The Cyclone is an absolute treasure of a roller coaster. Yes, it's rickety and the ride can be a little bumpy but this thing was opened in 1927 and that's at least part of what makes it a great ride! Just for some context, The Cyclone is older than most people that are still alive. When it was opened, it was scandalous for women to wear skirts above the knees or listen to jazz music. This thing predates the Great Depression, the New Deal, and the births of the last 3 Presidents of the United States. Hell, you couldn't even legally buy booze in the US when this coaster was opened. You should know and understand this going in and you should expect a bumpy ride. But it's going to be one hell of a ride. As befitting it's age, the Cyclone is absolutely NOT made for large people. The restraints aren't adjustable at all -- it's a large padded bar that the attendants are going to shove down right onto your gut and lock in place. So, be forewarned that eating that extra hot dog at Nathans may make your ride a bit uncomfortable. Similarly, I'd imagine that the ultra skinny, hipster, tight jean wearing crowd are going to get tossed around a bit more because the restraint bar isn't going to come down quite far enough to really lock you in place. So, yeah, you may want to eat that extra hot dog, but be courteous enough to let it settle for a bit before riding. The launch mechanism is hilariously disconcerting. Most modern coasters have some 15 year old kid that presses a button to send you on your way. Not The Cyclone. The launch of this coaster is a guy standing on the opposite side from where you loaded operating a monstrous lever that looks like something out of an old Frankenstein movie. From there, it's a gravity assisted roll to the first hill. And that first hill! What a drop. From there, The Cyclone is legitimately one of the most impressive thrill rides you can experience. By today's standards, The Cyclone's footprint is laughably small but the designers of this ride packed in an awesome few minutes of drops and hairpin turns. The design absolutely holds up despite its age and is easily among the best wooden coasters I've ever experienced. The price has gone from $8 to $9 which is the one downside. But, for a single ride every once in a while, $9 isn't too bad. This is a functional piece of Americana, if coughing up $9 helps ensure it's there for another generation to ride, then so be it. read more

To be fair to my other coasters and consistent in awarding my stars, I have to judge the Cyclone on the same criteria and standards as the rest of my rides today. However, that may be a tad unfair as it's the grand-daddy of rides and although it was a record breaker at its birth, today, it's starting to show its age a bit. It's still fast but a rough ride these days. It rattles like all good woodies but a lot of lateral G forces with the sharp turns so brace yourself! However, no coaster fan should come to New York and not give this a ride if they can read more

I hadn't been on the Cyclone in many, many years before I hit it last May on a first date. In the years since my childhood, I became rather fond of rollercoasters. Perhaps it's because I'd grown accustomed to the smooth, computer-aided rides found in contemporary theme parks, but I was ill-prepared for what awaited me in Coney Island. I seriously crushed my balls. When I was a little kid, my father lost his glasses on the Cyclone, likely one of a million pair claimed by the great beast in the decades since it opened. All due respect to the old man's optometry bills, but I believe I suffered a far more horrifying fate. The good news is that my first date was otherwise fantastic and genital-agony-free, and my co-conspirator is now my amazing girlfriend. Hooray! read more

This is the best medical check up ever and its only $9. Yes its a roller coaster but if you wanna know if you have any loose joints, heart problems or teeth issues this ride will let you know and it only takes 2 minutes. My hmo cant do that!! My friend used to give us free rides every year on his b-day but since the price increase we dont get free rides kinda puts a dent in his wallet. But I love the first drop so breathtaking, heart pounding excitement. I did ride the back seat which is not advisable since I am a wild and crazzy guy. I did get whiplash for real. This is a must if you are in Coney Island during summer months. And is not for the faint of heart. I sure miss the original Hell Hole. read more

