I’ve ridden the Dragon Coaster thousands of times because I live near Rye in the town of Eastchester but I grew up in the city of Yonkers for 7 1/2 years. Also the Dragon Coaster opened for business in 1928 when Playland first opened for business so this attraction will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in a few years as of right now they celebrated their 96th anniversary of being in service and next year their 97th anniversary. So a very great piece of amusement park history in Westchester County
This brought back so many childhood memories from riding this as a kid!!! My family used to go all the time in the summer, haven't been here in years since we started going to SF for more thrills as we got older... I'll have to go back and experience this again now as an adult enthusiast. Such a classic.
Underrated classic. I'd give it a solid 7.5/10. It does have a few decent airtime spots, and its very rerideable. It always surprised me that Rye Playland was not more popular, given that it's roughly an hour north of NYC. If you're in the area it's worth a trip up there, the Dragon Coaster is the standout ride but Ye Olde Mill is also a classic (even if kind of cheesy lol), and the park has nice architecture/landscaping. I don't live in the NYC metro area anymore but when I did, I'd prefer to go there over local parks like Coney Island or Adventureland.
Coney Island is a ripoff and a tourist trap and Rye doesn't have a lot of meat on the bone unless you're bringing kiddos there. Great Adventure is still the star attraction of the region.
Park is almost as old as cony island and had originally two wooden coasters - the dragon and the aeroplane coaster, of which the aeroplane coaster was demolished back in the 70s after a period of neglect
@@DComander1 They could really use another coaster at this park. They don't have a ton of space, but some kind of compact coaster along the lines of those indoor coasters like El Loco would probably work great. Doubt it will happen, they have no money.
Back in 1998, when I was at an age to truly be impressed by this park, it was my first coaster ride. Sadly it's probably the best ride at this uniquely government-owned park. Do you think Six Flags should buy and expand it?
Johnny Depp nearly lost his head on it. They shot an episode of 21 Jump Street on the Dragon were Johnny Depp's character was strapped to the track. I didn't see the "Do Not Stand" sign on the crossbeam. Did they paint over it after the guy lost his head in the mid-80's?
One of the very few County owned parks remaining and was up till two years ago County operated as well until they brought in a scam of an operator - standard amusements - and lost a number of popular and well loved rides
I can say firmly that standard amusements take care of the park very nicely, they’ve added new rides in place of old ones and they are trying to restore the park to its glory days by refurbishing buildings and entrances.
I never knew this thing looked so fun I don’t even live that far away now I’m gonna go check it out. Thanks. I wonder how that back row. POV would be, actual airtime or not?
Funny fact, at rye playland, i stood up on the moving horse carousel and said "I FEEL ALIVE!" then the girl infront of me was chuckling and said i got caught, i started looking around and the staff members said "do that again and you wont be welcome to rye playland" i still remember it😂 Edit: also as a person who went to rye playland, the catch a wave ride drops your stomach sooooo much
I was scared of this ride a long long long time ago and then I rode it about 30 or so times maybe more lol… I’d like to go and ride it again (PAUSE) I was born in Nee Rochelle, NY and the Dragon Coaster at Playland was definitely a big deal back in my days…
The Dragon Coaster is definitely a classic. It is one of only 3 Prior & Church designed roller coasters still operating. The other 2 are in California. 1 in the Los Angeles area and the other in the San Diego area. None of these coasters operate their original trains. They all have Morgan fiberglass trains. There has perhaps been some thought of replicating the original wooden trains for the Dragon Coaster. At this time, nothing has come of it.
Why have they been hiding this ridiculously old, fun-looking and rather speedy wooden coaster that seems to go off in all kinds of unexpected directions? Oh...and a dragon eats you half way through.
Playland is not as it use to be !insane the Price to enter the Park. I recall You walked in the Park an Paid for the rides tickets separtely ! Suppose u do not want to go on rides an just walk around an Play the games You can not! And If Your not From rhe Area is 80.00 to enter insane prices !
@@BigNate5404 Somehow I came off uninjured but I couldn’t stop laughing at how ludicrously rough it was. The other two North American Volares are not even close - in fact, the Coney Island one is fine.
