Coney Island’s Luna Park Roars Back to Life as Thrill-Seekers Flock to the Cyclone on Opening Day

Generations Unite, Dreams Fulfilled, and the Spirit of New York Lives on in Brooklyn’s Iconic Playground

Edited by: Fern Sidman

On Saturday morning, Coney Island’s Luna Park reopened its gates to an eager crowd of New Yorkers — a scene that was equal parts celebration, ritual, and love letter to one of the city’s most enduring symbols of summer. As reported by The New York Post crowds gathered long before sunrise, driven by tradition, nostalgia, and the irresistible pull of the Cyclone, Luna Park’s legendary wooden roller coaster.

Leading the charge was David Zubin, a 34-year-old from Bensonhurst, who arrived outside the park at 3:45 a.m. to secure a coveted spot on the season’s first Cyclone ride. His dedication placed him at the very front of the line — a title usually claimed by another Coney Island devotee.

By 6:30 a.m., Zubin was joined by Erik Knapp, 59, Brooklyn’s self-proclaimed “Mr. Cyclone.” The New York Post reported that Knapp, a familiar fixture at the park, proudly sports a Cyclone tattoo on his right arm and has ridden the coaster over 2,000 times. This year, however, he took a respectful backseat to his younger friend.

“Usually, I come here a lot earlier,” Knapp told The Post, “but my mom is sick. She’s 83, and I am actually riding for my mom today.”

“Don’t lose your inner child,” he added — a sentiment that captures the enduring magic of Coney Island.

For Zubin, the reward was as much about passion as it was about persistence. “All I gotta say is, if you love something in life, do it,” he said.

Behind the two friends in line stood Sarah Infante, 21, and her mother Marcela, 46, both from Queens. Having awakened at 5 a.m. with dreams of being first on the Cyclone, they arrived to find Zubin already in place — but what started as competition turned into camaraderie.

“He was already here, and we started talking, and now, we have new friends,” said Sarah, as cited in The Post report. “The weather has been super, and we’re super excited for the ride. We are big rollercoaster fans, and this will be our first time on the Cyclone.”

For many, the Cyclone isn’t just a ride — it’s a rite of passage. Since opening in 1927, this 85-foot-high wooden coaster has welcomed millions of riders, each adding their own thrill to the park’s legacy, as was detailed in The Post report. Among those in attendance on opening day was Alessandro Zamperla, whose family has owned and operated Luna Park since 2009.

His mother, Paula Zamperla, spoke of how deeply woven the Cyclone is into the fabric of American dreams. “There are people in the United States who have a list of dreams of their lives,” she told The Post. “And a lot of people come here with the list that they show us. And they say, ‘I go to the Cyclone because it’s on my list.’”

For Alessandro, the experience never grows old: “Every year, it gets better,” he told The Post. “It’s almost like a good wine: it gets more flavor, more emotions, more energy from the people. Just imagine the hundreds of thousands of people who have been riding it since 1927.”

Even local officials turned out to mark the festive occasion. State Rep. Alec Brook-Krasny, a Republican from Brooklyn, was in high spirits as he addressed the gathering. “I’m always saying, ‘If you’re in a good mood, come to Coney Island,’” Brook-Krasny remarked to The Post.  “If you’re in a bad mood, come to Coney Island — your mood will become better.”

Coney Island’s unofficial mayor, the colorful Dick D. Zigun, called this year’s reopening day weather the finest in history. “I think this must be the most gorgeous opening day in the entire history of Coney Island, which goes back over 160 years,” he told The Post.

Parkgoers returning to Luna Park this year were greeted with more than just old favorites. According to The  Post report, the amusement park has added new arcade games, revamped retail spaces, and an expanded patio area at the popular open-air restaurant Salt & Sizzle.

All these enhancements reflect the Zamperla family’s ongoing investment in the park, now a cherished destination for both local families and international tourists drawn by its blend of history and fun.

In a city that often feels like it’s always changing, Coney Island endures — not just as a neighborhood or a beachside getaway, but as a living monument to New York’s spirit of joy, resilience, and connection. Whether you’re a seasoned coaster rider with 2,000 loops under your belt or a first-timer ticking off a dream, the Cyclone still delivers — thrills, friendships, and unforgettable memories.