TTD -vs- CP reputation

Some of you have had great success with TTD. However my experience has not been as fortunate.

I know many of you have been tracking the operating days of TTD. The fact that the ride breaks down enough to actually keep a record is somewhat troubling.

Granted that new technology sometimes requires special attention, and the strains and stresses of this ride on the machinery are incredible. But I cant help but question whether or not CP has had second thoughts about the reliability of this attraction.

After 3 years of operation, CP is still dealing with these problems. So much so that several national television programs are now focusing on the lack of reliability.

Again yesterday, for the 4th time in as many visits I attended CP only to find this ride inoperable, lending credibility to the media scrutiny.

At some point, from a marketing perspective, the negative publicity will have a dampening effect on the reputation of what is considered the greatest amusement park on the planet.

I love CP, and I am in no way trying to discredit this wonderful establishment. However from a public relations point of view, this has to have become a nightmare.

Sorry if I offended any of you, but this is my take.

So close to being an Orly? thread.

OH MY GOSH!!

TTD Breaks Down???????? Why didn't anyone ever know this????

Seriously, for all its problems, I've never gone there and not had it working, save for 30 minutes here and there.

And I've talked to maybe 1 in 10 friends who've ever gone and not been able to ride it...and isn't it actually running better this year??

Sorry you had some bad luck...but honestly, the fact that this ride breaks down isn't exactly breaking news.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe yesterday was the first day that TTD was closed all day. I would say this is a pretty good year for TTD. Rides do break during the course of a day, not just TTD. Its unfortunate you had to visit CP on the one day it has been closed all day this year, but it has still had a stellar season in my opinion.

Also, what national television programs are focusing solely on TTD's lack of reliablity?

I've seen shows that have focused on the technology, and how it functions, but nothing that in any way portray TTD or CP negatively because of reliability.

I've been to CP over 10 times this season, and not one of those trips have I not been able to get at least one ride on TTD, and most times I have gotten multiple rides.

As far as reliablity, Millennium Force has had much more downtime this year than TTD, and for much longer (days at a time).

Well TTD was open both of the days I was there in May. So don't expect me to complain. I'm sure this ride doesn't close all day that much. So you probably just went on a bad day.

I can't believe that you would even make a new topic on this, it should of at least gone in the TTD Status topic. Besides that, Top Thrill Dragster should have nothing but applause this year. It has been open everyday except for short amounts of time usually only once a day. Also, the waits are down tremendously. The CP Mechanical Staff has done an amazing job, and the same goes for the Top Thrill Dragster crew. TTD should probably be running better with it's new cable.

I think some people just might be cursed or give up too easy when the see it down for the 15 minute down time that happens from time to time.

Just the fact that this ride has a topic dedicated to its status only reinforces my point, not to mention a section on the CP website devoted to the current operational condition of TTD.

grizzeg said:
I can't believe that you would even make a new topic on this, it should of at least gone in the TTD Status topic. Besides that, Top Thrill Dragster should have nothing but applause this year. It has been open everyday except for short amounts of time usually only once a day. Also, the waits are down tremendously. The CP Mechanical Staff has done an amazing job, and the same goes for the Top Thrill Dragster crew. TTD should probably be running better with it's new cable.

See one or two days of downtime to something that hasnt happened since 2004 and small amounts of downtime will always get more recognized than a few weeks to a more reliable ride.

Dragster will never get applause....nuf said....the only applause it's going to ever get is if it's removed from the park.

I'm by no means a dragster fan,but this little breakdown TTD has had kind of put me in mind of sob accident only instead of the media blowing it out of shape it's the general public.I know it's far from perfect but it is doing alot better.

Yet that's not enough. People on here want it to be at 100% operation......which they, and Dragster fans such as myself, know is impossible.

It may not be the best mechanically operating coaster at CP, but it draws the crowds. Everytime I go to CP and wait for Dragster I say to myself, "No matter how much negativity surrounds this ride, it will always draw huge crowds."

exactly... dragster is a great investment if you ask me because were I live (toledo) its all people talk about. They don't talk about MF, or Magnum, or maxair, or skyhawk... it's ALL DRAGSTER

MagicPicture said:
Just the fact that this ride has a topic dedicated to its status only reinforces my point, not to mention a section on the CP website devoted to the current operational condition of TTD.

It has ran almost perfect everytime I've been there... that's a hell of a lot better than some Six Flags rides... Also, about the ride being a 'bad investment' or what ever Kinzel called it is a bunch of crap.

Watch everyone getting off the ride.. they are all so excited and pumped up when they get off compared to any other ride there (cedar point).

Quit crying..

Exactamundo.:)
I've yet to see a dissapointed face.
I think Kinzel will be acknowledging Dragsters improvement this year.....if he's interviewed again.

TTD is a great thing for CP. Its much better this year being able to hop in line and actually get on instead of it breaking for hours at a time. A few 15 minute breakdowns will happen with any ride, and as said above look at some SF parks! Even Disneyland had its fair share of downtime when I was there.

MIA-Mike is right. People love TTD, and are thrilled to ride it. Hearing the buzz of excitement getting off is amazing.

liebevision said:
exactly... dragster is a great investment if you ask me because were I live (toledo) its all people talk about. They don't talk about MF, or Magnum, or maxair, or skyhawk... it's ALL DRAGSTER

In order to pull crowds in and get national attention, a park has to take risk and push technology to the limits. CP did just that and got one hell of a ride, but along with it is the fact that new technology is complex and it will never reach that 100% mark.

Some of you under estimate how popular TTD is. I know many people who love the ride and if you stand by the unload station long enough you'll realize that almost all the riders look as if they had the ride of their lives.

Another thing that always amazes me about TTD is how there always seems to be a group of people watching the launch area all day long. This really enhances the experience a lot when you have people watching your expression. How many rides do you know of where people just stand there to watch it? Walking down the midway by the ride, I always find this interesting. Walt took a very nice picture to explain what I mean.
http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=1614

People sometimes bump into each other when a train launches up the tower, because they are looking up instead of where they're going.

Put all that together and you have the reason TTD is my favorite.

Dito.

Everytime Im near the tower and a train roars up, I always love watching people look up. It's not just one or two, it's dozens. I'm guilty of bumping into other people when looking up at the tower and at a launching train. I even fell over a fence watching a train go up the tower.

Dragster is a CP icon. As is Millennium, Magnum and all the other coasters that make it famous. Dragster brings in huge crowds.....and not just fans. People who barely know anything about the coaster go to CP to ride it. It's a very well liked coaster and has a huge fan to prove that. :)

TTD is a ride that truly stands out in the park. From virtually any point of the peninsula (or island, whatever you wish to call it), one can feel the massiveness (yes, I know that's probably not a word) of the ride. Standing right by there and hearing and feeling the trains gliding gently down the track at an impressive 120mph+ is just an awesome feeling. Yet that is nothing compared to actually jumping on the ride, not literally of course, and taking a ride up the hill.... It's magical.

Every person I have seen coming off the ride, yes, has been purely mystified by thar Dragster's awesomeness. It's so quick and smooth that its nowhere near scary at least when moving, the ride goes right through at a constant pace, slows down, and gets back up to it.

Yes, this is constant babbling, but who cares? Look at my title on this site, of course I'm obsessed! TTD R0X0RZ MY S0X0RZ!! haha. This ride has earned itself a place in history. The bugs are seemingly slowly being worked out, which is good, thanks to the Point's wonderous budgeting system.

:) :) :) :) :)

TTD is a great ride.

Unlike MF it gets to the point.