In 1937, Gilbert built a large building over the Carousel structure and called it the Seaside Heights Casino. In 1948, John Fitzgerald and John Christopher bought the property. In 1959 John Christopher passed and John Fitzgerald bought the full rights. In 1960, John Fitzgerald’s son-in-law Ken Wynne took over operations. Ken Wynne expanded the pier eastward and added many rides including the pier’s first major roller coaster “The Wild Mouse” Wynne leased out sections of the pier to other operators. In 1963, America’s first Himalaya ride was installed.
In 1964, the original Skyride was installed. It took you from the pool area to the east end of the pier. The Skyride was building by a Wildwood, NJ company (Universal Design). In 1965, the pier was expanded 320 feet out. On June 10th 1965, a wind whipped fire consumed a huge portion of the pier in including the Wild Mouse. The pier was opened within weeks with temporary rides. The amusement park at Casino Pier offers classic children’s rides such as the Boats, Motorcycles, and Speedway whip cars.
Family rides include the Tilt-A-Whirl, Moby Dick, Hot Tamales Roller Coaster, and Fun Houses.
Thrill seekers will enjoy the 170 foot tall Skyscraper where riders are strapped to the end of a crane-like arm and are whipped around at speeds up to 70 miles per hour! In 1969, the Anton Schwarzkoph masterpiece Jet Star roller coaster was added. In 1975, Casino Pier added the United States first Enterprise ride. In 1979, Casino Pier added the Luv Bugs (Mack designed) indoor/outdoor roller coaster. Originally called Broadway Trip which operated at Palisades Amusement Park, Cedar Point and then Canadian National Expo.
Luv Bugs was re-themed to Wizards Cavern in 1988 In 1982, the original Casino building would change forever allowing Ocean Terrance to connect with it’s north section. In 1982, Ken Wynne partnered with Bob Bennett. In 1982, the Skydiver ride fell on top of the Himalaya during a violent thunderstorm. Folks where clear of the area and there wasn’t any injures. In 1982, Water Slides were added to the swimming pool. Park was named “Splashdown”. In 1987, Water Works water park was opened in place of the swimming pool.
In 1997, The (Reverchon) Log Flume was added. In 1999, The Wild Mouse (Miler) was added In 2002, The Jet Star (Miler) replaced the Star Jet In 2002, Bob Bennett sold Casino Pier and Water Works to the Storino family In 2003, the Stillwalk Manor, Centrifuge, and Rock & Roll rides were introduced on Casino Pier. In 2004, Water Works was remodeled and opened as Breakwater Beach. In 2007, Pirate’s Hideaway Coaster opened up as the replacement coaster for the Wizard’s Cavern In 2010, the Floyd Moreland Carousel turned 100 years old.
Cake from Carlos Bakery (TV’s The Cake Boss) was made depicting the carousel. In 2011, the waterpark celebrated their 25 year anniversary. In 2012, Breakwater Beach replaced the original Single Tubes ride (25 years old) with Two if By Sea. in the evening of October 29th 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall and caused damage to homes and infrastructure ranging into the billions of dollars in the state of New Jersey alone, according to the National Weather Service’s preliminary estimate.
That agency also reported several wind gusts in Ocean County at close to 90 mph, and a buoy located near the entrance to New York Harbor issued a record wave height of 32. 5 feet at 8:50 pm, just before a time that multiple witnesses present on the barrier island at that time attribute to a fast moving storm surge that elevated water levels in or near their homes drastically in a short period. The properties of Casino Pier sustained severe damage as a result of Sandy.
Access to the barrier island of Seaside Height was halted until October 31st, when owner, Vincent Storino, was first able to make it back to the amusement center. 200? ‘ of the pier was lost in the northern more section and 50? ‘ was lost in the southern section. The JetStar Roller coaster, Log Flume, Stillwalk Manor, Centrifuge Building with the ride and many other rides or parts of rides housed in there, and the Music Xpress fell into the Atlantic Ocean Acarousel might not be the most popular ride in any amusement park but the carousel at casino pier has a large fan base.
Casino pier is a amusement park facility that had 38 rides before hurricane sandy. Ranging from family rides to roller coasters, they also have a rooftop mini golf course, a chairlift that runs the entire legnth of the north side of the boardwalk. A figure 8 go cart track, and many stands that serve pizza, cheese steaks, sausage sandwiches, ice cream, funnel cake and lemonade. The carousel is located in the casino pier arcade between ocean terrace and the boardwalk. There is also a water park known as break water beach located right across the street from the arcade.
But the pier is the gem of the boardwalk they had 3 rollercaosters operating before sandy, hot tamales, pirates hideaway, wild mouse. They had 7 others throughout history, dragon wagon, hells angels, jet star which was renamed star jet is the rollercoaster that fell into the atlantic ocean, the origional wild mouse, wizards cavern, and onther one whose name has been lost to history. app. com/article/20130525/njnews/305250097/historic-carosel-sin-again-seaside-heights rcdb. com/4624. htm casinopiernj. com.