Twin Peaks: Kingda Ka vs. Top Thrill Dragster
One of the most common comparisons in enthusiastland involves the two tallest and fastest roller coasters on Earth. It’s like Everest and K2. They are very similar strata coasters that launch riders from 0 to 100+ miles per hour in a matter of seconds. They both take riders over 400 feet into the air only to send them spiraling back down to Earth.
Since Six Flags Great Adventure’s Kingda Ka was built second, it bested Top Thrill Dragster’s 420′ peak by 36 feet and added a second 129′ hill. Thanks to a rainy day at Cedar Point, Top Thrill Dragster closed before I was able to ride it. So I really can’t give a clear cut winner from my ride experience. But I’ll compare and contrast what I’ve observed of the two rides.
Theming the Sky Scrapers
Kingda Ka’s Golden Kingdom is nice, but Top Thrill Dragster’s dragster-inspired trains, station, and observation area take the cake.
Edge: Top Thrill Dragster
A View from a Hill
On a clear day you can see New York City and Philadelphia from the top of Kingda Ka. TTD’s view of Lake Erie and Canada(!) is probably more memorable.
Edge: Top Thrill Dragster
Ride Experience
Again, the rides are pretty similar and I seriously doubt the additional 18 feet on Kingda Ka’s drop is perceptible. Ditto for the heights at about 42-stories and 45-stories and the speeds at 120 mph and 128 mph. Kingda Ka does boast that second hill which does offer some airtime in certain seats.
Edge: Kingda Ka
Verdict
You decide! I’m sure some of my readers have ridden both Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster. Which ride gave more airtime on the top hat, felt faster or smoother? Which did you just enjoy more? Leave a comment below.
August 2, 2007 at 02:02
If you were able to ride TOP FUEL you would have realized that there is only a lap bar restraint. KK uses over the shoulder restraints and is way more rough so personally its not even close. I would much rather flung up 36 less feet to be held in by only a seat belt and lap bar any day. That makes the ride that much more trilling and automatically gives TOP FUEL the win.
September 28, 2010 at 02:06
I didn't fid KK rough in any way, and while I haven't ridden both, I don't think that adding a shoulder restraint makes it rougher.
June 24, 2012 at 11:35
more boring and less thrilling
February 14, 2013 at 12:37
Yeah, Quil, you're right that it would be smooth, but I think that a lap belt would let you move around more.
October 18, 2010 at 17:35
Its not FUEL…
February 14, 2013 at 12:38
That was bugging me too.
June 24, 2012 at 11:34
you mean top thrill
February 14, 2013 at 12:35
BTW, it’s Top Thrill Dragster, not “Top Fuel”. I do agree with you that the lap belt would make a difference.
August 3, 2007 at 19:46
Top Thrill Dragster is better. The theme and layout is much better and Kingda Ka is a blatant ripoff by Shit Flags. They're both cool rides, but I give the edge to the original and cooler theme, Top Thrill Dragster.
February 19, 2011 at 09:16
referring to Flags it really depends on which park you refer to. Sure, their hosting is a bit crappy, but SFGA and SFMM have absolutely brilliant coasters.
July 27, 2011 at 21:02
Both rides are by the same designer
June 24, 2012 at 11:37
who cares KK is still a stupid cheap knock off
February 14, 2013 at 12:40
That's a good note
February 14, 2013 at 12:40
I agree that the edge should go to the original and cooler theme, Top Thrill Dragster.
March 30, 2013 at 04:33
Listen u Six Flags is much better than rubbishy Cedar Point Top Thrill Dragster is NO diffrent to my fave Kingda Ka
August 4, 2007 at 05:44
That's two votes for Top Thrill Dragster. You both make some good points. I failed to mention the difference with the restraints. From this picture you can clearly see that there are only lap bars on Dragster. That's nuts!TTD's theming definitely beats Kingda Ka's. I was just curious if the ride was that much better. So far, it sounds like it is. Thanks for stopping by.Anyone prefer Kingda Ka to Top Thrill Dragster? And if so, why?
