Conference noted::coasters

This Sunday I finally got to ride on the B and B Carousell on Surf Avenue
at Coney Island.

To me, this was worth the trip in itself. Rides were $2. Was not
very busy, traffic into Coney Island was not bad either (on my last trip
during a weekday in summer, lots of stop-and-go-traffic).

As many of you know, this carousel has a ring machine! This was a lot of
fun as I have never experienced one before, I was getting good at it by
the time the ride was over!

This carousel really flies! I can see now why in the glory days of carousels
there was more of an adult ridership, this was fun, I've never seen a 
carousel go around so fast. An authentic band organ playing paper rolls
very loud. The interior of the building looked just as it probably did
back in the early 1930's (decorations, etc.) when it started out.

The carvings by Carmel were in good shape, not intricate work. The painting
did not look professional.

I rode the carousel three times, and tried to take in as much of Coney Island
as I could in 5 hours. The place is looking *very* rundown. The
kiddie land at Deno's Wonder Wheel Park is very well maintained with
some newly painted
antique kiddie rides -- really stands out from the rest of the place.
Also in that park is a very old dark ride called Spook A Rama that shouldn't
be missed for another taste of older times at Coney Island.

Jen -- I finally got to ride on the Jumbo Jet and thought it was
a lot of fun!

      
    
      Was the Cyclone open? Even though I "take in" a lot of Coney while
    I'm there for all its uniqueness, I never pass up at least five (of
    more) rides on the legendary CYCLONE. 
    
      Yes, I've "done" the B&B and it's worth it, not your average carousel
    by a long shot! I also always give the THUNDERBOLT roller coaster a quick 
    look over. I rode it back in 1981 during its last year of operation and 
    have been waiting in a new lease on life for it ever since. 

Yes the Cyclone was running! I went on 2 rides. The first one in the second
seat was enjoyable and extremely thrilling. I made a mistake on the second ride
and forgot Buck's advice about sitting over the wheel (or whatever) -- I
really wondered if I would suffer a back or neck injury before
the ride was over! Having been
in a couple of car wrecks, I can only compare that ride to that experience
(and I'm not joking!). A little too much for me thankyou -- next time I'll
stick to a "safer" seat!!!!

The Thunderbolt is still there. I agree it is fascinating just to look at.
I can only imagine riding it -- you are lucky you actually got to do it!
I read in the Internet newsgroup that it may actually be taken down
(destroyed) in a few months, which I am very sorry to hear.

    
    Time to mark your calendars!
    
    I've just been told that a 70th anniversary party is being planned for
    the grand old Coney Island Cyclone.  The date I've been given is June
    26th.  More details to follow as they become available.  :)
    
    /jen (who still ranks the CI Cyclone as her favorite wooden coaster)

    For anyone interested in Coney History this Web site is very complete
    and shows a lot of wonderful photographs, old postcards and gives a
    total description of all the rides that operated there.
    
    http://naid.sppsr.ucla.edu/coneyisland/