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

The Big Apple Coaster is Las Vegas at its most direct: you walk through a casino, climb into a train, and suddenly race above the Strip at up to 67 mph. The ride packs in a 180-degree heartline twist, a steep drop, and striking views from the top.

I like two things here. First, the coaster gives you a proper burst of speed without taking half a day. Second, the location is handy: you can pair the ride with the Big Apple Arcade, New York-New York’s Greenwich Village-style streets, restaurants, and casino floor. The main drawback is comfort. Some riders find the train rough and tight, so this is not the best pick if head or back movement bothers you.

Big Apple Coaster at a glance

• 67 mph top speed: The coaster gives you a fast, forceful ride rather than a gentle sightseeing loop.
• A 180-degree heartline twist: The train turns around its central axis in one of the ride’s signature moments.
• Strip views from 203 feet up: Published details vary on the largest drop, with the official information listing 144 feet and promotional material citing 203 feet. Either way, expect a serious descent.
• One ride included: The $25.65 ticket covers admission to the coaster, fees, and taxes, but not arcade games, parking, or transport.
• A useful indoor add-on: The Big Apple Arcade and Greenwich Village section give you something to do before or after the ride.
• A 54-inch minimum height: Children and shorter riders cannot board, and the seats can feel tight for larger bodies.

What the ride is really like

You enter through New York-New York Hotel and Casino, not through a separate outdoor amusement park. From the front desk area, go right toward the Century Elevators, take the escalators toward Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs, and look for the coaster entrance to the left of Nathan’s.

That route is worth knowing before you arrive. New York-New York is large and busy, and finding the coaster can take a few minutes. Staff can point you in the right direction, but you will save time by using the hotel landmarks instead of wandering through the casino.

The train carries up to 18 riders. Before boarding, you will need to secure loose items. Small lockers are available for a fee, and one rider reported paying $1. Do not try to carry a phone, purse, or anything loose onto the train. A phone nearly went flying for one rider, and the photo opportunities are not worth risking your belongings.

The ride begins with a climb that gives you a useful view of the Strip. Then the coaster shifts into its main work: fast turns, drops, and the heartline twist. The ride itself lasts only a few minutes, but the full visit can take about an hour once you include the line, boarding, lockers, and exit.

The coaster is not built as a calm observation ride. You will feel the speed, and the harness holds you firmly as the train rises and falls. Some riders love the force and the feeling of leaving their seat under the restraint. Others find the side-to-side movement hard on the head, neck, or back.

That split is important. If you have ridden major coasters at large American amusement parks, you might find this one average rather than extraordinary. If you want a quick, unusual ride in the middle of Las Vegas, it delivers something more memorable than another casino walk.

The drop, speed, and Strip view

The headline speed is 67 miles per hour, or 108 kilometers per hour. That is fast enough to make the first descent feel serious, especially when you are looking down at the hotel and the Strip below.

The published height figures are not perfectly consistent. The attraction information describes a 203-foot drop, while the supplied operating details list the biggest drop as 144 feet. For your planning, the exact number matters less than the practical point: this is a high, steep coaster with a large visual drop.

The 180-degree heartline twist is the ride’s distinctive feature. Instead of simply turning the train left or right, the maneuver rotates your body through the turn. It gives the coaster an extra sense of disorientation and helps separate it from a basic out-and-back ride.

The views are one of the strongest reasons to ride. At the high points, you can look across the Las Vegas Strip and out toward the desert. The view is brief, and the train soon returns to its faster business, but it gives the ride a second appeal beyond speed.

I would not buy this ticket mainly for sightseeing. The view is a bonus, not a substitute for an observation deck. You get the best combination when you enjoy coasters and like the idea of seeing Las Vegas from an unusual angle.

One hour at New York-New York

The advertised duration is about one hour, but that does not mean you spend an hour on the train. The coaster ride is short. The rest of the time is normally used for walking through the hotel, waiting, checking tickets, storing belongings, boarding, and collecting photos if you choose to buy them.

The listed start time of 11:00 am can be confusing. The attraction opens at 11:00 am on Friday through Sunday, while weekday hours are listed as 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm from Monday through Thursday. The ride is open until midnight Friday through Sunday according to the supplied operating information.

Treat 11:00 am as an opening time rather than a guaranteed private departure. Going near opening can help you avoid the longest queues. One rider arrived around 11:00 am and found little waiting in November, while another arrived at 10:00 pm on a Friday and faced a long line that still moved in about an hour.

The attraction requires you to be in line at least 30 minutes before closing. Hours can change, and operation depends on suitable weather and other service conditions. High winds, mechanical problems, and camera issues have all caused disruption in individual visits, so I would avoid making this your only fixed activity of the day.

The Big Apple Arcade and Greenwich Village

The ticket is for one coaster ride, but New York-New York gives you more to see around the entrance. The Big Apple Arcade has both classic and newer video and arcade games. Arcade play costs extra, so bring this into your budget if you plan to stay.

The arcade is useful for families and mixed groups. A parent who does not want to ride can wait nearby, and children who meet the height rule can play games after the coaster. It also gives you a place to pause before deciding if you want another ride.

Outside the arcade, the hotel recreates a version of Greenwich Village. You will see brownstone-style buildings, tree-lined streets, and sidewalk dining along Village Street. It is a playful Las Vegas set rather than an authentic New York neighborhood, but it makes the stop more interesting than a simple ride entrance.

