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.

Like Your Thrill Rides Nausea-Inducing? You'll be in Luck at Coney Island

If you live for over-the-top thrill rides, daring drops, nauseating spins, and stomach-churning twists, then New York’s Coney Island is the place for you this coming summer. As part of the amusement park’s major renovation, Zamperla USA has won the right to bring their wares to a 7-acre parcel of land; it includes the now-defunct Astroland. Zamperla USA runs the very popular Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Manhattan’s Central Park each summer. They were competing with other vendors such as Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and Steel Pier. Zamperla could have the rights for the next 10 years; after that, a permanent developer is expected to turn Coney Island into a year-round entertainment and retail spot.
The city hopes that at least some of the rides will be ready by Memorial Day weekend, but a final agreement has not yet been reached.
Proposals were submitted by all the competing companies, which had to put forward plans for development of at least one of the three available areas of land. Zamperla’s proposal covered all three areas.
The company won’t reveal which rides will be unveiled this summer, but a list of their most popular attractions include The Disk-O-Coaster, a mix of a spinning ride and roller coaster that spins in circles while going over tracks (why not just pump riders’ stomachs while they’re at it?); and The Vertical Swing, a swing ride 125 feet in the air that moves at dizzying speeds. Also a hit with riders: The Giant Discovery, which flips riders from a giant pendulum and turns them upside down; and The Flash Tower, offering freefalls from 120 feet.
Please--no hot dogs beforehand.

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.”

Famed Circus Hits the Boardwalk

It’s summer; the sun is shining, so it must be time for…the circus!
Wait...what? Yes, it’s true: For the first time in its 139-year history, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has set up shop on the famed boardwalk of New York’s Coney Island. The summer season runs through September 7, so you still have time to catch a seaside performance of “Coney Island Boom-A-Ring.”
The show features acts including the Urias Family, billed as “The First Family of the Motorcycle Globe” (clearly, Second and Third Families need not apply, especially those who can’t keep up with the 65-mile-per-hour speeds the Uriases achieve); Justin Case, trumpeted as “Eccentric Personality Extraordinaire” (it involves a bicycle, and trust us; he’s funny); and the New York debut of The Negrey troupe, world-renowned Russian acrobats. (Are there any other kind?)
Plus, of course, miniature acrobatic Dachshunds (don’t go there); a trio of Asian elephants, and some white Bengal tigers, all presented in an air-conditioned tent.
In short, everything a circus should have.
Boom-A-Ring, located at Surf Avenue and 21st Street, also offers an all-access pre-show one hour before the performance, in which visitors can mingle with circus performers and animals alike.
Call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 to reserve seats and check the performance schedule (there’s generally a matinee and evening performance); seats start at $10.
Ladies and gentleman! Children of all ages...you know the drill.

Hurricane Bill Causes New York City Beaches To Temporarily Close

Six New York City beaches were closed to swimming today, August 21, due to Hurricane Bill looming in the Atlantic Ocean. Rip Currents, heavy surf and tall waves will most likely keep the beaches shut down through the weekend. Manhattan and Brooklyn beaches have been closed, including Coney Island. Also closed is Rockaway Beach in Queens and Midland, and South and Wolfe’s Pond beaches in Staten Island. Rockaway Beach is the city’s only official surfing area, which could disappoint many surfers looking to take advantage of the heavy surf. The hurricane could create seas as high as 10 feet at New York City and Long Island beaches.
Concerned about staying cool? There are 63 pools in New York City. All beaches at Fire Island National Seashore on Long Island will be closed by tomorrow and are expected to be closed over the weekend as well. Robert Moses State Park on Long Island was closed today and Jones Beach State Park may be closed soon. Orchard Beach in the Bronx is still open to swimming for as long as conditions will allow.
Hurricane Bill closed in on Bermuda today on track to move up the east coast of the United States and even to northeastern Canada by this weekend. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory that winds of 110 miles makes Hurricane Bill a Category 2 storm.