Wonder Wheel | Amusing the Zillion

Posts Tagged ‘Wonder Wheel’

Photo Album: Pieces of Coney Island Skyline in December

Posted in Photo Album, Photography, tagged Coney Island, Hurricane Sandy, Luna Park, McCullough's Kiddie Park, Pete's Clam Stop, Scream Zone, skyline, sunset, Wonder Wheel on January 7, 2013| 3 Comments »

Coney Island Sunset with Scream Zone and Parachute Jump. December 6, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

While putting together “Amusing the Zillion’s Top 10 Coney Island News Stories of 2012,” we considered doing a fave unposted photos of 2012 feature but there were too many pix to choose from. If a photo isn’t or doesn’t become newsworthy, it often gets overlooked. Since there’s a post-holiday lull in the usual Coney Island Melodrama, here’s an album of quiet photos from early December. What these images have in common are pieces of the Coney Island skyline.

Coney Island Skyline, December 6, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

Hoax photos from Hurricane Sandy of the Parachute Jump snapped in two and real photos of a coaster underwater in Seaside Heights have visitors coming to ATZ to find out if Coney Island’s rides survived. The answer is yes! Coney Island’s rides will open for the 2013 season on March 24th, Palm Sunday, with a complimentary spin on the Wonder Wheel. Seen in the photo above from left to right: the Astro Tower, which is no longer an operating ride, but will be lit with LEDs; the Cyclone Roller Coaster; Deno’s Wonder Wheel, minus its cars, which are removed for the winter; and Scream Zone’s Steeplechase Coaster and Zenobio.

Brooms lined up post-Sandy inside Luna Park Coney Island. December 6, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

In November, Luna Park pitched in to help Coney Island recover from Hurricane Sandy by rewarding volunteers who signed up for four hours of clean-up with an unlimited ride, four-hour wristband to the park. “Over 300 people volunteered their time with Luna Park as part of a massive effort to rebuild Coney Island,” according to a post on the park’s Facebook page. “Luna volunteers cleared 4 parks and playgrounds, served 3 churches, cleaned 9 homes and 2 streets and helped clear the boardwalk by the amusement areas.”

Victim of Sandy. December 6, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

This surreal image of a discarded carnival prize in post-Sandy Coney Island was just too sad to post on the day that we snapped it. A big part of it was the game that it came from is owned by a friend. The storm-damaged plush bear and fellow prizes were photographed here and there in the amusement area before being carted away.

The Last of McCullough’s Kiddie Park. December 6, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

Even sadder was our last look at the last remaining ride sign in McCullough’s Kiddie Park, which had been torn down and was being trucked away. The Bumblebees, Kiddie Ferris Wheel and Himalaya are all gone. Today, there’s an empty lot where the kiddie park existed since the 1960s. As ATZ reported in September, the McCullough family operated amusements in Coney Island for four generations and are related to the Tilyous of Steeplechase Park. They closed the kiddie park, their last remaining business here, after being unable to come to an agreement on terms for a lease extension with property owner Thor Equities.

On the bright side, Pete’s Clam Stop and its old school signage on Surf Avenue at 15th Street is here to stay. Along with Williams Candy next door, it is owned by Peter Agrapides, who has worked in Coney Island for six decades.

Pete’s Clam Stop, Coney Island. December 6, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

Merry Christmas from Amusing the Zillion

Posted in Amusement ride, Photo of the Day, Photography, tagged Christmas, Coney Island, neon, Wonder Wheel on December 25, 2012| 2 Comments »

Neon Arrows and Deno’s Wonder Wheel, Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Coney Island! The rides reopen on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013 — less than three months away. Neon arrows point the way to Deno’s Wonder Wheel, which will be free on opening day.

Photo Album: Signs of the Times in Post-Sandy Coney Island

Posted in News, Photo Album, Photography, tagged Chase Bank, Coney Island, Nathan's, Wonder Wheel on December 7, 2012| 2 Comments »

Ruby Jacobs Walk at Coney Island Boardwalk. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

On Wednesday in Coney Island, we saw waves of sand on the newly sculpted beach adjacent to Ruby Jacobs Walk. Waves of workers in Parks Department jumpsuits walked by after getting off the job around sunset. On the Boardwalk, a holiday banner at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park announced the news that rides on the Wonder Wheel will be free on Coney Island’s opening day — March 24, 2013. That’s only 107 days away!

Holiday Banner at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, Coney Island Boardwalk. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

At the original Nathan’s Famous at Surf and Stillwell, a banner says “After 100 Years, No Hurricane Will Get Us Down!” and directs visitors to Nathan’s Bay Ridge location while they are rebuilding. A generator was chugging away on the Bowery side of the store. Nathan’s Boardwalk location, which was expanded last summer and is open seasonally, also had its electrical system knocked out by the storm.

Coney Island Post-Sandy: The original Nathan’s at Surf and Stillwell is Closed Till Spring. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

On Mermaid Avenue, a few more Mom and Pop businesses including Chinese and Spanish restaurants have managed to open. We saw a cell phone shop and barber shop under renovation. At Our Lady of Solace Church parking lot, it was the first day of Chase’s new mobile branch. Along with ATM machines, there’s a tent staffed by community bankers. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm, and on Saturdays from 9am till 3pm. The location will be open until December 17 when a trailer will open at the branch, one of the bankers told ATZ. A few blocks away, a sign on the boarded up Chase branch said: “We apologize that this branch is temporarily closed. We are committed to helping our community after Hurricane Sandy. We will re-open as soon as possible.”

Chase Mobile Branch, Our Lady of Solace Church Parking Lot. Mermaid Avenue, Coney Island. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

An aquamarine and pink notice was posted on the Place To Beach Bar, which is under construction on the Boardwalk adjacent to Scream Zone. The Department of Buildings notice says that it had been “Inspected – No Apparent Structural Hazard.” The bar’s mini- lighthouse appeared to have weathered the storm, too.

Inspected – No Apparent Structural Hazard. Building on Coney Island Boardwalk. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

At the front office of the Brooklyn Cyclones at 1904 Surf Avenue, a sign warned “Do Not Enter STOP Testing in Progress. This Building is Closed to ALL During the Testing Process.” A few doors away, a crew was cleaning up Peggy O’Neill’s Bar.

This Building is Closed to ALL During the Testing Process. 1904 Surf Avenue, Coney Island. December 5, 2012. Photo © Tricia Vita via flickr

Posted on telephone pole on Mermaid Avenue: A flyer for a December 1st presentation on post-Sandy mold clean-up at Our Lady of Solace Church. “How to identify it. How to treat it. How to protect yourself and family and remove mold safely. What mold remediation services are available.”

Tom’s Restaurant on the Boardwalk, which is open daily, invites visitors to donate a toy to the Aquarium’s toy drive and receive on ticket to the Bronx Zoo. The event was relocated from the Aquarium, which is closed till June due to storm damage.

On the south side of Surf Avenue, Popeye’s and Island Grocery are open. Popeye’s is a true survivor. The restaurant’s owner had been in business year-round in Coney Island for 27 years when he lost his lease in the now-demolished Henderson Building at the corner of Surf and Stillwell in 2010. He rebuilt his business in the Popper Building last year. On the north side, the franchises in Stillwell Terminal–Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway, usually open 24 hours, remain closed. The Bank of America in the terminal has been cleaned and new walls and ATMs were installed but it’s not yet open. Workers were hauling debris out of the police station.

Also on the north side of Surf, The Coney Island Bar and Grill, formerly Bratva Bar, is open from 5pm with live music on Saturday by FRWG–Fried Rice and The White Guys.