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[...] Stop…..Decided to check out the foundations and site prep on Surfside Pier that we are doing for the arrival of “it” (our new ride for 2011). The final concrete pour was done so I wanted to observe the final height [...]

I Loved, Loved, Loved the giant slide for over 40 years.  It will be sad when we get there this year and it is gone but only for a moment.  It really hadn’t been in good working condition for about 5 years now.  Sad that my kids never felt the Thrill of it as me and my siblings did 35 years or so ago.  Whoever heard of a slide where the surface wasn’t slippery and you literally had to be pushed down it at the top and then halfway down someone would run down and push you the rest of the way??  Anyway, good move getting rid of the giant slide.  Me and my family anxiously await our first sitings of “it” and most definetly our first ride on “it.”  Thank you!!!

Actually Larry, Elen Evans is correct.  The Salt & Pepper Ride (which I never called it) was actually Dead-On as You walked onto ‘Marine Pier’ . It was indeed there and it was the Roll-O-Plane.  If You go on http://www.mrboardwalk.net  hit on Marine Pier 1950’s Video Clip, and You will see it.  BTW, do you know how I knew it was there? I worked that Great Ride for 5 Years!

i commend the morreys for moving forward with new rides & attractions, but i too miss the old rides. maybe morreys could take 1 pier & call it nostalgia pier & put all classic rides like the whip, octopus giant slide or maybe even rides like keystone cops or wild mouse. by moving some older rides to a peir like that would free up room for new thrill rides. it would keep older costomers happy & attract new. wildwood has & always will be my favorite jersey beach ;-}

That is cool that the Golden Nugget will be coming to Knoebels, I don’t live too far from there.  I don’t really remember it, but I will have my memory refreshed.  On the other hand there are no slides like that anymore, even Dutch Wonderland got rid of theirs.  There is an empty pier crying for attention between Moreys and Mariners Landing, sure there are some go carts on it, but can’t you use that to add to the excitement of rides or move older ones there?  I miss the Break Dancer and the Enterprise!

I have been going to the Wildwoods for 45 years! I love the older rides as well but before you get mad at the Morey’s keep in mind that most of the Hunt’s Pier rides were removed by the idiot who won the lottery and bought Hunts pier and turned it into Dinosaur Beach and then didnt know how to run the business. Also most of the Hunts rides were custom built and dont meet current Safety regulations. That was the main reason the Golden Nugget was removed.

i think this will be a great ride to put in for the addition of ride you guys have at moreys pier but also the slides will be fairly missed .... even though when i go to wildwood i barley see the slides being used ... i mean i see few kids getting on that ride… even though im 16 andi get on the slide like 10 times before i leve wildwood but good luck with ‘it’

Cranky (but I’m sure loveable) Clay,
We’ve had family in Wildwood for 60+ years…Spent every summer of my life there…so I’m no tourist…WHY are you staying in such a “hell hole” if it’s so unsafe, politically corrupt etc.?  Why do you live in a vaction town if you hate the tourists?  Believe it or not tourists bring a lot of money into the Wildwoods—money that surely wouldn’t be generated solely by the “natives”.  There’s peace and quiet in the fall and winter.  Spring and summer welcome familes back to create memories that will last a lifetime…quit being so bitter or here’s a novel suggestion…MOVE inland…things are MUCH more normal there???

Hey Miss Virginia….
When You can say that You were born & raised in Wild-Weird, then You can talk. You walk the line with the of the rest of the Bull-Crap Tourists that think this place is Paradise.  It’s a Politicial Mess here and most of the Violent Crimes that take place here Never make the Paper. Gee, I wonder why? 
You say the Morey’s have done wonders for Wildwood?
Twisted and Delusional Mentality.
We have been here for 5 generations with 6 Homes that We all live in, No Rentals but all Family. I guess You can say We have seen this Island turn rotten

Clay needs to sell his home in Wildwood and head to Boca Raton with the rest of the old folks who have way too much time to fuss and complain about everything!  The Morey’s have done wonders for Wildwood and Wildwood Crest….They own and operate some of the best motels on the island and have been a mainstay in the preservation of the doo-wop feel in Wildwood and the Crest.  Give them some credit for being a hard working family—I guess they shouldn’t earn money in the process.  It’s so easy to find the negative in things…trying looking at all the positives for a change.  Wildwood and the Crest are still great places for a family vacation.

The need to put in a whole new pier!!!  So they can add rides wiith taking away.

You know how parents are when you use thw ord “it” to talk about somehting and they ask what “it” is.  So when the kids wanna ride “it” that will be fun to see the arguments.  LOL

To let you know, the Golden Nugget has moved to Knoebels Amusement Park & resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania.  It will be called BLakc Diamond.

