With the crack of an egg cream bottle and a round of cheers, Luna Park reopened for the season this weekend, marking the 99th ceremonial christening of its most famous ride, the Coney Island Cyclone.
The nearly century-old wooden roller coaster once again roared to life as elected officials and eager riders climbed aboard for the first spins of the season, celebrating the return of summer traditions at Coney Island.
“This is the 99th christening, so next year will be huge, huge,” one attendee said during the festivities.
What You Need To Know
Coney Island’s Luna Park reopened this weekend with the 99th annual Cyclone christening being held Sunday
The historic wooden roller coaster remains a centerpiece attraction nearing its 100th year
Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park also opened with its traditional blessing of the rides
The amusement district will operate daily for spring break, then weekends until full-time service resumes May 22
The reopening drew longtime fans who make the pilgrimage every year, including Jaylyn Rivera of the Bronx.
“I come here every year. It’s just a special place in my heart. I can’t imagine not coming here. Just being here — I grew up here — so coming back here, it just does something to me,” Rivera said.
Others waited eagerly for the chance to be among the first riders of the season.
“I feel lucky. It’s like I won the lottery, to be honest,” one rider said.
Just steps away, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park also welcomed visitors back with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and its longstanding “blessing of the rides,” a tradition meant to usher in a safe and successful season.
The opening weekend highlighted the enduring appeal of the seaside destination, where nostalgia and thrill rides mix along the boardwalk.
Edaphon, visiting from Pittsburgh, said their connection to Coney Island began a decade ago, and over the years they’ve accumulated quite a few pieces of memorabilia.
“My friend and I came to New York like 10 years ago and just got on the Q train to the N — and just started collecting patches and merch,” they said.
They said the charm of the place is hard to explain.
“It’s just weird to me that there’s such a big amusement park on an island in such a big city. It’s just something funny about that. The Wonder Wheel is terrifying — like everything is scary and fun at the same time,” Edaphon said.
After opening weekend, the amusement district will operate daily for New York City public school spring break from April 3 through April 12, then switch to weekends only until Memorial Day.
Full seven-day operations resume May 22 and continue through the fall.