Cyclone Review, Luna Park/Coney Island Classic Wooden Coaster | Often Imitated, Never Duplicated
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- čas přidán 17. 11. 2021
- The Coney Island Cyclone is one of the most famous roller coasters in the world. Located at Luna Park in Brooklyn, New York, this classic wood coaster was designed by Vernon Keenan and built by Harry C. Baker almost 100 years ago. But this coaster is timeless. The layout has been imitated several times, but none of the clones have ever been able to duplicate the out-of-control ride experience of the original.
Video Credits
1940 Cyclone Footage (Melton's Archive)- • 1940 - Reel from Coney...
Cyclone POV (East Coasters)- • Coney Island Cyclone P...
Background Music
Patriotic Background Music (NoCopyrightMusic)- • Video
I'm alive with kids of my own today because of this coaster. This is where my Dad took my Mom on their first date. Coaster enthusiasm runs in our blood, I proposed to my wife at SF Great Adventure.
Nice!
Given those laterals, you may have been conceived on the Cyclone. 😛
I don’t want to imagine that-
@@StamfordBridge OwO
@@StamfordBridge Hahaha 😝
I’ve always loved the Cyclone, but my last ride was a reminder of just how great it can be. We lucked out with a back seat ride, and the drop gave STANDING airtime. Not to mention, those laterals are pretty romantic if you're on a date
Romantic is a nice way to put those laterals. Violent is another lol
I’m glad to hear that because the bottom of the drop has been neutered, so it’s great to hear you still got such great airtime. Personally, I still enjoy the drop but every time I feel that it’s not what it used to be.
Didn't even consider that haha. Having ridden Twister with my friend's wife, I felt more uncomfortable than anything... lol
Agreed! In the back seats, you're standing up on those drops. The first drop is epic and still impresses even seasoned coaster riders.
Often Imitated, never duplicated. Thanks for the POV love, & reviewing this piece of NYC history.🥃
Thanks for allowing use of the POV!
I loved riding this back in 2000! I'd love to go there again, especially with so many other rides that weren't there 21 years ago.
It really has changed a lot.
It's amazing how much Coney Island has transformed from "that sketchy beach with the Cyclone" that I always knew it as a kid.
I’ve ridden 83 coasters and this is my #4! This is crazy because this ride is so much older than almost every coaster. This rides laterals and airtime is truly elite and the feeling of this ride is legendary. I remember watching this review before I rode it thinking it would be fun but nothing great. But oh boy was I wrong. Truly an elite ride
I agree it's amazing.
I remember watching the VHS "America's Greatest Roller Coast Thrills - In 3D!" and the host said the original price when it opened and the price of $3 today (circa 1994). Good stuff!
I had that video too.
I think this coaster is the definition of the word "classic" when I comes to coasters. It's crazy just how Coney Island can keep such an old wooden coaster in such good operation with one of airtime and laterals. It's fun for its age wich isn't always easy to get. Some may say it's still the best in the park.
Zamperla has taken good care of this ride.
It has definitely improved since my younger days. Used to be downright painful. But in the past decade, especially after the GCI retrack, it feels like a brand new ride.
I wonder how good a Zamperla Wooden coaster sounds, considering that A, they know how to maintain a wooden coaster. however B, they did make some pretty janky coasters **cough cough** Time Warp
@@thecoasterflood They got competition from Vekoma too. Cyclone and Phoenix make a great one-two punch here. Not any of Zamperla's steel ones. 😅
I’m coming over to NYC next month from England, a visit to Coney Island and a ride or two on the Cyclone is definitely on my list. After seeing this I can’t wait!
It's awesome. It does run a bit slower in the cooler months, but it's still great.
I love the Cyclone . Love sitting in the front seat
I like the back best.
BRAVO on a great and ACCURATE review!! Having had this as a Labor Day tradition for almost all of my 67 years I can honestly say that I love this coaster with every fiber of my being. There truly is nothing else like it and is one of the great NY classics for sure!! My preference is for the second to the last car which is equally as difficult as the last car to get. The front car is strong on the laterals and strongest on the visual element but not as strong an airtime experience as the second to the last car.
Thanks!
