Coney Island’s Roller Coasters

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Central Amusement International opened “Scream Zone,” a new amusement park in Coney Island featuring four cutting-edge thrill rides that will operate alongside the year-old Luna Park.

The amusement parks are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer to Coney Island, which was rezoned by the City in 2009 as part of an area wide revitalization plan.

Among Scream Zone’s rides are the first major roller coasters in Coney Island since the world-famous Cyclone opened in 1927 – Soarin’ Eagle and Steeplechase.

The Mayor was joined at Scream Zone for the announcement by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky, President and CEO of Antonio Zamperla S.p.A Alberto Zamperla, and Central Amusement International President Valerio Ferrari.

“Last year we brought the fun back to Coney Island, and now it’s time to Scream,” said Ferrari. “With brand new thrill rides at Scream Zone adding to the 19 attractions at Luna Park and other amusements throughout the neighborhood, we are confident that Coney Island’s place as America’s Playground is once again secure – and I want to thank our partners at the City of New York for helping make our dream a reality.”

The new Soarin’ Eagle roller coaster suspends riders in a horizontal position, sending them on a series of dives and inversions. Steeplechase pays tribute to an iconic ride from Coney’s past as it launches riders around a track on horseback. The Sling Shot launches riders more than 150 feet into the air at speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour. The 100-foot-tall Zenobio sweeps riders through the air at speeds of over 60 miles per hour.

Scream Zone will initially open on weekends through Memorial Day, when it begins daily operations. Like Luna Park, Scream Zone will maintain the open park layout that Coney Island is known for, and visitors will be able to pay per ride – between $7 and $20 for a single ride – using refillable “Luna Cards.”

The parks will employ over 400 people this summer in positions such as customer service, retail, food and beverage service, park service, ride and game operations, party hosts, event staff, and grounds maintenance, and will help drive more visitors to existing neighborhood businesses.

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LINK: LunaParkNYC.com/ScreamZone.html