Many will argue that this year’s most anticipated coaster did not live up to expectations. We are, of course, talking about Top Thrill 2. The Top Thrill Dragster redesign that took 3 years to arrive was met with great reviews—for the week it operated.
It has been shuttered since May of this year and is not reopening until the 2025 season. Was Top Thrill 2 a mistake? Could Cedar Point have gone in a different direction that may have provided more stability? Let’s discuss…
Where Did Top Thrill 2 Go Wrong?
Cedar Point brought in coaster manufacturer Zamperla to work on the redesign for Top Thrill Dragster. This surprised many coaster fans, as Top Thrill Dragster was manufactured by Intamin. As part of the construction, the coaster was equipped with new Zamperla lightning model trains. A new switch track loading system and new linear synchronous motor launch system were installed. Finally, a vertical spike was built adjacent to the original top hat. The blending of this new technology from one manufacturer with the 20-year-old structure created by another may have made for a maintenance nightmare.
Image: Cedar Point
Cedar Point has been public about the ride vehicles needing modifications. However, that doesn’t account for such a long delay. Rumors that a significant portion of the original track has had to be repaired have swirled. When the coaster was modified, only the launch track and braking area were replaced. Much of Top Thrill Dragster’s original structure was reused.
Image: Cedar Point
Did Zamperla bite off more than they could chew? Could the original structure not accommodate all of the new modifications? Cedar Point has been tight-lipped on the exact issues plaguing Top Thrill 2. It is common for rides that are new and innovative to have hiccups. Top Thrill Dragster had its issues when it first opened over 20 years ago. However, these issues were rectified with only short-term closures and downtime. Nearly a year of downtime is not common for new coasters.
What Could Cedar Point Have Done Differently?
If the older structure is causing the delay in reopening, it appears that a desire to save money was not the right move for Cedar Point. While we do not know the exact issue, it does make sense that blending new tracking with two-decade-old tracking could cause problems. This could be especially true when you add in the new launch system, multiple launches, and high speeds.
Image: Cedar Point
Cedar Point could have also taken a simpler approach to Top Thrill Dragster’s new design. They could have refurbished the track and updated the launch system to the LSM launch while still maintaining the original layout of the coaster. They could have also added a tunnel around the launch to make for a new experience. This could have limited the amount of new technology that would have to come together to make a coaster like Top Thrill 2 operate smoothly.
Image: Busch Gardens
Cedar Point could have chosen to retire the coaster and replace it. A Premier Ride Skyrocket Model similar to Tigris at Busch Gardens Tampa would have worked well. The coaster model offers a unique design that Cedar Point does not have in its lineup. Additionally, it would fit in the limited space. Top Thrill Dragster had many dedicated fans, but it may have cost less for Cedar Point to replace the coaster with a reliable coaster model rather than aiming for something “first-of-its-kind”.
What are your thoughts on the disappointing first season of Top Thrill 2? Let us know in a comment below or on our Facebook page.
