Cyclone Turns 89 with FREE Rides

Michael Quinn

I remember the first time that I rode the Cyclone. It was a Brooklyn right of passage, that feeling once you reached that height of 54 inches. Sitting in the front seat of the car I felt like I was riding on wooden Legos. I remember that I lost my Mets hat on that very first ride. On the very first drop. Actually I have lost two hats over the years riding the Cyclone. After two years my Coney Island Tours hat is still MIA. Over the past 89 years riders have lost eyeglasses, dentures, wigs and many many hats. One man even lost his artificial finger! An Astroland employee found his finger near the ride. The guy called the Astroland office asking for his finger back.

The Cyclone opened on June 26th, 1927, built by Vernon Keenan and Harry Baker for $175,000, six weeks later than it’s scheduled opening. Some things never change. To celebrate the Cyclone’s 89th birthday you will have the opportunity to ride for free. This Sunday June 26th starting at noon the first 89 guests will ride for free.

Charles Lindbergh said that riding the Cyclone was “more thrilling than flying the Atlantic!”

A mute man from West Virginia was able to speak for the first time after riding the Cyclone! His first words were” I feel sick.”

Sliced bread made it’s debut on the market in 1928. You know that saying “It’s the greatest thing since sliced bread?” Meaning it’s the greatest thing in an unimaginably long period of time. The 1927 Cyclone was built the year before the standard for an unimaginably long period of time. So yes it’s old.

As someone who watched first hand the destruction of Stillwell Avenue’s Tornado Rollercoaster as well as Stauch’s Bathhouse and the demise of the original Thunderbolt we are quite fortunate to have the Cyclone Rollercoaster still operating and looking pretty and healthy as ever.

In 1969 the Cyclone was condemned. It was nearly destroyed in 1972 as plans for an aquarium expansion was in place. In 1975 Astroland Park takes over the city-owned Cyclone.

Today the landmarked Cyclone is in good hands as it’s facilitated by Central Amusment International (CAI) aka Zamperla aka Luna Park. 

There are at least 7 known replicas of the legendary Cyclone found in Japan, Europe, and Texas.

This Sunday you can ride the original.

For free.

Do you know that the first rollercoaster debuted at Coney Island in 1884? Learn all about the Cyclone and the history of rollercoasters with Michael Quinn and Coney Island Tours. Book a tour today! Email: ConeyTours@gmail.com