originally posted on 1/22/2021
Photo: Courtesy Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. View full-sized image.
Since 2018, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park has been researching for a new roller coaster. Opening Memorial Day 2021 (hopefully) in the park in Brooklyn, New York, will be a new Vekoma roller coaster. The Vourderis family, who has owned and operated Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park for decades through three generations, hope The Phoenix roller coaster will be a symbol of hope in a world that seems to be struggling with sadness and fear for the last year.
It all started when the Vourderis family acquired a new piece of land (110 by 263 square feet) from the former 12th Street Amusements in 2019. Then family members secretly asked a question on Reddit for what coaster enthusiasts look for in a good roller coaster. According to the Vourderis family, “It is because of your response we decided on a Vekoma.”
The Phoenix is a 68-foot-tall roller coaster that will be built behind the bumper car ride. It will have two entrances, one being on West 12th Street and another right behind the bumper cars. This will be the very first suspended roller coaster not only in the New York City area, but also in the state of New York. According to the Vourderis family, “We wanted not only enthusiasts to enjoy thrills, but also families.” The Phoenix will go 34 mph and will take riders into a dramatic 115-degree banked maneuver and be filled with sharp turns. The height requirement will be 39 inches as a minimum. “We didn’t want to compete with Coney Island, which has the Cyclone, or Six Flags in New Jersey; we wanted something different like no one has on the East Coast,” according to Deno Vourderis Jr.” He further stated, “I would compare this to Dragonflier at Dollywood, but I think ours will be more intense, which will make it exciting.”
The ride will operate with a single train that seats 20.
“Our new generation of Suspended Coasters are known for the smoothness of the ride experience,” said Global Business Development Manager Ricardo Etges, Vekoma. “A combination of lap-bar only restraint, dampened swing and the state-of-the-art seat ergonomics allow for a truly comfortable ride sensation with unobstructed views due to the open design. It’s really like you are flying.”
Unfortunately, COVID has made the process of adding the coaster harder. However, the City of New York has been amazing throughout this process. The Vourderis family continue to work closely with the city to get more permits approved. Luckily, financing started before the pandemic began, and approval was just granted to start foundations. “We hope to start pouring the foundations very soon and have the track on sight in March 2021,” according to Vourderis. Governor Cuomo has not issued reopening guidelines for Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park or other New York amusement parks, but there is still hope the park will open Palm Sunday and The Phoenix will open Memorial Day, rising above the sadness of the health crisis. The park will also be celebrating its 101st year of fun, thrills and laughter on the Wonder Wheel. The intention was to celebrate 100 years last year, but the park was not permitted to open.
“Please wear a mask, be safe and be healthy so we can open and have thrills, smiles and laughter back in our park,” stated Vourderis.
Keep track of the progress of The Phoenix on Deno’s Wonder Wheel Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter and the ACE New York City regional page on Facebook.
And as a bonus, for members seeking to add to their credit count, the park is fitting a children’s microcoaster in the new space as well.
— May Reinert Ubinas
The iconic Wonder Wheel turned 100 in 2020.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
@#$%&!
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