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Dorney Park has been hard at work over the last year and a half on making it to this day, when visitors to the park were able to ride
Iron Menace for the first time. The media opening was held today, to be quickly followed by a series of preview events that will let a legion of eager ride fans experience the Northeast's first Dive coaster over the next couple weeks.
For more videos and photos from today's festivities make sure to check out NewsPlusNotes' Instagram and X accounts!
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Before we get to the ride proper we must recognize the amazing job that the park did on creating an all new themed area surrounding Iron Meance, known as the Steel Yard. The area hearkens back to the Steel Mills that populated this part of Pennsylvania, and has seen several existing locations transform into newly themed outlets. The entire section features plenty of relaxing areas and and grand opening up of the view of the adjacent Cedar Creek. It's a wonderful change.
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A former closed employee area has reopened as Steel Yard Gifts, a really nice gift shop that features an extensive amount of Iron Menace merchandise, but also Dorney Park and other thrill ride items. The Steel Menace merchandise being offered is really nice and one of the largest offerings we've seen for an attraction at the park. Make sure to stop in and pick up a souvenir (or two or three) when at the park.
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A highly renovated food location is now going to be known as the Iron Mill Bar & Grill, seen above. The location is entering the final stages of construction, and already looks beautiful compared to the former version of the building. The location features a large patio next to it with covered seating so that visitors and relax and eat.
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MT Buckets is also up and running, a nicely renovated and repainted family attraction that sits directly next to Iron Menace. It's a great ride that has been underutilized up until this year, when many, many more visitors will find it on their way to the new coaster.
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There is much more to explore in the Steel Yard area, and we'll be certain to show a lot of those details in future stories. For now though, let's dig in to the ride of the day, Iron Menace!
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Iron Menace is a B&M Dive Coaster that stands 160 feet tall and after the beyond-vertical 95 degree first drop the 21 passenger trains soar at a cool 64 miles per hour. The ride is imposing and has forever changed the look of the lower midway at Dorney Park with its 4 inversions and 2,169 feet of track. The section of the park feels alive like it never has in the past, and it is all thanks to this new coaster.
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Riders approach and walk past about half of the coaster's layout to arrive at the station, giving them a chance to check out the ride's imposing first plunge and soaring Immelman loop.
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This is the entrance to Iron Menace's station. I will openly admit I'm pretty obsessed with the coaster's station because of the theming that has been added to it. This type of theming is new to the modern Dorney Park, and it's fantastic.
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When you first enter the queue you pass under the actual station for the coaster and there's a ton of theming in this section, as the photos above will show. There are real relics from the Steel industry mixed in with props, and lots of easter eggs as well - make sure to check out the names of the employees' time cards!
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The extended queue goes out toward the back half of the ride's layout, and here we see the bloggers vehicle that has been ditched in a hurry near the steel factory. More to come on this story as much of it will be fully told in the queue.
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Iron Menace's station is pretty dang neat, too. The station has a lot of theatrical lighting that is synced to a unique soundtrack that features the evil Hiram McTavish himself - and if you pay attention and you hear him as you climb the lift hill as well. Also, you'll know when you're about to plunge if you listen for the factor whistle blasts! You'll see when I mean when you ride!
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Okay but how ABOUT THE RIDE! It's great! Iron Menace is a perfect fit to Dorney Park's existing line up, and the park's 3rd B&M. By that standard you know you're going to get a great ride, and the manufacturer did not disappoint. If found that riding in the center of the train gives a more gentle ride, and moving to the outward seats gives a bit more of an aggressive thrill feeling through the elements.
The first drop is a true standout. Hanging facing the ground for those three or so seconds is a pleasure and really reminds you you're alive! The drop is filled with air as you float downward, and yes, the 95 degrees is noticeable to me! The extended zero-g roll gives more hangtime as well, and the first-of-its-kind-on-a-dive-coaster Tilted Loop gave way more forces than I expected!
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Are you hyped to ride Iron Menace? If so you can, and soon! The park is holding a special charity event this Friday and tickets are still available!
Follow this link to snatch your chance to ride Iron Menace before the public!
The park is opening for special season preview days on April 27th and 29th and May 4th and 5th. Limited rides will be open, but Iron Menace will be open and both daily ticket and season passholders are welcome!
Congratulations to Dorney Park on their new coaster, and special thanks for having us out to ride today. We'll be back soon - see you there!