What a great video -- I wish I could hit the thumbs up button five times for you. I am not really a roller coaster enthusiast, but I do love learning their histories and seeing their designs. That said, I have ridden the Cyclone! I am from Northern California, and have ridden the Giant Dipper in Santa Cruz dozens of times. That coaster is even a bit older than the Cyclone, turning 100 this year. It is also my favorite roller coaster, since I'm essentially a chicken and won't ride extreme coasters. On a trip to New York in summer 2005, we visited Coney Island thinking we could escape the heat of Manhattan (it was sultry and boiling at night at Coney Island when we went, nonetheless). Seeing the Cyclone, and thinking it looked a lot like the Giant Dipper from the ground, we decided to ride it. Well, looks can be deceiving to those who are uneducated in analyzing these rides from the ground. Got on, heeded the warnings about stowing my glasses, thank goodness, and were at the Cyclone's mercy. It was much more violent and dramatic than I was expecting. Having a fear of drops and low tolerance for being slammed around, I was quite shocked! The ride duration seemed like eternity to me. As we disembarked at the end, the operators offered us various discounts if we wanted to go again, but we passed. I greatly enjoyed your in-depth video and I felt like I have gotten to ride it again because of your POV footage!
Thanks for the kind words. I'm a big fan of Giant Dipper as well.
Fantastic review...I am like you in that I love that elusive "stomach drop" feeling. The back seat on the first drop is absolutely mental on this one.
I agree.
Seriously, it feels like the back car is entirely running on its upstop wheels on that drop. It's like El Toro's first drop!
@@griffinnovie4921 I love El Toro in the back seat as well and thankfully was blessed to ride it when it was new and smooth as.. but the way cyclone throws you around, there's something special about it. I'm not one for rough coasters, not that I consider cyclone especially rough (that honor goes to the thankfully defunct Hercules at Dorney park which put my back out for a week from a back seat ride!), but I like the "rough" of cyclone. It's not rough rough if that makes sense, more like it's just wild and out of control. I also agree with the uploader that I don't mind the slow in pacing cause the drops and elements are almost all really good :) We should all meet one day when this pandemic shit is over (I'm in Australia but have been to the US 12 times for coaster tours) and make sure the train is full and take turns on the back row lol.
I rode Cyclone just before the retracking and described the experience as "trading spines with the rider next to you." It rides so much better now! I'm glad Luna Park now has easier ways to lap the Cyclone that don't necessarily drain your bank account.
I am thankful Zamperla maintains it well.
Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.
You're welcome!
My childhood home park/coaster! I adore this ride!
It's amazing.
I rode this thing a week ago for the first time and it was incredible! Got first public train of the season and it was hauling even in 40 degree weather. The best part of all though is that when I got off the train I could swing back around and get on the next train and get the back row. I must have gotten 10 consecutive back row rides. They did not seem to be as strict for filling the back car when I was there. As long as the front car was filled you could sit anywhere which I appreciated.
Long live the Cyclone!
Just the front car had to be filled now, not the second as well?
@@CanobieCoaster Thats what it seemed like!
Don't know the specifications of the rule and it may just be staff dependent too. But they did not seem to mind that weekend at least
I once had an hour-and-a-half ERT session on this with nonstop rides. Quite an intense experience.
Nice!
That coaster is my most sought after coaster to ride. I feel as if that coaster is special and it’s important to me to be able to one day ride an iconic coaster
It is so iconic and the ride delivers too.
In the late 1970's - early 80's, it was the "last seat" or nothing for me 😮. Now, you can't wait for it anymore 😢. Can't ride it many hours anymore because of my age, but if I could do it again, I would 😊.
I know how to game the line to get the back car, but it's annoying you can't just get it guaranteed.
The Cyclone is an incredible coaster!
Yes!
Just rode this and used your tip about waiting to enter the line in order to grab the back row, ended up getting the very back seat what a delight. Everything about this coaster is so special and awesome. The train design is so rare. This totally deserves 9.5/10 rating.
Glad the tip worked!
Do you count the exact number of people entering the line then so you know you are going to get back seat? Do they seat everybody going from front to back, row after row so no rows are skipped loading?
The Cyclone is so conveniently located that when I go to visit my family on Long Island the Cyclone is an extra 2 minutes to my trip. Taking a brief stop in Coney Island to ride this piece of history makes my trip home every time.
