Iron Menace's Track is Now Complete!

© Dorney Park

Dorney Park has made quick work of the last half of Iron Menace's layout, with the final track piece lifted into place just yesterday.  The coaster went up in order (like many B&Ms do), with the brake run and station area having gone in first, and now connected with the last piece, which was a part of the start of the brake area.  With the 2,169 feet of track now a complete circuit, the park will move on to focusing on the ride's station, theming, queue and other aspects of the overall experience.

 

"This is an exciting day for Dorney Park, our guests and our community,” said Ryan Eldredge, Dorney Park’s Communications and Public Relations Manager. "We started by announcing two new events for our 2024 season and we end with the news that our track is connected.  It’s such a special time to be at Dorney Park.” 

© Dorney Park

© Dorney Park

Iron Menace's vertical construction started around November 15th, so total construction time to get all track and supports in place was around three and a half months.  Granted the park could have completed that even faster - but for a while they were putting up steel as it arrived, and there was a purposeful pause on track going up while the station was focused on for logistical reasons.  Either way, another B&M coaster has gone up smoothly, to say the least!

© Dorney Park

© Dorney Park

Iron Menace features a 160 foot tall lift hill and a beyond-vertical 95 degree first drop that stretches 152 feet.  Four inversions follow that drop, including an Immelman, Zero-G Roll, the first ever on a dive coaster Tilted Loop, and a corkscrew.  The ride officially opens on May 10th but watch for special preview day information from the park in the near future!

Dorney Park to Feature Returning Favorites + 2 New Events in 2024

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Dorney Park has announced their lineup of special events for the park's 2024 season, and it includes some returning favorites along with some major changes with two new events announced.  The park will be featuring Iron Menace and the all new Steel Yard themed area this season, but on top of that will keep visitors busy with several events and an "exciting array of new investments coming to the park in 2024."

The park will celebrate Opening Day on Friday May 10th, which is the official opening date for Iron Menace, but do keep your eyes out for announcements about passholder previews and possibly other special events.  Then Wildwater Kingdom will open for the season on May 25th - but season pass holders will get a preview day on May 19th.

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On select nights from July 12th through August 18th the park will celebrate with Summer Nights, a new event that "will transport you to tropical shores with its energetic beats" and live entertainment.  Guests will be able to the "feel the rush of exhilarating night rides on our top-rated coasters, indulge in Caribbean and Latin American inspired cuisine, and sip exotic beverages" during Summer Nights.  Sounds like a great combination of family fun, thrilling rides, live shows and special food and beverage offerings.

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The fall season will also be accented by the new Tricks and Treats family-friendly Halloween event, running on Saturdays and Sundays from September 14th through October 27th.  Featuring "mischievous tricks, tasty treats" and the park's popular family rides, the event will be a new take on daytime Halloween fun.  Both Summer Nights and Tricks and Treats will be spread out through Dorney Park, unlike Grand Carniavle and the Great Pumpkin Fest, which they are replacing.

And fear not, Halloween Haunt will still be returning to Dorney Park on select nights from September 13th through October 26th, and the popular Food Truck Rally will be held on October 19th and 20th.

 

"We are so excited to celebrate the addition of the Iron Menace with an exciting lineup of events that are sure to dazzle and delight," said Jessica Naderman, vice president and general manager. "This promises to be a historic year for Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom and when you're making history, events have to be a part of that."  For more information on the park's special events, check out the park's official website.

All New Themed Area - Steel Yard - To Debut at Dorney Park in 2024

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Dorney Park has said all along that the area surrounding their new B&M Dive Coaster - Iron Menace - would be dynamically themed, however I'm not sure most of us were on the same page with just what a massive change was coming to the lower part of the park.  Dorney has now explained all of the changes that are coming our way that will create a cohesively themed 'land' or 'section' at the park when the Steel Yard opens.

 

To be completely transparent, I am still in a bit of disbelief that I'm typing the works "cohesively themed land" in the same sentence as Dorney Park - after covering the park for so many years this is big, big news friends!

Lets 'dive' in (pun intended) and look at some of the changes that have been announced by the park.

© Dorney Park

© Dorney Park

Up first - a ride that has had a rather lonely existence to date will be totally transformed in 2024.  Formerly known as the Cedar Creek Flyers, the family flat ride will now be known as MT Buckets.  The "MT" comes from Iron Menace's backstory, with Hiram McTavish and his steel mill serving as the backstory for the area.  The infamous steel company utilized "MT" as an emblem on many of the now decrepit buildings.  Plus, the name sounds like "empty buckets" which is just smart.

Cedar Creek Flyers opened in 2015 and next year will be repainted and lightly themed to better be a part of the Steel Yard.  It's a set of Flying Scooters created by Larson International.  

© Dorney Park

© Dorney Park

Another addition just revealed is Steel Yard Gifts, a new retail location that will be centrally located across the midway from Possessed.  The building will be the home of plenty of Iron Menace merchandise along with other coaster and Dorney Park themed items.

© Dorney Park

© Dorney Park

These images of both the inside and the outside of Steel Yard Gifts shows just how well themed the addition will be.  The inside especially looks to have a lot of thematic elements like the faux factory style windows and industrial shelving.

The building that is transforming into Steel Yard Gifts originally housed an animatronic Care Bears show in the late 1980s... yes for real, and in later years also was an indoor laser maze and most recently an employee break area.  It's great to see the structure being renovated and reopened!  

 

This also means that the area's current gift shop, Possessions, will no longer be open as a retail location.  It sounds like its use next year is not totally decided by the park just yet.  The rest of the Possessions structure, which had some games in it years ago, will be opened up into a nice covered seating area next year offering a place to rest and sit by Cedar Creek.

© Dorney Park

© Dorney Park

© Dorney Park

Finally there will be major changes made to the Dorney Grille food location when it becomes Iron Mill Grill & Bar in 2024.  The serving area will become enclosed unlike the previous stand, and menu items slated to be featured include pierogies, flat breads, chicken sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches and more.  The park is also building an outdoor bar on the side of the building that will feature local craft brews.

The park's Monster ride has been removed and its pad will be utilized as a large outdoor, shaded dining area for Iron Mill Grill & Bar.  The fate of the Monster has not been decided yet, so it is unclear if it will return at some point or not.

On top of all this the park is hinting at even more changes on the way that haven't been announced yet, but one of them will be in just a couple days.  Stay tuned!

See Iron Menace Up Close at Dorney Park's Winter Chill Out!

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Excited for Iron Menace at Dorney Park?  Can't wait to get into the park to check out all the changes that are underway?  Well, has Dorney Park got the special event for you!

For the first time ever the park will host Winter Chill Out, a special event that will appeal to both roller coaster and enthusiasts and fans of Dorney Park alike.

Taking place on Saturday March 16th, visitors who purchase a special ticket for the event will be able to take part in an "Iron Menace construction tour, photo opportunities, a presentation and more."  The park has a ton of changes underway that we already know about and even more surprises on the way.  This will be an incredible time to get to see the park mid-transformation!

Winter Chill Out will benefit the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital.  Only individuals 18 years old and older may participate and all proceeds will go right to the Children's Hospital.

 

“Iron Menace is a massive investment and an amazing roller coaster, but it’s not the only story we wish to tell in 2024. This year, more than any in the park’s storied history, we are committed to giving back,” said Dorney Park Vice President and General Manager Jessica Naderman. “This Winter Chill Out will be the first of many charitable events held at the park this calendar year and we can’t think of a better recipient of the proceeds from this event than Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital.”

Want to go ahead and get your tickets?  Head over to Dorney Park's website to secure them!

 

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