Park Review
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Brooklyn, New York
The Place: Coney Island After much contemplation I decided to do my first Coney review in typical fashion, while my second (where I had a much more well-rounded day on the island) will be done in my patented overly nostalgic whimsical style. It was with great anticipation that I took the N train down to Coney. By all accounts it looked to be a great day. The sun was out, only a few clouds loomed in the sky, and Astroland was debuting their new Power Surge. How could I go wrong? Like a child, I jumped off the train at Stillwell Avenue and scurried over to Astroland, where workers were putting the last-minute touches on the Power Surge. The park looked good and the Cyclone stood tall, looking much better than my last two visits (last January in the cold and last August on a miserably rainy day). I met up with Sparky, Chillforce and RobERT Mack. A little after ten, the camera crews from the local TV stations were set up and I boarded with the few other enthusiasts who were in attendance. Once the ride started, I knew it was going to be a different experience than Knoebels last fall - and man was I right. Steve Urbanowicz was correct when he said that Astroland operates their rides with a �little more gusto� than other parks. We had a long and fast cycle, which was fun, but I definitely needed a breather afterwards. The cameramen ate things up, seemingly enjoying the fact that we were hanging high above the ground against only the OTSRs, yet a bit disappointed we were not panicked. After an enjoyable ride, we stood around and talked coasters until we saw that the B&B Carousell had opened. For those of you �not in the carousel-know,� the former co-owner, Mike, sadly passed away on July 4th. There was some panic and worry, wondering whether the carousel would survive or be sold piecemeal. Luckily, its gates have reopened at Coney and it still has this treasure - the only wooden carousel still on the island. Boarding the B&B, I was again reminded how much faster it is run and what a difference grabbing the ring makes. Words cannot express how much I love this ride and how relieved I am it still stands for children of all ages. Astroland and the Cyclone opened at noon. Not having to be asked twice, we scampered over to some of the first rides of the day. Mom starts out the day strong and only gets better. I rode all over the front car and in the last two seats. While the front has insane laterals that are just bone-jarring fun, the back has that vicious pullover. But the seat that packs the most punch is 1.4. Here you get tossed every way possible, and a visit to the chiropractor thrown in to boot. Sparky suggested that if 1.3 was the Schmeck seat that 1.4 should be called the Keenan/Baker seat (I prefer the Beanan seat - has a nice ring, don�t ya� think? :) After wonderful rides on mom, we caught a ride I was told is the third-oldest Arrow log flume, Astroland�s flume. After a fun ride (with some of the least banging I have found on an Arrow flume), I rode the park�s Big Apple coaster for my 98th. This is a Pinfari kiddie coaster that features a turntable loading platform, kind of a first generation Mr. Freeze, although somehow I doubt capacity is ever a gigantic issue on the Big Apple. We caught a ride in the park�s Intamin gyro tower (the lower level is the only one open), and now my first real �test� of the day came. Yes, folks, there are flat rides. Then, there are flat rides that �kinda� spin you. Last, but by no means least, are those flat rides that spin you in ways never thought possible at speeds unimaginable. This one gave a ride so amazing that it made me crave a cigarette after it had had its way with me. Yes, I am talking about Astroland�s Break Dance (manufactured by Huss). This ride is pure German fair: big, loud, flashy and mean. If the thumping of the music does not intimidate you, the screams elicited from the ride will. I boarded with a small knot in my stomach, as the only other Break Dance I had experienced was at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom - and we know that Six Flags hardly ever feels the need to really run their flat rides as intended. After everyone had loaded, the operator spun us a bit and said, �Does anyone want to get off?� One kid jokingly raised his hand and the op said menacingly, �Honey, you are going to regret fooling around.