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Post by huntspier4ever on Mar 7, 2006 19:14:30 GMT -5
Kristen, is that you with your grandfather in the picture you put up on your site? Yes Martin, that is me (I think I am 1-2 years old) and my grandfather, Bud Hunt. (It's strange because when I look at that photo, it looks a lot like my younger sister!) I revised the splash page and I'll be fleshing out the other pages very soon. I'll keep you all posted. -Kristen
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Post by MMM on Mar 7, 2006 19:45:26 GMT -5
Thanks Kristen. Nice picture...
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Post by huntspier4ever on Mar 14, 2006 22:58:11 GMT -5
another icon going away.... Yeah, you said it. I used to figure out where I was on the boardwalk by that sign! This past weekend, I was on the boardwalk and felt so disoriented; almost like I didn't belong or that I wasn't in Wildwood. Now that the Hunt's Pier Skyline Golf sign and Rampaging Rapids are officially gone, the Golden Nugget is the last piece of my grandfather's pier. I'm hoping this ride can be salvaged but the longer it "just sits there", I'm not too optimistic on it's future.
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Post by Robert on Mar 14, 2006 23:41:43 GMT -5
Hunt's Pier looks awful now. All it is is a bunch of go-kart tracks and an xtreme thrill ride for the adolescent types. It is no longer a "family" pier like it was several years ago and under Mr. Hunt prior to 86. The big problem is that the future generations will forget about it, or not even know about the old Hunt's. Can you honestly say that this years high school graduates remember the old Hunt's Pier when the Flyer was there? I think not, they were just being born or babies at the time. Anthony of mrboardwalk site was under 10 when part of Hunt's got dismantled, he was born in 1981. I'm glad I was born in 1974 so that I could experience Hunt's and Wildwood in it's glory days. I'm sure you're glad Kristen that you were born in time to experience your grandfather's pier before he sold it. My father got to experience Hunt's before he passed away in 1986. I really enjoyed that time I spent with my father on Hunt's Pier. I will forever remember it. I can remember riding many of the rides like the Nugget, Jungleland, Pirate Ship, Keystone Kops, and the train. I rode the Nugget again when it reopened in 96 and again in 98 before it closed. It seemed different with the dino props and sounds, though. Another thing, I'm glad I got in Castle Dracula multiple times before it burned down. The boat ride was scary. I wrote the Morey's a letter about my concern over the Golden Nugget. Why does everything have to be high-tech and thrill ride today? Hunt's was so old fashioned like a traditional park. The Morey's are putting in new thrill rides like other parks like Six Flags and Dorney Park are, such as the Atmosfear, and others. Every pier except Mariner's and Sportland, and Nickels has one of those tall rides like Skycoaster, Skyscraper, etc. There seems to be zero interest in slow family rides anymore, and themed indoor rides that are a work of art. Well, except for what is already there, Dante's, Zombie World, etc. Everything is prefab today.
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Post by CondorAlex on Mar 14, 2006 23:57:44 GMT -5
Generations change Robert. I wonder if back when Hunt's Pier was built, people would go on and on about how there aren't enough Ballrooms around anymore and how they need to stop evolving and bring them back. And that's exactly what has happened to the boardwalk that seems that you can't deal with, it has evolved. I'm sure if the Flyer was built in these modern times with what people are looking for in a Wooden Coaster, it would look identical to the Great White. I am still a high-school student and I remember Hunt's Pier as it was fading out. I've been through the Whacky Shack and the Golden Nugget. Don't get me wrong, these rides are good for their times. Times change, as do technology, peoples wants, and needs. Although the Golden Nugget will live on purely for its nostalgic factor if it reopens, do you really think its going to have a major impact on the normal majority of visitors to Wildwood? Rides these days are all about putting the thrill and the fear into high gear, slow just doesn't cut it in todays high-paced world. (Even though there are still a few of them slow and easys, and Wildwood does already have some fine atractions to cater to that) For Wildwood to keep up with other major parks, thrill rides such as the one located on Hunt's are needed to keep the piers alive. Guest satisfaction is the main concern correct? The fact that you aren't even a guest makes me wonder why your opinion should even be considered. Keep your ability to remember, as the boardwalk evolves into the future. As memorable as many of Wildwoods current rides are to me, I'm sure I won't be here thirty years ahead, complaining about how they need to bring back Dante's Inferno and family/thrill rides like the Condor, as the next big thing takes over to satisfy vactioners year after year.
