From The Vault: Take nostalgic look at Coney Island before rides close today

wcpo.com ^ | Sep 21, 2019 | WCPO staff

[ransomnote]

CINCINNATI — Coney Island opened its first roller coaster, called Dip The Dips, in 1911. That was just one milestone in a long history of fun attractions at the park where Walt Disney used to visit to get ideas for Disneyland.

Now, 108 years later, there’s only one day left to enjoy the rides at the popular east-side, Ohio River landmark, which once held the title of America’s top amusement park.

TAKE a nostalgic look at Coney Island rides in the 1960s and 70s:

Coney is removing its rides after Saturday - the last day of the park season. The park – and the rides - are open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. as part of Coney's International Fireworks Competition.

Soon, there will only be memories of the 21 rides still at the park, including the Python, Scrambler, Tempest and Tilt-A-Whirl, as well as long-ago favorites like the Shooting Star, Wild Mouse, Lost River and Wildcat. Not to mention the Sky Ride, Turnpike, Carousel and others that were removed in the 1960s and 70s, when Coney closed for two years - and nearly forever.

Like generations of Tri-Staters, Dennis Speigel, who now runs a company that oversees theme park projects in several countries, has many fond memories of Coney - and moreso. He started working there in 1959 as a ticket-taker while he was in high school.

MORE AT LINK: INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOS

[Celtic Conservative]

Only half of Walt’s ideas came from amusement parks. The other half came from establishments like Greenfield village in Dearborn.

CC

[rlmorel]

[quilterdebbie]

Thank you for the clarification! I have been looking forward to going there and eating baloney on a roll!

[Doc91678]

I was referring to Coney Island in Bklyn NY. That is where the original Nathan’s evan.

[Doc91678]

I was referring to Coney Island in Bklyn NY. That is where the original Nathan’s evan.