Wonder Wheel

Coney Island opens for the season this weekend

Photo courtesy of Luna Park

March 30, 2023

Coney Island opens for the season this weekend

Coney Island's beachfront amusement parks are opening for the 2023 season this weekend. Starting on March 31, Luna Park, home to the famous Cyclone rollercoaster, is hosting its traditional opening weekend ceremonies, which include the egg-cream christening and first ride of the Cyclone. To celebrate the iconic rollercoaster's 96th birthday, the first 96 riders get a free ride and an egg cream. And Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park will celebrate its 103rd birthday with its annual "Blessing of the Rides" and free rides on its historic Ferris wheel on Sunday, April 2.
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Events & Things To Do

Coney Island’s Luna Park to open this weekend

Photo of Coney Island by Shinya Suzuki on Flickr

March 31, 2022

Coney Island’s Luna Park to open this weekend

By Aaron Ginsburg

Coney Island's Luna Park is set to open for the 2022 season on Saturday, April 2. The iconic Brooklyn amusement park is hosting its traditional opening-day ceremonies, including the egg-cream christening of the Cyclone rollercoaster, which is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year. The first 95 rides on the coaster will be free to celebrate this milestone and each lucky rider will receive a free egg cream.
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Events & Things To Do

Coney Island’s newest roller coaster the Phoenix will open July 4 weekend

Photo by Jim McDonnell courtesy of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park

June 29, 2021

Coney Island’s newest roller coaster the Phoenix will open July 4 weekend

By Devin Gannon

In 1920, in the aftermath of a global pandemic, Coney Island's iconic Wonder Wheel opened. Now, over 100 years later, the Brooklyn amusement park is welcoming another new ride following a difficult year for New Yorkers. The Phoenix roller coaster will officially open at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park on July 1, just in time for the Fourth of July weekend.
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Uncategorized

Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel opens April 9 with advance reservations

Photo by Marcell Viragh on Unsplash

April 1, 2021

Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel opens April 9 with advance reservations

By Dana Schulz

After never being able to reopen last year, Coney Island's Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park will open for the 2021 season on Friday, April 9, the date on which the state said outdoor amusement parks and rides can reopen at 33 percent capacity. For now, the Wonder Wheel will only be open on weekends from 11am to 6pm with advance reservations (there will also be a limited number of standby tickets).
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Events & Things To Do

Coney Island amusements can finally reopen in April

Photo by sebastien cordat on Unsplash

February 17, 2021

Coney Island amusements can finally reopen in April

By Devin Gannon

Looking ahead to warmer months, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said outdoor amusement parks, indoor family entertainment centers, and overnight summer camps in New York will be allowed to reopen. If the state's coronavirus positivity rate continues to trend downward, indoor entertainment centers can reopen starting March 26 at 25 percent capacity, outdoor amusement parks and rides on April 9 at 33 percent capacity, and eventually, overnight summer camps in June.
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Policy

Photo by sebastien cordat on Unsplash

August 21, 2020

Why can’t Coney Island’s rides reopen?

By Dana Schulz

On Monday, bowling alleys were allowed to reopen, and as of this Monday, gyms and fitness studios, as well as museums and indoor cultural institutions can also reopen at a reduced capacity. So why are Coney Island's amusements still closed? As reported by NY1, Coney Island's amusement operators have joined the New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (NEAAPA) to advocate for a reopening before the end of the summer.
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Policy

PHOTOS: See Coney Island’s historic Wonder Wheel get ready for the season

The Wonder Wheel with no cars installed; photos © James and Karla Murray

April 9, 2019

PHOTOS: See Coney Island’s historic Wonder Wheel get ready for the season

By James and Karla Murray

Honoring a 60-year tradition of opening on Palm Sunday, Coney Island Amusement Park will be back in business this Sunday, April 14th. One of the many activities will be the annual blessing of the rides at Deno’s Wonder Wheel. The 150-foot-tall, 100-year-old structure is one of the most iconic pieces remaining at Coney Island. But there's a lot that goes into this seasonal opening than even the most well-versed New Yorker may not know. Each winter, the 200-ton ride is repainted, and all of its 24 cars are removed. But come spring, second-generation co-owner Steve Vourderis goes through the process of precisely reinstalling and aligning the cars. We were lucky enough to visit Steve and his brother Dennis on a recent frigid Sunday to watch the magic happen.
Go behind-the-scenes at the Wonder Wheel

Insider Tours

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with free rides and ice skating on Coney Island

Deno’s Wonder Wheel courtesy of kzoop’s Flickr

December 20, 2017

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with free rides and ice skating on Coney Island

By Devin Gannon

Editor's Note: Due to the extreme cold conditions, Deno's Wonder Wheel and Stop the Zombies ride will NOT open on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. The B&B Carousell will be open. Overpriced clubs, surging Ubers, and Manhattan crowds not your thing? Check out the fourth annual New Year's Eve party at Coney Island's historic boardwalk instead. Four rides, including the iconic Wonder Wheel, will be free of charge beginning at 6 pm until 9:30 pm on December 31. Nathan's Famous, Coney Island Brewery, and Tom's Restaurant will also stay open for the festivities. As amNY learned, there will be live entertainment and the countdown to 2018 will feature a digital "burst" of lights from the Parachute jump at midnight.
Details on the event here

Events & Things To Do

Celebrate Coney Island’s history with free events at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park this Saturday

Deno’s Wonder Wheel courtesy of kzoop’s Flickr

August 3, 2017

Celebrate Coney Island’s history with free events at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park this Saturday

By Devin Gannon

While New Yorkers have been celebrating the historic seaside resort all summer long, this weekend the Coney Island History Project is hosting its seventh annual history day. On Saturday, August 5, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., attendees can learn about all of the classic rides and attractions of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, take a self-guided tour, and listen to free folksy music. Since it was built in 1920, more than 40 million people have experienced the park’s iconic Wonder Wheel.
Details ahead

Events & Things To Do

Ride Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel for free on New Year’s Eve

Image via Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park

December 29, 2016

Ride Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel for free on New Year’s Eve

By Dana Schulz

Since it opened on the Coney Island boardwalk in 1920, the landmarked Wonder Wheel has given more than 35 million rides. If you want to add to this number, a press release from Deno's Wonder Wheel tells us that it will offer free rides from 6 to 10pm on New Year's Eve. They'll also charge only $5 from 11am to 2pm on New Year's Day to coincide with the annual Polar Bear Plunge (50 percent of January 1st's profits will go to the Plunge's charity Camp Sunshine).
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Events & Things To Do

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