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Post by wildwanderer on Mar 15, 2006 19:51:49 GMT -5
Generations change Robert. I wonder if back when Hunt's Pier was built, people would go on and on about how there aren't enough Ballrooms around anymore and how they need to stop evolving and bring them back. And that's exactly what has happened to the boardwalk that seems that you can't deal with, it has evolved. I'm sure if the Flyer was built in these modern times with what people are looking for in a Wooden Coaster, it would look identical to the Great White. I am still a high-school student and I remember Hunt's Pier as it was fading out. I've been through the Whacky Shack and the Golden Nugget. Don't get me wrong, these rides are good for their times. Times change, as do technology, peoples wants, and needs. Although the Golden Nugget will live on purely for its nostalgic factor if it reopens, do you really think its going to have a major impact on the normal majority of visitors to Wildwood? Rides these days are all about putting the thrill and the fear into high gear, slow just doesn't cut it in todays high-paced world. (Even though there are still a few of them slow and easys, and Wildwood does already have some fine atractions to cater to that) For Wildwood to keep up with other major parks, thrill rides such as the one located on Hunt's are needed to keep the piers alive. Guest satisfaction is the main concern correct? The fact that you aren't even a guest makes me wonder why your opinion should even be considered. Keep your ability to remember, as the boardwalk evolves into the future. As memorable as many of Wildwoods current rides are to me, I'm sure I won't be here thirty years ahead, complaining about how they need to bring back Dante's Inferno and family/thrill rides like the Condor, as the next big thing takes over to satisfy vactioners year after year. People do change however I have to disagree with you on a couple of notes. There are parks operating all over the nation and successfully may I add with the "older" type rides. Take Knoebels for instance, they have combined old and new very well. If it wasn't in the mountains you sometimes would think your back at the shore of yesteryear. If you took a ride on their famous haunted house ride you would understand that people young and old still want to have the past in the present. Also, Hershey Park still has many of their "old ride" and they are still exciting. So don't dismiss something because of its age. You can find bliss in both worlds.
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Post by CondorAlex on Mar 15, 2006 20:25:44 GMT -5
Generations change Robert. I wonder if back when Hunt's Pier was built, people would go on and on about how there aren't enough Ballrooms around anymore and how they need to stop evolving and bring them back. And that's exactly what has happened to the boardwalk that seems that you can't deal with, it has evolved. I'm sure if the Flyer was built in these modern times with what people are looking for in a Wooden Coaster, it would look identical to the Great White. I am still a high-school student and I remember Hunt's Pier as it was fading out. I've been through the Whacky Shack and the Golden Nugget. Don't get me wrong, these rides are good for their times. Times change, as do technology, peoples wants, and needs. Although the Golden Nugget will live on purely for its nostalgic factor if it reopens, do you really think its going to have a major impact on the normal majority of visitors to Wildwood? Rides these days are all about putting the thrill and the fear into high gear, slow just doesn't cut it in todays high-paced world. (Even though there are still a few of them slow and easys, and Wildwood does already have some fine atractions to cater to that) For Wildwood to keep up with other major parks, thrill rides such as the one located on Hunt's are needed to keep the piers alive. Guest satisfaction is the main concern correct? The fact that you aren't even a guest makes me wonder why your opinion should even be considered. Keep your ability to remember, as the boardwalk evolves into the future. As memorable as many of Wildwoods current rides are to me, I'm sure I won't be here thirty years ahead, complaining about how they need to bring back Dante's Inferno and family/thrill rides like the Condor, as the next big thing takes over to satisfy vactioners year after year. People do change however I have to disagree with you on a couple of notes. There are parks operating all over the nation and successfully may I add with the "older" type rides. Take Knoebels for instance, they have combined old and new very well. If it wasn't in the mountains you sometimes would think your back at the shore of yesteryear. If you took a ride on their famous haunted house ride you would understand that people young and old still want to have the past in the present. Also, Hershey Park still has many of their "old ride" and they are still exciting. So don't dismiss something because of its age. You can find bliss in both worlds. There is absolutely nothing wrong at all with operating current existing older rides and passing on them on to the future generations, such as what is about to be done with our beloved Nugget.(Hopefully) But rebuilding exact replicas of older rides just doesn't seem like it would be successful and worth the cash. Even though Knoebel's does operate older rides that have been built years with no problem, I really don't considered that park to be a major player in the industry like Morey's Piers. Hitting it as the 17th in the Top 25 Parks in the nation with Knoebel's not even appearing on the list, going backwards and letting guard down against other parks would not be a very smart move at all. Hunt's Pier never went to bring back their old attractions after that fire back in the 40's and kept up to date with all their attractions, and I think the Morey's should as well.
