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{{short description|Roller coaster in
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox roller coaster
|name= Big Apple Coaster
|image=
|caption= The Big Apple Coaster and the New York-New York Hotel & Casino
|location=New York-New York Hotel and Casino
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|previousnames=Manhattan Express (1997–2006)<br>The Roller Coaster (2007–2015)
|type=Steel
|type2=
|type3=
|year=1997
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|acceleration=
|restriction_in= 54
|trains= 5
|carspertrain=3
|rowspercar=3
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}}
The '''Big Apple Coaster''' (formerly '''Manhattan Express''' and '''The Roller Coaster''') is a steel
The ride was constructed as part of the New York-New York Hotel and Casino, which was developed by MGM and [[Primadonna Resorts]]. Completed at a cost of $18 million, the coaster was known as Manhattan Express when it opened along with the resort on January 3, 1997. In the months after the ride opened, [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]] building officials shut it down several times over safety issues, and many of the ride's steel tension rods had to be replaced. After some modifications by [[Premier Rides]] in the mid-2000s, the Manhattan Express was renamed The Roller Coaster in 2007 before being renamed the Big Apple Coaster in 2013. The ride introduced a [[Virtual reality roller coaster|virtual reality]] option in 2018, and Premier replaced the trains in 2021.
== History ==
=== Opening and early years ===
[[File:NYNY-TheRollerCoaster.jpg|thumb|left|View of the Big Apple Coaster on the roof of the New York-New York casino]]
The ride, originally called the Manhattan Express, was built by Japanese roller coaster manufacturer [[TOGO]]. It was one of only two roller coasters in the world to feature a [[heartline roll]] and dive when it opened.<ref>{{cite news |title=Twist should put New York roller coaster on ACE map |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/jun/27/twist-should-put-new-york-roller-coaster-on-ace-ma/ |access-date=March 19, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 27, 1996 |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527125146/https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/jun/27/twist-should-put-new-york-roller-coaster-on-ace-ma/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ride was conceived by [[Gary Primm]], owner of [[Primadonna Resorts]], which co-developed New York-New York.<ref>{{cite news |title=Coaster at NY-NY a whopper |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/dec/31/coaster-at-ny-ny-a-whopper/ |access-date=March 21, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=December 31, 1996 |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527203628/https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/dec/31/coaster-at-ny-ny-a-whopper/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When groundbreaking ceremonies for New York-New York occurred in March 1995, a 180-foot-tall coaster was planned to be built along with the resort.<ref>{{Cite news|date=April 1, 1995|title=Groundbreaking for new Las Vegas megaresort held|pages=7|work=Elko Daily Free Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825652/groundbreaking-for-new-las-vegas/|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818132820/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825652/groundbreaking-for-new-las-vegas/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Elko Daily Free Press]]'' described the ride as a "[[Coney Island]]-style roller coaster", complementing the resort's replicas of major New York City attractions such as the [[Empire State Building]], the [[Brooklyn Bridge]], and the [[Statue of Liberty]].<ref name=n107825748>{{Cite news|date=January 12, 1996|title=Some New Yorkers think Vegas goes too far|pages=10|work=Elko Daily Free Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825748/some-new-yorkers-think-vegas-goes-too/|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818132818/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825748/some-new-yorkers-think-vegas-goes-too/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=n107825803>{{Cite news|last=Macy|first=Robert|date=January 3, 1997|title=Bite of Big Apple opens in Vegas today|pages=20|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825803/bite-of-big-apple-opens-in-vegas/|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818132540/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825803/bite-of-big-apple-opens-in-vegas/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ride cost $18 million to build,<ref name="Greene1">{{cite news |last=Greene |first=Susan |date=March 18, 1997 |title=Strip resort roller coaster grounded |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Mar-18-Tue-1997/news/5047922.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000916155211/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Mar-18-Tue-1997/news/5047922.html |archive-date=September 16, 2000}}</ref> and it opened along with New York-New York on January 3, 1997.<ref name="Greene1" /><ref name="n107825803" />
