Coney Island’s Luna Park is set to open for the 2022 season on Saturday, April 2. The iconic Brooklyn amusement park is hosting its traditional opening-day ceremonies, including the egg-cream christening of the Cyclone rollercoaster, which is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year. The first 95 rides on the coaster will be free to celebrate this milestone and each lucky rider will receive a free egg cream.
According to a press release, proceeds from the opening day will be donated to three local organizations, the Children of Promise, Coney Island Sharks, and Operation H.O.O.D.
“We encourage New Yorkers to visit and celebrate the 95th season of the Cyclone Roller Coaster by riding with us to experience the joy and thrill of this iconic New York City landmark,” Alexandra Silversmith, executive director of the Alliance for Coney Island, told the Brooklyn Eagle.
Neighboring attraction Deno’s Wonder Wheel will be reopening for its 102nd season on April 10 and hold its long-held tradition of the “Blessing of the Rides” ceremony on Palm Sunday. In a similar fashion to the Cyclone, the first 102 riders on the famous Ferris wheel will receive a free ride following the ribbon cutting and opening ceremonies on the boardwalk.
Also on opening day, the Coney Island History Project will have a booth on the boardwalk with details on special exhibitions opening at the center this season, including Remembering Astroland: 60th Anniversary and Barbara Rosenberg’s Coney Island Photos. The group’s permanent exhibition center on West 12th Street, which features historic artifacts, photos, maps, ephemera, and films related to Coney Island’s history, will open for special hours on Palm Sunday and on Easter and officially open for the season starting Memorial Day Weekend.
Deno’s was unable to open in 2020 because of the pandemic and the amusement park missed celebrations for its 100th year anniversary. In 2021, the park was able to open at 33 percent capacity. Now that Covid restrictions have eased significantly, the Wonder Wheel and Luna Park will be able to operate at maximum capacity.
In June 2021, Coney Island’s boardwalk debuted a new attraction, the Phoenix rollercoaster. Located within Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, the coaster reaches heights of 68 feet and gives riders “the feeling of flying around Deno’s Wonder Wheel,” according to a press release.