Top photo:

• Old-time storefronts add to the themed environment of the New York, New York Laser Patrol.

          Bottom photo:

• The Getlan family of Amusement Consultants, decked out for the black-tie VIP party, (l-r): Mel, Wayne, Ron, and Michael.

      Coney Island Emporium is a fully themed environment with  a staff decked out in carnival-style fashions.  Roller coasters hang from the ceiling and roller coaster sounds echo throughout the entire facility.  It serves as one of the entrances to the 2,038-room hotel from the parking garage and also is accessible from the casino and retail area.  More importantly, passing through Coney Island Emporium is the only entrance and exit for the Manhattan Express steel roller coaster that can accommodate 1,200 passengers per hour.

     Walls are covered with pictures of people having fun through the years at the real Coney Island.  Other artwork includes the Steeplechase wall, clowns, and huge apples that appear everywhere to remind customers they are in The Big Apple (or, as close as possible).  Giant stuffed pandas, whales, and moving puppets are suspended above, reminders of the variety of prizes available.

     In addition, at each entrance visitors are greeted by the scents of cotton candy and candied apples that permeates the air, soon to be followed by the aroma of roasted pretzels.  Three carts feature logo T-shirts, hats, cups, and other souvenirs.  Approximately, music is from the '20's, '30's, and '40's.

     Want a snack?  Nathan's hot dogs and Haagen Dazs ice cream are here, along with a a candy shop, fresh popcorn, and other tasty treats.

     "This is a spectacular facility, unlike anything done before in Las Vegas," said Michael Getlan.  Steve Hix, president of the International Go-Kart Association, agreed:  "It was incredible and overwhelming.  It's one of the best arcade redemption facilities I've seen.  Even at 5 a.m. the place was jammed."

     Hix added:  "The Getlans are very good with their designs and choice of games.  They do their homework and know what the public is interested in and what people want to play.  They have created a state-of-the-art center that shows what they do well."

     Two of Hix's favorite spots were the Tunnel of Love area and the New York Cabbie Bumper Cars.  "Michaels's trademark joker's smile is prominent throughout," said Hix, who explained,  "It's the kind of thing that makes people automatically grin."

     Hix remarked that he was surprised to see a significant increase in the number of families in Las Vegas with young children and teens.  "We've been hearing about it for some time," he said,  "It's been a struggle for traditional amusement venues to catch on in Las Vegas.  This is an indication that the FEC orientation is finally taking root."

     Michael Getlan summed up the goal of Coney Island Emporium when he said:  "We were striving to produce a high quality of competitive product to those now nationally known amusement center chains, one that we could launch from Las Vegas into the rest of the United States.  We truly feel that we have achieved what we set out to accomplish.  It's certainly my favorite place to play.

     "The creation of this facility  was a team effort with all of the Getlan family and all of the senior staff of Amusement Consultants in New York and Las Vegas contributing tremendous amounts of time, energy, and ideas to this project."

     Thanks also to the dedicated cast of 300 employees who make a visit to Coney Island Emporium an enjoyable experience.

     [Note:  Most of the coin-op equipment was purchased through Tony Yula of Mondial Intl. and Ira Bettelman of C.A. Robinson.  Medals presented to winners at the Daytona USA deluxe simulators and New York, New York Laser Patrol were obtained through Sheila Dellacona of Roger Williams Mint, which also provides gaming tokens for the casino.]