My family from Philadelphia would spend summers at Pine Haven campground. We would also visit family who lived in Wildwood. Being born in 1972, I never rode the Hell Hole but I certainly remember standing around waiting for older siblings, etc who were riding. However, I wanted to ask about a haunted house that i think was across from the Hell Hole. I only remember seeing a fake girl in a white nightgown standing on the roof outside a window????? I think?? I remember spending a long time looking at her and imagining scary scenarios. Anyway, is this a real memory?
The middle of Sportland had a good sized rotating Crystal Maze on it that you really could get lost in because of it turning and changing ... All glass ..! 😊
Thank you so much It brings back a lot of memories I personally never rode the hell hole but where you were going along the side of the pier there was a roller coaster along that side of the pier that is one of the things I remember about Sportland pier besides the Aqua circus I didn’t start going to wildwood until around 1972 When I was growing up our family always went to Atlantic City and when I was in my teens my Grandmother lived in AC and we always went up to the old steel pier I really didn’t start going to wildwood until I was in my late teens after I got my drivers license that is when I started going to Wildwood I was in a group that marched in the VFW Parades back then and that is when I fell in love with wildwood and now that I’m retired and in my seventies I go down all the time and I just love the place but the last few years it has started to loose its appeal because a lot of the shops are now gone one place i used to like was the Taylor Pork Roll place I think it was around oak Ave area and the one place I still stop at on just about every trip is the French fry place at that time it was called Paul’s Idaho potatoes and it was about four stands from the Castle everybody raves about curly fries but to me they are just crinkle cut fries and no big deal but the Idaho potatoes are better because they were cut with the skins on and fried in peanut oil back then and I thought they are so good Sorry for going on so long and thank you for doing the video on Sportland pier
I read every word. Thanks for asking because it brought back a bunch of great memories.i did a video on AC as well about 5 months ago. Its in my GOOFING AT THE SHORE playlist. One of my most cherished pics was taken there probably 1973. Standing behind a wooden painting of batman that I stuck my head through. . I'm draculas castle alumni myself. I can remember most of tge food stands on cedar ave that I'd visit during breaks from the castle.
Okay super important question I gotta ask: What side of the Wildwood boardwalk did you walk on? WITH the tram car or AGAINST(oppose direction) of the tram car? My dad and I (and it seemed most everybody in late 70s to 80s) walked on the side of the boardwalk that would have the tram come up from behind. So as we went from Mariner’s Landing to Sportland, we’d pass by the shops. And on the way back, we’d be on the beach and ocean side of the boards. Pretty much opposite other boardwalks where people walk like how we drive. But Wildwood was always its own thing. And I loved it. But nowadays people don’t seem know and act like it’s OC or AC. Drives me crazy. Am I the crazy one? 😆
Than you for thos video. I was quite a fan of the Coney Island version of the Rotor (aka Hell Hole) ride. I always rode it with my friends and dates with every visited Coney int he 80's & 90's. It was located right next to the landmark Wonder Wheel, almost adjoining its motor shack, right about where the new hanging roller coaster now stands. What I remember the most is how small the barrel was vs a regular carnival Graviton ride, how wobbly the floor was as you made your way into position, and how FAST that thing spun as the floor finally dropped away leaving you securely pressed up against the wall. Similar to a top load washing machine on a spin cycle. During the cycles the operator would have fun slowing & increasing the speed of the drum, raising and lowering the floor, thus adjusting people into different height positions as their own weight and clothing did the rest. Add some music, lights, strobes, and a fog machine and forget it. Not long after my last visit in the 90's however, it was shut down for good after a serious accident due to poor maintenance. And NOTHING there today has come close to the sensation and fun that it provided ever since. The spooky appearance of the ride's exterior, its dark and gloomy interior, the fact that you could not see the ride itself as it was fully enclosed, and along with that hellish nickname, made for a huge draw to it but also created a serious stigma for it at the same time. Wild stories about accidents and horrors of the past ran a muck but were mostly untrue. But on that fateful last day of its operation where the drum partially gave way and cost injuries and lives, the ensuing TRUE stigma was too much for the owners to cope with and the insurance fiasco that ensued forced them to close it down. It was one of a few stand a lone rides that were built by lone operators on patches of land leased along the beachside streets, as opposed to belonging to one of the major parks in the area. Thank you for the memories, watching from up in the South Bronx NYC.
Thank you for that articulation. Hello to an authentic coney island rider from an authentic wildwood, nj rider... there was some really good research material on the internet about the coney ride. Matched up with what you said. I wasn't aware that there were casualties during the accident in the 90s.
