Wildwood Ferris Wheel Enters Next Phase of Major Refurbishment

One of the Wildwood Boardwalk’s most recognizable landmarks, the Giant Wheel at Morey’s Piers, is officially in the middle of a massive offseason overhaul, and the work is already well underway.

Morey’s Piers has confirmed to the Wildwood Video Archive that the entire 156-foot-tall Ferris wheel on Mariner’s Pier is being fully disassembled this winter for an extensive refurbishment project designed to preserve the ride for future generations.

Major Work Underway

Construction crews have already stripped all of the LED lighting and removed every gondola from the structure. The next step, scheduled for next week, will see the spokes of the wheel carefully detached by crane, leaving only the central hub in place.

That massive hub will then be removed and sent to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where engineers will restore and service it before it’s returned to Wildwood in the spring.

This phase marks one of the largest maintenance efforts in Morey’s Piers’ history, with the goal of ensuring that the Giant Wheel continues to operate safely and smoothly for decades to come.

The Heart of the Wheel

At the center of this project is the Giant Wheel’s “hub,” the circular core that connects all the spokes and supports hundreds of thousands of pounds of steel, gondolas, and passengers. It is essentially the heart of the ride, and after nearly four decades of exposure to ocean air and salt, it is due for a complete restoration.

The refurbishment process requires the entire wheel to be taken apart, inspected, and rebuilt, ensuring that every connection point and structural piece is in optimal condition.

A Wildwood Landmark Since 1985

Installed in 1985 by the Dutch manufacturer Vekoma, the Giant Wheel instantly became a defining part of the Wildwood skyline. Rising 156 feet above Mariner’s Pier, it has long offered sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Boardwalk, and Cape May County.

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Beyond being one of the tallest Ferris wheels on the East Coast, the Giant Wheel has also been the backdrop to countless Wildwood memories, from sunset family photos to the beloved Breakfast in the Sky dining experience that once treated guests to gourmet meals high above the shore.

Years of Upgrades and Care

Morey’s Piers is known for its detailed offseason maintenance program, where rides are taken apart, inspected, and repainted before each summer season. In 2012, the Giant Wheel received a state-of-the-art LED lighting system that became a centerpiece of Wildwood’s nighttime skyline.

In recent years, Morey’s crews have continued that tradition, repainting gondolas in 2023 and completing routine maintenance. This year’s total disassembly allows for the most in-depth inspection in the wheel’s history, addressing wear caused by decades of ocean exposure.

While no new lighting package is being added, Morey’s Piers confirmed that “the sun,” the large LED circle at the center of the wheel, will be rewired and re-lit once the ride is reassembled.

What Comes Next

The wheel’s complete teardown and restoration will continue throughout the winter months, with reassembly expected to take place in early spring. While that means no holiday light display this year, the project will ensure that the Giant Wheel returns stronger, safer, and ready for another generation of riders.

For now, the Wildwood skyline will look a little different, but the Giant Wheel will be back next season, once again serving as the shining centerpiece of Morey’s Piers and a lasting symbol of summertime at the Jersey Shore.

To see the progress in real time, the Wildwood Video Archive filmed exclusive footage of the removal process as part of our ongoing Wildwoods Construction Update series. Subscribe to follow this project through completion.