One of the famous attractions in Coney Island is the Cyclone Coaster in Luna Park. The Cyclone Coaster requires eight credits to ride, which if I look online, costs $8 at $1 a credit. It is a rickety, old, wooden coaster, but is considered a New York City landmark since 1988 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. All I can say about this Cyclone Coaster is "never again." The seats of this coaster are mostly torn up and that seriously activated my torn-seat phobia. Not only did I enjoy the seat quality, the seat is too small for an adult. I bent my knees at an angle to fit in. The seat rail did not close too far down for me so I had some gaps between my thighs and the rail. The worst part is the ride attendant did not check the rails for safety and just sent us off. It was one of the scariest moments of my life and a moment that I never want to relive. I felt like my body would fly out of the coaster any minute because it wasn't too secure. My knees banged on the walls really hard since I don't fit into the seat. I held onto my husband who was next to me for dear life. It wasn't a thrilling feeling; I just wanted the ride to stop. When the ride ended, I couldn't bounce out of that seat fast enough. Since the ride was so rickety, I felt nauseous afterwards and I couldn't eat the rest of the day. I also acquired nausea throughout the day. I bruised both my knees and the pain lasted for more than a week. There was pain all over my body and I can't believe an amusement ride could cause this much trouble. I definitely should not have paid that $8. I felt like suing Luna Park and the Cyclone. I want this ride to be shut down as I don't feel safe at all. It is the ultimate scary ride because I honestly thought I would fall out of the car and hung onto the ripped seat railing and my husband for dear life even though I hated touching ripped cushion. I actually searched Google and found that a few people died from this ride. DO NOT go on this ride unless you have a death wish. PROS: NONE! STAY AWAY! WARNING! CONS: Unsafe, coaster is children-sized, ripped seats, nausea side effects, bruising can occur read more

No, I don't like getting a neck injury that keeps me from work and has me bed-ridden with a heating pad on the back of my neck for several days. I am all for wooden rollercoasters - my favorite one is Ghostrider at Knotts Berry Farm in California - and I love very old classic rollercoasters (Colossus at Six Flags comes to mind). However, when a ride is so bad that it breaks necks and kills someone (see: http://gothamist.com/2008/06/09/coney_island_cy.php), major lines are crossed. Even if it is claimed that the ride operators have fixed the drop issue since 2008, the first drop still felt like death for me and I got a major neck ache. It was unlike any whiplash I've ever experienced. The ride was so scary and felt like it was about to break at any moment. I just wanted it to stop, since I flew up against my restraint every time there was a drop (SCARY! What if the latch flies open? It does not seem very secure!), and my head was pounding. It was NOT a fun experience. Though I appreciate the historic value of a ride that has been open for over 80 years, I can't at all condone this place if the owners and operators are going to be so negligent and reckless as to allow this ride to operate whilst people get injured on it so often. See here for the recent lawsuit filed against this place: http://www.rheingoldlaw.com/blog/2012/06/newly-filed-lawsuit-beware-of-the-cyclone-roller-coaster-at-coney-island---especially-the-first-drop.shtml. I will never ride Cyclone again, and I will caution everyone to avoid this place like the plague. SKIP THIS PLACE if you don't want neck/back injuries for days. read more

This ride is terrifying, expensive, makes me cry, and I come away with bruises along my arm (my elbow bangs into the side at the bottom of every drop), BUT I WILL NEVER STOP! It's just too fun. It makes me feel alive again! If I come off the cyclone relatively unscathed, I feel like I can do anything! If you are small, I recommend sitting next to someone so that your butt is tightly in the seat, otherwise you will feel like you're about to die. I was sitting next to a fellow skinny person and both of us were lifted off our feet... literally. The drops forced me into a standing position... and then suddenly there was nothing under my feet. Absolutely terrifying. SO MUCH FUN! read more

