Post by 1goldennuggetrider on Jul 4, 2006 0:24:01 GMT -5
As a prelude to the heart of my message, let it be said that I have been vacationing in Wildwood for over thirty years. There are unsubstantiated rumors that I was conceived at the WaiKiKi in the summer of '72. Oh, those Wildwood days ... and nights too!
My family visited the Acacia motel regularly in the mid-late 70s through the early 80s. We stayed at the Bal Harbour as well. My father had a severe case of skin cancer in 1986 (he had a 25% chance to live ... luckily, he is still alive today). I didn't make it back to Wildwood until the mid 90s after college. I have since gone several times with my wife (we are headed down to the Fleur De Lis this summer) and last summer we went with my family again at the Port Royal Motel.
The thing that I will always remember about Wildwood ... was just how happy my family was there. In all of those many years of vacation, every single memory is a good memory ... both large and small. It didn't matter if it was raining, sunny, the stay was short or long ... we were always happy to be there.
I remember so many things. Carlson's fish market. My father was always excited for that one. The Big Top arcade with all the games of the day and ice cream sundaes (these days I am partial to Duffers). The sights at nights of the neon lights along the main avenue. Simply magical.
I will never forget spending hours in arcades during the hey day of Pac Man, Galaga, Paperboy, Star Wars, and countless other games. I remember walking around with my friend (we often went with another family) just to check out to see what vending machines each hotel had. The Captains Table, Duffenettis, the Ravioli House, Two Mile Inn ... it goes on and on and on.
The boardwalk. I will never forget the boards. The excitement. The sights, the sounds, the essence of many a Wildwood night. Hunts Pier will forever remain in my heart. Everything about that place was unique and special in an extraordinary way.
I relish going back when I can. I will never forget the memories. My family was at its happiest there. We will always remember those nights and days.
I have been persuing this message board for a couple of years. It is obvious to me that hundreds (and I am sure, thousands more feel the same way).
I think the one thing that has made Wildwood (and the Crest) so special to so many people is the years of memories it created for tens of thousands of families. Wildwood was where families could forget for a little while, enjoy themselves, have fun, and share in the sun.
I hope that those days continue on in the future, so many more can share in the magic of Wildwood. It would be a shame if it changed too much. It is a divine place for many.
I think a few things could dramitcally help Wildwood going forward ...
1) The Moreys need competition on the boards. In my minds eye, the boardwalk was a major catalyst to making the Wildwood area a major attraction for families. That being said, I am disappointed in the lack of development ... and the lack of capital that has been spent in this area.
This is not a knock against the Morey family, but it is too easy to compete when you have no competition whatsoever. A dedicated owner, preferrably someone with a vision and deep pockets on another pier, would help revitalize the boards. A little originality wouldn't hurt either.
The people that say a "Hunt's Pier" wouldn't work today are nuts. The rides were the attraction, but for anyone that was there ... it was the "feel", the operation of the pier, the professionalism that was always on display, that set this pier above the rest. It is too easy to say, the kids would never go for it, they like fast rides, they like this, they like that ... you need a vision, you need leadership, and you need execution.
Just like any other succesful business idea.
2) More diverse offerings on the boardwalk. It is ridiculous that there are so many t-shirt shops on the boards. I know they make a profit, but don't try to tell me other ideas wouldn't work. How about a restaraunt row? Why not some interactive shops for children?
Business owners have gotten lazy. They have taken the short sell. There is no question it takes significant capital to make a sharp left or right turn, but it could be done.
3) Leadership is necessary I see this all too often when business plans go awry. Too many chiefs, not enough indians. Someone, or some entity needs to take the bull by the horns and provide signifcant direction to push the Wildwoods forward in a healthy direction for the next twenty-five years.
There should be another hey day. If anyone hasn't seen how Belmar, Pt. Pleasant, and even Seaside (in some ways) haven't prospered in the past ten years or so ... they are nuts. There is no reason that the Wildwood area cannot continue to be a desired destination.
I'm done talking. I love the place. I hope I will always go back.
My family visited the Acacia motel regularly in the mid-late 70s through the early 80s. We stayed at the Bal Harbour as well. My father had a severe case of skin cancer in 1986 (he had a 25% chance to live ... luckily, he is still alive today). I didn't make it back to Wildwood until the mid 90s after college. I have since gone several times with my wife (we are headed down to the Fleur De Lis this summer) and last summer we went with my family again at the Port Royal Motel.
The thing that I will always remember about Wildwood ... was just how happy my family was there. In all of those many years of vacation, every single memory is a good memory ... both large and small. It didn't matter if it was raining, sunny, the stay was short or long ... we were always happy to be there.
I remember so many things. Carlson's fish market. My father was always excited for that one. The Big Top arcade with all the games of the day and ice cream sundaes (these days I am partial to Duffers). The sights at nights of the neon lights along the main avenue. Simply magical.
I will never forget spending hours in arcades during the hey day of Pac Man, Galaga, Paperboy, Star Wars, and countless other games. I remember walking around with my friend (we often went with another family) just to check out to see what vending machines each hotel had. The Captains Table, Duffenettis, the Ravioli House, Two Mile Inn ... it goes on and on and on.
The boardwalk. I will never forget the boards. The excitement. The sights, the sounds, the essence of many a Wildwood night. Hunts Pier will forever remain in my heart. Everything about that place was unique and special in an extraordinary way.
I relish going back when I can. I will never forget the memories. My family was at its happiest there. We will always remember those nights and days.
I have been persuing this message board for a couple of years. It is obvious to me that hundreds (and I am sure, thousands more feel the same way).
I think the one thing that has made Wildwood (and the Crest) so special to so many people is the years of memories it created for tens of thousands of families. Wildwood was where families could forget for a little while, enjoy themselves, have fun, and share in the sun.
I hope that those days continue on in the future, so many more can share in the magic of Wildwood. It would be a shame if it changed too much. It is a divine place for many.
I think a few things could dramitcally help Wildwood going forward ...
1) The Moreys need competition on the boards. In my minds eye, the boardwalk was a major catalyst to making the Wildwood area a major attraction for families. That being said, I am disappointed in the lack of development ... and the lack of capital that has been spent in this area.
This is not a knock against the Morey family, but it is too easy to compete when you have no competition whatsoever. A dedicated owner, preferrably someone with a vision and deep pockets on another pier, would help revitalize the boards. A little originality wouldn't hurt either.
The people that say a "Hunt's Pier" wouldn't work today are nuts. The rides were the attraction, but for anyone that was there ... it was the "feel", the operation of the pier, the professionalism that was always on display, that set this pier above the rest. It is too easy to say, the kids would never go for it, they like fast rides, they like this, they like that ... you need a vision, you need leadership, and you need execution.
Just like any other succesful business idea.
2) More diverse offerings on the boardwalk. It is ridiculous that there are so many t-shirt shops on the boards. I know they make a profit, but don't try to tell me other ideas wouldn't work. How about a restaraunt row? Why not some interactive shops for children?
Business owners have gotten lazy. They have taken the short sell. There is no question it takes significant capital to make a sharp left or right turn, but it could be done.
3) Leadership is necessary I see this all too often when business plans go awry. Too many chiefs, not enough indians. Someone, or some entity needs to take the bull by the horns and provide signifcant direction to push the Wildwoods forward in a healthy direction for the next twenty-five years.
There should be another hey day. If anyone hasn't seen how Belmar, Pt. Pleasant, and even Seaside (in some ways) haven't prospered in the past ten years or so ... they are nuts. There is no reason that the Wildwood area cannot continue to be a desired destination.
I'm done talking. I love the place. I hope I will always go back.
.