Top Thrill Dragster to close “as you know it”
The world’s first strata-coaster, Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point, is being retired. The park released the following statement on September 6, 2022:
Cedar Point news release from September 6, 2022
Top Thrill Dragster has remained closed following a semi-well-publicized malfunction resulting in guest injury in August 2021. Before the 2022 season, Cedar Point revealed the ride would remain closed for the season. Now that there is confirmation the ride is being retired “as you know it,” let’s dig into what that could mean.
Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point
First, the major issues with Top Thrill Dragster seemed to originate from the hydraulic launch. While the launch was not the cause of the latest accident, it has been nothing but a headache for Cedar Point. Plan on the conversion of the hydraulic launch to a much more reliable LSM launch from Intamin, the ride’s original manufacturer.
With a new launch system will most likely come new trains and a new track, especially on the launch and brake run. Given the most recent controversy surrounding the name Top Thrill Dragster, don’t be surprised if a new name and theme accompany the transformation, similar to Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress at Knott’s Berry Farm.
Cedar Point’s Sky Ride and Top Thrill Dragster
All of these potential enhancements should make for a more reliable experience for the nearly 20-year-old attraction but would do very little in the arena of “reimagining” the ride. I personally think we will see the closing and removal of Corkscrew on the other side of the midway after the 2023 season and an extension of the ride’s layout using that plot of land. I believe we saw the first chess pieces move when Matterhorn and Scrambler were moved over to the new Boardwalk section of Cedar Point for next season. Only time will tell what the true reasons for these odd relocations are.
I am grateful Cedar Point is preserving what it can of this monumental record-breaking roller coaster. Will we see marginal improvements or a completely new experience? Watch along with us.