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Post by Robert on Mar 17, 2006 4:11:21 GMT -5
Well, that's how it is with parks everywhere. Parks change over the years, they rip out old rides and build new ones. It happened with Dorney Park near me, under the new ownership they ripped out a bunch of the older rides except a few, and added new more thrilling rides. Most of the old rides that were removed were slower rides. And all the remaining dark rides were removed after 92-93 under the new ownership. (However they have haunted walkthroughs in October) Also Kings Dominion in Virgina is another example, they removed a bunch of older rides after Paramount took over in 93 such as the steam train, skyride (big liability, Dorney had one too) monorail, and the mountain that had a haunted boat ride and smurf ride was closed around 95 and in 98 a fast iverted coaster called Volcano was built there in the existing mountain. I rode the haunted boat ride and smurf ride, and the steam train in 93, but my next visit in 97, they were closed, and the steam train gone, new thrill ride (skycoaster type) in the former train station's spot. It seems parks are adding more thrill xtreme rides in recent years because that's where the money is. Young people are parks biggest customers, and they want thrill rides. A ride like Jungleland just won't cut it with today's young generation. The 50's/60's when these rides were built was a different time altogether. Hunt's Pier was a product of a different time and generation. I suppose that's what the new owners of Hunt's Pier were thinking in 1989 when they ripped out half the old rides for newer thrilling rides, that the old rides were showing their age and just wouldn't cut it for the generation of 1989. Oh, and the current dark rides of WW seem kind of "weak" compared with the dark rides of the past, such as Castle Dracula, Hitchcock Manor, Morey's Haunted House, Whacky Shack, Castle Frankenstein, and so on. They don't build them like they used to. Dante's is the only decent dark ride left on the piers. If the new version is any better.
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Post by wildwanderer on Mar 17, 2006 17:42:13 GMT -5
People do change however I have to disagree with you on a couple of notes. There are parks operating all over the nation and successfully may I add with the "older" type rides. Take Knoebels for instance, they have combined old and new very well. If it wasn't in the mountains you sometimes would think your back at the shore of yesteryear. If you took a ride on their famous haunted house ride you would understand that people young and old still want to have the past in the present. Also, Hershey Park still has many of their "old ride" and they are still exciting. So don't dismiss something because of its age. You can find bliss in both worlds. There is absolutely nothing wrong at all with operating current existing older rides and passing on them on to the future generations, such as what is about to be done with our beloved Nugget.(Hopefully) But rebuilding exact replicas of older rides just doesn't seem like it would be successful and worth the cash. Even though Knoebel's does operate older rides that have been built years with no problem, I really don't considered that park to be a major player in the industry like Morey's Piers. Hitting it as the 17th in the Top 25 Parks in the nation with Knoebel's not even appearing on the list, going backwards and letting guard down against other parks would not be a very smart move at all. Hunt's Pier never went to bring back their old attractions after that fire back in the 40's and kept up to date with all their attractions, and I think the Morey's should as well. Don't get me wrong I agree that the younger generation is a bit on the extreme scene when it comes to attractions. However , we had our extreme rides also. Check out "playland" on the boardwalk during the 50's and 60's. We thought that some of them were wild. I feel bad for you that you didn't get to experience Hunt's Pier in its early years. A Great pier. Memories are so fresh in my mind even though it's been forever. The rides if they were built with ingenuity and imagination which seems to be lacking today, would be spectacular including the dark rides. Listen I see and I experienced the line at Dante's Inferno last year. Talked to some youth of today and they would love to see more of these rides. So, I think it's a mixed opinion. Sorry, but I still see these rides as assets.