� We were off. I hardly know what to write here because were shot every way but off the platform. The operators at Astroland definitely know how to work this ride, because they had no problem performing wizardry with the controls so that the turntable�s and the hub�s different speeds were so well choreographed, I was whipped and dipped at velocities I did not think were possible. This scrambler-on-crack left me tired, dizzy, wobbly and begging for more. What a great ride! Astroland definitely deserves credit for running this (and other) flat rides so well - you certainly get what you pay for! Shaking a bit in the knees, we experienced another Huss creation, the Enterprise. Again, Astroland fires this puppy up to a good speed and has a long cycle. I am used to the Schwarzkopf version at my home park, Six Flags St. Louis, raising and lowering immediately. Here, the Enterprise takes its time and ratchets you up to speed slowly, lets you circle the park many times before the ride grinds to a halt and you disembark, a little unsure of your surroundings. Needing a break from all of the chaos found at Astroland, we headed to Deno�s Wonder Wheel park. My only goals here were to ride their kiddie coaster, the Sea Serpent, and the park�s namesake, the Wonder Wheel. The Sea Serpent is a kiddie coaster, so we got several circuits on it. 99 down, one to go. The Wonder Wheel called next. Along with the Cyclone and B&B, the WW is one of my three �must dos� during every visit to Coney. The wheel still provides a great view of the island, and the swinging was far from Ed�s favorite part of the ride. From up there the beach seems to stretch for miles in a golden curve and the towers of Manhattan poke through to display the fact that despite being in Brooklyn, we were still in New York. Now it was time for my 100th coaster. Last summer I was mad the Jumbo Jet was closed when I visited, now I was thrilled because it meant that the JJ was going to be my 100th coaster. Now, some may turn their nose up at the thought of being happy about this ride, others may not care at all. But, I must say I was ecstatic since my first coaster, Busch Gardens Williamsburg�s Glissade (also a Schwarzkopf Jumbo Jet) was my first. Today, a similar coaster (by my favorite steel designer at one of my favorite places) was my 100th. I eagerly paid the $3.50 and each of us grabbed one seat. Sadly, the owners broke the trains up this year so that the cars run by themselves instead of in pairs. Never-the-less, I was excited to go on my first Jumbo Jet in over fifteen years. The electric lift here is great and unique, I am still impressed that Schwarzkopf came up with this. But, the amazing thing about this ride is the way it still runs! I will start out by saying that this coaster is 29 years old and in the world of steel coasters, a lot has changed. In addition, from the looks of things, I do not think this coaster gets the TLC the Cyclone down the street does. However, one ride shows that Schwarzkopf knew his stuff. The coaster is intense, fun and has some great turns at high speeds. It also is smooth as glass. I dare you to compare the Jumbo Jet to anything Arrow made during this time period, the Jumbo Jet still tracks and rides like a dream. I can only imagine if this coaster were treated well! With one hundred coasters under my belt, we headed back over to Astroland, where we got a couple more rides in on the Cyclone and enjoyed the full force of the Huss masterpiece one more time. Clouds had started to form, so we thanked Steve for a great day, I piled in the Chillybmobile, and we headed south to Jackson and Six Flags Great Adventure. A huge thanks to Ed for doing all that extra driving (and putting up with me all day, a huge chore in itself). I appreciated it more than you can ever know. Another large thank-you to Steve for putting on a great press day (for a flat ride, no less), and doing such a good job of representing Coney to both the media and enthusiasts.
Enjoy the ride,
�Crowds of men and women attired in the usual costumes, how curious you are to
me! The ghosts of Stillwell Station folded around me as I disembarked from the B train. Since this was my fourth visit to the island, the third having only occurred two days before, I was afraid I might get a little bored. After all, I had seemingly taken in everything Coney had to offer, so what was left? I had in tow two friends, one from Connecticut, who had never been. I had waxed poetically about this place for the last few days and shown them Ric Burns and Richard Snow�s excellent documentary, �Coney Island: a documentary film.� Had I set them up for a fall? The street was hustle and bustle, as seemingly all of New York�s various groups had come down to the city. The sheer numbers of people seemed high for me, as my previous visits had only occurred on a rainy Saturday, a winter�s Saturday and a Thursday. It was on this morning that the sea of humanity actually swelled before me. Up and down Surf Avenue I saw coolers, picnic baskets and lawn chairs stretched across many a back. It only made me wonder what it was like when the island regularly drew one out of every one hundred Americans or in 1947 when 1/5 of the city experienced Fourth of July at Coney.
