Top Thrill Dragster 2022 Status

It’s 90° vertical all the way up just, to your point, twists (rotates) 90°. Yeah, no stators in the twist.

third: is one cancels out two.

Yea, I suppose you just stop the launch before the twist. But still...one.

If they are going with a space theme, maybe they can purchase one of the remaining space shuttles and put it in front of the top hat.

They have actually built a vertical LSM “launch” in Dubai that opened earlier this year. Obviously still very new technology and on an original build rather than a retrofit. I was not able to find any details on the reliability of The Storm. I think this is still a long shot, but it is an interesting option that I am anxious to see built somewhere in the US soon!

I'm very skeptical that there's any meaningful vertical acceleration, in part because you have to back off if it very quickly at the top.

MarathonCoaster :

They have actually built a vertical LSM “launch” in Dubai

Right, a much smaller tower, launching at less than half the speed of TTD, and doing so indoors. And Storm Runner opening first didn't result in TTD being reliable. Like I said, I would seriously question the fitness of any CF executive who would green light another ride form Intamin, especially a first/second-of-its-kind ride.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me over and over and over and over again, shame on me."

Brandon, I agree. However, I would question that same CEO if the LSM launch from hydraulic launch is really the only change going on. Either option seems like a lot of cash on a 20 year old experience. You know what they say about lipstick and pigs. Or sows' ears and purses.

I heard that, since MF's lift motor has been so problematic, they're going to extend the drop from Dragster's top hat over that way and turn the main lift into a 310' bunny hill. The ride will be called "MF'n Dragster" and will be combined into the first StrataGigaHyperLSM, with launch work done by Vekoma.

There is much more info on the new tech here.

If you take a few minutes and read through what they're really selling, Jeff's assumption is correct. This is meant to be used as a launch or a lift (or both), and here are the key "selling points" to anyone here who is building their own amusement park:

Strongest LSM launch available on the market
Panoramic top hat with anticipation stall possible
Launch directly into the first (inverted) ride elements
Combinable with single-, multi- or swing-launch-sections
Comfortable, state-of-the-art trains
Most comfortable restraint system for maximum freedom

Doesn't get better than maximum freedom.

vwhoward:

I would question that same CEO if the LSM launch from hydraulic launch is really the only change going on...

It appears that in addition to a new launch, there will be an entirely new controls and blocking system, which could offer dramatic improvement in reliability and capacity, which would provide positive ROI, even if those changes are less flashy than the launch tech itself.

e x i t english:

The ride will be called "MF'n Dragster"

And Samuel Jackson will be the narrator.

"Maximun Freedom" in a marketing pitch sounds too much like a certain feminine product.

vwhoward:

However, I would question that same CEO if the LSM launch from hydraulic launch is really the only change going on.

I’m in the same boat. Anything less than a pre- or post-Top Hat layout change would be a massive disappointment to me based on their press release. But to be fair I’ve been in the “rip it down and start from scratch” boat since the accident.

We must have read different press releases I guess, because I can't fathom how anyone could make such a wild assumption based on the few meaningless words I read.

Tweet from Tony this morning mentioning “That thing over there” and “A debut in November”

https://twitter.com/tonyclarkcp/status/1585628418623913985?s=46&t=7...Ar7GJsgZcg

djDaemon:

I can't fathom how anyone could make such a wild assumption based on the few meaningless words I read.

Because a new less forceful launch system and a paint job with an identical out up and down back layout does not make “A new and reimagined ride experience” imo.

What exactly did you expect them to say? "A ho-hum and unimaginative update that will leave you massively disappointed?" If you extrapolate marketing nonsense into specific outcomes you have only yourself to blame for the ensuing disappointment.

And for what it's worth, a new, more reliable launch & control system and higher capacity does make a "new and reimagined" experience to me.

SpeedDemon:

“A debut in November”

The Season of Joy, debuting November 18th at Sawmill, would be my guess.

Based on the emoji used for the “debut in November”, I’m guessing it will be some development with Wild Mouse. Maybe the mouse car will arrive? Vertical construction?

Well, my suspicions were correct. I wouldn't call 25mph a "launch."

djDaemon:

What exactly did you expect them to say? "A ho-hum and unimaginative update that will leave you massively disappointed?" If you extrapolate marketing nonsense into specific outcomes you have only yourself to blame for the ensuing disappointment.

Well no, what I want is amusement companies to stop being so secretive about their plans and stop beating around the bush and just announce their damn plans once they are set in stone. What's the harm in telling us exactly what they are doing with TTD the moment track started coming down?

Now, I know you'll probably bring up the poor woman who was injured, but if a few months ago wasn't the time to make an announcement on what's going on, why is, say, next January any better?