Unfortunately, there will never be another Castle Dracula.I really wish they would have rebuilt but the fact that they didn’t.That always made me wonder what the true motive to the arson was as it was a popular attraction.That subterranean boat ride was the most spooky, awesome thing ever!👻❤️
@@renee8813, they definitely weren't paid and spent time in juvie for it... They were in there smoking cigarettes from my understanding and that's the reasoning we heard it burnt down.
Fun Fact the prop and rock scenery seen at 5:53 came from the golden nugget. The rock panels were removed from the spinning barrel and the wolf was on the second floor right after the drop off the roof. I put this scene together as an easter egg for the ww boardwalk historians.
It's nice it got refurbished but I miss the old artwork of souls burning in hell. With the flying demon breathing smoke it really made an impression on me as a kid.
this is bringing back a bunch of memories for hubby and i!!! we wherent even dating yet when we worked on Morey's peir back in 1988! We remember when the peir next to Morey's was putting up that roller coaster!!! we where there when the park was just starting to open on weekends in the spring! Part of our job was to "de wax" the slides in the water park in the back! oh the good times we had there back then!!!
This is awesome! The improvements are great, I'm glad Dante's is getting the respect it deserves and I hope it remains on the boardwalk forever. It does make me miss Castle Dracula even more. I'm very sad the Ghost Ship isn't opening this year but I hope it opens next year. I have a vision of it being refurbished as a new Castle Dracula (without a moat) and thus it can be in line with the fire codes without any trouble.
I think with both COVID still happening and staffing issues, that is probably what is keeping it closed right now. Probably doesn't help that it been sitting idle for 2 years so it possible it might need some work before it can even re-open.
I lost much of my enthusiasm for Wildwood in the late ‘80s-early ‘90s when Hunt’s Pier was razed, the classic motels vanished and condos sprouted up in their place. (And I miss Castle Dracula, too.) Watching the enthusiasm you show in your vids for contemporary WW has helped me rediscover some of what I lost, Joey, and this vid is a great example (especially since I’m a dark ride wuss who never rode Dante). Thanks!
Nice work on Dante's! I remember the big Haunted House on one of the old piers, maybe Hunt's(?) back in the early/mid 70s. Real actors and a great walkthrough!
The Haunted House was on the same pier as Dante’s from 1972-1984. It was razed. There was a second one floor haunted house in the back from the late 80’s to 1991.
Yeah, not the same ride..... the one with the actors, was super scary. Haven't gone in a "real" haunted house since the early 80's because of that one.
@@robkrasinski6217 Do you know what that haunted house from 72-81 on Morey’s pier was called? I remember that. And everybody misses Castle Dracula. Especially Castle Crew ; )
I'm just glad they fixed the ride up. Last time I rode it, some of the things were not moving or not working entirely. Shame too, I hate/love this ride for many reasons. But I hold a soft spot for it. Super glad the skeletons gone, in more of a replacement that looks JUST LIKE how it did back in the day when dungeon replaced inferno. It's a shame they got rid of the mural that was in the front though. But either way, the whole upgrade is a welcome addition and I'm just happy everythings back to normal. Pretty sure the sound package is the original one they've played since dungeon opened. Could be wrong. Maybe they put in new speakers in the front. I remember it being really quiet in comparison towards the other music you'd hear on the other ends of surfside.
That's so awesome I'm going to take my son to it, my mother used to be the ghoul who had her head chopped off where Dante's machine is back in 1980s! Can't wait to see it in person for myself!
Was that boar animatronic from The Golden Nugget? The changes look good. I remember when I was little early 80s well if I am remembering correctly it was on the otherside of the pier, but where ever it was I remember walking to the beach and my mom was walking under it and the demon/devil/Dante whatever his name water came put of his mouth and landed on my mom. Everytime I see it I still remember saying he spit on you. Thanks for sharing.
