched, accelerating to a speed of Template:Convert in 3.8 seconds. Shortly after reaching its maximum velocity, the catch car disengaged, and the train began its ascent up a 90-degree incline, twisting 90 degrees clockwise before climbing over the Template:Convert top hat. Upon descending, the track twisted 270 degrees before leveling out, allowing the train to be stopped by the magnetic brakes.<ref name="POV">Template:Cite AV media</ref><ref name="RCDB"/>
As Top Thrill 2
After leaving the station, the train passes through a switch and makes an S-turn to the right to join the launch track. To the left of the launch area is a modified version of the original "Christmas tree" light. As soon as the switch changes positions behind the train, the train is launched forward towards the original top hat at Template:Convert, rolling backward partway up the tower. Reaching the launch track again, the train is launched in reverse at Template:Convert, past the station, and up a Template:Convert vertical spike in reverse, crossing over Iron Dragon in the process. Rolling forward onto the launch track once again, the station roof creates a headchopper effect and the train is accelerated to Template:Convert to crest the top hat. After descending the 270 degree spiral drop, the train hits the brake run, while the switch track is reset to allow another train to launch.<ref name="Zamperla Announcement">Template:Cite web</ref>
Station, theme, and trains
As Top Thrill Dragster (2003-2021)
The roller coaster was themed to Top Fuel drag racing, a category of motor racing that involved the world's fastest accelerating cars.<ref name="dragstrip">Template:Cite podcast</ref> An actual Top Fuel dragster weighs approximately one ton, while each train on the coaster weighed 15 tons.<ref name="TV announcement"/> Originally, the design called for five cars on each train, but when the ride first opened, there were only four.<ref name="RCDB"/> A fifth car was added to each by midseason.<ref name="RCDB"/><ref name="old trains"/>
Each dragster-themed train was also decorated with a spoiler, a set of tires, and an engine at the rear of each train, but these were removed after the fifth car was added to allow an extra row of seats to take their place.<ref name="RCDB"/><ref name="old trains">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="RCDB pics">Template:Cite news</ref>
The track was mostly painted red, with the launch and approach to the tower having white stripes alternating with red sections. The supports were white on the launch and brake area and yellow on the tower.<ref name="POV"/>
As Top Thrill 2
As Top Thrill 2, the top fuel theming was dropped in favor of a more general racing theme, similar to that of Formula One.<ref name="Cedar Point Top Thrill 2 Ride Page"> Template:Cite web</ref> The ride area, as well as the trains, are decorated with a stylized logo of "CP Racing." The redesigned ride runs three 5-car trains supplied by Zamperla, holding 20 people per train.<ref name = "Zamperla Announcement" /> The trains are of Zamperla's Lightning model, which is notable for using a milled aluminum chassis and carbon fiber bodywork.<ref name="Sandusky Register Showed off at trade show this week v164">Template:Cite web</ref> For safety, riders can not bring loose items onto the ride, and metal detectors are installed at the beginning of the queue.<ref name="Holden 2024 k663">Template:Cite web</ref>
As part of the refurbishment, the ride was repainted to have white track and dark grey supports, with the highest points on both the spike and top hat towers being accented with red sections alternating with white sections.<ref name="Zamperla Announcement"/>
Rollbacks
Occasionally a train will launch without sufficient speed to reach the top of the tower and roll back onto the launch track, hence the term "rollback". This typically happens in cool, wet, or breezy weather, or when the wind is significantly working against it. As Top Thrill Dragster, the launch track was equipped with retractable magnetic brake fins, which were raised after each launch to slow the train down in case it did not reach the top of the tower.<ref name="rollback review">Template:Cite news</ref> As Top Thrill 2, if the train does not crest over the top after the third launch, the LSM fins also function as braking fins to slow the train down.
