Disadvantages and Advantages of TTD's Layout

I wanted to bring this up since it is being talked about in the thread about SFGAdv's new coaster. Many people say the Dragster is way to short and is not worth waiting for. It is also said the ride would be a lot better if they added more to it.

Now my question is wouldn't you rather go on a ride that goes 120mph goes straight up 420 feet goes straight down 420 feet and go 120mph again then stop and you get off?

Or would you rather go on a ride that last 3 minutes that starts off the same way but after going straight down you have 3 loops and 10 bunny hops and 2 helixs with plenty of airtime and lots of strong pos. g's pushing you into your seat and go into the brakes at 30mph?

Most people would pick the second one because they a like a nice long ride but that's a physical point of view. Mentally after 3 minutes of being on the ride you would start to get used to going that fast.

The first one (Top Thrill Dragster), which is Launch, Top Hat, Brake doesn't sound like much. Physically you see a very short ride that doesn't do as much as the other roller coasters around the park. Mentally the 17 second ride raises your adrenaline to the max and you get off and you are puzzled about what you just went to. Basically, the ride last 17 seconds but the after thought about the ride, at least I think, last longer than any other ride I've been on.

So, I'm asking your opinion about this. Are you more with the second coaster or with the Top Thrill Dragster layout?

I like the 17 second ride. I live in San Antonio and at Fiesta Texas, Superman: Krypton Coaster just goes on and on and by the end of the ride your like, is it over yet?

I also pick TTD. Not because I sticking up for it or anything, which I'm not, but because of what it is. If you were to add all of that other crap into the ride, then it wouldn't be as effective. Do you get what I'm saying? I hope that SF Great Adv. gets a world record breaker. Heck, hope they top 500 feet and add a bunch of crazy stuff to it so it breaks the length record too. I want this so it will make dragster a unique ride. But personally, I would think that it wouldn't be so much of a rush if it was longer.

Disadvantage? Three words... One Trick Pony. Yeah, it's a pretty good trick, but at least for me, not one I crave over and over again.

I agree Jeff, and its worth a ride or two when I go. After that though, I would much rather walk across the way to Magnum, that is a ride that is worth riding over and over.

After my first few rides TTD didn't have a lot of appeal to me either, particularly when the chances of the next ride actually happening in a timely, non-frustrating manner were very small.

But after a day when I got 16 rides in about 6 hours, TTD took on a whole new dimension. Repeat rides close to each other (say 20 mins apart) make TTD a keeper just as it is.

I learned several years ago to appreciate each and every roller coaster for what is unique about it. Since no two coasters (even clones) will ever be indentical in the actual ride or atmosphere, they all have their place. It'd be boring if every park's rides did all the same things.

I love Dragster. Short and simple. Awesome launch, fabulous view, and a few twists for good measure.

Yes, it's short, and it is a one trick pony. But I wouldn't trade it for the world. If I want speed, I ride Dragster. That's what it's best at. If I want elements or airtime, I go ride Raptor, Blue Streak, Corkscrew, Magnum, or go to other parks for something totally different.

Dragster (for me) will always be the best, all the clones, derivations of, and future "similar tos" are just wannabes.

Laura

I like the ride the way it is. It is fun and unique the way it is. I rode Hersheys Stormrunner and it does add a unique twist to the ride but it is nothing near as exciting as TTD. But they are 2 rides and 2 different concepts. BTW, when I was at Hershey, it was the middle of summer and I only waited 1/2 hour for a ride. And it has down time too. Hershey should have built a TTD size ride. So now again, they have a crappy ride that has better competition elsewhere. They are always behind! The latest coasters there are all walk ons! BOO Hershey! I only live 20 miles from Hershey but I would rather drive 6 hours to "Get To The Point"!

Thanks CP!

I love the ride but sometimes think what a shame it is to waste that 120mph. I think a single kick ass bunny hill just before the brakes would have been very nice.

I like the ride as it is, short and "simple." In my opinion, bunny hills at the end aren't necessary and sort of cheapen the experience. I love the Magnum and coasters similar, but I think the Dragster design is great.

But to each his own.

I think the Dragster design is fine. I prefer Magnum, but I think with the circumstances Dragster is in, it's the perfect choice. You go up at incredible speeds and end at incredible speeds. There's no feeling like ending at 120 mph and going, "Wow, what just happened?!" It was purposely designed to give you that blurred feeling of thrill.

-Eagle

Not me. I'm with macho in saying that this ride is a waste of 120 mph. Even on my first, and only, ride on this thing wasn't really that exciting after the fact. I went with my bro last year and we did Dragster and MF twice with the second MF lap being our first MF night ride. By far, the high point of the day was that MF night ride and the disappointment of the day was TTD. Sure we were glad we got on it because it was down most of the day and it was the 'new ride' but after waiting in line 2.5 hours, once we got off we looked at each other with this "we got jipped" look. Its just not that good of a roller coaster to me. Period. It's just like Power Tower. The first year or two it came out, it was high and fast. Beyond that, it's kinda old now.

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macho nachos said:
I think a single kick ass bunny hill just before the brakes would have been very nice.

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Bingo! I knew it couldn't have been just me. ;) Kingda Ka(really odd name) should rock with that bunny hill.

Everyone has different opinions. You called it, macho nachos;)!

-Eagle

Dragster is unique in it's ride experience and it's definately a bit of fun.
All the same though, the speed doesn't really mean all that much to me and Magnum and MF are just as good uses of your time. When I ride something I like to remember being on it. That's just me though

I rather have no bunny hop than having over shoulder restraints. TTD might be the last of the great giant coasters to have lapbars.

I feel the same way Gomez, Exactly the same.:(

I have been to a lot of dragstips and have never seen a "bunny hop" at the end of the track, wait , come to think of it I haven't seen a 420' tophat either. To me "Top Thrill DRAGSTER" is based on drag racing. Kinda Ka is jungle. It will be interesting to see how they do the theaming *** Edited 10/1/2004 3:59:42 AM UTC by Kyle Folds***

I haven't been to any dragstrips where the cars go vertical either. ;) Bunny hills are never a bad idea.

It happens occasionally Macho....its just not planned for them to go vertical.

The one thing I really enjoyed about TTD was the feeling of openness. Going down through the spiral, it feels as though you might fall out. With OTSRs I don't think there will be that same effect and thats a shame.