I remember they used to have a bat above the exit make a noise before you get outside and also had an actor be inside and would peek out of the small window by the enterence
Last time I went (about a year ago), the ride was in great condition so I'm surprised they updated it. Not a bad thing at all! Most parks don't touch their dark rides until they're in such an embarrassing shape they have no choice to refurbish them. Good on you, Morey's Piers! I do feel the last 10 or so seconds of the ride could use more animations. I remember something right after the wolf/dog and there used to be a skeleton coming down from the ceiling following the last set of doors. Besides that, flawless update! If anyone is curious what it looked like last season, here is a multi-angle, low-light P.O.V. I got: ua-cam.com/video/pcHVIjfseGY/v-deo.html
love the videos joey!! i’m headed to wilwood in august and i’ve been going my whole life, but i’ve only really been to two hotels over the course of 18 years of going there. we are staying at the adventurer this summer and i was wondering if you could do a tour of what it’s like because i’ve heard mixed reviews.
Hey Joey, didn't The Ghost Ship used to be The Poseidon Adventure years ago? Also I remember The Himalaya n The Jumbo Jet on Morey's pier were my favorite rides!
No. They were 2 different rides. The ghost ship used to be a "whacky shack" type thing with moving floors and such, back in the 70's-8o's. The posiedon adventure was a more realistic walk through ride, that I believe was also named Jaws, for a while.
Last year I had the pleasure of being a performer and ride operator for DD. I was friend's with Master Dante, the humble owner of the dungeon. I must say I'm glad the Dungeon got the upgrade, but I feel that there was some things that could have used improvement that were overlooked. The outside was beautiful while the inside remains lackluster. Another thing I'm sad to see is there is no performance value. Last year there was several performers acting and scaring which Brough Dante's to a whole new immersive level. Unfortunately I could not have been there this year, but was really hoping that elements I brought last year would have been focused on.
There is a new sound pack for it or new speakers. Several new lights n animatronics. The new paint job n fix on previously broken mechanisms like the gargoyles n arms. I remember the ride being darker n less colorful to hide some of the broken equipment.
This is great! Love the history by the way! I don’t understand, but whatever happened to Wildwood? They used to be king of the Dark Rides when it came to this classic kinda stuff. Like if Keystone Kops and Whacky Shack among others were still around. I can see this type of treatment going towards those rides for sure…
Even the worst dark rides have charm - I love anything dark ride and they are not as popular anymore. I would recommend shutting out 80% of the lights so its more unexpected and more jump scares and add more props
So no haunted walkthrough in Wildwood this year? Where is the closest summer walk through haunt? Probably the one in Virginia Beach or House of Frankenstein in Lake George, NY or Haunted Manor in Keansburg, NJ if it’s still open. Niagara Falls, ON has a bunch of haunted attractions, and one on the NY side.
@@WildwoodVideoArchive Aw Man Again, That’s the Third year in a row that happened, I really like the ghost ship😔, I wish they can add more High Thrill rides on Mariner’s Landing
I've only seen videos, but from what I could tell it was pretty decent when Halloween Productions first updated the ride, and then at some point a lot of animations were removed? Was it considered too scary or something?
Yeah when I was a kid the ride was considerably scarier. Each room had a unique theme and music and sound effects like the cemetery led to the pirates locked up and stuff. Ever since 2016-2017 the ride has one set royalty free soundtrack and is extremely childish. My guess is they figured they had Ghost Ship and Dantes Dungeon already so why have a third scary ride for kids but it was so creative I wish they kept it. @@hauntsandamusements
@@WildwoodVideoArchive I would love to see them invest in more effects and making Ghost Ship less actor-reliant, but at that point it may just be cheaper for them to leave it sitting there for the time being.
@@WildwoodVideoArchive Hmmm… every time I ever went in there I’d only see two or three workers. Again, staffing issues since Covid? Idk… Castle Dracula had Magick number thirteen spots in the upper Castle and another seven spots in the dungeon, requiring 20 actors . That’s why everyone had to work doubles five days a week with one day off and another half day (come in at 5pm). Open from 11:30am to 1 or 2am (or a half hour after the Ferris wheel on Mariner’s landing went out). Ahhh… yes. Life was good 👻☠
@@WildwoodVideoArchive But if they hire more staff and aren’t doing so because it takes upwards of 40 people to run it, respectfully they are being cheap…Love your channel and vids 🙏❤️
Seeing this make me miss Castle Dracula even more... Great video on the Dante's updates, thanks Joey :)
Castle Dracula was the best!
