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The Wonder Wheel at Coney celebrates its 95th summer season

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  • The Wonder Wheel on July 20, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • Visitors to Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park walk down a ramp on May 25, 2015, leading from the kiddie rides to the pleasure wheel that has made the park famous.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • A ticket booth in front of the Wonder Wheel on July 20, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • One of the ticket boxes at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park on Coney Island on July 20, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • A sign notifies passengers that white cars don't swing on May 25, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • The engine room and the 50-horsepower motor of the Wonder Wheel are visible behind the line to get on the swinging cars on July 17, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • A view of the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island on July 20, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • Looking up at the Wonder Wheel on June 11, 2012. The turquoise color of the Wheel was chosen by the former owner of the ride who had gotten a discount on that paint when a shop went out of business.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • The swinging cars of the Wonder Wheel, painted red and yellow or blue and yellow, as seen on July 20, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • A view of one of the swinging cars on July 17, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • The steel cars of the Wonder Wheel, seen here on May 25, 2015, are designed to keep passengers safely secured inside, with double locks and mesh that deters people from dropping large objects out.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • Taking the trip on the Wonder Wheel on July 17, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • Passengers can either ride in stationary or swinging cars, like the red one seen here on May 25, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • A view of the kiddie rides at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and the beach at Coney Island from high up on the Wonder Wheel on May 25, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • Cresting the Wonder Wheel, the defunct landmark Parachute Jump ride and other classic Coney Island rides come into view on May 25, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • Cake and cupcakes for the May 25, 2015, birthday celebration of the opening of the Wonder Wheel 95 years ago.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • Steve Vourderis, one of the brothers who co-owns the Wonder Wheel at Coney Island, inspects gears that help rotate the ride, on July 20, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • The 50-horsepower motor of the Wonder Wheel on July 20, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • New gears custom manufactured for the Wonder Wheel sit on pallets in a workshop on July 20, 2015. The gears are expected to be installed after the summer season ends.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • Steve Vourderis, a co-owner of the Wonder Wheel and its chief mechanic, holds up a replacement plastic gear for the ride, on July 20, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • The control panel of the Wonder Wheel that was built after superstorm Sandy, seen on June 11, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • Dennis Vourderis, one of the brothers who co-own Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, makes cotton candy at the sweet shop at the kiddie park on July 17, 2015. He calls it his favorite place to work.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • Denos Vourderis, who is known as D.J., checks the structural integrity of the carousel at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park on June 26, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • One of the classic neon Wonder Wheel signs all lit up on the night of July 18, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • The classic neon Wonder Wheel signs hangs over the lights of the amusement park on July 18, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar
  • A view of Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park from the Wheel on the night of July 18, 2015.
    Photo Credit: amNewYork / Cristian Salazar

This year, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park in Coney Island is celebrating the 95th anniversary of its namesake ride. The Wonder Wheel, built between 1918 and 1920, has become an icon of New York City and is famous around the world. Its unique Ferris wheel design that includes 16 swinging cars and eight stationary cars has inspired rides in California and Japan. This true original has thrilled more than 30 million people over its lifetime.

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