Waterpark Oasis

Sip and slide
Alcohol sales prove a hit at Wildwood water park By BRIAN IANIERI Staff Writer, (609) 463-6713
Published: Monday, August 7, 2006

NORTH WILDWOOD — Brian Ploe laid back in a 92-degree pool Sunday afternoon, a frozen Mai Tai frosting the plastic cup in his hand.

Between Ploe, relaxing, and a 50 mph looping roller coaster was about 40 feet and a roof made of tessellated Eucalyptus bark.

The covering was designed to look tropical while separating two very different attractions on the 25th Avenue pier.

A volcano with a face spurted water from the middle of the 3-foot-deep pool, where men and women with wristbands gathered around the edges to talk and sip beer and tropical drinks.

“It does make it a nice atmosphere for the adults to enjoy,” said Ploe, of Upper Township, Cape May County.

The Caribbean, Jimmy Buffet-style Ocean Oasis Water Park and Beach Club has been serving alcohol at designated areas in the park for about three weeks.
Park officials hope the alcohol sales — tied in with services such as private cabanas, hammocks, massages and concierge services — will attract visitors and keep them there longer.

The market demanded more services and amenities, a Morey's Piers representative told the city when it sought approval for alcohol sales in the company's plan.

A separate but connected water park owned by the same company does not allow alcohol.

By the nature of water parks, it's difficult to determine what effects the changes have had so far, said George Rohman, operations manager for Morey's Piers.

It's been busy, but the recent heat wave and overall hot weather — like gold to places that market lots of water — could have played a big factor too, he said.

“We think the concept is working,” he said.

The opening of a water park that also serves alcohol has drawn criticism from people who see an inherent problem with mixing liquor and water parks.

Any way you slice it, having alcohol, children and bodies of water in the same area is not a good idea, opponents have said.

After hearing both strong opposition and strong support, on July 5 the City Council voted 5-2 to allow the sale of alcohol at the park. Liquor sales started a few weeks later.

Park officials have said they have strict controls in the two areas of the park where alcohol is currently being served.

In the heated pool, Rohman said, an extra lifeguard is used just to keep tabs on the alcoholic drinks.

The area, which is full of bamboo and metal painted to resemble bamboo, looks like Gilligan's Island but with more revealing bathing suits.

Steve Siegfried of Upper Township was in the heated pool Sunday afternoon, having spent much of the day at the park. It was his first time there.

“I think it was a good idea,” Siegfried said. “It's very relaxing.”

To e-mail Brian Ianieri at The Press: BIanieri@pressofac.com