Iron Dragon disscussion

Well, that auto-spiel could kill anyone's "spunk..." ;)

Especially when waiting in the station during a period of downtime. I don’t know if I had any "spunk" at that time, but if I did, it was surely annihilated.

I tried to help everyone as much as I could when I was in control, by holding in the talk button on the mic, so that damn spiel wouldn't play lol.

ID was the last coaster my wife and I ended up riding to close the season last year. I had not ridden this coaster in years, but also have very fond memories of its opening year as a little 9 year old kid.

It was a dark cool Halloweekends night, and we snagged a front seat on a surprisingly full train full of kids. It was so much fun to hear them genuinely scared (in a fun little kid giggly way).

If you havent ridden ID in a while, I would recommend the front seat at night. We were both a little surprised at how much fun we both had on it. (yes, we have ridden both BBW and TG, and both agree those are superior suspended coasters).

But as many has said, and as the kids on that coaster last year showed, ID is a great coaster to have at CP in my opinion, as it serves as a perfect and unique "mid-level" coaster for those beginning to get brave enough to challenge "bigger" coasters.

Well, I think Iron Dragon Is a different ride cause if you look at most suspeneded rides, there usually the same layout like Vortex At PCW and TG at PKI? I think thast where its from. Anyway, Its different in its own way so i think thats cool. Also I think That ID is a great coaster for like, New coaster riders.

Just my opinion

Very good point SkitZo.

I thought I remembered reading that the layouts for PCW's Vortex and PKI's TG were identical, but I'll tell you what, the experience is completely different. The former goes over and around the mountain and then across the lake, while the latter is all about those ravines. Two very dissimilar rides, no matter what the layouts are.

The ride got about 65% better when they painted it orange.
No seriously, it's a nice ride that incorporates its location well. TTD and Wicked twister, for example, could go pretty much anywhere and you'd still have the same experience. Iron Dragon is one of the relatively few thrill rides that uses the scenery around it as part of the ride (Magnum is another).

I've always liked it for that reason. Plus, big guys can ride it, despite the OTSRS.

In that video that was linked a couple of posts up, there is a roller coaster that comes into view between the first drop and the 2nd lift hill. What WAS that? It's not Wildcat, it's sitting in the grass. (The water tower is visible behind it, though)

Uh, the water tower is in the middle of the park. That part of ID is near the current location of Mantis. I believe your looking at the track for ID when it's not hidden by trees and still original colors.

i think what really makes the ride special is the extremely slow lift... builds suspense ;)

Well, I think Iron Dragon Is a different ride cause if you look at most suspeneded rides, there usually the same layout like Vortex At PCW and TG at PKI?

No. Of the 10 Arrow Suspended coasters, very few are close (besides Vortex and TG)

Most are infact, very unique.. and far superior to ID.

Ex. Big Bad Wolf, The Bat(former), Eagle Fortress, and Ninja.

http://www.rcdb.com/installationresult.htm?column=1,10,3,4,5&order=1,2&model=110

I rode it this summer just to get the credit.

The crew was alright but on thing I do have to metion is when I was walking through the Queue Two girls jumped over the fence to cross across that service area and the op sitting up on top of the stairs did not say anything to them. Isint that a safty haserd or somthing. Plus they were line jumping.

Hundreds of people do that everyday of the summer. We tried to stop as many of them as we could, but it gets quit overwhelming when there are that many people doing it. If you say something to the ops and you have several witnesses to the occurance then thats an extreme help to us.

I also remember when Iron Dragon was new and the line was back to the Skyride. It was my first "grown up" coaster. I agree that ID has great value to Cedar Point as good coaster for youngins on their way up. It was for me anyhow. I cant say im a fan of the recent paint job they gave the supports. That orange is hidious. The feel of the ride has changed as well with the addition of Top Thrill and Mantis. I used to sit and watch the train disappear into the woods on the first lift hill, then come shooting back over the pond. For those of you who find the ride boring, try riding in the back, BIG difference. Also I once read that when ID was origionally built and 1st tested, the train crashed into one of the supports over the pond. Supposedly, they put a brake in to slow it down until the problem was eventually corrected (sometime around 96-97). Anyone else hear or know anything about that?

I haven't noticed any modified supports. It seem somewhat far fetched but with Arrow, I guess it's possible.

So Bootz, are you staying on ID for 07'? Do you get 1st choice to remain as a ride op somewhere you have experience? I just wondered because you seem to take pride in your ride which is cool.

Iron Dragon is not only good for kids. It is good for adults who don't like a lot of hills or a really fast ride but still enjoy the rides. I'm thinking of my mother. She loves Iron Dragon, Mine Ride, and Disaster Transport. She doesn't have any desire to go on Gemini, Blue Streak, Wild Cat, or the others. She also doesn't like rides like SkyHawk or MaXair. Rides like this offer variety. Even for someone like me, Iron Dragon is a nice respite from the faster coasters. I enjoy it every time that I ride it.

Me too, Natas. But I enjoy the others you mentioned, as well.

MrScott

I'm in the minority here, I think Top Gun is a much better ride than ID. But I like Vortex at Paramounts Canada's Wonderland even better.