I went to Coney Island

Indeed, I did. I was in NYC yesterday with a buddy for a thing over at the Javits Center, so we decided to go. He lives in Long Island and took the train in, but I was in a car so we figured we could hop over to Coney, grab a bite, and then I could drop him off in East Meadow and I could hightail it back to CT after which worked out quite well.

Anyway I'm not going to make this a super long, detailed TR but we parked on the street right across from the Cyclone and immediately grabbed some greasy vendor food because we hadn't eaten all day. Everything was tasty but unremarkable, reasonably priced. Walked across to the Cyclone which was a real thrill just being there and seeing it in person and just - everything. Really wonderful.

The ride is great. Maybe they've done a lot of work on the Cyclone or maybe it's just running better then usual but many accounts of the ride seem to call it pretty good to so-so, I would call it terrific. That first drop is insane, and the rest of the ride was quite good, big fat steep drops all over the place with wonderful airtime. It also seemed to track quite well to me, at first I was bracing myself expecting a pretty rough ride but after the first couple of drops I realized it wasn't going to be an issue at all and relaxed.

We didn't have a lot of time and we were with non-coaster people so afterwards we walked through the rest of the attractions (didn't ride anything else) and really enjoyed the atmosphere and charm of the place...*ducks.* No trees, either! But, no, seriously, I loved the feel and look of the place and I'm very happy I got to experience it before whatever happens to Coney Island happens. My only big regret is we didn't have time to do the sideshow but I may get back down one more time this year to do that along with some other outer-borough stuffs.

So anyway, Coney was good, the Cyclone was really really good. Yup.

The Sideshow there is the best in the world i believe. Todd Robbins is single handedly the best side show performer. I would recommend on seeing the show there.

I agree - Cyclone was probably the scariest coaster I've ever been on, and I wasn't expecting it all! My first ride on it was in the back car, one of the middle rows, and it was FABULOUS! That first drop was the most insane drop ever. I came off my seat at least six inches. I felt like I was going to DIE. Rode it five more times :D

Cyclone was pretty crazy. I remember holding on for dear life and being pretty scared as well, but loved every minute of it except for a few jarring drops.

Does anyone know the latest news of what is going to happen to that area? Wasn't the plan going to be for housing and such?

The latest plan was for it to be an amusement park that would be built by the city and they'd buy the land and compensate the developer by giving the developer land on the north side of Surf Avenue to build apartments/condos.

Here's a NY times article that had the latest development: http://tinyurl.com/6f6w9s

Glad you had a good time on the Cyclone, Matt. Next time you're in the area, send me a PM and perhaps I can join you.

Sure thing, for some reason I was picturing you out in PA somewhere.

I am coming out in June to ride the Cyclone. It is the one coaster I want to ride more than any other. There is so much history behind it. A true classic. Cannot wait!

I'm hopeful that with the extension granted to Coney for this year that there MIGHT be a coaster event there...with luck, maybe an add-on for Rye...

Cyclone certainly rates for me as the pinnacle of 1920's-era thrillrides....not that I think any less of the other remaining gems we still have around...

I already have planned to go to Great Adventure on 4/25 (a friday) to activate our season passes. It looks like Astroland is open that week also.

It will add and extra 1 1/2 hrs. to my trip each way but I think this might be my only chance to experience Coney Island in it's present form.

Glad I held out at Hersheypark and never gave into eating at the Nathan's they put in there last year. I may be getting the real thing!

Thanks for the TR.

Heading out in June to catch Coney and the Cyclone. Should be there June 30th! I hear its the only other woodie in the states besides Riverside (SFNE) that just will freak you out.

Chuck, ridden Viper Clone but wants the Rough, tough and mean CYCLONE!

^That first drop on SFNE Cyclone was totally neutered a few years back, so Cony Cyclone would be about it now. In it's previous form that first drop was supposedly the closest thing to a Traver drop we've ever had. *** Edited 4/8/2008 5:13:55 PM UTC by Cropsey***

Where you at Javits for the robotics competition? I can't imagine how you could manage to tear yourself away from something as riveting as "Overdrive".