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Archive for March, 2013

Coney Island Cyclone Getting New Ticket Booths

Posted in Amusement ride, News, Photo of the Day, Photography, tagged Cyclone, ticket booth on March 15, 2013| 6 Comments »

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.

Photo of the Day: Repairing Sandy-Damaged Steeplechase Pier

Posted in News, Photo of the Day, Photography, tagged Coney Isalnd, pier, rebuilding, Sandy, Steeplechase Park, Steeplechase Pier on March 14, 2013| 6 Comments »

Repairing Coney Island’s Sandy-damaged Steeplechase Pier, March 13, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Yesterday in Coney Island, for the first time we saw repair work being done on the Sandy-damaged Steeplechase Pier. The 1,000-foot-pier is a popular spot for fishing and for watching the Friday night fireworks, which begin on June 21st. In the past, it was also a favorite place for pier divers, who defied the “No Diving” signs for the thrill of the jump.

ATZ asked one of the workers when the pier would be open again. “We hope to have it open by July,” he said. When more info is available from the Parks Department we’ll post an update. Along with the Parachute Jump, which will be the centerpiece of the new Steeplechase Plaza, the rebuilt pier is a survivor of George C Tilyou’s Steeplechase Park.

UPDATE 4:17pm

ATZ received an email from Meghan Lalor of the Parks Department Press Office confirming the above info: “The entire Steeplechase Pier is being reconstructed. We expect to complete construction by July 4.” Yay and Hooray! Excited the pier will be open for fireworks watching for most of the summer. (Work was still underway on the pier as of Labor Day.)

UPDATE October 1, 2013

Over the weekend, word on the Boardwalk that Coney Island’s Steeplechase Pier would reopen today, Oct 1, almost but not quite true. After it’s inspected, sometime in October, a Parks Department spokesman tells ATZ. Soon!
Coney Island’s Steeplechase Pier to Reopen in October, ATZ, September 30, 2103

Coney Island 2013: New Ghouls Mingle with Old in Rebuilt Spook-A-Rama

Posted in Amusement ride, Photo Album, Photography, tagged Coney Island, dark ride, Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, Scarefactory, Spook-A-Rama, Superstorm Sandy on March 13, 2013| 2 Comments »

Spook-A-Rama Under Reconstruction. Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, Coney Island. February 22, 2012

This veteran imp from Spook-A-Rama survived Sandy and is peeking out at the scary new creatures from Scarefactory, a design and fabrication studio which specializes in haunted attractions. As ATZ reported in November, Coney Island’s oldest dark ride, which dates back to the 1950s and is part of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, was severely damaged due to flooding during Superstorm Sandy. Park owners Dennis and Steve Vourderis vowed to rebuild. Construction is well underway and the ride, which is adjacent to the Wonder Wheel, is expected to open on March 24th, Coney Island’s Opening Day.

These photos from late February offer a sneak peek at a few of the new ghouls. You’ll also be happy to see some of the old-timers were rescued. These flood-damaged props original to Spook-A-Rama and other historic dark rides are being restored and will be put on static display. Some will get new electronics. The exterior artwork and restored Pretzel cars and tracks will remain.