Saying Good Bye On Coney Island

The B train is the fastest route to Coney from Manhattan. The only problem is that it only runs on weekedays. On weekends your best bet is to take the Q, as has been mentioned. The D & N also go there, but both have a bunch of local stops in Brooklyn.

I think that once you get into Brooklyn on Weekends, the D & Q run only on the local tracks from Manhattan.

Acoustic is right...about 50 minutes...longer though if it's during weekday- late-afternoon rush hour.

I am glad that I had a chance to go to Coney Island when I was in Brooklyn NY see ing my grandma. My mom was telling me that even though they are closeing Coney Island. They will keep the Cyclone, The Wonder Wheel and the Parot Shoot open. And even though they don't run the Parot Shoot ride any more. But they will still keep it because it's a landmark now. I am so glad that Cyclone will still be open and running for those who have never ridden it yet. Or wants to ride again and again. And also for more jeneration to come and enjoy the Cyclone.

I am from upstate NY. I have been to Brooklyn in the past but never to Coney Island. I wonder why, but not really when I finally made my way to Coney Island knowing it would be my one and last trip as it stands. I was sadly disappointed with what I experienced from beginning to middle to end. I was practically attacked in my car looking to park by a leaky - leaky (sorry) then I look at the beach... the only beach I have ever seen with sooooo many garbage cans. Its a wonder that the garbage cans are empty because no ONE cares.. they throw their trash still on the beach and the trash is a step away. Has anyone been to a different beach? People take their garbage with them. Humanity. Courtesy. Respect. Enjoyment. I continued through Coney Island, thinking too expensive... and still surrounded by garbage. Very disappointend. Very sorry for a historic relic to be distroyed with little wonder why... I been there did that, dont want to go back.

We are making our trek up to Astroland labor day weekend while visiting a brother in New Jersey. I can't wait to experience what was once known as the testing grounds for the amusement industry.

~Rob Willi

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bobthecoasterguy said:
It's funny how everyone is going on about how Astroland is closing, but that plot of land that makes up the 'Coney Island' amusement park has changed so much since it was first developed into the hotels along the beach in the 1860s and then into Luna, Steeplechase, and Dreamland.

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Part of the problem is that with each change that takes place, Coney Island drifts further and further away from its history as a first-class amusement center.

Another part of the problem is the uncertainty that surrounds the future plans for the place. A revitalized amusement center is supposedly being planned, but there has been a lot of speculation about just how serious the developers are about putting amusements in an area that they want for hotels, retail and possibly residential units.

I agree that Coney Island could be a lot better than it is, but the bottom line is that right now, there are amusements there. Next year? Who knows.

Is PETA the reason they don't run the Parot Shoot ride anymore? ;)

I'm going there for the first time this sunday, mainly just to ride The Cyclone, I can't wait to ride this historic coaster.

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Rob Ascough said:
Part of the problem is that with each change that takes place, Coney Island drifts further and further away from its history as a first-class amusement center.

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I agree. I would give anything to go back and experience one of the big three parks that made up Coney Island in the early 20th century. Especially at night, it just looks like it was amazing.

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Rob Ascough said:
Another part of the problem is the uncertainty that surrounds the future plans for the place. A revitalized amusement center is supposedly being planned, but there has been a lot of speculation about just how serious the developers are about putting amusements in an area that they want for hotels, retail and possibly residential units.

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With every mention of the new development by Thor (the developer) and in every rendering, there has been an amusement section. Some of the images look really nice, with architecture harkening back to the early parks. I think they are going to put the amusement park in there (though I agree, trusting big developers isn't always the best thing to do). The thing is, if they don't than everyone in Brooklyn and greater NYC will be more upset than they are already about the development.

The area right now is pretty run down and I think the development will help revitalize the area into a great new amusement venue. The area will be developed eventually, since Brooklyn as a whole has been undergoing tons of redevlopement over the past decade, so I hope the community will support this one and not kill it and a developer comes along and bulldozes all the amusements in the area and just builds condos.

The major issue right now with the devlopement is the condos, not the amusement park, and I hope that construction can start after this season since Astroland is moving out regardless.

Supposedly the developer has backed away from the residential units because he's been convinced that residential units have no place in an area dedicated to retail and amusements, or something like that. I'm not sure if he's serious, or he's talking out of both sides of his mouth just to get something done.

Personally, I'm somewhat excited to see what happens, provided something does happen. While I love Astroland's crazy Break Dance and the honky tonk feel of the entire place, there are many parts of Coney that need a lot of help. If the developers can find a way to bring a little class to the place while preserving its casual feel, I think it would be very successful. I certainly wouldn't mind seeing a park that evokes memories of some of Coney's original amusement parks.

I believe they backed off of the residential units because of criticisms from the community. For whatever reason, they don't want people living on that side of Surf Avenue. Personally, I don't know who would want to live literally on top of an amusement park.

The fear was that the developer was only including amusements to get permission for condos. Once the condos are approved the amusements get dropped and presto-chango it is all condos.

That is why the community was so adamant on no condos at all. So here we are now with an all amusement plan. Stay tuned, there are lots of twists and turns left on this one.

Yup, this is far from over.

I agree that people shouldn't be living on the oceran side of Surf Avenue. That part of Coney Island has been dedicated to entertainment for more than a century and I see no reason to change that- humans don't need to inhabit every foot of waterfront property throughout the country.

I agree with depo. If one condo gets built, expect the Cyclone to be closed soon after. They'll figure out a reason.

However, no matter what Thor is fronting, they want beach front condos. I'm not optimistic about any of this.

As for people calling the current Coney a "dump" or whatever, anyone who visits Coney Island on a summer weekend will see it packed with people. As far as I'm concerned, if an area is packed, there isn't a problem. The weirdness of Coney is what makes it stand out as one of the most interesting amusement areas in the country (like Lakeside).

Definitely get there this season.