The Cyclone Roller Coaster at Luna Park in Coney Island — Attraction in New York

The Cyclone: A Coney Island Legend That Still Thrills A Timeless Titan of Terror and Triumph For nearly a century, its iconic white lattice frame has stood as a sentinel on the shores of Coney Island, a symbol of American amusement and a beacon for thrill-seekers worldwide. The Coney Island Cyclone is more than just a roller coaster; it's a living piece of history, a cultural touchstone that has rattled the nerves and captured the hearts of millions. This is the definitive guide to a ride that has become synonymous with the spirit of Brooklyn itself. A Roaring Debut and a Legacy Cemented in Wood and Steel Born from the vision of the Rosenthal brothers, Jack and Irving, and the engineering prowess of Vernon Keenan, the Cyclone first unleashed its fury on June 26, 1927. At a cost of $175,000, a staggering sum for the time, this wooden behemoth was an instant sensation. For a mere 25 cents, riders could experience a series of breathtaking drops, jarring turns, and exhilarating airtime that set a new standard for roller coaster design. Its immediate success was a testament to its ingenious "out and back" layout, a design that continues to deliver a uniquely thrilling experience. Over the decades, the Cyclone has weathered more than just the salty ocean air. It has survived the Great Depression, the decline of Coney Island in the mid-20th century, and even threats of demolition. In the 1970s, a grassroots "Save the Cyclone" campaign, fueled by the passion of local residents and amusement park enthusiasts, led to its salvation. This pivotal moment culminated in the Cyclone being declared a New York City Landmark in 1988 and its placement on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, ensuring its preservation for generations to come. Ownership has changed hands over the years, from the Rosenthals to the Pinto brothers, and eventually to the city of New York. Since 2011, Luna Park has had the honor of operating and meticulously maintaining this legendary ride, ensuring that the thrills of 1927 are just as potent today. The Ride Experience: A Symphony of Screams and Laughter To ride the Cyclone is to connect with a rich history of exhilaration. The click-clack of the lift hill builds anticipation as you ascend to the coaster's 85-foot peak, offering a fleeting, panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and the vibrant chaos of Coney Island. Then, gravity takes hold. The initial drop, a heart-stopping 58.1-degree plunge, sends the train hurtling towards the earth at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. What follows is a relentless two minutes of pure adrenaline: twelve drops, six fan turns, and a series of camelback hills that produce the coveted "airtime" that coaster aficionados crave. The wooden structure groans and creaks, a visceral soundtrack that modern steel coasters simply cannot replicate. It's a ride that is at once terrifying and joyous, a rite of passage for any true New Yorker or visitor to the city. A Cultural Icon: From Silent Film Stars to Pop Divas The Cyclone's impact extends far beyond the confines of its track. It has woven itself into the fabric of popular culture, making memorable appearances in films like "The Wiz" and serving as a dramatic backdrop in television shows. Its iconic status has drawn celebrities from all walks of life. Aviator Charles Lindbergh famously remarked that a ride on the Cyclone was more thrilling than flying his plane. In more recent times, pop superstar Beyoncé was famously photographed enjoying the ride, further cementing its place in the cultural zeitgeist. Your Guide to Riding the Cyclone: Practical Information Location and Park Context: The Cyclone is a cornerstone attraction of Luna Park, located at 1000 Surf Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. Luna Park itself boasts a wide array of other rides and attractions, from classic carousels to modern thrill machines, creating a full day of family-friendly entertainment. Ticketing and Pricing: As of the 2024 and early 2025 seasons, a single ride on the Coney Island...

I've lived in the region for 30 years and have never been to Coney Island. I wasn't expecting much, and I really just visited as a "bucket list" item. Even though it pales in comparison to its 100-year old past... it is still worth a visit, even if just for the beach and the boardwalk. Here is what you need to know...

