Man, do I have a thrill for you guys! Picture a roller coaster that stands 420 feet tall. Reaching speeds up to 120 mph in just 3 seconds. Insane, right?! Some of you might be thinking, “There’s no way a coaster like that exists.” Think again! Such a thing of beauty definitely exists! At “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” Cedar Point! Get ready to hear about the Incredible Top Thrill Dragster!
Here’s how it goes!
Top Thrill Dragster will surely get your heart pounding just by stepping into line. As you slowly head toward the front of the line, you get an amazing glimpse of the ride as it goes up vertically one side, then vertically down the other. And another glimpse at spectators siting in bleachers watching the riders as they take on the Dragster. That’s perfect, because it lines up with the car racing theme of the ride.
Once you arrive at the front of the line, you’ll step on up to climb into the ride’s trains resembling Top Fuel dragsters. Be sure that you’re nice and secure (which the ride operators will check), because all you have keeping you in your seat is a lap bar. First timers, hold onto it! You may freak out if you don’t!
After the all clear, the ride slowly moves out of the station and heads toward the launch track. The ride then comes to a stop and the only things in front of you are the 420 ascent and descent and the “Christmas tree” light used in authentic drag races. You’ll sit there for about 10 seconds, then find yourself backing up slightly, preparing for the 120 mph launch. Hearts are racing in agonizing anticipation waiting for the green light. Another thing for the first timers, hold your head back. You’ll realize later that I saved you from a bad headache. After about five short seconds, the light turns greens and then you’re off!
Down the ride goes down the track reaching the maximum speed before racing up 420 foot tall top hat. Once you reach the top, you’ll be hoping for one of two things: that train will roll back to the station or that train will NOT roll back to the station. Once you clear the top, you’ll race back down toward Earth spinning 270 degrees on the way down. Before you know it, the ride makes its way back to the station, and you’re left thinking “What just happened?”
Check out the video below to see for yourself how Top Thrill Dragster goes!
This ride is AWESOME! How do I know? I rode it!!
Yes! I have tackled this beast of a coaster myself. With some friends and family of course. Can’t go at something this massive alone. My very first (and only sadly) ride on it was for my graduation trip to the park.
It was me, my step dad, and two family friends. We all got in line, which was a little long (but not for long). Each step we took toward the front meant a step toward our pending doom. Every minute or so, I would hear the roaring sound of the coaster trains racing down the track. And with it: all the screams of excitement and terror from its victims…I mean riders.
As I do with any new big ride, I asked myself, “What am I doing? Do I really wanna go through with this?” The same questions any adrenaline-induced coaster fan would ask. Of course I wanted to do it, but the anxiety level was through the roof!
We got to the front after about 20 to 30 minutes. My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest. I stepped forward with one of my friends while the other friend and my step dad were directly behind us. We locked ourselves in and made sure our lap bars were secure. I pushed mine down as far as I could to guarantee myself that I wouldn’t fall out. It’s a 420-foot tall roller coaster we’re talking about. I wasn’t taking ANY chances!
So you took a virtual ride on Top Thrill Dragster. How about a real one? CLICK HERE for ticket info to the park!
After the “All clear” from the ride operator, the trains slowly departed the station and we were on our way. My step dad was behind, trying to get us all pumped for the ride. My friend beside me joined him, while I just grinned and held tightly to the lap bar, excited and nervous for what was ahead. I had my head was back the entire time. I’d been on launch coasters before. I know good and well that the head goes back!
We got to the launch track, stopped, and I stared right in front of me at the 420-foot top hat of coaster track in front of me. “I’m gonna be up there in like 30 seconds,” I thought to myself. My heart was pounding even harder than before. My attention quickly turned to the “Christmas tree” light; just waiting for it to give the signal for the ride to go. The trains rocked back slightly to get into position for the launch. “Oh man! Here we go!” I said to myself, anxiously waiting for the light to turn green. Five short seconds later, the light turned and the train launched!
I let out a big scream, which was almost immediately muffled by the force of the ride. The ride raced down the track past the spectators in bleachers and into the top hat. When we got to the top, I was curious to see if the train was going to roll back into the station. Part of me kinda wanted it to, but the other part was like “Naw, man!” Rolling back was a rare thing for the ride, but it happened every now and then and riders loved it. It meant another ride without having to get back in line. It also meant that some people scared of the ride had to pay the price by having to go 420 feet down vertically…backwards! Then get launched up again in the right direction!
The train didn’t roll back! Part of me was relieved. The other part, to this day, wonders what it would’ve been like. The ride raced down 400 feet vertically before dashing back to the station. What a ride! A quick one, but awesome regardless!
Highly recommend the ride!
Coaster enthusiasts: Another good one goes on the list for you to ride! Everyone else that seeks thrill and adventure: RIDE IT! You will be so glad that you did! Yeah, it’s a short ride, but it’s definitely worth it. Then you can tell your friends that I rode the second tallest roller coaster in the world (stay tuned to learn about the tallest one). Plan your trip to Cedar Point today and take a ride on Top Thrill Dragster!
Response Magic