Hold on, the Strip goes vertical. The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York hits hard with speed and quick inversions, plus you get a fun view of the neon Las Vegas skyline, especially at night. The main drawback is that it is thrilling, but the ride is short for the price.

I like how the track winds through the Manhattan mock-up feel, with big lift moments that build tension before the first drop. You can squeeze this in as a single adrenaline stop, but if you are sensitive to rough motion or have neck or back issues, plan carefully.

Key highlights before you buy

• 180-degree twist: One of the ride’s signature moments, and a big deal for coaster fans
• Near 70 mph speed: The pace is fast enough to make this feel like a real hit, not a slow tour
• Manhattan mock-up setting: The coaster snakes through a city-like setup tied to the New York theme
• Night Strip viewing: Many people call the night ride a standout for the lights and skyline
• Locker and phone rules: You often have to store items, and that can add small extra costs
• It can feel rough: The ride throws you around, so comfort matters more than you might expect

Big Apple Coaster basics: what you are actually buying

This is a straightforward deal: you get a single-ride ticket on the Big Apple Coaster at the New York-New York Hotel in Las Vegas. Price is listed at $25 per person, and the whole experience is about one day in the sense that you pick your operating window and ride once.

The big selling points are speed, height, and that signature 180-degree twist. The track is red and themed through a Manhattan-style setup, so it is not just about the motion. You also get flashes of the Las Vegas Strip while the ride lifts, drops, and turns over the bright lights.

One more practical note: this is the kind of ride where your body becomes part of the experience. Several ratings mention feeling thrown around, upside down, and turned hard. That does not make it bad, but it does mean the coaster is best when you are in the mood to hang on and accept a little chaos.

Why this coaster feels special at New York-New York

The Big Apple Coaster is built for thrill seekers, and it earns that reputation fast. One of the most repeated themes in the feedback is that it is fast and intense, with people saying it keeps them on the edge of their seat the whole time. Even when the overall ride time feels brief, the motion is packed.

Here is what stands out in the vibe.

First, the coaster includes moments that feel like they change the rules mid-ride. People describe it as upside down, turning hard, and moving through a mix of drops, spirals, and loops. One rider specifically called out the ride as inside down and turning, with a clear warning that you should not go in with a fragile back.

Second, the coaster is famous enough that it gets coaster lovers talking. A reviewer who has tried other coasters said this one beat their past favorites. Another rider said it was their new favorite and called it fast and furious.

Third, the setting adds something you might not expect. A few people were surprised by how big it feels, and they appreciated the view of the area, not just the mechanics of the track. That is why this works well even if you are not a hardcore coaster collector. It is a clean “do it now” experience right on the Strip.

Price and value: $25 for one ride plus the extras

Let’s talk value in a real way. Yes, $25 can feel steep for a ride that you experience in a flash. Several ratings basically confirm that sentiment: fun and worth doing, but overpriced.

So why do people still love it? Because it is one of those rare Las Vegas attractions where you get a lot of sensation per dollar. You are paying for:

• A high-thrill coaster experience
• The big themed setup at New York-New York
• A shortcut benefit, skip the ticket line
• And a signature feature, the 180-degree twist

Still, you should budget a little breathing room for the common extras that show up on-site. Based on the feedback:

• You may need a locker for items, and one rider mentioned a $1 locker fee
• Photos can be expensive, with one review citing $38 per photo
• You might have to put phones away and cannot bring them on the coaster, which can mean storage costs

If you want the best value, I would treat this as your one big adrenaline moment, travel light, and skip buying photos unless you truly want a souvenir.

Timing and hours: when to go for the best payoff

Operating hours are set by day and can shift with conditions. The standard schedule is:

• Monday through Thursday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
• Friday through Sunday: 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM

Also, you must be in line 30 minutes prior to closing. That matters more than people think, because if you roll in late you could miss your ride even if you bought your ticket.

Weather can suspend operations, so if you see lightning, high winds, or similar issues, plan to be flexible. The ride hours are explicitly subject to weather and other circumstances.

When should you aim for? If you care about visuals, I would lean toward the later slots. One review specifically praised the night ride as having an amazing view of the Strip. The lights turn the course into a moving postcard, and it is a fun contrast to the theme inside the hotel.

Before the first drop: lockers, comfort rules, and what to wear

This is where a lot of people either have an easy time or get annoyed, so it is worth planning.

You should expect rules around what you can keep on you. Multiple reviews mention that you must store items, and that your phone may need to go into storage because it is not allowed on the coaster. If you are counting on having your phone in hand for pictures during the ride, adjust expectations early.

Loose items are another big deal. One rider suggested removing large earrings because the ride can be rough and items can get poked. I agree. If you wear anything that swings, catches, or dangles, wear it less freely than you normally would on a calm walk through Vegas.

Comfort warnings show up in the feedback too:

• People mention being thrown around a bit
• Some point out that turns and dips can feel painful
• One rider bluntly advised, no bad back

If you have any history of neck issues, back pain, or sensitivity to sudden jolts, take that seriously. This is not a gentle “look at the lights” ride. It is a roller coaster.