Yes they always seem to get rid of the greatest rides of all time.  And it was great racing your husband and kids to the bottom.  The slides will be greatly missed and I will not be riding on anything with the name “IT.”  Too much like a Stephen King Movie.  LOL

I couldn’t agree with You more.  It’s no longer a Family Place, but a real Dangerous Place.

For thos of you who miss the nastalgia and want to share it with your children…there is a book entitled “wild ride” in the Morey’s gift shop under the Sea Serpant that has pretty much all of the history you seek. I beg you to purchase a copy…signed…and keep it on your coffee table in your shore house. Sit down with your children one rainy night and talk about what was. It’s all there in plain text.

Are you aware that all rides go through intense inspection and if they don’t pass they are deemed unsafe?  If you were the morey’s wouldn’t that be a general concern?  All rides have a life expectancy. Metal and construction can only last so long until a ride begins to become obselete. Its not about the money…it’s about staying current and safe. I dare you, try to find parts on line for an outdated ride. It’s not like they built 10,000 of these rides.  The designers build to suit and after that I believe to maintain certain rides it becomes a creative challenge to retrofit most machines when parts aren’t readily available. Trust me I grew up reparing carwash equipment to run 10 hours a day 365 days a year with no down time.  I would formerly like to take this time to congratulate the Morey’s for continuing to provide safe and secure rides every new year as these rides sit open to the elements for half a year and yet they remain constant. Do you have any idea what the salt, sand and rain does to equipment?  Then I beg you to beach your car completely open for six months here and try to start it in the spring.

I do have to agree with the “old-timer” Wildwood fans.  I do not like change.  Why can’t things stay the same.  I know that’s not practical.  Life is about change.  I do not think it’s right to have new rides coming to Wildwood that you would see at carnivals.  What’s with that?  Wildwood is a beautiful place to go to the beach & walk the boardwalk & has “amusment rides”...NOT a state fair.
Having rides like the “it” ride, in Wildwood, just down-grades the whole area.  Wildwood is not the same as it once was & it will NEVER be again.  I spent every summer there since I was a little girl & even though I still go to Wildwood with my family, I will ALWAYS miss the Wildwood that I grew up with.  Wildwood still has some rides that are still running & they are over 20/30 years old.  When the time comes for those rides to leave to make room for new rides in their place, ( you know that will happen because unfortunately life is about “out with the old & in the new )....THAT WILL BE A VERY SAD DAY IN MY BOOK.

And the Rich get Richer!

Well Said

Hey Jill, that was called the ‘TURBO’ Ride

Hey Morey Brothers, You have officially Lost the concept of the Wildwood’s in the name of the Dollar again. Do You really think that putting up yet another Carnival Ride is making the Wildwood’s a memorable place to Vacation> It’s bad enough that the Wildwood Boardwalk has gotten Trashy and Dirty and most important Unsafe and Dangerous?  I am a Wildwood Native since the 1950’s, and well I have to tell You that the Wildwood Boardwalk, and You the Morey Organization has made this a very strange place.  Wildwood is no longer ‘Paradise” it’s now ‘Paradise Lost’  that should have been the new name for the newest of Your many Carnival Rides.  How Disappointing You have become since You all became so Money-Hungry.

I to agree that the removal of the giant slide was a sad day in addition to many other rides in the past. But, change is good and apparently certain. I think that its good to see new attractions. I have worked on the boardwalk for 8 years now at the first and original boardwalk bar…the redparrot lounge located in Montego Bay hotel at 18th ave and the feedback about all of the new changes is all positive.  I also am a year round resident and I watch the maintenance and testing daily that goes on every day at each pier. The Morey’s are a first class operation. I’m positive that Quality Control and intense inspection prior to the preview of “it” will be intensely speculative.

well first of all, yes there was a salt and pepper shaker along with the zipper, they were on separate piers.
as for the hippies it was duglas fudge pavilion where the hippies hung out, believe me i was one of them
also does anyone remember the ride that was on the left as soon as you went on marine pier it had hamburger shaped cars and spun multiple different directions.
i haven’t heard anyone mention that the giant slide was the first ride the morey,s put up.and it was only good when they used multiple lanes. it became a nightmare with half hour long waits, that took away the fun.
here’s another thing who remembers dancing to disco music right above the morey’s pier haunted house.  i loved that house it was like the disney one , with the spinning rooms and talking pictures and such.
ok now i am really thinking, on sportland pier there was a giant record that used to spin and you had to stay on the longest, and when you slid off onto the carpet and mats you would get major rug burn ( and imagine no-one made a law suit), these days everyone would.
also when you played games and won, people could get a glass or something useful instead of all those dust collecting pieces of cra_ .
oh ye at the end of fun pier was the octopus and the waves would actually crash underneath i loved that
all right i think my brain hurts now   lol   i love the widwoods

Would love to see another Dracula’s Castle. When my children were young they loved the slide and lets see more upscale shops.

