What is a typical winter season like for Morey's Piers?
Well during the summer season we have about 1,600 employees that work in a variety of positions. However, at the end of the season life goes on for about 1,500 of those employees as their position is seasonal. For the 100 or so left it is pretty much a summer season without the large crowds and hot weather. Maintenance is often seen inspecting rides during the summer, but during the winter they can be found taking apart rides, inspecting rides and performing NDT (Non Destructive Testing) which is all prep for next season. Our operations department can be found writing manuals for new rides and attractions, revising & reviewing existing manuals for next year. Recruiters who are often training these employees closer towards Spring through the end of Summer are now recruiting for next year. So as you can see, it doesn't stop here, we are actually quite busy...
For the last couple of years, the enthusiast world has been tossing around a rumor that The Great White will be removed. Is this rumor true or is it something you can put to rest?
This is actually the first time I have heard of this rumor. Well we all know that rides have a life and eventually all rides will eventually need to be taken down sooner or later. However, as it stands right now, I can tell you that this rumor is definitely false as there are no plans to take down The Great White.
Competition is out there and it exists within every profession. How do you compete with establishments like Six Flags Great Adventure which also resides in the state of New Jersey?
I personally don't think we are comparable to Six Flags Great Adventure nor do we compete with them as we provide a totally different experience. For one we have beaches and of course the ocean, so the experience you receive at each establishment is completely different. Morey's Piers is family owned and operated resort therefore we compete with any other family owned and operated establishment as well as other coastal towns including seaside amusement parks. Trying to be a theme park would be stupid so we have to focus on more intrinsic values which is very hard.
I am sure you are aware of the current situation at Coney Island. Does Morey's Piers have an influence or a say in what shops open along the boardwalk?
Everything on the west side is privately owned and not by Morey's Piers. The big difference between Morey's Piers and Coney Island is the type of ownership. Coney Island is owned by the Public Sector as Morey's Piers is owned by the Private Sector. Personally I think everything regarding to amusement should be run under the Private Sector, however, seaside amusement has to be run under a Public Sector. So I would say we are half and half. The Private Sector will build great museums and spaces and mainly focus on next year, however, they won't have an innovative attraction. The Public Sector focuses on long term strategic plans for long term growth and expansion thusly providing an innovative attraction. So the perfect place is getting in between the Private and Public Sector.
Speaking of long term, where do you see Morey's Piers five years from now?
The number one thing I would like to see happen within the next 5 years is Morey's Piers be named, "Best Seaside Amusement Park" from the Amusement Park Industry. We think providing the best dining experience and building our new wooden coaster will definitely help us. in order to become the worlds best Seaside Amusement Park we have to be a great public space and that's what we are creating.
With the HUGE popularity of Halloween theme attractions including haunted houses and mazes. Will Morey's Piers ever hold a Halloween event during the month of October? Especially with the addition of Ghost Ship this past season.
All I can say is wait for 2012.
What details can you give readers of CoasterFusion about the new wooden coaster?
Well what most people don't know is that Morey's Piers consists of 4 piers. Two piers have intense rides, 1 has less intense rides and the final is where you will find our maintenance buildings. This is where a section of the new coaster will be placed. As you know we took out Giant Slide and Golf Course this year and we have moved Dante's Dungeon and Rock N Roll. This is where the new wooden coaster will start. It will jump from Surfside Pier to our maintenance pier twice. There will also be some left over room for future development. Construction on the new wooden coaster will begin in September and it will open in 2013.
We have a way to go until 2013. What can you tell us about the 2011 season?
We have three major things in store for the 2011 season. We are renovating Jumbo's and adding beer, wine and specialty drinks. Like mentioned before, Giant Slide and the Golf Course have been removed and Dante's Dungeon & Rock N Roll have been moved to another location in prep for the new coaster. Then we have our new attraction for the 2011 season. As of right now we can't give out the name, however, I can leave you with a few quotes about the ride. The name could be in one of these quotes:
"Most people won't ride it" "Most people will love it" "We think it's going to be great"
The manufacture of the ride is KMG Afterburner.