Steel Dragon (Waldameer)

For the roller coaster at Nagashima Spa Land, see Steel Dragon 2000.

Steel Dragon
Waldameer & Water World
Location	Waldameer & Water World
Coordinates	42°06′29″N80°09′32″W / 42.108140°N 80.158852°W / 42.108140; -80.158852
Status	Operating
Opening date	July 2, 2004
Cost	$4 million
General statistics
Type	Steel  – Spinning
Manufacturer	Maurer AG
Lift/launch system	Chain
Height	51 ft (16 m)
Length	1,391 ft (424 m)
Speed	37.3 mph (60.0 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	1:24
Max vertical angle	50°
Height restriction	46 in (117 cm)
Steel Dragon at RCDB

Steel Dragon is a steel spinning roller coaster located at Waldameer & Water World in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. ^[1] It was manufactured by Maurer AG and opened in 2004.

History

Steel Dragon opened to the public on July 2, 2004. It was in continuous operation since opening until 2025, when it remained closed at the beginning of the season due to the delayed installation of a new control panel. ^[2] The ride reopened to the public on July 4th, 2025 following the successful installation of the new control system. ^{[3] [4]}

Features

The ride is a steel spinning coaster. The cars take a right turn out of the station followed by a lift hill. It falls down the largest drop at the top of the lift hill, as the cars begin to spin. The ride then hits an 80-degree bank. ^[5] It completes one more rectangular circuit before returning to the station. ^[6]

Trains

Steel Dragon has eight cars. The riders sit two in a row back-to-back in a car. Four riders can fit in a car at once. Waldameer typically runs a four-to-six car operation.

References

1. "Steel Dragon | Waldameer Park & Water World". Waldameer Park & Water World. 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
2. "Steel Dragon ride status update. We are just as sad as many of you that Steel Dragon has not been available yet this season". Facebook. June 2, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
3. Sorensen, Nicholas. "Waldameer's Steel Dragon roller coaster is not running. When will it open this summer?". Erie Times-News. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
4. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
5. "Steel Dragon | Waldameer Park & Water World". waldameer.com. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
6. "Home". maurer.eu.