I’m pretty sure copyright law would only apply if the name were for a Movie, that being said, “It” is kind of a stupid name for a ride.

I’ve only been going to wildwood more recently, so I do not have the same feeling of nastalgia for the old WildWood rides, but I do understand that sort of sentiment.  However… when I think about places similar to WildWood that didn’t evolve with the times, the first place that comes to mind is Coney Island, and look at the dump that has turned into.  If they had re-invested in Coney Island and updated the rides and attactions there, I think it would currently rival even WildWood, and if nothing else, would be the premier family destination in the NYC area.  All thats really left at Coney Island in my opinion is the NY Aquarium, which is a very good aquarium and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t been there.

To bad its not about the memories. Its all about the profits. Will miss the super slide.

I agree with Denise.  My family has been going to Wildwood since I was a kid along with my many cousins. Now we are taking our kids and grandkids who can’t experience the same fun we had Hunts pier with the Golden Nugget, Keystone Cops and the Giant slide.  Very dissappointed when Golden nuggent was dismantled and now the Giant Slide.  What a bummer.  Next it it will be the Flitzer!  I understand wanting extreme rides for the older kids, but lets keep the basics for the younger ones so they have the memories too!

can we get a “pass” to be the first on the ride??? like the passes to be the last on the slide??? My 10 y/o will be on this all summer!!!!! guaranteed!

Why in the world would anyone name a ride after a movie?
What were these people thinking?
I hope the Morey family changes the name?
How about a boycott on the ride until they change the name?
I wonder if this might be an infringement on the movie?
Did the manufacturer if the ride applied for the rights to use the name?
Their might be a something illegal here to use the copy righted name “IT” here!
We will have to wait and see!
Have a good season folks!

Yeah!  The Hell Hole!  I loved that ride!  I think that was the coolest ride on the boardwalk!  It’s ashamed that the young people today never got the chance to experience this ride.  I’m 60 years old now and thT ride was around when I was a young youth.  What I wouldn’t give to live those days again!
I remember all of those older rides.  Wildwood was always a good city.  I made a lot of friends their.  I hope the youths of today build memories there like I have.  Good luck to you all!

Not the Salt and Pepper it was called the ZIPPER on Morey’s Pier.  But now that I recall A salt and Pepper Ride may have been on Fun Pier.  I know definitely the Salt and Pepper was at Clementon Lake Park.  Correct me if I am wrong.

The Claw at Hershey Park is very similar if not the same.  It was all too often broken or held up because it could not accommodate heavy people.  I watched the attendants almost jumping on the pull down harness to get the lock signal.  I hope they redesigned some of the seats for heavier people or restrictions will be a big news worthy headache, but still good publicity.

So much has changed the Wildwoods.  Some good, but most of the nostalgia has been replaced with little significant difference.  I was happy to see Stewarts and SandJam Great modern additions and upgrades to the boards.  Morey has done a lot for the boardwalk but because they are the only player, it really makes things stagnant.  No competition!  Back in the Day the Hunt’s Pier, Marine Pier, Fun Pier and Surfside Pier were all owned by separate families Family,  Not that Morey is bad, but Look at Hunts Pier.  It is one of the most memorable of all the piers on the boardwalk and it’s a wreck.  If that were you or I with a house with uncut lawn or some street view debris,  we would be fined until we were bleeding from every orifice.  How Morey can be allow a hideous mess to be outright in the public eye is beyond me.  Politics!  I have no problem with politics when it comes to the betterment of the public or even in this case for tourism of a once great town that has been allowed to deteriorate. I remember those rides and worked at most of them as a kid.  But Morey needs competition and he must want it also to keep the town fresh.  I blame the towns also.  Values in Wildwood will never grow as long as we have so much boardwalk.  With no Beach front homes, there is no value to filter back.  God and everyone else knows there is plenty of beach front to build.  Beach Front Homes in the Wildwoods??? What a novel idea.  Talk about changing the landscape..  Forget Building 25 story condotels on the boards, what is a condotel anyway? More higher value homes will bring money to the town.  Instead we destroy the motels, our tourism weekenders and build condos that are of misfit construction.  They are falling apart all around us.  Ok there are a few nice ones, but really you have to agree…  I would have rather them build single family homes or duplexes.  I miss those motels.

