Remembering The Golden Nugget - Chapter One

This short is the first in a series of videos featuring the Golden Nugget Mine Ride on the old Hunt's Pier on the Wildwood Boardwalk. I shot this video in early November 2008 and have blended it with vintage footage recorded by Mel Taylor and Michael Hawthorne. These are the end of days for this classic and beloved dark ride... the sole survivor from the Hunt's era. It is due to be demolished sometime in February 2009.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Golden Nugget Mine Ride
• Hunt's Pier
• Wildwood Boardwalk
• Dark Ride
• New Jersey
• Amusements

[funchase]

Happy New Year both Mike and Bob - Although a sad start with the loss of the Nugget lets hope things start looking up from there. It's hard to put into words how I feel when I'm at the Nugget these past weeks... it's been surreal. I'm cherishing every last moment in her presence. Right now it's still here, and even though I know what's to come it really hasn't sunk in yet... I know the toughest days are yet to come. It's very hard to accept what we can't change... I'm still working on that.

[railfreek]

The ride was great I haven't ridden it since the Dino Beach days. This video is agravating as hell. you show the ride in motion for 3 seconds then spend a minute moving a few feet. How about you show the ride from beginning to end.

[theripperman]

Well the good news is the Knobel's amusment park has bought the Golden Nugget, so this great old rde will live on.

Let's her it once again for the team at Knobel's!

[yaggy9]

This was fun to watch. I love to explore old buildings and the Golden Nugget was one of the best dark rides. Unique. By exploring it in its final condition, you did what I wanted badly to do.

[illusionist881]

@Elderhamm

I live 1 mile away from knoebels. Your right about them restoring old rides. Ethan Knoebel, my one friend said, " it's so cool!! It has like, holograms and seems like a Disney ride!!!!!"

[illusionist881]

It's now at my local theme park, knoebels in elysburg PA. Its so awesome!! It's going to be done next summer. I only live a mile away from knoebels soooooooooooo.......

Ya. My one friend, Ethan knoebel, his dad owns the park and he told me all about it. Its awesome!!!!

[twirler2016]

@JunmaiShu when i went no they were still bulding it

[JunmaiShu]

Thanks for the info.  I leave outside of Harrisburg and I plan on going to Knobels again soon, haven't been there in years. Do you have any idea if it's up and running yet?

[andyknight1]

I was at Knoebels a couple of weeks ago from the UK and we had a walkthrough all 3 floors with some of the themeing actually working, and it looks pretty good.

[MiaTakahashi]

I miss when this was on Dinosaur Beach. I was down this weekend and going to the gokart pier always makes me remember.

[twirler2016]

@funchase this ride is now at knoebels but called the black diamond

[RailSpace]

She's Gettin put back together, got pictures.

[Elderhamm]

@funchase I live 10 miles from Knoebels. I have the privilege of witnessing the rebirth of this cherrished old ride. It will be given a new name and a new setting, but the heart of the ride will remain the same. Hopefully it will be enjoyed by generations of new riders who never had the opportunity to experience it in it's origional state. Knoebels has done a good job of keeping the history of these old rides alive with back stories on many of them posted at the rides.