BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Coney Island's newest thrill ride is The Phoenix, a family thrill roller coaster at the more than century old Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
What You Need To Know
- Coney Island's newest roller coaster is at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
- The Phoenix is a 68-foot high family thrill coaster
- It joins other coasters in Coney Island, including the Cyclone, one of the world's most famous roller coasters
- Wonder Wheel Park is celebrating more than 100 years as a family run business after last summer's pandemic shutdown
Kasim Pitts was first in line to ride it. The first 100 folks got a free ride and a t-shirt.
"It looks like it's going to be a very interesting ride," said Pitts, who traveled to the People’s Playground from East New York on the A and F trains.
Local elected officials and community leaders were on hand to cut a ribbon and christen the new coaster, which is 68 feet tall with loops, dips and turns.
D.J. Vourderis, who's a member of the family that has owned the park since the beginning, says the name Phoenix is appropriate, as Coney Island and the city bounce back from the pandemic.
Wonder Wheel Park with its iconic ferris wheel missed an entire season last year.
"You know Coney Island has a great history, and there's no reason that its best times can't be ahead, and that's what this roller coaster represents," said Vourderis.
Afterward, Kasim Pitts, who arrived three hours before the first ride was offered, finally got his chance. He gave The Phoenix an enthusiastic review.
"I'm at a loss for words because it's a really great ride," said Pitts, who likes to ride as many roller coasters as he can.
The Phoenix is the newest coaster at the legendary amusement district.
The most famous, of course, is the Cyclone a few blocks away. It first opened in 1927.