Cedar Point announces Top Thrill 2 roller coaster

That rear tower feels like a big middle finger to the previous manufacturer.

Also, worst kept secret ever. I can't believe people were even debating Zamperla.

Looks cool. But how does this keep parts from flying off and hitting guests?

Not sure if that was serious or not, but they're completely different trains. I'd imagine if they were designing new trains after that incident that they'd most likely consider that a priority.

Personal opinions:

The name is dumb.

Nothing will match that original launch, but the two "rollback" features add a very cool element. I'm looking forward to it.

Still in a bit of denial that they're actually calling it Top Thrill 2. When everyone sees the leaked release and assumes that it's just a placeholder name until the real announcement, that's not a good sign.

It would've been nice if they added an airtime hill through the launch section. I get the feeling that the initial forward launch is going to be a little underwhelming, since the length of the launch track and the radius of the pullout was designed for 120 mph, not 74.

Nitpicking aside, the overall ride looks incredible. The twin 420 ft towers are striking, and the color scheme is pretty cool. The rear launch up the spike is going to be as unique and thrilling as the original 0-120 mph launch. I'm very excited to see the coaster back in CP's lineup. Also, from the looks of it, I don't believe the switch track has to be managed while the ride is "going." Seems like they can stage the train for the first launch and wait until switch track is in position before launching, and then it doesn't have to move at all during the dynamic portion of the ride cycle. I believe this sets it apart from Pantheon and Hagrid's, does it not?

The_Orient_of_Express:

Looks cool. But how does this keep parts from flying off and hitting guests?

That's a serious question. I doubt the average guest knows that the trains are different. They look pretty similar to the old ones if you aren't an enthusiast.

I am guessing new trains look more like Zamperla new trains not old TTD trains.

Wonder where the queue will be located.

Think graphics were done early and did not have new train designs or such.

Says 5 car trains and this shows old Dragster 6 car trains.

Mulfinator:

That's a serious question. I doubt the average guest knows that the trains are different. They look pretty similar to the old ones if you aren't an enthusiast.

Im actually kinda shocked they mostly kept the original ride in place and kept the same name. You would think they would want to erase the stench of what happened? But maybe it wasn’t as big a news story as I’m thinking it was?

"Isn't this the ride that killed that kid? We should ride it!"

Don't underestimate the morbid fascination of the average person.

The name is a letdown, but when it comes to association, everyone pretty much just called it "Dragster" before, so the most obvious part of the name has been removed and now it'll likely just get called "Top Thrill" by the majority.

I guess Dragster’s Revenge was already trademarked. 🙄😂

That name is just laziness.

I kind of wish they’d have just extended the launch up into the top hat and made it a single launch. I think this new system adds some very cool new dynamics, with that backward launch up that spike looking pretty terrifying (in a good way). However, I think the 0-120 of the original was its best feature, and I’ll miss it.

Also, where will the new queue be located? The video here seems to show where it previously was and I thought it was getting moved. We need a valid full layout and area picture but guess that wont come for a bit. Think there are a few other hidden items still from CP.

The queue is returning to the infield and will be covered-up until to the station ramp. You won’t be able to see much of the ride in action like before I suspect. Entrance in previous location.

Those are not the old Intamin trains in the video, they are 5-car Zamperla lightning trains.

Like everyone is saying, stupid name.

It's really not a upgraded experience, it a downgraded experience. They had to do the backwards spike to get up enough speed with the LSMs, but they didn't make any extra effort beyond that. I always get a kick out of the marketing of these rides. So much hype for a ride that will be less than its predecessor.

Is this new verion going to have even worse capacity? Seems to be true.

But now it is at least ten times safer... probably.

I am really happy to see Intamin out of the picture. Wouldn't it be awesome if Knott's did something like this to their Intamin launch coaster too?

sirloindude:

However, I think the 0-120 of the original was its best feature, and I’ll miss it.

This. I rode Dragster primarily for the launch... Always one of my favorite moments on any coaster.

Now it's a much more lethargic launch that won't give near the same intensity or enjoyment. Not to say the reverse spike won't be fun and all that, but... It's still a downgrade in my mind overall of the original.

Still be fun of course, but do wish they at least put in a bunny hop down the launch track. Those are great elements on the rides that have them and would have spiced it up just a touch more.

I'm okay with the new ride system. I won't have to wear safety glasses to keep the cable shards out of my eyes. More seriously: this is a clever way of re-using a big investment that was otherwise going to be leveled.

It's like Wicked Twister and Dragster had a kid.

I never rode Dragster, but I did ride Kingda Ka once. The launch was unreal (yet somehow still not as intense as Hypersonic's), but so was the climb, top hat, and barrel rolling drop. I'm wondering if those who think they're going to miss the 120mph forward launch have considered how crazy a backward launch to 101mph will be. Not to mention stalling 400-some feet up a vertical spike looking straight down. Then it's Dragster all over again, except starting from 400 feet up and assisted with a third launch.

Name is dumb though.

The consensus amongst coworkers is CP needs to quickly adopt a new tagline instead of “Drive the Sky” to fix the name problem. May we suggest:

TT2: “This ain’t your grandmother’s Gremlin!”

Easy name fix. 😉

SteveWoA:

This. I rode Dragster primarily for the launch... Always one of my favorite moments on any coaster.

I'm on this boat. The height was not the draw. Being a drag racing fan/racer, the launch was everything, it's the reason I loved TTD. I'm going to miss it. Stormrunner is right there with it, but just shorter. I never cared for Ka's launch.