After umpteen updates to our original post “Zip Line Coming to Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue in July” (June 28, 2012), ATZ tweeted on Wednesday…
Happily it’s true, the Coney Island Zipline is officially open for business. After a soft opening last night, ten customers had tried it out when we talked to manager James Wilcox a little while ago. “Hell, yeah, I’m ecstatic,” said Wilcox, who has been on site, but not open for business since July due to paperwork issues with City agencies. “I’m ecstatic that we got our green card,” he said, explaining that the all-important permit saying they’re allowed to open is a green piece of paper.
“It’s $15 to ride on weekends,” said Wilcox, who noted that groups can get a discount. In addition, members of New York City’s Police and Fire Departments and EMS may ride for $10 with ID. Wilcox says they planned to offer this discount on September 11th, but will instead offer it for the duration of the season. “We hope to stay till October 31,” he added. (Saturday Update: After seeing on Cat5’s Facebook page that the cover price is $25, we phoned Wilcox for clarification. He said The $15 price is available this weekend, as well as to people who come in with CAT5 Zipline’s flier or mention reading about the zipline on this blog.)
The posted hours for the Coney Island Zipline are 2pm till midnight 10pm, though hours of operation may vary. The Zipline is located on Stillwell Avenue behind Nathan’s.
FINAL UPDATE: The ride was open for a day and a half before being closed by the City for permit issues and will not reopen. On October 8th, ATZ received an email from the BK Festival operators which said: “After a very long and difficult process the city still didn’t issue the permit needed to operate the zip line.”
Related posts on ATZ…
April 30, 2013: Exclusive: Coney Island Zip Line to Be Dismantled Today
August 19, 2012: BK Festival Vendors Back in Business, Coney Zipline Isn’t
August 5, 2012: Coney Island Zip Line Still Under Construction
June 28, 2012: Zip Line Coming to Coney Island’s Stillwell Avenue in July
I want to see the photos of Trish flyin’ on the Zippy Line…
I want to see everybody in the Coney Island Hysterical Society zipping by!
NOW? After Labor Day? Are they trying to kill this business before it gets started?
Agree.
There seems to be a lack of communication between the manager and whoever is managing their facebook page in terms of hours of operation and the price. On facebook, they say it’s $25 per person?
It doesn’t matter to me anymore. Had to keep pestering Living Social, but I did get my refund right before this business said they were cleared to open.
A, thanks for info! I just contacted them after seeing a flier on Facebook and the manager clarified that the $15 price is this w/e, as well as for people who bring in the flier or mention reading it on this blog.
It is unprecedented for a new attraction to open after Labor Day, but there are events in Coney through Halloween and I wish them well. The Zipline Co. has to try and recoup the money they invested in engineers drawings and other expenses over past few months. Also to provide rides to the many folks who bought advance tix!
Hi Tricia,
It’s nice that you’re keeping up with this. Not sure if you caught it or not, but this was posted 15 minutes ago on their facebook page:
“OH MY GOD!!!!!! AFTER ALL THE B.S. WE WENT THRU TO OPEN, ONE OF THE SAME RIDE INSPECTORS THAT JUST OPENED US, JUST SHUT THE ZIPLINE DOWN. HE SAID HIS ORDERS CAME FROM JUAN AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. JUAN SAID THAT THE INSURANCE WAS NOT PROPERLY SUBMITTED??????? FOUR COMPANIES WITH OVER 10 MILLION DOLLARS IN INSURANCE IS ATTACHED TO THIS RIDE. WTH????? SORRY IF THIS INCONVENIENCES ANYONE. STAY TUNED . WE ARE NOW GOING TO FIGHT OUR BUTTS OFF.”
I guess the problem isn’t over? For anyone with tickets or those planning on going for the ride, I suggest calling ahead first?
Thanks for posting. I didnt see but did get a text message about the problem. Paperwork snafu? Or is something else going on? If they can get insurance papers faxed over, they should be able to open by Monday
I heard that Central Amusements wants the lot that Zipline is in. Did this guy show any kind of paperwork? Notice that this odd request came on a Saturday when NO City, State or Federal agencies are open. And Monday is a Jewish holiday, so getting a hold of some one is going to be very tricky.
I agree something seems fishy! But I don’t think CAI, which operates on City owned land, wants or has a chance at getting the lot behind Nathan’s. It is owned by Joe Sitt of Thor Equities, who has plans to put a movie theater there and in the meantime is leasing to the BK Festival.
This is not true – I went there yesterday to finally use my livingsocial coupon and it wasn’t up and running yet. They say they plan to be open today… or this weekend… or soon.
Did you see the date on this post –September 14– and the note at bottom to “PS: Please read comments below for news updates to Zipline schedule before coming out to ride!” (I guess that I’ll change it to red). I hope that at least you went on some other rides in Coney Island. It was a beautiful day!
The comments above explain details of the City closing them on Saturday. The zipline was open on Thursday night and on Friday when I posted this article.
When zip opens, I’ll post in this comment section and I’m sure someone else will as well.
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Does anyone know if it’s open this weekend (9/22)?
Not yet open! The operator said they would let me know when the zipline opens. I will post any updates here.
Any word on the zip line? Will it be open Sunday 9/23?
Sorry, no news! If I hear anything will post update
Any news? I was hoping to go next Monday.
It was not open last weekend. sorry, there is nothing new to report
I bought tickets for the zip line from livingsocial. Will I be able to use them this year or can I get as refund?
It’s hard to be optimistic when the zipline has not reopened since mid-September and there is no further news to post. I suggest contacting the operator or living social
Hi Alice,
I recommend that you contact Living Social to get a refund. I honestly don’t think Cat 5 is planning on reopening the zipline since there have been no updates on their end. On their facebook page, they have been ignoring inquiries relating to when they’ll reopen, if people can get refunds, etc. According to a recent facebook post on their page, if you try to email Cat 5, you’ll get an automatic e-mail that states incorrect information. It makes you wonder if they’re really trying to scam people or not.
Living Social is not going to want to give a refund. They’ll claim that the vendor is operating and scheduling rides. We know this is not true. If you keep persisting, they’ll tell you that they can offer you Living Social credit. If you really want your money back, not credit, you will have to keep pestering them til they give you a refund. Give them proof (Cat 5’s webpage and facebook page, etc.) that the ride is not open.
Living Social’s customer support is not very professional. You’ll have to fight tooth and nail to get your money back, but you should be able to if you keep bothering them. This is based on my own experience getting a refund for the zipline vouchers. Good luck.
I just got my refund from Living Social (10-11-12), and it was no problem, took less than 5 minutes. As soon as I said “Coney Island Zip Line”, he said, “Oh, yeah, we’re aware of that one” and he put it through right away. Too bad, though, it would have been fun.
10/12/12 – Just called them at 877-521-4191, the lady verified what I said about the business closing down, and applied the $12 to my account as credit.