Photo TR: Morey's Piers Slowly Awakens from the Off Season

[boldikus]

Well hello there once again! I was going to post this in the Morey's thread but I took so many pictures I thought it deserved its own thread. I had a great weekend in Wildwood! Enjoy!

 

Feels like summer

If you haven't been paying attention I was born and raised in Philly and as Philadelphians tend to do (if you weren't aware) is spend practically every summer in Wildwood, for a few years our family had a little double-wide trailer just off the island where for a few of my pre-teen years we would stay all summer long. I have a younger and older sister, and with visiting cousins, etc, our favorite days were when the grown folks wanted rid of us rug rats and would pony up some cash for us to go up to the boardwalk, buy all-day wristbands, and ride and ride and ride anything and everything all day until the piers closed and they kicked us out. The ops knew us well. These were the first days I'd ever marathon rides.

 

Mariners Pier in the distance

Fast forward to ten years ago and my folks packed up the Philly house and decided to follow their lifelong dream of living by the sea, and bought a cute little house right off the back bay in in Wildwood - close enough for a short 10 minute walk to to the fun of the beach/boardwalk, yet far enough back to where its not constantly all around you - though if you listen close, and the wind is right you can hear the faint screams of riders in the distance (love this). Its the perfect setup. I love their house and I love visiting. I also have heavy love and nostalgia for Morey's Piers since its been my regular "home" park for the entirety of my life. I've slowly over the years watched the monopoly grow from just one modest pier to the amusement empire they have created along the east coast of the island of Wildwood.

 

Classic cars...

Also so this weekend was the annual classic car show where a bunch of car geeks roll up their whips onto the boards to show them off. I got a bunch of pictures for the car enthusiasts. I don't drive, don't care about cars, but can appreciate some cool as looking wheels. So my folks joined me for a stroll to check them out before heading off on their own for me to do some solo riding.

 

I have not yet been down for a visit and have had some "wild cards" (ticket cards for those who don't know) burning a hole in my packet. Also, being Mothers Day, what a better way to spend my weekend. I took a ton of photos and hope it inspires you to take a trip down to Morey's. I find it very underrated around these parts, and I know that is because they don't have a standout attraction - but personally I love a good chunk of the collection of rides - The Great White is a stand-out woodie, the batsh!t crazy Larson drop tower (Atmosfear) is incredible, the Screaming Swing is always a thrill, the new KONG Larson flyers which are elevated above the boardwalk are fantastic, and yes they have an SLC and boomerang if you want to get a little banged up, and more flats than you can shake a stick at. Tons and tons of kiddie rides.

 

Morey's has a few great looking carousels they take extremely good care of.

Looking down Surfside Pier

The parks wild mouse, Doo Wopper. Yes, a wil mouse themed to a fast food restaurant. You have now seen it all.

Once my folks and I went our separate ways I hit up Surfside Pier, which is the the furthest north of the three piers. It was opening weekend (the piers open staggered - Mariners is opened first, the a few weeks later Surfside, and then finally right before Memorial Day they open Adventure Pier - home of The Great White, Screaming Swing, some go-karts, and other up chargers like a sling shot, etc) This is bummer as The Great White is the best ride they have on all three piers (followed closely imo by the Screaming Swing they have right next door). I'll have to wait a few weeks to ride them but at least I could gawk at them today. The Great White has had extensive track work done over the off season so I am especially excited to ride it when it finally opens. In the meantime, let's check out the action on Surfside Pier.

 

Other than The Great White, the Flitzer is probably my other favorite coaster here. Yes, its a junior coaster. Yes, I am usually the largest/oldest individual riding it, but its great fun, pretty old school and forceful, and I've been riding it as long as I can remember. A few years ago they changed the theming from a space thing to a surf thing and I'm not a fan. But I'm not one to care about themeing anyway so whatever. Unfortunately while the ride was cycling its ass off all day, it never opened. Denied.

 

 

Here is CygnusX-1 (where do they come up with these names?) It's the piers heavily themed Gravitron.

 

 

OK and now the star of the show this weekend. The f#$king insane Larson drop tower, AtmosFear, complete with smoke, thunder sounds, and a weather report as you ascend warning you a strong storm is headed your way and you need to stay away from all tall metal structures immediately. Fantastic drop tower, best ride of the weekend. Wound up riding 4xs, could have ridden it repeatedly all day. Provides GREAT airtime, and does not pause at the top. You just drop. Legs out, hand ups. Ridiculously intense and stops on a dime. So great.

