Several months ago I began looking at all the roller coasters credits located in nearby New Jersey that I had yet to obtain, with most of them being located throughout the state’s numerous beach towns. I made it my goal to head up to Jersey a few times this year to visit some of these towns, either for the first time, or for the first time in some time. This series will feature many different parks, some of which may only have one or two smaller coasters. Larger parks such as Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv) or Nickelodeon Universe at the American Dream Mall, however, will not be featured as part of this series.
Some of my earliest childhood memories of riding roller coasters come from Wildwood, N.J. Back then, places like Hunt’s Pier, Sportland Pier, and Nickel’s Midway Pier were home to a handful of coasters that saw this hobby take its earliest roots. With all that being true, a trip back to Wildwood to visit Morey’s Piers was a top priority while planning any trips through Jersey this summer and was on Thursday’s agenda during our multi-stop trip.
A Stop at the Wildwood Historical Society Museum
After leaving Funplex: Mt. Laurel, which you can read about in Part 1 of the Jersey Days series, we were on our way to Wildwood to Morey’s Piers. Mariner’s Pier was set to open at 1 p.m. I had us slated to arrive early so we could make a stop at the Wildwood Historical Society (WWHS) Museum beforehand. The stop at Funplex did put us a little behind, but there was no way I wasn’t skipping the museum.
Several months ago I came across their Instagram account (@WildwoodHistoricalSociety) and was taken back by some of the old images they posted. I went to their website and ordered a couple buttons that are now in my Pin Collection. Over time, the more I saw from their social, the more it made me want to visit.
I told myself that when I finally made it back to Wildwood, I would be making a stop. And now that I have, I have obtained images of the Golden Nugget and Flyer that I will be able to incorporate into a future entries of the Influential Coasters of My Childhood series.
If you find yourself headed up to Wildwood, I strongly suggest stopping by the WWHS museum. It’s free. You’ll find lots of goodies in their gift shop as well and they do take donations. Support them in any way you can.
Afternoon: Mariner's Pier
Since Mariner’s Pier was the only one of the three Morey’s Piers opening at 1 p.m., all of our rides would be located in one spot. The park’s two other piers didn’t open until 5 p.m. and we had some other plans to tend to before those opened. More on that in a bit. For now, here’s a look at the two coasters we were able to ride after getting our wristbands.
Wild Whizzer
When walking on to Wild Whizzer, I joked that I felt as if Sam and I might be breaking some kind of record. Whizzer would be my third SBF Visa coaster in a row, counting our earlier stop at Funplex and then Tuesday’s stop at Fun Land of Fredericksburg (FoF) with Mindy, Sam, Mailyn, and Carley.
Anyhow, nothing special here. It was the standard figure eight layout and was a one and done for me. The only SBF figure eight coaster I’ve ridden more than once is Twist n Shout from FoF. Although… there would be another one of these things I’d get to ride later in the day at another park. You find that in the upcoming Part 4 of this blog series.
Rollie's Coaster
Next on our ride list was Rollie’s Coaster, a non-inverting Pinfari, with over the shoulder restraints. This is one of the credits at Morey’s that I already had, but it’s been years since I last rode it. I also only rode it two or three times tops, so I couldn’t remember what to expect. Honestly, I expected the worst.
Before boarding, the crew joked that we were about to get on the jankiest ride of the day, but that didn’t turn out to be the case at all. Sure, the seats and restraints seemed so out of place, but none of us got beat up. Truthfully, it was my favorite coaster ride of the day up until that point.
Off to Ocean City, N.J. & Back
After a ride on the Flying Galleons and seeing Sea Serpent down for testing, the crew and I grabbed a quick bite to eat and jumped back in the car. Both Gillian’s Wonderland Pier (GWP) and Playland’s Castaway Cove (PCC) in Ocean City, N.J. were opening at 4 p.m. The plan was to head up, grab all those credits, and then come back down and finish the evening off between all three of Morey’s Piers until they closed at 11 p.m. You can read about those two stops of the Jersey Days series below, or continue on with the rest of our Morey’s visit.
- 06.26.2021 – Jersey Days, Pt. 3 – Gillian’s Wonderland Pier
- 06.26.2021 – Jersey Days, Pt. 4 – Playland’s Castaway Cove
Evening: Adventure, Surfside, & Mariner's Piers
By time our adventures up north in Ocean City were finished, we traveled the 35 minutes back down south to Wildwood. We were a littler later getting back than I had planned, but we still had plenty of time to get in all the coasters that remained. Those included: Great White, Sea Serpent, Runaway Tram, Doo Whopper, and the Great Nor’Easter. Sadly, however, as we made our way from pier to pier, we were met with the sad reality that both Doo Whopper and the Great Nor’Easter were closed. I was really looking forward to trying Nor’Easter with the new track and trains and Greg, Sam, and Renee were all looking forward to getting it and Doo Whopper added to their credit counts.
