We had a great time today at Luna Park. We've been to Coney Island many times, mostly paired with the Aquarium, but this time, we rode the rides. Our friend was having a birthday party there, so despite being one mom with two kids under 48" tall, we had no shortage of adults.
First off, for someone with a NYC Parking Pass, there is plenty of "No Parking" in Coney Island. That's our spot. I usually park right next to Nathan's. I have the irrational hope that at the time we come back to the car, the line won't be so long. Ha ha ha.
The are a few different amusement parks, but our party was at Luna Park. http://www.lunaparknyc.com/ There are no steps to get in the park. There is an accessible bathroom, but we didn't use it, so I can't vouch for it. There are no accessible rides where a person in a wheelchair can stay in their chair. There are steps up to get on many rides and the ones without steps are difficult, if not impossible, to transfer. Since my son is light, 43 pounds, I carried him onto to rides or he walked with assistance. We had a friend who held the bags for the group and stayed with the wheelchair, bringing it around to the exit.
The staff at the park were very nice to us. They made of point of offering to help. There were very few lines, but they told us that our entire party (15 of us) could come in the exit without the wait, since he was in a wheelchair. I wasn't charged to ride, since I was "riding with".
We look for rides with a bit of a pommel and shoulder restraint, or those with a lap belt, if there isn't much up and down movement. I sit next to him for extra support.
Here is our review-
Tickler - the roller coaster threw us around a little, but we loved it. My little guy rode with his friend and said it was a little scary and they kept "knocking heads."
Beach Shack - went around and up and down, but the kids said it was babyish. I thought is was fun and my middle guys smiled and laughed the whole time.
Speed Boat - very hard for me to get into next to him and kind of lame, but after the Coney Island Sound, we needed it.
Big Top Express, Mermaid Parade - looked boring.
Tea Party - the tea cups always make me nauseous.
Coney Island Sound - looked great in terms of pommel and restraint, but much rougher than we expected. It threw him around a lot. It goes up and down very quickly so the seat drops out beneath you. I spent most of the ride trying to give him head support, which he doesn't ordinarily need. Some of our typical friends had the good sense not to ride it.
Circus Coaster - this was great. The perfect combination of dips and turns, and you go around twice!
Coney Island Hang Glider - you lie on your belly and there is pommel between your legs to keep you from sliding and a restraint on top. It was hard to get him in initially, but the ride was really fun. You feel a little like Superman.
Lynn's Trapeze - not enough support, didn't ride. It's too bad, because he loves to swing. My little guy rode it and loved it. It reminded me of a ride at Tibidado in Barcelona, where my daughter, then 12, rode a similar ride over and over, saying it was like flying.
Surf's Up - standing up, didn't ride.
Balloon Expedition - hard to get into, but a great view and not wild. I loved this one because you can see the ocean and smell it.
Wild River - look good until we got close to the car and realized there were no straps. So we skipped it. All the other "High Thrill" rides were too much to the little kids (ages 5 to 7).
I left and called their dad and sister to say we should all return as a family. I'm thankful our guy is still light enough to carry and strong enough to walk with help. Otherwise it would have been a bust for him.
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