originally posted on 9/1/2023
All Photos: Linda Weisenstein. View full-sized image.
What is better than roller coasters? Some may argue roller coasters with views of the ocean. Surf, sand and roller coasters make for one spectacular weekend, as has been tradition in Wildwood, New Jersey, for years. On August 12 and 13, 2023, ACE members joined other coaster enthusiast groups at the annual Coastin’ by the Ocean event held at Morey’s Piers.
The event started with attendees receiving a Morey’s Piers string bag, rain poncho (thankfully not needed, as the weather was sunny and warm) and $40 gift card along with event wristbands and lanyard. Unlimited soft drinks, rides, water park admissions and discounts on food and merchandise on all three of Morey’s Piers were provided during the two-day event.
The first ERT of the event included an opportunity for many rides on The Great Nor’easter — Morey’s Pier’s 1995 Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster that has received new trains and steel track to improve the ride experience.
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Morning ERT kicked off the first day with a full two and a half hours of rides on Surfside Pier. This pier is packed with unique and nostalgic favorites including three roller coasters — Doo Wopper, Runaway Tram and The Great Nor’easter. The last is one of the first Vekoma Suspended Looping Coasters, whose layout dictated the much-copied layout of similar coasters in other parks. It offers fabulous views of the ocean at the top of the 115-foot lift hill, but the sights begin to blur as this incredibly smooth coaster takes riders through five inversions at 50 mph. Runaway Tram is a fun family coaster and Morey’s most recent installation. Themed to Wildwood’s famous boardwalk tram cars, riders are treated to a recording of “Watch the tram car, please” as the train passes through the loading station for a second lap. Other rides available during ERT included AtmosFear and the Dante’s Dungeon dark ride, where a live ghoul provided extra scares for riders. A highlight of the morning ERT was the opportunity to ride the Zoom Phloom for an hour of splashing good fun. Zoom Phloom features two drops and a journey under the boardwalk.
Also included in Saturday morning’s ERT was time on Dante’s Dungeon — a once-portable dark ride that has been improved with numerous updates including a bear from the former Hunt’s Pier Golden Nugget.
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Following ERT, attendees had the option to spend the afternoon riding on the piers, enjoying one of Morey’s Piers’ two large waterparks or spending their Morey’s Piers discounts and gift cards on classic New Jersey shore eats, such as Curley’s Fries. Some attendees also ventured onto Wildwood’s famously wide beaches for some fun in the sun.
Throughout the event, attendees had time to enjoy numerous Wildwood staples such as Curley’s Fries and the boardwalk tram cars.
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Saturday evening included a large picnic dinner on Mariner’s Pier consisting of all-you-can-eat barbecue ribs and chicken, cheeseburgers with all the fixings, baked beans, pasta and garden salads, and a selection of soft drinks, beers and wines (the last two requiring cash). Dessert featured a variety of ice cream treats including cookie and brownie ice cream sandwiches. Following the dinner, many attendees dared to brave the famous Ghost Ship haunted attraction. Ghost Ship is strikingly themed, and the ghouls, animatronics and other scary scenes did not disappoint. The attraction had been closed since 2020, so many reveled in the opportunity to enjoy it once again.
A Saturday evening dinner overlooking Wildwood’s expansive beach was staffed by Morey’s Pier’s exceedingly friendly staff.
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The highlight of the first day was the midnight ERT on Great White, Adventure Pier’s 1996 Custom Coasters International wood coaster. Attendees who stayed awake enjoyed 90 minutes of ride time under moonlit vistas of the beach and the ocean waves. Both the blue and red Philadelphia Toboggan Company trains held plenty of enthusiastic riders until 1:30 a.m. when sleep-deprived enthusiasts and employees were forced to bring the fun to an end. The cheers at the end of ERT could be heard for quite a distance — a reminder of Coastin’ by the Ocean offering one of the best ERT sessions in the hobby.
Wildwood’s boardwalk and Morey’s Pier’s three amusement centers come alive in a blaze of lights when the sun goes down, and the day ended with an hour and a half of Great White ERT in complete darkness.
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The second day of the event started at 11 a.m. with an hour of ERT on Mariner’s Pier featuring its lovingly maintained Sea Serpent. The Vekoma Boomerang sends riders through three inversions, both forward and backward. The pier also boasts Rollie’s Coaster, a Pinfari Zyklon, and Wild Whizzer, an SBF Spinning Coaster.
At noon, ERT moved to Adventure Pier for two solid hours of additional ERT on Great White as well as its collection of extreme rides typically costing riders additional money. In the Sunday afternoon sunshine, attendees braved Springshot, Skyscraper, Skycoaster and Screamin’ Swing. Meanwhile, Grand Prix Raceway was available for those who preferred to keep their feet grounded. This lengthy, extreme-ride ERT is unique to this event and really ramps up the intensity of Coastin’ by the Ocean.
This annual event held by Morey’s Piers is an incredible value for all the fun and thrills included in the two-day package in gorgeous Wildwood, New Jersey. It is one that many look forward to every summer, and ACE members appreciate the planning and attention required of Morey’s Piers’ staff. No doubt many are already looking forward to Coastin’ by the Ocean in 2024!
— Sharon Galitsky
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