Within two months of its opening, 500,000 people had ridden the Manhattan Express.<ref name=Greene1/> In March 1997, [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]] building officials shut down the Manhattan Express over safety issues, which the resort had failed to report to the county.<ref name="Greene1" /> Clark County officials issued five summonses to the resort's owners for violations of county building codes.<ref name=n107825521/><ref name=n107825955>{{Cite news|date=March 24, 1997|title=Las Vegas roller coaster reopens|pages=28|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825955/las-vegas-roller-coaster-reopens/|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818132539/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825955/las-vegas-roller-coaster-reopens/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Greene2">{{cite news |last=Greene |first=Susan |date=March 25, 1997 |title=Troubled roller coaster grounded for third time |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Mar-25-Tue-1997/news/5088623.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000916170845/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Mar-25-Tue-1997/news/5088623.html |archive-date=September 16, 2000}}</ref> The ride contained 250 steel tension rods, of which approximately 40 had snapped.<ref name="Greene2" /> The resort was cited for continuing to operate the ride despite the breakages.<ref name="Greene1" /> Repairs were made, but the ride reopened and closed several times that month as more rods broke.<ref name="Greene2" /> The initial 40 broken rods had been replaced using stronger material, which strained the weaker rods and caused them to snap. The strain also created fine cracks in the coaster track.<ref name=Greene2/>
The Manhattan Express reopened in April 1997, after two weeks of repairs and safety improvements.<ref>{{cite news |last=Greene |first=Susan |title=Back on a Roll |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Apr-09-Wed-1997/news/5174765.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 9, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000917223632/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Apr-09-Wed-1997/news/5174765.html |archive-date=September 17, 2000}}</ref> Further rod breakages occurred on several occasions later in the year. The rods were repaired as they broke, and the county deemed the ride safe despite the frequent breakages.<ref>{{cite news |last=Greene |first=Susan |date=July 9, 1997 |title=Roller coaster suffers more ups and downs |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jul-09-Wed-1997/news/5681821.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000917004317/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Jul-09-Wed-1997/news/5681821.html |archive-date=September 17, 2000 |id={{ProQuest|260044972}}}}</ref><ref name=n107825521>{{Cite news|date=July 10, 1997|title=Casino's roller coaster breaks again|pages=16|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825521/casinos-roller-coaster-breaks-again/|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818132819/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825521/casinos-roller-coaster-breaks-again/|url-status=live}}</ref> By July 1997, the Manhattan Express had been closed for repairs at least eight times.<ref name=n107825521/> The coaster had its one-millionth rider the same month.<ref>{{cite news |title=12-year-old gets thrill on coaster |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/jul/15/12-year-old-gets-thrill-on-coaster/ |access-date=March 19, 2022 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=July 15, 1997 |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527125152/https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/jul/15/12-year-old-gets-thrill-on-coaster/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ultimately, the resort had to replace 175 of the rods with steel tension cables. All except 50 of the rods had been replaced by September 1998.<ref name="p260006220">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Hubble |date=September 21, 1998 |title=LV roller coasters enjoy track record |page=1D |id={{ProQuest|260006220}} |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal}}</ref> By then, problems with the coaster had decreased significantly, though broken rods were still being reported.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bates |first=Warren |date=September 14, 1998 |title=Ups, downs continue for New York-New York roller coaster |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Sep-14-Mon-1998/news/8193775.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991010224707/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Sep-14-Mon-1998/news/8193775.html |archive-date=October 10, 1999 |id={{ProQuest|260119912}}}}</ref><ref name=n107825850>{{Cite news|date=September 15, 1998|title=Clark County roller coaster's problems continue|pages=25|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825850/clark-county-roller-coasters-problems/|access-date=August 18, 2022|archive-date=August 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818132818/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107825850/clark-county-roller-coasters-problems/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Ron Lynn of the Clark County building department, the coaster was still safe to ride, even as three faulty rods were being replaced every week.<ref name=n107825850/>
