Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park in Coney Island

Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park in Coney Island is a theme park on the beach. This amusement park in New York’s Coney Island is famous for the Ferris wheel of the same name, but also offers rides such as the Phoenix Roller Coaster and Spook-A-Rama. At Deno’s Wonder Wheel, you pay per attraction and prices may vary.

A ride on the Wonder Wheel is included in the price of the New York Pass.

Contents

Deno’s Wonder Wheel in New York

In 1920, one of the first Ferris wheels opened in Coney Island. Soon, the ride, which was called Wonder Wheel, became iconic. In 1983, Denos Vourderis bought the amusement park, and changed the name to Deno’s Wonder Wheel. He expanded the amusement park to include more than twenty rides for all ages. Deno’s Amusement Park has also been the filming location for Men in Black 3, The Blacklist and Wonder Wheel, among others.

Attractions in Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park

In Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park you will find attractions for young and old; the big Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, roller coasters and more. The amusement park can be compared to a fair. Coney Island is the place for entertainment in New York. Some attractions have been here for over a hundred years and have become famous because of this.

Wonder Wheel

Deno’s Wonder Wheel is a world-famous attraction and has been declared a NYC Landmark, which gives the Ferris Wheel a protected status. You can admire the New York skyline from 45 metres up. What is special about this Ferris wheel is that 16 of the 24 cars move. The swinging cars glide to the centre of the wheel and as the wheel turns, they slide towards the perimeter of the Ferris wheel. The other eight cars are stationary.

A ride on the Wonder Wheel is included in the price of the New York Pass.

Phoenix Roller Coaster

Fly at a speed of 53 kilometres per hour on the Phoenix Roller Coaster. This roller coaster was built by a Dutch company and opened in 2021. The Phoenix in Deno’s Wonder Wheel is accessible for the entire family. In the Phoenix, your feet hang freely in the air and you can almost touch Deno’s Wonder Wheel because of the exciting turns the roller coaster takes.

Spook-A-Rama

If you dare, you can take a ride in Spook-A-Rama through the haunted house filled with skeletons, large rats and other frightening scenes. Cannons are fired and zombies rise from a coffin. Step into an old wooden barrel that serves as a trolley and let it come over you.

Eric’s Tip: “Apart from the different attractions, you can also eat something at the amusement park, such as a pizza at Famiglia Pizzeria, something sweet at Deno’s Sweet Shoppe or a world-famous hot dog at Nathan’s. The hotdogs are definitely worth a try!”

Practical information

Deno’s Wonder Wheel is located between different sections of the other amusement park in Coney Island: Luna Park. Tickets for the rides can be bought at a ticket booth. You can pay with cash or credit card.

Coney Island is easily reached by subway. Lines N, D, F or Q will take you to the Coney Island subway station, which is also the last stop. From here, walk to the boulevard where the entrance to Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park is located.