A new ride speeded its way to Coney Island on Thursday ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.

Phoenix is the newest addition to Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park. It sits beside the 101-year-old Wonder Wheel, which is the oldest operating landmark ride in Coney Island.

Thrill seekers lined up as early as 8 a.m. on Thursday to get their first chance to ride the new roller coaster. The first 100 people got a free ride and a souvenir T-shirt.

Geoff Jockish and his family say they came all the way from New Jersey to experience the thrill.

"We wanted to come out, support Deno's, ride the new coaster, especially after last year during COVID when everything was closed,” Jockish says. “There's an amazing transformation they did here and we're just excited to ride."

The 68-foot-high roller coaster reaches speeds of 34 mph and has twists and turns that make riders feel like they're flying.

The ride's Memorial Day weekend debut was stalled because of the pandemic.

The Vourderis family, who owns the park, celebrated its grand opening on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"As we slowly get back to normal, it means a lot to have a place for people who were stuck in their pandemic bubbles can come remember what it feels like to be with other people again,” says Deno Vourderis.

If you didn't get a chance to come out and ride the Phoenix yet, the rollercoaster will be open every day for the rest of the season.