You scream! I scream! We all scream for...the CYCLONE COASTER OF DOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are definitely roller coasters that are faster. There are coasters that have deeper turns and greater plunges. There are fancier, newer, more "aerodynamic" coasters out there... ...but to me, nothing is more terrifying then getting on a rickety old wooden coaster that has been in existance for 30000000 years. I mean...just THINK about that for a moment...just think about how old the tracks are. How old the equiptment is. How many people ride it. And what the insurance premiums on this baby has to be like. Yeah. Keep those images in mind. *NOW* get on this coaster. You see why everyone is screaming at the top of their lungs? Heh. Love this coaster - but be aware that 1) take off your glasses and leave them with bag check - I nearly lost mine if I wasn't holding onto them so tightly, and 2) this is an OLD FASHIONED coaster...which means that the cars were designed for people who didn't have access to pizza delivery and super-sized meals. If you and your roller coaster partner is even 10lbs overweight...it's going to be a *TIGHT* squeeze. read more

My name is Evelyn W, I'm 29 years young, and I rode my first real roller coaster. It took two beers, a vodka soda and two shots of fireball*, but damn it I got on the thing. And what a thing it is! She's over 100 years old, wooden and makes the most intense death rattle sounds I'd heard, until I got on her and started scream-gargling myself. The first climb is pretty much the scariest thing I've ever done. I definitely said some choice words to my riding companions. Things I definitely can't drop in a Yelp review, and I freely say fuck here on the regular. But then... Woosh! Down a big hill and then it's all fun and games and snort laughing. I even wanted to do it a second time, and if there wasn't a line and we didn't have another epic adventure ahead of us I probably would have! Pepper is very proud of herself. *It's a miracle I didn't pee myself or puke on my neighbour. read more

So, a couple weeks ago one of my good friends got whiplash on The Cyclone and bulged a disc in her neck. That same week, The Cyclone was featured as RotD, urging me to ignore my friend's injury. In a moment of either tremendous bravery or stupidity, Justin and I decided to give the wooden wagon of death a go--immediately after downing dogs at Nathan's Famous. Last car. Squashed (and I mean SQUASHED) next to my husband. A surprisingly quick ascent to the first stomach-lurching drop, a very quick view of Coney Island and the water (it really is a lovely view, but the terror of anticipating the sheer steep drop sort of obfuscates its beauty)... and down we went, me screeching my head off all the way as I was lifted off my seat again and again and again. When you look at The Cyclone, it's sorta hard to tell just how many drops there are. None of them are unbearably high, but the steepness makes each drop terrifyingly fun. Like Elisabeth A., my elbow is black and blue from being knocked around, but it's a proud battle wound. $8 is a pretty high price for one heart-stopping ride, but the resulting feeling of accomplishment (that you survived seems nothing short of a miracle) makes it worth it. Bulging discs and bruised elbows be damned; ride this at least once. read more

This should be on everyone's bucket list to ride at least once in your life. I try to ride it at least once a year. Scary... yes. Really rickety. The ultimate wooden coaster. I love how every time you think it is almost over.. it isn't. It's surprisingly long. It's a landmark and has American and Italian flags flying high over it. Yea Brooklyn!! Now $9 a ride. Just do it. Pro tip: Hit up Nathans AFTER not before. Don't be that person. Maybe schedule a massage the next day. read more

I remember when I was little my family would take day trips to Coney Island, holding my mom's hand, craning my neck, and my jaw dropping simultaneously as I tried to glimpse the peak of the roller coaster. I couldn't see the top with the sun in my eyes, but then with a rush of sound, and screams of delight fading in and out in a Doppler Effect; I knew that I wanted to be seated into the roller coaster, to feel closer to the sun, having it warm my skin, and then in gushes have the wind chap it, and screech along with everyone in my cart. I sauntered over the the entrance with my twin sister and pouted when I realized that the cardboard clown was going to tell me I was too short. My mom realizing how badly I wanted to ride the roller coaster said the perfect words: "You'll be tall enough next year" Knowing in myself I couldn't grow enough to have the crown of my head to reach the palm that declares who can ride and who can not; But I knew that it would be one of those things that would be another right of passage into being older and more mature (I thought the same about callouses when I was young, I thought that getting my first callous proved that I was now an adult). Fast forward to about 7 years later, I was now a tall and gangly youth. I just finished my freshmen year of High School and I felt I could handle anything. Again I sauntered over to the clown; and now saw that the palm of his hand came up somewhere to my chest, and smiled at myself. It was going to be my first Roller Coaster, I sat uncomfortably, not quite sure what to expect as we reached the tallest peak, a short pause... Then we fell forward, I was falling, leaving the ground and tumbling towards it. I clasped my best friends hand, and we both threw them into the air that we were leaving behind us. My eyes closed, afraid, but a devilish grin taking up my face, and I hollered: Screamed out any fears, tensions, and inhibitions. Yelled through frustration, disappointment, and against everything I detested. My heart wanted to lurch in to my throat, I swallowed it down, took a turn with the car, and fell again through more space. I quickly looked up and gazed at the expanse of blue in front of me. It was a beautiful day, to finally ride the Cyclone. read more