August 21, 2012 at 19:23
I PERFER KINGDA KA ITS FASTER N TALLER ITS IN A BETTER PARK BETTER THEME SAFER IT WAS ON EXTREME RIDES WHILE TTD WAS NOTTTTTT BETTER THEME BETTER RELIABILTY I HAVE RODE BOTH N KK WAS SOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER plUS IN KINGDA KA U HAVE NOOOOO IDEA WHEN ITS GONNA JUST LAUNCH U 128 MPH IN TTD WHEN U SEE THE TRAFFIC LITE TURN GREEN THEN U GO 120 MPH!!!!!!!!! PLUS KINGDA KA HAS A EXTRA HILL AT THE END SO U GET MORE AIR TIME AND THE RIDE IS LONGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KK AALL THE WAY TTD SUCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
February 14, 2013 at 12:43
The launch is unexpected on TTD too
April 6, 2013 at 16:32
Cedar Point is the best theme park in the world so obviously “non of ya bussiness” is accurately incorrect
February 14, 2013 at 12:42
I think that rollbacks on KK would be more thrilling than on TTD b/c of the hight, but i havn't ridden both.
August 9, 2007 at 09:29
I just went to Cedar Point yesterday, I rode TTD for the 6th time. I talked to some people about KK and all of them said TTD is better. Its the restraints like you guys are talking about. You feel like you're going to die on TTD due to the lack of huuuge shoulder restraints. TTD's theme I've heard is much better too. Over all, i say TTD. I havent been able to ride KK, but from alot of people I've talked to, they say that I'm not missing much.
September 28, 2010 at 02:11
KK's restraints are paper thin, and rather large. you can hardly tell they're there if you sit back in your seat.
February 14, 2013 at 12:45
good point, but i still agree with Anonymous
February 14, 2013 at 12:45
I agree with you
August 16, 2007 at 08:23
i have only been on ttd and it is so much fun, you feel like there is nothing holding u down when u stick ure arms up. i cant imagine having giant shoulders restraints on.
February 14, 2013 at 12:45
I say amen to everything that you said
August 22, 2007 at 10:20
I went to six flags and rode kk. First of all its not the first time i tried to ride the extreamly sensitive ride.Often it is closed without notice. Top thrill has better rliablity. kk was only open for about six hours. I live in ct and to drive there for a ride that could be closed which just suck. THe theminig on kk is just okay. I would much perfer Top Thrills Theaminig,lets face it theaminig on a coaster is one of the most imporatant thinigs on a ride.
February 14, 2013 at 12:46
good point
August 22, 2007 at 10:38
I never Rode Top Thrill but I think it would be better.Dont get me wrong kk was great, awsome launch ,but it wasn't that smooth and the air time hill did not do anything. I rode kk 4 times and it's a great ride but still a knock of it's father top thrill.
August 23, 2007 at 00:53
I have yet to ride KK because it was down when I was there, but I know several people that have ridden both, and give the edge to Top Thrill Dragster. After riding Maverick and Storm Runner with those restraints that are on KK, I can't imagine how it could be better. The feeling of freedom with only the lapbar is incredible. After 315 rides, Top Thrill Dragster will always be my favorite!
February 14, 2013 at 12:47
I haven't ridden KK either. I agree with you!
June 2, 2008 at 05:13
top thrill all the way
February 14, 2013 at 12:47
totaly
July 8, 2008 at 12:08
Could I just say, I have ridden Kingda Ka and TTD and Ka is better in every possible way. more air time safer feel more thrilling just better
May 5, 2011 at 18:10
lol do u ride rollercoasters for safer feeling? and the airtime hill on KK doesnt even do anything
May 6, 2011 at 12:16
He's talking about on the top of the first hill, most likely. Anyways, not everyone who likes coasters wants to feel like there's nothing protecting them from flying off the train.
February 14, 2013 at 12:49
yeah, but there is something protecting you.
June 24, 2012 at 11:40
safe feeling is boring if you want a thrill you take the less safe feeling one but TTD is very safe without the feeling. call me crazy but feeling safe on a roller coaster is boring.
February 14, 2013 at 12:48
Who cares about feeling safe?
July 18, 2008 at 00:59
I'd have to say Kingda Ka is better than TTD. I'm terrified of roller coasters, so hearing that TTD (I've never been over there) has lap bars, scares me even more. I was pushed onto KK and I was so glad I did. I felt completely safe and I loved the air time I got. KK is better then TTD, in my opinion.
August 21, 2012 at 18:54
ok, but u havent even been on TTD!
