I was in the new Coney park, Scream Zone tonight taking pictures as is my want. Scream Zone looks glorious by the way.  Anyway, as I was saying, I was taking pictures and minding my own B I business when this dude wearing a white shirt polo with a corporate Zamperla logo and khaki shorts, sporting a walkie talkie over his shoulder, comes up to me as I'm trying to take a photo of the Steeplechase coaster. What I was trying to do was capture those horses just at moment they take off.  
So this dude asks me if I have any relatives on this ride. I tell him no. Then he asks why I am taking so many pictures. I say I love Coney Island, that I have a history here, that my family used to own the Thunderbolt. None of this registered with him. I doubt this dude even knew what the Thunderbolt was.

Anyway, he tells me that I can't take pictures in the park unless I have permission. Really? I grab my last shot, tell him ok, and exit Scream Zone.
This is new. Now we need permission to take pictures in a Zamperla park? Coney Island is one of the most picturesque places in NYC. People come from all over snapping pictures of the rides and people. Have been doing this for over a century.
Now we need permission from the corporation? In pure Brooklynese  "fugedaboutit!" "Get the f#*k outta here.
That really sucks. What are they afraid of. Terrorists who want to sabotage these rides? Or worse yet, steal the designs? I think it is a ridiculous rule.  This is Coney Island, not the Midtown tunnel.
Now don't get me wrong, I have always championed the Zamperla corporation since they were awarded their contracts last year. They were the first to put new rides in Coney in nearly 50 years. Their two parks are beautiful.
But there is a dark side to them. First trying to kick out Ruby's, which they may still do. And now corporate heavies walking around the park stopping people like me from taking pictures. What else do they have in store? Signing a pledge of loyalty to the Zamperla parks?

Come on Zamperla, lighten up a bit. You've got a good thing going here in Coney Island. I want to support your business. But if the cold corporate attitude keeps up, I may just spend my money and time exclusively at Denos.  They don't mind if you take pictures of their beautiful Wonder Wheel.
Ironically, Zamperla did hold a photo contest last year for Luna Park.

 


These were the shots I was trying to get when Zamperla security got heavy with me.