�What crowds of people, light-hearted laughing people. Rich, poor, citified,
country-clad � all sorts. All thrilled by the tonic of the atmosphere, yet
wondering at their activity.� It was a little past one and hunger had dug deep in my stomach. We headed to Nathan�s, where I got two famous hot dogs (each with sauerkraut & onions) and a Coke. My friend, who got oysters on the half shell and clam chowder (Manhattan style, of course), could not stop saying how good they were. I was pleased that one of Coney�s traditions agreed with her and we headed for the Cyclone. Screams emanated from above and the structure rattled as the trains navigated the coaster�s second fan turn. We each bought a ticket and as I entered, I could not help but smile at the irony that sits in the first turn out of the station. Here a small tree, some quaint bushes and flowers grow as all around them sits one of the most infamous terror-inducing machines on the planet. We boarded in the second-to-last seat, the lap bars clicked shut, the skid brakes were lowered and the train thundered onto the lift. The Cyclone�s cars have that wonderful flexibility about them. For seasoned riders like myself it is not a big deal, but my friends were bit taken back when they realized that the cars were bending and flexing. I had little time to reassure them as that demonic first drop wrenched the trains out from under us and the Cyclone proceeded to throw us around like rag dolls to our heart�s content. When the brakes hit I could tell they were surprised a coaster less than one hundred feet could be that vicious and powerful. Seeing as they were still speechless I suggested we do as the operator said and �Ride again, only four bucks.� The curved, white rooftop faded away once more as the train hustled up the lift. Astroland has POP Monday through Thursday and PAYG Friday through Sunday. So, even though the crowds were thick to the skin, the lines were not bad at all. The Power Surge was the first up, and I must say that the ride is comfortable, fun and the way it runs at Astroland made me drool (but most of it flew off onto the crowd so that wasn�t an issue). The park has become known in enthusiast circles for their long and intense ride cycles. We walked down the midway and hopped on the Log Flume and the Break Dance, which, as I described in my review from the 12th (above), is almost a sexual experience. Carving a path through the Surf Avenue pedestrians, we responded to the automated loudspeaker that asked us to, �Bump, Bump, Bump Your Ass Off!� Although my posterior was against the idea, we headed into the second-best bumper cars I have been on after Knoebels. These were fast, mean, full of bad pop songs and somehow let the evil side of all the riders out. I enjoyed putting several kids into the wall, felt bad about it, remembered that this is what bumper cars are supposed to do and then shoved their mom next to them. $1 re-rides, so of course we accepted. Full of �the spirit of Coney,� it was down to my second mandatory island experience - the B&B Carousell. Neither of my partners had been on a carousel this fast or with brass rings, so they were astounded that a carousel could be exciting, or, God forbid, fun! The ride still does not feel quite right riding without Mike, but his memory is still alive and well in the horses. After a quick jaunt back across Surf Avenue and down the bowery we came to the Jumbo Jet. It was here that I felt a pang of the past. The bowery was lively and crowded, but it only made me ask for a chance to see what was. The spirit of Stauch�s, Henderson�s and the rest of the bowery�s former residents (mostly theatres and bars) still touched me as I tried to peer around the din of thumping bass music and bad games where the concessionaires had the spirit William H. Reynolds instead of George C. Tilyou. Shaking this off, we waited for the Jumbo Jet, where there was blood on the car�s floor so I asked the ops to wipe it off. He muttered something incoherently as the cigarette bounced between two weather-beaten lips and a well-oiled rag cleaned up the mess (or simply covered it up, it was dirtier after he finished). During trips on this Schwarzkopf experience, I try to keep my surroundings out of mind and merely enjoy the smooth, fast and fun coaster he created. As an ominous sky moved in overhead we sought refuge in Deno�s Wonder Wheel Park. The line for the world�s most famous Ferris wheel was about twenty minutes (our longest of the day). Of course, the stationery line was shorter, but that would seem to defeat the purpose. As the industrial door swung open to greet us I stepped in, looked around and remembered what a feat of engineering this was when it first opened in 1920. Even though it has aged, the Wonder Wheel is still proud, still bringing in customers and still an icon for the island. My friends were more than a little surprised at the swinging action the ride provided. It really seems like a face first drop when the car swings downward for the second swing and the wheels roar overhead. With its rumblings and grumblings, the Wonder Wheel almost seems fitting that it comes from the age of my grandparents at Coney. Like them it still groans and reminds me of a better time for the island, but also that the area�s recent rebirth is nothing short of a miracle considering the past also heralded many bad memories along with the good.
