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Post by videoventures65 on Aug 24, 2005 21:01:40 GMT -5
I'd have to say the Rio Motel. Just got back last week from my yearly vacation and the trip down Rio Grand Ave was not the same at Ocean Ave. There was no Rio, no man and the donkey. Just a huge pile of rocks. The road will never look the same with a 20 plus story hotel/condo building. RIP Rio Motel.
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Post by hulk007 on Dec 16, 2005 14:15:49 GMT -5
What would bring back? two words: "THE FLYER"
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Post by hulk007 on Dec 16, 2005 14:26:20 GMT -5
I also admit I miss the captain's table but the capatin's table circa late 1970's early 1980's when they had a breakfast menu and the food was actually still good. I last ate there in 2003 and it was sad that the breakfast was not even one tenth of what in used to be.The breakfast buffet was low grade cafeteria food. I do, however still miss it, the building itself had a warm, happy feeling to it.I also liked the big shark outside which is now hanging in front of Urie's.
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Post by Al Alven on Dec 16, 2005 14:29:34 GMT -5
What would bring back? two words: "THE FLYER" The Flyer holds a special place in the hearts of so many Wildwoods visitors for varied reasons, obviously. It was a landmark on the Boardwalk, first of all. And, it was a powerful symbol of the greatness that once was Hunt's Pier, for sure. But, the more I talk with people, the more I realize that the Flyers must have served as the first roller coaster experience for literally tens of thousands (if not more). It was a great coaster, because it wasn't a giant like the Jack Rabbit/Scream Machine or the Jumbo Jet (not to mention later and current coasters), but it wasn't a kiddie ride, either. It was simply a good, old-fashioned coaster that could be enjoyed by just about everyone. I miss it quite a bit, also.
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Post by Al Alven on Dec 16, 2005 14:36:13 GMT -5
I also admit I miss the captain's table but the capatin's table circa late 1970's early 1980's when they had a breakfast menu and the food was actually still good. I last ate there in 2003 and it was sad that the breakfast was not even one tenth of what in used to be.The breakfast buffet was low grade cafeteria food. I do, however still miss it, the building itself had a warm, happy feeling to it.I also liked the big shark outside which is now hanging in front of Urie's. The building was also, architecturally-speaking, a great example of 1950s "Doo Wop" flair. Anyone ever notice that the triangle-shaped canopy at the back of the restaurant (or was that the "front?"; anyway, the side that faced the beach and ocean) greatly resembled the same element at the Starlux? There is a specific name for such a canopy design, and it's eluding me right now. But, it is definitely a very interesting element. Whenever I pass the Starlux these days, it reminds me of the old Captain's Table.
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Post by hulk007 on Dec 16, 2005 19:55:23 GMT -5
The Flyer was the first roller coaster I ever rode on and still remember going down the big hill passing the "hold on to hats sign" the drop scared the hell out of me but as the ride continued on into all the turns I remember going from fear to utter excitement and enjoyment and when the ride was over could not wait to ride it again. You are right Al, the Flyer, to be is as historic as the staute of liberty in my book. Maybe a little over the top but every year when i am up on the boards i remember going on that coaster. Remember those huge wooden gear handles to operate the ride? At least they seemed huge to a small boy.
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Post by wildwanderer on Dec 16, 2005 21:16:15 GMT -5
The Flyer. Don't forget the sounds of the clinkity, clink and the wood made you feel the ride even more. Nothing like the good ole days of WW.
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Post by FlyinGN on Dec 17, 2005 11:01:33 GMT -5
the flyer is near and dear to my heart..
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Post by hulk007 on Dec 17, 2005 22:15:17 GMT -5
I think the first ride I ever rode on on hunt's was jungleland, did the hippo used to shoot water out of his mouth? I seem to remember getting soaked on that ride.
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Post by FlyinGN on Dec 18, 2005 7:49:26 GMT -5
I seem to recall that too hulk.. Or something making us wet..
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Post by hulk007 on Dec 18, 2005 20:46:40 GMT -5
A fun little ride and it seemed like a long ride, at least for a 5 year old.
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Post by Robert on Dec 19, 2005 11:33:06 GMT -5
I have so many memories of Hunt's Pier, I'm so glad our father took us there in the early 80's (1980-1983) before he passed away. I was there while Bud was still in charge. I remember being scared of the Golden Nugget before riding it. My other favorites were the Ghost Town train around the Flyer, Keystone Kops, Whacky Shack (didn't ride it, though), Jungleland, and Pirate Ship. It's too bad the owners after Bud let it go to pot. And now, the Morey's don't seem to care. Let's hope they can restore the Nugget.
