Park Profile
www.parkworld-online.com New Luna Park Coney Island comeback
New York City’s first new amusement park in more than four decades is now in full swing. Packed with nearly 20 new rides by Zamperla, Luna Park also pays tribute to the history and legacy of Coney Island. Paul Ruben celebrates the rebirth of “America’s Playground”
General manager Fernando Velásquez
he all new Luna Park opened its gates at this famed destination in Brooklyn on May 29, with thousands of local residents and tourists alike lining up to be among the first to attend. The park was designed and developed in just 100 days by Central Amusement International (CAI), which was designated earlier this year by the New York City Economic Development Corporation to operate the facility for a 10-year period. “The fun is back in Coney Island,” says CAI president Valerio Ferrari. “We’ve got rides that will flip you, spin you, splash you and thrill you. Luna Park is going to give families from all over the world the kind of incredible experience that can only come from Coney Island.” In fact, several similar attractions already appear at Minitalia Leolandia near Milan, where until recently Zamperla had a similar involvement, and CAI already operates another amusement venue in New York, Victorian Gardens at Central Park. But the Luna Park project is more high profile than either of these thanks to Coney Island’s status.
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Named after one of the seaside resort’s original amusement parks, which operated from 1903 to 1948, the new Luna Park pays tribute to “the birthplace of the amusement industry,” while keeping alive its tradition of innovation. The park features a façade modelled after that of its namesake, a spinning coaster called The Tickler is a modern take on an original Luna Park ride of the same name, while the Coney Tower drop tower is a tribute to the original Parachute Tower, which stands
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idle outside the park. Signage and theming throughout the park, including the iconic Luna Park crescent moons and the Steeplechase Park “funny face,” also recall imagery from Coney Island’s past. The new park has sustained large crowds even after the buzz of opening day, and has also stimulated business for Coney Island's existing amusement operators.
Air Race Among Luna Park’s 19 new custom-built rides are a number of Zamperla originals, and the park is expected to serve as a showplace for buyers of the manufacturer’s rides in North America. One such attraction is Air Race, making its world debut at Coney Island. Simulating the experience of a fighter pilot, Air Race flips riders upside down as their planes spin around a central axis with up to 4Gs of force. "Luna Park features a mix of world class rides that offer something for everyone,” believes Fernando Velásquez, the park’s general manager. "We selected the rides in a way that would maximise the park’s available space, while providing an assortment of classic and cutting edge rides. Following this season and each season moving forward, we will evaluate the success of our current attractions and determine what new rides to bring to Luna Park." CAI has hired over 200 staff to run the park. Before taking his assignment at Luna Park, Velásquez was general manager of the Minitalia Leolandia and before that managed Victorian Garden in New York City.
AUGUST 2010
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