And one final practical point: the ride is not suitable for people under 4 ft 3 in (130 cm). If you are traveling with kids, measure before you waste time at the site.

The ride itself: speed, the 180 twist, and the Manhattan-style track

Let’s walk through what you will feel, step by step, based on the ride description and the consistent themes in feedback.

You start by building tension. You climb toward the first big moment, and you can feel the ride getting ready to release you. Then comes the first drop, the moment where your brain goes quiet and your hands start doing their job.

After that, the excitement keeps stacking:

• Spirals and turns that feel sudden
• Loops that force you into a tight grip
• Inversions, including going upside down
• High speed segments, with the ride described as reaching almost 70 mph

That 180-degree twist is one of the signature attractions. If you like coaster milestones, this is the moment that turns the ride from fun to memorable. It is also the reason so many people mention it as a “must do” for thrill seekers.

The track setting also matters. You ride on a red track that snakes through a Manhattan mock-up. Think of it as the coaster bouncing between a themed city feel and open sight lines above the Strip. The “soar and dive over the bright lights” line is not marketing fluff. The course layout is designed to give you moments where the neon Vegas vibe shows up in your peripheral vision.

Night vs day on the Strip: the view strategy that actually helps

You do not need to overthink the timing, but you should pick based on what you care about.

If you want the best visual payoff, go at night. At least one review specifically called out the night ride as having an amazing view of the Strip. Coaster motion plus neon light makes a strong combo. You also tend to feel less “heat fatigue” than mid-afternoon, which can make the ride seem even more intense in a good way.

If you are trying to fit the coaster into a busy day, daytime works too. The ride is the ride. The speed, loops, and the twist are the same core experience. The main difference is how much you enjoy the skyline effect.

Either way, remember the closing rule. Since you must be in line 30 minutes before closing, the last hour can be a time crunch. I would avoid the “one more thing, then we dash” plan.

Families, first-timers, and thrill levels: who it suits best

This is not a slow attraction, so it is not a universal family pick. But it is also not only for adults.

Here is what the reviews suggest about who enjoys it most:

• Kids around the preteen range can handle it if they are coaster-lovers
• A group experience can work well, including families who brought grandkids and called it the best coaster they have done
• First-time coaster riders often say the speed and thrills are a highlight, even if the ride is over fast

So how do you decide?

Use three filters:

1. Height: must be at least 4 ft 3 in
2. Comfort: if you worry about neck, knees, or back, be cautious
3. Attitude: if you like speed and being upside down, you will likely love it

If someone in your group hates roller coasters or gets anxious about drops, this could become a tough sell. A few people describe it as very intense and rough, and that is not the ride you want as a “gentle introduction.”

A simple plan to reduce hassle and costs

Because this is a single ride, you do not need a complex schedule. You do need to make sure you do not trip over the small friction points.

Here is a practical approach I like:

• Arrive with enough time to get organized before the ride. Since you need to be in line 30 minutes before closing, aim to be early enough that you are not juggling clothes, phones, and lockers while everyone else is already loading.
• Store what you are required to store, including phones if you cannot bring them onto the coaster. Reviews mention a phone storage step and a small added fee.
• Leave behind fragile accessories. If you wear earrings or anything that can swing, consider removing them, or at least secure them. One rider mentioned big earrings poking during the ride.
• Decide upfront if you want the souvenir photos. With photo prices mentioned around $38 each, it helps to know if that is part of your budget.

One interesting extra from the feedback: some people said they were able to buy another ride ticket after going once, with a cheaper $10 option. That sounds like on-site availability, so treat it as a possibility rather than a guarantee. If you think you might want a second run, you can also use that as a reason to go earlier in the evening, so you have time to see what options exist after your first ride.

The bottom line: should you book the Big Apple Coaster?

Book it if you want one big thrill in the middle of your Strip day. The strongest reasons are the things that come through again and again: speed, loops and inversions, and that 180-degree twist moment. If you like roller coasters or you want a high-energy “Vegas only” experience, this is a solid choice.

Skip it or think twice if any of these hit your reality:

• You are very sensitive to rough motion. Multiple comments warn that the ride can feel jostling or painful if your back is not happy.
• You hate the idea of extra costs for lockers or photos. Storage rules seem common, and photo pricing can add up fast.
• You are allergic to short rides for the price. Some feedback calls it overpriced for how quickly it ends.

My advice: if your group is the kind that laughs while holding on, you will likely have a great time. If you want something calmer, there are plenty of other Vegas experiences that fit a slower pace.

FAQ

How much does the Big Apple Coaster ride cost?

The Big Apple Coaster single-ride ticket is listed at $25 per person.

Is this ticket for one ride or multiple rides?

This is a single-ride ticket for the Big Apple Coaster.

How long is the experience?

The experience is listed as lasting 1 day, with the actual coaster ride itself being a single session tied to your selected operating hours.

What are the operating hours?

Hours are listed as Monday to Thursday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and Friday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight). Hours can change due to weather and other circumstances.

Where do I go for the meeting point?

The meeting point coordinates are 36.1014995, -115.1740094.

Can I get a refund if I change plans?

No. This activity is non-refundable.