With a trip to Kings Island planned for mid-October, my aim is to make Orion my 400th credit. In order to do so, however, I needed to secure five credits before the trip. My plan was to do a quick tour through New Jersey and visit three never before visited beach parks. Knowing I could run into a ride closure along the way, however, I had three locations on stand by where I could make up a credit if needed. Did I have to use any of those back ups? Did I meet my goal? Find out in my Quest for 399.
After missing out on both coaster credits at Keansburg Amusement Park to begin my day and then finding out that Tornado had been removed earlier this year at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, I’m so glad I set up a number of back up plans if things didn’t go according to plan. I had already stopped at iPlay America between Keansburg and Jenkinson’s and now I was visiting another one of my back up locations, Casino Pier.
Being 100 percent honest here, I really enjoy Casino Pier and of all the destinations and back up spots I had penciled in for this trip, Casino Pier offers the biggest coaster selection and most thrill rides. With the park’s new coaster, Xolo Loca opening a few weeks ago, it did offer a new credit. So why was Casino Pier one of my back ups? Well, I was hoping to visit the pier with Sam and Greg. Casino Pier is a place that both have expressed an interest in visiting. I figured we could all go next year and I’d wait to grab Xolo Loca then. With three missed opportunities in the Quest for 399 already, however, Casino Pier became a must if I hoped to achieve my goal.
More Bad News: Xolo Loca Closed
Heading to the park I was aware that the Xolo Loca was not yet running its hamster wheel carts. I had seen it mentioned on a few enthusiast groups on Facebook and Casino Pier’s own site says as much. The spinning carts were fine by me though. Sam and I had experienced a hamster wheel at Funplex: Myrtle Beach last month and they didn’t really wow me much. So I’d be spinning yet again like I had done on Freedom Rider at iPlay and Tidal Wave at Jenkinson’s earlier in the day. Well, if Xolo Loca had been open that is!
Walking into the park I saw pretty much every ride in full motion, except one. That’s right, Xolo Loca was closed! Missing this coaster in addition to those from prior stops cemented that I would not reach 399. The best I could reach was 398 and that was only if both Fantasy Island’s and Steel Pier’s needed credits were operational. On top of that, I wasn’t even sure if I’d have enough time to make it to Steel Pier. More on that in its installment. So yes, I did get there. Spoiler, as they say.
Riding 2 Coasters While I Was There
When I parked my car I paid for two hours on the meter. Even if Xolo Loca had been running, I was still planning on taking some time to shoot footage and ride Hydrus and Pirate’s Hideaway. I was also getting hungry again, so I grabbed another slice of pizza, this time at Three Brothers on the boardwalk.
If you’re asking why I went for pizza again, it was a little joke for my buddy Chance, the Cheapthusiast. He Photoshopped me into a meme on my birthday showing me eating a slice of pizza on Twister at Knoebels. Long story short, he’s been recovering from an operation this past week and I figured he could use some humor to lighten his spirits. I ended up getting pizza three times throughout the day and filmed each slice with a little statement for him in the upcoming vlogs. Knowing him, I’ll probably crop out the pizza for an all new meme!
Hydrus
My first and only ride on Hydrus before Saturday came back in 2017 with James. We had left Six Flags Great Adventure (SFGAdv) early to stop at the beach. We both enjoyed the coaster, but thought it was really short. And oh yeah, really expensive.
If memory serves me right, Hydrus was my second-ever Gerstlauer roller coaster, with the first being Mystery Mine at Dollywood. As much as I like the theming of Mystery Mine, it’s always leaves me with a headache. I’ve had similar experiences with other Gerstlauers, but Hydrus has been different. Saturday’s ride might have been the best experience I’ve ever had on one of their rides. I was getting good hangtime and a little pop of air throughout its short course. If this is what some of the larger Gerstlauers in Europe feel like, then yes, build some over here please. If they’re going to hurt as much as Mystery Mine and TMNT Shellraiser at Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream, I’ll pass.
Pirate's Hideaway
Speaking of coasters that beat you up, I decided to ride Pirate’s Hideaway knowing full well how janky this partially enclosed coaster runs. I rode it back in 2012 with my friend Kristina. It beat us up bad, but we were laughing the entire time as we spent the majority of the ride slamming into one another up front. This time I was alone, but rode the front once again.
One thing I don’t remember from 2012 was banged my leg into the lap bar. I think I have a minor bruise from that metal hitting my right leg on every drop and twist. I have no one to blame but myself, however. I knew I was going to be getting a rough ride. I more or less did it because of how infamous this ride is in that regard. Plus, the only other coaster option was Hot Tamales. I’m usually a one and done for kiddie credits unless I’m with a friend who needs the credit.
Final Ride Counts
Hydrus (1)
Pirate’s Hideaway (1)
Need Some Wingmen for Next Casino Pier Visit
Of all the locations I visited on Saturday, Casino Pier was the most enjoyable and where I spent the most amount of time. I shot a bunch of footage on the pier and from the boardwalk. You can see some of my favorite shots in the gallery down below. Hydrus was so photogenic and I’m glad the skies were a beautiful shade of blue that day. It really added to the shots I got of the vertical lift.
Hopefully the next time I get out to Casino Pier Xolo Loca will be up and running and I’ll have Sam and Greg along for the day. I’m thinking it’ll be among our 2022 trips.
Casino Pier Photo Gallery - September 25, 2021
If you would like to use any of the images in the gallery above for your commercial and/or 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): n/a