For that to be on your way home from Long Island, you must live on Staten Island?
I hate driving in NYC, but I make an exception to stop here.
@@StamfordBridge Nope, I'm in Philly now. Would never stoop as low as to live in Staten Island lol.
@@CanobieCoaster If you time it right it's not terrible. The problem is I usually drive back to my family off-peak, which means the Cyclone is dead and the trains are half full. Still a great ride even though it's impossible to grab the back row.
@@thomasxl200 Ah, so farther, then. But you must drive across Staten Island to get home. Anyway, I’m with you: I’d never want to live on SI. Some good pizza places is not enough of a draw!
Went on it with my sister on a trip to NYC in 2018. It was her first roller coaster ride! She had a blast. I hope to visit it once again.
It's a great one!
@@CanobieCoaster I also watched your video about WI coasters. Great video. I was curious about your opinion of the wooden coasters in my home state.
She really is gorgeous with her white color scheme, red handrails and vintage lights/signs.
I agree!
A competent review. The craziest thing about Cyclone is that you never know if you will be catapulted straight into the beach in front of you. Warriors, come out to plaaay!
Love this ride!
Even though the ride looks sketchy, it doesn’t look crap unlike the GEORGIA CYCLONE. It looks amazing.
I liked the first half of Georgia Cyclone even if it was rough
Have ridden it’s clone id think it’s a pretty good ride! I’d hope it’s as airtime packed as Viper because Viper is actually really good and pretty underrated
I've always found Viper overrated. It's decent, but the airtime and laterals can't beat this.
I road it one time in 2007 I thought I was so much coaster in such a small place i love it I’d travel just to ride it a couple of times
I have had good luck marathoning it most days due to short waits.
That second airtime hill pushed me forward today it caught me by surprise I don't remember that happening in the past
Nice!
Omg I agree with everything you said!! One of my fav coasters!! :) (coming from an Indiana boy who rides voyage all the time)
It's an incredible ride.
Well thanks for a meme idea. Also keep up the fantastic videos
Thanks!
For a brief time (specifically, the summer of 2000), I lived in Brooklyn and made numerous trips (often-times just straight-up walking for an hour) to Coney Island. I'd had many rides on this all-time classic; it has never disappointed.
If I recall, Phoenix at Knoebels got a '10' rating. For me, it's an absolute toss-up as to which of these is better. (I would put 'El Toro' here, but I honestly haven't ridden it nearly enough, esp. compared to the other two.)
I prefer Phoenix since the airtime is more plentiful but both are favorites of mine.
omg I was there on the $5 wristband day too!!
Nice!
This sounds like my kind of ride! I didn't know much about the history, and I've never heard any reviews about this rides. I've ridden Texas Cyclone at SFGAm Viper, but this sounds much better.
This one is amazing.
the best rollar coaster ever created.
It's an excellent one.
This thing was violent in 2012, but it’s violence was more akin to an old Ric Flair match than a painful experience. It’s still goated against all its coasters from the time.
It was incredible for its time.
How close is the Cyclone to the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk?
Still looks great, but it hardly is running better than ever! Smoother yes, but more like a theme park coaster now. The Cyclone used to be wild, and out of control. The first drop used to be shocking. I'm glad people are enjoying it, but back in it's day it was breathtaking!
When would you say it became less wild?
@@CanobieCoaster After Luna Park brought in GCI to reprofile it. I believe it was around 2012.
cool
Yes
Awesome coaster, its between this, Comet, or Ride of Steel for best coaster in New York
This is easily my favorite with how Comet runs now.
This is one of three roller coasters I ever felt like I was gonna die on lol
It certainly has that vibe from how wild it is.
Rode it yesterday towards in the back row of the middle car. Might have been affects from a hot day and full ride, but the ejector air float time was far more than expected, especially on the first hill. Needed a moment for my stomach to recover afterwards. Would like to ride in the front if ever possible.
The front has the better lats, but the back is the spot for airtime.
