Photographer Jim McDonnell got back from a walk in snowy Coney Island and sent us a link to his first photos of the 2011 season. Among our faves is this snowed-in kiddie park at Bowery and 12th Street. Seeing the grinning Bumblebeez always puts us in a happy mood.
Although Jimmy McCullough’s Kiddie Park doesn’t get photographed as often as its larger neighbors, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park and Luna Park, it has 12 kiddie rides packed into a surprisingly small area. McCullough is a cousin to the Tilyous and has owned and operated rides, including the B & B Carousell, in Coney Island for many years.
A seat from Zamperla’s prototype Air Race ride at Luna Park Coney Island took a trip to Orlando last month. The Air Race seat and ride video were on display in Zamperla’s booth at the Nov 15- Nov 19 IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions) Attractions Expo. Valerio Ferrari, CEO of Zamperla USA and Luna Park, tells ATZ that two Air Race rides were sold to parks in Europe at the trade show. A few other deals are in the discussion phase, he adds.
An Air Race has also been sold to a park in China, ATZ learned from Alberto Zamperla, president and CEO of Antonio Zamperla S.p.A., in October. Designed by Mega Disk’O creator Gianbattista Zambelli, the Air Race sends riders upside down at up to 4g forces. The thrill ride made its world debut at Zamperla’s new amusement park in Coney Island in June.
The IAAPA Attractions Expo, the premier annual conference and trade show for the amusement industry, drew 25,000 participants from 96 countries to the Orange County Convention Center. Zamperla’s booth displayed the Luna Park NYC logo while individual video terminals showcased the park’s Zamperla rides.
In an article we wrote about the new Luna Park for IAAPA Funworld, Ferrari says, “Our intention is to have the latest rides that we develop in our park.” The fact that the world’s largest manufacturer of amusement rides is trying out prototypes at Luna Park is an exciting development that calls to mind the heyday of Coney Island when the first models of any new park or carnival rides would make their debut here.
Zamperla also benefits because the New York City amusement park functions as a showroom for Zamperla’s New Jersey-based North American operation. Luna Park closed for the season after Halloween and will reopen on Palm Sunday (April 17, 2011), but the majority of rides remain in place and on view.
We’re happy to be able to report a piece of good news from good ol’ Coney Island, which is reeling from a series of deaths, demolitions, and evictions. The good news is Eldorado Auto Skooters, Coney’s famed disco palace of bumper cars, will reopen in 2011. It’ll be “Bump, Bump, Bump your Ass Off” at 1216 Surf Avenue in memory of the Eldorado’s heart and soul, Scott Fitlin, who died in October.
ATZ received a personal note from Sheila and Sandy Fitlin, the owners of the Eldorado Bumper Cars, to thank us for ATZ’s eulogy to their son. We can’t tell you how happy we were to read the words: “Stop by to see us at the Eldorado this summer.” The Coney Island Rumor Mill had been speculating whether or not the Eldorado would reopen. Some were worried that the building, which is owned by the Fitlin family, would be sold.
We were amazed and moved by the response to “Rest in Peace: Scott Fitlin, Coney’s Eldorado Man” (ATZ, October 13, 2010). Our eulogy was read by thousands of people from all over the world! As Sandy Fitlin writes, “Tricia, Scott had friends he probably didn’t know cared for him so much.” We think Scott would have been surprised by the many remembrances and condolences posted on ATZ and the audio discussion forums Audio Heritage and Wave Music, among others. Scott’s friends will want to stop by the Eldorado this summer to hear the legendary sound system and “Turn that Wheel!”
Amusing the Zillion 