There is a LOT of free street or 2-hour parking around. Check parking apps. Nearly all of the local free parking is supposed to be vacant between 8am and 930am for "street brooming". Don't believe it. In theory, if anybody actually enforced this rule... all of the spaces would be empty and available at 9:29am. We arrived at 9:30am on the dot and every free space was filled with local cars. We were only planning to stay for about 4 hours, so we found a "rock star" spot right next to the Cyclone, and paid the meter $3.25 for the "max time" of 2 hours. We did see parking enforcement vehicles driving around. Yes, you can return to your car and "feed the meter" to extend your time. At least, that's what we did, and it was fine.

No, you cannot park at the NYC Aquarium unless you are visiting... and even then, parking appears to be $40!!

The public bathrooms are up on the boardwalk next to the beach. They are actually decently clean... though you can tell that some people go in there to smoke pot. The weird, raised, modern looking buildings on stilts are the best bathrooms in the area. They appear to be staffed, are airy and breezy, and pretty clean. I was very happy with them! The staff even had their own music playing that was very welcome.

You can ride the Wonderwheel and the Cyclone independently of doing anything else. These, of course, were my bucket list items. The Wonderwheel is part of "Deno's Wonderwheel Park", and you can just walk into the park for free and buy a ticket for the Wonderwheel for $10 a ride. Yes, it is expensive, but we were okay paying that for a once-in-a-lifetime ride. We've ridden Mickey's Fun Wheel at California Disney, which is a replica of the Wonderwheel. It was great to ride the 100+ year-old original. ALWAYS pick a swinging car, which is any car that is NOT painted white.

The Cyclone is part of Luna Park, and can also be ridden for $10 a ride. Expensive, but again, worth it to partake in history. I am a roller coaster fan, and the 80+ year-old Cyclone is WORTH THE EFFORT. We had an absolutely epic ride in the second-to-last seat. The trains alone are worth the trip. The bench-seating and super cushy seats are a wonder. The coaster is wicked and relentless with mega zero-G over every single hill. It carries so much energy into the braking tunnel that it's a shame there isn't more track to take advantage of it. You CANNOT take your phone on the ride... they will hold onto it for you.

Don't believe the "beach rules" that bikes aren't allowed on the boardwalk after 10am. There are plenty of people biking. The little City Park and Police cars cruising the boardwalk do not care.

It appears that the Eldorado Auto Skooters may be closed permanently, as they were not open during normal business hours when I was there.

There are only 4 places to eat on the boardwalk: Ruby's, Nathan's, Salt and Sizzle, and Paul's Daughter (friggin' weird name). They are not friendly towards each other. I had a clam roll at Ruby's and I thought it was great, but I'm super easy to please with basic food. We sat in their area under an umbrella and enjoyed people watching.

If it's a hot day, be bold and walk underneath the water palm trees spraying on the beach. They are a neat little feature that really...

I hadn't ridden a rollercoaster in 15 years (used to love going on big terrifying ones up until college) and now that I'm 37 and aware of my own mortality, this scared the daylights out of me, and I had a great time. They take a photo on the ride, too, and I looked like I was in hell hahaha

Practical stuff: $10 to ride. Purchase a wristband or reloadable card loaded with points, which they scan upon entry to the ride. The entrance to the ride is off of Surf Ave, so DON'T try to find the entrance by walking aimlessly through the park like I did (unless you want to).

As far as I know, the park doesn't have lockers, but at least at the Cyclone (possibly other rides, no idea), there's a bag check area with a numbered wristband. It was great.

The seats are pretty snug, especially with the bar lowered. My companion and were unable to sit side-by-side, and we both made sounds of surprise when the bar clicked into place against our stomachs. If you're on the bigger side, you might have a hard time fitting, just a fair warning. :(

It's also kind of tricky getting in and out of the cars, requires some amount of flexibility and stability, since you don't have a whole lot of leg room to maneuver in and out with the big padded bar in the way.

They take a photo on the first drop, and there's a little booth just outside the ride exit where you can pay I think it was $10 or low teens for a physical copy in a nicely-designed souvenir folder, or I think $7 for a...