|
Post by Al Alven on Apr 19, 2006 14:42:51 GMT -5
This has probably been discussed elsewhere on the forum by this point, but for those who haven’t heard about it yet, I figured I’d post this here… Yes, sadly, it has been announced that this will be the final season of operation for the famous Giant Slide (formerly called the “Wipeout”), the ride that essentially put the Moreys on the map back in 1969, and served as the base for the amusement empire they would go on to build. The ride will be dismantled after the 2006 season as part of a complete revamp of the northwest area of Surfside Pier. New development will include the seafood restaurant that was originally being planned for the upcoming season. More info on this can be found here, in a 10-question interview with Will Morey done by Wildwood Leader editor Rob Seitzinger (thanks to wildre for originally posting this): www.thewildwoodleader.com/pages_b/page2_04.htmThoughts?
|
|
|
Post by thelastresort on Apr 19, 2006 14:58:02 GMT -5
those b@stards. yes, let's put up another water park! whoopeedooo, how original. or pehaps another go kart track to rot and stink up the pier with exhaust like on Hunt's pier. jack offs.
Bring back the Skua!!!
|
|
|
Post by Al Alven on Apr 19, 2006 16:12:34 GMT -5
Don't get me wrong, I do have mixed feelings about this proposed "upscale" restaurant being opened on one of the amusement piers.
And, I will be very, very sad to see the Giant Slide go.
However, I think anyone would have to admit that the Moreys (and the Wildwoods in general) got a hell of a lot more mileage out of a fairly basic fiberglass slide than anyone could have possibly predicted.
I won't go as far as to say that the former "Wipeout" has outlived its usefulness, because it probably could have years and years of operation left in it, if that is what the Moreys desired.
However, I think it has survived far longer than anyone would have thought it would, and, given the amount of space it takes up, can certainly understand the Moreys' decision to remove it.
My only hope is that they can somehow find a way to dismantle the ride without destroying it, so that, perhaps, it can pop up elsewhere and remain in operation (ala the old Hunt's Log Flume and the Kamikaze).
|
|
|
Post by thelastresort on Apr 19, 2006 16:33:09 GMT -5
Curious, where did the Log Flume and Kamikaze end up? I never knew that, figured they just got trashed.
And believe me, I thought the giant slide was just "ok" and I have no special allegiance to it, but I guess my point is where else in Jersey, PA, Del, NY are there any of those left? there are tons of water slides around, but the only place I know that has a big slide is Wildwood.
I really really (really) miss the old rides, if not for myself, then for my kids. The Skua, Safari, Gold Nugget, Keystone Kops, Log Flume, man, in the early 1970's, Hunt's Pier was heaven to a kid, and still could be today. Tragic.
|
|
|
Post by homer on Apr 19, 2006 16:48:57 GMT -5
Sadly, I think that Americans have gotten too fat and lazy to climb the steps for this thrill ride. I doubt we'll see it anywhere again. Actually, it probably has more to do with our "video-game", "sit-down-and-be-thrilled" mentality. I can't name any other ride on the WW boards where the rider has to provide the potential energy for the ride...
I always loved the Wipeout. (I didn't realize it was not named the Wipeout any more.) My kids will definitely ride it every time we go to Morey's this summer...even if I am huffing and puffing at the top.
|
|
|
Post by wildre on Apr 19, 2006 16:57:46 GMT -5
Will Morey said in the article that "the slide can't be operated in accordance with today's risk management standards, and it now doesn't have the appeal it once did" So I guess in today's lazy "sue me" world, it's a liability.
|
|
|
Post by FlyinGN on Apr 19, 2006 19:06:07 GMT -5
I agree with homer and re. Thats why its comming down. Truth be told its not that popular.. We like it but there is never a line to use it.. Like it used to be in the past. Its a shame but i think its time has come.. We will be sure to ride it one more time this summer
|
|
|
Post by wildwanderer on Apr 19, 2006 19:31:40 GMT -5
Went down the "Wipeout" many times as a teenager. Watched as friends would loose their "carpets" (of course on purpose) and take a flying leap... those days will be gone soon. I am definately going down it this year. For ole times sake.
