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

The Big Apple Coaster is Las Vegas sightseeing with a seat belt and a serious jolt. You climb above New York-New York, reach 67 mph, drop as much as 144 feet, and twist through the world’s first 180-degree heartline twist and dive maneuver. The ride lasts only a few minutes, but the full stop, including queues, can take about an hour.

I like the excellent Strip and desert views from the track, and I like how easy it is to build this into a visit to New York-New York, the Big Apple Arcade, and the hotel’s Greenwich Village-style streets. The $25.65 price is not cheap for one ride, but it can feel fair if you enjoy coasters and want a distinctive Las Vegas thrill.

The main caution is comfort. This is an older, forceful coaster, and some riders find the side-to-side movement rough on the head, neck, and back. Bring your nerve, leave loose items in a locker, and do not book it if a rough ride sounds unpleasant.

Big Apple Coaster highlights

• 67-mph top speed: The train moves fast enough to provide real coaster excitement, not just a gentle hotel attraction.
• A 144-foot drop: The official information gives the largest drop as 144 feet, while some promotional material describes a 203-foot drop, so expect a major plunge but note the inconsistent figures.
• A 180-degree heartline twist: This unusual maneuver turns your body through a fast, disorienting section of track.
• High views over the Strip: The climb gives you a fresh look at Las Vegas Boulevard and, on clear days, the desert beyond.
• The Big Apple Arcade nearby: Classic and newer video games make this an easy stop for families and mixed groups.
• Mobile entry and paid lockers: Your phone gets you to the entrance, but it must stay behind during the ride.

A roller coaster above the Las Vegas Strip

New York-New York Hotel and Casino is designed as a playful version of Manhattan, with brownstone facades, tree-lined walkways, and Village Street dining. High above it, the Big Apple Coaster loops around the hotel complex, giving you a very different way to see the Strip.

You do not come for a quiet view. The track sends you through a high climb, a fast run, sharp turns, and the signature heartline twist. The view is part of the experience, but it arrives in short flashes between the mechanical work of the ride and the next burst of speed.

At the top, you can see across the Strip and toward the desert. That high point is one of the most praised parts of the experience, especially if you have already spent days looking up at Las Vegas buildings from street level. You get a brief sense of the city’s scale before the train pulls you back into the action.

The coaster carries up to 18 riders per train. That makes it a shared experience rather than a private attraction, with the usual loading and unloading time of a large amusement ride.

Finding the ride inside New York-New York

The hotel can feel like a maze at first, especially if you enter through the casino area. From the front desk, go right toward the Century Elevators. Take the escalators up in the direction of Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs. Once you reach Nathan’s, the coaster entrance is to the left.

That route matters. You do not want to spend your scheduled time wandering through the casino, searching for a sign while the queue builds. Give yourself time to find the entrance, validate your mobile ticket, use the restroom, and secure your belongings.

The ride opens at 1 pm Monday through Thursday and at 11 am Friday through Sunday, closing at 9 pm Monday through Thursday and midnight Friday through Sunday. Hours can change, and operation depends on favorable weather and other conditions. The stated 11 am start is best understood as the opening time on those days, not necessarily a tightly assigned ride slot.

If you want the best chance of a short wait, arrive close to opening. A morning visit on a weekend has sometimes meant little or no queue, while late Friday nights can bring a long line. One late arrival at about 10 pm involved a queue that still moved quickly, with the whole visit taking roughly an hour.

What the ride itself feels like

The train climbs above the hotel, then releases you into the main run. At 67 mph, the coaster has enough speed to satisfy someone who regularly seeks out amusement parks. It also has enough height and force to make a first-time coaster rider think carefully before boarding.

The largest stated drop is 144 feet. Promotional wording also gives a 203-foot drop, so the numbers are not consistent. Either way, you should expect a large plunge from a track high above the hotel’s themed streets.

The 180-degree heartline twist is the ride’s calling card. Your body rotates through the maneuver while the track changes direction, creating the sensation of turning around your own center. It is a quick, physical move, not a scenic loop where you can calmly admire the view.

The ride time itself is short, around three minutes according to one practical account, though your total visit includes the queue and boarding process. That distinction helps you judge the value. You are paying for a compact burst of speed, not an hour-long ride experience.

The coaster’s age and style are important. Some riders describe it as fun, forceful, and perfectly acceptable, while others report repeated head impacts and significant discomfort. Even people who love coasters do not always agree about its smoothness. I would not choose this ride if you are sensitive to rough movement, neck strain, or tight restraints.

The minimum height is 54 inches, or 137 centimeters. The supplied information does not give a weight limit, but it does note that the seats can feel tight if you are on the larger side. That is worth considering before you pay, since a ticket is included for one ride only.

The practical problem of phones, bags, and lockers

You need your phone to show the mobile booking code at entry, but you cannot take that phone onto the coaster. This creates a small but important bit of planning.

Paid lockers are available for $1, and the most sensible choice is to store everything there. Do not rely on a friend holding your purse or phone near the platform. Loose items can spoil the ride, and one rider nearly lost an iPhone after trying to manage belongings without using a locker.

The ride also takes photographs before, during, and after the coaster. Those images are available to purchase separately. That can be a nice souvenir, but it is not part of the $25.65 ticket.

