Dorney Park to host preview night for Iron Menace roller coaster next month

Morning Call - 3/28/2024

Dorney Park fans will have a chance next month to try out the park’s new Iron Menace roller coaster ahead of the season opening.

Park officials announced in a news release Thursday that it will host the “Ride for a Cause” event April 19.

Guests will get a chance to try out the new roller coaster weeks before the park opens for the season in a benefit for the Eagles Autism Foundation, which raises funds for autism research and care programs. Iron Menace, the first-ever “dive coaster” for the Northeast, is Dorney Park’s first new roller coaster in nearly 20 years.

In addition to the chance to ride Iron Menace, guests will get drinks, hors d’oeuvres and photo opportunities with the Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders and mascot Swoop. An Eagles player, who will be announced later, is set to make an appearance at a formal presentation held at the beginning of the event. The preview night runs from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Allentown artist Ryan Lynn is also working on an illustration that will be given to guests.

“The Eagles Autism Foundation is excited to be the charitable beneficiary of Dorney Parks’ official launch of the Iron Menace Roller Coaster,” said Ryan Hammond, the foundation’s executive director, in the release. “EAF aspires to make a transformational impact in the autism community through funding and collaborating with similar mission-aligned organizations. We are grateful to work with Dorney Park on this fun and impactful initiative while creating an inclusive environment for those in attendance.”

Three different ticket packages are being offered to guests. The first one, called “The Iron Package,” is $75 and comes with rides on the Iron Menace, a photo opportunity with Swoop and Eagles cheerleaders, and an Iron Menace/Eagles Autism Foundation poster print.

“The Menace Package,” which is $150, includes all of that as well as the Iron Menace Gift Pack. The print will be autographed by the Eagles player.

The last package, “The Steel Yard,” includes all of those things, as well as two Dorney Park 2024 tickets and two fast lane vouchers, which are valid during one days of the season, and a meet-and-greet and photograph with the Eagles player.

Iron Menace, announced last summer, will have 2,200 feet of steel track and a “hold and dive” element, in which riders will be hanging on to the edge of their seats waiting for a 152-foot drop, according to the park. The ride, which will have speeds of up to 64 mph, goes for about 90 seconds. The park completed the roller coaster’s first test run last week.

It is being built at the site of the former Stinger roller coaster, north of the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Dorney Park Road. The park opens for the season on May 10.

Additional information on the “Ride for a Cause’ event may be found at dorneypark.com/events/ride-for-a-cause.