February 14, 2013 at 12:50
Nice point
August 19, 2008 at 04:48
There are a few issues I have with most of the posters that comment on the difference between these rides.1. If you have never ridden Kingda Ka how can you compare? The Coaster Critic here did not ride TTD so he is not giving the winner to either. Saying, "I've never ridden (A) but (B) makes your comparison meaningless.2. If you have not ridden the front seat of Kingda Ka and think TTD is more of a "thrill" you will also have a skewed opinion. Sitting in the back is like watching a football game from the nosebleed section. You not only get less of a thrill, but the farther back the seat the shakier it is.Now for my opionions. One thing not a lot of people talk about is why the OTSRs are better, at least in my opinion. The reason I like Kingda Ka better than Nitro is because I feel safer. Feeling like I'm going to slip out of my seat is not a "perk" in my book. I think Kingda Ka will attract more of the casual, just getting in to coaster experience, rider than TTD because of the OTSRs.That being said I have never ridden TTD because I have never been to Cedar point, so I will not say I think Kingda Ka is better, but considering the reason people don't ride the coaster is because they think they will fall out of the seats makes Kingda Ka a much more practical idea. Kingda Ka was a huge leap for me in coasters and I may, or may not ride TTD because of the unsafe and slightly nauseating feeling lap bars give me.
July 24, 2011 at 12:04
The casual rider does not get drawn to a coaster by its restraints. They do not advertise on SF's commercial. "OUR COASTER HAS SAFER RESTRAINTS", the only thing being advertised is the height and speed here. And the last time I checked, Top Thrill Dragster is safer and more reliable. It has not had as much down time as KK. Not to mention, it actually opened on opening day 2003. I know this, because I was there. I ridden both, and I already knew that the copycat would not top the original. Think about it, 18 more feet on the drop is not even noticable… and the bunny hop offers not type of satisfaction or ORIGINALITY. They thought they could throw in a bunny-hop after the tower to avoid the fact that they stole Cedar Point's design. It truely is pathetic… but I guess that what you get for always being 2nd best… behind Cedar Fair. But I wouldn't even say they are anywhere near 2nd best with all the other great companies out there.
Themeing: TTD
Launch: Draw
Speed: Draw, nothing significant here. That would put KK over TTD.
Tophat: Draw, the 18ft extra does nothing.
Ending: KK, even though it is nothing special.
Restraints: TTD
Originality: TTD
Trains: TTD
Reliablity: TTD
Park: TTD
Must I go on??? They are both amazing wonders of Intamin, but you just can't top the original by adding 18ft and a bunnyhop… then to top it off. OTSR (over the shoulder restraints) Sorry
April 1, 2012 at 22:03
I love how everybody on here is saying how TTD is more reliable when it got stuck at the top 3 times and KK never got stuck once. Now I have never been to Cedar Point unfortunately so I have never been on TTD. But Gadv is my home park essentially (I live in NYC) and the front row of KK is one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced in my life. It is an absolute rush and I don't even notice the shoulder harness. You get a little floater air on both hills and the drop is breathtaking. It's an incredible ride. I can't give my vote since I didn't ride TTD, but I just wanted to comment that KK is only rough in the back (which most non B&M's are). It has downtime, but it has been so much better lately.
August 4, 2012 at 23:47
Exactly!!!
October 1, 2012 at 19:08
Plus you get airtime on top of the dragster, if you notice it. On KK theres brakes on top. TTD>KK
February 14, 2013 at 12:55
I agree
February 14, 2013 at 12:55
Exactly to the second power!
May 30, 2012 at 13:25
If you are a "casual rider" like you described above, you do not belong on this website. This website is targeted towards thrillseekers, not thrillsissies.
June 24, 2012 at 18:32
wait? was that you said about comparing two things you didn't ride? oh thats right its pointless so… practice what you preach. it's like saying i like him more than the other guy even though ive never met the one. TTD wins cause its original
February 14, 2013 at 12:51
nice points
August 28, 2008 at 00:40
seriously….KK is better. TTD has cool theming yes alot better and is more reliable….but KK is still better. The OTSR is actually better, let me say why. i have been on both TTD and KK. on TTD the lap bar has to come down so tight, that you can barely move. so when you get up there, people think you start falling forward or something. quite the opposite. you are stuck in that seat and your lower body does not move at all. and whats this not as scary on KK, not as free ?? what a load of crap. you're still 450 feet up in the air…..i went on both 3 times and i tell you they feel the same apart from the fact that on KK you slightly fall forward into the harness which gives a WAYYYY better feeling. TTD takes cake with theming ideas and reliability. but KK is better, neither is shakier than the other and KK's extra hill is actually really good. although TTD's view ROCKS !!!! the water is awesome !!! although being able to see new york and philly is really cool !!! but TTD is better in that concern. as a roller coaster KK is better. and trust me, theres nothing holding you from putting your hands up in KK. your just as free as you are on either one.
January 12, 2011 at 13:13
no they're not
January 14, 2011 at 04:06
Jonah, can you please tell me what it is that's "not".
