<p><em>Story and Photos by Andrew Hyde (Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/OnlineHyde" target="_blank">@OnlineHyde</a>) unless noted. Andrew has an incredible passion and knowledge of the amusement park industry, and offers us a peak into the 2003 media event for Cedar Point&#8217;s Top Thrill Dragster.</em> </p>
<p>In 2000, Cedar Point&#8217;s Millennium Force took the world by storm, and to some extent was still very much in the spotlight years later due to being the first roller coaster to break the 300 feet barrier. Then in 2002, Cedar Point added Wicked Twister, which was a decent sized addition that fulfilled the wants of theme park fans for more coasters at the park. So the last thing any of us expected was another coaster in the wake of record setting attractions.</p>
<p>After the closing of the 2001 season, Cedar Point removed the Dodgem 1 ride across from the Magnum entrance and relocate them to Michigan&#8217;s Adventure. By mid-April 2002, Cedar Point had secretly been building the foundations for Top Thrill Dragster on the former Dodgem site. </p>
<p><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/010401-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Construction.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/010401-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Construction.jpg" alt="010401 Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster Construction" width="849" height="565" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10365" /></a></p>
<p>On Cedar Point opening day May 5, 2002, sharp eyed fans noticed some large footers near Magnum’s entrance inside a new fenced in area and land clearing nearby. </p>
<p>A group of us rode Magnum over and over just to spend the entire lift climb looking back at what the heck those three giant footers were. Remember, this was the same day Wicked Twister was opening – no one thought Cedar Point would build big coasters back to back years. </p>
<p>On June 21, 2002 several signs appear on the wall/fence surrounding the former Dodgem 1 site. The signs read: &#8220;Cedar Point is building for the future, look for news later this season.&#8221;</p>
<figure id="attachment_10367" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10367" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/020621-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Wall-Signage-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/020621-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Wall-Signage-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg" alt="020621 Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster Wall Signage ©Andrew Hyde" width="600" height="800" class="size-full wp-image-10367" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10367" class="wp-caption-text">©Andrew Hyde</figcaption></figure>
<p>Fast forward to August 21, 2002. Out of nowhere and without any fanfare, track pieces randomly showed up next to Mean Streak. Then by August 27, track was being placed in the Soak City parking lot. </p>
<figure id="attachment_10368" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10368" style="width: 800px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/020827-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Track-in-Soak-City-Parking-Lot-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/020827-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Track-in-Soak-City-Parking-Lot-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg" alt="020827 Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster Track in Soak City Parking Lot ©Andrew Hyde" width="800" height="600" class="size-full wp-image-10368" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10368" class="wp-caption-text">©Andrew Hyde</figcaption></figure>
<p>Random track pieces without an explanation launched the enthusiast community into a &#8220;strata&#8221; level of excitement. This was pre-Twitter or Facebook where social media creates viral news stories. Word spread through message boards and everyone anxiously waited for someone with a camera to run over to the park. </p>
<p>The next few months were more of the same story – with each week more track showed up and/or more land was cleared inside the park. During the week of September 3-6, 2002, Cedar Point removed Troika and Chaos across from Power Tower. By mid-September vertical construction was underway. And yet no announcement (<strong>sound familiar? Cough&#8230;Mean Streak</strong>) of what was going on at the park. </p>
<figure id="attachment_10369" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10369" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/020913-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Construction-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/020913-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Construction-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg" alt="020913 Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster Construction ©Andrew Hyde" width="640" height="640" class="size-full wp-image-10369" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10369" class="wp-caption-text">©Andrew Hyde</figcaption></figure>
<p>On October 11, 2002, the first pieces of track were installed onto the tower, now giving enthusiasts their first glimpse into what was to be expected.</p>
<figure id="attachment_10371" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10371" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/021011-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Construction-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/021011-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Construction-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg" alt="021011 Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster Construction ©Andrew Hyde" width="600" height="800" class="size-full wp-image-10371" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10371" class="wp-caption-text">©Andrew Hyde</figcaption></figure>
