I'm from england and just got back from this years coaster trip to the US, where we went to SFGAD, to ride KK.

Although it is a great ride im afraid TTD is a much better all round experience than kk, and heres why.

You cant tell any difference in the speed or the launch.

You can tell its higher as you dont seem to whip through the up curve then the 90 then top hat quite as quick but it negligeble anyway, and the airtime hill is just a load of whatever.

But where dragster SLAUGHTERS kk into oblivion is the themeing and all round experience of the event.

The dragster sounds revving and take off. The sunday sunday sunday spiel, the bleachers where there are allways people actively watching and wanting to watch, the music in the station, it all just makes you feel you are about to ride something special... and IT IS!

With KK... you get a horn going off.

It just doesnt feel special, it just feels like something to beat the record.

So thats it the decision has been made TTD is the best cos I said so nerr. :)

Kingda Ka: 0-128 in 3.5 seconds.

Top Thrill Dragster: 0-120 in 4 seconds.

You obviously had a pre conceived idea that Dragster is better because you should geel a SIGNIFIGANT difference in the Kingda Ka launch compared to Dragster since it's faster and reaches that speed faster. kingda Ka has theming also, you just paid no attention to it whatsoever. Don't tell me I'm a fanboy because if anything I should be supporting your side because I live the Midwest.

Nelly, go eat a Cadbury bar. Couldn't you have brought this up in the Kingda Ka update thread? Lots of personal experiences are posted there or in a Trip Report.

There is not much different between TTD and Kingda Ka except an extra split second between each element to realize what you are doing. The hill on the way back is to not have beserk air but to just really collect the intense experience that was just had; thus I call it "The Happy Hill."

I bet New Jersey people could care not one cent that it's not themed to some racecar and there is not a spiel. We impatient New Jersey residents just want to "get to the point." The horn could be interpreted as an African horn. The baboon in the neighboring safari could stop rubbing a stick on another baboon's behind for a second to take notice. A relaxed garden atmosphere is pretty cool. No matter how it's put the technology and setting is appreciated by many.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
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I have no idea how you could say TTD is better then KK. While I do think the theming is better on TTD, it's not like KK has no theming at all. They both have great themeing. But when you get down to it KK is better. You can feel a big difference on the launch 36ft may not seem to be the biggest difference, but which wold u rather have? KK's 128 foot hill provides some great airtime. KK is better. end of story.

[QUOTE=NELLY]With KK... you get a horn going off.[/QUOTE]

Excuse you but KK is fairly new and I dont think there was time for them to make a spiel yet because of the major malfunction that caused it to close for over a month.

Let me jump in here....First off, KK being new/malfunctioning has nothing to do with them getting a spiel. That is worked on seperatly and doesn't relate to the rides current operating status. And Matt, it's no use pointing out such a minor difference. TTD acceleration is a little under 4 seconds, although CP just decided to advertise it as such. And at those speeds, a few MPH won't make much of a difference either (particularly if you aren't in the front row). With that said, I don't want to sound partial. I do think the thread was a bit overstated. They are both great rides, with minor differences.

Yeah, TTD hits 120+ in 3.8 secs, cedar point advertised it as zero-120 in less than 4 secs and when the news got ahold of it they just looked at the 4 and said hits 120 in 4 secs. There isn't that much different in speed as dragster has hit 127 before..(someone on this site actually has a picture of it a forget who) but I have herd there is a difference in height!? TTD has a better theme, KK has better themeing.

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/\ Get over yourself buddy. If Dragster has hit 127 before, then I don't doubt Kingda Ka itself can hit 135 or higher on certain days. And Cedar Point advertised "approximately 4 seconds", which could translate into EITHER slightly less than 4 seconds, or slightly more than 4 seconds.

And yes there's a difference in height. Top Thrill Dragster's hill stands at 420 feet, whilst Kingda Ka's is at 456 feet. I'd say that's a big height difference. 36-feet over a previous record holder is mighty huge, although at an altitude of 400+ feet, you most likely won't be able to tell.

KK's theme is very nice. I for one enjoy the whole "lost world/jungle themeing". An also I like our cheasy little horn lol but yes I never road TTD so I really can't compare the two so yea...

