Remembering Hunts Pier in Wildwood, Nj

[@cathylingo9521]

I too stayed in a boarding house as a kid. It was on Magnolia (Mrs. Kliznicks boarding house. One toilet/sink per floor. Had to share with other families. Showers were outside. Three or four beds in each room. The best front porches with rocking chairs. Would sit out there and watch everyone coming off the boards at night. And of course ate dinner at Groffs every night since it was only two blocks away.

[@billdaddario8800]

Thanks for the Hunts Pier memories. It was the best of times. 🤗

[@Mikey_Heels]

Yes it was!

[@Gamesso1slOo0l]

I worked there in the early 80s, Vince ran everything and he and his wife were great. Worked a bunch of the rides there including the mine ride

[@Mikey_Heels]

Were workers only posted at the entrance to the MINE RIDE?

[@sarablanford1507]

This was a great video! Thank you for sharing the memories of Hunt’s Pier. I lived on that pier as a child and every year I visit Wildwood, I try to remember where each ride was on the pier. This video gave me exactly that visual memory. Thank you again!

[@Mikey_Heels]

Glad you enjoyed it! People ask "what would you do if you hit the lottery?" I'd bring back HUNTS PIER ❤❤❤❤

[@sarablanford1507]

That would be so awesome!

[@flyacow]

I definitely remember. I was always going to Stone harbor. I was born nineteen seventy. I definitely remember all the stuff. I'm ever going down there in the early nineties and being on dancing u s a network..

[@Mikey_Heels]

Watched the heck out of DANCIN ON AIR 8n the mid 80s😊

[@bobbyprince2573]

I was born in '64 & lived just outside of Wildwood. I remember Hunt's Pier as a kid & teenager. Best of times...

[@kylelopez629]

Nice I wish I go their

[@kathrynkathryn5493]

'64 baby too. We drove down from North NJ every summer for an entire week. What beautiful memories.

[@PECOSO0]

I went to grade school with one of the Hunt's granddaughters, Her family got us on all the rides at the Pier. Ahhh the memories

[@Mikey_Heels]

Yes!!!!!

[@carldebartolo6727]

Hunts pier was the best. Wildwood is still the best

[@chickfinnegan8969]

Hunts was the best!

[@barbarapetrzilka8381]

The Flyer was my first coaster! I loved the Mine Train ride, too. Now, do you remember the larger wooden coaster that was on the street side, and the Tunnel of Love that went under it with the boats that looked like Ducks??

[@Mikey_Heels]

Is that the rollercoaster that ran along schellinger ave? Then yes!! It inevitably sat next to dracula's castle and I wonder if the castle used the tunnel of love track for their dungeon ride?

[@ElleCee62978]

@@Mikey_HeelsI think she means The Jack Rabbit, later Screem Machine. And yeah, she’s definitely talking about the Castle Dracula Dungeon ride.

[@Gottagogottafly]

Anyone else remember the zipper...I love wildwood so much, it's still my playground!

[@Mikey_Heels]

Didn't that go upside down?

[@ElleCee62978]

Was that a cage ride? I think that was on Morey’s Pier. Hunt’s used to have a Ranger which looked like a banana to me.

[@gyges5495]

The best rides were the Hell Hole and after that Castle Dracula

[@Mikey_Heels]

Not bad!!! I'm a proud castle dracula alumni😊😊😊

[@ElleCee62978]

Keystone Cops was next to the Carousel, then it was the Tip Top, then the Golden Nugget.

[@rick3747]

I have a pix of me I think on Hunt's pier on a kiddie coaster in 1972ish. I want to know more about it. I would post it on a forum if anyone can suggest one.

[@Mikey_Heels]

Maybe someone scrolling through the comments can help!!!

[@davidhibbs6989]

I worked at hunts Pier the summer of 80' at age 18 and Morey wanted to buy hunts out many times. And like the family always said he just wants to shut us down! Isn't it strange that after he got his hands on hunts Pier he shut everything down and made an excuse that everything was to old to fix up and oh what a shame it was to have to close it down. Yeah sure.

[@Mikey_Heels]

Sounds about right!!! I was hoping when Pat Croce owned it we were gonna see something.

