Top Thrill Dragster 2022 Status

My only disappointment is that I won't get to experience the 3.8 second hydraulic launch again. LSMs just don't provide that raw acceleration, but I guess we've known that since the earliest rumors.

As a consolation, I'm hoping the first launch makes it up high enough to be a pseudo-rollback like they used to be. But a few people have already programmed the leaked speeds into NoLimits 2. And while that's not entirely scientific, it only makes it up about halfway on the first launch :/

It only makes it to a point higher than Wicked Twister's total height after one launch. That sucks dude. I'll sit this one out. Yawn.

Cool! One less person in line in front of me.

I'll trust all things Six Flags Qiddiya when they're up and running.

The only thing about this that's really disappointing to me, is that this likely means we wont be seeing an Intamin coaster at a Cedar Fair park for several more years. I was doubtful, but hopeful this project was being done by Intamin. Come on Cedar Fair, Intamin coasters may have reliability issues but like RMC's, they bring in a ton of people.

So rereading the release again I found this header:

Top Thrill 2 Lightning Launch

Lightning Launch could be an interesting name. Doesn't give any hints to theme though.

For me, the original TTD was never a must-ride. If someone in my group wanted to go, great. Otherwise, I preferred not to wait for almost an hour for a 17-second ride. I had the same issue with Wicked Twister, though that provided a slightly longer experience.

If this turns out to be true, I have a gut feeling I'll have the same sentiment. I'll be open-minded about it, but I just enjoy doing more than going back and forth at high speed on a roller coaster.

What I'm really intrugued by will be how they approach the area, as every new (or reimagined) coaster project over the last decade plus has accompanied a refresh of the area, save for maybe Rougarou.

peaksix:

LSMs just don't provide that raw acceleration,

Except this just isn’t true. Can we as enthusiasts stop parroting this dead line. The Gerstlauer Euro Fighter at Hansa in Germany has the second hardest hitting launch on the planet with LSMs. (Based on math to prove it). LSM are plenty capable of having the punch.

I'd be stunned if the new ride incorporates the "Top Thrill" moniker in any way. Seems like a placeholder while Zamperla was awaiting the official name from CF. But who knows.

Avljkb22:

Intamin coasters may have reliability issues but like RMC's, they bring in a ton of people.

Citation needed.

Sparty42:

I preferred not to wait for almost an hour for a 17-second ride.

If this turns out to be true, I have a gut feeling I'll have the same sentiment.

I agree with the former, but not the latter. This looks to have enough "wow" factor to get me in line. First, the rollback will be cool. Then a zero G moment while staring down from 300+' up that spike? All that followed by the "OG" TTD experience? Subscribe.

While I'm sure these are still left over from the before, the launch cable pulley system is still in place just shy of the hydraulic building. I don't think they removed that section of track, but if they did, and the ride is being converted to lsm, then I'm curious as to why they kept them on the track.

You can't be serious...

djDaemon:

Citation needed.

For those that love adrenaline from speed I think this will be way more thrilling-

From stop to incline, TTD appeared to move in 5.5sec to ~113mph

From the top of the spike down to the start of the incline of top hat, that looks like 11sec at ~120mph

That's twice the duration of high speed, plus longer sustained 0G.

Duration of ride difference appears to be-

TTD- 23sec

TT2- 1min 4sec

SpeedDemon:

Except this just isn’t true.

We can argue about LSM specs all we want, but it's besides the point. Assuming the leak is accurate, we know the ride will accelerate to 74 mph instead of 120 in the same distance. Whatever the reason for that (technology limitation, wear and tear mitigation, ride experience, etc), I'll miss the launch. That's all I'm saying.

Shizzzon:

That's twice the duration of high speed, plus longer sustained 0G.

G forces are exciting, not time traveling at high speed. That's why flying on an airliner at 600 mph isn't all that thrilling. Spreading the launch(es) over a longer period of time will make it a less intense experience.

For those disappointed with the 74mph rollback from roughly 200 feet up, just wait 10 seconds or so, you will get a 400 foot or so rollback. Can't wait to experience the stall out at 400 feet. Will this be 3-4 seconds of halftime? I've never ridden superman at six flags magic mountain before, but the stall looks absolutely amazing.

Assuming that's accurate, the new TTD will be able to complete 56 cycles in an hour.

With each train holding 20 passengers per train, the hourly capacity should be about 1,125 riders.

The original TTD could realistically do 1,000 riders per hour according to RCDB.

How is it possible that a swing launch has improved capacity?

I thought you were sitting this one out, dude?

Yeah I was thinking same.

I changed my mind 😉. If it has a good queue line, and a respectable lighting package count me in. If not, I'll sit this one out. I'll sit tight on the grandstand seats while my kids ride.

Avljkb22:

How is it possible that a swing launch has improved capacity?

2 extra seats per train, and now instead of waiting for the hydraulics to reset, which took about a minute, the train will just be cycling through the swing launch.

peaksix:

G forces are exciting, not time traveling at high speed.

What about time traveling at 88MPH?

Avljkb22:

The original TTD could realistically do 1,000 riders per hour according to RCDB.

How is it possible that a swing launch has improved capacity?

TTD never came close to touching 1000RPH, because Intamin screwed the pooch so laughably bad with TTD. It won't take much for this ride to substantially improve upon TTD's capacity.