Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, a popular amusement park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, has announced that it will launch a new roller coaster called Iron Menace in spring 2024. The ride will be the first dive coaster in the Northeast, and one of the largest capital investments in the park’s history.
What is a dive coaster?
A dive coaster is a type of roller coaster that features one or more near-vertical drops that are approximately 90 degrees. The drop offers a sensation of free-falling for riders, as they plunge down from a great height at high speed. Dive coasters are known for their thrill factor and unique design.
Iron Menace will be the eighth dive coaster in North America, and the first one in the Northeast region. The closest dive coaster to Dorney Park is Yukon Striker at Canada’s Wonderland, which opened in 2019.
What to expect from Iron Menace?
Iron Menace will be a 160-foot-tall dive coaster that will take riders on a breathtaking journey through the remains of an old steel mill. The ride will feature a unique “hold and dive” element, where riders will hang over the edge of their seats, breathlessly awaiting the heart-pounding 95-degree, 152-foot drop.
The drop will be followed by four mind-bending inversions, including:
- An Immelmann inversion, where the train will pull up sharply and flip 180 degrees.
- A zero g-roll, where the train will perform a 360-degree inversion in wild weightlessness.
- A tilted loop, where the train will enter a loop that is angled at 45 degrees.
- A 360-degree corkscrew spin, where the train will twist around its axis.
The ride will have nearly 2,200 feet of steel track and reach speeds up to 64 miles per hour. It will last about two minutes and accommodate up to 18 riders per train.
How does Iron Menace fit into Dorney Park’s theme and history?
Iron Menace is inspired by the Lehigh Valley’s steel industry history, which dates back to the 19th century. The ride’s name and theme pay homage to the iron and steel workers who shaped the region’s economy and culture.
The ride’s location in the park will also reflect its theme. Iron Menace will be built on the site of Stinger, a former inverted boomerang coaster that was removed in 2017. The area will be transformed into an industrial-themed section called Steelworks, which will feature other attractions and amenities related to the steel mill concept.
Dorney Park’s vice president and general manager Michael Fehnel said that Iron Menace will be a “game-changer” for the park and its guests. He said that the ride will offer an “unmatched experience” that will appeal to thrill-seekers and families alike.
Iron Menace will be the first new roller coaster at Dorney Park since Hydra opened in 2005. It will also be the largest roller coaster at the park since Steel Force opened in 1997.
When can you ride Iron Menace?
Iron Menace is scheduled to open in May 2024, coinciding with Dorney Park’s 140th anniversary. Construction of the ride began this week and is expected to take about nine months.
Dorney Park is currently open for its summer season until September 6. The park will also host Halloween Haunt and WinterFest events later this year.
Dorney Park fans can follow the progress of Iron Menace on the park’s website and social media channels. The park will also release more details and updates about the ride in the coming months.