[@kathrynkathryn5493]

I don't know.....something happened to him.....family???? Who knows. But when it went South.....it went South. It was all so abandoned. Heart breaking

[@paulg845]

Thanks for the video. My family started coming to Wildwood in '61 or '62 every year for 4 years straight. Hunts pier and macks pizza ($0.29 per "cut") were the highlights Of the week. Nothing could compare to Hunts pier. In 1961 it was the East Coast's Disneyland. Disneyland had just opened in '55 and you saw it on TV and in ViewMaster reels. The Jungleland ride on Hunt's pier looked exactly like the jungle cruise in Disneyland. In '61, Disney world was 10 years from opening. Hunts pier was a east coast child's wonderland at that time. Back then, that rapids ride at the end of the pier did not exist yet.... I don't remember that at all. Hunts pier ended At the golden nugget mine ride.

[@Mikey_Heels]

Rapids ride was definitely a late arrival!!!

[@ElleCee62978]

Mid 80s, I think for Rattlesnake Rapids. Right before the pier changed hands. I only rode it once and I became addicted to it.

[@Anita3kidsS.]

All of my favorites that I grew up with in the 1970’s. Sad

[@Mikey_Heels]

Sad to me they never put any effort into making a pier there again.

[@priscilla7397]

I grew up in Wildwood on East Baker Ave. The late 1950s, 1960s was the heyday era in Wildwood, NJ. I was on the boardwalk every night. Hunts Pier was my favorite it was the best amusement pier. The tramcar was 10 cents one way. Celebrities enjoyed the rides as well. I worked for Mr William Hunt one summer in mid 60s. Very nice gentleman. He also owned the movie theaters. Ocean Theater was located across from Hunt's Pier. It was an elegant theater and reservations only. Mr Hunt was a close friend to Walt Disney who visit Wildwood. In the fall of late 1950s, the original Mickey Mouse club came to Wildwood. My sister and I went to the Shore Theater while waiting for the matinee to start, Bud walked out on the stage and told the audience he had a surprise. Bud introduced the Mickey Mouse Club. We were given Mouse ear hats and sang along with the club that included Annette Funicello. This event was so secret that the Wildwood Leader was not notified. So there wasn't any news. After the sing along, they boarded the bus and left Wildwood. I loved living in Wildwood during the heyday. The motels were absolutely beautiful.

[@Mikey_Heels]

Awesome, thanks for sharing!!!

[@kennethsulzen7694]

I went to Wildwood in 1961 l was 10. To me it was a special place. It was magic, always think about it.

[@StephenTrunkwalter]

great memories-the golden nugget was the best

[@disneygrl06]

Love this video. Keystone and Golden Nugget were my favorite as a kid!

[@johnchambers8528]

Thanks for the memories of Hunts pier. My sister and I always liked Hunts pier the best compared to the other amusement piers in Wildwood. It was the newest of all the piers and had the newest rides. You could tell it was newer since it had a concrete base compared to the wood of the older piers. One of my best memories of Hunts was it got me over my fear of riding wooden roller coasters. I had a bad experience ridding my first wood coaster and avoided them since. My sister asked me if I would ride the Flyer with her and I agreed. I actually enjoyed that first ride on the Flyer and it got me to ride other wooden coasters later. As an adult I have ridden many wooden coasters across the country. You mentioned the old mine ride was relocated to Kneoble’s Amusement park in Pennsylvania. The mine ride at Hunts was one of our favorite rides on Hunts pier. I have ridden the relocated mine ride that was redone as a coal mine. Kneoble’s is near old coal mines in PA so it made sense to re do it that way. The only real change was it is now a completely inside dark ride to simulate being in a coal mine. I t is a good first roller coaster type ride since there are some small drops along the ride inside the mine. However it is relatively mild so the whole family can enjoy riding it. We also liked the old Jungle boat ride that Hunts had that was similar to what Disney had just shorter a ride but did have the motion type animals and the boat captain giving narration during the ride. Their other variety of rides made them the best pier on the boardwalk.

[@thisismeoriginal1537]

Thanks for a great video and a trip back in time. Hunts Pier was my favorite pier. I can’t wait to be back in Wildwood in a couple weeks.

[@Mikey_Heels]

Glad you liked it. Ill never forget that pier!!!

[@glenndougherty6625]

How about doing a video on the other pier that was my favorite Sportland Pier and the aqua show that was across from it?

[@Mikey_Heels]

I remember sportland and the aqua show(but never saw it) ill be down there next week... let me see what I can do!!!

[@patrickreichert1442]

new sub here! Lovin your content!

[@Mikey_Heels]

Welcome aboard!