 

Drooooooooooooooop! (note the dudes working on the flume in the background)

Of course no trip to Surfside Pier would be complete without a lap on the parks new KONG flyers. I love these because they built the ride on top of the gift shop so you are already 20 feet off the ground, and once the ride starts you really feel significantly high up. I got a little snapping in but not too much as the ops are like nazis about snapping. The ride also features a soundtrack of plane engine sounds and snarls coming from the Kong centerpiece, complete with smoke coming out of his nose. A really good night ride, but didn't get on in this time around.

 

So I know its been discussed here but Morey's has instituted a serious loose article policy for The Great Nor'easter, the parks SLC.

 

In 2008, it got new trains with vest restrains to get rid of the insane headbanging, and it definitely did the trick. They built this coaster basically right overtop of sections of the their waterpark, and so in the past few years have installed (free) lockers fo you to store your stuff and the greeter will actually "wand" you for any metal or loose articles in your pockets.

 

Ouch

I get it, and totally understand why they do it, but I also think its a huge pain in the ass. I did not ride, as I've ridden enough SLCs in my life, but I managed to snag a couple cool pictures.

 

 

The piers Zoom Flume was being worked on (you could get great views of workers in the flume troughs from the Larson drop tower).

 

Dante's Dungeon (once called Dante's Inferno - complete with pornographic artwork on the facade, now painted over for a more family friendly feel) is the piers dark ride. I'll ride it every once in a while. Be warned: there are live actors inside.

 

More Doo Wopper. Not sure why I took so many pics of this crappy Wild Mouse.

 

Rock N Roll! Great ride. This usually has a tarp over it, not sure if it's completely ready for the season, but it was running.

 

Stay tuned... more pics, part two coming after I get some real work done!

Edited May 9, 2016 by boldikus

[boldikus]

Part 2... Electric Boogalooo!

 

So this is "It" (real creative naming, Morey's!) It's a KMC Afterburner, and it just has lapbars. Everytime I try to ride I chicken out or I suddenly do have the balls to do it (like this weekend) its got a queue I won't wait in or, like this weekend, its closed. To be fair, it was running, and the one ride op on it told me they had to test it a certain amount of cycles and it would be open next weekend. Next time. I'll probably chicken out. It's the spinning. I don't like that feeling.

 

They have a Mirror AND Lazer Maze if you're into those sorts of thing.

Another meticulously maintained carousel. This is one of three they have - one on each pier.

 

So a few years ago Jersey said it was cool for WW to put some bars on the boardwalk. For a long time this was not allowed. Lots thought it was a good idea, lots of opposition as well. So far so good. Morey's even put a few bars in their water parks (including a swim-up bar!) Like at most parks they check ID's like the gestapo. This place picture is called Capt'n Jacks that has giant tropical drinks and stuff like burgers, seafood, fried crap, etc. Its right next to Surfside Pier, across from Sams Pizza. The missus and I had a table on the 2nd floor one day last year and really enjoyed our food, drinks and especially people watching along the boardwalk below us. Check it out if you pass by, even for a quick drink. Let's check out some other boardwalk stuff.

 

Lots of tees/sweatshirts with sexual/drug innuendo. Oh, Wildwood. Such a family place - NOT!

WTF is the deal with wax hands?

Step right up! Win some sh!t you won't care about in a couple days.

Is that a Baby Harold? If so this pic was for coasterbill's missus. Inside joke, he'll get it.

Finally we have reached the mecca. This is one of the top few reasons I made this trip to Wildwood. I am obsessed with Macks Pizza. Like most boardwalk parks, there is TONS of great food from boardwalk staples like hot dogs, funnel cake, pizza, fries, water ice, seafood, cotton candy, caramel apples, tacos, fried everything (oreos, twinkies, cheesecake, etc etc etc). No shortage of fun things to eat. As far as pizza I've said it before and I'll say it again: there is NO better pizza on the Wildwood boardwalk than Macks PIzza (not to be confused with Mack & Mancos - they are good, but they are not Macks).

 

There are two locations. Both are fantastic. Macks rival Sams get an equal amount of praise (starting quite a few arguments, ever right down the middle of my immediate family,) but while Sams is a really great pizza, Macks is like NOTHING else.