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First of all, I've seen TTD hit 128 for sure, and I believe one launch was 129 (no, no pictures, just my word). It STILL didn't clear the tower and rolled back. Why? Winds. After multiple test launches at these speeds, it made it. When the trains started clearing at 124 mph, they let us on the ride.

My interpretation? Perhaps the speed of dragster can be adjusted for wind, either by a computer or person; the more wind, the more resistance, the faster the launch has to be to clear the tower.

Now, that being said...the same applies to KK, then. Since I am saying on my word I've seen TTD launch 8-9 mph faster than its advertised speed of 120, I believe that KK [u]can[/u] reach speeds of 136-137 under the right conditions: that is, it's windy and they're doing test runs and want it to clear the tower.

My point: both can launch faster than their advertised speeds of 120 and 128. Saying that TTD is nearly as fast because it has launched at 127 and KK launches at 128 is flawed. They are designed to launch at 120 and 128 under perfect operating conditions. There is an 8 mph difference, on average.

TTD's theming is cool, but after being in line for about half an hour, it gets annoying. I haven't personally witnessed KK's yet.

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I haven't seen a picture of KK's queue yet but I know that TTD's is not the best. Its got a great theme but I don't see ANY shade. When you stand in that line for 1 1/2-2 hours, its nice to get some shade every 30 feet. :sun:

Like I said, I haven't seen KK's queue, but I assume its got trees and such.

One thing I like about TTD over KK is the view at the top, though its only 2 or so seconds, TTD looks at a little bit of land and lots of water. KK looks at land. Feeling like your going to go down into water makes ANY ride more thrilling.

I never knew that thing about adjusting the launch for winds. Neat they can do it. I'd like to be on it when it does the normal, then the wind speed, just to see if you can feel the difference.

[QUOTE=magnumxl2005]Yeah, TTD hits 120+ in 3.8 secs, cedar point advertised it as zero-120 in less than 4 secs and when the news got ahold of it they just looked at the 4 and said hits 120 in 4 secs. There isn't that much different in speed as dragster has hit 127 before..(someone on this site actually has a picture of it a forget who) but I have herd there is a difference in height!? TTD has a better theme, KK has better themeing.[/QUOTE]

That was my picture :D, though truly I doubt the validtity of the speed reader sometimes, but hey lets just look at the golden tickets, oh yeah thats right...

TTD #7
KK #31

I have not been to SFGADV, nor seen KK's atmosphere, but atmosphere is everything. If the queue line, music, and general atmospere are the things that make TTD stand out then so be it.

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"foolish earthlings, cower before the awesome techno onslaught of nine-hundred-and-nine robots dancing in unison"

Top Thrill Dragster does have shadee in it's queue.

[QUOTE=Chris L]/\ Get over yourself buddy. If Dragster has hit 127 before, then I don't doubt Kingda Ka itself can hit 135 or higher on certain days. And Cedar Point advertised "approximately 4 seconds", which could translate into EITHER slightly less than 4 seconds, or slightly more than 4 seconds.

And yes there's a difference in height. Top Thrill Dragster's hill stands at 420 feet, whilst Kingda Ka's is at 456 feet. I'd say that's a big height difference. 36-feet over a previous record holder is mighty huge, although at an altitude of 400+ feet, you most likely won't be able to tell.[/QUOTE]

I'll agree with you about the speed part of your post. I'm sure Kingda Ka has hit over 128mph. The time of acceleration, I disagree with. When Top Thrill Dragster open, it specifically said either [I]under[/I] or [I]less than[/I] four seconds, not "approximately".

The height, I give Kingda Ka a lot of credit for but at the same time, I don't think it's a big deal. 36 feet might sound like a lot but when we're talking about coasters over 400 feet tall, it really isn't. That 36 feet equals about an 8% difference between the two.

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You got to be kidding me NELLY. TTD is better because it has a better theme? KK actually does have some great theming with all the trees and bamboo. KK does have trees around the queue and a section of the switchbacks with an overhead cover with fans. I think the KK station is pretty cool too. So think want you want but maybe you just weren't looking aroung when you went on KK like Matt said.

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Jim, I never stated that speed adjustment thing as fact; it was a conjecture based on the speed differences I saw one time while waiting for TTD to open (and my ride half an hour later).

