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Photo of the Day: Swinging on the Wonder Wheel

Posted in Amusement ride, Photo of the Day, Photography, tagged Coney Island, Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company, Swinging Car, Wonder Wheel on October 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Sign for Swinging Car, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, Coney Island. September 12, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita

Swinging or Stationary? Most people reply “Swinging” when asked which type of car they wish to ride on Deno’s Wonder Wheel, which has 16 swinging cars and 8 stationary ones. This holiday weekend may be your last chance to experience the roller coaster-like thrill this season before the landmark wheel, built in 1920 by the Eccentric Ferris Wheel Company, closes for annual maintenance. The Wheel is open from 12 noon on Sunday and Columbus Day. The photo of the swinging red car was of course taken from one of the stationary cars, which go higher and are our favorite for taking pictures.

Check out “Coney Island Always: Visiting the Big CI Year-Round” for info on what’s open in October.

Update: The Wheel will stay open weekends through October 27 along with the rest of Coney Island’s rides.

Red Car, Wonder Wheel. Coney Island. September 12, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita

September 13, 2013: Coney Island Always: Visiting the Big CI Year-Round

March 19, 2013: First Sign of Spring in Coney: Cars Go up on Wonder Wheel

September 30, 2010: Video: The Wanted’s Lose My Mind at Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel Park

September 4, 2010: Go Up, It’s Great! Coney Island’s & Deno’s Wonder Wheel

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Video of the Day: Coney Island Carnival (1945)

Posted in Amusement ride, film, video, tagged 1940s, Coney Island, Games, newsreel, rides on September 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Before television, newsreels like this one filmed in Coney Island circa 1945 were shown in movie theaters. The film starts with the Wonder Wheel (described by the narrator as “a mass of iron lace”) and ends with the Parachute Jump (“the highest in the whole United States”) and the Cyclone (“mountain climbing on wheels”). Among the long-vanished rides that appear are the Virginia Reel, Looper, Whip, Octopus, Caterpillar, Rocket Ships, a carousel with a ring machine and the original Steeplechase horse race.

On the 5th Anniversary of the Closing of Astroland

Posted in amusement park, Amusement ride, video, tagged Astroland, Astroland Park, Astrotower, Breakdance, The DoD3 on September 9, 2013| Leave a Comment »

This weekend was the 5th anniversary of the closing of Coney Island’s Astroland. Founded in 1962, the park’s last day of operation was Sunday, September 7, 2008. Instead of showing photos of the park’s last day and night, we’ve gathered some videos of Astroland’s most popular rides in action.

“If you want to get off this ride at any time, raise your hand, we’ll set you free, y’all better hold on. Here we go, here we go, here here we go oh…,” says the operator of the Huss Breakdance at the beginning of the on-ride video made by TheDod3.com.

According to the website, which features ride reviews, photos and videos by a very knowledgeable ride enthusiast: “Most amusement parks in the US will run their Breakdance rides at a moderate speed, turning it into a ride good for everyone. Other Breakdance rides, such as damn near every single one in Europe and Astroland’s old Breakdance, are thrill rides through and through.”

Astroland’s Breakdance and Pirate Ship went to Costa Rica. The Topspin relocated to Seaside Heights, New Jersey, where it survived Sandy and has since been sold to Deggeller Attractions, a traveling carnival.

One of the Astroland Stars from the Surf Avenue gate is in the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. The 8-foot by 7-and-a-half-foot lighted star will be in an exhibit next year.

Since the Astrotower was demolished over the July 4th weekend, its stump is all that remains of Astroland on City-owned property in Coney Island. There are rumors that the iconic Astroland Rocket will finally return to Coney Island as promised by City officials in 2009.