 

Yes its thin, its greasy as hell but there is something about that sauce that is like no other. Butter and sugar. Or something. Its like absolute f&cking heaven. I swear they put crack in it. I'd been deprived all winter so I have to go for two slices.

 

Let's check out Mariners Pier. The center piece of Morey's Piers with its iconic enormous ferris wheel, "The Giant Wheel" and the "Sea Serpent" boomerang. The pier has lots of other flats including a walk through haunt "The Ghost Ship", an elevated Waveswinger, a dark boat ride with scare actors and 3_d glasses, bumper cars, tons of kiddie flats, etc. And another waterpark to boot.

 

To boomerang or not to boomerang, that is the question. The "Sea Serpent" is the first ever boomerang built in the U.S., way back in 1984. It was a huge deal to all of us as kids, it was ENORMOUS at the time, and the first year it opened I was not tall enough to to ride. However, the next year I did and it was my first big looping coaster. I can't ell you how many times I've ridden it since then.100s, easily. I hadn't ridden any coasters all day so I gave it a go. Back seat, no wait, was actually a pretty good ride. I wish they invest in those vest restraints, would make so much of a difference. The positive G's going through that vertical loop backwards. Oh my god. I hadn't ridden a boomerang in forever and was glad I survived unscathed.

 

"The Giant Wheel". It's a Vekoma. Built in 1985. No single riders and since I was alone I just snapped a pic. The missus and I are doing the "Breakfast In the Sky" thing on here later this summer. Should be cool. (If you don't know what I'm talking about google Moreys Breakfast in the Sky)

 

"RIPTIDE"! Best damn swinging ship I've ridden. It's a Chance model and replaced the one they had an accident on a few years ago (google it) Sit on the end and its serious airtime. The ride was dead when I approached, the older op gave me a wink and a smile and got me right on there, the only rider. He watched me enjoying the hell out of myself and gave me a ridiculously long ride cycle. I gave him a huge thank you and he told me it was nice to see a grown man having so much fun.

 

This is "Rollies Coaster". Haven't ridden in years. It has nary an inversion but somehow the need for OTSRs. Until that changes, I will not ride it. Picture turned out good though.

 

Maelstrom and the parks newly elevated Waveswinger. I didn't ride either but love this pic of the two of them running together. I don't know if I'd ever go near Maelstrom, puke machine without a doubt.

 

More Waveswinger. It's really fun now that its high up off the ground.

A kiddie flat. There are many.

Sign/rope in front of Adventure Pier (The Great White, Screaming Swing, Sling Shot, go karts, etc). Not open for a few more weeks. Bummmmmmer.

We can gawk at it from a distance. Did you know you can ride a monster truck around a sandy course in Wildwood? So much stuff to do.

The Great White, and Screaming Swing, off in the distance.

Soooo this is the "Ship N Shore". It is without a doubt the diviest dive bar in all of Wildwood. It also happens to be my folks corner bar. We absolutely love it there. Great bartenders, a simple menu with amazing food, right on the water, a great juke box (that I filled with an hour of Prince songs of course) and the fact you can stumble five minutes back to my parents is the cherry on top. I got an amazing crab cake sandwich with an orange crush (the best Ive ever had). Check out the Ship N Shore if you like dive bars. Let me stress that - it is not "nice", its a hole in the wall. And we love it.

 

After dinner my parents settled in at home while I sprinted back up to the boardwalk for some night rides (really just a few more drops on that bonkers drop tower) and eventually got denied as the piers all closed a bit early (15 minutes or so). To be fair, the crowds were very light Saturday so I didn't blame them. It was actually kind of cool to be walking down the boardwalk watching all of the rides lights going off one by one.

 

I had to make a stop at the best damn custard stand on planet earth, and though their flavor choices were lacking (too early in the season?) I still managed to get a vanilla/chocolate custard twist with chocolate jimmies (that sprinkles to you non-Philly people!) on top, on a waffle cone. So so so good. I love me some Kohr Bros. Great end to the night...

 

On Sunday afternoon, I headed back to Surfside determined to get some more great air on AtmosFear. And boy did it deliver.

 

Without the Great White and Screaming Swing running, this is the best ride Morey's has. Total WTF drop ride.

 

Underneath KONG (flying scooters) is a new gift shop with all sorts of cool coaster-related merch. Worth stopping in.

