Demon Drop Review, Dorney Park Intamin 1st Generation Freefall | World's Scariest Drop Tower?

Demon Drop is the last remaining Intamin 1st generation freefall in the United States. Originally opening at Cedar Point, the model was relocated to Dorney Park for the 2010 season. This ride stands 13 stories tall, but the visuals and drop are terrifying.
Video Credits
Demon Drop Off-Ride, Cedar Point (Sean Flaharty)- • Demon Drop - Cedar Poi...
Demon Drop Off-Ride, Dorney (Coaster College)- • Demon Drop Dorney Park...
Demon Drop POV (coastercrutchfield)- • Demon Drop (HD POV) Do...
Wildcatter Off-Ride (Menachem Piekarski)- • wildcatter freefall ri...
Background Music
Epic Action Trailer by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Battle- • Epic Action Trailer by...

[@JamesonThomas24]

Years ago, I was at Geauga Lake in line for their first Gen drop tower. The ride broke, right as a car was waiting to drop. They announced it was broken, whatever. But they didn’t tell the people on the ride it was fixed. So after 20 minutes of sitting there, they just dropped. The screams are still burned in my mind

[@bjtgaming]

Mr Hydes Nasty Fall right?

[@JamesonThomas24]

@@bjtgaming that’s the one! RIP

[@CanobieCoaster]

Employees like to mess with people on drop towers.

[@diazjr1975]

love it! We had Freefall at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It was a must do every time.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I never was there when that ride was standing.

[@awnordma]

I got a ride the last year before Magic Mountain removed it. It was definitely the sketchiest thing I've ridden at any park. The whole tower rocked from side to side each time a car dropped. They had some guy that would kick each car to get it to drop back in to the upright position.

[@timk987]

Thank you for recognizing the Freefall as it's own ride type. Most people call them Intamin first generation drop towers. That's about as accurate as calling American Eagle an Intamin first generation wood coaster leaving the likes of El Toro as an Intamin second generation wood coaster. I do believe Demon Drop is actually a second generation Freefall with the First generation models having additional out-rigger type supports toward the base of the tower. It may have even been the first-second generation model. Also, when it operated at Cedar Point it cycled 6 cars, so the capacity was doubled that of the Dorney version. I always wondered why people didn't consider it a coaster. I remember back when it opened, I thought it hit as many or more coaster criteria as Kings Island's Screamin' Demon ( Arrow shuttle loop) since it only required gravity once the lift provided the potential energy. Great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks! I definitely get the argument of it being a coaster, but it doesn't pass my smell test.

[@will4486]

This was the first ride I rode at Cedar Point on my first visit; it was an absolute blast. I loved the feel of the closed in singular cars, and the look of the whole ride was *so* eighties. The elevator lift and gently rolling out to the perch to await your fate were perfect for anticipation. I really hope this ride doesn’t retire for like another 10 years and I somehow manage a trip there, but don’t know if it’ll happen.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I hope it sticks around.

[@tomasparsons3386]

When I was a kid, this ride was “the coming of age” ride at Cedar Point! I want to take my daughter to Dorney just to ride Demon Drop

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@designer-mama]

@@tomasparsons3386 do you remember the urban legend that girl with long hair got decapitated on it?! Used to scare the heck out of me 😆

[@scottboyer2391]

I miss this ride. Cedar Point is my home park and I have yet to make it to Dorney. Still my favorite drop tower, and would rank highly on my coaster rankings as well, though I agree it is not 1.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have no problem if people count it as a coaster and certainly see the argument.

[@Andrew-bn7rr]

Fond memories riding this at Cedar Point in the 2000s with my brother. Was never a line so would get 4-5 rides on it per trip. The awkward industrial feel to it reminded us of terminator. Excellent ride with unique quirks.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@triple7marc]

I am so glad I was able to experience this the other day. One of the coolest rides I’ve ever ridden.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@thrillshaveabeard]

Just rode it this week after not riding it since the CP days. It's still a blast

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@Thuggysmurf]

Yes, this is scarier than modern drop towers! I used to ride Free Fall at Magic Mountain as a kid. Was thrilled to find Demon Drop, same model, when visiting Dorney on Tuesday June 7th. The ride opened a couple hours late and had a 5 minute wait most of the day. But then after 5 pm it was empty. My wife and I rode it over and over again without getting off. The ride ops were super friendly and joked with us over the intercom when we were at the top. You covered this ride in another vid, mentioning keeping your head forward at the end. My wife didn't take your advice the first time and instead followed the ride instructions to keep her head back the whole time. Ouch! Now she's a subscriber.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Leaning forwards is key with this one.