Restrooms are located in the arcade area by the coaster entrance. Use them before joining the queue, since leaving the line may mean giving up your place.

Is $25.65 good value?

At $25.65 per person, this is a premium price for one short ride. It becomes easier to justify if you are already visiting New York-New York and want one memorable thrill without traveling to a separate amusement park. You also avoid paying for a full day of rides when your main goal is a single coaster.

The value depends heavily on your expectations. A regular amusement-park enthusiast who has ridden major coasters at large parks may consider this average and overpriced. You get one main ride, and the actual coaster portion is brief.

For a first-time Las Vegas visitor, the calculation is different. You are not simply buying speed. You are riding above a famous Strip resort, seeing Las Vegas from the track, and pairing the experience with an arcade and themed hotel walk. Several riders consider it one of the better-value paid activities on the Strip because it delivers a clear burst of excitement without taking up an entire day.

A second ride costs $10 when available. If you already know you enjoy the first run, that is a more attractive deal than the initial ticket. I would not prepay for multiple rides until you have tested the coaster’s comfort and checked that it is operating normally.

The ticket includes one ride plus fees and taxes. It does not include parking, hotel transport, arcade games, lockers, or photos. There is no hotel pickup, so you must make your own way to New York-New York, though the resort is near public transportation.

The arcade and Greenwich Village add-ons

The Big Apple Arcade is beside the coaster entrance and offers a mixture of classic and newer video and arcade games. It is useful if your group has mixed interests. One person can enjoy the ride while another spends time with games, and families can turn a single coaster ticket into a longer stop.

The arcade is not included in the coaster fare, so bring a separate budget if you want to play. It works best as a casual extra rather than a reason to buy the coaster ticket.

Afterward, walk through the hotel’s version of Greenwich Village. Brownstone buildings, tree-lined streets, and outdoor dining on Village Street create a change of pace after the noisy ride. This is not a full New York recreation, but it is a pleasant setting for food or a drink and gives you a chance to settle down before moving on.

I like this combination because it makes the coaster easier to fit into a day. You can arrive for the ride, play a few games, eat nearby, and continue along the Strip without arranging transport or losing half a day.

How to plan around queues and weather

The experience is booked about 18 days in advance on average, so reserving ahead is sensible if the coaster is high on your Las Vegas list. Advance booking can also help you avoid the ticket line, though it cannot guarantee that the boarding queue will be short.

Plan to be in line at least 30 minutes before closing. A late arrival can leave you with a valid ticket but no ride if the queue is cut off. Since hours may change, check the operating schedule close to your visit.

Weather matters. High winds or other poor conditions can stop the coaster. If the attraction is canceled for weather, you should be offered another date or a full refund. Mechanical interruptions are a separate concern, and you should confirm the refund or rebooking process immediately if the ride is closed when you arrive.

The cancellation terms are straightforward: cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. This makes early booking useful, but you should leave room in your schedule for weather and operating changes.

Who should ride the Big Apple Coaster?

I would recommend it to:

• Adults and teenagers at least 54 inches tall who enjoy fast coasters
• Visitors who want a distinctly Las Vegas attraction rather than a standard sightseeing stop
• Families with mixed interests, thanks to the nearby arcade and food options
• Couples or friends who want a short, high-energy break from casinos and shopping
• Repeat Las Vegas visitors who have never tried the ride

I would think twice if you dislike rough coasters or have concerns about head, neck, or back comfort. The ride is not consistently described as smooth, and the tight seating may be an issue for some larger riders.

It is also not the best pick for someone seeking a long amusement-park session. The coaster is the main event, and the arcade is an optional extra. You should book it for the speed, height, twist, and view, not because it offers a large number of rides.

Should you book the Big Apple Coaster?

Book it if you want one memorable Las Vegas thrill and you are comfortable with a forceful, occasionally rough coaster. The high views, fast drop, unusual heartline twist, and easy Strip location give it a character that a normal hotel attraction would not have.

Skip it if $25.65 feels too high for a few minutes of riding, or if you prefer smooth, modern coasters. For the best experience, go near opening, allow about an hour from entry to exit, use the $1 locker, keep your phone off the train, and confirm the coaster is running before making a special trip.

For most thrillseekers, this is worth doing once. If you love the first ride and your body agrees, the $10 repeat option gives you a better value than the original ticket. If the first run leaves your head or back unhappy, enjoy the arcade and Greenwich Village instead.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of the Big Apple Coaster?

The coaster is listed as open from 1 pm to 9 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 11 am to midnight Friday through Sunday. Hours may change, and operation depends on favorable weather and other conditions.

How large is the biggest drop?

The official information lists the largest drop as 144 feet. Some promotional material gives a 203-foot figure, so the supplied figures are not fully consistent.

How fast does the coaster go?

The Big Apple Coaster reaches a maximum speed of 67 mph, or about 108 km per hour.

Is there a height requirement?

Yes. Riders must be at least 54 inches tall, or 137 centimeters.

How do I find the coaster inside New York-New York?

From the front desk, go right toward the Century Elevators. Take the escalators toward Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs. The coaster entrance is to the left of Nathan’s once you reach that level.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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 refunded. If poor weather cancels the experience, you should be offered another date or a full refund.