New roller coaster Top Thrill 2 opened on May 4 in Cedar Point. After two years of construction, Cedar Point has completed this thrilling ride. Last year Top Thrill 2 was under construction but this year it is finally completed for riders to enjoy for the 2024 season.

Top Thrill 2 reaches a top speed of 120 mph and  a height of 420 feet. Top Thrill 2 has three launches, each with increased acceleration, and on the third launch, it goes over the peak. Cedar Point’s website says it’s a 2-minute ride. 

The ride was built by Zamperla Rides, “featuring new “lightning” trains, offering an experience comparable to motorsports” according to chroniclet.com. It cost $25 million to build Top Thrill 2. 

Top Thrill 2 was built was to replace the original ride Top Thrill Dragster. The Dragster was 17 seconds long, and 420 feet tall.  The dragster only launched once. It went at the speed of 120 mph but sometimes it didn’t go over and came back to get launched again. The ride was plagued by closures and had a reputation for breaking down.  The Dragster even caused the injuries of four people; none of these injuries were on the ride but were instead caused by a screw or a small piece of metal falling off the roller coaster.

A woman named Rachel Hawes was struck by a chunk of metal hit her in the back of the head according to WKYC.com. Rachel Hawes got a serious brain injury from this and attempted to sue Cedar Point. But Cedar Point wasn’t held responsible because there wasn’t enough proof that this violated the laws of a theme park according to Clevend19.com. But The Dragster closed in August 2021. 

Many people wonder what the safety guidelines are for Top Thrill 2. If the the restraint can’t touch the top of your thighs and be lowered all of the way you will not be permitted to ride the roller coaster. On the ride, you can wear glasses if they have a strap and you can’t carry any items with you. So you can’t even take your phone with you and there are metal detectors at the front gate of the ride. This ride doesn’t have anywhere to store your belongings so you will have to buy a locker. Items are not permitted on the ride because of the chance of your item flying off the ride and causing danger to whoever is in the line, watching the ride launch, or even walking by, according to WKYC Channel 3. On this ride, you can’t even wear flip-flops or any other strapless shoes and also you can’t stand in line barefoot. If you want to go on this ride while wearing flip-flops you will have to buy a pair of shoes.

Some people had a chance to ride Top Thrill 2 before the opening date by paying $120 per person.  But for the rest of us, Top Thrill 2 is now open at Cedar Point.