Coney Island’s historic Luna Park amusement park opens for the 2023 season today at noon with some new and some (very) old attractions! The very first inception of Coney Island’s Luna Park opened in 1903, so this year marks a special anniversary. Opening weekend will end on April 2nd with the Annual Coney Island Cyclone Egg Cream Christening and Donation Day.
Image Courtesy of Luna Park
The egg cream christening of the Cyclone roller coaster is a tradition that festively marks the start of the amusement season. This year, it will mark the roller coaster’s 96th birthday. As a birthday gift to Brooklyn, the first 96 guests to ride the Coney Island Cyclone will enjoy a free ride and an egg cream treat courtesy of Luna Park. On Donation Day, which is April 2nd, all proceeds are donated to children and youth charities, including the Coney Island Sharks, Give Kids The World Village, and Operation H.O.O.D.
The park includes the historic Cyclone ride and new attractions that are debuting this year. One of the new rides is Tony’s Express, a family coaster that is now the largest of its kind in New York City. Another new attraction is Leti’s Treasure, a log flume attraction that reaches speeds of up to 30 mph and offers a panoramic view of Coney Island’s shoreline. Its 1200 feet of track ends with an unforgettable splash! For thrill-seekers who want to be active, you can check out the new custom-designed rope and zipline courses, Sky Chaser and Sky Tykes.
Image Courtesy of Luna Park
Luna Park will be open more than ever this year. Visitors can get their adrenaline fix all throughout Spring break (April 7th – 16th), and every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Memorial Day. Following Memorial Day weekend, visitors can experience thrills daily. Admission to Luna Park is free and ride prices start at $3. For more information and to plan your trip, visit the park’s website.
A note from the editor: The original Luna Park opened in 1903 at the site of Coney Island’s former Sea Lion Park. This early version, created by Frederic Thompson and Elmer ‘Skip’ Dundy, flourished until a fire broke out in 1944 destroying the park. The land was eventually sold to developers and turned into a housing complex. The current Luna Park, a namesake of the original, opened in 2010 at the site of another defunct Coney island amusement park, Astroland.