I went to school with the 2 kid's that burned it down
Unfortunately, there will never be another Castle Dracula.I really wish they would have rebuilt but the fact that they didn’t.That always made me wonder what the true motive to the arson was as it was a popular attraction.That subterranean boat ride was the most spooky, awesome thing ever!👻❤️
@@michaelsparrow2724 Wow, that’s crazy. Ive always wondered if they were paid🤔
@@renee8813, they definitely weren't paid and spent time in juvie for it... They were in there smoking cigarettes from my understanding and that's the reasoning we heard it burnt down.
Fun Fact the prop and rock scenery seen at 5:53 came from the golden nugget. The rock panels were removed from the spinning barrel and the wolf was on the second floor right after the drop off the roof. I put this scene together as an easter egg for the ww boardwalk historians.
That’s super cool information. Thanks 😎
i appreciate you
I remember when I was about 4, my uncle took me on Dante’s and to this day I still refuse to ever go on this ride. EVER AGAIN.
We just went on this a few days ago, my littles loved it!
In my humble opinion, I think the ride is the greatest it ever has been!!! The new props and paint job are incredible.
It's nice it got refurbished but I miss the old artwork of souls burning in hell. With the flying demon breathing smoke it really made an impression on me as a kid.
It absolutely horrified me when I was little, looking at it now as an adult I definitely prefer the old art.
I miss Dracula's Castle and dungeon
i miss picking my nose and wiping the boogers on the handrail on that ride
I miss the sky Ride ,got a great view of the great white coaster especially at night with all the lights on!
It was pretty good but didn't get scared I do like the work that they done on the inside and outside. God bless yall 🙏🙏
I do have a question?? What happened to all the wheel game's that they had on all the boardwalks
this is bringing back a bunch of memories for hubby and i!!! we wherent even dating yet when we worked on Morey's peir back in 1988! We remember when the peir next to Morey's was putting up that roller coaster!!! we where there when the park was just starting to open on weekends in the spring! Part of our job was to "de wax" the slides in the water park in the back! oh the good times we had there back then!!!
This is awesome! The improvements are great, I'm glad Dante's is getting the respect it deserves and I hope it remains on the boardwalk forever. It does make me miss Castle Dracula even more. I'm very sad the Ghost Ship isn't opening this year but I hope it opens next year. I have a vision of it being refurbished as a new Castle Dracula (without a moat) and thus it can be in line with the fire codes without any trouble.
I think with both COVID still happening and staffing issues, that is probably what is keeping it closed right now. Probably doesn't help that it been sitting idle for 2 years so it possible it might need some work before it can even re-open.
I lost much of my enthusiasm for Wildwood in the late ‘80s-early ‘90s when Hunt’s Pier was razed, the classic motels vanished and condos sprouted up in their place. (And I miss Castle Dracula, too.) Watching the enthusiasm you show in your vids for contemporary WW has helped me rediscover some of what I lost, Joey, and this vid is a great example (especially since I’m a dark ride wuss who never rode Dante). Thanks!
Nice work on Dante's! I remember the big Haunted House on one of the old piers, maybe Hunt's(?) back in the early/mid 70s. Real actors and a great walkthrough!
The Haunted House was on the same pier as Dante’s from 1972-1984. It was razed. There was a second one floor haunted house in the back from the late 80’s to 1991.
Yeah, not the same ride..... the one with the actors, was super scary. Haven't gone in a "real" haunted house since the early 80's because of that one.
@@robkrasinski6217 Do you know what that haunted house from 72-81 on Morey’s pier was called? I remember that. And everybody misses Castle Dracula. Especially Castle Crew ; )
LOVE THIS RIDE!!!
Thanks Joey! Great video. See you on the beach!
I haven’t been to Wildwood since July 2007. Just seeing videos like these brings back memories.
Yeah I miss the original look that’s how I remember it times have changed..At least that’s one original haunted house that didn’t burn..
Oh my gosh I lived down here and I didn’t even notice that the skull painting was missing and replaced with that creepy moon
Castle Dracula /Dungeon boat ride was the best amusement EVER!