[@ericbitzer5247]

I went to Wildwood probably from 1972 to the early to mid 90s. I haven't been there in so long that I had no idea Hunt's pier was gone. That really makes me sad. I had some of the best times of my childhood on that pier. I remember Keystone Kops when I was little and Golden Nugget. The Log Flume etc.

[@Mikey_Heels]

Yeah, we were all so fortunate to have that experience. They dont make it like that anymore

[@Gamesso1slOo0l]

I also worked on the roaring rapids, it was 1985 when it was built, I helped put together the rafts, and we had to test them, so me and the guys and worked with were the first to ever ride on it. We went around and around for a long time checking for leaks etc

[@Mikey_Heels]

Crazy seeing whats left there of it!!!

[@johnstanowski9489]

The Pirate Ship was really more of a fun house, wasn't it? Also, that a Dougherty hat? Class of '86 here.

[@Mikey_Heels]

The pirate ship back in the 70s-80s was a dark ride. Yoooooo... class of 84 buddy!!!!

[@kathrynkathryn5493]

@@Mikey_Heels Mikey you know me, I'm never, ever going to steer you wrong. Get this......Did you know that the Pirate Ship used to be an indoor mini golf? They actually had 2 different courses......one went upstairs and the other downstairs. Just a small FYI. - Cheers K

[@cliffordbodine5834]

Right behind Keystone Kops was a Merry-go-round. Behind the Merry-go-round was the Tilt-A-Whirl. Behind that was the Tip-Top. Then came the Golden Nugget. My first job as a 17 year old was at Hunt's Pier. I worked there for six seasons, five of them on the Golden Nugget.

[@Mikey_Heels]

What did you do on the GOLDEN NUGGET? I worked one year on MARINERS LANDING in 1985.

[@cliffordbodine5834]

@@Mikey_Heels I was the ride manager. It took a minimum of four people to operate the ride, six during peak hours. I oversaw the crew. The mechanical operations were overseen by French Louie.

[@kathrynkathryn5493]

@@cliffordbodine5834 French Louie' ? Very, very interesting. Hey Mikey, didn't know you were part of the Mining Crew. You should have told us. Boy what a job that must have been. Can't find many comparisons......that's up there on the charts. Coooooool Man........very Coooooooool

[@ElleCee62978]

They moved the Tilt a Whirl. I have video from 1984 where the Tilt a Whirl was next to the Skua.

[@daveduffy2823]

I used to go there every summer to ride on all the piers over the three months during the 70’s and 80’s. We stayed at my grandmom’s place on Wildwood Ave.

[@Mikey_Heels]

Shout out to grandma's house!!!! Mine was in the Villas, Nj around the corner on the bay. We used to ride our bikes to Wildwood from there. It was about a 5 mile ride

[@spaceman5091]

Was that where the castle was? I did the top and the bottom the castle was awesome.

[@Mikey_Heels]

No the castle was on cedar avenue; south of hunts pier... street side on the boardwalk

[@steveco360]

We started coming down in the v summer of 65. I was 10. Hunt's Pier was the best. Sportland Pier had the Hell Hole, but the Golden Nugget was my favorite.

[@Mikey_Heels]

😊😊😊😊 I'll go so far as to say the bat was my favorite part of the GOLDEN NUGGET ride. I loved BATMAN and thought that had something to do with him... lol... that ride was awesome!!! My parents loved it too.

[@kathrynkathryn5493]

Great Video......Thanks for the Wonderful Memories !!!! And Yes, I too stayed in one of the old rooming houses with a shared bathroom (very quaint, very nice). Hunt's Pier Rocked.....It's nice to see her again. Ooooooo I' sad now.😥

[@Mikey_Heels]

Your welcome!!!

[@donkeyboy585]

Hunts was the best pier on the boardwalk

[@Mikey_Heels]

No doubt!!!!!

[@edmcguinn7671]

love the hat, cardinal dougherty 77

[@Mikey_Heels]

Thank you, 1984!!!

[@cindyrichards1118]

I’m always sharing these videos or talking about hunts pier to my kids and my husband I point the pier out to them every summer when we pass by , great memories I have when I was a kid

[@Mikey_Heels]

The best!!!!

[@kathrynkathryn5493]

Does anyone remember the Giant Disk that you sat on, with your hands behind you and your feet towards the center? The damn thing spun as fast as possible until the last kid was still trying to defy Gravity and everyone hit the sides of the outer walls that were padded. Would love to hear......BTW - Going to Keonbles in Aug....Yes the track was relocated there beautifully and turned into another Mining Ride. They also have old track from the original Bobsleder Ride from Coney Island. Sorry everyone, I'm an oldie. - Cheers and would love to hear about the Disk.

