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Post by crazyaboutwildwood on Apr 29, 2006 21:48:07 GMT -5
Here is a picture of the very 1st gravitron ever made. This is a proto type and was on moreys pier in 1983. Groovy tube socks!  |
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Post by CondorAlex on Apr 30, 2006 14:47:04 GMT -5
And a very odd looking ride at that. I wonder what it was actually like to see inside/ride it? The ride was manufactured and thought up by a guy named Walter House, who sold his patent to Wisdom years later, which is who built the 1985 Gravitron on Morey's Pier today. Wisdom is the current mass-producer of all gravitron rides, which is now marketed as Starship 2000 because of an accident that happend at a State Fair in 1991, when one of these rides actually had a panel break off at full speed, sending riders flying out onto the Midway.
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Post by crazyaboutwildwood on Apr 30, 2006 16:38:46 GMT -5
You have great knowledge on these condor. I thought this picture was on fun chase or anthonys but I could not find it on either of the sites so I thought I would post it. Maybe its me, but it seems the morey brothers did a better job then the kids at bringing in the sea serpent, the zoom phloom, the giant wheel and many other great custom rides. I could be wrong cause you know times are changing so he got his hands full. When was the last time in recent years did the moreys bring in a 1st like the gravitron or the sea serpent. ( Actually the sea serpent was 2nd in the world but when I saw this ride for the 1st time I was in disbelief! ) You dont see that anymore or do you?
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Post by CondorAlex on May 1, 2006 0:16:55 GMT -5
You have great knowledge on these condor. I thought this picture was on fun chase or anthonys but I could not find it on either of the sites so I thought I would post it. Maybe its me, but it seems the morey brothers did a better job then the kids at bringing in the sea serpent, the zoom phloom, the giant wheel and many other great custom rides. I could be wrong cause you know times are changing so he got his hands full. When was the last time in recent years did the moreys bring in a 1st like the gravitron or the sea serpent. ( Actually the sea serpent was 2nd in the world but when I saw this ride for the 1st time I was in disbelief! ) You dont see that anymore or do you? Thanks for the compliment Crazy, and I'd have to say you're absolutely right about less customs and firsts with the younger brothers. But on the contrary it is a little harder nowadays. Rides are innovating as much anymore as different designs, but as bigger/faster/taller. Due to the constraints of the piers, it really isn't possible for the Morey's to really keep up with major parks in this area which have acres up acres of land and can fit these major attractions. (Not to mention there are height limits for boardwalk attractions) This, with the other fact that the island's demographic is changing, most likely means why we haven't seen any of this and probably won't in the near future. |
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Post by crazyaboutwildwood on May 2, 2006 19:34:41 GMT -5
Here is a day shot! Check out the octopus on hunts pier!  |
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Post by Cindy on May 3, 2006 11:20:21 GMT -5
That Octopus ride was brutal! I got dizzy just looking at the pic!
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Post by wildwanderer on May 3, 2006 18:09:00 GMT -5
And a very odd looking ride at that. I wonder what it was actually like to see inside/ride it? The ride was manufactured and thought up by a guy named Walter House, who sold his patent to Wisdom years later, which is who built the 1985 Gravitron on Morey's Pier today. Wisdom is the current mass-producer of all gravitron rides, which is now marketed as Starship 2000 because of an accident that happend at a State Fair in 1991, when one of these rides actually had a panel break off at full speed, sending riders flying out onto the Midway. You can ride this at Boyertown Days which I think are in June (one weekend) last year and the last several years it has been very popular. Honestly the rides at this event are pretty old so a little reminiscent of the old WW days. My better half rides these whenever possible. It's like Hell Hole. Stand on the side facing each other and as you spin the floor drops out and you are pulled to the wall with nothing holding you. I have seen young people come off this ride and then head for the nearest trash can to dunk ones head inside. |
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Post by crazyaboutwildwood on May 3, 2006 18:58:13 GMT -5
Are you talking boyertown right here next to pottstown? If So, Who owns this ride now? This could be one of those lost and found stories for like funchase or someone else.
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Post by hulk007 on May 4, 2006 22:12:16 GMT -5
Hell hole was the original"spin you and pin you" ride and that was on sportland a good 5 to 10 years before the first gravatron.
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Post by CondorAlex on May 5, 2006 14:20:42 GMT -5
And a very odd looking ride at that. I wonder what it was actually like to see inside/ride it? The ride was manufactured and thought up by a guy named Walter House, who sold his patent to Wisdom years later, which is who built the 1985 Gravitron on Morey's Pier today. Wisdom is the current mass-producer of all gravitron rides, which is now marketed as Starship 2000 because of an accident that happend at a State Fair in 1991, when one of these rides actually had a panel break off at full speed, sending riders flying out onto the Midway. You can ride this at Boyertown Days which I think are in June (one weekend) last year and the last several years it has been very popular. Honestly the rides at this event are pretty old so a little reminiscent of the old WW days. My better half rides these whenever possible. It's like Hell Hole. Stand on the side facing each other and as you spin the floor drops out and you are pulled to the wall with nothing holding you. I have seen young people come off this ride and then head for the nearest trash can to dunk ones head inside. Are you talking about the actual Gravitron ride, or the prototype? (I don't see how anyone could have a prototype amusement still in operation.) |
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Post by wildwanderer on May 5, 2006 20:33:37 GMT -5
Are you talking boyertown right here next to pottstown? If So, Who owns this ride now? This could be one of those lost and found stories for like funchase or someone else. The actual ride isn't the same one but it absolutely looks the same. You get the feel at the"days" because of the older rides. |
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Post by crazyaboutwildwood on May 13, 2006 21:33:57 GMT -5
I agree darkrideguy. Freddy Mahana was a genius! I miss that old part of wildwood. Times change.
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Post by Al Alven on May 13, 2006 21:48:28 GMT -5
Fred Mahana came around at a time when his genius and willingness to be bold and different were respected.
It's a shame, but the "corporate" or "low risk" mentality rules in the business world today.
Who knows when the "next one" will come along to help break the mold...
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Post by hulk007 on May 14, 2006 22:40:29 GMT -5
I was one of the lucky ones that actually rode the great Planet of the Apes ride as well as most of the awesome Mahana projects. He was a genius. We need more of these types of rides now in modern day Wildwood. And the show at the Theater of Blood scared the crap out of me. When the girl changed into a gorilla and then the gorilla broke out of the cage and chased the audience out of the theater and onto the boardwalk will be one of my most scariest memories about Wildwood. That and seeing Fay Wray kicking her legs in Kongs hands so high above Moreys Pier late on a July night was incredible. Those images will stay with me forever. And the Moreys Pier Haunted House and Castle Dracula in its heyday are treasured and fond memories of my childhood. |
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Post by hulk007 on May 14, 2006 22:43:13 GMT -5
That whole gorilla breaking out of the cage thing must be from the early 1970's. The same thing you speak of was in the 1971 007 film "Diamonds Are Forever."Was there a mad scientist who did the transformation?
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