COURIER LIFE, APRIL 9-15, 2021 27
OUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE BOROUGH OF KINGS
BY ROSE ADAMS
Coney Island’s Luna Park will join
Deno’s in reopening next week, the
park’s operator announced on April 2,
following a yearlong closure spurred
by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is incredibly exciting to
fi nally have Luna Park in Coney
Island fi lled with guests
and joy after a very challenging
year,” said Alessandro
Zamperla, president and CEO
of Central Amusement International
Inc.
Luna Park — which operates
the Cyclone and Thunderbolt
rollercoasters, some bumper
cars, and the B&B carousel
in addition to its namesake
amusement park — will open
all of its rides to thrill-seekers
beginning at 11:30 am on Friday,
April 9, according to owners.
Attendees can also enjoy
six brand new kiddie rides
that include swings, racing
games, and coasters.
Like the neighboring Deno’s Wonder
Wheel Amusement Park, which
announced its April 9 opening earlier
this week, attendees are encouraged
to make advanced reservations online.
Amusement park enthusiasts can
reserve spots for the Wonder Wheel
and its surrounding park now, and
can make reservations for Luna Park
starting this weekend.
Both parks will be open on weekends
only during the spring and fall
seasons, and will be open daily between
Memorial Day weekend and Labor
Day.
The amusement parks’ reopening
brings a sigh of relief to the boardwalk
businesses and locals who depend
on Coney Island’s seasonal economy.
Without the parks’ openings last year,
local unemployment soared to 30 percent
and the peninsula lost $100 million
in revenue and 2,000 jobs, according
to a local business advocate.
To celebrate the reopening, Luna
Park and Deno’s will ring in the new
season with their respective celebrations.
Deno’s will host its annual blessing
of the rides, while Luna Park will
throw its traditional egg cream christening
of the Cyclone, which turns 94
this year, at the start of opening day.
To honor those who have sacrifi ced
the most during the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Vourderis family, which
owns the Wonder Wheel, will allow
healthcare workers to ride the famous
ferris wheel fi rst, while the Zamperlas
of Luna Park will donate 500 admission
wristbands to local Brooklynites
who work in hospitals.
“We are tremendously grateful for
all of our frontline workers, the heroes
who have saved countless lives and
continue to help our community heal;
for all of our team members who have
been waiting since October 2019 to
welcome back our guests; and for our
community that is so vibrant and resilient,”
said Zamperla.
Over the
moon!
Luna Park reopens
for summer season
SUMMER SCREAMS: Fun-lovers can enjoy a ride on the Luna 360 (above) and the Cyclone
(at left) when Luna Park reopens April 9. File photos by Steve Solomonson