For the 2021 season, the ride received yet another set of new trains from Premier Rides; a far more modern variant that were first seen on the [[Sky Rocket II]] models. These consist of more open-air seating and can hold up to 18 riders, thus increasing the coaster's capacity. Testing began in December 2020, with the ride slated to reopen in February 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.greatadventurehistory.com/Forums/index.php?/topic/6616-big-apple-coaster-in-las-vegas-gets-new-trains-and-technology-upgrade-from-premier-rides/|title=Big Apple Coaster in Las Vegas gets new trains and technology upgrade from Premier Rides|author= |date=December 13, 2020|website=Great Adventure History|access-date=December 24, 2020}}</ref> However, an accident occurred in mid-December, where the middle car of one of the new trains derailed on the lift hill, causing severe damage to part of the catwalk.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coasternation.com/new-york-new-yorks-big-apple-coaster-suffers-derailment-testing-new-cars/|title=New York New York's Big Apple Coaster Suffers Derailment Testing New Cars|author=Coaster Nation|date=December 23, 2020|website=Coaster Nation|access-date=December 24, 2020}}</ref> The current repair timeline, and whether this will affect the ride's scheduled reopening, is unknown.▼
=== Renaming and modifications ===
[[File:2019.10.11 Las Vegas - 48955430496.jpg|thumb|The coaster in 2019, seen in front of a fake New York City skyline]]
Over the years, the Big Apple Coaster gained a reputation for being a rough roller coaster. The original TOGO trains used over-the-shoulder restraints, which many guests reported were uncomfortable. In addition, the track layout placed high amounts of lateral forces on guests.<ref name="Levine 2003">{{cite web |last=Levine |first=Arthur |date=December 23, 2003 |title=The Big Apple Coaster in Vegas Will Throw You for a Loop |url=https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-big-apple-roller-coaster-3224538 |access-date=August 19, 2022 |website=TripSavvy |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819190543/https://www.tripsavvy.com/the-big-apple-roller-coaster-3224538 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2004, [[Premier Rides]] installed magnetic brakes on the ride; by then, TOGO had gone out of business. In August 2006, Premier also installed new trains to replace the original TOGO trains.<ref name=":1">{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Big Apple Coaster|location=|url=|access-date=August 13, 2019|rcdb_number=139}}</ref><ref name="Amusement Today 2021">{{cite web | title=New York New York’s Big Apple Coaster adds Premier Rides trains | website=Amusement Today | date=March 17, 2021 | url=https://amusementtoday.com/new-york-new-yorks-big-apple-coaster-adds-premier-rides-trains/ | access-date=August 18, 2022 | archive-date=March 19, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319152924/http://amusementtoday.com/new-york-new-yorks-big-apple-coaster-adds-premier-rides-trains/ | url-status=live }}</ref> After the Premier trains were installed, the ride became noticeably smoother, compared to when the TOGO trains were in use.<ref name=":1" /> The ride was renamed The Roller Coaster in 2007,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Roller Coaster |url=http://www.nynyhotelcasino.com/entertainment/entertainment_therollercoaster.aspx |website=New York-New York official website |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070106063739/http://www.nynyhotelcasino.com/entertainment/entertainment_therollercoaster.aspx |archive-date=January 6, 2007}}</ref> and it was again renamed in 2013, becoming the Big Apple Coaster.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Big Apple Coaster & Arcade |url=http://newyorknewyork.com/attractions/the-roller-coaster.aspx |website=New York-New York official website |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919214547/http://newyorknewyork.com/attractions/the-roller-coaster.aspx |archive-date=September 19, 2013}}</ref>
In February 2018, the ride's operator introduced an [[VR Coaster|virtual reality coaster]] option,<ref name="KTNV 2018">{{cite web |date=February 8, 2018 |title=Experience a virtual reality roller coaster |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/virtual-reality-kicks-off-on-big-apple-coaster |access-date=August 19, 2022 |website=KTNV |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515021405/https://www.ktnv.com/news/virtual-reality-kicks-off-on-big-apple-coaster |url-status=live }}</ref> designed by [[VR Coaster]].<ref name="MacDonald 2018">{{cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Brady |date=January 17, 2018 |title=Aliens on the Vegas Strip? New York-New York adds virtual reality to the Big Apple coaster |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-tr-new-york-casino-big-apple-coaster-virtual-reality-20180116-story.