Cedar Point's 2024 Coaster - Top Thrill Dragster Reimagined

20 years ago, Cedar Point announced Top Thrill Dragster would open as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Today, they began to tease a reimagined attraction for the 2024 season.

Confirming a 2024 opening, the video shows dynamic shots of the iconic 420-ft tower with the tagline “A new formula for thrills”. The park also updated the ride’s web page with this new information. We expect more teasers and details to be released throughout the 2023 season.

Photo Credit: cedarpoint.com

After announcing late last year that Top Thrill Dragster would not reopen but would be “reimagined,” speculation immediately began among coaster enthusiasts. While nothing is guaranteed, it is widely assumed the revamped coaster would receive a new Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) launch system along with a new name. Recent developments appear to confirm some type of change to the launch system, with all of the launch, brake, and station track being removed and the majority of it being shipped to Europe for modifications. Italian ride manufacturing company Zamperla has confirmed modifying a similar coaster with the same hydraulic launch. The company is also building the new Wild Mouse coaster at Cedar Point this upcoming season and introduced a new style of train capable of running on their new LSM track.

Photo Credit: North Coast Aerial Images on Facebook

As seen in the photo above, the majority of the station area, including the load and unload ramp, has been demolished. Footers remain for the original launch and brake run track but not for the old station. The big question now is “What other modifications are coming?”. Will we see an extended track layout after the top-hat? A new load and unload process? A bunny hill ala Kingda Ka? Nothing besides a new launch system? What about a new theme for the attraction? We expect all of these questions to be answered in the coming months.