Coney Island Review | Are These Iconic Rides Worth the Money? New York City Amusement Parks
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- Let's dive into the rides, attractions, layout, and prices of Luna Park and Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Parks on Coney Island, in Brooklyn New York! They may be home to world famous icons like the classic Cyclone roller coaster, but does that mean its worth a stop?
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I live 15 minutes from Coney Island and I rarely go because of how absurdly expensive it is. They really need to find a way to incentivize locals to show up regularly
How much is admission? Or do you pay per ride?
@@RocknRollerCoasterGirl its like 10 dollars per ride on cyclone and it was like 75 dollars for 4 hours of unlimited rides
@@toxikavenger9088 yeah that’s crazy. But then again, it’s NYC. It it might be worth it to ride Cyclone. I mean, we had a Cyclone replica here a while back. It was supposed to be just like the original. It was called Psyclone. It had some damage after an earthquake that was never repaired properly so it had pothole effects… not as bad as Son of Beast but definitely some major problems. It was eventually demolished and Apocolypse took its place around 2009.
@@toxikavenger90884 hours? It should be all day
@@RocknRollerCoasterGirlLuckily, I have an amazing cyCLONE at my home park (SFGAm) in Viper ❤
As a New Yorker I love seeing it as I pass by it via the subway. I very rarely ever go but I like the idea of it. Hah!
As a local, agreed it’s not a great value…but nothing in NYC is! We go here with visitors for a beer, a Nathan’s hot dog and a ride on the Cyclone, Spook-a-Rama and Wonderwheel. I do wish there was a one-pass option…and the ability to pick your seat on Cyclone. Lots of history here…would be a great place for a dedicated amusement park museum. Recently it’s been in the news because a developer wants to put a casino down there…
I did the Cyclone. That thing is a couch on wheels man. Sooooo comfortable!!!!
Yeah!
Except that dang bar is insanely tight if you weigh anything over 200
@@armandotarazon9983 good thing I only weigh 150
@@armandotarazon9983just don’t weigh over 200 then
Cyclone is awesome. Top 20 ride for me (out of 492) because of lats and airtime!
7:05 hey man! Sucks Luna park employees don’t tell there customers that Denos wonderwheel park is not included 🤣 thanks for the Phoenix review! Glad you enjoyed man! Always welcome back 👍🏻
When I had gone for july the 4th! They did explain that denos wonderwheel park is not included in the everything package!
Proud of deno for holding on tho 💪
@@mentallyillpol6012 99.9% of the time they say “denos wonderwheel” not “denos wonderwheel park” i work there i hear it everyday lol
there's a great scene in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel where the whole family gets into different cars on Deno's Wonder Wheel and they are arguing back and forth at the top of their lungs while the ride ride is going around. so funny. I bet it was a blast filming that scene
Being a lease and how the park is physically laid out probably disincentivizes large investments into Luna Park
Nice memories. Thankyou. I'm old...lol. I remember standing outside the Himalaya ride (a fast paced circular ride) as they played the Temptations and Supremes . People of all nationalities danced together in the street. I should go back and visit to see all the changes in person. This vid was fun.
@tlv8555…and how would you know???
That sounds iconic, really cool story. My dad grew up in the 50s/60s so I was raised on Motown, he particularly loved Temptations and Four Tops.
I went to Coney Island back in 2018 and they've actually added quite a few new rides just since I was there! We ended up visiting during a cold, rainy day so it wasn't the best weather to do much but we did eat at Nathan's and rode the Cyclone (not my favorite coaster but I'm glad I have the credit now, LOL). We were going to ride the Wonder Wheel but changed our minds and now I regret that we didn't do it since I don't know when I'll get the chance again. We also didn't want to spend too much money on the rides since none of them really looked worth it. I think we got ice cream at some point too but overall, we didn't do as much as we could have done but it was still fun to experience somewhere that is such an integral part of NY history. Thanks for the great video! =)
The original Thunderbolt was very close to matching the Cyclone. I recall that if lines were too long for one (especially when Astroland introduced P.O.P. and drew big crowds), we would go on the other. It was a great ride, but maintenance issues became apparent as time went on. Thankfully, the Cyclone is still here.
