It's Spring, so it Must be Time to Loop the Loop

Thoughts of roller coasters may not be foremost in your mind in this splashy, raw New York weather, but they were certainly on someone’s—the Coney Island Cyclone officially opened for the season yesterday.
Anyone know the traditional ritual that kicks off the season? Yes, it’s the ritualistic cracking of a bottle of egg cream on the first car of the world-famous, wooden-tracked coaster that ushered in its 83rd season.
The Cyclone is perhaps the most famous attraction in Coney Island and one of the most famous roller coasters in the world; riders started taking the plunge back in 1927. Cool roller coaster fact of the day: Since a relatively small portion of land was available for the ride, it had to be designed to be extremely tight and steep, rather than spread out. True afficionados love the old-fashioned wooden coasters for the uh, quality of the ride.
Nineteen more attractions, in an area named Luna Park after the old Coney Island, should be up and running by Memorial Day.
Astroland Amusement Park in Coney Island closed two years ago; the former owner is still in charge of operating the Cyclone.
The Cyclone Roller Coaster was listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places on June 31, 1991; it is also a National Historic landmark. It is one of only 17 coasters in the world that the American Coaster Enthusiasts have designed an “ACE Roller Coaster Landmark,” which is given to rides of historic significance.
The Cyclone at Coney Island is located at 834 Surf Avenue on the Boardwalk in Brooklyn, NY. (Who could make up a better address?) Call 718 265 2100 for more information.

Ready For a Revival, Coney Island Gets a Reprieve

Be honest, now: When you think of New York City’s Coney Island, do you think, “Ah, now there’s a destination?” Or do you think, ”Hmm, dated relic of ancient amusement park days?”
Well, all that is about to change. Last week, Mayor Bloomberg announced that the city has made a deal to acquire almost seven acres in Coney Island in order to expand and renovate the amusement park area.
The acquisition will allow the city to create a 12.5-acre amusement park as part of an amusement and entertainment district of almost twice the size; three waterfront areas are included in the addition.
The plan is expected to bring in more than $14 billion in economic activity for the city over the next 30 years.
In recent years, the so-called amusement district has shrunk to a barely-there three acres and a rather meager and decrepit offering of boardwalk fun; the expanded version will include stores and nearly 5,000 new units of housing (and, ideally, many new jobs) in addition to the “amusements.” Well-loved attractions such as the Cyclone and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park are expected to remain in place.
Coney Island became a resort after the Civil War, reached its peak of popularity in the early twentieth century, and continued to decline in popularity after World War II.
The name, if you were wondering, most likely comes from the Dutch words meaning “Rabbit Island.”