[@BigDCoasterFam]

We had Freefall at SFOG. We would put a penny on our leg and watch it float on the descent. As a senior in high school, we had a Physics question based on the length of freefall.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Most drop towers don't let you bring things anymore to see that.

[@twistedcoasters1533]

These look really fun, the jankyness only adds to it

[@CanobieCoaster]

Fair!

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I'm so glad this one is still standing. Since rides can be more than one thing, I see it as a drop tower and a roller coaster, but ultimately, it really doesn't matter. It's just a fun and unique ride. That drop gets me every time.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree it's just fun.

[@michaeltaylor1603]

I miss working this ride. When it ran we could crank 'em out pretty fast. It most always had a line. Long skinny winding queue. Since we had the siren @ the top, guests would "entertain" themselves imitating it. It looked really cool at night with red chase lights complimenting that black paint and ride signage in red neon. There were 103 braking sensors on it with 2 Westinghouse computers that "fought" with each other. Ahhh! Intamin. AstroWorld's ran more reliably than the 1st gens. Over/under speeds would usual "fault" the ride causing a shut down. Massive Ingresoll Rand air compressor & air dryer to furnish air for those 3 long brakes. I agree. It was like you were a construction worker on a sky scraper going UP that tower. I won't talk about the penny.

[@CanobieCoaster]

All cool info!

[@Thuggysmurf]

Nice to encounter a fellow man of culture who doesn't discuss the penny on this ride.

[@timk987]

Pennies, nickels, dimes, even quarters I think my biggest haul on a seat sweep with my hand as I entered the car was like eighty two cents. Good times!

[@michaeltaylor1603]

@@timk987 Change grabber INDEED! But, I'm talking about penny on your knee before it free falls and watch it "float". That's Y the metal grate was in the curve. You'd hear the penny fall there.

[@timk987]

@@michaeltaylor1603 Oh believe me I know all about it. My experience was alway the coin would float until the pullout, but because the car back become the floor when it hit the brakes, a lot of change collected in that space between the seat and the backrest. What change didn’t fall to the ground below when the car was up-ended, ended up in the seat back (for a cycle or two). That’s why I always did the hand swipe. I know all that change didn’t fall out of peoples pockets!

[@luciano6967]

Its rawness is what makes this ride fun. We had one model here in Brazil and it was one of my faves

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@SourPatchPar3nt]

The timing! Just got done with Dorney today and loved Demon Drop!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hope you liked it!

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

I love how it has positive Gs, that pull out feels like a pretzel loop

[@CanobieCoaster]

True!

[@Coyotek4]

I still remember the installment at Great Adventure. That horn that preceded the drop still shakes me.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That sounds cool.

[@ericvanschaick5252]

I remember riding Demon Drop when it was at Cedar Point. Great ride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@jimminyxmas]

I used to love the Freefall at Great Adventure years ago

[@CanobieCoaster]

I never visited when it was there.

[@thomasxl200]

Love this thing! Basically the only drop tower I ever ride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's great.

[@chrislaustin]

I grew up riding the version at Magic Mountain simply titled "Free Fall", and I used to love that thing. The ride going up was super scary to me, as was the slide out once you reached the top. And my first ride, my head was sitting slightly forward, and once you drop and the car tilts back, WHAM! Lets just say that was the first and last time I kept my head off the head rest, and I would always warn others to make sure their head was against the rest on the way down, or gravity would do it for you. LOL I don't remember the ending sequence being that bad, but our model had never been moved, and may have been maintained better, but who can say? Glad to see one of these still running in the US, as it's rather unique and deserves it's spot in history, so grab a ride while it's still possible.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree it's so unique.

[@StamfordBridge]

Yes, I remember when Freefall was a new ride at Magic Mountain. The ride at the top definitely used to make me nervous.