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819150849/https://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-tr-new-york-casino-big-apple-coaster-virtual-reality-20180116-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Riders could pay an additional fee to wear a virtual-reality headset on the ride.<ref name="MacDonald 2018" /><ref name="Las Vegas Weekly 2018">{{cite web | title=The New York-New York Roller Coaster adds virtual reality | website=Las Vegas Weekly | date=January 17, 2018 | url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2018/jan/17/roller-coaster-new-york-new-york-virtual-reality/ | access-date=August 18, 2022 | archive-date=June 19, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619050200/https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2018/jan/17/roller-coaster-new-york-new-york-virtual-reality/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Attractions Magazine 2018">{{cite web | title=Las Vegas New York New York hotel debuts Big Apple Coaster Virtual Reality Experience on Feb 7. | website=Attractions Magazine | date=January 19, 2018 | url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/las-vegas-new-york-new-york-hotel-adds-virtual-reality-big-apple-coaster/ | access-date=August 18, 2022 | archive-date=August 18, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818133243/https://attractionsmagazine.com/las-vegas-new-york-new-york-hotel-adds-virtual-reality-big-apple-coaster/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The headsets contained 3D footage of aliens being chased through the Nevada desert and into the skyline of New York City.<ref name="MacDonald 2018" />
▲
== Characteristics ==
[[Image:Manhattan Express Roller Coaster.jpg|thumb|The original TOGO-built train in 2005, since replaced with a new train set built by Premier Rides]]
The ride travels on a {{convert|4777|ft|abbr=on}} track.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 30, 1997 |title=Ride safety checks a never-ending duty |work=Las Vegas Sun |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/aug/30/ride-safety-checks-a-never-ending-duty/ |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527130428/https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/aug/30/ride-safety-checks-a-never-ending-duty/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It contains a {{convert|180|ft|m|adj=on}} lift hill and a {{convert|76|ft|m|adj=on}} first drop, followed by a hill and another {{convert|144|ft|m|adj=on}} drop.<ref name="Amusement Today 2021" /><ref name=":1" /> The ride also has two inversions: a standard [[vertical loop]] and a [[dive loop]] (twist and dive element), where the train performs a 180-degree twist and then performs a half-loop.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{cite web |last= |first= |date=December 24, 2014 |title=Big Apple Coaster front seat on-ride HD POV New York, New York Hotel & Casino |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHbIzVNe3_o |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902224942/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHbIzVNe3_o |archive-date=September 2, 2021 |access-date=July 5, 2019 |website=CoasterForce |publisher= |via=[[YouTube]] |url-status=live }}</ref> This element is found on another coaster: the "Mega Coaster" at Hamanako Pal Pal Park in Japan.<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Mega Coaster|location=Hamanako Pal Pal (Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan)|rcdb_number=1284|access-date=December 2, 2015}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote in 2011 that the ride was "designed to simulate the barrel roll a pilot feels inside a jet fighter".<ref name="nyt-2011-07-01">{{Cite news |last=Ramirez |first=Anthony |date=July 1, 2011 |title=Roller Coasters Bring a New Kind of Thrill to Vegas |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/travel/in-las-vegas-roller-coasters-adds-new-thrills.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819151828/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/travel/in-las-vegas-roller-coasters-adds-new-thrills.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The ride's station is themed to a [[New York City Subway]] station.<ref name="Amusement Today 2021"/>
The coaster's computer system could adjust the ride based on the arid climate of the area. The system could modify the train's speed at the top of the lift hill, and it could also activate the mid-course brake run to slow down a speeding train. When wind speeds are excessively high, the computer system notifies the ride's technicians.<ref name="nyt-1998-08-20">{{Cite news |last=Kopytoff |first=Verne G. |date=August 20, 1998 |title=Roller Coasters Take a Ride From Wild To Wired |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/20/technology/roller-coasters-take-a-ride-from-wild-to-wired.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=August 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819150849/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/20/technology/roller-coasters-take-a-ride-from-wild-to-wired.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{As of|2023}}, the ride costs $25 per individual ticket. Las Vegas residents with valid ID, and military personnel also receive discounts.