Comments on: I miss Castle Dracula. :(

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:26:06 +0000

This is how I found X-E and this is a fitting last comment. Thanks Matt!

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:33:59 +0000

Worked in the castle briefly in 1984 right at the start of the season. I loved it! Sadly I was let go for not getting a haircut. Anyway, I now live close by and today I went there and just stared at the spot where it used to be. There are water slides there now and an area that is lower than the boardwalk and filled with picnic tables. I’m pretty sure that is where the dungeon would have been. I spent 14 hours (minus dinner break) in there one day scaring people as they entered the tunnel. Wildwood is very very different from that magical sumer in 84. The piers have grown into mini Hershey Parks, many of the night clubs are gone, the town looks kind of run down and scummy in spots, but there is still Hot Spots, Snow White, Boardwalk Mall, Sea Serpent and Curley’s Fries. I will always have a place in my heart for Wildwood.

By: D-stroyer

D-stroyer — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:55:41 +0000

Your loving tribute to Castle Dracula was well written and makes me wish those two a-holes kids didn’t burn it to the ground,because the ride sounds and looks so awsome!

By: D.J. Henney, Sr.

D.J. Henney, Sr. — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 20:09:23 +0000

Hey Matt:

Spent two stints working at the Castle- and actually met the love of my life there…I’m always sort of
disappointed by the reviews and historical analysis
of the Castle itself…but in truth it’s the PEOPLE
who worked there who made it what it was…
I was privy to the extra love and effort put forth
by the actors who worked there…i’m quite sure some of them would have gladly done it for nothing…Bob C., Anita, Joe H, Eli, Charlie and Big Jim always went above
and beyond to assure every group through the doors were
treated to an experience like no other darkride on the
Jersey Shore could deliver…
Those of us who worked there lost a piece of their
soul the day flames took it away…we can never replace
the feeling and pride it gave us to do the best job we
could, day in and day out…i miss every one of them…

Thanks again for the accurate, descriptive article.

By: Snurl

Snurl — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:09:13 +0000

I remember the castle very well, I was in one of the very first groups to go through when it first opened. In fact, they still weren’t done painting the exit hallway black, and you could see the stairs up to the 3rd floor by the exit door. The castle had to be the best darkride ever. Period. alleluja, Amen.
I read that the punks who started the fire were released to their parents. Some punishment.

By: AmandaBlogandKiss

AmandaBlogandKiss — Fri, 08 May 2009 07:19:46 +0000

Aw, what a great article! We normally went to Seaside, which had a fright ride, but doesn’t sound like it held a candle to Castle Dracula. When I was back in Jersey last summer, another boardwalk fire at Wildwood was on the news again. How sad.

By: frankie t

frankie t — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:42:26 +0000

I happened to do a search for wildwood and came across your site. Although I knew of the devastation when it happened, and believe me I was devastated, YOU HIT ME IN THE HEART! Your summary of how you and your family members would go “every year like clock work”< summed up my life as well. I also tried to bring a new friend or family member with me, especially from 12yrs and on. I was born Feb 1969 and spent my every year after that going to Wildwood since today 2009. MY kids now hear my stories, unfortunately without some of the actual places to see first hand, LIKE CASTLE DRACULA. I would have loved to drag my son or daughter into that goulish house! It made alot of people who they are today. I must say, other than the beach, it is not the same place “I grew up in”. WE would average two trips a year, coming from Belleville, Essex Cty., NJ. and those trips would account for most of my growth in life, especially my teenage years.Its very depressing to go there now for me, to see the changes for the worst, The missing ambiance, the missing hotels & motels (Georgianna,AKA-Memory Motel), Castle Dracula, The Golden Nugget, The Log Flume, The Flyer, and all the other fantastic places “OUR CHILDHOOD’S EXPERIENCED”! I now know how my elders feel with change. I only wish it was something else that caused me to feel the pain from the change. Wildwood never change in sooooooo many F–Kn years, why did it???? I know I didnt and I Know you didnt too!!!! Im sorry my posting is later than the rest of these, I never knew this site existed!