May 7, 2011 at 08:47
first there nothing alike the ttd is clearly better the the kdk
February 5, 2012 at 21:37
THEY'RE almost identical actually.
February 9, 2011 at 11:22
i have ridden both coasters. I prefer kk. When TTD came to a stop i felt like i was bieng torn in half by the lab bar. I would much rather have a OTSR than a lap bar on a coaster with this much speed. But i do agree about the view and themeing.
February 19, 2011 at 09:20
Got to disagree. The lap bar makes the experience way more unnerving, which is a huge plus if you've ridden hundreds of coasters and need to look hard to find a coaster that will genuinely scare you.
February 14, 2013 at 12:58
It might depend on how big you are, for I am small and wasn't effected at all
February 14, 2013 at 12:57
Nice point, but TTD is better
August 29, 2008 at 17:08
i cant really say because i have only rode on the top thrill dragster and it was amazing! the lap bars feel safe even when you put your hands up but at the same time you feel free and the view is incredible!!! the airtime is great and the theme is just great! and also cedar point is the roller coaster capital of the world!!!
February 14, 2013 at 12:58
nice
September 15, 2008 at 13:02
I've been on TTD and KK and I must say that by far TTD wins my vote. Talking to other rides that have road both as well also said that TTD is a much better coaster.
February 14, 2013 at 12:59
well said
February 1, 2009 at 14:10
Well, I've ridden them both. And weighing more than I should, I prefer Kingda Ka. I can fit on TTD, but its close, frankly. The OTS harness on KK opens it up to more riders. TTD's got in in the theme dept, and no question CP blows away SFGAd, but what good is a ride if you can't, you know, RIDE it.
I also got on KK 3 times in an hour, having bought the FastPass. No option for that at CP.
SO, for fat people with disposable income to blow on a fast pass, KK all the way!
June 24, 2012 at 18:39
Actually check your facts CP has fast pass
June 27, 2012 at 21:52
With the lap belts, you feel more free. plus they dont lock at certain heights like some do, they adujst as tight or loose as you need them. Plus you get a seatbelt under it which can go as tight as needed. therefore TTD is >>>>>> kk.
July 26, 2012 at 22:02
Duuuuude you know there is fast lane at cp rite? Okay here's how it works, you but it for 50-65 dollars, it's a wristband and you show it to the fast lane guys and you go in, no wait and you can just get in line over and over and over again.
February 14, 2013 at 13:08
Yeah, tommy, nice say
February 3, 2009 at 04:53
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February 3, 2009 at 12:42
I have only ridden TTD so I will not post a personal opinion on which is better. I must say that after reading comments it seems that TTD is more open and will give a scarier ride, while Kingda Ka would be better for those who are slightly more afraid of coasters. Also, I feel that TTD deserves credit for being the original while Kingda Ka was clearly a slightly modified copy. From the comments I think TTD is a better ride for thrill seekers in the typical style of Cedar Point while Kingda Ka is made to be slightly more tame to appeal to a broader audience.
February 5, 2012 at 21:39
I'm sorry but when a ride is that fast and tall, I doubt OTSR's will make it "tamer"
June 24, 2012 at 18:41
they do trust me OTSR's are for wussies
February 14, 2013 at 13:58
you are very observant. nice points
February 3, 2009 at 18:57
Seriously, neither of them is that great. They're both a quick blur of a ride, with about 2 seconds of glory. Top thrill dragsters launch rattles you so violently you wonder if you lose some brain cells, and kingda ka's is no smoother. And honestly, the over the shoulder restraints dont make any difference whatsoever to the ride, and its dumb people debate over that. all in all your best sticking to a ride that delivers some substance, and not a gimmicky rush
May 28, 2012 at 18:52
First of all, when was TTD ever rattling?! Secondly, these rides are major rushes, not "quick blurs".
June 24, 2012 at 18:43
Exactly I agree completly. BTW rrestraints are a much bigger part of the thrill than you would imagine apparently
October 29, 2012 at 08:47
not two seconds! 17 seconds
February 14, 2013 at 13:59
yeah
February 14, 2013 at 14:00
They're actually pretty good rides.
February 20, 2009 at 04:03
Last season I was able to ride both. KK was first and it was awesome. Later in the season I rode TTD and could not believe the difference. TTD was MUCH smoother and the view from the top was incredible. The theme-ing on TTD is better and it is cool that the queue wraps around the ride. All together TTD beats KK IMHO. KK is great and the second hill is very cool but TTD is fantastic.
February 14, 2013 at 14:00
Nice points. I agree