New York New York Hotel & Casino
August 18th, 1999
S T A T S
| New York New York Hotel & Casino August 18th, 1999 S T A T S |
While driving down the strip, the one ride most likely to attract attention is this one, a towering creation by Togo that we conqured on the last tour and couldn't wait to jump into again. This towering beauty runs circles around the gorgeous towers of the resort, which resemble the New York City skyline. The trains, decorated to look like runaway taxicabs, plunge along a 144-foot drop parallel to Tropicana Blvd., just inches above the valet entrance to the casino, providing a rush for anyone who might dare to climb aboard later on. Some light storm clouds appeared and we feared that our trip would be cancelled due to extreme weather. Dashing up the stairs, we met up with Wendie Mosca, our public relations contact, and proceeded to the loading platform briskly. As it turned out, we had nothing to fear except the ride itself. It's a luxurious stretch of track that rolls out before you as the trains crawl out into the hot desert afternoon. Rounding a corner, that monster lift appears and as the distinctively painted yellow and black and white checkered trains climb into the sky, a gorgeous view of the gleaming towers beckons on the left. Don't get too caught up in that view, though. The first plunge awaits just over the crest. Over a series of camelback humps, the 16-passenger train then careens into a high speed 540 degree spiral before granting some voluminous air-time over some speed bumps and then ditching back into the air-conditioned casino.
Las Vegas used to be the City Of Sin, but now it's beginning to resemble the biggest theme park in the world. No longer do adults have to worry about what their kids are doing when they're out blowing a year's worth of salary in pursuit of that Great American Dream of getting rich quick. Now, instead of sending the tykes off to the arcade witha twenty dollar bill, they can up the ante' a tad and set the kids free to conquer an ever-growing coterie of thrilling attractions.
Over 5 million riders have enjoyed this beast since December of 1996 and it still proves to be a crowd-pleaser, judging from the unbelieving smiles and whoops that greeted us from an approaching train. Saddling up in the front seat, I gave the requisite thumbs up and we were off on one of Vegas' grandest adventures.
The first drop dives towards the parking garage, a 75-foot swoop that only sets you up for the real screamer--a 144 foot swan dive towards the ground at a 55 degree angle. The valets wave happily as you scream upwards and to the left at a height of 152 feet and then banks left. The first inversion buckles your knees, which is surprising considering that you're sitting down, but the best is yet to come. Up ahead, sneering at you, is the heartline twist and dive, one of only two inversions of its kind in the world. This spectacular maneuver takes you up, flips you upside down, and let's you hang there for a bit before diving towards the ground, gaining momentum. A wicked, wicked experience and if you have any change left after passing through the casino, it's in danger of being lost here.
Boasting 4,777 feet of track, The Manhattan Express has been voted "Best Attraction", "Best Thrill Ride" and "Best Rollercoaster" by the Las Vegas Review-Journal over three consecutive years and it continues to please.
At night, the ride is even more breathtaking, affording an unparalleled view of the strip. From the ground, the head and taillights of the maniacal cabs provide a stunning effect to would-be riders. Enticing indeed, but we had plenty more to accomplish while in town. So, we bid Wendie and this fantastic coaster a fond farewell before heading down the strip to another niftily themed resort with a few surprises up its sleeve.