Great White
Great White was the first coaster we rode upon returning from Ocean City. Next to GaleForce in PCC, it was the coaster everyone was most looking forward to riding on the day. After everyone’s first ride, I think it quickly became everyone’s favorite coaster during the trip, even ranking ahead of GaleForce.
Great White was hauling from start to finish. The re-tracking work made the ride glass smooth and so much more pleasant than I ever remember it being. It didn’t matter where we sat either as we managed to ride it several times. Sam and Renee rode it twice and Greg and I got in a third ride, getting on the last train of the night.
On our way home, I heard a lot of talk about how much everyone loved this coaster. Renee has claimed it as her favorite woodie and both Sam and Greg are saying its right up there with some of their favorites. I know I’ll be moving it up once my listings too once I finish all these blogs.
Sea Serpent
It’s been forever since I last rode Sea Serpent. I didn’t ride it during the 2012 visit when I last rode Great White. It’s a Vekoma Boomerang, and although I loved them as a kid, in my adult years, they became a one a done for me. Sidewinder at Hersheypark was the lone exception, having the newer trains. When I saw Morey’s was adding similar trains to Sea Serpent last year, I knew I’d be riding it again.
For a Boomerang built in 1984, three years shy of being 40 years old, the coaster run great! Dare I say, better than Sidewinder. You can tell Morey’s has put some love and care into this ride. The station looks great. The new trains are amazing with the color choices and decals. They even sell Sea Serpent merchandise in the nearby store. I picked up some pins and buttons for the ride, along with a few others.
And speaking of merch, Greg was ever so pleased to see a camera flash go off during our ride on Sea Serpent. He didn’t expect to get any new ride photo keychains on Thursday, let alone from a Boomerang. Seriously though, if there ever was a Boomerang to to have a ride photo from, it’s Sea Serpent.
Runaway Tram
My lone new credit during the evening portion of our Morey’s Piers visit was the 2019 addition, Runaway Tram. This Zierer coaster was one I’ve had my eye on since it was first revealed.
Years ago, back in the 80’s, my grandparents used to take my brother and I to Wildwood every summer. One of the things I vividly remember was the tram car going up and down the boardwalk with the speakers blasting, “Watch the tram car, please,” every few seconds.
In my grandfather’s final years, he sadly suffered from dementia. He had no short term memory, but could recall things vividly from decades past. One of his memories was that tram car. He talked about it over and over again. He would have loved to have seen a roller coaster themed to that tram car. I just know it.
As for the ride, this family coaster was glass smooth. I loved the retro look of the ride signage and the light package on display at night. The track constantly flashes different colors, making the ride on the darkened pier that much more memorable. Going through the course twice was also a nice treat. And I also enjoyed hearing the tram car audio playing as you leave and then pass through the station.
Final Ride Counts
Flying Galleons (1)
Great White (3: Patrick, Greg, 2: Sam, Renee)
Rollie’s Coaster (1)
Runaway Tram (1)
Sea Serpent (1)
Wild Whizzer (1)
More Time at Morey's (Hopefully Soon)
I tell you, it was hard to leave Wildwood after our trip. I wanted to rent a hotel room and stay for days. I had so many fond memories from the past going through my head. At the same time, I was making so more new ones with some of my best friends. Even though we’ve been to so many major amusement parks together these last two years, this day just hit different for me.
I know, without a doubt, I will be back, and maybe back again this summer too. Sam, Greg, and Renee still need that Nor’Easter and Doo Whopper credit. I will look into squeezing in a stop when we return to Jersey to grab some of the credits at Jersey’s other beachfront parks. I’m sure everyone would be more than happy to make a return trip.
Morey's Piers Photo Gallery - June 24, 2021
If you would like to use any of the images in the gallery above for your non-commercial projects, feel free to do so. I ask that you credit We Were Inverted whenever they’re used. I also ask that you do not alter the image or remove the watermarks. If you need any images/video resized or without the watermarks, please contact me directly.
CREW MANIFEST
The following flight crew members attended this park, & earned the respective credits below:
Patrick
CAG
New Credit(s): Runaway Tram, Wild Whizzer
Sam
Admiral
New Credit(s): Great White, Rollie's Coaster, Runaway Tram, Sea Serpent, Wild Whizzer
Greg
Captain
New Credit(s): Great White, Rollie's Coaster, Runaway Tram, Sea Serpent, Wild Whizzer
Renee
Lieutenant
New Credit(s): Great White, Rollie's Coaster, Runaway Tram, Sea Serpent, Wild Whizzer
