Top Thrill 2 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Top Thrill 2
Previously known as Top Thrill Dragster (2003–2021)
The top hat and its supports of Top Thrill 2
Cedar Point
Location	Cedar Point
Park section	Top Thrill 2 Midway
Coordinates	41°29′2.25″N 82°41′10.38″W / 41.4839583°N 82.6862167°W / 41.4839583; -82.6862167
Status	Operating
Soft opening date	April 25, 2024 (2024-04-25)
Opening date	May 4, 2024 (2024-05-04)
Cost	$25 million
General statistics
Type	Steel – Launched
Designer	Werner Stengel
Model	LSM Lightning Launch Coaster
Lift/launch system	LSM multi-launch
Height	420 ft (130 m)
Drop	400 ft (120 m)
Length	3,422 ft (1,043 m)
Speed	120 mph (190 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	2:00
Max vertical angle	90°
Height restriction	52 in (132 cm)
Original manufacturer	Intamin
Redesigned by	Zamperla
Fast Lane Plus only available
Top Thrill 2 at RCDB

Top Thrill 2 is an exciting launched roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. It first opened in 2003 as Top Thrill Dragster. Back then, it was the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world! It was also the first "strata coaster," a special type of coaster over 400 feet tall.

The original ride, built by Intamin, launched riders from 0 to 120 miles per hour in less than four seconds. It reached a height of 420 feet and dropped 400 feet. The theme was all about Top Fuel drag racing, making you feel like a race car driver. Even though other coasters later became taller and faster, Top Thrill Dragster was always a favorite.

After a safety concern in 2021, the ride closed for a major update. Nearly two years later, Zamperla redesigned it. They added a second 420-foot tower and changed the launch system. The new system launches the train three times: forward, backward, and then forward again! This new sequence still reaches the amazing speed of 120 mph.

The updated coaster, now called Top Thrill 2, reopened on May 4, 2024, offering a longer and even more thrilling ride. It had a brief closure for train modifications but reopened in 2025. For a short time in 2025, it was again the tallest operating roller coaster in the world. This was because another famous coaster, Kingda Ka, had been taken down. However, Falcons Flight later took the title when it opened at the end of 2025.

The Story of Top Thrill 2

Cedar Point always wants to build amazing rides. After their popular Millennium Force opened in 2000, they wanted to create another world record-breaking coaster. Their goal was to build the tallest and fastest roller coaster ever.

Building the Original Coaster

To make space for the new ride, an old bumper car attraction was moved. In April 2002, construction began on the huge concrete base. The park kept the project a secret for a while. By August, everyone knew Cedar Point was building something big for 2003.

Giant cranes, some of the tallest in the US, were needed to build the 420-foot-tall "top hat" element. This is the highest point of the ride. In January 2003, Cedar Point officially announced the new ride. They confirmed it would be the tallest and fastest coaster on Earth. It was also called the world's first "strata coaster," meaning it was between 400 and 499 feet tall.

Top Thrill Dragster's Early Years (2003–2021)

Top Thrill Dragster first opened to the public on May 4, 2003. It immediately broke records for height and speed. It was taller than Superman: The Escape and faster than Dodonpa. However, these records were later broken in May 2005 by Kingda Ka, another coaster with a similar design.

The ride sometimes had small issues with its launch system, which caused it to close temporarily for fixes. In 2017, Cedar Point even playfully renamed it "Top Thrill Cubster" for a short time after losing a bet. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the park used special "Access Passes" to help people keep a safe distance while waiting.

A New Chapter: Top Thrill 2

The closed entrance to Top Thrill 2

On August 15, 2021, a safety concern led to Top Thrill Dragster closing down. The park decided to give the ride a complete makeover. In September 2022, Cedar Point announced that Top Thrill Dragster, as people knew it, was "being retired." They promised a "new and reimagined ride experience."

Parts of the old track were removed in late 2022. In January 2023, the park hinted at the changes with the slogan "A New Formula For Thrills." In August 2023, Cedar Point confirmed that Zamperla would redesign the ride. They replaced the old hydraulic launch with a new linear synchronous motor (LSM) system. This new system is more reliable and allows for lighter trains.

The redesigned coaster was named Top Thrill 2. It kept the original 420-foot top hat tower. But a new, equally tall vertical spike was added to the other end of the track. This made the ride longer. Construction of the new spike finished in December 2023, and testing began in early 2024.

