Top Thrill 2 Construction Updates

Welcome to the Top Thrill 2 construction update page! Up until May, we’re going to share the progress on the world’s tallest and fastest triple-launch strata coaster.

Don't forget to scroll down this entire page to see each update we've posted, with most recent posts at the top.

In addition to this page, check out the Top Thrill 2 playlist on our YouTube channel, where you can watch the Top Thrill 2 Pit Stop – our video series on building this mega thrill machine.

March 26, 2024

Let's start by saying I was a-signed to this job.

It's a sign of things to come.

Sign it and drive it.

Ok I'll stop with the puns (although at this point, I realllllly want to drive it).

We almost have literal signs!

Here's your first look at some of the plaza signage that will welcome you to the CP Racing paddock and the Top Thrill 2 experience.

First, let's take a peek at the concept rendering for the main gateway to the plaza. 

Over on the right, you can see one of the ID signs, and currently in the park, the foundation is ready for it (are you ready for it?). Hi, Swifties.

And even better, production of the actual sign is just about wrapped up at the shop. Local friends Brady Signs, who have produced many of the larger signs you've seen in and around our Sandusky properties, are just about ready to deliver them. 

Here's that plaza ID sign in its final form!

Each end of the Top Thrill 2 Midway will have one of these signs, so an identical one is going up near the restrooms by Magnum XL-200.

Moving on to a different piece of concept art, this time near the ride's main entrance:

The foundations for these elements of the main entry portal are being poured:

But take a look at this!

So so so so good.

You'll see "TT2" in select areas - it's an alternative for the full "Top Thrill 2," so feel free to say, "I cannot wait to take a ride on TT2 this summer." It'll be acceptable! I promise!

The arches over the portal are also ready. And LIT!

Big thanks to Brady Signs for sharing these production pics with us.

In the next week, these will be installed, and I'm hoping to get some good shots of them all lit up at night. The electric atmosphere around TT2 is going to change the way this area looks forever and I'm here for it.

I don't know about you, but my racing suit is ready-ready for a few test trials!

 

March 12, 2024

With the warmer weather comes the fast-paced updates that are being made to the Top Thrill 2 construction site. If you haven't seen our latest Pit Stop video, click the link above to see the whole playlist.

Since that most recent video, there have been a few minor updates we'd like to show you.

Let's start with the perimeter fencing. Now that the concrete has cured, the fence on the midway side is being installed. The angle at the top is an additional touch that really makes you feel like you're in a genuine racing environment.

Just inside the queue, the foundation for the queue rail is still being poured, but they're making their way closer to the ride's entrance area.

Closer to the loading station, the first set of queue shades have been installed. These will continue along the entire queue section in the infield.

Up on the loading platform, just a few bits to point out. At any given time, two trains could be in this station area together. One train will be parked for loading (signified by the white loading gates on the right) while another train will unload right behind it, and guests will exit to the right and under the spike tower track.

You can sort of see the opening at the end of the blue framing, which, by the way, will be the safety wall that separates the loading station from the main track.

Ride programming and testing continues, although we're at the "fine tuning" stage of this testing. One by one, each train will be added to the mix so the team at Zamperla can get everything ready for any operating scenario: running 1 train, 2 trains or 3 trains. Full-speed launch testing is pretty much wrapped up, so we've seen a train go up and over several times.

Each sequence of automation has to be adjusted based on the number of trains on the track, so this process is a little slow. In the coming weeks, we should start to see regular ride cycling where we run trains over and over and over again, like we would in normal summer operation. That's the really exciting part!

The silver train is assembled and on the track, ready to go:

Just in front of it, the blue train has been hooked up and is awaiting its turn on the track:

The black train will be here and revealed shortly. I'm most looking forward to seeing that one for the first time. 

And finally, here's a peek at the view from the overhead control booth. Our ride operations team will have two positions here: one facing the loading area (which kind of acts like a "master control" for the ride) and one facing the top hat tower and infield (this is also the lucky position that has the launch button at their fingertips).

Everything is moving very fast as we gear up for Opening Day on May 4. We'll have more details on the preview events leading up to the grand opening coming very soon. Keep watching our social channels for the latest info!

January 3, 2024

Happy New Year! We hope you, your family and friends had a wonderful holiday season. 

We sure did. Just before Christmas, we were able to complete our initial high-speed testing, sending a Top Thrill 2 train up and over the top hat tower, completing its first full-circuit run. You can check that out in our YouTube playlist above.

With testing on pause, work is now focused on the ground and site work around the ride. Let's take a quick look!

