Select Photos Courtesy of Knoebels Amusement Resort
While writing the first installment of the Influential Coasters of My Childhood series, I began to insert a “modern take” section at the conclusion of the blog. The more I thought about it, the more I decided I wanted that portion to be its own blog as well. So here you have my modern takes on those coasters I once loved as a child. Have my views changed? Find out…
Related Article: “Influential Coasters of My Childhood – Golden Nugget” – July 5, 2021
In 2020, Knoebels Public Relations Director, Stacy Yutko, sat down with We Were Inverted for the feature article, “Phoenix & the Path it Blazed for Wooden Coaster Relocation.” During our meeting, Yutko was kind enough to also spend some time talking about one of the park’s other coaster relocations in Black Diamond. Black Diamond, the former Golden Nugget from Hunt’s Pier in Wildwood, N.J., was the latest installment in the site’s Influential Coasters of My Childhood series.
This coaster/dark ride combo, along with my conversations with Yutko, are what ultimately inspired the Influential series and its Modern Take follow ups. I was always torn with how to present the Black Diamond information along with my own history of the ride. One thing I did know, however, was before I could write anything, I first needed to secure some photos of Golden Nugget.
While I looked into ways of finding the photos I needed, I thought constantly about how to tackle this piece. Eventually I decided two separate pieces would work best. That idea then morphed into what has become this series, which I had hoped to kick off with the Golden Nugget and Black Diamond installments. Sadly, finding those photos of Golden Nugget took longer than I had hoped and I instead began things with other coasters that were influential to me in my younger years.
The End of Golden Nugget
The Golden Nugget had been a signature attraction at Wildwood since 1960. It’s 2009 removal meant it fell just one year shy of celebrating its 50th anniversary. To be clear, however, from 1999 – 2009, the last 10 years of the ride’s existence, it was left sitting, but not operating (SBNO). A few years prior, from 1993-95, the same was also true. That means for close to one quarter of the ride’s lifetime, it did not operate.
In 2009, the decision was made to demolish the Golden Nugget. Morey’s Piers, owners of the ride since 2000, had hoped to restore the ride and bring it up to code. That, however, turned out to be too daunting of a task for the company to undertake. The ride had given it’s final rides, albeit a decade earlier.
Following the decision, the ride was given a farewell ceremony, which was attended by the Morey family, Wildwood officials, coaster enthusiasts, and locals who grew up with the ride. The YouTube channel, Dark in the Park, documented this event, which I have included above. It is a great video and worth watching. I wish I could have been there myself.
A Shimmer of Hope
In Dark in the Park’s video, then-Vice President of Morey’s Piers, Jack Morey, states that a last minute deal with Knoebels owner, Dick Knoebel, was presented and ultimately agreed upon over a handshake. That deal saw the track and trains being sent to Knoebels, while much of the ride’s props were used on other attractions on Morey’s Piers, or donated to the Wildwood Historical Society (WHS) – the same place where I would ultimately find the Golden Nugget photos for this series.
“We kept the layout intact, with only a few minor adjustments,” said Yutko of the ride in its Black Diamond relocation.
According to Yutko, Knoebel had enjoyed the ride during its time at Hunt’s Pier. He decided he wanted to preserve the historic coaster, the only steel coaster ever built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC). It was also designed by legendary designer, John C. Allen. Much like with Phoenix, Knoebel thought he could give new life to this beloved ride. Once again, he was 100 percent correct.
What's Changed & What's Stayed the Same?
With the track and trains being the only thing to survive from Golden Nugget, Knoebels had their work cut out for them with re-theming the ride. The mining theme would be kept intact, but instead of gold, the ride would look to the region’s history of coal mining, thus the name, Black Diamond.
“The name and theme is a nod to the history of the area with coal mining, which is still taking place today,” said Yutko.
The new name wouldn’t be the only noticeable key differences between the former coaster and its current iteration. Here are a look at some of those differences and how I view each, when compared to the other.
The Show Building - Exterior
In order to give Golden Nugget a new lease on life, Knoebels would have to build an entirely new structure, which you can see above, left. The Roller Coaster Database (RCDB) features more than a dozen photos of the show building’s construction on its Black Diamond page, which shows just how much work had to go into this otherwise small layout.
When it comes to Black Diamond’s show building, Knoebels did an impeccable job. It truly fits with the coal mining theme. Still, the Golden Nugget theming was always top notch and is the one I favor. It reminds me of a smaller version of Disney’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (BTMR), which I got ride in 1989. It was Golden Nugget that had me most looking forward to BTMR when I saw it in my neighbor, Andrea’s, photo albums from her family’s vacation.
