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Cedar Point Reveals New Ride at Former Top Thrill Dragster Site

Author Kayla Morgan

Cedar Point is set to unveil an exciting new addition that promises to deliver an unforgettable experience. They revealed Top Thrill 2, the strata roller coaster with the world’s highest and fastest triple launch. It will be located on the site where the former Top Thrill Dragster stood. According to a press release, Top Thrill 2 will feature two track towers reaching a height of 420 feet each. This will offer riders a race experience from the driver’s seat.

The amusement park announced that Top Thrill 2 will have three high-performance racing vehicles featuring open-air seating. Riders will experience a total of three launches, reaching speeds of 120 mph. Also mentioned in the release is that the new linear synchronous motor launch system will initiate the ride at 74 mph. This will propel riders toward Top Thrill 2’s original 420-foot tall “top hat” tower. During the rollback, riders will experience weightlessness as the train doesn’t quite make it up the tower. Then the train will shift into reverse, reaching speeds of 101 mph.

Cedar Point will be welcoming the Top Thrill 2

For the final launch, riders will travel backward at a 90-degree angle on a new 420-foot-tall track tower. All of this while achieving speeds of 120 mph. During this launch, they will cross over the top hat tower and venture into a thrilling 270-degree spiral before ultimately crossing the finish line.

“Top Thrill 2 will be the boldest and most advanced roller coaster Cedar Point has ever introduced. It’s another one-of-a-kind that could only be built at Cedar Point,” said Carrie Boldman, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point, in a release. “Our stamp on the industry is in roller coaster innovation, and today, that’s solidified as we redefine the strata coaster into a mega-thrill that our guests will come from far and wide to experience.”

The ride is scheduled to make its debut in 2024. Cedar Point’s announcement follows their decision to retire Top Thrill Dragster last September, after nearly two decades of operation. However, they assured the public that they had plans to introduce a new and exciting experience.

In 2021, the ride was temporarily closed down due to an incident where a woman standing in line was injured by a metal object that fell from the roller coaster, hitting her in the head. The investigation concluded that Cedar Point had not violated any laws or regulations in relation to the accident.

Top Thrill Dragster made a grand entrance in 2003. Setting four records as one of the world’s tallest complete circuit roller coasters, tallest roller coasters, tallest roller coaster drop, and fastest roller coaster. With a maximum speed of 120 mph and a 400-foot drop, it provided an unforgettable ride experience for thrill-seekers.

10 Best Amusement Parks in America

America doesn’t lack for having the best amusement parks. Whether you’re a daredevil and want to ride the tallest, scariest roller coasters in the world or prefer just eating park food, a day at the park can be a super fun experience.

One great thing about theme parks is that you can usually find one within driving distance. This makes amusement parks a reasonable choice for a family vacation or weekend giveaway, especially if money is an issue. Amusement parks are also great for capturing memories for kids. When I was a child, my family took me to several parks in Michigan, California, Ohio and Florida, so I have great memories from those trips.

The best theme parks also have convenient lodging nearby, making the trip truly seamless. That’s not to mention the awesome water parks that are often attached to today’s theme parks. Also, even though theme parks are meant for kids, it’s obvious that adults can have just as much fun at them, too.

Read on for our list of the 10 best amusement parks in America, from Cedar Point to Hersheypark. All of these are famous for their attractions, food and more. What’s your favorite? Reach out to us on social media and let us know.

  • 10. Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

    Dollywood is a favorite that’s located in the Great Smokey Mountain area. Of course, it’s named after the one and only Dolly Parton. If you’re a country music fan, this is a must-see stop. Even if you aren’t a huge country music listener, it’s a great, traditional amusement park.

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  • 9. Kings Island, Mason, Ohio

    Kings Island Theme Park is a little bit off the radar, but it’s a great park. It’s known for not only its amusement park but also its fantastic water park. Kings Island features a range of coasters, Planet Snoopy for the kids and more.

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  • 8. Legoland, Carlsbad, California

    Legoland is simply legendary. Whoever had the idea to make an entire amusement park dedicated to Legos is a genius. The amusement park offers fun rides, live entertainment and more. You’ll find a Legoland Water Park, too.

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  • 7. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

    Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, is one of those parks that you just hear about a lot. I feel like I’ve been hearing about it since I was a little kid, but I’ve never been there. Busch Gardens is known for being extremely beautiful and scenic, which is rare for an amusement park.

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  • 6. Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, California

    Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, is another spot that I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. When I was a kid, my family took me to California to see my aunt, and we went to not only Disneyland but also Knott’s Berry Farm. The amusement park has more than 165 rides, attractions and more. They also have fun holiday and Halloween events.

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  • 5. Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California (and in many other states)

    Six Flags Magic Mountain is another huge name when it comes to parks. The spot, located in Valencia, California, is known for its amazing coasters. What’s cool is that the park offers a mix of scary-type coasters for the big kids (and adults) and tame coasters for the kids (and wimpy adults, like me). Other Six Flags parks also belong here, too, as the chain has lots of locations across America.

  • 4: Disney California Adventure Park, Anaheim, California

    If you want that Disney experience but live on the West Coast, then you’re much closer to Disney California Adventure Park, aka “Disneyland,” than you are to Disney World. I’ve actually been to both parks, since my aunt lives near Disneyland, and I went as a kid. The park is super fun for those of any age, and it really gives you that Disney movie experience, but in a park. The park has been updated over the years, but it’s more classic than Disney World.

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  • 3. Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania

    If you’re in the Pennsylvania area, then you absolutely have to go to Hersheypark. The park, which is owned by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, helps to keep Milton S. Hershey’s legacy alive. Not only do you get chocolate (yum!), but Hersheypark also offers roller coasters, water rides and more fun.

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  • 2. Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida

    There is something simply classic about Walt Disney World. It should be every kid’s right of passage to go here. I’m fortunate that my parents took me to Disney World twice when I was little. I loved meeting my favorite princesses, but there is plenty to do for adults at the park, too.

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  • 1. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

    Cedar Point is legendary in the Midwest. The park is considered the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” since it has so many fantastic coasters to ride. If you’re looking for major thrills, plus stuff to do for the family, Cedar Point is a great spot. Plus, it’s not as pricey as some of the major parks.

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    Cedar Point is A Place Like No Other™ in Sandusky. For more than 150 years, families have chosen the Lake Erie resort as their destination to connect with each other and create new memories.

 

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

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