Luna Park at Night. © Coney Island History Project Collection
In a Jan 23 interview with his hometown newspaper, Zamperla President and CEO Alberto Zamperla revealed the previously undisclosed name and numbers of his soon-to-be built amusement park in Coney Island. “The park will be called, Luna Park, like the first, the only, the inimitable one, the one created by Frederic Thompson and Elmer ‘Skip’ Dundy,” according to an article in the Italian newspaper Il Giornale di Vicenza.
The original Luna Park (1903-1946), one of Coney Island’s four historic amusement parks, inspired Luna Parks throughout the country and round the world. In many countries, including Italy, “Luna Park” is a generic term for amusement park. The article mentions bringing a smile back to the lips of Manhattan director Woody Allen and millions of Americans who return to play in the real and only Luna Park.
Luna Park Entrance, 1930s. © Coney Island History Project Collection
Now for the numbers: “For the first season we have estimated the presence of 400 thousand visitors and we are confident it will grow in the future,” Zamperla told the paper. “In terms of investment, we are talking about $24 million over three years. For us it is a great satisfaction as well as a great opportunity.”
The CEO said he was flying to New York the next day and characterized the next few months as “a race against time.” The amusement operator has only six weeks from the site turnover date of April 15 until the park’s opening on Memorial Day weekend to produce the new rides and assemble the new park.
Last week NY1 leaked the news that the City had selected Zamperla USA to be the new amusement park operator for Coney Island. The news is absolutely thrilling, though not at all surprising, to those of us who work in Coney. Zamperla was considered the front runner because they operate Victorian Gardens for the City and the CEO of Zamperla USA joined the CIDC’s Amusement Advisory Board in March 2009. We look forward to the official press conference where Zamperla unveils their designs and ride line-up for the future Luna Park. An announcement is expected as early as this week. But we can’t wait any longer to say Congratulazioni a Zamperla! Welcome to Coney Island!
1934: Souvenir de Luna-Park, France. Found Photo © lovedaylemon via flickr
Related posts on ATZ…
August 29, 2010: Video: Grand Prize Winner of Luna Park Coney Island’s Film Contest!
May 28 2010:You Are Invited to the Opening of Luna Park in Coney Island!
April 14, 2010: Photo Album: Heroic 24/7 Race to Build Coney Island’s New Luna Park
February 22, 2010: Coney Island’s Luna Park Launches Blog Site, Lists Job Openings
Amusing the Zillion 
It’s like I said yesterday: running circles around the traditional media. Nice scoop!
Grazie…It’s been a stellar day for ATZ thanks to the news from Italia of the new Luna Park. Let’s hope the interest presages a stellar season for Coney Island!
My parents met in Luna Park, I was brought up under the Thunderbolt (my uncle was an owner and lived there). Can’t wait to go back. This is great for NY.
[…] And we hear rumors that the new amusement park will be named after an old one [Amusing the Zillion] […]
Luna Park amazing all i have to say………………