Morey's Piers facts for kids
| Previously known as Wilbert Morey, Bill Morey | |
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| Location | 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood & North Wildwood, New Jersey, U.S. |
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| Coordinates | 38°59′08″N 74°48′34″W / 38.98557°N 74.80932°W |
| Status | open |
| Opened | 1969 |
| Owner | Wilbert Morey II |
| Slogan | America's Boardwalk |
| Operating season | April – October (rides and piers) May – September (waterparks) |
Morey's Piers & Beachfront Waterparks is a huge seaside amusement park on the boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey. It's been owned and run by the Morey family since it first opened in 1969.
The park is spread across three different piers and has two big water parks right on the beach. In total, there are more than 100 rides and attractions for visitors to enjoy.
Contents
The Three Piers
Morey's is so big that it's split into three main sections, called piers, that stick out over the ocean. Each pier has its own unique feel and collection of rides.
Surfside Pier
Surfside Pier, found at 25th Avenue, was the very first part of the park. It opened in 1969 with just one ride: a giant slide that you could ride for 25 cents!
Today, Surfside Pier is home to some of the park's most exciting rides. You can cool off on the Zoom Phloom, a classic log flume ride with big splashes. For thrill-seekers, there's AtmosFEAR, a tower that drops you from high in the sky.
The biggest attraction here is The Great Nor'easter, a steel roller coaster that twists and turns with your feet dangling in the air. In 2017, the ride was updated with a new track to make it smoother and even more fun. Another popular ride is the Runaway Tram, a family-friendly coaster designed to look like the famous Wildwood Sightseer Tramcar.
Mariner's Pier
Mariner's Pier is like a classic amusement park. It's filled with timeless rides that people have loved for generations. Some of the most popular rides include the Super Scooters (bumper cars), the spinning Teacups, and the Musik Express.
The most famous ride on this pier is the Giant Wheel. This huge Ferris wheel stands 156 feet tall and gives riders an amazing view of the beach and the ocean. It was built in 1985. On some summer mornings, you can even have breakfast on the wheel!
Another major ride is the Sea Serpent. This roller coaster, which opened in 1984, was the first of its kind in the United States. It pulls riders backward up a tall hill, sends them flying through two loops, and then does the whole thing again in reverse!
Adventure Pier
Adventure Pier is for visitors who love big thrills and fast rides. The star of this pier is The Great White, a wooden roller coaster that races and rumbles along the pier.
Other high-thrill attractions include the Skyscraper, which spins riders around on a giant propeller-like arm high above the ground. You can also try the Spring Shot, a ride that launches you straight up into the air like a slingshot. For those who like racing, the Grand Prix Raceway lets you drive your own go-kart.
Beachfront Water Parks
If you need to cool down on a hot summer day, Morey's has two water parks located right on the sand.
Ocean Oasis Water Park + Beach Club
Located behind Surfside Pier, Ocean Oasis is a tropical-themed water park. It has many water slides, a lazy river for relaxing, and special areas just for kids. Adults can enjoy a hot tub that even has a swim-up bar.
Raging Waters Water Park
Raging Waters is found behind Mariner's Pier. This water park is great for families and has two play areas for younger children called Shipwreck Shoals and Camp KidTastrophe. It also features fast speed slides, a lazy river, and an activity pool filled with fun challenges.
History of the Park
In 1969, two brothers, Bill and Will Morey Sr., bought some land on the boardwalk in North Wildwood. They opened their first pier, which they called Morey's Pier, with a single giant slide. Over the years, they kept adding more rides and attractions.
In 1976, the Morey brothers bought a second, fire-damaged pier and rebuilt it. This became Mariner's Pier. They added the famous Sea Serpent roller coaster in 1984. The water parks were added in the mid-1980s, starting with Raging Waters.
The park continued to grow, and the family bought more piers, like Fun Pier, which they renamed Adventure Pier. They added The Great White wooden coaster in 1996. Over the decades, the Morey family has worked to keep the park exciting by adding new rides and updating old favorites.
Safety at the Park
Morey's Piers works hard to make sure all its rides are safe for guests. The park has learned from past events and made important changes to protect everyone.
- After a sad accident in 2011 on the Giant Wheel, the park created a new rule that guests cannot ride alone in a gondola. This helps make sure everyone stays safely inside.
- On the Zoom Phloom, guests are also not allowed to ride by themselves. This rule was made after a child was injured in 2010.
- In 1995, an employee was tragically killed near The Great Nor'easter. Since then, the park has created strict safety zones to keep people away from moving rides.
- The Sea Serpent and Sea Dragon rides also had incidents that led to improvements. After the Sea Serpent had a problem in 1998, safety checks were improved. When the Sea Dragon's mast broke in 2011, the park replaced the entire ride with a new one called Riptide to ensure guest safety.
These rules and updates show the park's commitment to making a fun and safe experience for every visitor.
Images for kids
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The Giant Wheel lights up the boardwalk at night.
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