The Show Building - Portraying the Ride Inside
Over the last eight years, I have taken about 75 first-timers to Knoebels and close to 20 more have gone on my recommendation. Most of these people had never heard of the park prior. Of those nearly 100 people, many failed to ride Black Diamond because they didn’t realize there was a coaster inside the black show building.
The ride sits in the back corner of the park, behind the International Food Court, and next to the Knoebels History Museum. I’m sure locals and park regulars know about the ride, but for new visitors, that appears not to be the case.
Even from afar, you could always tell that Golden Nugget was a roller coaster just by looking at the show building due to its outdoor elements. Compared to Black Diamond, you have to be right in front of the ride station to even see the small trains on the elevated loading station.
I’m not sure if there is any way to better portray what is inside that building, but I think it could help. Maybe something as simple as adding the word “coaster” to the building? Six Flags has done that with their indoor Dark Knight Wild Mouse coasters, listing them as “Dark Knight Coaster” on ride signage. Just a thought.
The Choice to Go Indoor Only
Golden Nugget’s outdoor segments were always one of my favorite parts of the ride. I will admit, I was a little bummed at first when I saw that Black Diamond was totally enclosed. Between the theming and ocean front location, being outside before diving into the mine was always memorable.
I don’t blame the park for making this choice. I’m sure it saves a bunch of money on the weathering of props and/or damage caused by animals looking to enter the structure. It also means visitors can ride it without getting wet should their be rain in the forecast. That’s always a plus.
More Trains Means, More Rides
In preparation for this blog, I reached out to Yutko to see if the park had any indoor images of Black Diamond since my pre-authorized GoPro footage was just too dark to salvage. She sent over 10 photos, two of which featured the ride’s loading station. When I saw the image above, I was surprised to see eight different carts occupying the track at the same time.
While online, I did find mention of these trains on Black Diamond’s page on the site, Ultimate Roller Coaster. According to the site, “The original ride operated with five cars, but three additional cars have been added to increase capacity.”
I do not know if the park typically operates the ride with all eight trains as several would be traversing the course at any given time. My best guess would be no, but I do not visit the park regularly enough to offer any concrete proof one way or another. One thing I do know is the dispatch time is generally pretty good on a ride with such small trains either way.
I commend Knoebels for designing new trains for the ride based off of the ones that once ran on Golden Nugget. These little carts truly feel like you’re about to venture into a mine, just like they did back in the 80’s.
It's What's On the Inside that Counts
By making the call to be entirely inside, Black Diamond shines, pun intended, with its dark ride elements. As a matter of fact, it outshines Golden Nugget in every way. What I appreciate the most is the park’s decision to pay homage to classic dark rides, like their very own, Haunted Mansion. Fans of dark rides owe it to themselves to visit Knoebels both these amazing rides. I feel like every time I ride them, I see something I never spotted before.
The theming of Black Diamond’s interior was done by Jim Melonic, who worked under the Golden Nugget’s original theme designer, Bill Tracy. This decision by the park resulted in a ride that, while mostly new from the ground up, felt like it was plucked from decades past. Melonic did an amazing job paying homage to this ride’s history.
During my conversation with Yutko, I did ask if any of the old props from Golden Nugget made their way into Black Diamond. Sadly, the answer was no. I would have loved if even just one prop had been included for nostalgia. Thankfully, I was able to see some of the last remaining props during my visit to the WHS.
8 Years of New Memories & Counting
It’s hard to believe, looking back, that my first visit to Knoebels didn’t come until 2013. That is the year that I feel like I went from being a major coaster fan to truly becoming an enthusiast. I visited a bunch of parks earlier that summer with James during a road trip and had the time of my life. That’s when I asked my friend, Sarah, to visit Knoebels with me for the first time.
For over a year I had been watching the point of view (POV) video of Black Diamond, wanting to experience it myself. While Phoenix and Twisted looked so good, it was honestly Black Diamond’s relocation that put the park on my radar. In the eight years since, I make sure I ride it each and every visit. Sure, Phoenix, Twister, and Impulse steel the show when it comes to thrills, but none of them tug on the heartstrings like Black Diamond. You don’t see this kind of ride at most parks and that is part of the reason why I feel like Knoebels was the best possible location for Golden Nugget’s memories to live on.
I thank Knoebels for investing in a ride that looked like it had met its end. By doing so you’ve given so many people more opportunities to create memories with their friends, families, and loved ones, like I once did on Hunt’s Pier with my grandparents decades ago.
Photos Courtesy of Knoebels Amusement Park
The photos in the gallery above are the property of Knoebels Amusement Resort and appear in this blog with permission of the park’s Public Relations Director Stacy Yutko. Please seek permission from Knoebels for use any images found within this gallery.