[@btk22279]

Good ride. Been on the one at Dorney and the one that Six Flags Great Adventure used to have.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Never rode the Great Adventure one.

[@benwinegarner4797]

I remember riding this model. There was one called Freefall at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It was a very fun ride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I never visited that park while it was still standing.

[@ceilingunlimited-cp5kq]

The layback wasn’t jerky and rough now when it was at Cedar Point. No doubt wear & tear & age has caught up with it. But I’m happy to see it’s still operating. For many years I heard the unmistakable sounds of Demon Drop. It was nice to hear it again watching this video 😊

[@CanobieCoaster]

It was jerky for me on the version at Nagashima Spa Land as well.

[@SlimFury]

My mom went on this when it was at Cedar Point back in the 80's. I am glad that Cedar Fair is preserving this ride.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.

[@midnightgreenamusements1345]

I have a love/hate relationship with this ride, and I worked it this past week for a day, although my home crew is Hydra/Meteor/Enterprise, so far I genuinely like working at Dorney, it’s far better than working at Gillian’s.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Dorney usually has great employees and ops.

[@arkitect156]

This ride has the most literal drop ive ever experienced. There is nothing like it

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's intense

[@thequackenscoasterchannel2927]

Sadly this was closed when I went to Dorney. Wish I could've ridden it, these look neat

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's unfortunate!

[@thequackenscoasterchannel2927]

@@CanobieCoaster yeah it is. I'm not even a huge drop tower fan, but it's always nice to experience rare ones like this.

[@elsiegon7118]

Im o happy to know this one is still operating.!!! I’m definitely going to Dorney Park to ride this again. First one I got on was Six Flags Great Adventure when it was Free Fall back when I was 17 in 89

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's nice they have kept it going.

[@elsiegon7118]

@@CanobieCoaster yeah!! Thanks for posting this video!!! I love this ride! I thought they were all gone!

[@Kittyhat]

Was my first ever drop ride when it was at cedar point, enjoyed it but then I was still too scared for the power tower. if only I knew the difference

[@CanobieCoaster]

This is way more intense than Power Tower.

[@armoreddragon0394]

Used to marathon it when it was at Cedar Point

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@maxhagenauer24]

This may be old but it seriously looks like one of the best drop towers ever. The uniqueness of being in a cage and the flip on you back is so unique positive Gs. The airtime seriously looks super top tier for this one.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's such a unique experience.

[@gianfeliciano9816]

First drop tower I ever rode. So fun and scary.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@djsugarc1075]

i really feel like it’s a coaster but i see your point about the smell test

[@CanobieCoaster]

I totally understand people counting it.

[@thoosieville994]

Tallest doesn’t always mean scariest. Really hoping to get to Dorney before they decide to give this the axe.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hope you can!

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

Exactly. The drop tower at Six Flags over Texas is quite tame, even though it's over 300 ft tall. I'll take Demon Drop over it. Then you have the Larson ARM drop towers at less than 150 ft, providing a much better (or scarier) drop. Those are among the best drop towers out there.

[@thoosieville994]

@@OklahomaCoasterFan I'd have to disagree there. Superman Tower of Power is amazing.

[@tallguy0076]

I love it rode 2 in the same state in 1998 rode Mr Hydes nasty fall at Geauga lake and demon drop cedar point

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@shawnrw3727]

I miss the old Cliffhanger at SFOT . That thing was so scary and sketchy . Nothing like it , even to this day .

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm glad a few 1st gen freefalls still remain.

[@ceaserri]

The only time I had to wait in line at dorney was a 30 min wait for talon

[@CanobieCoaster]

Right after opening I'm guessing?

[@ceaserri]

@@CanobieCoaster yup on a weekend in the summer

[@Jason_Maier]

Stuntman's Freefall at Six Flags Great Adventure (83-07); Wonder Woman: Lasso of Truth stands there now.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish Great Adventure still had their's.

[@iitzfizz]

love the unique look that these have

[@CanobieCoaster]

Me too.

[@SkyrushFanboy]

My parents rode this in 1994 when it was at cedar point. I hope I get to ride this soon, not only because it looks awesome, but it's the last of its kind in America!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Hopefully!

