A small park in a large city, Coney Island is not a single specific park, but rather a collection of small parks run by different small businesses.

Because of this, the layout of the area is bit convoluted and confusing, and I'm sure many patrons are annoyed when they find out their Astroland POP doesn't get them on the Wonder Wheel. Still, overall areia is so tiny the slightly confused layout doesn't punish the overall experience too much.

Coney Island wears its urban decay and history on its sleeve, and as such it's a park that has a great feeling of atmosphere, and if it's not the atmosphere of
"Disney family fun," it certainly is much more interesting. The crowds and employees match this ambience quite nicely. Hiphop is the music of the park, both for it's ride ops and it's attendees, with one spinnning ride playing gangster rap so loud you may have to hold your ears as you walk by.

The ride ops RAWK. That is, they are mellow, clearly employed from within the neighborhood and though slightly intimidating for some they are also thoroughly ejoyable for all. On the Cyclone, for example, look out for the guy who will let you in through the exit for $2-$3 cash paid straight to HIM. The Cyclone ride ops are also known to race up to and then "ride" your train partially up the lift hill with you, jumping off at an opportune moment onto a raised surface and then jumping further down back on to the train loading area. You won't be seeing THAT at a Six Flags park anytime soon. In fact, there's not much at Coney Island that you'll likely see at any other park in America. It is truly, for better or worse, one of a kind. I vote "better."