larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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 7/2/2004 12:24:00 AM
Based on a comment by Cyclonic I took it upon myself to see if I could ride every (non-kiddie)coaster on the Jersey Shore in one day. For those unfamiliar with the Jersey Shore, there are ten amusement piers of varying size scattered over over 6 cities within 120 miles of each other. So on Saturday 6/26 I got up early and drove south.
My plan was to be at the southernmost part of New Jersey before noon to hit Morey's Piers first. I was running a little behind and arrived at Morey's Piers around 12:15. Morey's Piers is actually three seperate piers with the northernmnost about 3/4 mile from the southernmost. Parking was $5.50 at a parking lot until 4PM. That gave me 3 1/2 hours. I walked to the northernmost pier (25th Avenue Pier). Since I wanted to hit all the coasters and some flats I bought an all day wristband for $39, much more economically than paying by the ride even though I'll only by there for less than 4 hours. I ride Great Nor'Easter first, three rides. This is a very good, two across, invert in a very compact area. It's situated at the end of a pier over a lazy river, around a water slide, through a log flume and over the Break Dance. You really can't see where you're going unless in the front row. Then went on Break Dance (not as good as Astroland). Dante's Inferno (dark ride) and then The Flitzer (coaster). I was a little upset that RC-48 was closed (as I wanted to pile on the new coasters) and Condor was also closed. I got a lemonade (very good) and a pepperoni pizza pretzel for the walk down to the middle pier (Schellenger Avenue Pier).
At Schellenger Avenue Pier I got on Fireball first (A looping closed circuit ride). Then Rollies Coaster, a wild mouse that pathethically has OTSRs. Then a new dark boat ride called The Pirates of Wildwood with 3D glasses. I nioe non scary ride that kids will enjoy. Next up Sea Serpent (Boomerang Coaster), followed my Malestrom (a wicked fun flat ride). I decided to ride the Spinning Tea Cups before leaving for the next pier. THESE ARE THE BEST SPINNING TEA CUPS, NO JOKE. The wheel is so well lubricated you can spinning these things like crazy, I was stumbling like a drunk when I got off this ride.
Then on to the southernmost pier (Spencer Avenue Pier). I decided to go on Jersey Junkyard just because it is one of the lowest rated rides on TPC. It deserves its low rating. Next up I went on The Doo Wopper which is the best themed Wild Mouse (like a 50's drive thru) I've ever been on, but the ride wasn't great. I saved the best coaster Great White for last. Its a woodie built on a steel frame sitting one the end of the pier. They say there is one one other woodie built on a steel frame in the world, I don't know what the other one is. Great White is a wondeful coaster considering the challenges of putting a coaster on a pier (FYI - The Cyclone at Coney Island is not actually on the pier/boardwalk). I rode it four times and it was fun every time, of course the back was the best for airtime and lateral g's. I got back to my car about 3:45 and decided to drive back to the northern pier to check is RC-48 was open yet. I got a quick ride in on RC-48 and also Condor which was now open. Next stop 40 minutes away in Ocean City, NJ to hit Playland Castaway Cove and Gillian's Wonderland. Both very small parks.
Playland Castaway Cove - I got a spot on the street with no meter and two blocks away. I checked out the rides and decided to ride only the three coasters and the fun house so I bought the exact number of tickets I needed for $12. I went to the walk through TV Playhouse first. A very small funhouse with all the old school tricks: spinning barrel, moving floor boards, spinning disks on the floor, moving stairs. Too small a fun house. Then I rode the three coasters Crazy Mouse, Python (very painful) and Flitzer. After that I made the quick 5 minute walk up the boardwalk to Gillian's Wonderland for a quick ride on City Jet Coaster which
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Cyclonic
Posts: 2636
Registered: 7/19/2002
Rank: Experiment 626
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7/2/2004 7:19:00 AM
Nice report, and it is nice to actually walk away from the casino with extra money in hand.
