Well, Its Official! Top Thrill Dragster Races The Sky again as Top Thrill 2, re-introduced by rollercoaster maker Zamperla. After work, we headed to Cedar Point for the Season Passholder preview day to check out what this new giant had in store.
Arrival
Upon arrival, we were assigned a return time to secure our spot for the ride. We enjoyed a meal at Back Beat BBQ and went on several back-to-back rides on the Magnum XL 200. After an hour or so, the time arrived to enter the line for Top Thrill 2. We made our way to the entrance and placed our items in a locker and then went through Cedar Points Famous "TSA" checks before entering the regular line.
Waiting and Boarding
As we made our way through the regular line, we couldn't help but observe all the changes that had been implemented, including the addition of the covered Que-Line and the captivating Top Thrill 2 Fun TV ads. It's interesting to point out that the number of switchbacks in the line has significantly decreased compared to the previous version. Undeterred, we confidently headed towards the station to embark on our thrilling journey aboard the new lightning trains.
It is worth mentioning that this marked the inaugural occasion on which we observed Cedar Point omitting the seatbelts on the ride, instead opting solely for a lap bar. This adjustment notably enhanced the efficiency of operations.
Ride Experience
Upon advancing onto the launch track, we were introduced to a new set of sound effects and an F-1 Style Launch Sequence. When the countdown reached zero, we accelerated from 0 to 74 MPH halfway up the iconic "Top Hat," experiencing a "Guaranteed rollback" halfway up the hill. Subsequently, we underwent a second launch backwards, reaching a top speed of 101 MPH, propelling us up the new back spike and creating a sensation of weightlessness and intense air time.
Upon returning to the launch track, we were propelled back to the original speed of 120 MPH up the initial top hat. Upon reaching the hill's peak, we encountered a significant sensation of weightlessness, distinct from the experience on the original Top Thrill Dragster. Following the 270-degree barrel roll down the top hat, we crossed the finish line and the brakes were activated.
Conclusion
Overall, Top Thrill 2 offers an upgraded ride experience compared to Top Thrill Dragster. However, there are a couple of noteworthy points to consider. Firstly, the locker system could benefit from some improvements. Implementing a dual-sided locker system similar to the one utilized in the queue of Steel Vengeance could help alleviate congestion in the lines. Additionally, there was some discernible rattling on the trains during the ride, which might pose a reliability concern in the future. The Ride is Definity a Top 3 Ride at the Roller Coast.
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