Between the dropping and the lurching and being thrown from side to side and saying, shit, shit shit through this entire ride, I LOVED it. I just kept telling myself relax, or my chiropractor was going to be a rich man for the next month! Thank god no one was sitting next to me since I would have squished them as flat as a pancake! Man, this thing is old and rickety and wonderful! I came out of there looking like I had just had circus sex. Don't ask! :) read more

The theme of this age-old attraction should be Rocked Me like a Hurricane, because not only does it deliver the thrills (you're getting this from a total death-junkie thrill-seeker), but if you had kidney stones I believe that a ride on the Cyclone would possibly pulverize them. I think I actually suffered from a minor concussion from riding this, but the hysterical laughing fit I experienced during the ride was probably worth it. I actually watched someone give birth on the cyclone. The baby flew out and landed on the ferris wheel. I did have a headache for about 3 hours afterwards--let's call it the Cyclone hangover. read more

I love the thrill of roller coasters-- once in a while, I crave that free falling "stomach" feeling that just makes you want to scream. The brutal beating I took on the Cyclone, however, was not worth the few split seconds of thrills-- especially at $8-a-ride. The Cyclone is thrilling to the first drop. The ascent offers gorgeous views, and the first drop is satisfyingly steep and surprisingly long. From the second drop, the ride gets rougher and jerkier. I was thrown up into the air, only to be restrained harshly by the "padded" security bar which left me bruised, especially on my right thigh. From then on, I was holding on tight so that I wouldn't be thrown about the car, but every jerky turn felt like my wrists were going to snap, not to mention my neck. My whole body (and brain!) hurt at the end of the ride. I've ridden it twice because the first time, I actually enjoyed the experience! I did not get banged up and pray for the end the whole ride-- hopefully your experience is like my first, but I refuse to ever go on it again for fear it'll be a dangerous experience. If you must, ride towards the front-- the very front car, if possible-- and bring lots of padding. (pillows? big down jackets?) The back of the ride is dangerous! There's a reason why the operators tell you to let the ladies go in first: the person sitting on the right side will repeatedly crash into the person on the left side-- please let the lighter of the two go in first! read more

The older you get, the more it HURTS. I went on again over the summer for memory's sake, but I quickly regretted the decision. I walked away with bad whiplash and excruciating bruising in at least five places. It's a great ride overall (and long!), but the safety bar does more damage than it's supposed to save you from, and god HELP you if you sit next to someone wildly varying in body size from you. It's the only coaster I know of that employs a full-time nurse. I don't think anyone's ever died riding the Cyclone, but god damn do you feel like you're going to. It's worth the pain at least once in your life for the experience and the shits-and-giggles factor, but keep the pregnant women, faint-hearted, and easily-bruised away from it. Far, far away. CYCLONE FACTS: Height: 85 feet Length: 2,640 feet Length of First Drop: 85 feet at a 60 degree angle Speed: 60mph Ride Length: 1:50 Trains: 3 trains, 3 cars per train Capacity: 24 Passengers per train (2 across in 4 rows per car) For the curious or uninformed: no, the Cyclone does not go upside down. It's one of the oldest operating roller coasters, and at the time it was built the inversion technology wasn't around yet. It still gives you the same high though, albeit it's a high from seeing your entire life flash before your eyes. Good times. read more