I think with the retracking that Luna Park has done with the Cyclone (courtesy of GCI) it has gotten smoother, but still has the real old wooden coaster roughness~ :) It's just a classic that should never be forgotten~ And yes, while we still have the clones (Viper at Six Flags Great America being the only one left), you can't beat the old school feel of the original. Some things are better as the original, and the Cyclone is one of those. I mean the stats are nothing impressive by today, but it still gives a great ride. I'm still impressed that this ride goes 60 mph. 60 MPH FOR THIS SMALL OF A COASTER? That's what still impresses me :)
It's literally physically impossible for an 80ft coaster to hit 60 mph.
It probably goes closer to 45-50 mph, but the important thing is that it's a great ride and a ton of fun.
@@CanobieCoaster Nonetheless, the Cyclone will hopefully still be here for years to come ~
Grizzly has the drop on the new retracking
Yes, looks good!
Another great review, my friend. Although I can't say I ever thought I'd hear you talking about getting your "nuts squished" on a ride... Okay, maybe if you reviewed a Togo stand up coaster.
The airtime is that crazy on the drop on the backside.
@@CanobieCoaster had a great time on it during several visits I've had over the last decade.
11:59 Canobie Coaster said:
The middle cars get floater airtime and those in the back should brace themselves. This drop delivers one of the most abrupt and violent ejector pops out there. And because of the restraints, it can crush your nuts.
If I ask you, do you not like that, do you like that, or do you love that? What do you think?
I definitely prefer my nuts not getting squished, so I'm careful where my body is for that drop.
Some Cyclone clones are faster then others even though one of them doesn’t have the speed listed which is the Texas Cyclone at the old Six Flags Astroworld so I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the fastest
I still find it hard to believe a 75ft tall coaster hits 60 mph.
11:59 do you not like, do you like or do you love that abrupt and violent ejector pop on that drop in the back?
I love the airtime on this ride.
Great coster
Agreed!
I forgot how high you get lifted out of your seat on that first drop and how long it is
The first drop is one of the best.
I agree
Such a classic.
I can walk to this spot from my crib, my wife and I have done so many, many times ❤️👩🏻🤝👨🏽
Lucky!
@@CanobieCoaster A few years ago, my wife and I both had Mondays as our respective days off…. I worked outdoors 6 days a week that summer, so by my day off the farmers’ tan was REAL! But on Mondays, we would wake up at 7am, be ready to rock, cooler and “party favors” included, by 8:30am latest! It’s about a 20-30min walk depending on the heat, so we would grab a light breakfast and a Slurpee on the way. Until after 2pm, we would unwind, enjoy tunes, and I’d even out my arms and head (I had a shaved head at that point), with 420 breaks every so often. After peak sun, we’d hit the coasters/attractions, say hey to our homies that work the freak show, hit Nathan’s for chow/a beer or two, and then take the train home, tired and tipsy👩🏻❤️👨🏽
This ride goes to show coasters needn’t be huge to be thrilling. The fact that the first drop still gives you that stomach feeling despite only being 75 feet tall says a LOT. Would you rank this above Boardwalk Bullet in terms of airtime & intensity? (That’s another boardwalk wood coaster I’ve heard rave reviews of and really want to ride sometime)
I personally do.
Just wondering but aside from the buzz bars how much legroom do the trains have? I’m quite tall and I’m nervous I won’t be able to fit comfortably.
I'm 5'10 but I remember my knees pressing against a pad in front of me.
I’m well over 6 feet so that sucks. Guess I’ll just wear small shoes, cross my legs, and hope for the best.
Does this ride, or other rides in the park stay open for rain? Sorry, I’m going in a few days and it might be rainy. I just want to not be disappointed if I go lol. This ride looks so fun anyways
I've never gone on a rainy day.
6:55 I did the same thing when I rode this coaster and only wanted the front row,I need to retry this coaster someday because 1.my first ride in August 2017 I was too harsh 2.New Coasters added
Gaming it for the front is easy. The back needs some luck.
@@CanobieCoaster that’s why Front is my only pick of seat due to certain rows difficulty
Went on it today (grew up 4 miles away-probably about my 25th ride) after going on el toro this week for the first time. It’s shocking that cyclone was 79 when el toro opened and is actually on the same level. In 1927 this ride must have been absolutely fucking maniacal.
I prefer this ride myself.
@@CanobieCoaster i could understand why. It is a perfect ride.