Honestly I think the way to fix this place's conundrum is to do something like what Bakken does. Bakken also has several different people owning their own sets of rides, but they all collaborate for a uniform system of wristbands, ride credits, and season passes.
I also honestly believe the place would benefit from having a combination of more ride owners with their own sections or batches of rides, kinda like in the old days, and a larger collaborative management for stuff like landscaping, wayfinding, and so on. Like I really feel like thats the best direction you could go in. Like its all bound by streets but theres no reason a higher order couldnt demand that these streets were made nicer for people as to ensure a safe and inviting atmosphere that would also attrack more people to come. A lot of Coney islands history was still with things looking nicer than they do today and more akin to stuff like Tivoli gardens.
federation could be the future of city amusement parks
convert old industrial zones unsuitable for housing, have a gateless system to allow locals and tourists to walk freely between rides and bars and music venues
Visually, this place reminds me of the Kentucky State Fair. Its got a very rough, streetwise, temporary set-up kind of vibe, in a permanent establishment. I feel like this would add to the experience of the enjoyment for people like myself, who possibly have more experience with fairs, carnivals, and roadside attractions than we do at established theme parks. 🤘🤘🤘
I mean… the thing about Coney Island is there are other things to do than just ride the rides all day. There’s the New York Aquarium, the Brooklyn Cyclones minor league baseball team, and, of course, the beach.
Someone can go swimming in the morning, hit Luna Park in the afternoon, and then spend the evening watching a ballgame.
YOU SAID IT
Thank you Taylor
For this information I always want
Go
Luna park
! My dream
Thank your for the information for this before get to there !
True but that still doesnt excuse the absurd prices or lack of integration. Or the general dodgy appearance around much of it. Surely they can do much better at a lower cost to customers.
No one sane would swim at that beach
@@Okaypions so the hundreds of thousands of people who me and my co-workers on the subway transport there every summer to go swimming are all crazy?
Coney Island being described as "just outside" New York doesn't feel right
… cause it isn’t… hell, the Cyclone is outright owned by the city Park’s Department.
I gotchu but a lot if people think of just Manhattan as NY. It is what it is
It's incorrect considering its literally part of Brooklyn
In my opinion, I believe this review doesn’t really do Coney Island/ Luna Park justice. As many other New Yorkers have mentioned, there are a wide variety of things to do in Coney besides the rides (the beach, the aquarium, concerts, the famous Nathan’s hotdogs). Plus the park is integrated with the neighborhood Coney Island is a part of
I’d give Coney a solid 7.5, you don’t just come for the rides. It is overpriced, but there’s a lot more here than what was said given what the park truly is
He’s reviewing the two amusement parks in Coney Island, not the whole area.
@@stephenroberts6826 he needed to be more specific then and state it was a Luna Park and Denos Wonder Wheel review rather than Coney Island. Also, it's still important for an enthusiast who wants to make the trek out there, to know what else they could do besides the rides themselves that's not all that's being offered there
i went to coney island in the fall of 2022 and it was deserted lol. unfortunately deno’s was closed for rain but cyclone rain rides made up for it. great vid!! ❤
Honestly Coney Island is fun for what it is. It's not supposed to be a coaster enthusiasts dream. You go to the beach and chill, ride a few rides, have some fun, get a drink, dance and maybe go to a game or aquarium. Tons of people go to it because it's fun. The park is trash yes, but it's very fun for what it is.
Also absolutely love your reviews. All the parks you reviewed should pay you BIG MONEY
Why should you be paid for a review? That defeats the purpose
Thank you for always highlighting the guest experience Taylor. Super important above anything else! Great review!
