Coney Island (NY) now owned by Disney?

[Laz]

Friends that came by from NYC went to Coney Island and heard from workers and guests that Disney bought Coney Island and will take control in 2008. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[LucyStorm]

Friends that came by from NYC went to Coney Island and heard from workers and guests that Disney bought Coney Island and will take control in 2008. Has anyone else heard this?

Wouldn't that be wonderful? I wonder what they would do in the winter months though.....

 

[SplshMtn99]

That doesn't sound right at all. Disney doesn't buy up old amusement parks. That's something Six Flags does.

Googling "coney island sold" gets this for results. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=coney+island+sold&btnG=Google+Search

Sold to a developer, but not Disney.

 

[Missy1961]

News to me! I live in NY, if this were true, I would have heard it by now.

 

[SamRoc]

I live in Brooklyn, not far from Coney island, and heard that a developer called Thor Equities has been buying up alot of land and businesses in the past few years in Coney Island. Heres an article about Joe Sitt, who is the developer.
http://nymag.com/nymetro/realestate/features/14498/

 

[eclectics]

Just a rumor. It was sold, but not to Disney. Developer plans to keep several of the "classic" rides and develop the rest of the land into shops, condos, and a hotel.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Friends that came by from NYC went to Coney Island and heard from workers and guests that Disney bought Coney Island and will take control in 2008. Has anyone else heard this?

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/news/response.cfm?ID=620
Apparently its been discussed (rumors) since 2002. I found lots of talks like these on the subject.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Isn't Google a wonderful thing? A day doesn't pass where I don't google at least 10 times.

 

[ChrisFL]

actually screamscape is reporting that they've finally dumped the condo idea as it just wouldnt work with amusement space next to it. This is a savior for Coney Island (and I still want to go while it's still there)

 

[grammynelliebelle]

When I was a little girl (50 years ago) our family used to go to Steeplechase in Coney Island for a day trip. I loved it! it was our WDW! Grammy

 

[JR6ooo4]

My Mom was born and raised in Linden New Jersey. I bought a DVD about CI and thought I would play it the next time family got together. I just read the back and it says "...from its start in the 1800s to its demise after WWII..." She was born in '39 so all her memories are from when it sucked? maybe I will not mention the DVD....

I remember swimming in the ocean and walking the boardwalk with wet underwear, and ski-ball! Hehehehheeheee

MIkeeeee

 

[Aisling]

actually screamscape is reporting that they've finally dumped the condo idea as it just wouldnt work with amusement space next to it. This is a savior for Coney Island (and I still want to go while it's still there)

I live 15 minutes from Coney island, and there are already coop (condo-style) apartment complexes here. It has worked out fine for years.
Much of the attractions are pieces of junk, an embarrassment, except for the Cyclone. It's the nostalgia that keeps Coney Island alive, and the new money coming in through the developers is going to revitilize the area. Bring back the Carousel with the brass ring, bring in some decent restaurants instead of the shacks, give Nathan's a facelift. They've already been having concerts there, even Liza Minelli showed up, and that's a plus.

I love Coney Island, and look forward to it being renewed. The only problem I see is that real estate/rents are going to go way up.

 

[Aisling]

I remember swimming in the ocean and walking the boardwalk with wet underwear, and ski-ball!

Was that YOU??????????

 

[Forevryoung]

For my sister's birthday last year we went to Coney Island- my parents grew up in Brooklyn and we went with my aunt, uncle, grandma, parents... and then we went to this pizza place that had the best pizza when they were growing up.

Seeing my grandma ride the ferris wheel (in a cart that swings no less) was probably the highlight of the trip. We did the go carts, walked the boardwalk, went on rides... Certainly a fun day for all. My parents went on dates there, my dad was taken there as a treat when he was a little kid...

I can see it being horrible or "stupid" if the place holds no memories for you.

 

[mrFDNY]

Friends that came by from NYC went to Coney Island and heard from workers and guests that Disney bought Coney Island and will take control in 2008. Has anyone else heard this?

Actually i grew up and still live about under 10 minutes from coney island. For years there have been rumors about disney buying up land in coney island, sadly thats all there is too it are rumors. About 10 or 15 years ago some paper reported that disney personnal where doing surveys of the land in coney island, but it was proved to be untrue days later. There was a article in yesterdays or the day before's nyc post that the condo idea has been tossed out and the current owner of most of the land, plans to put 2 hotels, a very large indoor water park and many other new thrill rides. I guess we will have to wait and see, as for the disney part, as much is i wish it were true, it is not.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Can any of you tell me the height restriction on Cyclone? I know it was in the 50's. Thank you!

 

[SamRoc]

Can any of you tell me the height restriction on Cyclone? I know it was in the 50's. Thank you!

I'm really not sure of the height requirements on the cyclone. I thought I would know that as we live in the area and when my kids were little, they had alot of class trips there and to the Aquarium. I will try to find out for you. Heres some info about the Cyclone:

http://www.astroland.com/

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks, SamRoc. Last time we were there my kids were too small to ride. I'd like to try it again but want to be sure they'll make it. I'll read the link later.

 

[RickinNYC]

Nope, Disney has nothing to do with the purchase.

As much as I do see the need to maintain some level of consitency for nostalgia's sake, Coney Island needs a MASSIVE refurb in every way, from the boardwalk, the rides, the food stands and more. I can't imagine this is going to be anything but great for the neighborhood and the city as a whole.

Joe and I are planning our once per year "let's play hooky" day soon, going to ride the Cyclone and gorge on Nathan's. Love doing that!

 

[ziggystardust]

Part of Coney Island is a landmark so they won't be changing all of it - which I'm kind of happy about. I just hope they can make it what it once was.

My sister refuses to go on rollercoasters b/c the cyclone freaked her out so much!