Inside Coney Island, NYC: The World's Amusement Park

Tom Delgado shows you around New York's Coney Island, the Brooklyn neighborhood that birthed the modern theme park. He tells the story of Luna Park, Dreamland, Steeplechase Park, and Fred Trump. Shot by Eric Thirteen.
Please check out Tom's Patreon - / tomdnyc
Follow Tom on IG - / tomdnyc
For tickets to Tom's weekly comedy show in the East Village - / whatelsecomedy
Venmo - venmo.com/tomdnyc
Paypal - www.paypal.com...

[@sgtleobella]

I always look forward to Eric's tried and true response to how he's doing: I'm good.

[@dazziola]

And the reactions to the new Matrix movie 😅

[@deniseg812]

As to the incubators, that is the way the doctor was able to get funding. My friend's mother who just passed at 91, was one of those babies.

[@robertusfarm]

Been on two senior trips with my daughters to NYC. As a historian myself, though nearly not at your level. I wish we could have had you as our tour guide. I see this channel gaining serious traction in the future. VERY WELL DONE Tom.

[@mochalibrarian5682]

My husband and I absolutely love your videos. We are historian lovers Your information is valuable to us. Keep doing what you love.

[@karon718]

Thank you for this. I was born and raised in Coney Island and you taught me things I still didn't know.

[@AtomicGarden1983]

We went on the wonder wheel this summer and I decided it would be a good idea to get in one of the sliding gondolas. It was absolutely terrifying! 😂

[@JL-vv7rf]

But tell me it wasn’t worth it.. I absolutely loved going on that with my grandma when I was younger.

[@MurraySheer]

Another classic walking tour! Thanks Tom

[@RobinHerzig]

This is my part of town! Grew up around there eating Nathan's franks + riding the Cyclone 👏 Fun little fact, my grandparents often went to Coney Island when they were dating mid 1930's during the Depression So many great memories… also yeah fred trump built trump village, his first big development project here. I had friends living around there + my uncle had an apartment up there too For more fun facts about old trumpy, look up Wayne Barrett's articles from then - Village Voice, late '70s-ish (pre- Short-Fingered Vulgarian / Spy mag)

[@maryham6533]

When I was a little girl I remember seeing in the far off distance from the Cyclone, I think southeast of, a burnt out roller coaster. My mom and my aunt were talking about how it was the mafia that did it. That was in the early 80s. That dog walking up and down is such a cutie. ❤ 🐕 ❤ Edit: So I found a video on KZbin about the burnt roller coaster ride. It was called the Tornado. It was set on fire in January 1977. I never knew that until now.

[@gw4690]

Since you are NY's undeniable official premier tour guide, I'm sure you can gain access to the many hidden gems that are off limits to the unwashed masses: hidden subway stations, the top of the Chrysler building, secret areas of Central Park, etc.?

[@stephenbacks3100]

I’ve been there twice. The first time was in 1999, when my wife and I took our first trip to NYC, and got lost at 2 am on the subway. Scary place at night. Second time was last year, after most of the area was closed for the season. I went alone (I lost my wife to cancer), and stopped at Nathan’s. I’ll try again one of these days.

[@minkles1330]

Whenever I think of Coney island I can only ever think of The Warriors haha.

[@minkles1330]

James Remar will always be Ajax to me, don't care how old he gets... "I'll shove that bat up your ass and turn you into a popsicle.. f%$king eh". LOVE IT!. "Shoulda figured they were wimps"

[@JL-vv7rf]

Yes, I remember when my mom showed me. She was like “does that background look familiar”

[@irinagal6789]

Great info , wish we could have seen more of Coney Island , parks and neighborhoods. Thanks

[@BradMarcus]

Nice video! I've been going to Coney since I was little. Went to Abe Stark every week to learn to skate. They used to have a small Nathan's in there. Sandy trashed the back wall, so Nathan's was gone. I still take my kids at least once a year. Wonderful stories and video! Thanks!

[@LuciePohl1]

This is the best video on KZbin! Tom is the best!

[@nadumsharshonpematsering3738]

I have learned so many things from ur vlog regarding information about the state of New York. Therefore I really thank u so much for ur hard work and always watch all ur videos….

[@chencharoo]

That dog totally got me!

[@gregorylichtenson757]

Coney Island will Always be a VERY SPECIAL PLACE...AS A BOY I WOULD RIDE THE B OR THE D TRAIN TO STILLWELL Ave

[@gc4644]

The baby incubator attraction was originally at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. It (and some other attractions) were moved to Coney Island after the 1904 World's Fair was over.