I'm just glad they fixed the ride up. Last time I rode it, some of the things were not moving or not working entirely. Shame too, I hate/love this ride for many reasons. But I hold a soft spot for it.
Super glad the skeletons gone, in more of a replacement that looks JUST LIKE how it did back in the day when dungeon replaced inferno. It's a shame they got rid of the mural that was in the front though. But either way, the whole upgrade is a welcome addition and I'm just happy everythings back to normal. Pretty sure the sound package is the original one they've played since dungeon opened. Could be wrong. Maybe they put in new speakers in the front. I remember it being really quiet in comparison towards the other music you'd hear on the other ends of surfside.
That ride takes me back to when I was young in the 1970's and we would go to Wildwood every summer.
That's so awesome I'm going to take my son to it, my mother used to be the ghoul who had her head chopped off where Dante's machine is back in 1980s! Can't wait to see it in person for myself!
Love this ride! Thank you!
Do you know that the skyride station and the clown maze are gone which were on adventure pier
Oh and a slingshot got new lights
Was that boar animatronic from The Golden Nugget? The changes look good. I remember when I was little early 80s well if I am remembering correctly it was on the otherside of the pier, but where ever it was I remember walking to the beach and my mom was walking under it and the demon/devil/Dante whatever his name water came put of his mouth and landed on my mom. Everytime I see it I still remember saying he spit on you. Thanks for sharing.
Yes it is.
Love it!
It's pretty cool. Good job!
I remember they used to have a bat above the exit make a noise before you get outside and also had an actor be inside and would peek out of the small window by the enterence
Last time I went (about a year ago), the ride was in great condition so I'm surprised they updated it. Not a bad thing at all! Most parks don't touch their dark rides until they're in such an embarrassing shape they have no choice to refurbish them. Good on you, Morey's Piers!
I do feel the last 10 or so seconds of the ride could use more animations. I remember something right after the wolf/dog and there used to be a skeleton coming down from the ceiling following the last set of doors. Besides that, flawless update!
If anyone is curious what it looked like last season, here is a multi-angle, low-light P.O.V. I got: ua-cam.com/video/pcHVIjfseGY/v-deo.html
I love that it’s still open but something about the menacing eyes from my childhood was so much more terrifying.
That was so cool inside
Nice updates to an iconic ride.
love the videos joey!! i’m headed to wilwood in august and i’ve been going my whole life, but i’ve only really been to two hotels over the course of 18 years of going there. we are staying at the adventurer this summer and i was wondering if you could do a tour of what it’s like because i’ve heard mixed reviews.
Hey Joey, didn't The Ghost Ship used to be The Poseidon Adventure years ago? Also I remember The Himalaya n The Jumbo Jet on Morey's pier were my favorite rides!
No. They were 2 different rides. The ghost ship used to be a "whacky shack" type thing with moving floors and such, back in the 70's-8o's. The posiedon adventure was a more realistic walk through ride, that I believe was also named Jaws, for a while.
Love this ride rode it a million times as a kid and yes I miss castle Dracula too
I don't think my heart will allow me to go on scary rides any longer. Cool video though.
Hey, how about a Ghost Ship trip soon!?
If they ever manage to open it again 🤦♀️
Last year I had the pleasure of being a performer and ride operator for DD. I was friend's with Master Dante, the humble owner of the dungeon. I must say I'm glad the Dungeon got the upgrade, but I feel that there was some things that could have used improvement that were overlooked. The outside was beautiful while the inside remains lackluster. Another thing I'm sad to see is there is no performance value. Last year there was several performers acting and scaring which Brough Dante's to a whole new immersive level. Unfortunately I could not have been there this year, but was really hoping that elements I brought last year would have been focused on.
Still my one of my favorites since I was a kid in the mid-eighties😊
very good ride and it's really dark in there. i also like the many animatronics reminds me of fellerhoff's ghost town
There is a new sound pack for it or new speakers. Several new lights n animatronics. The new paint job n fix on previously broken mechanisms like the gargoyles n arms. I remember the ride being darker n less colorful to hide some of the broken equipment.
Just went on it for the first time this year… didn’t get to see most of it, I was ducking and covering my eyes a lot😅😱🙈
I never opened my eyes in that ride lol
Looks fun and scary!
