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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.

Photo Album: February Is a Mixed Bag in Coney Island

Posted in Photo Album, Photography, tagged arcade game, beach, candy apples, Coney Island, Sandy on February 25, 2013| 2 Comments »

Temporary Sand Dunes on Coney Island Beach. February 17, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

In February, we photographed Coney Island’s shifting sand dunes, ruined arcade machines, newly painted ride cars and freshly dipped candy apples. With 28 days till the amusement area’s traditional Palm Sunday opener on March 24th, everyone is busier than usual getting ready as post-Sandy recovery continues in the People’s Playground.

Coney Island Beach: Sand Dunes, 21st Street. February 22, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The temporary sand dunes of West 15th Street have been sifted and trucked back to the beach. During SuperStorm Sandy, Coney Island’s beach lost two to three feet of sand. Windblown sand covered the boardwalk and adjacent streets, burying the kiddie rides and parking meters. Back in November, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and contracted crews closed West 15th Street and created temporary sand dunes from the Boardwalk to Wonder Wheel Way.

Willie the Whale Cars at Deno’s Kiddie Park, Coney Island. February 22, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

At Deno’s Kiddie Park on the Boardwalk, freshly painted cars from the whimsical Willie the Whale ride are here and there, waiting to return to their circle.

Wm F Mangels Pony Carts Being Painted at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park. February 22, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The Ponies and Carts from the classic ride manufactured in Coney Island by William F. Mangels are in the workshop getting a fresh coat of paint.

Arcade Machines Ruined by Sandy, Coney Island Arcade
Bowery and 12th Street, February 22, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

One of the saddest sights in the amusement area is this graveyard of brand-new arcade machines ruined by water damage from Sandy. With the exception of Skeeball, the electronics of Coney Island’s machines were damaged beyond repair. Coney’s arcades will reopen with new games this season.

Arcade Machines Lined up Outdoors at Luna Park. February 17, 2013. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Marshmallow-on-a-stick and four kinds of candy apples are available at Williams Candy on Surf Avenue. The candy shop is under renovation but is still open daily year-round.

Candy Apples and Marshmallow Treats at Williams Candy, Coney Island. February 17, 2013 Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Photo Album: Post-Sandy MERCY Graffiti in Coney Island

Posted in Photo Album, Photography, tagged Bruce Handy, Coney Island, graffiiti, Hurricane Sandy, MERCY, street art, Superstorm Sandy on February 16, 2013| 16 Comments »

After Sandy, we began noticing the word “MERCY” stenciled on lamp posts and empty signboards in Coney Island. It felt like a call for compassion from a neighborhood devastated by the storm. During last week’s snowstorm, Coney Island photographer Bruce Handy came across three of these graffiti messages. The one above was on a white wall at Paul’s Daughter on the Boardwalk.

On Stillwell Avenue, the “Post No Bills” message on the plywood covering Thor Equities vacant new building was replaced by graffiti saying “POƧT — ИO — MERCY.” Person(s) unknown also pasted MERCY bumper stickers on poles in the amusement area. Have you seen any others? Scroll down for readers’ comments and theories about the graffiti and additional photos. Bruce Handy’s flickr set can be viewed here.