There is a reason most New Yorkers are going to Six Flags Great Adventure instead of Coney Island. High prices, annoying and confusing policies, and sub-par attractions.
And also coney island gets weird at night
@@Cerxts why?
My parents use to take us back in the 60's and We would go in the early 70's. But I stopped going by 1972 since most of the original rides where closing. I do remember the original Thunderbolt as well as The Tornado they where two wooden roller coasters like the Cyclone as well as the Bobsled that I was tricked into getting on.
I went here in 2016, back when I wasn't an enthusiast. The cyclone was really good, I'd like to reride it to improve my analysis of it. I was absolutely shocked by one ride called Arctic Express or something like that, as it had incredibly loud music playing on. The sound was so loud that it was actually painful to just walk near the ride. I swear this is the loudest sound I've ever heard from speakers, even louder than concerts I've attended.
Just came from CA to Coney earlier this June. Really wish it was run more like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Season passes and whatnot
I bike down to Coney Island from Queens a couple times a year to give the Cyclone and Thunderbolt a quick ride. Stupidly expensive, but at least feels like a reasonable reward after a 2 hour bike ride. Can even lock my bike right in front of the on ride photo vendor and leave my helmet with the platform attendant, not many other roller coasters are that convenient :)
Riding the Wonder Wheel is a transport in time. I highly recommend the moving cars, and it’s so nice to look to the side to see the ocean.
I went 2 years ago. I recommend a Saturday afternoon, doing a 4-hour wristband, starting around noon. Lines are short, but Cyclone has enough riders to open up the back car, which is where you want to be. When there aren't enough riders, during slow times, they don't allow people to ride in that back car. I liked Cyclone, but I thought Thunderbolt was easily better. It was a good visit, but I can't see going again for quite awhile.
Never found Thunderbolt uncomfortable other than some minor elbow banging on the restraint if you don’t watch your arms. The ending had one of the best runs of ejector airtime of any ride I’ve experienced and the pivoting restraints are genius.
Agreed! I love Thunderbolt. Compared to the clone in Alabama, Thunderbolt is much smoother & more forceful. It does have amazing airtime, and I found nothing uncomfortable about any part of the ride. My arms were in the air, so I was clear of any elbow banging.
@@OklahomaCoasterFan Ride is kinda janky ngl, both times I rode it I hit my head against that seat during the last corkscrew, had my hands up too
Coney Island isn't outside NYC. It's in NYC.
I remember as a teen in the late 90's we would go to Astroland and buy the one day wristband. I think it was around $20 but under $30
I visited Coney Island years ago while it was still Astroland. The reason for my visit was to ride the Cyclone. For years I heard how great it was. I was not disappointed. I also rode the Wonder Wheel in one of the rocking cars. It was a unique ride you should experience if you can. Other than that I did Nathens to complete my Coney Island experience. At that time Astroland was about to loose its lease so it was a bit run down and I did not ride any other rides. I did want to do another ride on Cyclone but for some reason it was not running later in the day. So I guess I was lucky to get at least one ride. The new Luna Park does look like a nice improvement from when I went there but as noted the rist band is kind of expensive for only four hours. However if it’s not too busy you should get in the rides you want to ride and may be able to ride your favorites twice. As to the old non connected areas, I feel it gives Coney Island its urban character. If you stay on the boardwalk you don’t have to worry about the streets except to access the Cyclone. I do agree if you want value any of the larger amusement Parks outside the city are a better value. But for New York City residents most other areas would be hard to get to unless you have a car.
It'd be interesting to see a video thinking about how, if the whole park were bought by someone like Disney or Universal or Six Flags, which attractions they should keep and which they should replace with their own theming.
Luna park really needs to rebuild the big creepy smiling face enterance.
Nah its iconic
Personally, my favorite coaster there is Thunderbolt. I’ve never understood the hate, it was a tad rough, but pulled some amazing forces and was just fun to ride in general!
