The rise of Morey’s Piers is chronicled in a new book by, A Wild Ride, a ride so wild it’s available with a choice of two covers!
Forty years ago, a man walked on the moon for the first time. Woodstock celebrated three days of peace, love, and rock `n roll and small steps were taken to build an amusement empire in the Wildwoods, New Jersey. That was the year that Wilbert and Bill Morey launched a giant slide on the boardwalk, initiating a family venture that grew to include three piers and two waterparks with over 100 rides and attractions.
“The book celebrates our past, present and future, and identifies the key planners, architects, associates and artists who have contributed to our last 40 years,” says the Piers’ executive vice-president Jack Morey.
Jack Morey is being modest. A Wild Ride is the best book about the amusement industry to appear in more than a decade. It’s a must-have addition to any park enthusiast’s or industry observer’s library.
The book’s author, Jack Wright, is less modest. He describes the book as “a thrilling story of high risks, big ideas, large monsters, and a HUGE amount of fun!” Notes Wright, “Running the business of an amusement park is a lot like spending a day at an amusement park. It’s a roller coaster of emotions, full of highs and lows. Sometimes you’ll be breathless, other times you’ll feel like your stomach is in your throat and your heart is in your mouth. It won’t be boring, that’s for sure.”
A celebration of Morey’s Piers, the book doubles as a research and development project, because it provides a full chapter of insight into the elements that will take the amusement park into the future. Change, it is concluded, is the only constant in this business – Paul Ruben.
A Wild Ride weighs in at 192 pages and is priced at $19.95. Copies are available in person at the Morey’s Store on Mariner’s Landing Pier, from Lindsey.Young@moreyspiers.com or on Amazon.