|
|
|
Post by MMM on Apr 19, 2006 19:52:57 GMT -5
Will Morey said in the article that "the slide can't be operated in accordance with today's risk management standards, and it now doesn't have the appeal it once did" So I guess in today's lazy "sue me" world, it's a liability. Sad - insurance seems to have put the nail in the coffin. I was going to first say why don't they reassemble it on "Adventure Pier" when I first started reading this thread, but now I see that won't do any good...
|
|
|
Post by JerseyDigger29 on Apr 19, 2006 20:23:21 GMT -5
I always wondered how the insurance industry determines what is too much of a liability risk and what isn't. Maybe it has to do with whether a rider is protected or locked into a ride versus something like the slide where they are not protected and must ride at their own risk or something. Maybe sliding down the Wipeout is too much of an injury liability. I remember the last time I went down it - many, many years ago. The darn thing was so slippery on this one night I hit one of the hills and was launched about 4 feet off the slide. When I came down, my body was turned completely around and I landed so hard on my butt I limped for a short while. But I had fun!! Has anyone every heard injury stats for this kind of a ride? I'd bet they can be pretty high - compared to the rides where you are protected by seat-belts or lock bars, etc. Thom
|
|
|
Post by crazyaboutwildwood on Apr 19, 2006 22:55:58 GMT -5
The last time i went on it i was scared to death! I think I must have launched 3 feet in the air going over the humps. I was banged up for awhile after that. I Didnt think much of it. I thought that I was just getting old.
|
|
|
Post by Robert on Apr 20, 2006 2:29:02 GMT -5
What's up with all this "insurance" crap? Pretty soon they will be telling us that it's unfeasible to reopen the Golden Nugget because of the potential liability of of it breaking down or falling apart. Wildwood seems to be going the route of Dorney Park. Tear down anything unsafe, and with high risk, remember today's "sue-happy" society. And, fat, ugly, technology driven (everyone has cell phones, plays video games) It's a different world than the 70's. Next they will be tearing down the dark rides claiming they're a big liablilty and scare too many kids and Christian fundamentalists. I'm sure Wilbert Morey is turning in his grave now. This is the ride that started Morey's Pier. How dare can they change the name back to Morey's Surfside Pier when they are removing the very thing that symbolized Surfside Pier? I guess the rides of the 60's, etc. are considered "too outdated", "passe`","lost their appeal", and are high risk in today's 21st century world where every ride must be a high tech, computer driven thrill ride. Now I see why Hunt's tore most of their rides down in 89, it was because the owner felt that Flyer, Jungleland, Pirate Ship, etc., were too outdated and lost their appeal over the years and the public, especially teens wanted something new. Something like Jungleland would bore today's thrill hungry young people, much like the 50's 60's music would bore today's youth hooked on rap and modern rock, etc.
|
|
|
Post by CondorAlex on Apr 20, 2006 6:02:47 GMT -5
Something like Jungleland would bore today's thrill hungry young people, much like the 50's 60's music would bore today's youth hooked on rap and modern rock, etc. That's not necessarily true. I myself love all kinds of music, and feel that if something like Jungleland was built again with new technoledgy, it would work just fine. Look at the Jurassic Park ride at Universal, same concept, but with wild animals.
|
|
|
Post by luvoldtimeww on Apr 20, 2006 8:26:14 GMT -5
Sigh...Just another piece of my past memeories to be gone. I have to admit that it lasted a really long time for such a simple ride. I'll have to make sure I get plenty of pictures this summer.
|
|
|
Post by Cindy on Apr 20, 2006 13:57:45 GMT -5
Lots of pictures and one final ride this summer Like Homer, I still thought the slide was called the Wipeout. When did that change?
|
|