Thunderbolt is also my favorite. I found it to be very smooth, and it has amazing airtime, and I find the restraints strange but comfortable.
El dorado bumper car is a must do ! The sound system is legendary
That one overbank on Phoenix is very fun
Last time I visited this park was back in 2012, and I really liked to visit such an iconic park! Though it really was a one and done. When I visited NYC again in 2016, I preferred to go to Great Adventure and have more time sightseeing in the city than returning there.
Went for the first time in April. I was prepared for the ridiculous pricing, but totally agree that it is way overpriced. That Haunted House dark ride gave me way more jump scares then I expected.
Big fan of Denos! Always been a dream of mine to redo the Spook-o-rama
I always feel amazing when I walk the boardwalk in Coney Island. I wish they would do Ghost Tours as I know there are amazing historic stories. Ride the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel if you've never been. Otherwise just go to soak up the atmosphere. My dad and I spent time here mostly during my teenager years and I hope it never changes. No bid corporate buyout to make it like every other amusement park, this is Coney Island. The original Amusement Park.
Thanks for the info. That comes in handy if I decide to visit Coney Island. I will get there if only for historical purposes
If you go to Silverwood or the PNW, take the time and also visit the PNE/Playland in Vancouver, CA. They have one of the oldest wooden coasters in North America. It is WONDERFUL. Not huge, not the tallest or fastest. Instead, it offers drops like no other modern coaster can. The angle of some of them were great. And it's great for anyone. Lots of airtime and adrenaline on that thing and it's well cared for. Anyway! Hope you do it at some point and share because no major channel has touched on that little beast. (Oh and don't ride the wooden coaster at Wild Waves.. it should probably be dismantled.)
I went one the cyclone I just want to say I automatically rank it as my favorite roller coaster bro the seats are like couches they are like so comfy and the amount of airtime you get is just amazing also the reason why Coney Island is expensive it’s because is New York City it’s very expensive or might be one of the most expensive city in america
I’ve been there twice, in 2022 and 2023. I enjoyed it but the prices are NYC prices. I have done host of the whole Coney Island experience, just missing the Brooklyn Cyclones and kiddie coasters, but I highly recommend going just for initial experience
i live in nyc and 100% agree with this
Taylor: “The term “nice” is something I would not describe Coney Island as”
Literally any other boardwalk park in New Jersey: Am I a joke to you?
I honestly thought Morey’s was pretty nice, all things considered
@@CoasterStudios I would definitely agree that Moreys is nicer than the other parks. but I’ve only ever been there once because of how expensive it can get there
@@Seabass764 Check for Moreys' weekday daytime ticket, unlimited rides from 1-7pm for about $40-$50. No waterpark access, and 2 of the piers didn't open til 5pm, but I got everything done.
it is confusing, and costly. I love visiting though for the people watching, and fresh oysters on the half shell too. Coney kind of resembles Wildwood's "Morey's Peers" in its layout. Instead of separate peers loaded with rides extending out over the beach towards the ocean, we have instead separate strips of land divided into narrow city blocks with roadways (streets) separating them. Morey's however is one park regardless. So yes, some sort of an agreement would be nice where you can pay one price for both park's attractions. And as far as the timed pay one price deal at Luna, that should be extended for the entire day with an option to prepay in advance for another day at a bargain deal. It makes tremendous sense. In doing so not only will park revenue increase but concessions as well. As more patrons remain in the park/area, the more they will spend to eat and drink! its a no brainer. Both parties from either venue must come to the table and try to hammer out a deal.
My sister and I went to Coney Island back in 2016 during an NYC trip and she hit her head so hard on Thunderbolt's seat. It almost kept her out of commission for the rest of the day. That ride is painful. And Phoenix and Tony's Express didn't exist yet lol. Our favorite coasters were Steeple Chase and of course the Cyclone!