�Coney Island, then, leaps with a shout upon the casual visitor as he steps
from a five cent trolley direct into the seething heart of her ten cent chaos,
and pours out, as it were, the whole contents of her horn of plenty in a trice
before his astounded eyes.� Sideshows by the Seashore had been on my �to do� list for quite some time. It was closed on my first two visits and the third had been a �ride day,� so we eagerly headed to the hullabaloo out on the street. For the �one time only� price of $3 we entered and had a seat on the big wooden benches. Now, I must say that I have always hated the concept of freak shows and even though Sideshows by the Seashore (http://www.coneyislandusa.com) is (obviously) a sideshow, I still felt a little uneasy watching the Human Blockhead driving a large nail into his nose. But after a few minutes, I found myself laughing and enjoying the show more than I ever thought I would. In addition to the blockhead, we saw a geek that laid on a bed of nails and had two people stand on him with another layer of nails (said people were the two friends I had in tow), the Rubber Girl, Koko the Killer Clown, Sealo the Seal boy (a man who had hands at his elbow instead of a full arm, who shaved & sawed a piece of wood), a snake charmer, a one-armed juggler who was really amazing to watch, and the same gentleman who was the blockhead ate fire. I sat back with a Budweiser and had a better time at Sideshows than I would have ever thought possible. The way the show works is that it is a ten-in-one act, runs non-stop and you are free to leave at any time. I was surprised, and pleased, at how many people were in the stands when we got there and how many kept coming in. Between the bad jokes and relaxed atmosphere, I really felt that I had taken a step back in time. Dick Zigun and the rest of the Sideshows crew need to be commended for keeping this element of Coney alive for future generations. No, it is not Broadway or off-Broadway quality. It was better. As the sun began to lazily list in the sky, it was getting to be my least favorite part of the day - it was nearly time to go. Amazed that the afternoon had sped by, we got in another ride on the B&B and walked east on Surf Avenue to the Cyclone. I got in two more rides, both in 1.2, and said goodbye to the old girl, hopefully for not too long. We crossed West 10th and I got an Italian Sausage at Gregory and Paul�s. I walked down Surf with the sausage covered in onions and peppers, hoping they would reach my mouth instead of the pavement. At Nathan�s I enjoyed some wonderful Manhattan clam chowder to end my meal and listened to the island�s heartbeat around me. The afternoon was drawing to a close; the city-dwellers now crossed Surf Avenue with empty coolers, children contently napping on shoulders and the last of the Atlantic Ocean dripping onto the concrete from damp pairs of swimming trunks. I reluctantly worked my way over to the Stillwell Avenue station and as the N train pulled away, I could not help but still see beauty in this place. As we paralleled Surf Avenue, the Wonder Wheel creaked around, the Cyclone threw people together, the island seethed with thousands and off in the distance the sun fell into the Atlantic as another day at Coney came to a close.
�Coney Island is a unique illustration of the fact that men and women are but
children of a larger growth. It is the vast summer playhouse of a great city
� a playground in which boys and girls of all ages and all classes may find
such amusement as they choose.�
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