That was cool. I did jump one time right after you went back inside. Lol
What’s this song played in the beginning of this video
I noticed the coyote from the Golden Nugget mine ride!
This is great! Love the history by the way!
I don’t understand, but whatever happened to Wildwood? They used to be king of the Dark Rides when it came to this classic kinda stuff. Like if Keystone Kops and Whacky Shack among others were still around. I can see this type of treatment going towards those rides for sure…
Lol ,thanks joey I got to finally see inside since I closed my eyes last summer 😅
What happened to all the wheel game's that they had on all the boardwalks
You were brave, you and I have in common, Dantes Dungeon and Ghost ship is not my thing
Even the worst dark rides have charm - I love anything dark ride and they are not as popular anymore. I would recommend shutting out 80% of the lights so its more unexpected and more jump scares and add more props
Loved what they did but I was hoping it was going to be more like the original Dante’s inferno version
So no haunted walkthrough in Wildwood this year? Where is the closest summer walk through haunt? Probably the one in Virginia Beach or House of Frankenstein in Lake George, NY or Haunted Manor in Keansburg, NJ if it’s still open. Niagara Falls, ON has a bunch of haunted attractions, and one on the NY side.
Keansburg is still operating their haunt!
You didn’t scare me
Never noticed the pictures on the walls going up
OMG, did they remodel Dante's Inferno? I went on that ride when I was a kid in the 1980s! Now it's called Dante's Dungeon?
I have a question for Joey, what is your favorite part about Wildwood?
It still looks good. However, I like the original version.
Why is the devil holding a stick of dynamite?
Can ya do the ghost ship next
They won't be open this year
@@WildwoodVideoArchive Aw Man Again, That’s the Third year in a row that happened, I really like the ghost ship😔, I wish they can add more High Thrill rides on Mariner’s Landing
I feel like it hasn’t been open in 5 years hahahah
I tuned off all the lights to watch the ride. Almost as fun as being there.
That Looks Like A scary ride Alright.
anyone remember pirates of wildwood and how that ride got butchered on the makeover glad this one didnt
I've only seen videos, but from what I could tell it was pretty decent when Halloween Productions first updated the ride, and then at some point a lot of animations were removed? Was it considered too scary or something?
Yeah when I was a kid the ride was considerably scarier. Each room had a unique theme and music and sound effects like the cemetery led to the pirates locked up and stuff. Ever since 2016-2017 the ride has one set royalty free soundtrack and is extremely childish. My guess is they figured they had Ghost Ship and Dantes Dungeon already so why have a third scary ride for kids but it was so creative I wish they kept it. @@hauntsandamusements
The best
So the ghost ship has been closed because of lack of employees seriously they can’t get people to jump out and Shout boo 👻 lol
Correct. You need at least 10 people to operate it properly. With different shifts, breaks and days off your looking at least 40 people to operate it
@@WildwoodVideoArchive There are animatronics in it, correct? I feel like that's still worth opening without many actors.
@@hauntsandamusements yes, there are a few not many
@@WildwoodVideoArchive I would love to see them invest in more effects and making Ghost Ship less actor-reliant, but at that point it may just be cheaper for them to leave it sitting there for the time being.
@@WildwoodVideoArchive Hmmm… every time I ever went in there I’d only see two or three workers. Again, staffing issues since Covid? Idk… Castle Dracula had Magick number thirteen spots in the upper Castle and another seven spots in the dungeon, requiring 20 actors . That’s why everyone had to work doubles five days a week with one day off and another half day (come in at 5pm). Open from 11:30am to 1 or 2am (or a half hour after the Ferris wheel on Mariner’s landing went out). Ahhh… yes. Life was good 👻☠
Toooo much scary for me
Jaíme no es el único
Open up the ghost ship alreAdy closed for 3 years. Stop being cheap open. It up this summer
Has nothing to do with being cheap. It’s staffing issues
@@WildwoodVideoArchive But if they hire more staff and aren’t doing so because it takes upwards of 40 people to run it, respectfully they are being cheap…Love your channel and vids 🙏❤️
Y😢yhghch😢