 

OK so anyone who goes to Morey's raves about Curley's Fries (think of them as the Potato Patch fries of Moreys). They are Morey owned establishments that have been around as long as I can remember. They are good fries, I will admit. BUT! Just down the boardwalk (across from Mariners Pier) is this place called Idaho Potatos (once called Paul's Idaho Potatos).

THE BEST FRIES ON THE PLANET! OMG just perfect. A little salty, nice and crispy all the way through, smothered in cheese (or whatever toppings you want), and a homemade, fresh-squeezed lemonade made right in front of me. THe guys who work here are awesome. I always have to make a stop here. If you like fries, this is the place. I made it a point to tell them Curleys sucks and they are the kings. They liked that a lot .

 

Morey's, and by extension Wildwood, is not so much about the rides, its the entire experience - the shops, the food, the smells, the ocean/beach, and of course the rides. The overall atmosphere. Like any Jersey shore town there are a few dicey areas but Wildwood has made leaps and bounds in the last few years. I'll never get tired of going there. If you haven't paid a visit, you absolutely should. I just wish they'd build something spectacular to inspire all of you geeks to pay a visit. It's truly a wonderful place to me. Hope you enjoyed reading! And please feel free to comment!

[terdferg]

Good stuff!

 

Rollies didn't always have otsr's, but I'll never ride it again until they are gone. See any hints about the new coaster?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Philrad71]

I need to get back to Wildwood - I first went with my parents when I was a kid and I spent so much time boogie boarding in the Atlantic that I was up all night puking from either heat exhaustion or inhaling too much salt water (or both).

 

The last time I was there, we ate at the same pizza place (awesome) and Michael got so sunburned on his belly that we had to delay our day at SFGAdv by a couple of days so he could ride coasters without screaming in pain!

 

Good times.

 

 

 

PS - Those fries look AWESOME! Thanks for sharing the insider scoop on the cool food and drink places!

[boldikus]

It's a shame because I totally get why people don't make the trek. Wildwood in general got really rugged for a few years and had a bad reputation, but the city government (in conjunction w/ the Moreys who basically own the entire town) are really aiming for the old doo-wop feel again, and attracting more families. The recent rides they've added have shown this - its been a little something for everyone.The Great White is great but its not OMFG great. I feel its great because of the rides its sits within. Not to say its bad I think its awesome but its no El Toro some amazing wooden coaster. When its riding well its a really good ride!

 

I still think the new coaster is on the boards, its just gonna be a couple years - hell, maybe even next since they didn't add anything for 2016. All they've done is shuffle stuff around that would need to be shuffled for the GCI plan. They could have even changed plans at this point. They'd be smart, like the did with The Great White, to just make he structure steel due to the salt water/air on the wood. OMG if they somehow got a little modest RMC with the a stall over the piers. #pipedreamstho

 

Bottom line, Playland with Galeforce and two other coasters less than 30 minutes away has definitely got Morey''s on their toes. They could easily fit something that size or even bigger, with enough flat shuffling.

 

Unrelated, mom send me a few pics she took of me on the boards Saturday.

Going up...

All smiles ready for that air.

Dad and I getting our Macks on.

[coasterbill]

Looks like a great time. We can't wait to make out first trip to Wildwood this year. When is that flume supposed to open for the season? lol

 

Also at the Baby Harold. She has at least 30 of them at this point. Oh and I had some Kohr Bros of my own this weekend. That stuff is heavenly. The year they came out with waffle cones was the greatest year of my life.

[boldikus]

^ The flume is most definitely up and running by Memorial Day, maybe sooner. On AtmosFear I kept getting the side facing the flume and there was mucho work going on, lots of dudes doing stuff. Its a popular ride because its so freaking awesome, I imagine they are hauling ass to get it ready for warm weather. Dude! I can't wait for such a geeky flume enthusiast like you to do this. I think you're gonna love it. Moreys has a special kind of flume. Its just so ... Moreys.

 

 

You guys should plan a trip one of the first two weekends in June, before schools are out. I know you are guys are last minuters- but plan on a full Saturday and maybe some Sunday. Not sure if you're up for the beach and waterpark too but there's all that. Text me about it as it gets closer. Consider drive-wise its only an extra hour and a half past Great Adv, possibly quicker depending on traffic and your lead foot.

[cfc]

I still have yet to visit Morey's Piers, but I think the dark rides and haunted stuff would interest me more than the coasters there.

