CREATURE FROM THE BLUE LAGOON
One of the last suspended coasters in existence delivers easygoing thrills over its aquatic domain.
Everyone that's been to CP knows that 'Iron Dragon' pales in both stature and intensity to its surrounding neighbors - namely 'Rougarou' and 'Dragster'. It's not even the fastest or tallest one of its kind (although it *IS* the longest suspended coaster currently in operation).
For those unaware of the difference between "suspended" and "inverted" coasters, the cars on this ride freely swing back and forth (think 'roll' on an airplane). On 'Raptor' or 'Wicked Twister' the trains still sit directly below the track, but their position is fixed in-place and don't swing at all.
This is one of two roller coasters at the park that uses a pair of lift hills (the other being the meek - and frankly boring - 'Cedar Creek Mine Ride'). Riders will experience a top speed of only 40mph and a peak height of 76ft, which is small potatoes by Cedar Point standards. Still though, you get 2 minutes of ride time which isn't bad.
CP began offering on-ride virtual reality headsets (Samsung Gear) in the summer of 2016 to guests, in the hopes of rejuvenating this aging coaster's popularity. I didn't get a chance to experience this although I've been told it's pretty standard coaster VR.
While the track and rails have always been red, the supports used to be dark grey for 17 years. The 2004 season saw them re-painted to the current orange & yellow scheme visible today. Sure, this coaster doesn't set any records, yet it sure makes for some terrific photo ops.
Due to its proximity to the park's nighttime fireworks spectacular 'Ignite the Night!', this closes down for roughly an hour every evening to allow for pyrotechnics and other stuff.
'ID' is a considerably tamer Arrow Dynamics suspended coaster by comparison (when you take into consideration 'Vortex', 'Bat', 'Ninja', and the defunct 'Big Bad Wolf'), but it's enjoyable nevertheless. It's ideally suited for families and younger thrillseekers looking to get their coaster feet wet, so to speak.
Without the option of VR enhancement and picturesque watery environment, the diminutive nature of this particular coaster would likely garner 2*.....being half built over a lagoon boosts this ride's rating dramatically. There's at least one moment where riders in the front row get treated to a blanket of fine mist.
Between fellow coaster reviewer Kevin J and myself, 'Iron Dragon' averages out to about 3.0 stars on Yelp, and that's just about right. I give it additional props for being one of the last of its breed and for yielding some very Instagram-worthy photos. read more