Coney Island Cyclone’s New Ticketbooths. March 13, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr
When the Cyclone roller coaster opens on March 24th, the borough president breaks a bottle of egg cream on the front car and the first 100 people ride for free. It’s a good ol’ Coney Island tradition. The next hundred people on line and everyone who follows will buy their tickets at brand-new ticket booths located beneath the ride. Under construction since Sunday, the Surf Avenue booths are located in a space under the Cyclone that was used for storage since Luna Park began running the landmark ride in 2011. The price of a ride is also going up a dollar this season and will cost $9.00. Luna Park leases the coaster from the City’s Parks Department, which receives a percentage of ticket sales.
Under Construction: Coney Island Cyclone’s New Ticketbooth. March 13, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr
The little windows in the interior wall that let visitors peek at the coaster rumbling by were constructed when the Coney Island History Project, which has since moved to the Wonder Wheel, turned the former souvenir stand into an exhibit center. The photo below is a last look at the old Cyclone ticket booth on the corner: “Ride the American Legend!” When Astroland ran the Cyclone it said “How Sweet It Is!” in homage to Jackie Gleason, who grew up in Brooklyn and played New York bus driver Ralph Kramden in The Honeymooners. (Update, March 19th: The old ticketbooth was demolished today.)
Last Look at the Cyclone’s Old Ticketbooth. March 13, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr
If you look at vintage photos and postcards of the Cyclone, the signage reads “Faster Than Ever!” and “Bus Depot.” The ticket booths were inside, opening up the front of the ride to public view. Since the Cyclone is an official New York City landmark, changes to the facade must have historic precedent and be approved by the Landmarks Commission. It will be interesting to see what’s in the future for this famous corner of Coney Island.
Related Posts on ATZ…
March 11, 2013: Luna Park’s Pinwheels Go Up on Coney Island Boardwalk
March 7, 2013: March Events: Coney Island USA Gala, Dreamland Bell, Tom Thumb, Opening Day
March 29, 2010: Photo of the Day: First Ride of the Season on Coney Island’s Cyclone!
June 26, 2009: Happy Birthday to Coney Island’s Cyclone Roller Coaster!
Amusing the Zillion 
I like the signage in the postcard best.
it’s fascinating to look at photos of the different signage and ticketbooths –I remember seeing one that showed all of the details of the booths. There was even a frozen custard stand!
So… do they or do they not need Commission approval? They are proceeding without it? What’s going on here? The photos show something that looks more like a ticket “office”, as one might find on a modern movie mutiplex. Or are they planning some traditional-style adornment?
Miss Trish, what gives already?
I think any work they’re planning to do to the outside of the Cyclone, like removing the ticket booth, needs and already has Landmark Commission approval. As much as some of us like the corner ticket booth it’s not original to the Cyclone. It will be interesting to see if they’re going to make it look again like it did in the old photos.
As it develops, I’m in the process of working up an old-school, octagonal ticket box like the ones that were commonly seen at rides and attractions through much of the early twentieth century. I did one in the early ’80’s as part of the CIHS traveling “Souvenir Views” suite. That one is now in a New York City folk art collection. I love ticket boxes of all kinds, actually.
I love ticket boxes, especially the old ones with interesting lettering