[@Mikey_Heels]

That disc sounds like the HELL HOLE or GRAVITRON... do you remember it on HUNTS PIER? Because those rides were on SPORTLAND and I believe GRAVITRON was on MOREYS PIER.

[@kathrynkathryn5493]

@@Mikey_Heels Unfortunately, I was a bit too young to remember which ride was on what pier. There were 3 piers (or was it 4?) plus the rides across the boardwalk, more towards the street......like Dracula's Castle, which was not built yet. I believe that a Roller Coaster was in the same space where they erected the Castle. I only had one weekend in my youth where I got to enjoy that Huge Disk ride. I'm going to look into this and get back to you. Thanks for your help. - Cheers K

[@Mikey_Heels]

@@kathrynkathryn5493 I'm DRACULAS'S CASTLE ALUMNI 1987😄😄😄😄

[@kathrynkathryn5493]

@@Mikey_Heels First of all, Happy Memorial Day Weekend !!!! Dracula's Castle....I loved the dungeon boat ride.....that was my favorite. I love dark rides but I'm not a fan of people jumping out at me, in the dark and touching me. Yeah, back in those days, they touched you. Freaked me out. I was safer on the boat. But what displays. There is a great video out there about the history and ownership of the Castle. Well done in it's coverage and history of the property. Glad you are a fellow alum

[@MichelleTurock]

Thanks for the video 🎉 !!! I remember Hunt's Pier in the early 1970s, my dad going on the train ride with me and pretending to be scared. Weren't there skeletons somewhere inside the ride? He was the best dad! Thank You for the beautiful memories.

[@Mikey_Heels]

The train ride at the bottom of the roller coaster? It may have had skeletons. I remember the humpty dumpty most. Lol. The thing about that pier was the fact that your imagination could just run wild as if you were actually in so many different scenarios.

[@ElleCee62978]

Yes, it did. There were skeletons and even a horse skeleton. It was the coolest train I had ever been on.

[@chrisd.6346]

Cool, at least it didn't burn down. Funny when the volly FD had their "convention" something always caught on fire.

[@Mikey_Heels]

😯😯😯😯😯

[@TGP109]

Does anyone remember the convertible Mustang car track for kids? That was my favorite back in the 70's.

[@Mikey_Heels]

One of my earliest memories was of a Batman ride. It was down by cedar ave(nickels) probably early/mid 70s... it was on a track as well. I wonder if that track was on hunts at one point. I've never seen a picture of it.

[@fluffyotter1601]

Anyone know if the Flyer still exist…in storage?

[@Mikey_Heels]

I dont know for sure, but I'd say no.... the fact that the Golden nugget tracks were used at knoebels but never a mention of the flyers tracks makes me think that.

[@Maddux_SnowEnt]

i remember the kamikaze as well

[@Mikey_Heels]

Remind me where and what that was, please

[@Maddux_SnowEnt]

@@Mikey_Heelsit was a roller coaster it stood 13 stories on hunts pier it was White Loopy Coaster. it got shipped to great adventures over Georgia

[@Mikey_Heels]

I have no recollection of that at all. Interestingly I will be living right around the corner from six flags over GA

[@Maddux_SnowEnt]

@@Mikey_Heels about to send it to u

[@Maddux_SnowEnt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJDJZpuheqZsiqssi=oT-V6SkEVpUsYbjk

[@ralphschueler9437]

I always liked the Golden Nugget that was great

[@nickysindora6952]

I worked on funtown pier seaside park it was the best time of my life I worked the looping coaster it was so cool watching the waves under the pier and looking over the railing God it's so sad that it's gone

[@Mikey_Heels]

I remember the tide going under steel pier, seaside heights, hunts pier... it added a whole other element of cool to the experience.

[@kathrynkathryn5493]

@@Mikey_Heels I have a good one.....Seaside Hts, NJ....Casino Pier....1974......One of the very first Swing Rides was imported from Germany. (GA over in Jackson, NJ got one too). It not only went up high, the Swings went up and over the Ocean on the South Side of the Pier. LiKe the "Jet Star" (haha - please laugh). I remember it all like it was yesterday. Mikey I so want to do a book but I need help. The shit I know and remember is huge.