When it was Astroland it had an all day wristband and the cyclone was pay per ride, this wasn’t as bad as it sounds cause the ride opps would make you amazing re-ride deals. I’m sure they would pocket the cash but I’m a roller coaster junkie and getting 10 rides for $10 was amazing even 30-35 years ago. I’m old if you’re wondering. But their new pricing structure keeps me from my favorite carnival aka Coney Island.
Perfect timing! I'm planning to go to Coney Island for my very first time next month. I wish you also reviewed the hot dog too tho 🤔🌭
Four hours is probably all I need to do what interests me in Luna Park, but I still think it might not be enough for others , so they should either extend the hours on a wristband or make it all day.
4:52 There’s an identical pair of attractions at Adventureland!
I didn't realize that Adventureland's was just like Coney Island's. I'm back at Adventureland tomorrow!
You sort of explained why there is no day/season pass around 4 and half minutes in; I don't think any locals would ever spend more than a couple weekends going to rides on the boardwalk in a given season. I go maybe twice and ride things maybe once (was too injured to ride last month).
A few years ago the owner of Luna Park wanted to close it off and charge $89 for admission. There was huge backlash from New Yorkers not so much about the cost but about being able to just walk through like it's always been allowed.
I definitely think Zamperla is getting the direct heat from Thunderbolt, so I can imagine they'd go back and completely refurbish it, maybe upgrade it into their new iteration of the thunderbolt with the lightning trains.
I’m sorry about the rain yesterday at Thorpe, classic England
I live in CI. It’s quirky, it’s fun, and yes it can be expensive if you don’t visit often.
But it has a draw that keeps people coming back for more.
I'd love to know what plans, if any, they have for that lot directly behind Tony's Express. Who owns it? They could easily fit two more coasters there if they played their cards right. Thinking of a Gale Force/Wild Waves style combo.
This is CONEY ISLAND STILLWELL AVE. Transfer is available to the D, F, N & Q trains
I've been to Luna Park twice!
Come for the credits.. No other comment
There really aren't too many other amusement parks around the world that are as integrated into a city's life as Luna Park, Denos, et al. The rides are just one component of a working neighborhood with a vast, complex history.
Coney Island IS in New York City (Brooklyn, one of the boroughs that makes up NYC)
Went just a few weeks ago - the pricing is absurd, especially for Deno's, me and my dad just ended up skipping it.
I think Soarin' Eagle was re-located from Elitch Gardens. If it's not good enough for Elitch, you know it's bad.
The cyclone is totally worth it !
Would have loved to visit the old Luna Park. It was like a proto Disneyland
And rollercoasters in Coney Island should have been built more taller if their working with small spaces🤷🏾♂️ looking at it from my perspective. The thunderbolt sounds like a toy rollercoaster with a shopping cart type style of seating. 😂🤣
I'll either ride the cyclone once for $10 or get the ersit and and ride 7+ times so I get myoneys worth. it's a top 5 woodie they do an excellent job on maintenance
Used to go on weekdays when I lived in NY. Way before these “upgrades”. I’m good. Not really interested in returning now that I’ve left the state.
Coney Island gives me blackpool pleasure beach vibes
The city doesn't own the land (except the Cyclone), developer Thor Equities owns it. They are the reason Astroland closed as Thor Equities priced out the owners. And while we were all making memes about Cedar Fair and Six Flags, Luna Park got an expiration date that concerns me. Thor announced plans for "The Coney" casino, and all that was there was Thunderbolt, Deno's, and Cyclone. While the rooftop coasters on the casino look better than the coasters that would be lost from Luna under that plan, I am worried about what happens when Thor decides they need to expand.
Thunderbolt was my very first coaster ever; I rode it in 2018. And yeah, it was rough and I had no clue what was happening. Wondering if it’ll be retracked or something similar.
Zamperla made a new iteration of it that looks 100x better. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd bring that version of the ride over to Luna Park.
Business would probably triple if they offered NYC residents discounts.