Top Thrill 2 had a special preview day on April 25, 2024, and officially opened on May 4, 2024. A week later, on May 12, it closed briefly for some mechanical adjustments to its trains. The ride reopened for the 2025 season after these updates were completed.

What It's Like to Ride

The Coaster's Path

As Top Thrill Dragster (2003–2021)

Top Thrill Dragster in 2009

When you boarded Top Thrill Dragster, the train moved into the launch area. A "Christmas tree" light, like those at a drag race, counted down. A voice told riders to "Keep arms down, head back, and hold on." Then, with a loud engine sound, the train launched! It went from 0 to 120 mph in just 3.8 seconds.

The train then shot straight up a 90-degree hill, twisting as it climbed over the 420-foot top hat. After a quick drop, it twisted again before slowing down with magnetic brakes.

As Top Thrill 2

Now, on Top Thrill 2, the ride is even more unique! After leaving the station, the train gets ready for its first launch. It speeds forward towards the original top hat tower at 74 mph. It goes partway up the tower before rolling backward.

Then, the train launches in reverse at 101 mph! It zooms past the station and up a new 420-foot vertical spike, going backward. As it rolls forward again, the station roof creates a fun "headchopper effect" (don't worry, it's safe!). Finally, the train launches a third time, reaching 120 mph to conquer the top hat. After a thrilling drop, it slows down at the end.

Station, Theme, and Trains

Top Thrill Dragster's Racing Style

Top Thrill Dragster's launch area with the "Christmas tree" (2003-2021)

The original Top Thrill Dragster was all about Top Fuel drag racing. These are some of the fastest cars in the world! The coaster's trains looked like dragsters, with spoilers and engines. Each train had five cars, carrying many riders at once. The track was mostly red with white stripes, and the supports were white and yellow.

Top Thrill 2's Modern Look

With Top Thrill 2, the theme changed to a more general racing style, like Formula One cars. The ride area and trains now feature a cool "CP Racing" logo. The new trains, made by Zamperla, are very light and strong, built with special materials. Each train has five cars and holds 20 people. For safety, you can't bring loose items on the ride, and there are metal detectors before you get on.

The ride also got a fresh coat of paint! The track is now white, and the supports are dark grey. The very top parts of both towers have red and white stripes.

Rollbacks: A Unique Part of the Ride

Sometimes, a train might not quite make it over the top of the tower. This is called a "rollback." It usually happens when the weather is cool, wet, or windy. When this happened on Top Thrill Dragster, special magnetic brakes would slow the train down safely.

On Top Thrill 2, if the train doesn't clear the top after the third launch, the same launch system acts as brakes to slow it down. It's a rare but exciting part of the ride experience! Very rarely, a train might even stop right at the top. If this happens, a mechanic can go up and gently push it down the hill.

Amazing Records and Rankings

Side view of Top Thrill Dragster (2003-2021)

When Top Thrill Dragster first opened in 2003, it set three incredible world records:

• The world's tallest roller coaster
• The world's longest roller coaster drop
• The world's fastest roller coaster

It stood 420 feet tall and had a 400-foot drop. It was faster than any other coaster, reaching 120 mph. These records were later broken in May 2005 by Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure. Kingda Ka was 456 feet tall, dropped 415 feet, and reached 128 mph.

In its last year as Top Thrill Dragster (2021), it was still one of the tallest, fastest, and highest-dropping steel coasters in the world. It was also one of only two "strata coasters" ever built. Its old slogan was "Race for the Sky."

As Top Thrill 2, the ride is now known as the "tallest and fastest triple launch strata coaster."

Roller Coaster Rankings

Records Held by Top Thrill

Safety and Important Updates

Top Thrill Dragster sitting dormant (2022)

Over the years, while operating as Top Thrill Dragster, there were a few times when small parts came loose or the launch system needed adjustments. These events led to temporary closures for safety checks and repairs. For example, in 2004, some small metal pieces came off, causing minor cuts to a few people. In 2016, the launch cable detached, and the ride closed for a couple of days for inspection.

In 2021, a safety concern arose when a small piece detached from a train. This led to the ride being closed for a long time while experts investigated and planned major changes to make it even safer and more exciting. The investigation found that some bolts on a metal plate had come loose. The park decided to completely redesign the ride instead of just repairing it. This redesign led to the creation of Top Thrill 2, which opened in 2024.

See also

In Spanish: Top Thrill Dragster para niños