TTD time to go?

Staaber said:

Does anyone know if Kingda Ka have this problem?

I pretty much have the same thread going in the Great Adventure forum I belong to about KK.

I was pretty disappointed that when I was at CP for July 4th and the days following that my wife and I didn't get any rides on TTD. We were either in line while it was running and it broke down before we could ride, or it just wasn't opened. Keep in mind we where three for 3 days. I have rode TTD before but she hasn't so her attitude was "well its the same as KK", which she has been on. I was explaining its not the same.

In the talk about KK we discussed that while TTD seems to be having more mechanical issue then KK as of recent, the issue with KK is that unless you ride in the front row, the ride is almost un-ride-able with how rough it is in the other seats. Last time I was on it, it was bad, To the point where you couldn't even keep your head back because it just rattled your brain apart. The head ache I got from the ride ruined the entire day and that was the first ride of my last visit. Also ride operation as a whole has suffered GREATLY since they attached the drop ride to the tower. NJ state law doesn't allow the two rides to operate at the same time. Meaning that while the drop ride is cycling, KK has to stay in the station, and while KK is cycling the drop ride stays grounded. So picture it as a game of taking turns all day. you could brob get more than double the amount of launches of TTD in an hour vs KK. While we where in line for TTD I couldn't believe the amount trains they were getting out, it was almost non stop while the ride was actually up and running

I don't see either CP or 6 Flags removing either one of the coasters anytime soon because, as others have said, they are both marketing gold mines. With as bad as TTD was operating when I was there, if there was a hint of it opening that day everyone was running to it. the line was huge every time we tried and the crowds that gathered to watch it where crazy. Cool think about TTD vs KK is that you are so close to the ride and watch all of its workings. KK is hidden in the trees wich no real way for non riders to see anything but it going over the tower. The only spot you can see the launch is from in the line and even then its not that clear to see

I even brought up the possibility the of the launch systems being up graded to a system more like Maverick but the guys in the 6 flags forum seem to think its not doable and if it was I see CP doing, 6 flags doesn't like to spend money

XS NightClub said:

When we stayed on point July 13-21 it was up and running everyday with little noticeable downtime. They also did a cable replacement on the 16th overnight, regular maintenance as the workers explained it.

When I was there July 4-6 they had a major issue. I believe it was July 5th, it didn't open till 6pm and when it did they let one train with riders go, the second didn't even make in 1/2 way down the track. I recall the brake fins never going down and later that night they had the launch room door open with fork lifts taking the motor apart

I'm not saying I want it to go just wondering if they'd ever even consider it being such a maintencnace nightmare and all.

But everyone's points are very valid, it's a gold mine for sure. You are right when it does open everyone runs for it. And there's always a huge crowd standing there to just watch.

I hope they figure it out, knowing CP they will figure it out. They are top notch.

Until then, ride on! Can't wait till Wednesday at high noon!

I'd say they've figured out as much as they ever will figure it out. It's been 17 years. Dragster will continue to have the same problems until the day they actually do remove it, whether that be next year or in 20 years.

Ehhhh, I wouldn't say that. I definitely think they'll change the launch system before tearing it down. Guests LOVE that ride.

CPVet said:

I'd say they've figured out as much as they ever will figure it out. It's been 17 years. Dragster will continue to have the same problems until the day they actually do remove it, whether that be next year or in 20 years.

Seeing as you're from the year 2020, how is the Mean Streak conversion? Have they actually installed 20 coasters for 2020? So many questions!

btw. Dragster is in it's 14th season. :)

Staaber said:

I'm not saying I want it to go just wondering if they'd ever even consider it being such a maintencnace nightmare and all.

You know we always just assume an attraction is a maintenance nightmare when we are aware of the downtime it has. More than the majority of the time over the course of a day its typically just computer resets by the mechanic. It's not that often a downtime call results in work that requires parts and labor outside of what is already budgeted or expected (outside of TTD first few seasons). What we think of as a maintenance nightmare the park considers an "annoyance". I say that because that is what was described by two of the guys who routinely do the maintenance on TTD and MF.

