Iron Dragon Demolition

Just think of all the trees they'd have to cut down to utilize that space for something else....

Iron Dragon Gone For a B&M FLYER

Old topic but now that it’s 2019 and 2020 could potentially have a big new attraction coming in, could Iron Dragon be on the chopping block? While not much about Forbidden Frontier is confirmed, I’m wondering if they’ll use a part of the space for a big new attraction. They could easily take out Iron Dragon as that space is right by near there. What are your thoughts?

Mmm... I doubt it, especially after spending the time and effort on the Iron Dragon VR Experience. All those VR headsets ain't cheap.

I’m still on board with painting it dark green with brown supports to match more of a forest theme. I love me some ID.

Yes, hopefully the park decides to paint ID with more neutral colors. The current scheme is absolutely hideous.

I feel like by hanging onto Mantis with the Rougarou conversion they indirectly decided to hold onto Iron Dragon. The way it is sandwiched under Rougarou and next to Dragster there isn't much you can do with the space. Plus, as has been said before, rides like Iron Dragon are just as important to the CP lineup as the star attractions.

This. The way both rides are sort of placed on the periphery of the lagoon keeps them separate from Millennium Island, and kind of less 'in the way' from anything they wanted to do with it. It also kind of reminds me to a lesser extreme of the placement of Corkscrew, where it would be tricky to take out and replace without completely changing the dynamic of its surroundings.

Also, agreed about rides like Iron Dragon being vital to CP. One of the only complaints I have about the CP coaster lineup is a relative lack of big kid to family level coasters, especially for kids new to coasters, and looking through the old comments it's kind of eye rolling to see that most are of the stereotypical standard coaster enthusiast "replace EVERYTHING with a high intensity coaster" mindset.

My son is 4, and is super excited that he might be tall enough to ride Iron Dragon this summer. I'd hate to see it go without being replaced by a comparable family friendly coaster.

Arrow suspended coasters are a dying breed. So will it surprise me when it's announced to be removed? No. Do I think this will happen for 2020? No.

There is a group of coasters that if ever announced I wouldn't be shocked or honestly too heart broken if they're removed. Mine Ride, Gemini, Corkscrew, Iron Dragon (interestingly all Arrow's), heck even Magnum. Throw Wicked Twister in there too. I kind of think we will soon be getting to a time where the park starts to evolve by removing some of these older "less popular" rides in favor for modern attractions, not necessarily a coaster for coaster swap.

However, since all these older rides tend to carry a 48" height requirement I do hope anything that replaces them will as well. Or even smaller. Heck a Gravity Group family woodie such as Oscar's Wacky Taxi carries a 40" requirement with adult. FireChaser Express at Dollywood, which is fantastic by the way, has a minimum restriction of 39" with adult. Plenty of amazing options.

Anyways.. back to this topic, no I do not see this ride being removed for 2020..or even by 2025. But let's bring this thread back again in 2030 and see what's up!

I'd be very surprised if ID is still around in 2025.

Sollybeast said:
Mmm... I doubt it, especially after spending the time and effort on the Iron Dragon VR Experience. All those VR headsets ain't cheap.

Iron Dragon VR is not returning this season.

Really? Awww, that's a shame. I tried it last year and thought it was a unique experience that gave a bit of a refresh to a somewhat tame ride- it's more thrilling when you can't see what's coming AND you're outrunning a dragon. :P

MichaelB said:
I'd be very surprised if ID is still around in 2025.

You could say that about 1/3 of the coasters and more than 1/2 the flats.

Stuff getting removed the last couple years without the telltale lack of maintenance is making it harder to predict.

Iron Dragon is not going anywhere, out of the 30+ times I was at Cedar Point this season, there was always a line to ride. It is a very popular ride for the younger kids just starting to overcome their fear of riding roller coasters. One of the more tranquil coasters in the park.

I would most likely put them in this order {This ranking is about the speed of the coasters not height}........

Wilderness Run, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Iron Dragon, then Woodstock's Express. Out of these (4) coasters I believe it is the most popular of the (4) giving the most rides. Cedar Creek Mine Ride usually has (2) of the cars per train closed off until there actually gets a line. You never see that with Iron Dragon. If anything is to go first, it would most like be Cedar Creek Mine Ride being replaced with a GCI woodie like Mystic Timbers.

CCMR and Iron Dragon are both faster coasters than Woodstock Express, if I'm not mistaken.

You’re not mistaken. Per RCDB:

Wilderness Run 6mph
Woodstock Express 28.5mph
Iron Dragon 40mph
CCMR 42mph

And just to throw these in as well for smaller coasters:
Blue Streak 40mph
Corkscrew 48mph

I'm curious if there's been an increase in ID ridership at all since the queue was truncated for the new stage. I feel like every time I was at the park this year, the queue was spilling out into the midway, which I don't necessarily remember being the case the first few seasons after.

I agree with Dan. Last year, it always seemed like it had a longer line than usual. I would still like to see them paint the track green and the supports black; (to match the trains).

And the person who said that VR is going away this season, how do you already know that? It’s not even May 11th yet.

Jake10 said:
I agree with Dan. Last year, it always seemed like it had a longer line than usual. I would still like to see them paint the track green and the supports black; (to match the trains).

And the person who said that VR is going away this season, how do you already know that? It’s not even May 11th yet.

I have seen documentation to tear down the signage and replace the queue railing in the station.

Now, of course this may just be for the start of the season as VR didn’t resume until part way through the season last year. But I definitely know what I saw.