Iron Dragon (roller coaster) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iron Dragon |
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Iron Dragon in action
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| Cedar Point | |
| Location | Cedar Point |
| Park section | Celebration Plaza |
| Coordinates | 41°28′55.75″N 82°41′6.75″W / 41.4821528°N 82.6852083°W |
| Status | Open |
| Opening date | June 11, 1987 |
| Cost | $4,000,000 USD |
| General statistics | |
| Type | Steel – Suspended |
| Manufacturer | Arrow Dynamics |
| Designer | Ron Toomer |
| Model | Suspended Coaster |
| Track layout | Terrain roller coaster |
| Lift/launch system | Two chain lift hills |
| Height | 76 ft (23 m) |
| Length | 2,800 ft (850 m) |
| Speed | 40 mph (64 km/h) |
| Inversions | 0 |
| Duration | 2:40 |
| Capacity | 2,000 riders per hour |
| Height restriction | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Trains | 2 trains with 7 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 28 riders per train. |
| Iron Dragon at RCDB | |
Iron Dragon is a fun steel suspended roller coaster found at Cedar Point amusement park. This park is located in Sandusky, Ohio. The ride was built in 1987 by a company called Arrow Dynamics. You can find Iron Dragon in the Celebration Plaza part of the park.
Contents
History of Iron Dragon
Before Iron Dragon opened in 1987, a boat ride called the Western Cruise used to be in this area. The boat ride's station was right where Iron Dragon's station is today. You can still see parts of the old boat dock when you walk up to the ride!
Another ride called Monster used to be where Iron Dragon's track now sits. Monster closed in 1986 so that construction on Iron Dragon could begin. Planning for this new roller coaster started in 1985.
Iron Dragon is special because it became the longest-running suspended roller coaster in the world after some other similar rides closed. It is also the oldest of only five suspended coasters still working that were built by Arrow Dynamics.
Ride Features and Design
Iron Dragon used to have a different look. Its track was red, and its supports were gray. This was similar to other Arrow suspended coasters like Ninja at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
In 2004, the ride got a new paint job. The supports were changed to a yellow-orange color. This made Iron Dragon look a bit like another famous Cedar Point ride, Top Thrill Dragster.
Unlike most other suspended coasters from Arrow, Iron Dragon's first car has a silver handle. Riders can hold onto this handle during the ride.
Virtual Reality Fun
In July 2016, Cedar Point tried something new with Iron Dragon. Riders could wear special virtual reality headsets while on the ride. These headsets showed 3D digital effects, making the ride feel even more exciting!
At first, this was only available for a few hours in the evening. Guests had to sign up earlier in the day to try it. Because people liked it so much, Cedar Point made the virtual reality option permanent in June 2017. However, they later removed it in September 2018.
What It's Like to Ride
Iron Dragon is a "suspended" roller coaster. This means the ride cars hang below the track. Because they hang freely, the cars can swing from side to side as you go around turns and drops.
Part of the ride goes over water, and some of the track winds through wooded areas. Iron Dragon is one of only two roller coasters at Cedar Point that uses two separate lift hills. The other ride with two lifts is Cedar Creek Mine Ride. Both of Iron Dragon's lift hills are next to each other but go in opposite directions.
The Ride Path
After you leave the station, the ride turns right. Then, you go up the first lift hill. This lift hill actually travels partly under another roller coaster called Rougarou! After the first lift, you drop down and then rise into a wide left turn.
The ride then makes a right turn, followed by a small left turn and another right turn. As you continue right, the ride drops down and then climbs up. You then enter a big, downward-spiraling turn that goes 270 degrees.
Next, the train slows down on a brake section before going up the second lift hill. This second lift hill moves in the opposite direction from the first one. The drop from the second lift isn't very steep, but it twists from side to side. It goes left, then right, then left again.
The ride then goes up, turning from left to right. The next drop curves slightly left, followed by a right turn and another drop into a right-hand spiraling turn over a lagoon. Sometimes, water sprays mist from nozzles under this part of the ride. After leaving this spiral, the ride dips and rises one more time. It turns left, then right, and then enters the final brake section that brings you back to the station.
See also
In Spanish: Iron Dragon para niños
Images for kids
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Iron Dragon with its old red track and gray supports, before 2004.
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Iron Dragon cars swinging over the final turns.