Dvo said:
^I'm so glad we have someone on this forum who knows exactly what the CF Leadership team is thinking. Now we won't have to speculate any more at all! Care to share the RMC Mean Streak details?

It's just my opinion. I never stated anything about exact knowledge of park officials.

We've been unlucky this year. I've been to CP 4 separate, multiple day trips this summer from the end of June through August and have not been able to ride it either, which is unusual for us. Each time it was down for mechanical issues or wind. But I don't want it to go because I actually want to ride it again someday!

It is a gold mine and the ride has personally mined alot of that gold from me!

The year it was built was my first trip at the age of 12. Biggest thing I had ever been on was Superman at Darien Lake. Well needless to say TTD is what started my CP adventure growing up. As the years have gone by it's no longer about TTD, but I would never want to see it go. Fun fact my first ride on Dragster was a few hours before the blackout!

Unlike many of the coasters at CP, in fact the world, this one is still arguably the most intense/ scary ride that can be found and it's been 14 years. The coaster wars in a way ended with TTD and KK. I've never ridden KK, but even if it wasn't rough like people say it wouldn't matter. Just having a lap bar makes it easy to determine what one is more intimidating.

My long winded point is that until there are a bunch of strata coasters around like the plethora of hyper it doesn't matter how much of a headache TTD is.

I completely agree it's time for this embarrassment to go. We got there early Sunday and managed to get in line when it was short enough to take us straight to the platform. Sure enough, the lousy thing rolled back and thus began that whole reset drama, which meant we got out of line and didn't bother the rest of the day. The people behind us said they have not been able to get on all year because it keeps going down. I told them I refuse to wait more than 20 minutes because that's about how long it runs before the inevitable going down. I say tear it down and give us some new flat rides, or that long asked for dark ride. And in late afternoon when the Raptor line was short enough, that one went down on us as well. Having been burned out by that, as well as the obnoxious rude teenagers who tried to steal my seats on two different rides and got an earful before they realized it would be wise to move, we left. It's sad to admit that the place I used to be happiest visiting has become more of a time killer during summer, and leaving early has become standard practice when the tediousness of rides always going down and my hated to teenagers reaches it's limit. Plus, the park just gets so damn busy by late afternoon that there's just no point. If it weren't for our love of our few King's Island visits over the season, I think renewing the passes would not happen. Once I win Powerball, I'm going to buy CP and keep it to myself ;-b

Well, this is odd. You usually don't complain about much.

RCMAC said:

Well, this is odd. You usually don't complain about much.

Ha, thank you! I just won a bet. I told a friend that it would be less than 10 minutes before someone took a shot at me. Dinner's on him tonight!

I'm surprised you even go to the park, perhaps better use of your time would be to stay away. Does my comment get you lunch? :)

Please, a shot? Like fish in a barrel.
Perhaps you shouldn't play a bait game around here.

Siouxsie said:

Once I win Powerball, I'm going to buy CP and keep it to myself ;-b

Help me understand here. You're talking over and over again about how miserable you are due to the rides going down all the time, but your "lottery fantasy" is buying the place for yourself? What am I missing?

What a hot mess.

And no, I'm not talking about Top Thrill.

Dvo said:

Siouxsie said:

Once I win Powerball, I'm going to buy CP and keep it to myself ;-b

Help me understand here. You're talking over and over again about how miserable you are due to the rides going down all the time, but your "lottery fantasy" is buying the place for yourself? What am I missing?

Apparently, a few common sense brain cells. I'll get working on a picture book version for you.

Sparty42 said:

What a hot mess.

And no, I'm not talking about Top Thrill.

Oh sweetie, don't be so hard on yourself. With a little therapy, I'm sure there's hope for you...

If I had luck like that I wouldn't waste my money on Powerball.