originally posted on 8/6/2021
The Phoenix soars at Coney Island.
Photo: Courtesy Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park. View full-sized image.
Like the rest of Coney Island, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park in Brooklyn, New York, was forced to sit out 2020. As a sign that the park intends to rise above the pandemic and fly toward the future, the owners aptly named their new ride The Phoenix.
For the longest time, a visit to Deno’s did not figure large on the ACE members’ to-do lists. For years, it had been home to a single coaster, a Miler Family Coaster called Sea Serpent. Most ACEers went as an aside to a trip to next door Luna Park to get that credit, or to ride famous noncoaster attractions such as Wonder Wheel or Spook-A-Rama.
Photo: Joe Radomile. View full-sized image.
Then a rare opportunity arose. Next to Deno’s was another amusement operation called 12th Street Amusements. It was basically six rides lined up along the street. These included the Ghost Hole dark ride and the Saturn 6 spinner. That concern went under, and the rides sat abandoned behind fencing. The Vourderis family, the owners of Deno’s, was able to purchase the land and everything on it. While nothing of the abandoned rides was salvageable, what the Vourderises did obtain was a substantial piece of Brooklyn real estate perfect for a roller coaster.
The Vekoma coaster filled space acquired by Deno’s.
Photo: John Hunt. View full-sized image.
DJ Vourderis took the lead and spent some time asking ACE members for their opinions. They discussed wood versus steel and various manufacturers and models. Vourderis went to the IAAPA Expo, and the park ended up with another coaster, as the SBF Visa Micro Coaster was purchased from the show floor and installed as Skyflyer.
After much thought, the decision came down to a Vekoma Family Flyer. It wouldn’t have the maintenance obligation of a woodie, and it complemented rather than competed with what Zamperla had installed at Luna Park.
Once started, the ride went vertical quickly. Members of the Vourderis family have expressed their great satisfaction with the professionalism and customer service provided by Vekoma. There were some impromptu construction tours given to ACE members, and some ACEers have their signatures on the coaster’s supports. While not ready for opening day on Palm Sunday or the traditional seasonal start on Memorial Day weekend, the ride was going by early July.
Photo: Terry Lind. View full-sized image.
Photo: Courtesy Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park. View full-sized image.
The Phoenix basically fills the old 12th Street Amusements plot. It is a stunning yellow and red, which stands out from the blues and greens predominant with the other structures. Walking through the queue, surrounded by the supports, visitors realize it is meatier than the versions installed in the Cedar Fair kiddie sections. Once seated, the lap bar-only restraints are extremely comfortable, and they have been described as better than those at the recent installation at Dollywood.
Leaving the station, riders make a left-hand turn with a view of those enjoying libations at the Margarita Island. After the lift hill, it is a series of serious alternating turns with twists. There are no inversions. What there are aplenty are foot choppers. Anyone who knows the park should be familiar with the classic neon sign on 12th Street. Watch out for it. Also watch out for the station’s roof. In addition, in the back, there is an impressive amount of whipping action.
Photo: Joe Radomile. View full-sized image.
The Vekoma designers have certainly packed a lot of coaster in 1,220 feet on a small plot of land. At about 34 mph, that provides for a little over a minute of ride time.
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park was previously a destination for amusement history buffs with the 101-year-old Wonder Wheel, for dark ride enthusiasts with the highly rated Spook-A-Rama and for credit-seeking ACE members who went for the single kiddie coaster on a trip to Luna Park. It has successfully leapfrogged onto the list of three-credit parks making it a worthy destination in its own right. Yes, good choice of name! The Phoenix has certainly risen!
— David Finkelstein, ACE New York City Regional Representative
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