Middle seat middle row is the only decent spot to ride Thunderbolt! Otherwise pretty rough! 🤘
I really want to ride a zampela volare. I dont know why
Um, no you don’t lol
I think that was one of my first ever inverting coasters lol
@@ssuuss539 unlucky
They aren't great, but they're decent filler rides. I don't understand the hate. They aren't painful at all; they're just not as good as other flyers.
Honestly, with Canada's wonderland as my home park, I ride time warp a lot. If you get the chance, definately go ride one. It's a unique experience. You won't want to ride it again though. I feel like time warp gets a bad wrap. It's bad but I don't even think it's the worst Rollercoaster in the park (flight deck). I even used to like it as a kid. Now it just beats me up.
Coney Island is honestly weird at night though but the rides are cool, I have been twice but have yet to ride the cyclone
The cyclone is the only good thing there. The thunderbolt moves way too fast, and I feel like it could hurt you. Where has the cyclone is longer and not as jolting
@@42luke93 thunderbolt is pretty fast and a lil rough but I been on crazier things
HOURS of Mr Robot take place on the wheel.
I wish they built other things like a bowling alley instead they just kind of build housing now with all the land that’s vacant
Bring back "Steeplechase Park"
yep.
I've been there yesterday
There is reason the Warriors home base is CI
Because it was based on the Ancient Greek epic “Anabasis” about a Greek mercenary military unit trapped behind enemy lines trying to get to their seaside home.
@@metropod Collective learning on YT has hours on this movie. Its sound like something you would be interested in.
When I went I phoenix, it didn't go around twice, so was that just him, or was I just unlucky
Hi coaster studios I am going to the USA soon what theme parks should I go to
Michigans Adventure
Cedar Point
That depends on where in the US you’re gonna be
Hersheypark, knoebels.
I remembering riding on the cyclone when I was a child. Sad to see it be so expensive now. Yuck
Did they change the wristband to timed or has it always been like that?? Lot of spinning rides and a pain to get there.
I’m sure I saw you at Thorpe park yesterday
How the hell is Luna Park overrated? That makes no sense to me. Coaster enthusiasts sleep on that park despite being a famous landmark. I think the park is very underrated. Is it perfect? No it isn’t but I love it for what it is. It’s also my home park. Oh and Thunderbolt is very elite, I don’t get the hate on that ride, the restraints don’t even bother me, it’s criminally underrated imo!
It’s legendary no doubt, but aside from Cyclone and Thunderbolt, you can ride most of these rides at a Carnival or County Fair
Coney Island is a blast from the past, when NYC was very third world. It has its charm though!
There are people out there paying $20 for a slice of pizza and fries at SF parks. So, it's all relative to how you look at it. If $20 is worth it for pizza, then $70 for a day riding Cyclone and the other coasters at Coney is a bargain.
I live in NYC and I rarely get to Coney Island since it doesn't have the feel that it once did when I was a kid. It seems more of a tourist trap now and not a place that natives would go to weekly as a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Also, it's become exorbitantly expensive and a rip off. Not to mention all the sleazy sales hustlers and disrespectful people playing their boom boxes so loud you can't hear yourself talk. It's really going downhill.
The cyclone is definitely worth it
Locals don’t go for the rides, some food and the fireworks. 3:07
4 hours is kinda crazy, at lest all day should be good enough unless they have to many people then i could see why
I was born in brooklyn and ive always thought this park was a major let down. I live in one of the biggest cities in the world and we dont have a decent theme park. It sucks
They should just get rid of the streets and make the park the whole span
POV: you live 15 minutes from Coney Island 😭
That must be so confusing where its 2 parks but split into sections.
this is a seasonal spot so they gotta make their money in 3 months bruh hence the prices
I do think Zamperla did a decent enough job with this place on the operational front. Say what you will, at least Coney Island is alive again. On the ride front... they're unfortunately still Zamperla.