Many of the rides carried the names of the historic rides of the original Luna Park that was closed in the late 1940s. One of the rides, “Air Race,” is a world debut, officials said.
"Today, the fun is back in Coney Island,” said Valerio Ferrari, president of Central Amusement International (CAI), developer and operator of Luna Park. “At Luna Park, we’ve got rides that will flip you, spin you, splash you and thrill you. And when you’re done with those, we have games, entertainment and food that you’re going to love. Luna Park is going to give families from all over the world the kind of incredible experience that can only come from Coney Island.”
The park opened about an hour behind schedule, with 12 rides open and seven others still under final construction. To compensate for that, guests were able to get a four-hour pass for $15 instead of the normal weekend rate of $30.
"I think I like the Happy Swing the best,” said 8-year-old Jesse who rode with her 5-years-old sister, Ruby.
Deborah Dawkins took her 4-year-old daughter to the Tea Party ride. “I thought it was very adorable,” said Dawkins. “She was able to control the spinning of the tea cup. She had a really good time on it.”
Amanda Sanchez, 15, rode with her 7-year-old sister Gabriela on the Kite Gilder. “It was very fun,” said Amanda. “I wasn’t scared, but my little sister was.”
Tom Corsillo, the park’s spokesperson, said Luna Park is New York’s first amusement park in more than four decades, and the largest investment in amusement in Coney Island in many years.
The park was built on 3.16-acre land in three months for $15 million, he said.
"We have opened a world-class amusement park that begins the next chapter in Coney Island’s remarkable history,” said Ferrari. “We look forward to welcoming back the countless people throughout the world who have visited Coney Island in the past, and to creating incredible new memories for the millions we will welcome for the first time in the coming years.”
There is no entering fee in the park that is opened from noon to midnight during the week and from 11 a.m. to midnight on the weekends.
Visitors can purchase unlimited-ride wristbands that cost $26 for four hours during the week and $30 for the same amount of time during the weekend. The other option is $30 for six hours during the week and $34 for six hours on the weekends.
The park features five food stands with ice cream, popcorn, cotton candy, and of course, Nathan’s hot dogs and barbecue.
Kids’ rides include the Circus Train that slowly goes around the tracks, the Happy Swing, and the Mermaid Parade with its kid-size water flume.
The Balloon Expedition takes riders 40 feet up, and Surf’s Up offers a stand-up ride. The Kite Gilder that gives guests the impression of free flight in a reclined position.
The more curious might try Air Race that simulates the experience of fighter pilots, or Electro Spin, a giant, spinning disk that takes riders up and down while rotating at high speed. The Tickler is a modern take on the classic ride of the same name from the original Luna Park. It’s a roller coaster with exciting switchback curves and rapid-fire drops.
Bringing back Luna Park with its modern flashing gate reminds long-time Coney residents of the original Luna Park that was situated on the site of today’s West 8th Street subway station.
Jemes Prince was a little boy when his parents used to take him to the original Luna Park. It was in the waning days of the park, when the famous lights were no longer there and only few rides were opened.
“I don’t really remember going on any of the rides, but I do remember the park itself,” he said. “I hope people will come and enjoy the place the way I did.”