I love this shot of the storage track, located just between the rider queue and the start of the launch:

One of the more impressive components of the ride is the electrical building. Inside the structure located next to the launch, all of the controls for the linear synchronous motors are housed inside these walls of cabinets. Truly a complicated feat of engineering:

Here's a shot for the proximity sensor STANS out there:

Moving over to the station, this area will be home to the operator control booth. It will eventually be built right here, rising over the station and main track. It's a similar set up to GateKeeper. 

A few of you asked me how we were able to run a ride without a full control booth. If you look closely, toward the back of the photo to the left of the station roof support, you can see a temporary control booth. Sometimes, you have to improvise!

Here's a look at the inside of the station. Still lots of work to go here as we construct the loading platform and wall that separates the loading area from the running track:

Here's a look from the loading area. Most of the platform will extend behind the roof structure with just the loading gates here. Much different than before:

This overview of the loading area, running track and high-speed switch gives you a good idea of how the ride will operate. Trains come out of the station and curve over to the running track. Then, the high-speed switch moves to the right so the straight track is aligned. Once that operation is complete, it's GO TIME:

After seeing Top Thrill 2 test for the first time, I have many thoughts, from the train to the speed to the sounds the ride makes. Perhaps we can jump on a TikTok live in the coming weeks to discuss? Maybe answer a few questions?

Follow me on X for details! 

November 3, 2023

With the park now closed for the season, all attention is on the road to Top Thrill 2's completion. And this week, there are a few new additions to the site we'd like to share!

It begins with the linear synchronous motor wiring. With most of the launch track wiring now in place, it has to be organized and placed...somewhere.

So here it lies, neatly organized in a very, very long cable tray along the launch track. 

That cable branches off of the cable tray and down to the ground.

And from there, it goes into the LSM electrical building that houses the components that drive them.

Connecting all these wires into the power cabinets is ongoing, but at least they're indoors as the temps start to get a little lower!

Moving over to the station, supports are in place for the curve into the load/unload area.

On the other side, the switch/transfer track that will move trains into the storage area is in place.

That switch diverts the main track line to the storage track, where our maintenance team can inspect each train when they're resting overnight or need to be taken out of service.

If you look in the background, you can see crews power washing the station structure in preparation for the painting of its new color scheme. 

We're closer to lifting more pieces into place on the new 420-foot-tall spike tower, and those pieces are being staged on the midway. The pieces sticking off of this column will support the vertical ladder and resting platforms that go all the way up to the top.

And as we close out this update, check out this view. Three great Cedar Point rides all in one shot. As this tower gets taller and taller, this photo will change dramatically! Who's excited? This guy.

Don't forget - in a little less than 2 weeks (on Nov. 14), we'll be unveiling the real Top Thrill 2 train at the annual IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions) Expo in Orlando. It'll be your first look at these gorgeous beauties from Zamperla. 

Full disclosure: I've been given a tiny preview of the final product, and all I can say is, they're gorgeous works of art. I cannot wait to take a seat in the front row on 11/14!

Stay connected to our social channels where we'll be sharing the first look video.

September 19, 2023

Let’s get right into it. The entire launch track and brake run are now in place.

In the infield of the ride area, we’ve just poured the foundation for the train storage track and maintenance area. This is where our team will inspect and service Top Thrill 2’s three sleek trains.

Over on the launch area, the switch track, known as the “high-speed switch,” is installed.

This switch will enable trains to leave the station and transfer onto the launch track. Once the train is in position, the high-speed switch will move into launch position, creating the straightaway for one of the greatest roller coaster experiences in the world.

In addition, crews continue to paint the 420-foot-tall top hat tower and electricians are busy connecting the wiring for all of the linear synchronous motors that will launch you forward and back.

Inside the loading station and beyond, this is where work is really accelerating. Here, you can see several things happening: first, the beginning of the reverse spike tower track is installed on the left; the center foundations are for the divider wall that will separate the mainline from the loading station; and the footers on the right are for the loading station track.

Note that with this new configuration, the station platform will be further back than the previous ride. Also, the turn out of the brake run and into the station will be much tighter.

Just behind the station and over the Iron Dragon lagoon, the new 420-foot-tall spike tower is beginning to rise.

The base of the tower is being placed little piece by little piece. With the great weather we’ve been having, the crew has been able to move relatively quickly, so by the time you read this or see this in the park, you’ll probably see even more progress.

I can’t tell you how exciting this is to see in person. The massive scale of Top Thrill 2 is clear in the digital renderings and videos, but nothing can prepare you for how big this tower will be, especially in person.

We have a lot more to share as we go, including plans for a live Q&A, more video updates and details on the public launch of Top Thrill 2 as we get closer to the 2024 season. For now, stop in during HalloWeekends and see this amazing roller coaster as it quickly rises.

It’s definitely an opportunity to say, “there’s something you don’t see every day!”