@@Mikey_Heels the 95 (I think) incident caused several injuries and one leg amputation. No casualties. But the folklore and heresy that ensued at the time, might have well been multiple deaths. I might have miswrote, but that was always the case with that mysterious ride. Same with the now defunct yet still standing parachute jump tower. No one ever died on it, but the stories still ensued due to the spooky looking abandoned tower just standing there by the sea. Great post, please keep them coming.
loved that rode it every year in 70s was a right of passage for us kids to ride and not puke lol actually saw a guy run on floor as we stuck to wall must of been a worker was so awesome
Wasn't Dr. Blood's House of Horrors near the Hell Hole Ride? I remember driving the go cart around Sportland Pier and getting scared from the monster's head outside the ride. I'm not sure but I think there was a carousel in the front of the pier. My grandfather was taking me to the restroom before the rides opened up. And I started crying when I saw the canvas cover covering the carousel. As a child I was afraid of almost everything. Of course a few years ago I was diagnosed with mild autism. This was in the 80's. My parents always referred to Sportland Pier as the pier that burnt down.
I vaguely remember HOUSE OF HORRORS. Actually don't remember a fire on that pier, lol. The emotions of young people experiencing the wildwood boardwalk was a Rollercoaster in itself. Thanks for sharing you memory.
Back in the 60's when the floor dropped off flames came up in the center. However sometime in the early 70's they stopped with the flames. Everything in Wildwood has changed over the years. We always stayed in the Crest at the satellite motel which was behind the parklane motel which are now all condos. Nothing stays the same!
The owner of that pier is holding out for a payday - hopefully someone makes a good offer because this pier decking is deteriorating rapidly and no one uses the go carts. The waterpark idea fell through last I heard. Our house is on 24th, so lots of rumors from the neighbors.
If that was the clown that used to insult people I loved him I would sit there for 20 minutes listening to him and laughing back in the Late 80s early 90s
Rode the Hell Hole many times as a teen back in the 70's . That's when Wildwood was really wild . Nothing but boring water parks now as I heard . Visited about 15 years ago and was very disappointed . Think the heyday was back in the 60's and 70's ! But everything was more fun then . Now kids don't care about such things, just the internet and the games on it ! A real shame !
![Wildwood [Part 10 - The Spectacular History of the New Jersey Shore]](/img/1.gif)
My family from Philadelphia would spend summers at Pine Haven campground. We would also visit family who lived in Wildwood. Being born in 1972, I never rode the Hell Hole but I certainly remember standing around waiting for older siblings, etc who were riding. However, I wanted to ask about a haunted house that i think was across from the Hell Hole. I only remember seeing a fake girl in a white nightgown standing on the roof outside a window????? I think?? I remember spending a long time looking at her and imagining scary scenarios. Anyway, is this a real memory?
I wonder if its the one that a cemetary was in front of???
I don’t specifically remember a cemetery but it’s possible. 🤷🏻♀️😃
The middle of Sportland had a good sized rotating Crystal Maze on it that you really could get lost in because of it turning and changing ... All glass ..! 😊
@@joeserrenti9857 what year was that? It sounds familiar
@Mikey_Heels Oh .... at least 74 into part of the 80's....
It was in the center . If you were looking at the Hellhole it was behind you...
Glass of fresh squeezed orange juice 25 cents in 74 ...lol
@@joeserrenti9857 my memory is already compromised... I vaguely remember it. I feel like I was on hell hole around 1980.
Thank you so much
It brings back a lot of memories I personally never rode the hell hole but where you were going along the side of the pier there was a roller coaster along that side of the pier that is one of the things I remember about Sportland pier besides the Aqua circus I didn’t start going to wildwood until around 1972
When I was growing up our family always went to Atlantic City and when I was in my teens my Grandmother lived in AC and we always went up to the old steel pier
I really didn’t start going to wildwood until I was in my late teens after I got my drivers license that is when I started going to Wildwood I was in a group that marched in the VFW Parades back then and that is when I fell in love with wildwood and now that I’m retired and in my seventies I go down all the time and I just love the place but the last few years it has started to loose its appeal because a lot of the shops are now gone one place i used to like was the Taylor Pork Roll place I think it was around oak Ave area and the one place I still stop at on just about every trip is the French fry place at that time it was called Paul’s Idaho potatoes and it was about four stands from the Castle everybody raves about curly fries but to me they are just crinkle cut fries and no big deal but the Idaho potatoes are better because they were cut with the skins on and fried in peanut oil back then and I thought they are so good
Sorry for going on so long and thank you for doing the video on Sportland pier
I read every word. Thanks for asking because it brought back a bunch of great memories.i did a video on AC as well about 5 months ago. Its in my GOOFING AT THE SHORE playlist. One of my most cherished pics was taken there probably 1973. Standing behind a wooden painting of batman that I stuck my head through.
. I'm draculas castle alumni myself. I can remember most of tge food stands on cedar ave that I'd visit during breaks from the castle.
We were talking about Paul's best on boardwalk French fries. Could not remember the name .
I remember and loved this ride (watching from top and being on-ride)
Okay super important question I gotta ask:
What side of the Wildwood boardwalk did you walk on? WITH the tram car or AGAINST(oppose direction) of the tram car?
My dad and I (and it seemed most everybody in late 70s to 80s) walked on the side of the boardwalk that would have the tram come up from behind. So as we went from Mariner’s Landing to Sportland, we’d pass by the shops. And on the way back, we’d be on the beach and ocean side of the boards. Pretty much opposite other boardwalks where people walk like how we drive. But Wildwood was always its own thing. And I loved it. But nowadays people don’t seem know and act like it’s OC or AC. Drives me crazy.