I like this setting because it lets you build a small visit around the coaster. Have a meal, play a few games, walk through the hotel, and then ride. If you only want the coaster, you can keep moving. If you are visiting with people who have different interests, the surrounding attractions make the stop easier to manage.

Price and what you receive

The price is $25.65 per person. That includes one ride and all fees and taxes. It does not include parking, hotel pickup or drop-off, arcade games, or optional ride photos.

For Las Vegas, the price is reasonable if you enjoy thrill rides and want a compact activity on the Strip. You are paying for a distinctive experience in a very convenient location, not for a full amusement park day. The value drops if you compare it with a large theme park where one admission covers many coasters.

The ticket makes more sense for a first ride than for repeated runs. Some riders found the experience worth doing again, with rerides reportedly available for about $10, but that option may depend on the day and operating conditions. I would ride once first, then decide if the comfort and queue justify another turn.

The advance mobile ticket can save time, but do not assume it removes every wait. Lines can still build, especially on Friday nights and later in the day. Keep your booking code ready on your phone, and do not confuse having a mobile ticket with being able to take that phone onto the ride.

Comfort, size, and who should skip it

The minimum height is 54 inches, or 137 centimeters. The information provided does not list a maximum weight, but the train seats can feel tight for larger riders. If you are concerned about fit, ask staff before committing to the line.

The strongest praise goes to the thrill, the view, and the ride’s unusual setting. The strongest criticism concerns roughness. Some riders describe repeated head movement and discomfort in the neck, back, or shoulders. Others find it less rough than expected and enjoy the force.

That difference can come from body size, seat position, personal sensitivity, and coaster experience. I would not recommend it if you already know that older or forceful coasters leave you sore. I would also think twice if you are recovering from an injury or are sensitive to sudden movement.

For a healthy adult or teen who meets the height rule and enjoys coasters, the physical nature of the ride is part of the appeal. For a casual rider, the harness, speed, and turns may feel like a lot. You can still visit the arcade and hotel streets without boarding.

The ride can also be a poor choice if you are hoping for a smooth modern coaster. It is not brand new, and the ride style has a firm, old-school feel. Some people read that as character. Others experience it as a flaw.

Timing, weather, and service interruptions

Weather matters. The coaster requires favorable conditions, and strong wind can stop operation. Mechanical or camera problems can also delay the ride or close it temporarily. Several people had planned to ride but were unable to do so because of maintenance, wind, or other operating issues.

That is why I would schedule it earlier in your Las Vegas stay rather than on the final hour of your final night. If a closure affects your booking, the stated policy offers another date or a full refund when poor weather causes cancellation. Still, you should confirm what happens at the entrance and keep records of any disruption.

Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Within 24 hours, cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not leave the purchase until the last minute if your plans are tight.

Public transportation is nearby, and the hotel is easy to reach as part of a Strip day. Parking is not included. Since you are already paying for a ride rather than a full attraction pass, account for parking costs before deciding if the ticket fits your budget.

Practical tips for a smoother ride

• Go near opening: Early visits often mean shorter queues, though no time guarantees a quick boarding.
• Allow an hour: The ride is short, but walking, lockers, waiting, and boarding take time.
• Keep your ticket accessible: You need the mobile booking code at entry, but you must store the phone before boarding.
• Use a locker: Loose items should not go on the train. Small paid lockers are available near the ride.
• Wear a secure outfit: The train moves forcefully, so avoid carrying anything that can slip or fly out.
• Check the forecast: Wind and other weather conditions can stop service.
• Ask about rerides after your first run: A lower-priced second ride may be available, but it is not part of the basic ticket.
• Find the entrance by landmarks: From the front desk, head toward the Century Elevators, then the escalators by Nathan’s Famous Hotdogs.
• Plan for photos: Photos are taken before, during, and after the ride, with purchases handled separately.
• Keep your body in mind: If you are prone to neck or back pain, the ride may not be a good fit.

Is the Big Apple Coaster worth booking?

Book it if you like roller coasters, want a fast Strip activity, and enjoy the idea of riding above a casino hotel. The speed, heartline twist, high drop, and city views give the attraction a clear identity. It is also easy to pair with food, arcade games, and a walk through New York-New York.

Skip it if you want a smooth, modern coaster, dislike strong lateral movement, or are comparing it with a full day at a major theme park. The ride is short, the ticket covers only one run, and comfort is a real question for some bodies.

My practical call is simple: coaster fans should book one ride, preferably near opening and early in the trip. Casual riders should first decide how much they value the Las Vegas setting and the novelty. You are not buying the biggest coaster experience in the United States. You are buying a compact, high-speed piece of Las Vegas that works best when you treat it as one stop in a larger New York-New York visit.

FAQ

How fast does the Big Apple Coaster go?

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

How large is the biggest drop?

The supplied information lists the biggest drop as 144 feet. Other promotional details cite a 203-foot drop, so published figures vary.

What is the minimum height to ride?

You must be at least 54 inches tall, or 137 centimeters, to ride.

What does the $25.65 ticket include?

The ticket includes one ride, all fees, and taxes. It does not include parking, transportation, arcade games, or optional photos.

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.

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

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded, and you must be in line at least 30 minutes before closing.