The Iron Dragon roller coaster debuted in 1987 and was the first suspended roller coaster at Cedar Point. While it didn’t break any records, it did give the visitors a different experience. The turns were sharper but more smooth, and there were two lifts instead of one. It was one of the most popular rides during the late 80s and early 90s.
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History of the Iron Dragon
Before Iron Dragon's 1987 debut, the Western Cruise (later known as Paddlewheel Excursions) boats circumnavigated the waters around this island.
The popular boat ride station sat on the same part of the midway where Iron Dragon's station rests today. (Riders can still spot the docking cleats welded to the dock while climbing the stairs to the boarding station.)
The Monster circular ride used to call the land under Iron Dragon's transfer track home. Monster closed on Labor Day weekend in 1986 so Iron Dragon construction could begin.
Planning for Iron Dragon began in 1985, the same year the Frontier Lift cable car ride (similar to the Sky Ride found on Cedar Point's main midway) opened for its final season.
In the early and mid-1990s, a "remote a boat" game was housed in the water under Iron Dragon's final helix element. This was removed in 1997.
With the closure of XLR-8 at Astroworld, Eagle Fortress at Everland, and Big Bad Wolf at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Iron Dragon became the longest-operating suspended roller coaster in the world.
Iron Dragon is also the oldest of the five remaining suspended coasters built by Arrow Dynamics.
Overview
After departing the station, the ride turns to the right. After ascending the first lift, which travels partially underneath Rougarou’s lift hill and first drop, the ride drops down the ride’s first drop and then rises into a wide left turn. This leads to a right turn.
At this point, the ride makes a slight turn to the left, followed by a turn to the right. The ride continues right, descending towards the ground. After rising up again, the track goes down a descending 270-degree helix. This leads to a set of brakes and the second lift hill, which goes in the opposite direction as the first lift.
This lift leads into a drop. This drop is not very steep but twists side to side, first going left, then right, then left. The ride then pulls up, transitioning from a left to a right turn. The next drop curves left slightly, then a right-hand turn. This drop leads into a right-hand helix.
This part of the ride has mist sprayers under it, although these do not always run. The helix is somewhat pretzel-shaped.
The train enters through the helix, goes around the entering track, but then exits over the entering track and under the helix itself.
Exiting the helix, the ride dips and rises, turning left and then right to align with the station and final brakes.
The Iron Dragon roller coaster remains a moderately popular ride, but is a walk-on. After the Raptor was built, its popularity took a hit, and now, over time, it has become a classic.