Cyclone traditionally opens on Palm Sunday. That made it the first coaster open in the northeast in many years when Easter was early and sometimes it was in March! My daughter and I would brave the cold weather, get to Brooklyn early in the morning and be among the first 100 to line up as the first 100 on opening day got a free ride!
I’ll bet it felt great to get back on a coaster after the winter, despite the cold. What a great tradition to herald the spring and the new season at parks.
Yup. Going back even farther, parks used to close on or around Labor Day. It wasn't really until the 1980s and later that most parks offered Halloween or fall-themed events.
Just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I'm in Vegas so one this pseudo-holiday I'm limited to the NYNY coaster (which isn't so pulverizing anymore).
Regrettably, Adventuredome ended their a la carte pricing, so it's a whopping $60 for all-day access. You can't run in and pay $10 to ride El Loco or Canyon Blaster anymore. Sucks.
And Desperado has been SBNO for about 2 1/2-3 years. Its host property, Buffalo Bill's, has also been closed, and it appears only opens when they have a concert/event.
Ugh on the Adventuredome pricing. POP wouldn't seem to make sense in Vegas. And what a shame about Desperado. In its early days, it was quite the ride.
For my wife's 40th birthday we went on a big NYC trip, and getting to visit Coney Island and ride the Cyclone was one of the highlights of our trip. Your description of it as a "good" aggressive coaster is spot-on. While these coasters can be a bit rough by modern standards, riding them in the mindset of their historical context is always a treat.
Another wooden seaside coaster I'd put in the same "good aggressive" category is the Swamp Fox (1966) in Myrtle Beach, SC. Though I'd wager some would say it leans more towards the "bad" depending on how far back in the train you dare to ride. :) Like the Cyclone it features an unexpectedly good first drop and plenty of surprising pops of airtime.
Nothing beats these classic seaside coasters. No matter how banged up I get riding them, I can't seem to get enough.
Tim, I totally agree about Swamp Fox! What a wonderful, classic coaster. In addition to everything you cite, I think part of the appeal of these coasters is their location. There is just something wonderful (to me, anyhoo) about seaside amusement parks. And classic wooden coasters are at the top of the list of what makes them wonderful. While we're at it, let's add Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to our rundown of great seaside woodies.
In the mid 60's I spent summers in Myrtle Beach. My sister and I watched Swamp Fox being built and couldn't wait to try it. When we finally rode it was the tallest and fastest thing ever to us and scared the beejebers out of us. When we got off we immediately got in line again! You are correct - It was a great ride then and still is now.
I got to ride the Cyclone 4 years ago on a summer family trip. Your article really captures in words what the experience is like!
Thanks for the kind words!
Cyclone traditionally opens on Palm Sunday. That made it the first coaster open in the northeast in many years when Easter was early and sometimes it was in March! My daughter and I would brave the cold weather, get to Brooklyn early in the morning and be among the first 100 to line up as the first 100 on opening day got a free ride!
I’ll bet it felt great to get back on a coaster after the winter, despite the cold. What a great tradition to herald the spring and the new season at parks.
And back in those days the parks closed in the fall ( No Holiday in the Park stuff) so the off season gap could be five to six months!!
Yup. Going back even farther, parks used to close on or around Labor Day. It wasn't really until the 1980s and later that most parks offered Halloween or fall-themed events.
Had to smoke something before riding it.
I celebrated Roller Coaster Day with my first-ever rides on the Cyclone (and the gawd-awful Thunderbolt) in 2014. I'd love to re-ride it.
I assume you mean a re-ride on the Cyclone! How cool that you rode it on Roller Coaster Day. (Even if it is a seemingly arbitrary day.)
LOL, yep. Thunderbolt was a one-and-done.
Just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I'm in Vegas so one this pseudo-holiday I'm limited to the NYNY coaster (which isn't so pulverizing anymore).
Wait. There are the coasters at the Adventuredome, right? And is Desperado still operating?
Regrettably, Adventuredome ended their a la carte pricing, so it's a whopping $60 for all-day access. You can't run in and pay $10 to ride El Loco or Canyon Blaster anymore. Sucks.
And Desperado has been SBNO for about 2 1/2-3 years. Its host property, Buffalo Bill's, has also been closed, and it appears only opens when they have a concert/event.
Ugh on the Adventuredome pricing. POP wouldn't seem to make sense in Vegas. And what a shame about Desperado. In its early days, it was quite the ride.
I agree (on both). We rode Desperado a few times sensing it would close and remarked after that it's an overlooked gem.
For my wife's 40th birthday we went on a big NYC trip, and getting to visit Coney Island and ride the Cyclone was one of the highlights of our trip. Your description of it as a "good" aggressive coaster is spot-on. While these coasters can be a bit rough by modern standards, riding them in the mindset of their historical context is always a treat.
Another wooden seaside coaster I'd put in the same "good aggressive" category is the Swamp Fox (1966) in Myrtle Beach, SC. Though I'd wager some would say it leans more towards the "bad" depending on how far back in the train you dare to ride. :) Like the Cyclone it features an unexpectedly good first drop and plenty of surprising pops of airtime.
Nothing beats these classic seaside coasters. No matter how banged up I get riding them, I can't seem to get enough.
Tim, I totally agree about Swamp Fox! What a wonderful, classic coaster. In addition to everything you cite, I think part of the appeal of these coasters is their location. There is just something wonderful (to me, anyhoo) about seaside amusement parks. And classic wooden coasters are at the top of the list of what makes them wonderful. While we're at it, let's add Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to our rundown of great seaside woodies.
In the mid 60's I spent summers in Myrtle Beach. My sister and I watched Swamp Fox being built and couldn't wait to try it. When we finally rode it was the tallest and fastest thing ever to us and scared the beejebers out of us. When we got off we immediately got in line again! You are correct - It was a great ride then and still is now.