North America 06/25 – Luna Park, Deno’s Wonder Wheel + Adventurers FEC
We’ve reached the end at last. Final day started out a lot more optimistic in my head because although Great Adventure is down two coasters, it’s also up one clone. And free.
Reality soon kicked in when we mathed out going though and it was at that point in the two week trip where you start to just care less – the New Jersey effect. It would surely make for another miserable day trying to combine it with
Day 14 – Luna Park
Bit of a legend this one, but not one I’ve ever been particularly excited for. When you’re flying in or out of JFK airport, this being the first time we had willingly done that, it seems silly not to pop in for the intense coaster injection.
The lack of excitement stems from it being a Zamperla catalogue showcase, you know that Italian company that also poorly modifies 400ft launch coasters. So aside from a beach and the name, there’s really not much glamour to it.
There’s the beach.
First up was #1 Tony’s Express, a name no doubt much more effective with a New York accent.
As a coaster it was pretty poor, though it looks the part, vibrating in an unpleasant fashion for the entirety of the two laps, far more so than it should for a family coaster anyway.
Integrated log flume is a nice touch, I guess.
Next to that is the #2 Thunderbolt, which was a faff of a queue for 10 people because the loose item storage window acts entirely optional but then the staff in the station wait until the last second to make it mandatory and then send everyone back to the window, through other people and a turnstyle after having scanned their tickets or wristbands.
They’re a faff of a ride too really, still not a fan of the restraints, to no surprise. Comes down in such an unprecedented place, mid-leg, which negates any decent force it may or may not have. Most notably this had less violent ejector than the Alabama equivalent, which could be seen as a blessing or a curse.
Next to that is #3 Steeplechase, one of these horrible things again. But horseys, not motybikes.
Then there’s a Mini Mouse model called #4 Mini Mouse. Didn’t have the imagination to call it Tuff Tuff Taget.
The #5 Tickler, which didn’t tickle.
The #6 Circus Coaster, which to me is famous for being the best coaster at that park in China with the worst coaster lineup in the world. Still waiting on someone to find me a worse one.
Oh and the #7 Cyclone I guess. Turns out if you go as hardcore as us, then this is the best parking spot as it’s reasonably priced for a 2 hour stint, which is plenty for 10 one and dones. Vibes are guaranteed, safety is not.
I was more worried for the ride however, it has built a reputation over the years for being a murderous old thing on and off.
It was fine however, always good to get on an icon and quite fun in our forcefully blagged non-wheel seat. Bit of bounce, bit of force, super cushy and comfy seating which is always one of the highlights of things like this.
Definitely the only real reason to come really, it even stands alone from the rest of the park. I like the fact that you enter from an actual street, through a protective cage.
And this view, I like this view.
Confusingly, in the middle of Luna Park lies
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park.
Where drink will flow and blood will spill. They have a separate ticketing system for their attractions, which include highlights such as
The #8 Sea Serpent. No review required.
and the #9 Skyflyer. No review required.
Again we’d saved their best for last with #10 Phoenix, which during the trip I had managed to convince myself was another S&S and then, post Dutch Wonderland, was concerned about.
It’s a Vekoma though, thankfully, words we can safely utter this decade.
Pretty decent too, but I’d put it below the Orkanen layout and above the Kvasten one. Bit less swoopy and forceful, more faffy with the space. 2 laps is nice for the pay per ride.
Luna Park
I lied, I hadn’t saved the best for last, I had saved the worst for last.
Ending the trip on a Volare seemed oddly cathartic, except that #11 Soarin’ Eagle turned out to be the best damn Volare I’ve ever ridden.
It was (relatively) smooth, I put myself in the perfect position and it performed an appropriate amount of braking throughout, to not get too out of hand. Zamperla’s new best of the trip.
I lied, we didn’t end the trip on a Volare. After making record time it turned out we had driven past a Wacky Worm up the road.
Adventurers Family Entertainment Center
didn’t even have photos on RCDB, which is amazing considering their location. Less so when they ignore your submissions.
This guy on #12 TL*3 Coaster does though, and he’s about as gone as I was at this stage.
Free parking and a +1, what’s not to love? Better than Cedar Point.
Yay, Summary time.
Total states – 15
New creds – 78
New dark rides – 9
New parks – 19
New RMCs – 0
Best new coaster – Behemoth(?)
Best coaster – Wicked Cyclone(*)
Best new dark ride – Whispering Pines Hotel
Best new park – Story Land
Best park – Knoebels
Distance travelled – 3357 Miles
Spites – 17/95 (17.89%)
Kinda rough overall, the numbers don’t always sell the story but no Alpenfury, no Top Thrill 2, no Goliath, no Siren’s Curse, no Quantum Accelerator, no Crazy 8 Family Coaster, pretty much all the reasons we chose and planned this particular trip, brings it into perspective a little more.
Plus I would have liked to actually say goodbye to Batwing and Wild One, having made the effort.
Boulder Dash (eventually), the Maine and New Hampshire parks were nice to finally get to, Canada was not, and we ended up relying rather heavily on some old favourites in Kennywood, Knoebels and Kings D to save our souls.
Had a lot of fun anyway, despite the complaining, it’s either still my favourite thing to do right now or I’m too far gone to know any better.
Should have been telling stories about more European creds around about now but it’s still 2025. Guess it’s time to go back to my roots.