The first time I saw the Cyclone, it was 1985, and I was seven and on a trip to the New York Aquarium with camp. The bus parked in the lot and there was this rumble and then earth shattering screams and the cars crested over the highest peak on the structure- the only part visible over the aquarium fence. I told my dad (a chaperone)- I needed to get on it and he dismissed my desperation, saying, "That's the Cyclone. That thing 'll kill ya." I settled with buying a plastic snow globe with penguins inside of it. Years later, when I moved to Brooklyn, I hopped a train out to Coney Island every chance I could, with whomever I could convince, no matter how late- well at least until 2- I think on peak summer weekends, it only closes when people stop coming. An unbelievable national treasure- you can't screamingly ride the Liberty Bell or the Lincoln Memorial- at least not in good taste and without getting arrested. read more

This roller-coaster is said to be the finest in the world. I would have to say, if being beaten to a pulp equals finest in the world, then this coaster is the finest in the world. The Cyclone is all wood and all sharp angles. Corners are basically straight segments pieced together into a curve-like shape. I would insist that you must ride this thing at least once in your life to truly feel like you've done it all. Partially to understand, if your a man, what child-birth must feel like, or if your a woman, to understand what a shower must feel like in prison. You will wake up the next day with a few bruises, but that's just your initiation fee, to a secret society... of fun seekers. Tip: Don't bring anything on the Cyclone. It will be either shaken out of your pockets, or crushed. Have a person in your group, who isn't riding, hold them for you while you get beaten up by the roller-coaster. read more

Phil treated me to this experience after the Elite event at the Brooklyn Cyclones game and oh my gawd! What fun! Sure you come out bruised and $8 poorer but it's such an experience! It's rickety but with lots of dips, it keeps you screaming for more. Do this at night because you get a beautiful view of the lights of Luna Park! Thanks Phil! read more

With your ticket comes a legendary ride on the Cyclone roller coaster located in atsroland of coney island, brooklyn and that nagging thought in the back of your mind "Am I going to die?" When was the last time this thing passed inspection? Are you sure this rusty bar pushed up loosely against my stomach will keep me from flying out? 100% of the last group that went on made it.... So you're finally moving.. Wow this thing is realy made completely out of decades old wood!!Haha its like the little roller coaster that could rattling up the first hill!Ok here we go....TURN TURN TURN..WE'RE GOING TO RUN OFF THE COASTER...WE SHOULD BE TURNING BY NOW!!!..and rinse and repeat till the ride comes to a stop! Come to astroland, hold on for dear life, and see the cyclone and ask these questions for yourself before threy are both gone forever... is it true this is the last summer?? read more

I want to take a moment to review the historical event in my life that has just taken place: Riding the cyclone for the first time in my adult life! !! I have a blurred memory of being thrown around in a wooden roller coaster from my childhood. I grew up in both Brooklyn and Long Island New York but traveled a lot, so it's hard to say if this was the Coney Island Cyclone or a roller coaster from Dollywood (it's pretty concerning that I cannot make the distinction). But i know some of this was memorable, and I think fair to say, traumatizing, because shortly after, we got out of our seats and upon entering the rest of the park, my dad(who was thrilled beyond words) looked down to check on me to see if my glowing little 6 or 7 year old face was spellbound...and despite his best intentions I blew chunks everywhere. I remember, vividly, projectile-vomiting into the nearest trashcan, and.. the surrounding area, haunting me to never want that feeling again. It's been twenty years. I gathered the strength and decided to go for it. This past weekend, I did it. My boyfriend lied to me and said that kids go on it and that I should too. For the record: they now have signage next to all the "exteme" thrill rides that indicate if you are a certain height you are allowed. Look, I survived. He lied. No big deal. All the kids waited while the parents and older siblings went on to brave the good fight. But I am alive. I didn't hurl. I even maybe loved it. No photo capture for evidence though. My head was buried into my own torso somehow. I look headless. A little creepy. Okay anyway it was incredible. But when I have kids I'm going to ease their way into it, SO I DON'T RUIN MY CHILDREN'S ENTIRE ADOLESCENCE! Short story long, I'm going again this weekend and maybe every weekend till both the season and management say i'm not allowed. read more