8:34 I thought you said you could get that feeling on coaster at PNE lol
Whoops, yes I forgot that one also lacked seat dividers.
Are you able to ride the Cyclone with strapped glasses? I have seen a couple of people riding with their sunglasses/glasses in some of the footage
I always have a strap and can wear my glasses.
I always get sentimental when the Cyclone is even mentioned. It's a real connection to the thrill-seekers of long, long ago, and it's been kept maintained and up-to-date ever since. Goes to show that legends truly are immortal!
I love it.
Seems like it rides similar to the Santa Cruz Giant Dipper.
btw the giant dipper has been giving insane ejector airtime in the back recently
I need to reride the Giant Dipper. I only got a handful of rides on it back in 2014. I remember it being very good, but my memory of it is fuzzy.
I grew up riding the Giant Dipper at SCBB. Love the train whistle at the start of the ride and then dropping into that dark tunnel before hitting the lift hill!!!!!!!!!!! 👍
I've never ridden any big roller coasters, but I spend WAY too much time on coaster related youtube, if I don't get sick (I got sick on the swinging ship ride when I went a couple months ago, so I will bring anti-motion-sickness pills next time I go) I might ride cyclone/thunderbolt next year when I revisit Coney Island, its my home park. Should I do the Cyclone or Thunderbolt first? The only reason I might do the thunderbolt is it has cameras on the drop which could capture a terrified face lol.
Cyclone is the classic and the better ride so if you only do one, I recommend that one.
I really want to ride this sometime. How does this compare to Roar-O-Saurus for you
I put this ahead of Roar-O-Saurus if I'm in the back car.
@@CanobieCoaster I can see why
The last time I rode this was around 89 and it was fast and completely turbulent. The onboards now they seem to have more brakes going than they used to. Bitter I missed the old thunderbolt by a few years...
Zamperla did a big refurb to this that helped make it smoother.
Im not saying that i want an rmc conversion, but i am curious what they could do with the layout
Six Flags Over Georgia's Twisted Cyclone is an RMC conversion of a coaster that originally had a clone of the Coney Island Cyclone layout (though it was a bit larger).
Six Flags New England's Wicked Cyclone is not (the Riverside Cyclone was conceived as a Cyclone clone, but had a different custom layout due to space limitations).
@@MattMcIrvin lol i forgot about that one lol
I wouldn't want RMC to touch this classic. They can touch some of the other clones (and already have touched Georgia Cyclone).
@@CanobieCoaster yeah i forgot about twisted cyclone. Rmc can leave the og alone
Would you like to ride again the legendary New York wooden coaster?
Yes
What are the differences between "imitated" and "duplicated"?
Imitated is when you try to copy, but it isn't always accurate. Duplicated is when you copy perfectly.
Sadly, the original texas cyclone at Astroworld not only matched its intensity it took it to another level...
I wish I could've ridden it.
@@CanobieCoaster You and I BOTH!!
Love to go lol
It's awesome.
A True definition of a Classic Wooden Rollercoasters. But can you imagine how much faster the Trains would traverse the turns if they were originally built as 3 bench 4 car Trains??
Not sure!
@@CanobieCoaster It's just a Coaster Train navigate turns when they're shorter, not producing less friction. By no means the Cyclone should get new shorter Trains. That would definitely destroy the historical significance of this Classic Woodie. Before the original Texas Cyclone, was badly destroyed by Six Flags, the original PTC Trains were also 4 bench 3 car Trains, then later on switched over to 3 bench 4 car Trains that definitely reduced track wear and tear. The Trains on the Coney Island Cyclone are SSOOOOO COOL!!
Most powerful laterals on any coaster I’ve ridden. Brace yourself with all your might before every turn or you will be thrown across the seat into whomever you’re riding with.
It may be the best wood coaster I've ridden for laterals.
8:50 wow it’s rare for larger guest to get the walk of shame with a narrow seat
I don't think any one person will have an issue fitting in a row. It's rough with 2 people in a row though.
Cyclone at Luna Park (Coney Island) was in your video of most surprising roller coasters in the world. Why?
It had crazy forces along with a rich history.
Canobie Coaster would say:
This turnaround also exhibits one of the potential flaws with Cyclone. You lose a ton of speed atop most hills. I can see this killing the pacing for some, but I don't mind. I consider pacing...
