The Phoenix has finally risen in Coney Island.

On Saturday, June 26, Denos Wonder Wheel Amusement Park held a soft opening of the areas newest ride, the Phoenixroller coaster.

Theparks managementreceived the green light at the last minute, muchto the delight of thrill seekers. And according to the owners, the Vourderis family, reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening of thefamily thrill roller coaster is Thursday, July 1 at 10 a.m. The first100 people to visit the park will get on the ride for free. Souvenirs and t-shirts that readI Rodethe Phoenix will be on hand.

It was important for the park to have the coaster open for Fourth of July weekend, one of thebusiest times of the season.

When the pandemic hit, like so many, we didnt know what to do, we only knew what we could do, said co-owner D.J. Vourderis. And as we are a family run amusement park, we could provide a place, after such painful and trying times, for us all to heal. We decided to go ahead with building The Phoenix because we believe in people, we believe in New York, and we love Coney Island and what it represents; a place where people from different walks of life, different opinions and ideals, can come together and remember what it feels like to smile again.

The announcement ofthe new coaster was made in December 2020.

The ride was included on USA Todays list of most anticipated roller coasters of 2021 and was in good company, with Universal Studios Orlando and Legoland also on the list.

The Phoenix is 68 feet tall and featuresaspeedofaround 34 miles per hour. According to the Denos team, riders will feel like they are flying around the Wonder Wheel with views of the beach and boardwalk. It features intense twists and turns.

The Vourderis family is delighted to invite everyone to the first rideat itsgrand opening, saidSteve Vourderis, theco-owner of the park. We cherish and honor the memory of our parents, Denos and Lula Vourderis,who started believing in and building up ConeyIsland in1947.

Alexandra Silversmith,executivedirector oftheAllianceforConey Island, is impressed with the new attraction.

Nothing can be more appropriate than the Phoenix Roller Coaster rising from the ashes of 2020 and the pandemic after it upended our shores and the world, she said. The views and thrills on the Phoenix are truly phenomenal and unlike any other ride in Coney Island. Kudos to the Vourderis family for the investment and vision to bring this coaster to reality.

Denos Wonder Wheel was preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary last year with a slew of events. Due to COVID-19, the Vourderis family joined fans, elected officials and Coney Island historians on social media and YouTube to express their love forthe Wonder Wheel itself, one ofthe countrys most famous Ferris wheels. It was also featured during Macys 4th of July fireworks display.

This year, the park hopes to celebrate the anniversary the right way, with the Phoenix being the start.

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The Phoenix rises in Coney Island - The Brooklyn Home Reporter - Brooklyn Reporter