Cid..you really put that much stock in the Golden Ticket awards? That's like letting who wins Grammy's decide what music you listen to. I mean, magnum is #3 and Steel Force is #15...both great rides, but come on!

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[QUOTE=Cid]but hey lets just look at the golden tickets, oh yeah thats right...

TTD #7
KK #31
.[/QUOTE]
I wouldn't go dancing in the rain over this. A good 2 months of downtime played a part in this ranking I bet. I would consider a more fair assessment would be made next year. TTD or KK could end up on top next year, but I expect a closer margin.

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Thrillnetwork Moderator - Sophomore Original sn: CHILLERLC1
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TTD was #7 its first year too I believe :)

Alas no I don't hold much stock in the Golden Tickets. I'll pass my judgement when I ride KK.

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"foolish earthlings, cower before the awesome techno onslaught of nine-hundred-and-nine robots dancing in unison"

Why does one have to be better than the other? Can't they just both bee good for their own reasons. IMO, I like KK better, because I haven't been on TTD, but those who have been on both feel the need to compare them. Some who have only been on TTD also feel the need to compare them. Those people are just ignorant.

I honestly doubt you really notice any significant difference in the launch, speed, or height.

Basically, each has advantages over the other:

KK: Slightly taller and faster; bunny hill
TTD: Much better theming and area, no OTSRs

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[QUOTE=G_Adv_123]You got to be kidding me NELLY. TTD is better because it has a better theme? KK actually does have some great theming with all the trees and bamboo. KK does have trees around the queue and a section of the switchbacks with an overhead cover with fans. I think the KK station is pretty cool too. So think want you want but maybe you just weren't looking aroung when you went on KK like Matt said.[/QUOTE]

I think he said TTD has better themeing by the means of my friend called LOGIC. TTD has a far more appropriate theme that fits the coaster over Kingda Ka. Its not that one has more than the other, its whats apropriate.

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The OTSRs dont make a difference you can still put your hands up without a problem.

If there the same as Storm Runner's then I don't like them. Granted they don't obstruct the view like I thought they would but they do beat the heck out of your neck. I'm sure its not as big of a problem on KK cause the layout is much simpler than SR's though.

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"foolish earthlings, cower before the awesome techno onslaught of nine-hundred-and-nine robots dancing in unison"

Yes, but theres no way they offer the free, unrestrained feeling of having your upper body whipped around the 270 degree turn that you get on TTD. They are more restraining, you can't argue this.

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well first off i did see this,TTD does 123-125 most of the time.to put it truefully the only reason SF built it is because they are going down hill with the way they are treating there guests and parks.if they can build a 25 million dollor+ coaster then they can take care of there smaller parks.dont be surprised if they try to make the coaster maker go out of business like they did arrow.i saw pics of kk and rode TTD and to say kk is better its hard to tell but putting breaks on a bunny hop which wont get no air time is just a waste of money.if SF gets sold then the coaster may have another name.a coaster of its size will have trouble so it may be normal till 07.

The idea of a drag racing theme is better than a tiger theme. But SF did a much better job putting the themeing together for this ride, thean I think anybody expected.

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I felt air time on the bunny hop.

I rode both TTD twice KK 5times and i think KK is better

I mean Kingda ka is a real live tiger
TTD is a imaginary dragster

tough i like the TTD sybol better than Kingda ka's

and i feel the difernce in speed

First off, work on your spelling.

No, KK does not eat, breathe, mate, or poop, therefore making it no more real than a dragster.

[QUOTE=Brian P]First off, work on your spelling.

No, KK does not eat, breathe, mate, or poop, therefore making it no more real than a dragster.[/QUOTE]

lol

Funny I saw one of the tigers was having a poop as you put it and they were catching it in a litter box on a stick, funniest thing ive ever seen.

MY opinion:

I have been on both more than once. IMO, KK has the queue theming/stationtheming/longer launch/camelback over TTD. On the other hand, TTD has a slightly more intense launch/better prelaunch spiel/better onride theming/better view from top/smoother/lap bars.

In the end, I consider them equal. They balance each other out. One ride on KK was better than on TTD, yet on the other ride TTD was better. So, I just put them in the same place at #5/#6 on my top 10.

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