The ride
Top Thrill 2 is a steel launched roller coaster on its LSM Lightning Launch Coaster platform at Cedar Point in Top Thrill 2 Midway, Ohio, having opened to the public in 2024. After 2 seasons of operation it remains one of the defining attractions on the Cedar Point midway, drawing repeat riders who track every subtle change to its trains, restraints and station soundtrack.
On paper the ride is a serious thrill machine. It climbs 420 ft above the park before pitching forward into its first descent. That opening drop measures 400 ft, long enough to pin riders against their restraints and pull a prolonged moment of weightless airtime over the lap-bar. Trains reach a top speed of 120.0 mph before the first turnaround, where the layout opens up into a sequence of lateral and vertical elements. In total the track stretches 342 ft, giving the experience a distinctly long-form feel rather than the punchy one-and-done character of many modern compact coasters. enthusiast trip-planning resources
As a LSM Lightning Launch Coaster, it sits within a recognizable family of attractions and benefits from years of refinement applied to similar installations elsewhere.
Plan to ride Top Thrill 2 early in the day or during the final hour before park close, when standby waits at Cedar Point typically drop. Because top speeds exceed 60 mph, secure loose articles before queuing — phones, hats and sunglasses are best left in a locker or zipped pocket. The climb to the lift hill summit offers an unmatched view of Cedar Point and the surrounding area — a quiet thirty seconds worth savoring before the first drop. Single-rider lines and early-entry ticketing programs, when available at Cedar Point, are usually the fastest ways to get repeat rides on a busy day. broader coaster community archives
In CoasterVault's ranking tables, Top Thrill 2 currently appears in our 2nd position for fastest coasters, 2nd position for tallest coasters, 196th position for longest tracks, 2nd position for biggest drops lists, reflecting where its core stats place it among operating coasters in the United States. These rankings move whenever a new installation opens, so the position should be read as a snapshot rather than a permanent record.