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Roller Coaster - The Big Apple Coaster & Arcade at New York-New York |url=https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/things-to-do/new-york-new-york/the-big-apple-coaster-and-arcade.html |access-date=August 14, 2019 |website=www.mgmresorts.com |language=en |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814031110/https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/things-to-do/new-york-new-york/the-big-apple-coaster-and-arcade.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The New York-New York Hotel and Casino also allows guests to get married on the Big Apple Coaster.<ref name="Las Vegas Magazine 2022">{{cite web | title=The Big Apple Coaster in Las Vegas has thrills aplenty | website=Las Vegas Magazine | date=January 13, 2022 | url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2022/jan/28/big-apple-coaster-new-york-new-york-las-vegas/ | access-date=August 19, 2022 | archive-date=February 10, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210221232/http://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2022/jan/28/big-apple-coaster-new-york-new-york-las-vegas/ | url-status=live }}</ref> When the ride opened, riders had to be at least {{convert|46|in|cm}} tall;<ref name="p260002219">{{Cite news |last=Cling |first=Carol |date=February 21, 1997 |title=Over the Top |page=14J |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |id={{ProQuest|260002219}}}}</ref> this height restriction has since been increased to {{convert|54|in|cm}}.<ref name=":2" />
==Ride experience==
The ride begins with a left-hand, 135-degree turn out of the [[Station (roller coaster)|station]] which then begins to climb the [[chain lift hill]]. After reaching the peak, the train turns 45 degrees left into the first, 76-foot drop, crossing over the New York-New York's driveway. The train then ascends a hill that curves left into the second, 144-foot drop, next to the New York-New York's entrance. The train ascends another hill and curves left again onto the roof of the casino, dropping slightly to enter a vertical loop. Immediately afterward, the train twists to the right and enters the dive loop.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> Exiting the dive loop, the train ascends into a hill with a [[Mid course brake run|mid-course brake run]], then turns 180 degrees to the left, ascending an airtime hill. The train turns 180 degrees to the right, dips into two airtime hills, and traverses a 540-degree [[helix]] to the right, traveling through one last airtime hill before hitting the final brake run.<ref name=":0" /> The ride then travels indoors above a replica of [[Little Italy, Manhattan]], on a structure that resembles an old [[elevated railway]].<ref name="Los Angeles Times 1997">{{cite web |date=January 12, 1997 |title=Checking Into New York New York (the Hotel, Not the City) |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-12-tr-17797-story.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319164008/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-12-tr-17797-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Critical reception ==
When the Manhattan Express opened in 1997, the ''[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]'' said that the "unmistakable Las Vegas mystique" gave the "Manhattan Express a unique appeal".<ref name="p260002219" /> A reporter for ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' wrote that many of the early riders seemed to have "enjoyed this coaster immensely".<ref name="p403810174">{{Cite news |last=Carpenter |first=Richard P. |date=February 9, 1997 |title=Viva, New York! A re-created Big Apple is among new Las Vegas attractions |pages=M, 9:1 |work=Boston Globe |id={{ProQuest|403810174}}}}</ref> [[Paul Goldberger]] of ''The New York Times'' wrote that the ride looked "like a rope that has been used to capture [New York City's] landmarks and hold them hostage, a mirage of the New York skyline in the desert."<ref name="nyt-1997-01-15">{{Cite news |last=Goldberger |first=Paul |date=January 15, 1997 |title=New York-New York, It's a Las Vegas Town |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/15/nyregion/new-york-new-york-it-s-a-las-vegas-town.html |access-date=August 19, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609231254/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/15/nyregion/new-york-new-york-it-s-a-las-vegas-town.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Conversely, the website ''[[TripSavvy]]'' wrote that the Big Apple Coaster was rough, saying: "Instead of doubling the fun, The Big Apple’s hypercoaster heights and looping inversion elements cancel each other out—and cause some pain to boot."<ref name="Levine 2003" />
The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said of the virtual-reality option: "The VR experience does a fairly accurate job of rendering the Vegas Strip, but non-MGM properties get short shrift."<ref name="MacDonald 2018" /> Among the issues were that the site of the [[Tropicana Las Vegas]] was rendered as a parking lot and that the [[Vegas Vic]] neon sign was incorrectly shown as being at [[Harry Reid International Airport]].<ref name="MacDonald 2018" />
== References ==
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