Top Thrill Dragster 2022 Status

Using a LIM launch for something the scale of TTD (or whatever the hell it's going to be called) would be a complete lateral step, if not a backwards one, from the old hydraulic launch.

LIMs are extremely inefficient, energy wise, and generate way more heat that needs dissipated.

I'm not entirely sure you could use LIMs to achieve the 120mph that this ride needs and, even if you could, I would hate to be the one staring down that electric bill.

Hudson:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Iron Dragon's already the only coaster at CP with another coaster bridging over it. Now it'll have 2 coasters overhead. That has to mean something right?

It means that Iron Dragon is relatively low to the ground, in a central location of the park with multiple coasters adjacent, and they don't plan to remove it, at least for now.

Jeff:

Wait, are we now reading into the design of the font?

I'm not forming a hypothesis about anything, I'm just offering math. As for the "giant footers," as I said, they have to bridge Iron Dragon. A large diagonal support inclined from before the station to the tripod on the infield would get it done.

Like it or not, when the park's marketing puts 3 "V"s in a word that uses 2 and when the "8" has a distinct feature used in the design of the "3" in "2023" it's meant to get people's attention, particularly if they're looking for clues.

As to the "math", I get what you're saying. My question is more around why they would launch trains backward initially at what's probably going to need to be a high rate of speed. That seems implausible to me, that's all.

There is another factor that Jeff is forgetting and it's called FUN and THRILLS.

There will be three launches because that's what would be fun and thrilling. Everything in designing a ride isn't just straight math and numbers. There is also a component of "what is going to be a exhilarating experience".

Sparty42:

...why they would launch trains backward initially at what's probably going to need to be a high rate of speed.

It wouldn't need to be a high rate of speed. Based on some earlier LSM acceleration math, they could just back the train up a bit and launch from there. There's no need for the back spike, it's being added for FUN and THRILLS. Or so I've heard.

Also, I think the font forensics is a bit much. But I'll grant that the three Vs doesn't seem accidental.

To talk about font forensics some more. Turns out the “hidden 3” in the eight is just part of the font package they used and probably not a deliberate design choice:

I guess my thinking is why they would go through all the trouble of redoing all of this if there are only 2 launches, one of which might just be all of 55-60 mph.

If that's the case then I guess I'm meh on this whole project. They would've been better served by disassembling all of it and starting fresh with a supersized Mack launch coaster or something, imo.

A forward, backward, forward launch sequence, especially if the backward spike is a much taller height, would add to the experience greatly. But that's just me.

I'm probably over thinking this, but this reminds me of the interview Tony Clark did for Fox 8 when the new boardwalk opened. https://fox8.com/news/what-...-dragster/

Around 5:55 in the video they start talking about roll backs, and the way Tony said "people look forward to that", always made me think what better way to make the ride better than giving a roll back with every ride.

Add in the recent aid bits including 3's, I could definitely see them marketing 3 launches. Regardless, it's very exciting to watch this progress, as there's still a lot of unknowns.

I think we should wait for the full reveal in 2 weeks to be wholly disappointed in the ride. Maybe even ride it first?

Im going to make a prediction.

This is based on 0 evidence, 0 rumors, 0 anything..

Just a gut feeling.

I think theyre going to invert the top hat, qnd make the worlds tallest inversion claim.

It also fits with the race theme because it would be closer to an overbank turn than the current twist out.

I think I can confidently say that if what Brandon and Jeff propose is true with the ride only having a backward and forward launch then yes, I will be disappointed. Future tense.

However, I don't think that's the way this is going to go whatsoever. I think it'll be 3 launches or (and wouldn't this be crazy?) 3 laps...

Edit: Never mind. I have no clue what I was thinking with the "laps" comment. That's impossible given what we know.

To be fair, I don't think Jeff was predicting anything, just pointing out that's all that would be needed to clear the top hat.

I had assumed, since the spike became apparent, that it would be just the two launches simply because it's the simplest, easiest solution, and I lack imagination. But I wouldn't really call that a prediction, more an assumption based on what we could observe. However, it seems the number 3, given the 3 Vs, may be significant, so...

Seeing as how I would not have been disappointed with a "simple" retheme and launch overhaul, I would hardy be disappointed with two launches.

I would just like to remind the park that over all the years I never got a roll back.

Not that I'm bitter.

No. Not at all.

I never did either. It always seemed like it would be an amazing experience and I'd absolutely love if it was built into the ride experience as a feature, not a bug.

Three launches makes sense to me, as I think the idea of "everyone gets a rollback" is something they wouldn't pass up ride experience wise given that we are apparently going to have a spike. Backwards, forwards, rollback, final launch over the hat.

Frog Hopper King:

There is another factor that Jeff is forgetting and it's called FUN and THRILLS.

Sparty42:
I guess my thinking is why they would go through all the trouble of redoing all of this if there are only 2 launches, one of which might just be all of 55-60 mph.

Because the original design didn't have enough room to reach the right speed to clear the tower using LSM's. And they presumably wanted to switch because of the cost and reliability issues of the hydraulic system, to say nothing of the nearly catastrophic cable failures on this ride and Xcelerator.

Annnnnmnddd they are looking to replace ttd with an even more thrilling and fin attraction. I'm sure that both are factors.

I've gotten two rollbacks. Back to back. Three launches in a row to get us over then they closed the ride for a few hours. My friends were in the next train and didn't get to ride.

I'd imagine the sensation would be different in each scenario. With a forward launch you get the shock of acceleration without knowing exactly when it's going to happen. With a rollback (and a spike) you gradually come to a stop then slowly accelerate in the opposite direction. I don't think I've experienced a surprise backward launch yet. Just watched a couple videos on Mr Freeze. Anyone have strong opinions there?

DA20Pilot:

Backwards, forwards, rollback, final launch over the hat.

That's four launches. It would be forward to rollback, backward to spike, forward over the top hat.