Edward L.
Yelp
Maybe I'm just old, but Playland has really gone downhill since I was a kid.
Everything seems dumbed down, and frankly, the rides are a total ripoff. You have to buy a PNE gate pass ($20) to be able to use your Playland pass ($31). So if you're with someone, you're now out over $100 and you haven't even gone on a ride or eaten yet.
What I really don't get is why they took down many good rides and replaced them with crappy new ones. For example, the new Ferris wheel isn't that much bigger than the original (red) one. The Wildmouse is gone, and so is the classic potato sack slide. The new one is probably only half the height, and way more narrow.
Another thing I don't get is why there are so many similar rides. For example, there is a kids' version of the Hellevator, and a smaller version of the Atmosfear. You'd think they'd just tear down the old one.
Even though it was a Thursday, the lineups were insane. Actually, I should rephrase that. The lineups were not that long, but the rides simply don't "process" enough people. It took over an hour to get to the Atmosfear! Fortunately the Hellevator was much shorter (maybe 10 minutes). And many of the other rides (such as the Pirate ship) had no lineup at all! Yay!
The rides I would recommend are the world-famous Coaster (wooden one), and Hellevator. The Coaster looks rickety, and frankly isn't that high either, but it really is world-class. This is, quite simply, the most fun and one of the scariest rides. It has no fancy loops or anything, but because the restraint on the cars don't exactly close tight enough, half the time you literally feel like you're going to fall/fly out of the thing. Always a pile of fun.
As for the Hellevator, again, it's not the scariest ride, but it's fast, it's definitely hair-raising, and there's nothing like the sensation of free-falling as you're nearing the top of the shaft.
The glass house is a classic. I still remember the solution from when I was 5 years old. They haven't changed it at all. Be sure to walk with your hands in front of you though, so that you don't get a panel to the face.
Bumper cars are classic too. This ride was probably originally built in 1960. The cars are totally ghetto, but it's always good for some fun.
The Corkscrew is a disappointment. Sure, the first 2 loops (corkscrew) are fun, but after that you're just riding these gentle dips, and nothing scary happens. For the reasons, the Coaster blows the Corkscrew out of the water.
Overall I guess Playland is one of those things you can do once, but it looks like I won't be back for a while.