[@pedroomila]

Those guys are always blasting sound in that same spot 😂😂😂

[@stephenaitken1560]

Went to NY there for the first time in June 2023. I absolutely loved Coney Island. Don't get me wrong...I thought New York was unreal, but Coney Island in my opinion gave me a look at the real USA. Loved it.

[@JL-vv7rf]

You really would’ve loved it when Astro land was still a thing too. I was so sad to know I wouldn’t be able to go on some of those ride when I go older and taller 😢😂😂

[@williammclellan1334]

Awesome video! I was going to suggest on patreon a walking tour of the Warriors. I imagine Tom would be able to make the whole trek shown in the film a history rich experience.

[@jodibrooklyn1033]

Recognize it from my terrace at Trump Village - 20th floor, perfect view of Astroland and the beach (bays 8 & 9).

[@cybergal99]

Fun video .. but what about Astroland? The area now known as Luna Park was Astroland for most of my life and I'm old .. it had a log flume ride and some underwater thing that wasn't worth the price of admission .. as well as the "AstroTower", double decker spinning thing that went really high and great views .. not to mention the skyride which was cable cars with spherical cars that went back and forth from Surf Av to the Boardwalk .. but most of the ride changed, of course there was one of those Polar Express type rides .. Okay everyone we're going backwards now .. CI Also there was the Tornado Roller Coaster up the block from Nathans (burnt down) and the Thunderbolt near Steeplechase (made famous by Woody Allen's Annie Hall) .. Anyway, always love your videos .. keep em coming ..

[@pridematters6518]

The original Luna Park, first opened in 1903 and destroyed by a fire in 1944, sat north of Surf Avenue. Robert Moses did not allow Luna Park's owners to rebuild and instead used that land for housing after WWII. On the south side of Surf Avenue, and running all the way to the boardwalk were a bunch of independently owned rides. This included the old Tornado and Bobsled rides. The Albert family bought most but not all of those rides and created Astroland in 1962. Originally Astroland had a new, modern space theme that briefly revived Coney Island, which by then was down to just Steeplechase Park, but even as early as the late '60s, necessary upkeep was being neglected. By then, and as mentioned in the video, Steeplechase itself was razed by Fred Trump. Aside from a few independent rides, Astroland was the only show in town for decades. The area became a high crime area but still, Astroland continued on, year after year. It wasn't until the area got better that things got worse for the Albert family. Speculation over new non-amusement development grew that the Alberts were finally pressured into selling. This happened in 2008; the Zamperla family came in and leased the land from the city in 2009; a new Luna Park (with far better rides) was opened over the old Astroland in 2010. Since then they've expanded well past the old Astroland boundaries and (thanks to the Scream Zone area) probably offer as many rides as even the original Luna Park. Also, as the video states, Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, created from the patch of independent rides not purchased by the Albert family, has been around since 1983. Originally it was just the Wonder Wheel itself and some kiddy rides. Kinda cheap and uninspired like the surrounding area itself. The rise of the new Luna Park however has gotten Deno's to add their own roller coaster, the Phoenix. It's a great ride, probably the 3rd best in all of Coney, after the Cyclone and new Thunderbolt. Together, new Luna Park and Deno's have Coney looking as good as its looked since the closing of Steeplechase Park in 1964. Still a long ways to go to match previous greatness, but def getting there!

[@slkmhs08]

I live here and grew up with my grandparents here and this information was so cool.

[@charleshays5407]

Luna Park also was the inspiration for Luna Park in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia.

[@matthewhintz6404]

“Oh you got it all figured out eh? Why don’t you rub it in!“ 😂

[@jch4538]

Luv Coney Island! Awesome roller-coaster! So scary....!!! Unforgettable!

[@amandaquinn9033]

I just visited there last week...also loved your comedy night...I felt a little star struck meeting you🤩

[@mariapaula793]

Thank god I found you! Best NY guide! Thnks!!

[@ellencunningham6889]

I was born and raised in Coney Island. Went to Our Lady of Solace and Mark Twain jr. high. When I lived there it was nice. Could go to Steeplechase, Washington pool, the rides and Kaiser park alone. I lived at 3114 Neptune Ave. sure miss Nathans. Sure do miss it.

