The Big Apple Coaster at New York New York Hotel and Casino

The Big Apple Coaster is not a gentle sightseeing ride with a few turns. It throws you around at up to 67 mph, sends you through a 180-degree heartline twist, and gives you a high view over the Las Vegas Strip. The ride itself lasts only a few minutes, but the full visit usually takes about an hour once you include the queue, lockers, boarding, and exit.

I like two things here: the Strip views give the ride a setting you cannot get at a standard amusement park, and the ticket is easy to carry on your phone. I also like that the coaster sits inside a larger resort, so you can follow it with the Big Apple Arcade, New York-themed streets, restaurants, or casino time.

The main caution is comfort. Some riders find the coaster rough, with their heads moving from side to side against the restraints. The price, about $25.65 per person, is reasonable for a major Strip attraction but less appealing if you are used to large theme-park rides or want a longer ride for your money.

Key points before you ride

• A 67 mph Strip ride: The coaster reaches a serious top speed and includes steep drops, sharp turns, and a 180-degree heartline twist.
• The ride sits inside New York-New York: From the front desk area, head toward the Century Elevators, take the escalators toward Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs, then look left at the top.
• Height matters: You must be at least 54 inches, or 137 centimeters, tall to ride.
• Plan for a short ride and a longer visit: The ride lasts only a few minutes, while the whole stop takes about an hour with waiting time.
• Protect your phone and loose items: Phones, purses, and other belongings cannot ride with you. Paid lockers are available near the coaster.
• The weather can change your plans: Wind and other poor conditions can stop the ride, so leave room in your schedule.

What the Big Apple Coaster actually feels like

The Big Apple Coaster is built for sensation rather than calm views. The train climbs above the New York-New York resort, then quickly turns the hotel’s fake Manhattan skyline into a fast-moving backdrop. You get a glimpse of the Strip from above, but the ride does not pause for sightseeing.

The published material gives two figures for the largest drop, 144 feet and 203 feet. The attraction’s practical information lists 144 feet, while the promotional description uses 203 feet. Either way, you are dealing with a major drop for a hotel-based coaster, and the height adds to the thrill.

The 180-degree heartline twist is the signature feature. Your body rotates through the turn rather than simply leaning around a flat curve. That movement, combined with the speed and drops, is why this is a better match for people who actively enjoy roller coasters than for anyone hoping for a mild family ride.

The train holds up to 18 riders. You are secured with a restraint, and the ride may include photographs taken before, during, and after the run. You can buy those pictures separately if you want a souvenir, but they are not part of the ticket.

Finding the entrance inside New York-New York

Getting to the coaster takes a little orientation. New York-New York is a large hotel and casino, and the attraction is not necessarily the first thing you see when you walk through the main entrance.

From the front desk area, go right toward the Century Elevators. Take the escalators in the direction of Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs. When you reach the top, the Big Apple Coaster is to the left of Nathan’s.

This route matters because a few minutes spent wandering through the resort can become a longer search when you are trying to reach a closing time. Restrooms are located in the arcade area by the coaster entrance, which is useful before you join the line.

The attraction is close to public transportation, but no hotel pickup or drop-off is included. Parking is also not included, so you need to handle those costs separately. If you are already walking the Strip, the resort location makes this an easy add-on rather than a separate day trip.

How long your visit will take

The stated duration is about one hour, but the timing depends heavily on the queue. The ticket information gives an 11:00 am start time, while the regular operating hours say the coaster opens at 1:00 pm Monday through Thursday and at 11:00 am Friday through Sunday. Hours can change, so check the operating schedule before setting out.

That 11:00 am time should be treated carefully. It functions as the opening time on days when the coaster begins at 11:00 am, not necessarily as a private timed ride. Arriving near opening can help you avoid a longer line, especially on a busy Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Some riders report a short wait at 11:00 am in November. At other times, a Friday night queue can be long, though it may move steadily. One practical account allowed roughly an hour from joining the line to finishing the visit.

The attraction asks you to be in line at least 30 minutes before closing. Do not save this for the last possible moment. Mechanical issues, camera problems, wind, or other operating interruptions can leave you waiting without riding.

The ride queue, lockers, and mobile ticket

Your booking includes one ride ticket and all fees and taxes. The mobile ticket is convenient, but keep the booking code ready on your phone before you reach the entrance. One account describes a ticket problem at the entrance, with staff allowing entry anyway, but that is not something to count on.

You should also plan for the phone problem before boarding. You cannot safely take your phone onto the coaster. Paid lockers are available, with one account noting a $1 charge. You may also need to store a purse, wallet, loose change, sunglasses, or anything else that could slip out or become a distraction.

Do not hand your phone to someone in your group and assume it is sorted. If the person holding it wants to ride too, you still need a secure place for it. The locker area is the sensible choice.

The line may include photo opportunities and views of the train. That can make the wait feel like part of the attraction, but it does not change the basic value calculation: you are paying about $25.65 for one ride, not an all-day pass.

Why the Strip views add value

The ride’s best extra feature is its location. From the coaster, you see the Las Vegas Strip from a height and angle that a sidewalk cannot provide. You may also see the desert beyond the resort area, depending on your position and conditions.

This is not a slow observation platform. You will not have time to study hotel signs or take photographs during the run. The views arrive in quick flashes between turns, drops, and changes in direction.

Still, the setting makes the ride feel different from a coaster at a standard amusement park. The New York-New York towers, casino resort, Strip traffic, and desert horizon become part of the ride’s scenery. If you are collecting classic Las Vegas experiences, that combination gives the coaster a clear reason to exist.

For a serious coaster fan, the views are a bonus. For a casual rider, they may be the main reason to accept the price and the rough movement.

