For Coney Island, the reopening of the Wonder Wheel each spring marks the start of the summer season, and the continuation of a family story nearly a century in the making.
Brothers Steve and Dennis Vourderis, who own and operate the landmark attraction along with a broader amusement park of the same name, are carrying forward a legacy that began with their father, Deno.
According to the family’s history, Deno once told his wife, Lula, that he would one day buy the Wonder Wheel for her as a wedding present — “a ring so big everyone in the world would see how much he loved her, a ring that would never be lost.” He eventually fulfilled that promise, cementing the family’s place in Coney Island history.
Today, that legacy lives on not only through ownership but through hands-on work. As preparations for summer 2026 got underway, Steve and Dennis were joined by the next generation. Steve’s sons, DJ and Teddy, were on site this week helping bring the ride back to life, reassembling and re-attaching the cars to the ferris wheel after a long winter break.
Exactly one week before the grand reopening of the People’s Playground, DJ assisted with operating the Wonder Wheel while Teddy handled the forklift used to lift and position its massive cars.
The sense of continuity extends beyond the family. Some members of the crew are second-generation workers, following in the footsteps of parents who once worked at the park. Among them is Tom, a fabricator who carries on his father’s trade as a welder at Coney Island. Now, Tom welds identifying numbers into the metal bars of each car, ensuring they are installed in the correct order.
Nearby, Steve takes on one of the most physical roles in the operation. Known as the hammer-wielding force of the team, he uses a tool nicknamed “the intimidator” to secure the heavier components into place as the ride is assembled.
The process requires precision and teamwork. About eight people work together to mount the Wonder Wheel’s 24 cars. Attaching the cars to the wheel itself taking about six hours. Some preparation — including work on the swinging car components — was completed the day before. The colorful red and blue swinging cars are installed first, followed by the stationary white ones.
The park also features other attractions, including the Thunderbolt, a ride named in homage to the original Thunderbolt roller coaster that once stood at Coney Island. The current Thunderbolt at this location is not a roller coaster, while a separate, modern Thunderbolt coaster operates at neighboring Luna Park.
Despite the complexity of the work, the crew moves with a practiced rhythm, functioning like a well-oiled machine. Preparation begins in the off-season, when painting and maintenance help preserve the nearly century-old structure.
For Dennis, the work is about more than a single ride. He takes pride in the park’s broader attractions, especially those that delight younger visitors. This year, he pointed to the freshly repainted Kiddie Fire Engine ride, a favorite among children returning to the boardwalk.
As the Wonder Wheel nears its spring debut, it stands not only as a landmark attraction but as a symbol of an enduring family tradition, continuing to turn generation after generation high above Coney Island.