[@joyr2273]

That dog with circus music hilarious

[@GoodMrDawes]

Awesome slice of American History

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@politefan6271]

Brilliant Tommy D...Best tour guide on earth!

[@AppAnswers]

No love for Requiem for a Dream? Come onnnnn Tommy.

[@Mrbeahz1]

"The Warriors"! - A story based on Xenophon's "Anabasis", ~370 BC.

[@MSmithNYC]

Ahem. I watch Mr. Robot, thank you very much. And, frankly, you should as well. Rami Malek is amazing! Great vid as usual!

[@matthewobrien4639]

This is a great video. I've always been curious about Coney Island. Thank you.

[@steves1749]

I grew next door in Brighton. Those Steeplechase horses went pretty fast and there were no straps.

[@eugenedimitrov]

Awesome video as always!Tom ,you badass!!!

[@lequantyler1313]

My hometown!!!

[@RobinHerzig]

Another amazing movie (pretty dark one) was Requiem for a Dream from 2000

[@RobinHerzig]

Oh! Also Woody Allen movie, Annie Hall, where he grew up in a house under the Cyclone as a kid - kinda hilarious

[@walterjohnson1873]

Luv the little dog!!!

[@grandmav6002]

It was a good movie and I love the impersonation Bad Warriors Come Out And Play❤️😂😂 you got all the jokes today

[@angelicagaldos]

I love Coney Island. Sick Plug! Awesome video Tom

[@AmbroseChamberpot]

James V. Lafferty constructed Lucy The Elephant near Atlantic City NJ. No mention is made of "seeing the elephant" but come on, it is Atlantic City NJ afterall.

[@Mrbeahz1]

Nice to see that Ruby's is still there on the boardwalk - Also, early in the video I saw a "Shoot the Freak" shirt: The best Coney shooting gallery!

[@edholohan]

Your humor makes my day! Thanks!

[@christianmoller6141]

When I was a kid about seven or eight years old, I went to Coney Island with my aunt and uncle. After the day, We got in my uncle’s van, and it wouldn’t start. We were stuck there till about 2 o’clock in the morning before we finally were able to leave. Every time I hear about Coney Island, I think of that time.

[@danieljones8639]

Hey Tom, I really enjoy your videos. I watch them all the way through to the end and I always give a thumbs up. Wish I could help out financially, but life is what it is. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@sirlordford]

Respect to the Gramercy Riffs!

[@andrasszerencses]

oh wow you know too much lol. Heck I used to swim this time around still but I just had a surgery. I already miss summer and Coney, my favorite place to chill. Thanks for the great videos!

[@2TalentedCats]

There was a lot I didn't know about the history of Coney Island. Cyclone has been built almost 100 years ago, that's great. I rode it before, and the Wonder Wheel is cool too, reminds me of the movie Angel Heart starring Mickey Rourke. Also, I never imagined that Trump's father would be mentioned here. Anyway, thanks for the great video!

[@deniseg812]

It's the only wooden one left.

[@eugenedimitrov]

Hey Tom!Wow!Coney Island is my dream spot!!! Really into it !!!

[@mikedrown2721]

Enjoyed this video Tom, thanks for posting. The parachute ride should reopen

[@lazydud3]

As Eric pointed out. When I look at Coney Island now. All I can think of is Mr. Robot(T.V. Reference).

[@stuartmcnulty3131]

Tom you are hilarious. Learned so much also.

[@babbyvaldes293]

🤣 that was enjoyable! Loved it! 👏

[@WOULDYOULIKECHEESEWITHTHATWINE]

Hate to admit this, but eons ago, I had a frankfurter here and I loved it. Thanks Tom :)

[@michaelmorales1475]

Great Video!

[@DelphiOntario]

Eric earned so many Brownie Points with the Mr. Robot reference. I was hoping Tom was building to it 🤖

[@MilesBellas]

10:30 great LUT Eric

[@nikkib1509]

my home! you did a great job. thanks :)

[@luvsjudy]

For Mae Timpano, it was home. In 1946, while working as a waitress on Coney Island, Mae met Fred Moran, the owner and operator of the Thunderbolt roller coaster. They soon fell in love, and for forty years they lived together in Fred's house - right under the Thunderbolt's first turnaround. There Is A Documentary About This…

[@brianmungermusic1744]

Love your videos!!

[@andyw6702]

Great video!!! I've enjoyed al of your NYC tours.... yes I've subscribed, best move I've made.