[boldikus]

^ They definitely have the old school dark ride thing going for them. I'm not a huge fan but find its usually fun with a group. Dante's is a single track with multiple levels, a drop, and live actors. For a little kid, I'd imagine it would be terrifying. On Mariners Pier is Pirate of Wildwood which is a dark boat ride where everything inside is day glow and they give you 3-D glasses, and there are more live actors. They also have the walk thru "Ghost Ship" I mentioned in the first part of the report.

 

I totally get the lack of an outstanding coaster thing with you guys but The Great White can give some really good rides, especially on a hot night w/ a full train. Airtime galore and bonkers laterals. I love it, one of my fave woodies. With the plethora of flats, food, and atmosphere (not to mention beach and ocean) Morey's is worth a visit.

 

I found a few more pictures to share from the weekend, not sure how I missed these.

 

So this is the aforementioned Curley's Fries, a Wildwood/Morey's staple. They have multiple locations (this is the main one at the front of Surfside Pier). The fries are good, I cannot deny. But Paul's (or as its known now as Idaho Potatos) is far superior (and have a third of the wait). Just trust me!

 

Directly across from the above picture is the always amazing Kohr Bros (there are like 5-10 of them scattered all over the boardwalk from end to end - same with Dairy Queen but who cares about DQ). I wanted to postt this because in the building behind Kohrs is Gateway 26 THE BEST ARCADE EVER! I'm a crane game junkie, and 80% of their cranes are still only a quarter, they have skeeball also for a quarter, and lots of those fake poker machines. Not to mention tons of video games, its a HUGE arcade with tons of little nooks and crannies to get lost in, and the best thing about it - they are open 365 days a year!!!! Literally I've been the only person on the boardwalk, the only person in Gateway26 (beside one lone employee) on Christmas day and literally cleaned out all of their cranes. I'm a bit of a master. Come on, test me. You should have seen me riding a bike down a completely empty boardwalk with stuffed animals and whatnot hanging out of every possible pocket on my person. A sight to see.

 

I meant to post this with some of the kiddie rides I posted earlier. Just a Rockin Tub. Each of the three piers has TONS of kiddie rides so if you have youngins there is plenty to keep them busy.

 

And with that, I end my report. Thanks again for reading yall.

[gmann88]

Growing up in Philly, there was nothing better than that day trip to WW or that week vacation. Been collecting tickets from Gateway 26 since I was a kid and almost have 50,000. I was down there with my family for Easter, but was upset that only Mariners was open (Surfside is my favorite), since my daughter is now tall enough to go on Flitzer and that's on Surfside. Planning to come back up in mid June and hit up Morey's and Hersheypark and hopefully SFGadv a couple more times. I completely understand the rivalry between Macks and Sams, but never meet anyone who prefers Sams, guess I'm the only one (60% of me favors Sam's while the other 40% favors Macks, so I do what anyone would do...I eat BOTH). Laura's Fudge (just off the boardwalk behind the northernmost Mack's) is great for fudge and chocolate covered strawberries. I think Morey's is in need of a new "major" attraction, so lets hope that's not far off. Also kinda curious to see how the "retracking" of the Nor'Easter will be...

 

Nothing can beat a day at Wildwood...spend the early morning on the beach, go buy an all day bracelet that includes 2hrs of the waterparks, and spend the rest of the day riding slides and rides.

[michaellynn4]

Great report! I had a blast when I went to Moreys last year but it's a little too far for me to consider going annually. Really liked the elevated flyers!

[boldikus]

^ OMG I am down there like 6-7 times a year thanks to my folks moving there. You're in Cherry Hill, no? Not far at all, I've done my fair share of day trips - good beach/waterpark action in the morning, ride and dinner in the afternoon/night.

 

Other than the fact that TGW is not running, my favorite time to be there is Xmas or in like mid-February when the entire island is just a creepy-ass ghost town. Though the wonderfully divey Ship N Shore (as well as GateWay26, Fudge Kitchen, and a few other random restaurants) are always open but its like there is NO ONE there. Even the seagulls leave. But I love it. So quiet and peaceful.

[michaellynn4]

Yea, it's like 1.5 hours from me, but to be honest, (and I know you may hate me for saying it) there isn't really anything there that appeals to me so much that makes the drive worth it. I get my "Boardwalk" fix when I visit Pt Pleasant and Seaside Heights during the summer. Also, Wildwood is also a bit too expensive for me. Though I really enjoy Great White, I don't think the cost-to-rides ratio is worth it, especially when I can spend a day at Six Flags for (practically) free and it's half the distance.