The sign on the Great White was not acurate, even at the time. The Great Escape Comet and the Camden Park Lil' Dipper are both totally steel structured, and were both running at the time. THE Cyclone has a composite structute, and the nieghboring Thunderbolt was still standing, but not operating.
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bb_dg
Posts: 3568
Registered: 7/31/2001
Rank: Site Moderator
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7/2/2004 9:56:00 AM
wow, thats an interesting challenge that i might have to attempt myself some day. good thing for me is i cant gamble (legally) so i wouldnt get caught up in AC 
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Cyclonic
Posts: 2636
Registered: 7/19/2002
Rank: Experiment 626
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7/2/2004 8:33:00 PM
I have not done it myself, but I have friends who have. I may try it for the ACE event at Moreys. bb_dg, I found out that is going to be on August 14th.
BTW Larry, what games do you play?
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MovieCoast
Posts: 1359
Registered: 1/1/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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7/3/2004 9:08:00 PM
Nice TR! Sounds like an interesting day. Cyclonic is right, there are tons of woodies with steel structures. CCI, in fact, has a few with steel structures as well such as Mega Zeph and Villian.
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bb_dg
Posts: 3568
Registered: 7/31/2001
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7/3/2004 9:33:00 PM
Quote:
Cyclonic said:
I have not done it myself, but I have friends who have. I may try it for the ACE event at Moreys. bb_dg, I found out that is going to be on August 14th. |
o nice, two days after my birthday. i went last year (lost my wallet on great white but got it back luckily) and had fun but i dont think i could spend a full day there as i couldnt even the first time i went. the trip larry did would probably work great on that day. plus with morning ERT, it would allow more time for other parks. ill have to consider it although i doubt anyone in my family would want to do it.
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Cyclonic
Posts: 2636
Registered: 7/19/2002
Rank: Experiment 626
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7/3/2004 10:57:00 PM
Well, I typically have an extra seat in my car, so the invitation is open if you are interested.
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bb_dg
Posts: 3568
Registered: 7/31/2001
Rank: Site Moderator
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7/3/2004 11:25:00 PM
ill have to see. its too far in advance for me to even think about august now though
<-- 3333rd post 
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yfz450
Posts: 1743
Registered: 3/13/2004
Rank: Platinum Critic
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7/4/2004 12:20:00 AM
one other one is excaliber at valleyfair
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Cyclonic
Posts: 2636
Registered: 7/19/2002
Rank: Experiment 626
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7/4/2004 11:25:00 AM
Excaliber is a steel coaster witha wooden frame. What he is talking about is a wooden coaster with a steel frame, which was rare at the time of Great White's construction, but has become more common in recent years, as CCI and now S&S seem to be pretty fond of the construction techneque.
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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7/6/2004 12:24:00 AM
Quote:
Cyclonic said:
I have not done it myself, but I have friends who have. I may try it for the ACE event at Moreys. bb_dg, I found out that is going to be on August 14th.
BTW Larry, what games do you play? |
Craps, Pai Pow Poker, Blackjack - I just logged in after getting back from my Carowinds, PKD, BGW trip. I was going to take your advice with route 301 on the way back but there was a big accident on 301
Message updated 7/6/2004 12:27:00 AM by larrygator
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larrygator
Posts: 4654
Registered: 11/7/2002
Rank: Platinum Critic
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7/17/2004 1:11:00 AM
FYI - I finished the trip yesterday Friday. I started at Great Adventure for 3 1/2 hours before driving east the Seaside Heights (Funtown and Casino Piers), then Jenkinson's Pier and Point Pleasant and lastly Keansburg. I won't go into much detail because there wasn't many highlights, but in a nutshell if you are down the Jersey shore you must hit the following rides:
Funtown Pier - Haunted Mansion
Casino Pier - Stillwalk Manor
Jenkinson's Pier - Fun House
Keansburg - Scooters
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