originally posted on 4/23/2021
Photo: David Finkelstein. View full-sized image.
The 529 days during which a Cyclone train never took the first drop and the Wonder Wheel cars never swung are over! Finally, after 18 long months hobbled by a nasty pandemic, the parks of Coney Island were allowed to reopen. Things have changed, however, and operating procedures have been altered as necessary to get here. Now allowed are the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Wonder Wheel and the 10th of Luna Park, both a year late.
Coney Island is a place of history and tradition and recognition of that has continued unabated. Opening day is never just about turning the power on for the rides. Every year things begin with the Blessing of the Rides ceremony performed on a stage in front of the Boardwalk entrance of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. As usual, the pastor of the Salt and Sea Mission gave her blessing, which was followed by speeches. Deno’s own D.J. Vourderis, who is increasingly becoming the public face of the park, gave an impressive speech about togetherness and hope. Alessandro Zamperla of next-door’s Luna Park and of Central Amusement International Inc. spoke of resiliency and the significance of the amusements. The politicians, such as Senator Chuck Schumer, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and others, got their turns. Mayor Bill DeBlasio spoke of how Coney Island is New York City and issued the proclamations of the day as Deno’s Wonder Wheel Day and also Luna Park Day. Many speakers saluted the first responders and health care heroes, who then got to take the first rides on the Wonder Wheel.
Taking a spin on Cyclone is the city’s mayor.
Photo: Jim McDonnell. View full-sized image.
Next the action moved to the annual tradition of the egg cream christening of Cyclone. Zamperla smashed a bottle of the Brooklyn traditional treat over the front panel of the train, this year decorated to look like a peel back of a century’s worth of layers of paint and history. The train then rolled off for the first ride, with the city’s mayor in the front seat.
And the parks were open, but not like they had been before!
Over at Deno’s, it is no longer free to enter and walk around. Owing to capacity limitations and social distancing requirements, reservations are required. The Bowery and 12th Street gates are shut, and entry is from the Boardwalk, monitored by security. Reservations are free and can be made on the webpage for half-hour slots admitting for two hour visits. Once at the park, tickets have been replaced by a Fun Card. There is hand sanitizer aplenty and footprints have been painted on the ground that encourage one way flows of traffic to maintain social distancing.
Two years ago, Deno’s was a one-coaster park, with its 1999 Miler Sea Serpent. Now, it is soon to be a three-coaster park. After being installed and sitting idle for a year, visible from the outside gate, the Skyflyer is finally operational. This SBF Visa Micro Coaster was purchased right off the floor of the IAAPA Expo.
Skyflyer is now open.
Photo: David Finkelstein. View full-sized image.
Twelfth Street is a construction zone, with Phoenix going vertical. At one end, the track is being assembled. At the other, footers are being poured. Soon, ACE members will be able to enjoy this Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster, which was a good choice. There may be some consternation over the choice of name, especially considering the fan favorite, beloved woodie two states over. But just as that ride was aptly named for its resurrection, this ride is aptly named for what the park went through in the pandemic. Just as there are many Wildcats, and yes, many Cyclones, and a pair of El Toros, there can be multiple Phoenixes.
Construction progress continues at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
Photo: David Finkelstein. View full-sized image.
Next door, at Luna Park, the situation is similar, but significantly different! The main body of the park, the former Astroland site at 10th Street and Surf Avenue, is also no longer free to enter and is down from three points of entry to one. The 10th Street gate is closed; entry is at Surf Avenue. The Boardwalk gate is exit only. What makes Luna Park unique are the satellite ride areas from the Scream Zone to the free-standing Cyclone, Thunderbolt and B&B Carousell. This lack of contiguity did pose a logistical problem.
Right up to the opening, it looked as if visitors would have to choose between two types of reservations. There was the Family Fun Wristband that was for a two-hour session in the main body of the park, Zone A, home of three of the coasters, with a caveat of no exit and reentry. Also mentioned was a Thrill Wristband that seemed to cover the satellite rides for two hour sessions, covering another four coasters. So it seemed as if someone wanting to make a run of all the coasters would have to make two different reservations for two different two hour slots. Currently the caveat about reentry is gone and so is the mention of the Thrill Ride pass. This just shows how things are changing and adjusting from moment to moment.
Cyclone and Thunderbolt remain open for walkups, advertising $10 a ride.
Mini Mouse has a new home.
Photo: David Finkelstein. View full-sized image.
Luna Park is also on the verge of increasing by two coasters from the six it had just two years ago. Manhattan’s loss is Brooklyn’s gain. Because of various factors such as the pandemic and certain parties’ involvement, Victorian Gardens in Central Park is done. Six of the rides were relocated to Luna Park. This included the Zamperla Mini Mouse, named, well, Mini Mouse. Whether or not this counts as a new credit is open to debate.
What definitely will be a new credit, is sitting in pieces behind fencing on Stillwell Avenue and on the grass by the ballpark. For those who remember, the plans announced were for a new log flume ride, along with a Zamperla Junior Coaster, an adventure climbing course and a ceremonial entrance. There are footers on the field, and deep green coaster track segments sitting there waiting for construction to resume. It will, but when remains unknown.
Footers are in place for Luna Park’s new coaster.
Photos: David Finkelstein. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Elsewhere, ACE members might want to note some of the other changes in Coney Island. A few of the eateries that had opened on Surf Avenue to cater to visitors are gone. Applebee’s and Carl’s Jr. have left the street. As mentioned before, Luna Park’s main food facility has been turned into voucher redemption. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is still a pizzeria, just no longer Grimaldi’s. However, Starbucks is open as is a Taco Bell Cantina. Thankfully, Nathan’s is still Nathan’s. There are new menu boards and some changes to the offerings, but the hot dogs, fries and beer persist. You can now get an Impossible Burger that looks good. For those who liked the frog legs platter, the frog legs are still available but by the pound.
Coney Island is ever changing and is resilient. Two kiddie coasters have just opened, and two more roller coasters are under construction. Between the two parks, there will be 11 credits for a first-time visitor. That puts two small adjacent seaside amusement parks, together a tiny fraction of the size of the smallest Six Flags or Cedar Fair park, in league with their corporate colleagues.
Because of the changing nature of the pandemic, multiple unknowns and coasters under construction, if there is to be a regional event in Coney Island this year, it will be later in the season. Stay tuned for updates.
— David Finkelstein, MD, ACE New York City Regional Representative
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