I've ridden on this coaster three or four times, the most recently this weekend, and each time I've come out bruised, beat up and as if I just got into a bar fight*, not ridden a roller coaster. They've added padding recently, but the lap bar still doesn't come down sufficiently, they've got a first aid kit from all the bruising and cuts you should just expect to get on this ride and it's now $8 per person per ride**. Face it, if you're touristing at Coney you're probably going to ride this ride, just to say you did. But don't blame me when you wake up the next morning feeling like you just went three rounds with Mike Tyson. * - Not that I've ever been in a bar fight; I'm just speculating here. ** - $8 per ride per person? Are you kidding me? Even if it didn't beat the crap out of me, the ride is still only less than a minute! read more

What makes this roller coaster so awesome: -Its OLD. I think this was its 85th anniversary (wow, its been through a lot more than I have!) -Its scary because its so rickity and shakey! -Sit at the front or the back. The back gets the most shaking. At the front, nothing is blocking your view. I sat at the front and nearly lost my voice from all that screaming. -There aren't that many safety belts, just a bar over your legs. I would recommend sitting together with a friend so its more snug and you are less likely to slip around on the chair -it was $9 but since I had just run the Brooklyn Half marathon, we got a $3 discount. Still, that's pretty expensive for a roller coaster. read more

Pretty much the greatest roller coaster ever built. Definitely ride it if you wanna feel violated. read more

Everytime I ride the Cyclone, I think I'm going to die.. but death by roller coaster doesn't seem so bad when you're having this much fun!!! Yes, it may be expensive ($6 a ride, when I went this summer - extra if you want to go again), but it is completely worth it. The Cyclone really is the ride of your life. read more

The Cyclone roller coaster is NOT going anywhere when they demolish and rebuild Coney Island. As part of the agreement with developers they agreed to keep the coaster up and running. This coaster is the only one that gives me white knuckles when its going up and down on the track. In an age of so many electronic smooth running coasters, it is nice to have this gem 10 minutes from my apartment. $1 a ride! read more

When I got off this ride I had bruises everywhere. Like eight bruises. One for every dollar I spent. Terrible deal. They should've said, "You're gonna hurt on this ride." When I got off, I found out that The Cyclone is the oldest functional roller coaster in the world. I wish I had known that before I risked my life. This roller coaster was made in the year 1927. They should change the name of this ride to "1927" because that fact is way scarier than cyclones. We didn't know anything back then by the way. We thought cigarettes were good for us. Just to give you an idea, sliced bread came on the market in 1928. So when people describe something as being "the greatest thing since sliced bread," they mean it's the greatest thing in an unimaginably long time. This roller coaster was made one year BEFORE that. The year before the standard for a long time ago. The whole thing is made of wood. Wood! You know, that indestructible substance that NASA uses for its space shuttles. I think if they want the ride to be really scary, when you're strapped in and going on that first big climb, they should just have all of these facts going by. Like, click, click, click "This ride was made in 1927!" click, click "Of material that termites eat!" click, "By people who thought cigarettes were nutritious!" BAM! Here's a bruise! Ahhhhhhh! Steep drop once you know the facts. Whenever I talk about The Cyclone in New York, people get upset at me. They say, "That thing is a historical landmark!" Yeah, I'm not saying we should burn the thing down. Although, it would take just one match. -- Kumail Nanjiani "Beta Male" Comedy Central Records read more

