One thing that makes Coney Island, "Coney Island", is the old boardwalk atmosphere, the "shoot the freak" game, the carnie type aura around. Not something a big Intamin coaster would have, or a "Circus Circus" type glass theme park. I'd rather see a way to build up the place like it is, like a true boardwalk that people remember from "the old days". Sure, make a newer version, but don't change Coney Island from what made it what it is.
^ That too, LOL (but it's not really THAT bad, IMO).
For riding "extreme" flats run at mind-numbing speeds for extended durations, and experiencing some of the FUN of the seedier side, and getting Cyclone at its utmost, you'll probably be best-served getting to Coney in '07 sometime.
"Family-friendly Disney-fication" means that the old Coney is on a time-limited engagement at this point. My understanding is that 5 years from now, Coney will look more like CityWalk...
Antuan said: You mean dodging bullets and hop scotching over litter?
Hehe, well actually pretty much, yeah! There's a certain aura about Coney that I've been curious about for a while. I want to see the carnival freaks, eat at Nathan's, and ride rides that feel like they haven't been inspected in a month...And then get the heck outta there!
^^^ which is how most people feel about coney island. It makes complete sense from a buisness perspective to give it such a massive facelift. Unless that happens the 'seedy' side will never go away and the buisness will not make as much money.
While it's sad to lose that part of coney, it's much better than having the venders pack up shop.
I've never seen bullets at Coney Island, although the homeless woman urinating on a fire hydrant while yelling at us to get out of her alley is something that will (unfortunately) always be etched into my memory.
The proposed entrance reminds me of Coney's Dreamland architecture...not bad. They've managed to capture a little of the feel of the old Coney in that rendering. Also, the pavilion has the look of Tilyou's Steeplechase Park pavilion. Might not be a bad thing *if* it keeps the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel alive.
Well Coney Island isn't exactly in the safest neighborhood. I think cleaning it up and giving it a facelift might be one of the first good steps to clean up that area. By making local economy better and stuff. It's just a thought that went through my mind.