[@mat42011]

The first one I ever rode was the edge at Marriotts great america in santa clara along with Skyhawk the flight trainer model the girl fell out of , also rode free fall at sfmm

[@CanobieCoaster]

I never rode those ones.

[@ha420weednumber]

Rode this for the first time a couple weeks ago. I did not expect it to pull the gs it did.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's great.

[@newenglandenthusiast3849]

All right I have a question so i’m doing a roller coaster vacation to Hersheypark but we have one more day should I do kennywood Knoebels or Dorney park Or do you have any other recommendations

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like Knoebels better than Hershey, so I'd make that your extra day.

[@tractorgt]

Gosh I remember riding demon drop at cedar point when I was 13, I'm 48 now.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Wow!

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

That first drop feels way too crazy I also don’t like how loud this ride is especially when we had this ride type at Great Adventure it doesn’t bother me but when I was young the loud sound of Stuntman’s Free Fall kind of freaked me out

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is super loud.

[@clairefunnell8481]

I enjoyed the video. I would ride this one. Looks interesting.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@TheSonicsean]

I still feel like it's a coaster. It even looks like a small version of Superman at Magic Mountain.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Superman at least has that launch like a lot of shuttle coasters.

[@thecoastergnome8603]

Honestly this looks like a coaster to me.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Fair!

[@JTCPingas]

Reverse Freefall Coaster 1 looks too intense for me!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lol

[@mobetterent.gamerzunited2529]

Six flags over ga had this ride in the 90-2000 it was called free fall I use to be so scared to ride it but I ride acheraphobia all the time lol

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Acrophobia myself.

[@fsp0_]

Seems like a cool ride

[@CanobieCoaster]

It is!

[@gb9727]

It would be interesting if intamin built a newer version of this

[@CanobieCoaster]

I doubt they would though.

[@CitrusThings]

Goals for this next 2 weeks: Move back to western PA Book it to Hershey before they remove Wildcat Take an extra day to go to Dorney specifically because I want to get this old Cedar Point ride credit

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@DeC_Parks]

You can find It also in Italy at Movieland Park. Very very funny

[@CanobieCoaster]

True!

[@AlexAfferMetallica]

Wish i would have rode this while it was at CP, they removed it when i was like 7 though so i was too scared

[@CanobieCoaster]

At least it lives elsewhere.

[@batgirl5518]

I don’t know because I’ve never ridden the Intamin G1 drop towers.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's worth checking out.

[@nathanpayne1502]

When I was in high school we used to put a penny on our knee so when it dropped you could watch the penny float for a second or two 😎

[@CanobieCoaster]

Cool!

[@doobertscoobert]

I am not a fan. The transition from upright to lying on your back has a similar crushing feeling to the pretzel loop on Superman Ultimate Flight, which I find very uncomfortable.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like those Gs.

[@keithstransitexperiences9749]

Did you greyout on the Intamin 1st generation drop towers?

[@CanobieCoaster]

No

[@bjtgaming]

5:06 was that a video glitch or did it really stop that hard?!??

[@RADZADproductions]

Stops that hard

[@CanobieCoaster]

That hard. I think it was toned down in recent years.

[@timk987]

It stops that hard. It does it again at 5:33

[@NathanaelErik]

Uh no, you can see demon drop. It's a huge part of the skyline.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It has a presence when you get close, but its placement makes it hard to see from a lot of spots.

[@charleskummerer]

No one can stop me from adding railed drop towers to my credit count 😈😈

[@CanobieCoaster]

I won't stop you!

[@charleskummerer]

@@CanobieCoaster appreciated 🤘😂

[@askjeevescosby2928]

Why the hell doesn't rcdb consider these rollercoasters? They have a lift, they have a track, they coast down the track and complete the circuit. If super man escape from crypton is a roller coaster then this is also a rollercoaster. ITS THE SAME LAYOUT!!!! accept one launches and one has a lift. These should all be considered rollercoasters and I won't stop complaining until they change them

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree this ride makes a complete circuit (albeit a weird one) and I get the argument. I personally rank it with my drop towers though.

[@harrychest4303]

Dorney Park hasn’t built a new coaster in 15 years.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I know. I hope one comes soon.

[@EmeraldBayMovies]

.

[@CanobieCoaster]

!

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

I understand why people would like this but I just don’t

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like the power.