Coney Island’s Luna Park is finally getting its log flume and ropes course
'Tony's Express' and 'Leti's Treasure' both pay tribute to Luna Park's family history—and will offer new thrills to riders
An artist’s rendering of ‘Leti’s Treasure’ and ‘Tony’s Express’
Nearly four years after they were first announced—and two years after they were supposed to debut—two new rides are finally set to be opened in Coney Island.
In the coming months, park goers will be able to find thrills on a new roller coaster called “Tony’s Express,” and a log flume named “Leti’s Treasure.” The rides, which are intertwined with each other and will also boast a public plaza, will be situated next to the Thunderbolt rollercoaster on some 150,000 square feet of city-owned land, and will be operated by Luna Park owners Central Amusement International.
Both rides pay tribute to Central Amusement International president and CEO Alessandro Zamperla’s late grandparents, Antonio and Letizia Zamperla. Antonio Zamperla was the first Italian to be inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame in 2005 for his “significant contributions to the amusement industry.”
“Leti’s Treasure” will take riders 40 feet in the air before its descent, giving a “semi-circle panoramic view” of the shoreline before it plunges at speeds of around 35 miles per hour.
In addition to the two new rides, the 119-year-old theme park will also soon open a 50-foot ropes course and new pedestrian plazas with more places to sit. The park said that the expansion will increase its size by “50 percent and will activate areas in Coney Island that had been vacant for over 40 years.” In total, about 100 jobs will be added to support the new rides and course.
