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 Review of Top Thrill Dragster @ Cedar Point
3 Rating Posted by: MagnumMan on 7/30/2004 2:34:00 PM
Oh...yeah I know, its 420 ft. and 120 mph (on the low side) but let me finish the review first. Just like MF, its SO INTIMIDATING...even more so than Millennium Force. The sheer height takes care of that alone. The speed just gives you another reason to approach TTD with "caution". After waiting in line nearly 2 1/2 (which, I hear, is actually very lucky for this ride), under the canopy and in the pouring rain for about 30 min., then sitting through at least another hour or so of testing...rollback...testing...cleared the hill...ready for riders...cleared the hill...rollback...closed down for testing or mechanical problems or rain because the thing has to be 100% dry (???...as far as Im concerned, a coaster that has to dry before it can function shouldnt be built at all. Thats ridiculous), I refused to leave but at the same time was thinking, "TTD better be worth all this". But, finally, I made it into the train, ready for launch and all my nervous feelings came back. I just had to keep telling myself that its only 18 sec. as the sound of the "engine" began rumbling. And then, they faked us out...the rumbling stopped and the soundtrack went off...the fins went down quickly and then they launched us...and I was yelling in ecstasy. The long stretch actually takes a while to complete and you can feel the car getting faster and faster as you go down the track. Then you fly up, heading toward the sky at a mind-numbing speed. The turn going up 420 ft. whips you around and you can officially see how high you are and how much more you have to go. Then you hit the crest and you arent even calm enough to think about clearing the hill or not. At this point, I could do nothing but realize that it wasnt over cause "what goes up must come down"...and we did. FAST. You can feel yourself spiraling and see the track spinning around you...the "heart feeling" occurs but by the time youre really stating to enjoy the 270 degree drop and it is starting to become fun, you come out of it and hit the brakes. EVERYONE in the line and on the sidelines of the ride has been looking at you since you launched and most of the people in the park have taken note of your ride on TTD so its amazing when you get back to the station. Almost immediately, though, I remembered...its only 18 seconds and at that point I realized...its a one-trick pony...and theres no reason to be angry if you dont get another ride and its not really worth one anyway, as its going to be virtually the same thing (if there isnt a rollback). So I was happy with what I had done, picked up my On Ride Photo cause I knew I wouldnt get another chance to (which I didnt) and was through with it. Happy I went on it cause I was aching to. But its not perfect and, while its a great thrill, its not a #1 coaster. First of all, most of us have concluded that this is THE MOST unreliable thing ever built by man and its pretty much hit-or miss whether you will get to ride it. So, because of that, and the fact that my wait could have been cut in half had it not been for the constant problems that do not plague most coasters, TTD is not flawless. But I was expecting this so I cant scalp the coaster for that. Still, something should be serously done about this because Im sure its a big dissapointment to come from a long distance to ride a record-breaking, now world famous coaster to find that it is down for the entire duration of your trip...1 pt. Also, if there had been some type of possibility of making TTD more similar to Xcellerator, in the sense that there is more than the main hill, it really would have improved my experience. But they are kind of limited on space so I can understand that too...1 pt. Thats how I came to an 8 for the score. TTD is a really good addition to CP. One ride is really all you need but that one ride is sure to be a blast (pun intended...even if it is corny).
 

Review Comments

darkridrMD on 8/1/2004 11:40:02 AM said:
Wow. Great review. Im eager to get back to Cedar Point to try TTD but I know it wont be for awhile. The problems here sound similar to when I was there the year Wicked Twister went into action. That thing was a fun ride but was open and closed repeatedly.
MagnumMan on 8/1/2004 9:16:28 PM said:
Thanks for the compliment. I tried to point out everything I thought was good and bad about it...and there was quite a bit of bad. I wouldnt call it dissapointing but I wont be so eagar to get on it again next time. If the line is longer than the time I waited on my last trip, I will not hesitate to skip it. Bottom line: Looks fun, is fun, but is not worth a ridiculously long wait.
KittyBoo on 8/2/2004 12:08:16 AM said:
Good review. I rode it last year and your story about the waiting is all too familiar. It was about 5 hours or so because there were scattered showers. But we were NOT leaving w/out riding it or leaving our place in line. People became delirious and it was kinda fun. I just went again on Friday and only had to wait a little over an hour. I still cant believe it.
darkridrMD on 8/2/2004 9:55:42 AM said:
Im not sure I could justify a 5 hour wait. I admire you for your patience. But I know what you mean-when you go to a park with a new ride, it becomes ingrained in your mind that you gotta do it. I would have been very frustrated if I hadnt been able to ride all the coasters on my one trip to CP so far. MM-based on your review, Id probably do the same thing-ride it just once. Now recently I was on the Stormrunner in HersheyPark which has a similar launch. But my brother and waited only 45 minutes and that was for the first row. Then I went immediately again with my sister-in-law (they had my nephew to watch)and we only waited about a half hour for the last row. So that was worth it. But SR is almost a minute ride compared to TTDs 17 seconds.
