UPDATE October 9 – Although news from Cedar Point has been fairly quiet since the announcement at the end of August that Top Thrill 2 would not reopen at all for the remainder of the 2024 season, there are now rumors of work taking place with the trains being taken off the track.
In a new video posted to YouTube by Ghoster Coasters we get to see the blue and the black train off the track. There has been heavy speculation that the issue causing the closure of the new Top Thrill 2 which only opened for a week back in May before closing is to do with the wheel carriers. There are now further rumors that the train chassis is also to blame.
It is uncertain whether the trains will be shipped back to Zamperla to be worked on or whether modifications will be done in the infield shop although it is thought that returning the trains to Zamperla is the more likely option.
We await further official updates from Cedar Point in the future with the last being announced on August 23 which states:
“8/23/24 – We sincerely appreciate your patience while Top Thrill 2’s manufacturer, Zamperla, has been working diligently to complete a mechanical modification to the coaster vehicles.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer will not be able to complete the modifications needed in time to reopen the coaster in 2024. We are extremely disappointed that we cannot open the ride this season, but remain committed to delivering a reliable, consistent and unparalleled coaster experience for our guests in 2025. In the meantime, please accept our sincere apology for the disappointment and inconvenience.”
August 25 – It was the news we had all hoped wasn’t going to come although as time has ticked by during the summer it was not entirely unexpected. Cedar Point officially announced a couple of days ago that Top Thrill 2 will not reopen in the 2024 season.
“We sincerely appreciate your patience while Top Thrill 2’s manufacturer, Zamperla, has been working diligently to complete a mechanical modification to the coaster vehicles.
Unfortunately, the manufacturer will not be able to complete the modifications needed in time to reopen the coaster in 2024. We are extremely disappointed that we cannot open the ride this season, but remain committed to delivering a reliable, consistent and unparalleled coaster experience for our guests in 2025. In the meantime, please accept our sincere apology for the disappointment and inconvenience.”
Although this is disastrous for both Cedar Point and Zamperla, it is reassuring that the necessary time is being taken to properly sort out the issue with the roller coaster trains meaning that when Top Thrill 2 does reopen in 2025 it should have a successful first season albeit a year later than originally expected.
Image: Cedar Point
Many roller coaster fans were up in arms when Cedar Point announced that it would be Zamperla rather than the preferred manufacturer, Intamin taking on the huge reimagining of Top Thrill Dragster. We were really hoping that Zamperla would pull it off. Unfortunately, this was not meant to be.
Let’s not forget though that when Top Thrill 2 debuted at Cedar Point way back in May that it gained rave reviews from pretty much all who were lucky enough to ride it.
Can Zamperla redeem themselves? Well, although the disastrous opening will never be forgotten, in time hopefully with the modification in place and a successful stretch of opening under its belt, we hope the negativity will lessen to be replaced by positivity over the ride experience.
Let us know your thoughts on the news that Top Thrill 2 will not reopen until 2025 at Cedar Point as well as the whether you think Zamperla will be able to redeem themselves by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
Continue reading for previous updates on the journey of Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point…