[@tiffanyi5645]

Lol it’s the dry humor for me 😂 I love these nyc history videos, this channel was literally made for me! 🙌🏽

[@eltronics]

Enjoyable video, Cyrus. Entertainment, nastiness, corruption, historic, weirdness, accomplishment, Coney Island had it all.

[@ChuckOU812]

This video is super cool! Thank you for the history lesson. SICK!

[@andrewfischer8564]

valley stream mall on the queens/ nassau boarder had the first metal detectors when the warriors came out... personal note warriors first movie i saw on BETAMAX the aquarium the mermaid parade another personal note in the 70's i was down there often my grandfather lived in brigthon beach... now just once and a while.. may be a cyclones game...

[@CatskillsGrrl]

I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I want that dog in every video.

[@EphemeralProductions]

always felt bad for poor Topsy. She did not deserve her "demise" she received. Didn't really deserve her treatment prior to that point, but anyway, it's good to know that people still talk about her and remember her.

[@lunabouch]

I never knew much about Coney Island but thanks to you I’ve been enlightened. Your one liners and facts are better than Nathan’s hot dogs😀

[@paulmcdonough1093]

great vid as usual

[@harryjamessmithmusic7762]

Great job, guys! Greetings from the EU!

[@randallschut4370]

I watched Mr. Robot? Lol 😆 😎🥳🤠🥰

[@champ1061]

We're called "Walt Wetmen," btw.

[@skater1191]

Missed the full vids. The reels don’t cut it.

[@julianrodriguez661]

Just watched the movie The Warriors

[@kamperonipizza]

this video awoke my walt whitman crush thank you 🙏🏽

[@LordsChamber]

loved this video:)

[@vincentgoupil180]

Muy interesante 2:50 on map, Heights of Guana (Guano) that's a lot of schist Until I saw the map thought Coney Island was part of Rockaway Beach.

[@tiffanyi5645]

13:35 the really important fact about this weird story though is that it’s looked at as the birth of Neonatal Science. The reason the doctor turned it into side show attraction was to fund his work in neonatal care because his medial contemporaries and govt powers wouldn’t give him the time of day. Meanwhile what he was doing was creating the first ever NICU for preemies 🙏🏽

[@namret12]

Glad you’re back!

[@robyndavis3043]

There’s a “copycat” Ferris wheel in Disney Springs (Florida)

[@user-gu7jy4zp9c]

Love the dog

[@robyndavis3043]

Factoid-Princess Elizabeth 2 was around when FDR was our President (NOT when she became “Queen Elizabeth 2”)

[@VSS32542]

Tom you laugh like Ernest P. Whirl

[@mrpike990]

Hello!❤️ Have you ever played on Boosteroid? I think it's brilliant! What do you think?

[@FriendshipLights]

Awesome!!!!!

[@sdericmonty]

Come on Eric show us your face brother!

[@annchambers5739]

Here in Worcester, MA there is a Coney Island Hot Dog restaurant opened in 1918, quite famous & popular, likely influenced by NY.🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🎢🎢🎢🎢🎢🎢

[@Moncriefs]

Coney Island had alot of weird shit going on🤣🤣🤣

[@robyndavis3043]

The “incubators” were there to show future parents, how the machines can SAVE their newborn lives!

[@LoveForLudwig]

My husband's family lived in Brooklyn for generations. He even talked me into living there for a few years and I miss taking my kids to Coney Island. I have a question for you. My in-laws insist that when they were teenagers, there were shops under the boardwalk. That a storm flooded them so the city decided to fill up sand and keep stores only on top. I cannot find any proof of this ever being true in my Google searches and you didn't mention it all. Did they have a little too much fun at Woodstock or was there really shopping under the Coney Island boardwalk in the 50s-60s?

[@ibbest123]

My favorite KZbin channel 🌼💋

[@ismaelamaro8136]

Eres un loquito en el coquito. Yo soy El NuYoRicano Sur del Bronx nacido. QUE VIVA LA MUSICA. Ismael

[@COLLSWORK]

Let us see you have a spliff in NYC ! can you dig it Man.🙈🙉🙊

[@andeytubeyshamon]

Superb as usual. If you are coming to New York Tom hosts a comedy evening on Wednesday @whatelsecomedy. We travelled from the U.K. and every comedian was superb and the place was really cool too. These clubs will make your trip to NY miles better than going to the glitzy stuff on broadway. Great night, lovely people and definitely go again next time I’m in NY 🙌🏻🙌🏻