How engaging a coaster is/element quality.
Looks like Prior & Church trains???
I don't know who made these unique trains.
Cyclone at coney Island was in your video of most surprising roller coasters in the world, why?
I never knew it was as intense as it was.
On my top five coasters that should get RMC
I wouldn't want this one RMCed.
sentimental 10
In the back, yes.
Iron Cyclone would be awesome but don't let it happen.
We already saw that with Twisted Cyclone.
I feel if this coaster was faster during that first lateral it probably would be not as fun
I like how it runs myself.
got a typo in your title :)
Thanks, I just updated it.
The restraints used to be buzz bar type restraints, don’t believe me, well take a look at older photographs from the 1920’s to 1960’s.
And no seatbelts still?
@@CanobieCoasterfrom what I seen, there’s no seat belts
Good review. However, I disagree that all the seats aren't as "good". I would say that the trains can give you the experience you're looking for. I find the back seat too intense and rough for me, and if I had ridden that position for my first time, I wouldn't want to ride again. If were taking someone on the Cyclone for the first time, I'd be sure to sit in the middle so as to even out the roughness and intensity. I'm not sure why it's necessary to insist that every seat on a coaster be equally intense. That leaves no room for individual preferences and experience with a coaster.
That's fair the middle seats can be better depending what you want.
No matter how famous this coaster is. It will never be as famous as cheese
That's true.
0/10 6 kids died one lost their head how cruel!
Only some people will get it lol
I do not get it.
@@CanobieCoaster it’s a musical called ride the cyclone!
They don’t make them like they used to
It's very unique.
A side note. Coney Island Cyclone was to be moved to Houston, TX. to AstroWorld. It proved to costly. Instead legendary Bill Cobb & Associates provided engineering advice to the NY owners in exchange for original 1927 blueprints! That's RIGHT! Ours had the zero banked turns! It was also a "mirror image" The only clone to be done that way because of loading. The bunny hill you speak of before that lower turn 'we' called "gravity hill" which was before our "lower South" After the 1st drop was UPPER North. At night you could see sparks as the wheels would make intermittent contact with the rails! I'm also the proud owner of the cardboard model of the late Texas Cyclone. And Yes! Coney Is. is badddd arse!!!!
That sounds like the best of the clones!
When the cyclone was SBNO in the 70’s, astroworld in Houston texas want to relocate the cyclone to their park, however, they then found out that the process to dismantle the ride and re-locating it would be too expensive, so they instead build a clone.
To be honest, I think we should be all glad Astroworld didn’t bought the cyclone, because if they did, It would probably be demolished and scrapped with the rest of astroworld in 2005.
I agree it worked out Astroworld never relocated this one.
@@CanobieCoasterit probably would had been one of the biggest losses in amusement history. I mean seriously, imagine seeing this thing at Houston when astroworld was getting demolished, just seeing this thing get torn up into pieces and history being thrown away, and then putting the rubble in dumpsters, and the trains being sold to either collectors or an another park that could use them
0/10 wouldn’t reccomend, last time I went here I lost my head and had to enter a singing contest with the rest of my choir with a bass playing rat, and a fortune telling animatronic. I had to use my doll’s head for my own head and everything
Oh my! I love this coaster.
First
Nice!
Zzzzzzz
I don't find it boring at all.
One of the best examples of how classic or historic doesn't mean good.
And this is going to be the biggest thing I've ever disagreed with on CZcams just about when you called it underrated.
This is easily tip 1-5 in most overrated coasters ever. We can flip flop coasters but Cyclone sits in most overrated coasters right there with steak veng, kumba, Montu, etc
For me it's #1 and it's really not even close. Following with steal veng, kumba, montu, and Phoenix or Raven.
Supposedly this ride has been duplicated many many times, but supposedly nobody ever could do it very well. Well with technology and Innovation these days, what is that tell me? It tells me it's simply a placebo effect. people go into this ride rating it a good ride before they've even ridden it.
The trains are one of the biggest things that make this ride special. No seat dividers or seatbelts for max laterals and a fairly unrestrictive restraint.
Does this have better airtime than Giant Dipper?
It's more plentiful.