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Post by Al Alven on Dec 19, 2005 14:41:56 GMT -5
I have so many memories of Hunt's Pier, I'm so glad our father took us there in the early 80's (1980-1983) before he passed away. I was there while Bud was still in charge. I remember being scared of the Golden Nugget before riding it. My other favorites were the Ghost Town train around the Flyer, Keystone Kops, Whacky Shack (didn't ride it, though), Jungleland, and Pirate Ship. It's too bad the owners after Bud let it go to pot. And now, the Morey's don't seem to care. Let's hope they can restore the Nugget. Robert, it's not that the Moreys don't care. It's simply that they are businessmen, and they have to do what they feel is best for their company. Just from the few brief conversations I've had with Jack Morey (and tons of other personal accounts), I can tell you that he loves the Wildwoods, and misses many of the classic institutions that have disappeared (Hunt's Pier, the many motels, etc.) over the past few years. Like you, Robert, I remember so vividly the magical aura of Hunt's Pier. There was no place like it. The thing I remember most about Hunt's is something you mentioned -- the way the many elements of the pier combined to cause almost an overload of emotional sensory. Anticipation, anxiousness, fear, nervousness, pure joy... outright FUN... we experienced all of these real emotions as children (and/or maybe even as adults) at Hunt's, all in a very positive way. If the re-creation of such an atmosphere were to be deemed financially profitable, the Moreys would jump on it. But, the entertainment mediums that Hunt's offered then simply do not seem to be what people are looking for today. I am personally thrilled that the Moreys are still even looking into the possibility of moving and re-opening the Golden Nugget. As much as I want to see it happen, I still can't say for sure that I believe it will be a successful endeavor. A refurbished Nugget would offer a tremendous nostalgia trip for all of us, and would be a literal dream come true for many (myself definitely included). But, would it be a longterm success? Ask yourself that question, and try to be completely honest with your answer. I've said this before, but I honestly believe (having never met the man, of course) that Bud Hunt... the businessman Bud Hunt... would have understood the changes that his former pier and the landscape of the amusement scene in the Wildwoods in general have undergone over the past 20 years or so. Some people seem to believe that if Bud retained Hunt's Pier, everything would have remained in tact, the pier would have remained wildly successful and the whole entity would be operating today just as it had in, say, 1985. It just doesn't work like that, though. Sure, the subsequent owners seemed to make a number of mistakes. And, yes, I believe that the pier was dismantled a little too hastily, with little in the way of contingency plans in effect. But, the world has changed -- for better or worse -- and so has, and so would have Hunt's. Regardless of who owned the pier and what we all would have preferred in an ideal world.
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Post by crazyaboutwildwood on Dec 19, 2005 18:17:40 GMT -5
I agree that the moreys are business people trying to survive and protect there future. Also Im not sure hunts would have survived if it stayed the same. At the time it was disneyland but things change. Now there are enthusiasts like all of us that would love to see jungleland and the pirate ship but the general public would want to see other new attractions to keep there intrest in returning. On antoher note I would like to see that shooting gallery that was on hunts return to the boardwalk (still just a rumor) And king kong never returned from new york when it was sent by the moreys to get repaired!( around 1980) It would be neat to see these 2 things back in wildwood.
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Post by Robert on Dec 19, 2005 23:53:53 GMT -5
Al, it's the same thing at my hometown park, Dorney Park. Crazy (Mike) knows all about it. One of the former owners, chairman of the board, Bob Ott who ran Dorney from 1967-1984 then sold it to a relative (Debra (Plarr) Weinstein and her husband Harris) and retired, he's still alive, admits that the changes made over the past 12 years by Cedar Fair from Ohio, owners of Cedar Point that purchased the park from the family in 1992 were necessary to keep the park alive. Most of the changes included removal of older rides and building of new rides, and new areas, and remodeling of the park. If Dorney was the same today as it was in 1992, 1985, or 1980, it wouldn't be as appealing to today's (mostly younger) audiences who crave big thrills. The whole reason the new owner of Hunt's demolished a bunch of the older rides in 1989 was because he wanted to add rides to appeal to teens, like the Kamikaze, and that the older rides weren't as appealing anymore. Bud Hunt admitted himself in the Flyer demolition article from 1989 on Anthony's site that "I don't ever go down there anymore, I'm 83-years-old," said William "Bud" Hunt, who owned the pier until three years ago when it was sold to a group of investors headed by David Kami of Wildwood. I had my day there and now it's over," Hunt said." I guess WW had to change as well to stay alive, for pier/park owners it was either change and upgrade or go out of business. Who knows if the Golden Nugget will appeal to 21st century kids?
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