Am I the crazy one? 😆
Honestly, I always remember walking in the opposite direction as the tram car... BTW go check my tram car vid... I just posted it 2 weeks ago...😊😊😊😊
Watch the tram car please 🤣
Than you for thos video. I was quite a fan of the Coney Island version of the Rotor (aka Hell Hole) ride. I always rode it with my friends and dates with every visited Coney int he 80's & 90's. It was located right next to the landmark Wonder Wheel, almost adjoining its motor shack, right about where the new hanging roller coaster now stands. What I remember the most is how small the barrel was vs a regular carnival Graviton ride, how wobbly the floor was as you made your way into position, and how FAST that thing spun as the floor finally dropped away leaving you securely pressed up against the wall. Similar to a top load washing machine on a spin cycle. During the cycles the operator would have fun slowing & increasing the speed of the drum, raising and lowering the floor, thus adjusting people into different height positions as their own weight and clothing did the rest. Add some music, lights, strobes, and a fog machine and forget it. Not long after my last visit in the 90's however, it was shut down for good after a serious accident due to poor maintenance. And NOTHING there today has come close to the sensation and fun that it provided ever since. The spooky appearance of the ride's exterior, its dark and gloomy interior, the fact that you could not see the ride itself as it was fully enclosed, and along with that hellish nickname, made for a huge draw to it but also created a serious stigma for it at the same time. Wild stories about accidents and horrors of the past ran a muck but were mostly untrue. But on that fateful last day of its operation where the drum partially gave way and cost injuries and lives, the ensuing TRUE stigma was too much for the owners to cope with and the insurance fiasco that ensued forced them to close it down. It was one of a few stand a lone rides that were built by lone operators on patches of land leased along the beachside streets, as opposed to belonging to one of the major parks in the area. Thank you for the memories, watching from up in the South Bronx NYC.
Thank you for that articulation. Hello to an authentic coney island rider from an authentic wildwood, nj rider... there was some really good research material on the internet about the coney ride. Matched up with what you said. I wasn't aware that there were casualties during the accident in the 90s.
@@Mikey_Heels the 95 (I think) incident caused several injuries and one leg amputation. No casualties. But the folklore and heresy that ensued at the time, might have well been multiple deaths. I might have miswrote, but that was always the case with that mysterious ride. Same with the now defunct yet still standing parachute jump tower. No one ever died on it, but the stories still ensued due to the spooky looking abandoned tower just standing there by the sea. Great post, please keep them coming.
loved that rode it every year in 70s was a right of passage for us kids to ride and not puke lol actually saw a guy run on floor as we stuck to wall must of been a worker was so awesome
Wasn't Dr. Blood's House of Horrors near the Hell Hole Ride? I remember driving the go cart around Sportland Pier and getting scared from the monster's head outside the ride. I'm not sure but I think there was a carousel in the front of the pier. My grandfather was taking me to the restroom before the rides opened up. And I started crying when I saw the canvas cover covering the carousel. As a child I was afraid of almost everything. Of course a few years ago I was diagnosed with mild autism.
This was in the 80's. My parents always referred to Sportland Pier as the pier that burnt down.
I vaguely remember HOUSE OF HORRORS. Actually don't remember a fire on that pier, lol. The emotions of young people experiencing the wildwood boardwalk was a Rollercoaster in itself. Thanks for sharing you memory.
they also had a ride that had a spinning floor we all sat in middle and as it spun you would try and make people fly off and be last one in middle
That was on Morey’s. It was called In Concert.
Back in the 60's when the floor dropped off flames came up in the center. However sometime in the early 70's they stopped with the flames. Everything in Wildwood has changed over the years. We always stayed in the Crest at the satellite motel which was behind the parklane motel which are now all condos. Nothing stays the same!
Thank God we got to experience it!!!!
The owner of that pier is holding out for a payday - hopefully someone makes a good offer because this pier decking is deteriorating rapidly and no one uses the go carts. The waterpark idea fell through last I heard. Our house is on 24th, so lots of rumors from the neighbors.
Thanks for the update!!!!
Still is a hell hole, especially at night.
That's terrible.
Remember the pool and skorch the human torch
The pool across the boardwalk from sport land pier?
Sad that it is all go karts now. He did pass a really cool old soda machine.
The coke machine?
Back in the 1990's they had a stand where you throw a ball
Definitely, r u talking about the DUNK THE CLOWN game?
If that was the clown that used to insult people I loved him I would sit there for 20 minutes listening to him and laughing back in the Late 80s early 90s
I think I worked with that guy at Dracula's castle during that time.
Rode the Hell Hole many times as a teen back in the 70's .
That's when Wildwood was really wild .
Nothing but boring water parks now as I heard .
Visited about 15 years ago and was very disappointed .
Think the heyday was back in the 60's and 70's !
But everything was more fun then .
Now kids don't care about such things, just the internet and the games on it !
A real shame !