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On August 10, 2023, Cedar Point Amusement Park and Cedar Fair announced the reimaged return of one of its most popular roller coasters. Top Thrill 2. The new coaster promises to build on the legacy of fan-favorite coaster Top Thrill Dragster, which was retired in 2022.
We’re huge Cedar Point fans. I worked at Cedar Point for a summer while in college, and now we’re Cedar Point season passholders.
Keep reading to learn more about Top Thrill 2 at Cedar Point
Cedar Point New Ride 2024
Cedar Point recently released news about the new roller coaster coming in 2024. Top Thrill 2 will debut in 2024, replacing the original Top Thrill Dragster.
Top Thrill 2 will become the world’s tallest and fastest triple-launch strata coaster. Strata coasters are defined as complete circuit roller coasters with a height between 400 feet and 499 feet tall. The term was first coined by Cedar Point when Top Thrill Dragster debuted, although it wasn’t the first coaster to eclipse the 400-foot barrier.
What makes Top Thrill 2 unique is that it includes two 420-foot towers. The original Dragster only featured one 420-foot tower. When it opens, it will be the only dual-tower vertical speedway in existence.
Cedar Point guests and roller coaster enthusiasts are familiar with one of the significant drawbacks of the original Dragster. The rollback. Because of its unique design, the car tended not to have enough momentum to make it over the tower and would roll back, requiring a relaunch.
I was fortunate enough to attend Cedar Point’s Winter Chill Out event a few years ago and got a behind-the-scenes look at Top Thrill Dragster’s hydraulics room, which featured the massive hydraulic system that powered the coaster. Despite the impressive design, the original Dragster experienced occasional delays and closures.
Now, the rollback is built into Top Thrill 2’s design. Here’s a look at how Top Thrill 2 works, according to the press release:
“On the start, using an all-new linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch system, riders will peel out down the straightaway reaching speeds of 74 mph, racing toward the sky on Top Thrill 2’s original 420-foot-tall “top hat” tower. After experiencing weightlessness during the “rollback” – the coveted fan-favorite moment when the train’s momentum isn’t great enough to make it up and over the tower – the train shifts into reverse and into its second launch, reaching speeds of 101 mph.
Riders will then see Cedar Point unlike ever before as they speed into a backward climb at a 90-degree angle on a new, 420-foot-tall track tower. After a second moment of weightlessness, the train shifts into drive and races forward into its third launch, clocking in at the ride’s top speed of 120 mph.
Crossing over the top hat tower, the train decelerates momentarily before diving into a 270-degree spiral and crossing the finish line.”
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Top Thrill 2 features a similar theming to the original Top Thrill Dragster as park guests join the CP Racing Team for a thrilling ride with a top speed of 120 mph.
The new roller coaster marks the second year in a row in which Cedar Point debuted a new coaster. In 2023, the amusement park opened its new Cedar Point Boardwalk midway, which included the new family-friendly Wild Mouse Coaster.
Cedar Point Season Pass Changes
Cedar Point is also changing its season pass offerings for the 2024 season. The Platinum Pass is going away. Instead, park guests have two options for season passes — the Gold Pass and the Prestige Pass, which both come with admission to Halloweekends. Pricing and benefits vary between the two options. The park also announced a new season pass add-on called All Park Passport, which essentially eliminates the need for the Platinum Pass. By adding the All Park Passport to your season pass, you are able to visit any Cedar Fair Park.
Cedar Point Amusement Park
Cedar Point is a popular amusement park located along the Lake Erie shoreline in Sandusky, Ohio. It’s the second-oldest amusement park in North America and home to 70 rides, including 18 roller coasters, other rides, shows, and attractions. The park is adjacent to Cedar Point Shores Waterpark, a mile-long beach, Hotel Breakers and Lighthouse Point campground.
Kevin Payne is the budgeting and family travel enthusiast behind FamilyMoneyAdventure.com. He’s also the host of the Family Money Adventure Show podcast, where he helps families learn to manage their money better so they can afford to do the things they love.
Kevin is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance and travel. He is a regular contributor to USA Today, Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, Fox Business, Credible, and CreditCards.com.