 

Not to say I didn't have a good time there, it just doesn't have enough for me to keep going back.

[boldikus]

Also, Wildwood is also a bit too expensive for me. Though I really enjoy Great White, I don't think the cost-to-rides ratio is worth it

 

All day wristbands. They dont include the upcharges (Screaming Swing is $5 compared to $8 w/o wristband) but sling shot, skyscraper, and skycoaster are all upcharges. Think the gokarts are too. But most of the flats and all coasters are included on the wristband. So is the drop tower, flume, etc.

 

I tend to get "Wild Cards" (tickets) for Xmas so its mostly free rides for me most of the year (moms way of getting me to visit). By the end of the summer I'm loading them back up on my own dime.

[strz]

Yea, it's like 1.5 hours from me, but to be honest, (and I know you may hate me for saying it) there isn't really anything there that appeals to me so much that makes the drive worth it. I get my "Boardwalk" fix when I visit Pt Pleasant and Seaside Heights during the summer. Also, Wildwood is also a bit too expensive for me. Though I really enjoy Great White, I don't think the cost-to-rides ratio is worth it, especially when I can spend a day at Six Flags for (practically) free and it's half the distance.

 

Not to say I didn't have a good time there, it just doesn't have enough for me to keep going back.

 

 

Ditto- I'm up in Mercer County, and not knocking- just saying.....cool place, but not worth "the trip" for the reasons you mentioned.

 

That said- HE'S ON THE FRONT PAGE AGAIN! ROCK STAR!!!!!!

[jedimaster1227]

For a Florida boy who had never been to a seaside park, Morey's Piers was one of my favorite parts of the 2006 TPR East Coast tour... The location combined with all the fried food made it such a fun experience! I'm glad to see the park is still doing well after all these years!

[savetheclocktower]

First, it is great to see that you had a genuine good time, despite being a grown @$$ man! No worrying about whether the latest B&M "rattles", no speculating about wooden stakes or an insignificant pile of dirt, no complaining about the poor food quality/overpricing and for some reason continuing to buy it anyway, no nitpicking the quality of the vip tours, just a regular down to earth folk having a regular down to earth good time! Your family seems nice. It's cool that you all have that place in common to enjoy with each other.

 

Second, are the bikinis nice once the weather warms up, or are there a bunch of trashy skanks you wish would cover up? I know you said it's not the most family friendly, I wondered how "bad" it can get.

[boldikus]

^ Firstly your first comment about my report being not-so-nitpicky or whatever you are getting at is one of my favorite replies to any report I've done ever. Nice that someone notices that I try to just enjoy myself, avoid the crap, point out the cool sh!t, and not be such a negative Nancy like most of planet earth is these days.

 

Secondly, absolutely both. I mean, its a popular shore town. In the summer, there is plenty of nice bodies to look at, but like anywhere, with that comes people who definitely do not realize they should maybe cover up a bit more. Personally I like a thick woman and I'm not ashamed to admit it so I don't typically find myself repulsed by what women are wearing on the beaches. I'd elaborate but this site is PG-13. :/ You definitely get the giant shirtless hairy dudes strolling the boardwalk with pizza grease dripping down their bellies. I've seen that unfortunately. But this has got to be in any shore town. I dunno tho, maybe its Jersey. Maybe I just don't know any better.

 

Kinda related, Wildwood has always had this thing with visitors from Quebec - this has been my entire life of visiting WW, we'd always notice the license plates, and still do. Apparently people from Quebec like to vacation in Wildwood. I've never ever understood why, but its a thing. If you are in Wildwood, try to count how many Quebec license plates you pass. Seriously. Anyways I am going to tie this all in together - you could, and still can, tell the dudes from Quebec when on the beach, as they LOVE their speedos. And they certainly don't take their physique into consideration when deciding what to wear to the beach that morning. Speedos4lyfe, yo.

