Post by linkinpark on Sept 3, 2002 22:43:34 GMT -5
read this little interesting article from the cape may county herald:
No New Dracula, but You'll Still Be Scared
By: NANCY RUMP
WILDWOOD — “Expect the unexpected.”<br>That’s what Nickels Midway Pier Vice President John Nickels told this paper Aug. 16 regarding his plans to replace Castle Dracula.
The landmark haunted house and boat ride burned to the ground Jan. 16 after two juveniles allegedly used an aerosol can and lighter to set multiple fires inside the ride. They later pleaded guilty to one count each of arson.
Despite the loss, Nickels said the family-owned and operated pier business was determined to rebuild even though, last month, the pier was devastated again by another fire.
That blaze destroyed pier offices and a section of its arcade. Two Millville men face arson and other charges in connection with the incident.
“Undoubtedly, it’s been a rough year, but we’re ready to come back,” said Nickels.
So ready, in fact, the family has put preliminary plans for the Castle Dracula site in the hands of city officials.
The proposal will be presented to the public Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at Wildwood City Hall.
Nickels hopes, if approved, construction can begin soon and a new attraction open for next summer.
Tight-lipped on specifics, he said the project would cost a minimum of $4 million.
Nickels said the family would not rebuild Castle Dracula.
“People around the country have asked us to do that, so it was a tough decision to say no,” he said.
Instead, he and brothers, B.J. and Angelo, plan to introduce a new amusement concept in the area, taking advantage of advances in ride technology to provide a one-of-a-kind ride not only here but along the East Coast.
Nickels said the ride could wind up being the tallest structure in the city.
All 12,000-plus square feet of the former castle site will be utilized, he said, and the attraction will be one part “entertainment” and one part “actual ride.”<br>“It will be scary,” said Nickels, “but, not so scary that little kids can’t go in.”<br>“We’re tailoring something to attract families and children of all ages,” he said.
According to Nickels, the family has employed the services of “experts in the amusement field.”<br>“No one will have seen anything like this,” boasted Nickels. “New technology will allow us to do things we could not even imagine 25 years ago.”<br>One idea is to use hi-tech projection to give patrons the illusion a spider is crawling on their arm.
“They’ll swear its really there,” he said.
Castle Dracula opened its doors in 1977 and cost about $1 million to build. The simple structure was made of cinderblock and wood. Its value was assessed at just $75,000 when it burned.
Nickels said its replacement will make the original look “primitive.”<br>
that spider thing sounds scary, but this thing sounds like the spiderman at ioa for wildwood. but this sure is interesting.
No New Dracula, but You'll Still Be Scared
By: NANCY RUMP
WILDWOOD — “Expect the unexpected.”<br>That’s what Nickels Midway Pier Vice President John Nickels told this paper Aug. 16 regarding his plans to replace Castle Dracula.
The landmark haunted house and boat ride burned to the ground Jan. 16 after two juveniles allegedly used an aerosol can and lighter to set multiple fires inside the ride. They later pleaded guilty to one count each of arson.
Despite the loss, Nickels said the family-owned and operated pier business was determined to rebuild even though, last month, the pier was devastated again by another fire.
That blaze destroyed pier offices and a section of its arcade. Two Millville men face arson and other charges in connection with the incident.
“Undoubtedly, it’s been a rough year, but we’re ready to come back,” said Nickels.
So ready, in fact, the family has put preliminary plans for the Castle Dracula site in the hands of city officials.
The proposal will be presented to the public Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at Wildwood City Hall.
Nickels hopes, if approved, construction can begin soon and a new attraction open for next summer.
Tight-lipped on specifics, he said the project would cost a minimum of $4 million.
Nickels said the family would not rebuild Castle Dracula.
“People around the country have asked us to do that, so it was a tough decision to say no,” he said.
Instead, he and brothers, B.J. and Angelo, plan to introduce a new amusement concept in the area, taking advantage of advances in ride technology to provide a one-of-a-kind ride not only here but along the East Coast.
Nickels said the ride could wind up being the tallest structure in the city.
All 12,000-plus square feet of the former castle site will be utilized, he said, and the attraction will be one part “entertainment” and one part “actual ride.”<br>“It will be scary,” said Nickels, “but, not so scary that little kids can’t go in.”<br>“We’re tailoring something to attract families and children of all ages,” he said.
According to Nickels, the family has employed the services of “experts in the amusement field.”<br>“No one will have seen anything like this,” boasted Nickels. “New technology will allow us to do things we could not even imagine 25 years ago.”<br>One idea is to use hi-tech projection to give patrons the illusion a spider is crawling on their arm.
“They’ll swear its really there,” he said.
Castle Dracula opened its doors in 1977 and cost about $1 million to build. The simple structure was made of cinderblock and wood. Its value was assessed at just $75,000 when it burned.
Nickels said its replacement will make the original look “primitive.”<br>
that spider thing sounds scary, but this thing sounds like the spiderman at ioa for wildwood. but this sure is interesting.
