SANDUSKY, Ohio — Cedar Point has confirmed that its Top Thrill 2 roller coaster will remain closed for the rest of the 2024 season.
The park released the following statement shortly after 5 p.m. Friday:
"We sincerely appreciate your patience while Top Thrill 2’s manufacturer, Zamperla, has been working diligently to complete a mechanical medication to the coaster vehicles.
"Unfortunately, the manufacturer will not be able to complete the modifications needed in time to reopen the coaster in 2024. We are extremely disappointed that we cannot open the ride this season, but remain committed to delivering a reliable, consistent and unparalleled coaster experience for our guests in 2025.
"In the meantime, please accept our sincere apology for the disappointment and inconvenience.
"We look forward to having you visit us again in the future to enjoy the world-class rides, signature events, entertainment and attractions that Cedar Point is known for, and we thank you for your continued support of our park."
TIMELINE: HOW WE GOT HERE
APRIL 25
Cedar Point held its media day for Top Thrill 2.
APRIL 28, 30 / MAY 1-2
Cedar Point held a variety of preview events to allow season passholders the opportunity to ride Top Thrill 2 first.
MAY 4
Cedar Point opened for the 2024 season as Top Thrill 2 made its official debut to the general public.
MAY 12
Just days after Cedar Point opened for the 2024 season, the park announced on May 12 that Top Thrill 2 -- the headlining new attraction for this year -- was experiencing an extended closure. Here's their full statement on the initial closure announcement:
Top Thrill 2 is currently experiencing an extended closure as Zamperla (the ride’s manufacturer) completes a mechanical modification to the ride’s vehicles. Once the modification is complete, Zamperla, the Cedar Point maintenance & operations teams and our third-party ride inspection partner will conduct a thorough review before approving both the modification and the reopening of the ride.
Though we cannot yet confirm a reopening date, we will provide updates at cedarpoint.com.
We know our guests are excited to experience this incredible roller coaster, and we share your disappointment that we are not able to operate it this weekend. We will do everything possible to reopen Top Thrill 2 as soon as we are confident we can deliver the ride experience that our guests deserve.”
MAY 29
A few weeks later, park spokesperson Tony Clark provided the following statement to 3News regarding the ride's potential reopening:
We don’t anticipate it will be a summer-long closure. We hope to provide an update soon (still not more to share other than what’s been said in the statement).
3News also asked what specifically caused the ride's closure, but Clark did not elaborate.
JULY 18
Speculation was swirling on social media that an update on Top Thrill 2 would be provided during an IAAPA event on July 25.
"Get an insider look at the triple launch strata-coaster, Top Thrill 2," the event's page says. "Guided by members of the construction team, you'll explore ride conversion, the construction process, engineering overview, and the launch system."
A list of event highlights (as seen below) has also been shared on various social media pages -- including one line that declares: “Get an engineering overview and the latest update on Top Thrill 2.”
We asked Clark for some clarification, and he sent 3News the following response: "They worded it that way, but there is no new news we’re providing at that event, other than what’s been publicly stated."
AUGUST 23
After weeks with no official update, Cedar Point officially confirmed the news that the ride would remain closed for the rest of the season.
TOP THRILL 2 RIDE STATS
Top Thrill 2, which is the tallest ride at Cedar Point, is an overhaul of the original Top Thrill Dragster. The enhanced attraction features three high-speed launches between two 420-foot tall towers.
- Top height: 420 feet
- Top speed: 120 mph
- Ride duration: Two minutes
- First launch (going forward): 74 mph
- Second launch (going backward): 101 mph
- Third launch (going forward): 120 mph
- Height requirement: All guests must be at least 52" tall to ride
TOP THRILL 2 EXPLAINED: NEW RIDE EXPERIENCE
Here’s how Cedar Point described the coaster experience...
Riders will immerse themselves as they join the CP Racing Team and climb into one of three, sleek high-performance racing vehicles. Each of Top Thrill 2’s trains will feature open-air seating, providing heart-pounding views on the world’s first and only dual-tower vertical speedway.
