It's IAAPA time again!

Legends Panel 2024

The show floor opens 11/19/2024 but one of the highlights is always the Legends Panel curated by Bob Rogers, who has won virtually every award available in the theming industry. One has to feel sorry for the companies that get stuck with the late Wednesday afternoon time slots for their press conferences. Based on seeing people lining up for this presentation nearly one (1) hour early, that is very tough competition for attention indeed.

This year is no exception. Presenting will be Bob Weis, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering. Margaret Chandra Kerrison, who worked as a former Disney Imagineer and also for the Bob Rogers Company. Completing the panel is Joe Pine, a cofounder of Strategic Horizons LLP, a thinking studio.

Finding the Learning Hub, sponsored by Miral should be very easy. Just go to the top level of the South Concourse and look for the long line. Specifically, S320ABEF. The knowledge is scheduled to begin flowing at 4:00 pm. See you there, (early.)

Dorney Park Ready to Unleash Iron Menace to Eager Visitors

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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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© NewsPlusNotes

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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© NewsPlusNotes

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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© NewsPlusNotes

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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© NewsPlusNotes

© NewsPlusNotes

© NewsPlusNotes

© NewsPlusNotes

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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© NewsPlusNotes

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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© NewsPlusNotes

© NewsPlusNotes

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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© NewsPlusNotes

© NewsPlusNotes

© NewsPlusNotes

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!

Dorney Park's Thunderhawk Turns 100!

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Yesterday, March 30th, marked the official 100th birthday of Dorney Park's classic wooden roller coaster, Thunderhawk.  Not many coasters get to survive to see their 100th birthday, so this is a very big occasion for the park!

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The Coaster, as it was known at the time, opened to park visitors on March 30th, 1924 with construction having started the year before in 1923.  The ride originally had an out and back layout but was changed years later into the twisted layout that we know today.

 

“Thunderhawk is a national landmark and an integral part of our park’s history,” said Dorney Park Vice President and General Manager Jessica Naderman. “We are proud of the generations of men and women who have preserved this roller coaster over the years, and we’re excited to celebrate its centennial.”

 

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The Coaster was created by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, and to this day that same company refurbishes the ride's trains each winter.  

“We’re glad that Dorney Park is recognizing Thunderhawk’s 100th anniversary,” said President of Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc Thomas Rebbie. “It means a lot when you reach a milestone like this. We are proud to help preserve this amazing piece of history.”

© Dorney Park

© Dorney Park

In 2024 Dorney Park will celebrate the coaster's centennial with a lot of special signage around Thunderhawk but also a celebratory look for the trains.  Seen above, they are decked out with the ride's 100th anniversary logo along with some slick new decals.

 

More details on the ride's celebration will be available at a later date, but the park does plan to have special merchandise and a weekend dedicated to the ride's big birthday during the summer.

Iron Menace First Rider Event + Early Season Opening Revealed

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If you're looking to be one of the very first to ride Iron Menace at Dorney Park, AND support a wonderful charity, then check out Dorney's Ride For A Cause event, taking place the evening of April 19th at the park.  The separately ticketed first rider event will benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation, and come with way more benefits than just being some of the very first riders on the park's new B&M dive coaster!

 

The event will appeal not only to coaster fans (our obvious target here) but also Eagles fans, of which there are plenty in the area.  The park is rightly proud to hold the event to raise funds for the Eagles Autism Foundation, which "is dedicated to raising funds for innovative autism research and care programs.  By providing the necessary resources to doctors and scientists at leading institutions, the Eagles Autism Foundation will be able to assist those currently affected by autism as well as future generations."

 

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“Dorney Park is proud to share the spotlight created by excitement and enthusiasm for our new roller coaster Iron Menace with the Eagles Autism Foundation,” said Dorney Park Vice President and General Manager Jessica Naderman. “Through our Dorney Park Cares and Cedar Fair Charities initiative, we are committed to giving back to our community and providing better fun for children and families across our region. We can think of no better partner than the Eagles Autism Foundation, which has shown an inspiring level of commitment and care for many years.” 

The park is offering three different levels of tickets that have a ton of benefits beyond the new coaster - these include (depending on ticket level purchased) meeting an Eagles player, photos with the Eagles cheerleaders, tickets to return to the park this Summer, food and beverage, and special gifts.  The interest and buzz on social media for the event is huge, so if you're pondering tickets I'd suggest doing it soon!'

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Not to overshadow this awesome event, but Dorney Park also updated their calendar today to show that the park will open early to guests (both season pass holders and daily ticket guests) starting on April 27th for Preseason Preview Days.  Not all rides will be open, but Iron Menace will be and isn't that the most exciting ride anyway!  I kid, but most of the park's coasters will be open plus a bunch of family rides, Planet Snoopy, and several Food and Retail locations (including those in the new Steel Yard themed area).

The park will be open Sat/Sun April 27th and 28th and Sat/Sun May 4th and 5th from 11am until 5pm.  See you there!

Dorney Park's Iron Menace Official POV Released

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Dorney Park has released a brand new point of view spin on their dive coaster, Iron Meance.  The clip can be found below, but be sure to know that the park is not yet testing with the initial holding brake turned on.  It will be tested soon, however and is definitely coming!

"This morning the park released the first official on ride point of view video. It shows one of the 21-seat trains diving down the 160 foot high, 95-degree drop, before flying at speeds of up to 64 miles per hour across the brand-new track.  Iron Menace boasts four inversions including a tilted loop, which is the first of its kind for a dive roller coaster, in addition to some dynamic theming that pays homage to the Lehigh Valley’s rich industrial history.

“2024 will be a historic year for Dorney Park with Iron Menace and some of the story-telling that comes along with it,” said Dorney Park’s Public Relations and Communications Manager Ryan Eldredge. “A new restaurant and bar, a new gift shop, and Iron Menace’s breath-taking station will really bring our new Steel Yard themed area to life.”

Take a spin below!

Iron Menace Takes First Test Run at Dorney Park

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Iron Menace is officially alive!  The park confirmed that the new B&M Dive Coaster made its first test run successfully around 4:24 pm today.  The ride has been under construction for about 8 months, so it was super exciting for members of the Dorney Park team and construction crews to see Iron Menace run for the first time.

 

“We cheered. It was a special moment,” said Communications and Public Relations Manager Ryan Eldredge. “This park is a huge part of our lives and this community and we are beyond grateful to be a part of history. Based on that test run, this ride is going to be an absolute hit.”

 

© Dorney Park

© Dorney Park

Iron Menace's official opening date is May 10th, but park officials have stressed that if at all possible they intend to open the park early for previews of the ride.  With this successful first test run, those early preview dates certainly look like a good bet right now!

 

Dorney Park has released some awesome B-Roll footage of the ride testing.  Iron Menace is much zippier than I expected, and in all the right ways!  I cannot wait to ride!