Have You Been On Both TTD & Kingda Ka?

Just wondering how many of you have been on both TTD and Kingda Ka? Since KK is only a little higher and have that lame last hill on the exit, I wonder if it is a better ride? Which do you prefer?

This August is only my 5th time visiting CP since 1976 and haven't been on TTD yet. The biggest thing at the Point when I was there last was Magnum. Heck, I remember when Gemini was the big deal when it was built. I cant wait to ride TTD, especially with my younger brothers-in-law who have never rode anything higher than 95 feet. It should be a good laugh looking at their faces.

Any special pointers on when to ride and were in the train we should be?

Thanks for your help!

I've found the line to be pretty consistent throughout the day, usually around 45 minutes. You can try going there first thing in the morning, but it usually has mechanical problems and doesn't open up right at 10 (at least when I go). I would definately recommend sitting in the first car. Its the best view and makes the ride 10x better. It is somewhat of a long wait but since this is your first ride you should make it a good one.

I hope to ride KK before the year is out, but generally I've heard people prefer TTD to KK. Many say the over the shoulder restraints on KK subtract from the ride, and the launch is more violent and rough. The last bunny hill supposedly doesn't give any airtime. The extra height supposedly isn't very noticeable either. The line for KK is also noticeably longer recently, ranging from 2-4 hours and running only two trains. This will probably decrease however after they work out the kinks. Again, I'm only reporting what I hear and read on other forums. Hope this helps!

Actually TTD is still better than KK.

Does anyone know what problems KK has had since it...has opened? I hear it's always closed.

You can barely tell the difference between the heights and speeds when you ride both. When I rode KK it had an odd vibration. The restraints didn't bother me at all. The hill at the end of KK was kind of neat. I liked the KK station much more and the whole area is well done.

The restraints aren't really that big of a deal. The biggest difference I noticed was the luanch. On Ka it feels almost as if your changing gears as the fly down the luunch. It felt like it sped up 3 times before we hit the incline. The ride also shakes a lot laterally due to stiffer the difference in the supports on the pull up and pull out.

i've been on both and i like TTD more. TTD is right in the middle of the park and at the top of the hill you see MF and the bay and its an amazing view. on KK all you see is a big dirt land where they plan on putting thier hotel. and for the hight and speed, you cant really tell the difference. and KK does have a lil more of a vibration on it. and i think the hill at the end isn't all that good. the brakes start at the top of the hill and i think it kills the air time a bit. and the OTSH i think don't allow you to move around as much as you would like.

i know when KK opened, on one launch a bult ripped out from the track and hit the bottom of the train messing up the brakes on the train. it was closed for a few months i think. and it does go down during the day like TTD does. i was standing in line for Superman (AMAZING ride i might say) and i didnt see KK launch for about an hour.

I will go on KK once my mom gets me there. I live only and hour and a half away. Last time I was there I hated roller coasters so I have alot to do.

I have been on both and give an edge to Top Thrill Dragster. Ka's launch is more sustained, but Dragster's is alot smoother and IMO more enjoyable. I absolutely love the T bar restraints, although you dont even notice the OTSR's on KK. The theme is the biggest advantage TTD has over KK. As for the bunny hill, its not that exciting for me. KA does have a nice station, but the atmosphere and mood in TTD's station is absolutely amazing ;) Definately pick TTD over KK.
*** Edited 7/17/2006 2:24:54 AM UTC by TTD120***

I have been on both TTD and KK and though KK is taller and faster it is nnot a big difference. The shoulder harness is extremely annoying and hurts your neck. the zero G hill at the end is the only plus and I would take a ride on TTD over KK any day.

They are both great rides but I like KK more. Ka's launch is much more powerful to me especially that second and third pulse. KK in the front or second row is about as smooth as dragster and I really didn't notice a difference. Dragsters launch was still powerful but just didn't give me the rush and all the wind thats on kk. The T bars are great and give an open air feeling. On kk I don't really feel them on my shoulders and I'm fairly tall.

As for the view its water on ttd and forest on kk. I liked seeing the endless amounts of trees and the brakes at the top really help to get a good view. Dragsters view was great with Milly in the background and lake erie. The 90 and 270 degree twists seemed more forceful on Ka. Both gave great air on the tophat and the 270 degree twist. The bunny hill on Ka is pretty neat and gives some good air everytime.

As for stations I like how both are setup especially on Ka with the duel loading station. I also liked dragsters unload before the station which helped capacity. Atmosphere I choose Ka just because ready to go just keeps playing over and over again and gets really annoying after a while. At least on kk they switch up the music and have a cool recording.

Dragsters theming was cool with the christmas tree and the lights on the tower. After that there really isn't anything except for signs on the side of the queue and a really loud engine recording.

KK's theming and area made me feel like I stepped into a different world. All the different plants, music, and attention to detail made it great. The only thing I wish they had was a neat recording instead of arms down head back hold on. Edge goes to kingda ka. *** Edited 7/17/2006 2:59:52 AM UTC by andrew14***

TTD is way better then Kingda Ka.

andrew14 said:

Dragsters theming was cool with the christmas tree and the lights on the tower. After that there really isn't anything except for signs on the side of the queue and a really loud engine recording.

The only theming i noticed for Ka was green track. The ride itself has no theme at all. The area around it does, but ka doesnt. The only thing you can consider theme is the staion. But thats your opinion.

I love TTD whole Dragster theme hence the name Top Thrill Dragster.

I haven’t been on Ka but I think it can be agreed that Ka and Dragster both have aspects that make them great rides. All that really matters is that there is another version of Dragster that people can enjoy.....people who can’t make a trip to CP.

My ranking as far as positives goes:
Kingda Ka- great theme, beautiful station,"ok"view, longer launch, and hill
Dragster- Theme, countdown lights and sounds, colors (although green does look good on KK, the alternating blue and green launch is just a mock up of Dragsters and doesn’t give as good of an enhanced perception of speed as Dragsters red and white does) view (sorry but a lake sunset on Dragster beats a sun set on a horizon of trees), T-bar restraints, quicker launch, on ride photo, location, proximity of tower to midway, grandstands.

Edge for me is and will always be Dragster. KK gets my honorable acknowledgement. :)

Its a shame that Jersey closed down Ka's viewing area after the accident last year as it gave some awesome views on track level. I don't know what you mean about the quicker launch and the on ride photo. Kk's launch track is longer and goes 128 in 3.5. Also it has 2 on ride photo spots. :)

I thought the T Bar was a bit uncomfortable but the open air was great. I wish they put U bars on all their rockets they are so comfy.

By quicker launch I mean (and this is from opinions Ive read from a ton of people) Dragster's launch is nonstop, while KK has bursts of speed. And if you want to consider the whole 3.5 second thing, then you have to consider that Dragster actually launches in less than 4 seconds (it's 3.7).

And I know KK has 2 onride photo spots like Dragster, but I think Dragster's have a better placement.....IMO.

andrew14 said:
Also it has 2 on ride photo spots. :)

TTD takes two photos also!

Coasterfan I thought he meant kk didn't have a photo. KK has a single tug launch and a 3 pulse launch. I just found it much more intense then dragsters.

TTD 120mph said:
...while KK has bursts of speed.

It's broken... ;)