On the start, using an all-new linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch system, riders will peel out down the straightaway reaching speeds of 74 mph, racing toward the sky on Top Thrill 2’s original 420-foot-tall “top hat” tower. After experiencing weightlessness during the “rollback” – the coveted fan-favorite moment when the train’s momentum isn’t great enough to make it up and over the tower – the train shifts into reverse and into its second launch, reaching speeds of 101 mph.
Riders will then see Cedar Point unlike ever before as they speed into a backward climb at a 90-degree angle on a new, 420-foot-tall track tower. After a second moment of weightlessness, the train shifts into drive and races forward into its third launch, clocking in at the ride’s top speed of 120 mph.
Crossing over the top hat tower, the train decelerates momentarily before diving into a 270-degree spiral and crossing the finish line.
CREATING TOP THRILL 2
Cedar Point partnered with Zamperla Rides and its Roller Coaster Business Unit to create the Top Thrill 2 experience.
"Top Thrill 2 is one of the first roller coasters in the world to utilize Zamperla’s 'Lightning' trains, capable of high-speed aerodynamics, performance and rider comfort," Cedar Point previously explained. "The ride’s new high-tech LSM launch system delivers smooth and quiet acceleration while giving riders the chance to feel the rush of motorsport racing."
The park's original Top Thrill Dragster permanently closed in August of 2021 after an incident in which a bracket came off the ride and struck a 44-year-old woman in the back of the head.
When it first opened in 2003, Top Thrill Dragster became the first roller coaster in the world to top 400 feet. Here's how the attraction was initially described:
Put the pedal to the metal because no speeding tickets are cited to Top Thrill Dragster. Three point eight….that’s 3.8… seconds. That is all it takes to go from a complete standstill to 120 miles per hour. You’ve never experienced speed like this. Even with a true drag strip “Christmas tree” light counting down the launch, you’ll never be ready for the pure adrenaline rush packed into a 17 second race. Riders are launched in the blink of an eye before sprinting straight up at a 90-degree incline. If you dare to open your eyes at the top you will see spectacular views only viewed by the bravest 420 feet in the air. But look quick, before you know it, you’re hurtling back to the ground in a 270- degree twist before crossing the finish line. We aren’t kidding when we say that this high-octane sprint to the checkered flag knows a thing or twenty about horsepower.
RIDER RESTRICTIONS: CELL PHONES, LOCKERS AND LOOSE ARTICLES
Prior to the ride's brief opening, Cedar Point announced a strict loose-article policy in which all guests were required to empty their pockets before entering the line -- including your cell phone. Here's what Cedar Point said:
"Loose articles are not permitted on Top Thrill 2, and all riders will pass through metal detection at the ride’s entrance. This means cell phones, keys, lighters, lipsticks/lip gloss and any other common items you usually put in your pocket are not permitted in line."
What about zippered pockets or pouches?
"Riders are not permitted to utilize waist packs, zippered pockets or pockets that fasten to store their loose items – they must be left with a non-rider or in a locker," according to Cedar Point. "There are no loose article bins on the station platform."
Free lockers?
Cedar Point says no free lockers are available at the ride. Here's their statement explaining that decision:
Working with the manufacturer’s recommendations, Top Thrill 2’s rider safety guidelines were revised after initial testing, resulting in our strict policy of loose articles not being permitted past the ride’s entrance.
Due to the later revision, the integration of lockers into the queue, similar to those at Steel Vengeance, was not possible. We encourage riders to leave any loose articles with a non-rider. If you wish to rent a locker, they will be near the entrance for a nominal fee.
These policies are in place for the safety of our Guests and Associates – and safety is our first priority. Thank you for adhering to these rider safety guidelines to ensure a safe and FUN ride.
Footwear restrictions: Flip-flops, sandals and slides
Top Thrill 2's safety restrictions also prohibited guests wearing loose-fitting shoes without a strap or back from getting on the ride.
“Guests who wish to ride Top Thrill 2 will need to have the appropriate footwear before entering the line,” Clark previously told 3News.
That means anybody wearing flip-flops or slides was not permitted to experience Top Thrill 2.
"Please keep this in mind, as you may not enter the line barefoot nor leave your shoes near the ride’s entrance," according to Cedar Point.
Glasses
For those of you who wear glasses, Cedar Point said those were permitted on Top Thrill 2 only if they were secured with a strap.
"You may not hold glasses or any other items while riding," according to the park's rules.