I'm sure by now you have all seen the sad news posted to this website that Castle Dracula in Wildwood has been the victim of arson. Has anyone here been fortunate enough to visit the Castle? I have very fond memories of the place. It was the first walk-through haunted attraction that I ever had the guts to go into and from there I was hooked. It was great to have a quality haunted house to visit during the summer months without having to wait for the glut of haunted houses in October. I am terribly saddened by this news. Anyone who has any memories of this Wildwood classic post them here. I'd love to get everyone else's views on this grand old classic.

I saw it on the news this morning. I couldn't believe it. I've never even been to Wildwood, but I've always wanted to go. I have been to the Castle Dracula website

http://members.home.com/castlealan/

several times and it looked awesome...very elaborate. I understand it had a dungeon boat ride as part of the attraction? Or was it a walk-thru only? What angers me most is that those two kids probably have no idea of the impact their actions will have on the Castle's fans. I hate that this has happened. I mean, what were they thinking?!?! At least no one was injured...or worse!

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-- Fisherman <>< --
-- Matthew 4:19 --

They weren't thinking at all, except about getting their own kicks. Now thousands of folks will be deprived of what was really a one-of-a-kind attraction.

There was a boat ride underneath the Castle called the Dungeon that was just awesome. Very creepy. With good cast members on, they really scared the hell out of you. Plenty of places to hide and boo.

All early indications show that the owners will not rebuild the Castle, although who knows, maybe there is an entrepreneur out there with a pocket full of cash and a love of haunted attractions who could make it happen. If only I had a pocket full of cash!

This is a real shame. Classic dark rides are an endangered species these days, I hate to see another go.

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"BECAUSE someone like you cared a whole afwul lot, this park is alive where before it was not." -The Street of the Lifted Lorax, IOA

Supposedly it was set by two teen age boys. That just makes me sick that teenagers would do that. As Rocketman said, classic dark rides are rare these days, and it's very sad to see another one go.

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Aaron Cedoras: Thrillnetwork Story Editor
"Dead men tell no tales..."

I'm really saddened that this has happened. And I also noticed that it was gone for good, which is even sadder. I think they should rebuild it, and those kids who did this should have the maximum sentence placed on them.

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Life is a rollercoaster, enjoy it, b/c the ride is always too short (If someone's already said this, sorry, I didn't mean to rip it off ya)

That is really sad! Some people just are not happy unless they are getting thier kicks destroying things!!

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I left my heart in Sandusky!!!

This ride looked very interesti g and one of a kind. It's sad that many people here won't ever get to experience it.

One-of-a-kind to be sure. I just came across some information that the props in the Castle had been built by folks who had once worked for Disney, which explains the level of quality and detail that was apparent throughout the Count's summer home. Check out http://home.bak.rr.com/castledracula/
for pictures of the Castle before and after its destruction.

HEY I GO TO WILDWOOD EVERY YEAR AND I ALWAYS WALKED BY THE CASTLE I JUST NEVER ACTUALLY GOTR THE CHANCE TO GO IN IT BUT I HOPE THEY REBUILD THIS LANDMARK I MEAN THIS IS LIKE A TERROR ATTACK ON NYC WTC IT WAS A LANDMARK AND IT STOOD AS A SYMBOL FOR SUMTHING. BUT I HOPE THEY REBUILD IT

Just heard on the news this morning that they WILL rebuild the castle!!!! Initial estimates are that it will take slightly over a year and cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $10 million. Bring on summer 2003! The Count lives!

I was happy to read this news this afternoon. There's nothing I hate more then a classic ride closing forever. It's good to see Dracula's Castle will still be there to scare thousands.

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"BECAUSE someone like you cared a whole afwul lot, this park is alive where before it was not." -The Street of the Lifted Lorax, IOA

That's the third Haunted House on the Jersey Shores to go. I visited it for the first time two summers ago.

Anyone remember the Haunted Mansion at Longbranch (circa 1978-79) and Brigandine Castle (circa 1979). Both were excellent walk-thru dark attractions - and VERY scary.

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Nothing like a big woodie first thing in the morning and before going to bed at night.

I never had the guts to go through Brigantine Castle, although my family stayed in a house a block away from it one summer. My cousins and I would walk up there during the day and wonder what went on in that scary looking castle and dare each other to go in. We were all between the ages of 6 and 10 and there weren't any of us brave enough to walk though those doors. Sadly, the placed closed long before I ever got a chance to experience it. I've heard of the Haunted Mansion in Long Branch, but it seems to be a forgotten cousin. I've found fan sites dedicated to Brigantine but not the Mansion. I'd love to see photos or hear stories that revolve around the place. I'm a fanatic for Haunted Attractions and would love to know what that one was like.