Mandi0715 on 8/2/2004 12:20:01 PM said:
Good Review. Ive never gotten the chance to ride TTD yet. I went about a week ago and as soon as i was ready to ride it the park was closed for the night. I was so angry that i went to CP and not gotten to ride that monster. O well, Ill save it for the next trip.
KittyBoo on 8/2/2004 2:02:43 PM said:
darkridrMD - yeah, we go to CP every year and yes we *had* to ride TTD and of course in the front. Otherwise, the long wait wouldnt have happened.
BobFunland on 8/2/2004 5:22:51 PM said:
I totally agree with this review. I have yet to review it myself (Ill do it a little later) but I definatly believe that TTD is a bit overrated. Yes, its a good ride, but not the best, nor worth more than 1 ride (unless the line is < 30 mins). I couldnt find anything in my top 10 that I wanted to get rid of to fit in a 16 second ride.
darkridrMD on 8/3/2004 10:14:37 AM said:
Makes you wish for a top 20, doesnt it?
BobFunland on 8/3/2004 5:19:03 PM said:
Not really- maybe a Top 10 Steel and Top 10 Wooden, because even then TTD would have some competition in my book. Rides such as Raptor, the Great American Scream Machine, Kumba amongst others. TTD, though barely off my list, is where it should be in my opinion, I mean, Ive ridden some really great coasters, and just because a ride is highly rated and is the fastest and tallest doesnt mean its my favorite, nor does that mean that it is even in my top 10.
darkridrMD on 8/4/2004 7:06:46 AM said:
I see your point. Actually, a division between wood and steel is a pretty good idea.
BobFunland on 8/4/2004 11:41:24 AM said:
Visit the Top 10 Thread in the Forum of the Namelessness
MagnumMan on 8/5/2004 6:55:16 PM said:
BobFunland: About your review, I totally agree with your comment that you cant see how some people can rate TTD over Millenium Force. 1st of all: How can you an 18 sec. thrill be better than a 2 min. thrill??? I could go on and on...Thats just as ridiculous as TTD not being able to open after the slightest rainstorm. Plus, I also agree with one of your statements above. Just because its tall and fast doesnt mean its an exceptional coaster. Its missing the complete package. Those are about the only two things you can say about it. Theres not even airtime! BTW: Thanks everyone for your compliments again. I really think I did a good job showing its flaws and why it does not deserve a high place on the Top 10 (at most...#10 or #9) or one at all and why its DEFINITLY not #1. And I stand by that...
PhantomNik on 8/25/2004 1:04:26 PM said:
I thought this was a very good review! I enjoy reading reviews that differ from mine, but actually give reasons to back up their rating. Kudos to you, MagnumMan, for doing that! You made some very good points, and I can see what you mean in some regards. Then, as I scanned the comments, I noted your most recent one. My one question is this - Why should I be ashamed for rating TTD over MF?? TTD is my personal #1 and MF is my #2. I respect the fact that TTD is not in your top 10. Its all a matter of peoples opinions on what they like. You enjoy the fact that MF is a more "complete" ride, which it is. I, however, felt that the pure adrenaline rush from it is unmatched and worthy of my #1 spot. You say height and speed dont make TTD exceptional. Thats fine....but again, its your opinion. To me, and many others, that astronomical height and speed DOES make it an exceptional coaster. All Im saying is the fact that some of us differ on our views of a coaster or ride is great! It makes for interesting discussions. However, I feel its silly to then go on the attack to others who dont share your opinions. You can say what you like, but I for one am not the least bit "ashamed"....Im proud to proclaim that, for me, TTD is the top of the mountain when it comes to coasters I have ridden. Just wanted to share my opinions. Again, though, very nice review!!
MagnumMan on 8/26/2004 12:40:27 AM said:
Oh, no. Dont think because I made some comments obviously saying that TTD is not a ride worthy of as much "praise" as it gets, which I do think is true, this doesnt mean that I dont respect other peoples opinions...and from seeing me on the site, you probably know that I shy away from that...So, actually, I do think saying that anyone who says MF is better than TTD should be ashamed was somewhat harsh and Im going to delete that sentence. You shouldnt be ashamed but there seemed to be a great deal of cons to the experience, in my opinion. But thats me...so Thanks For The Compliment and the "Good Review" rating. I appreciate it.
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