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Coney Island After Columbus Day: We’re Still Open!

Posted in amusement park, Visitor Info, tagged after Labor Day, Coney Island, off season, year round on October 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Boardwalk Acrobat. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

UPDATE: This is a post from October 2010! Please see report from September 13, 2013: “Coney Island Always: Visiting the Big CI Year-Round” here.

Labor Day weekend was the official close of the beach season, but we’re thrilled to inform you Coney Island is open year round. You can walk on your hands or feet along the Boardwalk from Seagate to Brighton. You can dance, run, bicycle, people-watch and snap photos any old time of the year. Don’t miss Coney Island’s much-photographed New York City landmarks. The Parachute Jump (aka Brooklyn’s Eiffel Tower), the Wonder Wheel, the Cyclone and the terra cotta palace on the Boardwalk at 21st Street that was Childs Restaurant are always ready for their close-ups.

If you’re visiting from afar and wonder if Coney Island is worth the trip during the “off season,” here’s our short list of things to do…

Spookarama, Classic Dark Ride at Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Rides & Attractions: Coney Island is not a single operator park like Six Flags; it’s an historic Brooklyn neighborhood with 59 individually-operated rides and diverse attractions. The 83-year-old Cyclone and 90-year-old Wonder Wheel recently closed for yearly maintenance, but the majority of Coney’s rides are expected to remain open weekends through mid to late October 2010. Weather permitting, of course. Schedules vary at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, Luna Park, McCullough’s Kiddie Park, 12th Street Amusements and Eldorado Bumper Cars. We recommend checking the Coney Island Fun Guide attraction listing or phoning ahead if the weather is iffy.

If you’re visiting in November, December etc., keep in mind New York City is not located in the same latitude as Orlando, Florida–Coney Island’s rides are not open year round. The traditional opening day of the season is Palm Sunday, which will be April 17, 2011.

Coney Island USA’s Creep Show at the Freak Show and Luna Park’s Nights of Horror featuring a haunted maze and 12 amusement rides will be open evenings from October 15 through Halloween 2010.

Banner for Luna Park Presents Nights of Horror...Here to Haunt You, October 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i

On the Boardwalk, Cha Cha’s is open through Halloween and Ruby’s will have their annual grill out party on October 23rd and closing party on Oct 31. On Friday, Oct 15th at 7 pm, Robert “Bluesman” Ross and Blues Manian will kick off Cha Cha’s weekend tribute to J.T., the club’s late manager. The Rockinghams play at 5 pm and Bluesball at 8 pm on Saturday, October 16th and an all-day Jam session on Sunday will start at 2:30. Visit Cha Cha’s website for details.

Most of the Boardwalk businesses– Paul’s Daughter, Gyro Corner, Lola Star Boutique, Shoot the Freak and the Grill House, among others–remain open through Halloween. If you have a sentimental favorite, be sure to pay a visit. Some of the Boardwalk businesses won’t be returning in 2011, but we won’t know who’s in and who’s out until new landlord Zamperla makes the announcement on October 31.

On any day of the week, you can visit the New York Aquarium’s Alien Stingers exhibit and have lunch at Nathan’s Famous or another neighborhood eatery. ATZ recommends Gargiulo’s, Totonno’s, Footprints and Coney Island Soup Shop, all of which are open year round.

The Coney Island History Project’s free audio/video walking tour of the amusement area makes Coney Island’s past and present accessible to visitors 365 days a year. Before you leave home, download it to your iPod or listen to it live on your iPhone.

Robert Wilson Mural Detail in Stillwell Terminal, Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Snap pix of the Robert Wilson murals in Stillwell Station, the Os Gemeos mural just outside the statio and the Dreamland Artists Club signage on Bowery and Jones Walk. At the Coney Island Library, a five-minute walk from Stillwell Terminal, artist Takeshi Yamada’s Museum of World Wonders: Cabinet of Curiosities is on permanent exhibition.

Marie Roberts’ sideshow banners adorn Coney Island USA’s Building on Surf Ave and 12th Street. The Coney Island Museum is open weekends year round. Admission is 99 cents.

Williams Candy in Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

On Surf Ave next to Nathan’s outdoor dining area, you’ll find Williams Candy. The tiny shop is filled with scrumptious candy treats and is open year round. Hours are 9 am till 7 pm during the off season. Williams also has a delicious looking website where you can order marshmallow sticks and other candy treats online.

The Coney Island Beach Shop on Stillwell behind Nathan’s, offers a large selection of Coney-themed hoodies, T- shirts, blankets and other souvenirs. Open 7 days a week, 10:30 am till around 6 pm during the off season.

