Coney Island Draws Biggest Crowds In Decades

By: Jeanine Ramirez

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A record 640,000 visitors passed through Coney Island's two new amusement parks this year -- the highest end of season attendance numbers since 1964. NY1's Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.

The calendar says November but the rides were still spinning Sunday in Coney Island. Dennis Vourderis, who operates Deno's Wonder Wheel, decided to open up his park over the weekend. It was an unusual extension to the amusement park season. But he says when the weather is good, so is business.

"It's very unusual that we are open in November, but the great weather and the excitement about Coney Island and how things have changed, there's a lot of foot traffic on the boardwalk lately, even on a sunny weekend in November. Go Figure," Vourderis said.

With record rainfall, Mother Nature washed out much of the business in August with an entire weekend totally drowned out by Hurricane Irene.

"We had an earthquake the last week of August along with a hurricane, so it was not a good way to end the season," said Vourderis. "So thankfully the sun's out in November, so we can make up some lost time."

But despite the rain, Coney Island fared well this summer. The city tells NY1 it was one of the most successful summer seasons on record with more than 640,000 visitors. That's about 200,000 more people than in 2010 when Luna Park became the first new amusement park in Coney Island in 50 years.

One reason for the upsurge this year was the addition of Scream Zone, operated by the Italian rides manufacturer Zamperla, which also runs Luna Park. With all three parks in action along with the landmark Cyclone roller coaster, thrill seekers came for their jolt this summer and continued to through the fall.

The city says it wants to add even more amusements for next season. It just put out a request for proposals for a site called Jones Walk, an alley-like street that sits between Luna Park and Deno's Wonder Wheel. The city is seeking an operator to add games, shops and rides to turn the narrow space into another fun destination.

"Coney Island is definitely growing it's expanding and it's going to be better than Disney World some day," Vourderis said.