[NYguy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/...icle-1.1957329

Whack-A-Mole smashes its way to become Coney Island’s top attraction
EXCLUSIVE: The whopping 676,832 people who took swings at the mechanic pop-up mammals in 2014 far outpaced the number of visitors at any other ride or game at the famed People’s Playground, park officials said.




BY REUVEN BLAU
September 29, 2014

The Whack-A-Mole took a mallet to Coney Island’s other popular attractions this summer.

The whopping 676,832 people who took swings at the mechanic pop-up mammals in 2014 far outpaced the number of visitors who rode the new Thunderbolt roller coaster or any other ride at the famed People’s Playground, park officials said.

When heavy-handed visitors weren’t busy smashing moles on the head, they were making a splash at Wild River and Water Mania, statistics show.

The water rides were the second most popular spot at the park, attracting a combined 499,625 people over the summer, park officials said.

The sleek new Thunderbolt roller-coaster was a distant third with 185,802 riders. The Cyclone attendance was not immediately available.

All told, 4.8 million thrill-seekers from around the globe attended Luna Park last year — up 30% from 2013, park officials said.

“This past season we had a great increase in park attendance and are proud that Luna Park has become an annual must-visit destination for visitors around the world,” said Valerio Ferrari, president of Central Amusement International, which operates Luna Park.

The Thunderbolt roller coaster, with its terrifying 90-degree drop from 115 feet, came in third. Roughly 186,000 riders took the plunge




All told, 4.8 million thrill-seekers from around the globe attended Luna Park