Psychedelic hoodie at Coney Island Beach Shop. Open year round! Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Coney Island 2011: Zamperla Adding Steeplechase Cavalry Coaster to Scream Zone

Posted in amusement park, Amusement ride, tagged Coney Island 2011, Luna Park, MotoCoaster, roller coaster, Scream Zone, Steeplechase Ride, Volare, Zamperla on October 4, 2010| 1 Comment »

Coney Island Bound: Zamperla's Motocoaster themed as Steeplechase Cavalry Coaster. Photo © Jim McDonnell via smugmug

In a presentation at last week’s “What’s Next for Coney Island?” panel at CUNY, Valerio Ferrari, President and CEO of Zamperla USA/CAI gave the public its first look at renderings of the four rides set to open at Luna Park’s new Scream Zone in Spring 2011. Two of the rides are Zamperla coasters: a Steeplechase Cavalry-themed MotoCoaster and an American Eagle-themed Volare flying coaster.

Here’s the original commercial for Zamperla’s horseback “Pony Express” launch coaster at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif., where it opened on Memorial Day Weekend in 2008. The prototype- a MotoCoaster with motorcycle seats–opened at Darien Lake in upstate New York, also in 2008.

Last February, ATZ posted “Steeplechase Express: Will Zamperla MotoCoaster Pony Up for Coney Island?” In reply to our query, Ferrari confided that they were then considering having the public decide which type of MotoCoaster seats–motorcycles or horses- would be used. As it turns out, there’s no need for a poll. The Coney Island theming is just the ticket for the new Luna Park. The crescent moons and pinwheel logos on Surf Avenue’s magnificent entrance pay homage to the whimsical gate of the original Luna Park. At the same time, the logo on the Spinning Mouse Coaster, renamed the Tickler in honor of Coney’s William F Mangels pioneering ride, is the Steeplechase Funny Face. A more manic version of the grinning face is also the logo for Scream Zone.

Inspired by Steeplechase Park’s signature horse race ride that made a circuit around the park, Zamperla is bringing in the cavalry! The Zamperla Steeplechase Cavalry Coaster takes its inspiration from the Steeplechase ride, but it does differ quite a bit in design. Most notably, the horses are part of a single train instead of racing against each other on multiple tracks. Another big difference: The ride’s seating design and restraint system was designed to comply with current-day safety standards.

Vintage postcard of George C Tilyou's Steeplechase Ride, which closed in 1964. The Coney Island History Project has an original Steeplechase horse on display.

According to Zamperla’s website:

The Pony Express comes with two trains, each accommodating up to 16 riders in an innovative pedestal seating design that maximizes safety, comfort and ride freedom. Using the time tested flywheel and clutch launch system, the PONY EXPRESS delivers a high energy ride with low energy costs. Seated two abreast on their own horses, 16 riders are treated to an exhilarating launch from 0–60 km/h (0-37 mph) in 2.5 seconds. The horses then race to the finish line along a 450 meter (1476 ft) track reaching heights of 14.7mt (48 ft.) through a breathtaking series of exciting 65 degree banked turns. Like the MotoCoaster, the PONY EXPRESS can be adapted to any theme. Let Zamperla design a custom layout and specialized theme for your venue.

Zamperla's American Eagle Coaster aka The Volare will be the second coaster in Coney Island's Scream Zone. Photo © Jim McDonnell via smugmug

Additional rides planned for the new Scream Zone include Zamperla’s Turbo Force and a SlingShot high thrill ride from Funtime. The newly re-themed American Eagle made its debut as the Volare, which means “to fly” in Italian, at Denver’s Elitch Gardens in 2002. Zamperla/CAI has a ten-year lease to operate amusements on the 6.9 acres the City bought for $95.6 million from Thor Equities. Zamperla’s Scream Zone will be located on “Parcels B & C, ” the City-owned property at Stillwell and the Boardwalk. The thrill park is expected to open in 2011.

Photo of the Day: New Ride at Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel Park

Posted in amusement park, Amusement ride, tagged Coney Island, Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, Samba Balloon, Wonder Wheel, Zamperla on June 15, 2010| Leave a Comment »

New Ride at Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, Coney Island. June 12, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Last week Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park in Coney Island debuted a brand-new Samba Balloon ride. Manufactured by Zamperla, the family ride seats 32 children or 16 children plus 8 adults in colorful spinning tubs designed to resemble hot air balloons. Deno’s amusement park features 22 rides including the landmark Wonder Wheel. Bon Voyage!