Cedar Point - Iron Dragon VR Announced

Iron Dragon in Virtual Reality

Yesterday, we announced more details on Cedar Point Nights, starting this Friday and running through August 14.

One of the highlights is our beta-test of virtual reality technology on Iron Dragon.

There are some questions, so let's go over the details.

First and foremost, Iron Dragon will operate "normally" daily during Cedar Point Nights from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. So, if you're wanting that traditional ride, hop in line at that time.

Then, from 6 - 9 p.m., it's all virtual reality. However, note that you can't just get in line for this experience. Reservations are required. The virtual reality experience is only available from July 15 through August 14 during Cedar Point Nights.

Every day starting at noon near Iron Dragon, we'll take reservations to participate in this test. Riders must be at least 13 years of age or older, must be at least 48" tall to ride and must review and sign a waiver.

Then, you'll be assigned a time to return to Iron Dragon later in the evening to try it out.

If you're chosen, you'll wear a Samsung Gear VR headset while riding. You'll be able to look all around you and see your "new" virtual world in every direction.

The ride characteristics are the same, so all the familiar movements will be there. However, the video in your headset will match with those movements, so it will be a completely different experience.

Note that during this testing phase, there is no audio tied to the video - it's only a test. We'll be asking for your feedback as well.

Right now, there are no plans to make this a permanent feature. We're just testing it out to see how it goes (operation of the ride, how the tech holds up and if guests like it).

Your first shot at riding is this Friday. So sign up in the Iron Dragon/Celebration Plaza area beginning at noon each day if you want to try it, and don't forget to enjoy all the other activities we have planned during Cedar Point Nights!

https://www.cedarpoint.com/blog-article ... y?mobile=0

Hopefully this makes it slightly less of a snoozefest than it already is, but probably won't.

[Coasterkidmwm]

Well Iron Dragon is a terrible ride even by family coaster standards so this can only help it.

[slosprint]

Still waiting for a park to properly implement the Vive. Wasn't Thorpe doing something with it?

I don't know if this will work for Iron Dragon, the ride features swinging that is not completely the same every ride, so you will sometimes be seeing one motion, but actually you would be doing another, which I think would make some people sick. I do find it interesting though that they are doing this only after 6 o' clock.

[mkingy]

slosprint wrote:

Still waiting for a park to properly implement the Vive. Wasn't Thorpe doing something with it?

Yep, Derren Brown's Ghost Train opened very recently - but it's not a rollercoaster conversion. I haven't been on it (nor read any spoilers) so I don't kow what it entails as of yet.

Pretendbox wrote:

I don't know if this will work for Iron Dragon, the ride features swinging that is not completely the same every ride, so you will sometimes be seeing one motion, but actually you would be doing another, which I think would make some people sick. I do find it interesting though that they are doing this only after 6 o' clock.

IIRC isn't the technology already used in other coasters rendered in real time? If so, then I don't think the swinging should be an issue.

[mkingy]

Sodexo wrote:

Pretendbox wrote:

I don't know if this will work for Iron Dragon, the ride features swinging that is not completely the same every ride, so you will sometimes be seeing one motion, but actually you would be doing another, which I think would make some people sick. I do find it interesting though that they are doing this only after 6 o' clock.

IIRC isn't the technology already used in other coasters rendered in real time? If so, then I don't think the swinging should be an issue.

This, the virtual environment is surely rendered and the headset will take into account your position, head rotation / tilt so the visuals will line up with what you are experiencing.

[Mr. Freeze]

I can promise you that the vr definitely works with the swinging of the individual cars, as each phone is calibrated for a certain car number. With this individual car calibration, each phone goes with the individual swinging of each car, while also going with the entire swing of the train itself.