Visitors to Coney would arrive separately by car, subway, or train, but over the course of the day they would “become actors in a collective drama” and be bound together by their experience as simultaneous spectators and performers. Tellingly, many of the rides actually had their own viewing stands, where the audience thrilled to hear the screams of the rollercoaster riders and watch them go flying by.

Part of the implied agreement with riding a rollercoaster was accepting the rules of expected behavior. One was not to sit quietly and enjoy the dizzying loops, but rather it was expected that one demonstrate what a good time one was having by hollering, screaming, and throwing their arms around their seat companion’s neck. In this way the rider could enjoy the ride but also participate in the spectacle.