Luna Park | Amusing the Zillion

Posts Tagged ‘Luna Park’

Photo Album: Heroic 24/7 Race to Build Coney Island’s New Luna Park

Posted in amusement park, Coney Island Redevelopment, tagged Amusement park construction, Bruce Handy, Central Amusement International, Coney Island, Luna Park, Zamperla on April 14, 2010| 2 Comments »

“Walked past the park tonight at 8:30 and the floodlights were on and the backhoe was digging,” photographer and Coney Island resident Bruce Handy writes in a Tuesday night e-mail. “See my photostream, 4 night photos.” The four pix are part of his flickr set called The Birth of Luna Park.

Luna Park, 24/7. April 13, 2010. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flickr

Back in January, when we got the scoop that the park would be named Luna Park “like the first, the only, the inimitable one…,” Zamperla President and CEO Alberto Zamperla characterized the next few months as “a race against time.” Over the past week it became apparent to residents that construction crews were laboring virtually 24/7. A heroic effort is underway at the former Astroland site to make sure that Coney Island’s new Luna Park is ready to open on Memorial Day Weekend. May 29th is just 44 days away!

Luna Park, 24/7. April 11, 2010. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flick

At the moment, mounds of dirt are everywhere as site prep work continues night and day. Utility lines are currently being installed. “Every time I have viewed the site they have been working, except Sunday afternoon and night,” says Bruce, who notes that workers were even on the job at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning!

From Birth of Luna Park Set. April 6, 2010. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flickr

Except for this peephole, the construction fence is completely covered with safety netting. But the Q train is a great vantage point for taking photos. Last month, Bruce took the following photo which soon appeared on Luna Park’s blog with the explanation that the mystery pipes were actually part of a detention tank being installed underground to collect storm-water runoff.

From Birth of Luna Park Set. March 19, 2010. Photo © Bruce Handy/Pablo 57 via flickr

Last month, a press release on Zamperla’s website said the company is 100% focused on Coney Island. “Antonio Zamperla SpA, world leader in the amusement industry as ride manufacturer and park operator, has left the company set up in 2007 with the Italian group Thorus to acquire and operate the amusement park in Capriate San Gervasio, Bergamo, Italy, later renamed Minitalia Leolandia Park, and is now fully focused on the re-launch of the historically significant Luna Park of Coney Island, New York.”

We’re wowed by Zamperla/CAI’s round-the-clock work schedule and single-minded commitment to Coney Island. Can’t wait to see the new park take shape as the rides begin to arrive. The park will have 19 new Zamperla rides including the prototype “Air Race,” a Mega Disk’O and a Vertical Swing. “The new Luna Park has been designed to reflect the spirit and personality of today’s Coney Island, while capturing the original look and feel of its namesake,” according to a press statement released yesterday. “With no entrance fee, Luna Park will be fully accessible to those who prefer games to rides, or to those simply taking a stroll down the Boardwalk.” We fully expect to be dazzled when we walk through its soon-to-be famous gate.

Rendering of Gate for the New Luna Park

Coney Island’s Luna Park Launches Blog Site, Lists Job Openings

Posted in amusement park, Blogs, tagged Brooklyn, Central Amusement International, Coney Island, Coney Island Opening 2010, job opening, Luna Park, summer job, Zamperla on February 22, 2010| 3 Comments »

Screengrab from lunaparknyc.com, the new website of Coney Island’s New Luna Park

Luna Park Coney Island’s new website and blog debuted last week on the same day as Mayor Bloomberg’s press conference at the Aquarium announcing the new park. Renderings of four of the park’s new rides, including a Mega Disk’O and a roller coaster, were released to the press. Sources said that Central Amusement International (CAI) will be releasing details of the ride line up and other info little by little over the next 100 days—now 95 days and counting till opening day. CAI is ride manufacturer Zamperla’s subsidiary for park operations and also operates Victorian Gardens in Central Park.

This is where some of the announcements will appear: Luna Park Coney Island NYC’s blog, which for the moment consists of an introductory post:

Central Amusement International, LLC is excited to be chosen by the NYCEDC to be a part of the revitalization of Coney Island. Our dedicated team is working hard to bring you Luna Park this summer, a new amusement park filled with new thrill and family rides, opening in May on Memorial Day Weekend. We are thrilled in becoming the newest destination for Coney Island visitors and look forward to seeing you all at Luna Park this summer. Keep checking our blog for the latest Luna Park updates.

Looking for a fun summer job? The Luna Park website already has job descriptions and downloadable applications. Job opportunities include ride and game operator, ticketseller, retail sales, food and beverage sales and logistics associate. The City’s press release about the new amusement park says “in its inaugural season Luna Park is projected to create 247 new jobs in Coney Island, increasing to 330 full and part time positions in 2011, with an emphasis on local hiring.”

Zamperla's "Air Race" Ride will debut this summer at Coney Island's New Luna Park

Rendering of Zamperla Air Race Ride Set to Debut in Luna Park Coney Island in 2010

The new park will have 19 new rides for 2010 and is scheduled to open on May 29. The rest of Coney Island–the Cyclone Roller Coaster, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park (22 rides), McCullough’s Kiddie Park (12 rides), 12th Street Amusements (4 rides), Eldorado Bumper Cars and Arcade, Coney Island Sideshow, Coney Island Arcade and games, and other independently owned businesses–will open as usual for the season on Palm Sunday, which is March 28th. Hope to see you at both opening days!

Scoop: Zamperla’s $24M Coney Island Park to be Named Luna Park!

Posted in amusement park, News, tagged Alberto Zamperla, Brooklyn, Coney Island, Luna Park, New York City, Redevelopment, Zamperla on January 26, 2010| 5 Comments »

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.

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!