Coney Island (Luna Park / Deno's) Development Discussion Thread

[neil009]

Ok, so I am heading to NYC on the 20th, and have been reading the past few pages, namely about Thunderbolt. So far, what I am getting are mixed reviews, and while that is going to be typical of any ride really, considering it's a new coaster it is a bit worrying, so I am wondering if I should ride it now or go next year and hope they've done revisions? I'll be definitely riding Cyclone - that's the main purpose of the trip - and probably will do the Volare (it can't be THAT bad, can it?).

 

Just get a lap in on Thunderbolt, the three bunny hops are worth the cash alone if you like airtime (some of the strongest in the state). They say revisions are coming but honestly, having ridden it, I just do not see it getting much better. If it was some simple thing with the cars that needs to be fixed you'd think they wouldn't have to wait for the off season. It's nice to be optimistic, but I wouldn't say it's worth putting off, because you never know, it might even be worse next year. Keep your head away from the headrest and you'll have a good time, unless you're really sensitive.

 

Also be sure to do the front row on Steeplechase, it's actually a lot of fun and quite smooth. Unless you count credits I would strongly recommend skipping the volare and doing Zenobio (awesome ride) or one of the other flats instead. Soarin Eagle is the most bafflingly awful coaster I've ever ridden. In fact, maybe you should ride it just for the experience... just know what you're paying for, it's violently, terrifyingly rough. That plus you're literally lying down in a prone position (not sitting in a chair that's been tipped over), which hurts your stomach and your hip bones (if you're bony like me), and it doesn't feel like you're strapped in so you're holding on for dear life... the whole ordeal was rather traumatizing.

 

- How is Deno's? So far I'm planning to only go to Luna Park but I want to get the full experience.

 

The wonder wheel and Spook a Rama are both historic attractions that are absolute must-dos. Honestly, for me they were the best parts of the visit. The owners have really put their hearts into the place, no one is more deserving of your money. Also, it's right there, and not any more expensive than Luna Park, so no point in skipping it.

 

- How quick is the Subway? I'm planning it to be an hour trip from Time's Square to the park; also, N line or Q line?

 

Google maps is your best guide, gives very accurate arrival times. It's a pretty long haul, longer then I expected given it's a subway. An hour sounds about right.

[mmkaycomputer]

I'm late on this, but I went to Coney Island for the first time ever on Roller Coaster Day, and I was elated to have finally experienced the Cyclone. We rode it twice, and had a smooth ride sitting in the second-to-last row, and a very rough one in the fifth-to-last row. Weird, but whatever. We got a great pic on it, too, which rarely happens.

 

Thunderbolt might be the worst coaster I've ever been on, and I've been on over 100 or so by this point. At the end, my head hit just left of the headrest and I wondered for about five minutes if I had a concussion. The coaster elements were not that remarkable, either. Eff you, Thunderbolt.

 

Loved the Steeplechase. Better than KBF's Pony Express, in my opinion. The flying coaster was mildly entertaining.

 

The only experience more underwhelming than Thunderbolt was eating a Nathan's hot dog. I might've enjoyed the fries more. I definitely wasn't enjoying the indigestion after. But like the Cyclone, I've finally experience it.

[DLex]

I think it's fascinating to read all the Thunderbolt hate. I guess I caught a ride on one if it's better days (early evening, July) because I normally detest rough steel coasters.

 

I found it to have medium jostle, but head-banging comments I really don't understand. What is there to bang your head on?

[Genx24]

^That hard plastic headrest. The night I rode it my head slammed into the headrest coming over one of the airtime hills.

[neil009]

I hit my head on the headrest as well, during the Stengel dive. You can see they only padded a relatively small area in the middle and left the sides bare plastic (which, for the record, is extremely dumb). Still enjoyed it though, just not as much as I was hoping.

[DLex]

^ ^^ Ok, that makes sense. It's not something that happened to me during my ride, probably due to my posture. I'm a big guy and was kinda worried about the puny restraint over all those hills. I definitely understand Elissa's comments of the restraints not being "entirely safe" haha.

[mmkaycomputer]

The red part just left of the black headrest. Toward the end of the ride, the car did a little bump, my head went left and slammed against that red area — OUCH. First time anything like that has ever happened to me on a coaster ride.

[boldikus]

The Weirdest Attractions From Coney Island's Heyday

[cfc]

I really like Thunderbolt's layout, but I think the big problem is the rather "rinky dink" trains.

[glucky11801]

Agreed, Chuck! It seems like the wheels are not even in constant contact with the rails.

I have heard that Zamperla is going to look into the problem over the off-season.

We can only hope. That layout could be awesome !

[Brassinthegrass]

My father had the opportunity to take a helicopter ride around NYC taking off from Floyd Bennett Field, on their return trip they passed by Coney Island he grabbed these picture from about 800-1000 feet up!

 

Hope you enjoy!!

 

P.S. Don't make the vertical photo comments, he's not very tech savvy, so the fact that he got them is a moment in its self!

[rcjp]

^Thanks for sharing. Really nice perspective.

[coasterschile]

Awesome photos! I though the park was bigger

[dbucknyc]

Opening Day is coming up fast!

[Genx24]

^ Yes! A few spins on the Cyclone and another go at the Thunderbolt at the end of March sounds perfect.

[I305forever]

I'm going to Luna Park during Spring Break. Does anyone know if it will be really crowded and if certain days will be better than others? Also, is Thunderbolt as rough as everyone says it is?

[glucky11801]

I doubt that the crowds will be that bad this early in the season,

And Thunderbolt was REALLY that rough!!!

[Brassinthegrass]

Riding in a middle seat helps... A lot. The area shouldn't be crazy busy, most of the extra foot traffic comes from people at the beaches...

[I305forever]

^ Ok. Thanks for the tip. I hope it will still be enjoyable when I ride it. If not, it would kind of seem like a waste of an awesome layout.

[GwaziBSRider1]

I didn't think Thunderbolt was that rough, honestly. It's one of the few Zamperla coasters that I actually enjoy riding.

[ejot]

Enough of this off-season! My partner and I will be at Luna for opening today. Say hi if you see us, I'll have a grey sweater and red Six Flags Discovery Kingdom cinch bag.

[Genx24]

I might be going later on today. I just wish it would warm up a little bit. NY is currently in another cold spell, and this chill plus the seabreezes from the Atlantic might make riding a bit uncomfortable. I'd love to end my offseason today as opposed to Friday, but we'll see.

[A.J.]

So, it looks like the Cyclone got stuck on the lift hill and had to be evacuated. Nothing major for us, but I guess most people riding at the time were freaking out.

 

www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Cyclone-Gets-Stuck-on-Opening-Day-Forcing-Riders-to-Take-Long-Climb-by-Foot-297930981.html

 

[MagnumFreak25]

Is it just me or have all the parks been getting lots of bad luck at opening.

[robbalvey]

I don't even understand why this is news! I feel more and more that people are just being dramatic for the sake of it. I mean, this...

 

"It was terrifying, because I was up there and everything was spinning," Gabriella Centeno said after she reached solid ground. "I didn't know what to do."

"I'm scared of heights," she said, "but with their help I made it down. ... This was insane."

 

Give me a f'ing break! They weren't even at the top of the *85 Foot* lift hill!

 

Another news story quotes a 13 year old like he's some sort of ride expert....

“I was on the ride with my friends and I was excited we were going up. We were really happy. And then it just stopped,” Peter Manjgaladze, 13, said.

“It was a little bit scary because, since it’s wood, the whole ride was shaking,” Manjgaladze said.

“People said this was the first time it ever happened,” Manjgaladze added.

This is what smartphones have done for humanity.