The roughness question

The Big Apple Coaster receives very different comfort reports, and you should take that seriously. Some riders describe a thrilling, exciting experience and say the coaster is worth repeating. Others find the movement rough, especially when the train shifts from side to side or moves quickly through turns.

Head and neck comfort is the biggest concern. Several poor experiences describe repeated contact with the sides of the restraint and pain after the ride. Other riders say the coaster is not perfectly smooth but is far from the worst they have tried.

That split tells you more than a simple star rating. If you are a coaster enthusiast, you may accept some roughness as part of the character of an older thrill ride. If you are sensitive to head movement, back pressure, or abrupt changes in direction, you may want to skip it.

The seats can also feel tight if you are on the larger side. The available information does not give a weight limit, so the height rule is clear but the fit question is best handled at the attraction before purchasing additional rides.

The Big Apple Arcade and Greenwich Village setting

The coaster is not the only thing to do here. The Big Apple Arcade has a mix of classic video games and newer arcade machines. It gives children, non-riders, and anyone who wants a slower finish somewhere to spend time after the coaster.

The arcade is also useful if one person in your group does not meet the 54-inch height requirement or simply refuses to ride. That person can still share the attraction area rather than waiting with nothing to do.

Afterward, walk through the hotel’s simulated Greenwich Village. The setting includes brownstone-style buildings, tree-lined streets, and outdoor dining along Village Street. It is an entertaining piece of Las Vegas theater, not an actual New York neighborhood, but it extends the theme beyond the ride.

You can use the coaster as a short stop during a wider visit to New York-New York. Ride first, then explore the arcade and themed streets. Or, if the wait is long, enjoy the resort while keeping an eye on the operating schedule.

Is $25.65 good value?

At about $25.65, the ticket is not cheap for a ride that lasts only a few minutes. The price becomes easier to accept if you value the location, the Strip views, the unusual heartline twist, and the convenience of adding it to a day you already planned on the Strip.

The ticket covers one ride, not arcade games, parking, food, or a second run. Repeat rides may be available for about $10, but the value depends on how much you enjoy the first trip and how your body feels afterward.

I would compare it with your own coaster habits. If you regularly visit major theme parks and judge rides by size, speed, and smoothness, this may feel average or overpriced. One family described it as merely average after riding larger American coasters. If you want a distinct Las Vegas activity and do not have a full amusement park nearby, the price is more defensible.

The strongest value comes from treating it as one part of a New York-New York visit. Ride the coaster, explore the arcade, walk the Greenwich Village-style streets, and eat nearby. That makes the $25.65 feel less like a payment for three minutes and more like a paid attraction within a larger resort stop.

Who should ride the Big Apple Coaster?

You are a good match if you enjoy fast roller coasters, drops, inversions or twisting motion, and the idea of seeing the Strip from above. It also suits a group looking for a memorable break from casinos, shopping, and indoor attractions.

Families should check the height of every child before making plans. The minimum is 54 inches, or 137 centimeters, and the ticket does not solve the problem for anyone too short to ride.

I would be cautious if you dislike rough coasters, have concerns about head or neck movement, or expect a polished modern theme-park ride. The attraction has earned strong overall approval, but the negative experiences are specific and consistent enough to consider.

The ride can also work for a hesitant partner if you are willing to separate for a few minutes. The arcade and nearby resort spaces give non-riders an easy alternative, though the ticket itself is for one rider only.

Weather, closures, and cancellation rules

The coaster requires favorable weather. Wind can stop operations, and mechanical or camera problems have also caused delays or closures. In those situations, your day can change even if you booked in advance.

Advance booking does not guarantee that the train will run at the exact moment you arrive. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so check your booking details and the attraction’s hours before leaving.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Inside that 24-hour window, changes and cancellations are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

That policy makes it smart to book early enough to secure your place, but not so early that your plans are impossible to change. Keep the coaster flexible within your Las Vegas schedule.

My take: book it or skip it?

I would book the Big Apple Coaster if you enjoy thrill rides and want a distinctly Las Vegas version of a roller coaster. The 67 mph speed, high Strip views, and 180-degree twist give it more personality than an ordinary hotel attraction.

I would skip it if you are paying mainly for a long ride, a smooth ride, or a bargain. The queue can stretch, the ride is brief, the price is significant for one run, and the roughness is real for some riders.

For the best chance of a smooth visit, go near opening, arrive with your mobile ticket ready, store every loose item in a locker, and leave backup time in case of wind or a temporary closure. If you meet the height rule and enjoy a little Las Vegas excess, this is a worthwhile one-time thrill, with an optional second ride if your head, neck, and wallet all agree.

FAQ

Where is the Big Apple Coaster located?

The coaster is inside the New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. From the front desk area, go right toward the Century Elevators, take the escalators toward Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs, and look to the left after reaching the top.

How fast does the Big Apple Coaster go?

The coaster reaches a maximum speed of 67 miles per hour, or about 108 kilometers per hour.

How large is the biggest drop?

The attraction information lists the largest drop as 144 feet. Promotional material also describes a 203-foot drop, so the published figures are inconsistent.

What is the minimum height to ride?

Every rider must be at least 54 inches tall, which is 137 centimeters.

How many people fit in one coaster train?

Each train can carry up to 18 riders.

Are phones and bags allowed on the ride?

Loose belongings should not be taken onto the coaster. Paid lockers are available near the entrance, and one listed price is $1. Restrooms are also located in the arcade area.

What are the opening hours?

The listed hours are 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and 11:00 am to midnight Friday through Sunday. Hours can change and operation depends on favorable weather and other conditions.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refundable.