The new ride is a welcome addition.  I would have be named it McCracken (ie; Davey Jones Locker) but maybe the Irish would have been offended…  Maybe Not!  I think Morey saved money on sign lettering…

I will miss the Slide, I think they could have put a newer version and it would be welcomed with great celebration.
Keystone cops, Whacky Shack, Morey’s Haunted House, and it wasn;t the Salt and Pepper Shaker it was called the ZIPPER…  Salt and Pepper Shaker was at Clementon Lake Park.  How Bout The Pirate Ship, The Train or “Choo Choo” I can hear the whistle and the gate bells signaling here it comes.  Golden Nugget was the greatest Too bad for all asbestos.  Anyone remember the Fun House or the indoor Carousel and the Wooden Jack Rabbit Coaster at Nickle’s?  How about the Hell Hole?

The Hippies would hang out at Garwood ave Pavilion.  Then they turned it into a police substation. Where did all the hippies go after that?

The Wildwoods has so much to offer, but often fail to present.

okay. i can.  I have mixed feelings about the “new” rides too.  I will miss the old ones and cant understand why some of them have to “go”.  Especially, the golden nugget, the walk through pirate ship (on Hunts Pier).  Not sure who remembers these two memorable attractions.  Of course the big wipe out slide.  My dad used to put me on this when i was 2. We stayed on 23rd avenue and practically ventured the boards everynight he would tell me.  At any rate, i am glad that folks are keeping the piers alive and putting all this effort into keeping us thrill seekers happy.  Change isnt always easy but at least they are replacing the attractions.  In the end, my memories of the old attractions will be cherished and i was able to get pics of some of the old rides so at least i can show my kids what they looked like…..As for “it” new ride.  I dont like the name at all…...But the ride looks fun

testing to see if i can post a comment

My daughter loved the big slide so bummed that they got rid of it.  I understand that things must move forward but old things make memories.  We went on it as kids and our kids went on and now it’s gone. The kids that could go on the slide can’t go on the new “IT” ride. There are parks that keep the same rides for that reason so the kids get the expierence that their parents had and they add new rides. Oh well can’t do anything about it now.

I agree.  It just is not the same anymore.  I miss all the rides from whenIi was a kid!  Hunts Pier was the best.  The Golden Nugget, Keystone Cops or Capers it has been years! and The Wacky Shack.  Nothing can ever take their place.  As far has removing the Giant Slide stupid!

I entered the contest to name the new ride and their were so many awesome names and I am just very disappointed in the name you have chosen. I along with many others think it makes this ride not even attractive. The name has to enhance the ride experience and “IT” says nothing to me but wow is that the best they could come up with! I love wildwood and I just feel that you took down a landmark attraction to build up some new excitement to the Boardwalk it deserves to have a exciting name to fill the void of the slide. I just think this name does not do the ride justice and whoever decided on the name should be very disappointed with themselves because you really let the excitement of a new ride nothing to talk about!!!

The kids will love this. I can’t do this kinda ride anymore but I had my time. I would be sick the rest of the day.

If you have ever been to Hershey Park “The Claw” is the same ride.

Thanks folks for all the great memories of the old rides that have disappeared.  I am old enough to remember the salt and pepper ride, it was at the beginning of Mariners Landing before it was called Mariners Landing.  I too will miss that big aqua blue monstrosity and hope I grow to love “It.”

A word from the Netherlands here, although I enjoy the oldfashioned rides, that mark the history of a themepark, just think about “it” - in 20 years our kids will see this new ride as a historic landmark for Morey’s - “It”‘s a kick ass ride !

I miss Dracula’s Castle! Wish they had rebuilt it after the fire. It was a large part of Wildwood history!!!

what’s the big red button do?
It wil stop “it” in an enmergency

Hey, as long as you keep the Sea Serpent… I’ll keep coming back!   

Any plans for an indoor waterpark???  It would be awesome to be able to enjoy Morey’s Piers in the loooooong winter months.

Looks really good, thanks for sharing this with us. Keep us up to date please.

Cummon folks.  Things never stay the same.  Cudo’s to Morey’s for moving forward and re-investing in Wildwood!  This new ride looks like FUN!  There are many, MANY family friendly rides on the various piers.  Lots of fun for everyone.  From the waterpark to the new ‘It’ ride.  Thank you Morey family!

i agree with the other 2 postings.  i miss the old rides that were on the old hunts pier.  not everyone can stomach the coasters or be the right height or health risk.  bring ummm back please !!!!!!

It kinda sucks that Moreys Pier would get rid of something that has been a part of Morey’s History of there Pier and that is the Giant Slide along with The Golden Nugget Ride…Its A shame that history just can’t stay the same..

My kids are still heartbroken that the giant slide is gone!  will there be any kid/family friendly attractions going into that area?