Only in NY can you take the train to ride a roller coaster! This coaster is crazy fun. That's why other amusement parks try to duplicate it. It's shaky as hell and if you're riding solo, you might bang up your hips and get some serious bruises. Then again, it's all in the name of fun! People sometimes complain about the price, but if you actually do the math and calculate how long it would take you to go to Six Flags and how many rides you get to go on in the span of a day, and then the time it takes you to line up, I think it's possibly costlier than paying the price for one ride. The best part is, once you ride, you can re-ride for half price. How cool is THAT! Love it. This is a must do in your lifetime. read more

Oh boy. This is a tough review. I'm trying to remain objective as a rollercoaster hater. On the one hand, I appreciate the historic context of the Cyclone. On the other, I just hated every second of it. The whole thing was rickety and jolty, and the impact gave me an awful headache. It was also terrifying -the cars are all old and original, and it feels like you could fly out anytime. That said. If you like rollercoasters, you'll love this one. If you like feeling like every bone in your body is attempting to come free of your skin, you'll like it even more. read more

What happened?! Before Hurricane Sandy, this was an intense but FUN roller coaster for 5 bucks a ride. It was the first roller coaster I'd ever been on, kids' rides aside, and I was really excited when it reopened. But just no. Now, it shakes REALLY hard. Like, I'm-going-to-make-your-body-hurt-for-days hard. Your souvenir is a headache. And the price has nearly doubled. I understand that they're trying to get back in business following the storm, but this one isn't worth the money anymore. read more

I had no idea that the Cyclone is now $8. As a woman who prizes frugality, it does seem a bit much for a ride that's less than 2 minutes. I still remember riding during the 75th anniversary. In honor of that, they only charged $0.75 per ride and the line went around the block! However, as time wore on, fewer and fewer boarded (it really is a terrifying if exhilirating ride), and I was able to ride it six times. Ah, bliss... read more

The Cyclone isn't only a ride, but an experience. Just waiting on line gets you giddy, knowing you'll soon be joining a New York legacy. A dinosaur of a roller coaster at 80, you'd think it would be a piece of cake compared to say... Six Flags. But if you've ever been on the Cyclone, you know that it is one tough ride. The Cyclone is a wooden coaster, and to say it's jerky would be an understatement. Also, the drops and force give you the feeling that this small bar to keep you in won't stop you from flying out of the car. But the rattling rails, near whiplash and fear of imminent death are just the quirks that make the Cyclone so unique that it's stood the test of time. Once your done, you'll be tempted to ride it again. Shame this might not last for more summers on the boardwalk. read more

I am a fan. And I'm not. It's great, I'm just a bit of a wuss. The Cyclone is iconic. From seeing it in the cult gang movie The Warriors (and many other movies also), it was so familiar to me when I saw it in person. And it looks much more sturdy in real life than its wooden structure might suggest. That said, it was the most bone shaking roller coaster I've ever been on. I recommend you share a row with someone. That might seem a bit of a bizarre to say but I was in a group of three and opted to sit behind the other two. As a lone occupant of a seat, you get thrown about a bit as you go around bends. Holy shaking coaster Batman. Clattering around bends and the occasional heart stopping steep drop, it got my blood pumping. 1 min 50 sec later and we are done. Again! Again! For 9 bucks it's great value and a very memorable experience. Staff were very attentive to your safety when getting on board. A must do when in Coney Island. read more

When was the last time you experienced the thrill of riding a 90 year old wooden roller coaster? If the answer is never, then you have not been on one of the granddaddy's of the amusement world. Having recently been to Six Flags and then realizing I have not been to the Cyclone in my own back yard, it was time to finally take the ride. I expected quaint and instead got thrilling. The wooden coaster has that crickety feel on top of the ups and downs and lots of side to side action. Sitting in the last car will bring these all out in force. On top of that, the ride keeps going when you think it will be over; a big plus. So make the trip to this landmark institution and get one of great thrills of your life, then do it once more. read more

