Cedar Point announces Top Thrill Dragster

What a cool looking train! Man, I wonder if they'll take your glasses from you, or make you wear safety goggles!? A bug in your eye at 120 couldn't feel too good. Perhaps they'll turn the tower into the world's largest bug zapper!

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"If the beats were made of meat then they would have to be me ..." - L.L. Cool J

Based on Xcelerator's ridiculous need to remove glasses, I would guess they *might*....Croakies (TM) have taken me through SoB, MF, ST, SP, H:XLC, and even (amazingly) TR:TR. But alas, I was not allowed to SEE when I rode Xcelerator. Of course, CP is not NEARLY as anal as the other CF parks....in my experience....

The ride looks awesome. One thing I did notice was all the trees in the infield and over by Iron Dragon. I really hope that they are going back in and that it wasn't some artists way to fill in the picture. I'm sure CP will do it to get some shade back into that area. I will be there in May, that is for sure.

After looking over the spec sheet I found one that is obvious in its absence...RideTime. Although I never did well in Algebra after doing some noodling it appears that from launch to brake run will only be 20-25 seconds. Amazing for a ride that cost $25 million.

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What have you gotten me into?

All I can say is Bye Bye Superman

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It isn't so bad. . .
Once you're used to it

Safe bets:

1] No glasses, fanny packs, purses, or loose articles of any kind. Period.

2] Will not operate in rain [even drizzle] or high wind.

3] Ride Ops will push down on lap bars so they fit snug. Do not expect to have much [if any] wiggle room.

Moosh

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Sig under construction!

Wow. All along I thought this ride would be good. But now I know- this is going to go way beyond good.

Cedar Point sure knows how to market their rides. I imagine that half of Ohio is in an uproar right now, and after seeing everything on the website, I can tell why!

Those trains are amazing! I think I might like Xcelerator's a little better, (for I love the 57' Chevy). But those Dragster trains are awesome! I love the front and back cars.

Simply put- rides like this are the difference between Cedar Point and every other park out there.

And by the way- I have no doubt that the CP ops can get those things out in 40 seconds. They are pretty quick at Knott's, so I know that the CP ride ops can do it. I agree with Mamoosh, I bet the ride ops push down the lapbars. It does make things go faster...

Finally, I like the idea of the launch starting out of the station. It should give a better view for the spectators. (plus it allows space to load another train in the station) :)

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California Screamin- it's good! *** This post was edited by CoasterFanMatt on 1/9/2003. ***

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The only thing is, I don't think the trains will look like that. Wheels on the back? Eh, no. They do look awesome, but until I see real pictures, I don't think they'll be like that.

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Actually if you watch the interview videos they ARE going to look like that - they even mention the big Dragster wheel will be on the back with a mock engine and everything.

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Finally, I like the idea of the launch starting out of the station.

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Again, watch the interviews. The train will load in the station and move forward to the launch area where you will receive additional instructions before being launched. After the launch and the top hat you are safely slowed and stopped in the "waiting area". This is how they're going to pull off 6 trains. The next train in line will be loading before the one in front of it has even launched from the sounds of it.

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www.coasterimage.com
*** This post was edited by Lord Gonchar on 1/9/2003. ***

420 feet, 120 MPH in 4 seconds

Unfortunately, I think that is too fast too quick for myself to even consider. Some people like myself, even with the best restraints, can't handle something like that.

I'm surprised they didn't call it something like RocketBooster.

Sorry, CP, I'll pass, because of my safety concerns. :(

I really hope CP let us wear glasses on this ride (with a strap of course). They do on WT and Power Tower, so Dragster shouldn't bee any different. Without glasses I could be 42 feet hight or 420 feet high and it wouldn't make a difference, everything is just a bug blur.

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Bob M.

Sounds like a great ride, and I'mn sure I'll stand in line for hours to ride it in May. Interesting name, though. Sounds like something a Japanese park would call a coaster. Looking forward to that kind of extreme launch...:)

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Coaster Claus has come to town, kids!

Un-mo-fo-believeable! Eexcellent job Cedar Fair. The trains are the best of any ride I have ever seen. Hopefully, the theme will include the countdown lights!

-Mikey

I was a little pumped before, but now that I know for sure, that I'm going to be dropping over 400 feet, at 120mph, at a 90 degree angle, spinning 270 degrees...I'm really, really pumped. This sounds like it could be the most exciting 15 seconds ever experienced on a roller coaster.

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Jman
Webmaster: Gravibulb Coasters - Home of Professional Quality Coaster Photos
http://balder.prohosting.com/gravbulb/coasters/

And the winner of the ugliest trains ever go to...

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Sorry, CP, I'll pass, because of my safety concerns.

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The way you post was written, I'm assuming it's safety concerns over the launch. It just shows how spouting some impressive looking numbers can fool the mind. People are already doing the math (many have been for a while with estimated numbers) and this launch should be no more intense (and by intense I mean the forces involved) than any impulse coaster (i.e. Wicked Twister) to my understanding.

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www.coasterimage.com

A thought to ponder...if they load the trains like Xcelerator (by car) then the 2 seat car in the front and back eliminates a major problem.

On Xcelerator a guest could wait the extended amount of time just to end up in the second row of the first car. When I was at Knotts I witnessed quite a few guests upset about this. Then again, guests could look at the line for the back in comparison to the lines with 4 car trains and falsely estimate the wait.

Regardless, it'll be interesting to see if they load by row rather than by train. Any ideas?

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Kara (car-uh)
1024 Laps
621 in '02

Guys, there are six trains because they need a queued train constantly if they expect to launch every 30 to 40 seconds, not because they want to make the ride feel longer. Kind of an expensive thing to do to create an illusion, don't you think?

With that launch interval, they'll load/unload two trains at a time. That gives them a minute to do them both, then push them out and queue them. Makes total sense.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED!

Shy One, you must be out of your mind. Those are immediately right at the top of my list as the coolest coaster trains of all top.

My only question is, why didn't Knott's add this many trains? Is it because of the lack of space? I was predicting three trains, but six?!

Man, I'd bet the line for this will move almost as fast as the launch ;)

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--Dingo 65--
http://rct.ogresnet.com
Forgotten member of Thrillride forums.

First I think they added the "Top Thrill" part of the name because many times the cars are referred to as "Top Fuel Dragsters"

Secondly, I thought it was interesting rhat CP cited TTD as the first coaster EVER to go over 400 feet on the stats page.