<p>By the time the end of the 2002 season ended, track had been installed down the pullout and through the brake run.</p>
<figure id="attachment_10372" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10372" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/021027-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Construction-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/021027-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Construction-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg" alt="021027 Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster Construction ©Andrew Hyde" width="600" height="800" class="size-full wp-image-10372" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10372" class="wp-caption-text">©Andrew Hyde</figcaption></figure>
<p>During the off-season, very few details started to leak out. Permits were filled on November 21, 2002 with very limited details except for some financial figures: a hydraulic building was going to cost the park around $200,000 dollars; an electrical building around $40,000, and the ride station at about $450,000. Footers for the ride were estimated to cost the park one million dollars. </p>
<p>The holidays came and went, the ride was topped off, yet still no announcement. </p>
<p>Then on January 9, 2003, Cedar Point announced Top Thrill Dragster and everyone was blown away! </p>
<figure id="attachment_10373" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10373" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2003-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Concept-Art-1.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2003-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Concept-Art-1.jpg" alt="2003 Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster Concept Art 1" width="700" height="591" class="size-full wp-image-10373" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10373" class="wp-caption-text">©Cedar Point</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_10374" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10374" style="width: 625px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2003-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Concept-Art-2.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2003-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragster-Concept-Art-2.jpg" alt="2003 Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster Concept Art 2" width="625" height="546" class="size-full wp-image-10374" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10374" class="wp-caption-text">©Cedar Point</figcaption></figure>
<p>I remember just a few years earlier when Millennium Force was just a rumor and everyone was thinking 300ft was crazy, but this was 400ft just a few years later. This roller coaster at Cedar Point put them in a whole other league.</p>
<h2>Top Thrill Dragster Media Day</h2>
<p>Top Thrill Dragster media day was held on May 1, 2003 and pulling up to the park that day I realized this was not just any other ride opening. I fondly recall a passerby&#8217;s comment from that day, “The President must be here because I have never seen so much media in one place.” Local and national news stations from a multi-state region were present for the Top Thrill Dragster media event, and this was BIG. </p>
<p>Stations were not just doing the “look new ride – here’s some footage” spots- they built sets and were doing their whole morning shows live from the park. TV trucks lined the midway from Dragster all the way down the Main Midway towards Raptor.</p>
<p>Scheduled to open early in the morning, the ride had a delayed start due to what was rumored to have been a lightning strike the previous day. After a brief opening ceremony the line quickly formed.</p>
<p>With all the media attention, nearly every train was going “live” on some TV station so everything had to be timed. All the TV timings caused the line to quickly build up and off the top of my head I want to say I waited 4 hours, but it was hard to tell through the excitement. </p>
<p>To thank us for our participation, guests were given a rare Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster Inaugural Rider coin.</p>
<figure id="attachment_10375" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10375" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/030501-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragser-Inaugural-Rider-Coin-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/030501-Cedar-Point-Top-Thrill-Dragser-Inaugural-Rider-Coin-©Andrew-Hyde.jpg" alt="030501 Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragser Inaugural Rider Coin ©Andrew Hyde" width="1024" height="616" class="size-full wp-image-10375" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-10375" class="wp-caption-text">©Andrew Hyde</figcaption></figure>
<p>Everyone that has rode Top Thrill Dragster knows how the story goes from there. Being there for the opening was special, not just to ride it, but to see how the public reacted to this incredibly huge and fast new attraction.</p>
<p><strong>* If you liked this post, join other readers who have signed up to for our <a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/newsletter/">free Newsletter</a>&#8230;because then you will never miss another update!</strong></p>
<p><!--
Top Thrill Timeline
http://experiencethepoint.com/2003/timeline.asp