As a life long rider of this LEGEND, there is really not much to say other than it will conquer ALL YOUR FEARS. I have been riding it for 25 years, I go to clear my mind whenever I'm out in Coney! In fact, I have it tattooed on my ankle. MINUS one star of this otherwise 5-star roller coaster for the following reasons... 1) The new owners are ATROCIOUS... Up until 2 summers ago, you could go and wait as long as you needed (or it took) to ride in the first or last car.. this is important because the dynamics of the roller coaster make those cars the most fun. I actually prefer the last car to the first as it bounces around the most. These days, they do not "allow" you to wait yet they "allow" their FRIENDS to pick their cars. Absolutely ridiculous. 2) It used to be that you could ride again without having to leave the vicinity and go all the way around for an extra few bucks. It was nice and easy: you get your 2 rides and move on (even a die hard like me gets absolutely nauseous after a double... i have no idea how anyone can handle more than two in a row). Now it takes an extra 30 mins to get on again - TOTALLY NOT WORTH IT. 3) The "kids" who now operate it have NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING. They are rude and inconsiderate to customers and think they own the world. Dude, you get paid $8 an hour for a summer job. You are a nobody. The people who run this landmark need to get their Old Guard back because the aggravation I felt the last time I rode this (the first summer under new management) was the LAST time I will ride it until shit changes. And yea, I've ridden this thing at least 1,000 times during my life so it isn't something i'm dying to do... However if you haven't gone you should. It will be life altering... just don't forget to roll your eyes at the asshat kids who think they own the place. read more

I'm not a person who rides roller coasters- at least I didn't think I was until a recent Sunday afternoon. I was feeling empowered and pumped with adrenaline after spending some time on the kiddie-coasters in Luna Park without vomiting. I had a free ticket for the Cyclone and thought to myself, "Franny, you only live once, so you might as well risk everything....plus, you'll feel like I loser if you don't." And before I knew it I was sitting in the third car from the front. I closed my eyes and screamed and it was over in about 15 seconds. It made me feel like a bad ass and gives me bragging rights (I like to think). Maybe someday I'll try it with my eyes open. Or not. read more

I haven't cussed this much in a 2-minute window since I was in high school. Feel like a fat ass though weightless in one fell swoop. About 15 seconds into it, you think: "whoever the bleep built this was an evil, sadistic genius I'd like to stab repeatedly!" Laugh hysterically while both you and your seat partners' coccyx fracture into mosaic art. You notice crazy "No-thumbs" Gideon (don't stare lest u get the evil eye) manning the main switch upon your boarding and think: "$4?--this ish better be good." I've never seen, heard, or felt as a child quite like those fleeting moments my life flashed before my eyes blurring through a humid, gray backdrop of Brooklyn. Skydiving 2 yrs prior invoked half as much pleasure and terror. Hurts so good. read more

I am a roller coaster lover, and a wooden one in particular. But this thing -- DAYUM. It's not the height that'll reel you in, nor is it the length, speed, location, or anything of the sort. But the construction of this ride is so old school to the point that it's like they purposely haven't updated anything about it -- this ride beats the crap out of you. I like rough wooden roller coasters, but I really thought this thing wanted to legitimately hurt me, haha. This coaster is torn-up, beat-up, and wants you to be the same after you get off it. I've ridden so many coasters over the years, and while this one would never get a mention on any "best of" list, it deserves a mention here due to its ability to rough you up. read more

Not much of a coaster. But wait. Look closer. See all those creaks and croaks and possible wood rot, safety hazards abound. You get that goosebump feeling. Have fun with that Nathan's lunch you just had. And it might be a good thing to bring a torso brace, or elbow pads. Its a bit jerky. Kind of like that beef jerky bag that I couldn't get open in my University Gourmet Deli review. Chris I need that jerky back, its a healthy low fat snack with the protein to make me Ah-nuld II. read more

I been on coasters that are scary, but I do not think I been on such a rickety coaster in my life and that reason makes this ride a thrill. It feels at any moment this coaster is going to collapse, but just say what the hell and go for the ride. read more