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LUNA PARK
Coney Island, New York
(Also includes Scream Zone and Coney Island Cyclone)
 Park News - (4/12/13) The local news reports that the nearby Parachute Jump tower has finished working on the $2 million lighting package upgrade. On special nights and whenever Luna Park is operating, the tower will put on an impressive light show.
(3/20/13) To help celebrate the reopening of Coney Island following the damage from Superstorm Sandy, rides on the nearby Deno’s Wonder Wheel will be free on Sunday, March 24th. (11am to 6pm).
(2/20/13) The local news reports that Luna Park will soon have a little competition, as a developer is making plans to open a new funzone called Big Mark’s Action Park that will feature a 50 ft rock climbing wall, skydiving simulator, an “obstacle course”... and a bar. (You may want to try those last two in the opposite order...)
Big Mark’s Action Park will take up the site that was formerly home to Cha Cha’s Steeplechase Fun Park. Sections of the Mega Whirl attraction that was on-site and damaged by Hurricane Sandy will be converted into the new bar area called Marco Grande’s Cantina which will feature drinks, live bands and DJs, foxy boxing and a mechanical bull. The owner will also take over and renovate the existing nearby Zip Line attraction and reopen it in time for Easter, however when the first of Big Mark’s Action Park opens around Memorial Day weekend the Zip Lines will close for renovations and reopen later that summer.
(11/30/12) I’m a bit confused as why anyone would want to waste all this money on installing lights and paying the bill to power it all to light up the hulking remains of the Coney Island Parachute Jump tower, but it seems Zamperla won the bid to do just that. The video of the proposed light package does look very cool... but it only makes me want to ride the tower, which is not possible as no one seems willing to try to bring the retired ride back to life. So again, I have to ask, why should anyone spend the money to light this thing up? The money could be better spent on so many other things... including repairing the damage to the area inflicted by Sandy.
(11/12/12) A video showing off Luna Park after the damage by Hurricane Sandy with a recorded statement by the park regarding their plans to fix Luna Park, Scream Zone and the Cyclone can be found below.
(11/5/12) A report about the damaged Hurricane Sandy caused over at Luna Park and in the Coney Island area has been posted to AmusementToday. Much of the damaged caused was due to flood waters that reached as high as 5 feet in the area. They’ve posted a good picture showing how high the floodwaters reached up onto the Cyclone here.
(3/5/12) Under a new deal with the owners of Luna Park, the city has signed an agreement with Zamperla to operate the Coney Island Cyclone for the next 15 years. They have also taken to heart the concerns of Cyclone fans about possibly replacing the trains, and will instead focus on refurbishing the existing trains rather than replace them.
(2/9/12) I’m a big shocked at the pricetag, but it seems the local Borough President is ready to spend $2 million to flood the defunct 262 foot Coney Island Parachute Jump tower with enough lighting that it will be seen for miles. I gotta admit, I’m with the critics on this one, as you could probably get the ride running again for $2 million, or maybe partner up with the Luna Park people to drop in even more cash to simply build a brand new modern drop tower… maybe even find a way to make it look like the old one.
(2/3/12) Take a trip back in time to see Coney Island as it once was… through a collection of old postcards in the latest Parkology installment.
2013 - Steeplechase Plaza - (11/11/11) While not officially part of Luna Park, construction has started on Coney Island’s new Steeplechase Plaza, which will be home to a historic old B&B Carousel from Coney Islands past when it opens in 2013. This will be located at the base of the historic old Parachute Jump tower structure. Now if only they could find a way to reopen the Parachute Jump...
???? - Cylone Refurbishment - In Progress - (2/2/12) Amusement Today reports that CAI (Centtral Amusement International), the Zamperla subsidiary who will oversee Coney Island Cyclone, has selected Great Coasters International to repair and refurbish the Cyclone. While normally this would be a completely happy story, the article does mention one thing that has a few Cyclone fans somewhat nervous.
According to the Present of CAI, Great Coasters surveyed the Cyclone and determined that by making a few very small adjustments to its profile, they could make the ride more enjoyable for everyone. The project will be broken down into several phases and result in a complete track replacement within 4 to 5 years. Part of the final phase will involve either refurbishing or replacing the Cyclone’s trains.
On a personal note, I can say that the work GCI has been doing over the last several years on another multi-phase refurbishment project at Carowinds on Thunder Road has been a huge success. Every season I look forwarding to riding it again as it just keeps getting better, so I’d be inclined to have a little faith in GCI’s judgement.
???? - Future Attraction / New Coaster - Rumor - (3/11/13) A very interesting rumor is starting to float around Luna Park these days. Word has it they have been getting a bit nostalgic for the old Thunderbolt wooden coaster that was closed in 1982 but left standing until being demolished as a safety hazard in late 2000. Could they be working on a plan to rebuild the Thunderbolt? From what I can tell from Google photos, the empty lot where Thunderbolt once sat is still sitting there empty and waiting. It would be great to see it returned to Coney Island once again if true.
(7/24/12) Now that we’ve seen Luna Park reborn and The Scream Zone added… people are wondering what’s next for Coney Island. (Other than a several year long phase by phase rehab of the Cyclone that is…) According to one very early rumor, the park mangement may be looking into possibly adding another coaster in a few years. No more details other than that however, so we’ll have to wait and see.
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