 

As far as WW being trashy, when its busy you get all types. I could say the same about Great Adventure. My mother works in city gvmt and loves to say how the "Morey Bros own Wildwood". They are the islands bread and butter and bring in huge amounts of tax dollars. WW was getting really trashy in the late90s but the Moreys themselves have really done a good job in the past 5-10 years in making it more of a family place. I think its at least part of a reason we haven't seen a really high thrill ride in a while, they are slowly rounding out their family rides the last few years, lots of painting, upkeep, making it always seen "nice". They are building a family friendly golf course as well. A coaster is coming - I'm certain of it, it has to now with Gale Force. They are systematically shuffling and creating space for the planned GCI. Not that I am convinced it is going to be that planned GCI, but I think they are going to do something big. It's now 20 years since the last MAJOR $$$$ addition.

 

Speaking of which, I wonder if they are going to do anything at all about The Great White turning 20 this year.

[dmofo]

Awesome report, love reading and seeing places I'll likely never have a chance to visit.

 

Can anyone comment on wax hands?

[Steveg1988]

Awesome report, love reading and seeing places I'll likely never have a chance to visit.

 

Can anyone comment on wax hands?

 

Yes. People show up to wildwood, discover they're harrier than robin williams, and decide to get a last minute wax. Some people have back of hand hair issues.

[Philrad71]

I was wondering about sea-side resorts/hotels down there?

 

We would prefer something like a Mom & Pops type of place on or near the beach, but it has to be CLEAN, and be within walking distance of all the fun - a second story balcony over-looking the beach would be perfect. The only times that we have visited, we stayed at a campground, but until we can afford to buy a 40' RV with four slide-outs, our camping days are done.

 

Any thoughts or recommendations, boldikus?

[boldikus]

^ Honestly, no. I can't really give any opinions on hotels I'm afraid. Since my folks live there I haven't stayed in a hotel in WW since I was a kid. But I can tell you there are tons and most are close to the beach/boardwalk if not right on the boardwalk. Most are kinda old school mom&pop type places I guess (they've all got a heavy 50's/doo-wop feel), though there are some newer resort-ish kind of places too. Maybe check trip advisor - here are their 10 best.

 

A friend who goes once or twice a summer swears by Montego Bay, which is right over the boardwalk, balconies and all, and has its own indoor waterpark (never been) but I've heard bad things about that place from others (dirty, lots of kids, etc). Morey's has a few of their own hotels, I know Starlux is newer and swanky and I think they all include discounts for the piers and waterparks.

 

Can anyone comment on wax hands?

Yes. People show up to wildwood, discover they're harrier than robin williams, and decide to get a last minute wax. Some people have back of hand hair issues.

 

They are everywhere in the junk shops along the boards. I have no idea. I like to imagine they are some sort of masturbatory device but Wildwood ain't that ratchet.

[larrygator]

I was wondering about sea-side resorts/hotels down there?

 

We would prefer something like a Mom & Pops type of place on or near the beach, but it has to be CLEAN, and be within walking distance of all the fun - a second story balcony over-looking the beach would be perfect. The only times that we have visited, we stayed at a campground, but until we can afford to buy a 40' RV with four slide-outs, our camping days are done.

 

Any thoughts or recommendations, boldikus?

 

Phil, keep in mind that Morey family owns some of the hotel properties.

https://www.moreyspiers.com/stay/resorts

Edited May 14, 2016 by larrygator

[Philrad71]

Thanks, Larry...and thank you boldikus for the help!

[Steveg1988]

^ Honestly, no. I can't really give any opinions on hotels I'm afraid. Since my folks live there I haven't stayed in a hotel in WW since I was a kid. But I can tell you there are tons and most are close to the beach/boardwalk if not right on the boardwalk. Most are kinda old school mom&pop type places I guess (they've all got a heavy 50's/doo-wop feel), though there are some newer resort-ish kind of places too. Maybe check trip advisor - here are their 10 best.

 

A friend who goes once or twice a summer swears by Montego Bay, which is right over the boardwalk, balconies and all, and has its own indoor waterpark (never been) but I've heard bad things about that place from others (dirty, lots of kids, etc). Morey's has a few of their own hotels, I know Starlux is newer and swanky and I think they all include discounts for the piers and waterparks.

 

Can anyone comment on wax hands?

Yes. People show up to wildwood, discover they're harrier than robin williams, and decide to get a last minute wax. Some people have back of hand hair issues.

 

They are everywhere in the junk shops along the boards. I have no idea. I like to imagine they are some sort of masturbatory device but Wildwood ain't that ratchet.

 

Huh...it's actually just a gimmick. Seems that most are just you put wax on a person's hand, dip it, and then make a wax mold.