The Big Apple Coaster Las Vegas: Tickets, Height Requirement & What to Expect

Overview

The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York is a ticketed outdoor roller coaster on the Las Vegas Strip, featuring high speeds, sharp drops, inversions, and elevated views around the resort exterior.

This is not a sightseeing attraction or long immersive experience. It is a short, high-intensity thrill ride where the ride itself lasts only a few minutes, and the overall value depends heavily on ticket price, wait time, and how much you enjoy roller coasters.

The coaster reaches speeds over 67 mph and includes a 180-degree heartline twist and dive maneuver, making it one of the more intense ride-based attractions directly on the Strip.

What the Experience Is Like

Riders board a coaster train and are secured before the ride begins. The train climbs an initial lift hill before moving through a series of drops, turns, and inversions along the exterior track.

For most visitors, the key value question is whether the short ride time justifies the ticket price and wait. It makes the most sense if you specifically want a coaster on the Strip, not if you are looking for a long attraction experience.

The ride is fast-paced and continuous, with no stops once underway. Because the track is outdoors, the experience is exposed to weather and wind conditions.

Who It’s Best For

• Visitors who enjoy roller coasters, thrill rides, drops, and inversions
• Travelers looking for a quick adrenaline ride on the Strip
• Guests already visiting New York-New York, Park MGM, MGM Grand, or Excalibur
• Riders comfortable with speed, height, outdoor tracks, and intense motion

Who Should Skip It

• Visitors uncomfortable with roller coasters, heights, drops, inversions, or intense motion
• Guests who do not meet the height requirement or have safety/medical restrictions
• Travelers seeking calm, scenic, or self-paced attractions
• Budget-conscious visitors who may not value a short ride if wait times are long

Location & How It Fits Into Your Trip

The Big Apple Coaster is located at New York-New York Hotel & Casino on the south-central Strip, near Park MGM, MGM Grand, Excalibur, and T-Mobile Arena.

Because it is attached to a major Strip resort, it is easier to fit into a walking itinerary than off-Strip attractions. It works best as a quick thrill add-on while already exploring the New York-New York / Park MGM / MGM Grand area.

Tickets, Height Requirement & Entry

Tickets are sold per person and typically include one ride on the coaster. Riders must meet all safety requirements, including a minimum height requirement of 54 inches without footwear.

The ride itself lasts only a few minutes, but total time can vary significantly depending on lines, crowd levels, weather, and operating conditions. Evening and weekend waits may be longer.

Because the coaster runs outdoors, service can be delayed or suspended because of weather, wind, or other operational conditions. Check current availability before making it the centerpiece of your plans.

How This Attraction Compares

Compared to ride-based attractions like the Fly LINQ Zipline, The Big Apple Coaster delivers a more intense, high-speed roller coaster experience with drops, turns, and inversions. Fly LINQ Zipline is shorter, smoother, more central-Strip convenient, and better for visitors who want a lighter ride above The LINQ Promenade. If you are choosing between the two, see our full Big Apple Coaster vs Fly LINQ Zipline comparison.

Compared to observation experiences like the High Roller Observation Wheel, which focus on views and last significantly longer, the coaster is much shorter and centered entirely on speed and intensity. Choose the High Roller if you want a longer, more relaxed experience. Choose the coaster if you want a quick thrill.

Compared to indoor ride attractions like Adventuredome at Circus Circus, which offers multiple rides and arcade-style activities in a weather-protected setting, The Big Apple Coaster is shorter and more focused on one outdoor thrill ride. Choose Adventuredome if you want a longer family-friendly ride experience. Choose the Big Apple Coaster if you want a quick, intense coaster directly on the Strip.

Is It Worth Visiting?

The Big Apple Coaster is worth riding if you enjoy roller coasters and want a quick, high-intensity thrill directly on the Las Vegas Strip. It is especially easy to justify if you are already visiting New York-New York or nearby south-central Strip resorts.

It is less worthwhile if you are motion-sensitive, uncomfortable with heights or inversions, or expecting a long attraction experience. Because the ride itself is brief, overall value depends heavily on ticket price, wait time, and how much you specifically want to ride a coaster in Las Vegas.

If you’re building your itinerary, it fits best alongside other nearby highlights featured in our Best Las Vegas Attractions guide.