On very rare occasions, a combination of the weight distribution of the train, the force of the launch, and the wind could stall a train on top of the tower. When this happened, a mechanic took the elevator to the top and pushed the train down the hill.<ref name="elevator">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Records and rankings
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When Top Thrill Dragster debuted in 2003, it set three world records:
- World's tallest roller coaster
- World's fastest roller coaster
- World's longest roller coaster drop
Top Thrill Dragster opened as the tallest roller coaster ever built with the longest drop, standing Template:Convert and featuring a drop length of Template:Convert.<ref name="Blade-Jan2003" /> The previous record holder at the time was Superman: The Escape (later renamed Superman: Escape from Krypton), which stood Template:Convert, located at Template:Nowrap in Valencia, California.<ref name="MacDonald-Superman">Template:Cite news</ref> Top Thrill Dragster also became the fastest roller coaster in the world with a maximum speed of Template:Convert, surpassing Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland, which reached a top speed of Template:Convert.<ref name="Blade-Jan2003">Template:Cite web</ref>
The records were short-lived, however. In May 2005, Kingda Ka opened at Six Flags Great Adventure and became the new record holder in all three categories, with a height of Template:Convert, a drop height of Template:Convert, and a top speed of Template:Convert.<ref name="Witsil">Template:Cite web</ref>
In the last operational year of the Top Thrill Dragster in 2021, the roller coaster had the second tallest height, the third fastest speed, and the second-highest drop among steel roller coasters in the world.<ref name="Steel Height">Template:Cite RCDB</ref><ref name="Steel Speed">Template:Cite RCDB</ref><ref name="Steel Drop">Template:Cite RCDB</ref> Top Thrill Dragster was the second hydraulically launched roller coaster from Intamin following Xcelerator at Knott's Berry Farm,<ref name="hydraulic launched coasters">Template:Cite web</ref> and along with Kingda Ka, it is one of two strata coasters ever built.<ref name="strata coasters">Template:Cite web</ref> Its marketing tagline was "Race for the Sky".<ref name="POV" />
As Top Thrill 2, the ride has been marketed as the "tallest and fastest triple launch strata coaster" by Cedar Point,<ref name="Cedar Point Top Thrill 2 Ride Page" /> with Zamperla using the more general "tallest and fastest triple launch coaster" in its marketing material.<ref name = "Zamperla Announcement" />
GTA: Top Thrill Dragster
Incidents
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While in operation as Top Thrill Dragster, there have been several reported incidents while riders were on board, including a major occurrence that led to a significant transformation of the ride. In its second year of operation, four people were struck by small metal pieces and other debris on July 14, 2004, resulting in minor injuries such as cuts and abrasions.<ref name="2004 incident" /> The flying debris deflected off the ride's launch cable according to a park official.<ref name="2004 incident">Template:Cite news</ref> Another issue involving the launch cable occurred on August 7, 2016, where it became detached, leading to the shutdown of the ride.<ref name="2016 incident" /><ref name="Ferguson 2016">Template:Cite web</ref> Two guests were evaluated at Cedar Point's first aid center and later returned to the park,<ref name="Ferguson 2016" /> while Top Thrill Dragster underwent a thorough inspection and reopened two days later.<ref name="2016 incident">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Ferguson 2016" />
Template:Anchor On August 15, 2021, in what was described as a "serious accident",<ref name="2021 incident - PlainDealer"/> a guest waiting in line was struck in the head by a small metal L-shaped bracket, called a flag plate,<ref name="WFMJ"/> that dislodged from a train as it was nearing the end of its run.<ref name="2021 incident - SR"/> The guest was severely injured and treated at a nearby hospital.<ref name="2021 incident - SR">Template:Cite news</ref> Top Thrill Dragster was closed for the remainder of the season.<ref name="2021 incident - PlainDealer">Template:Cite news</ref>
An investigation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) was completed in February, 2022 and found that half of the bolts securing the flag plate had dislodged.<ref name="WFMJ">Template:Cite news</ref> The report confirmed that the ride underwent regular maintenance, including an inspection the night before the accident, which determined the metal plate to be in "normal, working condition".<ref name="No laws broken" /><ref name="Cleveland.com 2022 Closed2" /> ODA did not find evidence that Cedar Point violated state laws or that the park had any reason to believe the ride was in "unsafe condition".<ref name="No laws broken">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Cleveland.com 2022 Closed2" /> In order to reopen the ride, Cedar Point would be required to perform a list of repairs including the replacement of "different or improper grade" bolts and damaged track sections.<ref name="Cleveland.com 2022 Closed2">Template:Cite news</ref> Instead of repairing, Cedar Point opted to hire Zamperla to create a new version of the ride, which became Template:Nowrap in 2024.<ref name="First Ride - Glaser" />
The injured guest was later reported to have suffered a traumatic brain injury,<ref name="First Ride - Glaser" /> and the family sued Cedar Point in 2023.<ref name="Gallek 2023 j468">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="USA TODAY 2023 y594">Template:Cite web</ref> A settlement with confidential terms was reached on April 13, 2024.<ref name="Inside The Magic">Template:Cite web</ref>
Notes
References
External links
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