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Post by polarcub on Apr 21, 2006 13:57:36 GMT -5
I am so glad that I found this sight. I read the post about Hunt's Pier (and I am anxiously waiting for Kristen's website) and wanted to respond. My family had dealings with the Hunt Organization all the way back to 1958. We owned and operated the Polar Cub ice cream and The Aloha Tropical Drink stores. The worst time for the boardwalk was when Hunt's Pier and the Theaters were sold to a group that had no idea how to run them, no vision and not a clue on customer service. When Hunt's ran the pier and theaters, they were committed to the customers. Someone mentioned that if the Flyer were built today......that's the part people do not understand, The Flyer was the The Flyer and could not be built today. While I agree in theory with generations demanding more advanced rides etc., in some cases the comfort of the old is seeked out. All you need to do is look at how many organizations, websites and groups are popping up dedicated to the true memory of the Wildwood Boardwalk.
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Post by Al Alven on Apr 21, 2006 14:21:37 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum, polarcub; it's so nice to have you here! The Polar Cub and Aloha Tropical Drinks stores were definitely legendary institutions on the Boardwalk. I am also working on a Wildwood-related website, and am looking for information on and pictures of as many entities of the past as possible. Would you mind dropping me an e-mail at al@doowopisland.com, if you get the chance?
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Post by thelastresort on Apr 21, 2006 14:31:43 GMT -5
Speaking of defunct rides, someone mentioned that the Hunt's Pier log flume was dismantled and moved somewhere else. Where did it end up?? thanks in advance.
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Post by Cindy on Apr 21, 2006 14:39:37 GMT -5
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Post by Al Alven on Apr 21, 2006 14:52:41 GMT -5
Cindy, the link didn't work for me, but is the auction for a steel sign with a pirate on it... and does the seller claim that it came from the Golden Nugget and/or SKUA? (I believe it says something to the affect of "Stay out -- That means you, matey" or something like that; it's a generic sign that you can get anywhere, and certain did not come from Hunt's Pier.) If it's the seller I think it is, he's a complete joke. He's actually been selling bogus "memorabilia" (supposedly from the Wildwoods and elsewhere) for years now. I have absolutely no idea how this guy continues to get away with it. He just posts stuff up and gives it some bogus "historical" distinction to drive up the price. Trust me, this is a complete sham. Look at some of the other stuff he has for auction. He claims that his signs were used as movie props, etc. It's all just generic crap. eBay sellers like this, people who blatantly rip others off for profit, really rile me up. I honestly feel bad for anyone who bids on his stuff, with the false illusion that it is legit.
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Post by Cindy on Apr 21, 2006 15:02:28 GMT -5
Yep, Al, that's the one!
This seller claims to have items from Castle Dracula, which Anisha confirmed as fakes. I bought something from him and inquired as to how he got it. He told me "at auction". I probed a bit more, but to no avail. When I got the candlesticks that I bid on, they were absolutely filthy. I soaked them in soapy water overnight - yuk! I was the only bidder, so I wound up paying .01 (yes, that's right, A PENNY), plus s&h. He wasnt happy about it, but hey, serves him right if he is posting phony memorabilia.
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