10/28/2001 - Cedar Point closes for the 2001 season. While most eyes were focused on the construction near Wicked Twister, marks began to appear near Dodgem's 1.

Mid-Nov. 2001 - Dodgem's 1 is removed.

April 2, 2002 - Construction starts at the former site of Dodgem's 1.

Mid-April 2002- Rock climbing wall is moved across the path, large footers are poured on the site of Dodgem's 1.

May 5, 2002 - Cedar Point opens for the 2002 season. A large fence is erected around the Dodgem's site.

June 21, 2002 - Several signs appear on the wall/fence surrounding Dodgem's 1. The signs read: "Cedar Point is building for the future, look for news later this season."

August 18, 2002 - A construction trailer appears in the site.

August 21, 2002 - Track is spotted near Mean Streak, construction slowly starts at Dodgem's site: dirt is moved around, workers check footer's size, etc.

August 27, 2002 - Track starts to be stored in Soak City's parking lot, path between construction site and lagoon is closed off, the fence/wall has a opening of a few feet, small clearings begin just south of construction site.

August 30, 2002 - majority of south end of the wall/fence is ripped down, construction still cont. quietly in the site.

Sept. 3,4,5, and 6, 2002 - Cedar Point removes Troika and Chaos, majority of trees, queues, paths, etc. south of the construction site to the Power Tower area. The lagoons on the construction side are dammed, and are partially filled in.

Sept. 9,10,11,12, and 13, 2002 - More clearings continue, several small footers are poured, the ride tower goes vertical to the height of roughly 40 feet.

Sept. 21, 2002 - Next leg of tower raises.

Sept. 27, 2002 - Individual supports are positioned on footers to create the supports for the 'pull-out; tower raises up to the next level.

Oct. 4, 2002 - Track is hung on the pull-out of the ride; track travels up to the 3rd leg of tower.

Oct. 11, 2002 - Supports appear in line with the pull-out of the tower, more track pieces arrive, track is hung on East side of tower(one red piece, one white piece).

Oct. 18, 2002 - Construction on the next leg of tower(4 leg); trench is dug through parking lot from the construction site to the beach.

Oct. 25, 2002 - Pullout completes and runs down through a brake run. Numerous small footers are poured near the Power Tower plaza.

Nov. 7, 2002 - Track is hung on the small supports near Power Tower plaza - which forms two parallel lines of track.

Nov. 12, 2002 - Track on both side of the tower reaches the current top of tower. In a conference call, CEO of Cedar Fair(Cedar Point's parent company), stated the new ride would be announced in the next few weeks.

Nov. 15, 2002 - Article appeared in Sandusky Register regarding Cedar Point request to be granted a flood-plain variance for part of the construction for new ride. Full Article (Subscription Required)

Nov. 18, 2002 - Next leg of tower is started

Nov. 21, 2002 - Cedar Point pulls building permits. Permits show little to no detail except for some financial figures: a hydraulic building is going to cost the park around $200,000 dollars; an electrical building around $40,000, and the ride station at about 450,000 dollars. Footers for the ride are estimated to cost the park one million dollars. Sandusky Register has an article regarding the permits.

Nov. 23, 2002 - Cranes receive height extension 

Nov. 27, 2002 - Parts of launch track installed 

Dec. 5, 2002 - 8th leg of tower is partially constructed.

Dec. 13, 2002 - 3:30 PM - The top piece of track is placed on the tower.

March 20th - Cars are put on track

April 7th - Low power tests begin

April 15th - Full power tests begin --></p>

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View Comments
Thanks!!!! I love the Top Thrill Dragster story!!!! Dragster is my fave ride ever!!!!! I love everything about it!!!! Cedar Point is the best amusement park ever so much to the point that I moved to Sandusky because of Cedar Point!!! Thanks again and God bless!!!!!
This vantage point is very intriguing. I recall the news claiming opening day lines reached around 6 hours. I also recall being confused because I remember the news reporting on CP building a huge 3 column structure and then what seemed like the next year talking about another 3 column structure. Turned out the first one was VertiGo, only to be torn down in less than a year...