10 Thrilling Upgrades That Make New Jersey’s 2026 Great White Coaster a Total Game Changer
The Great White has been thrilling beachgoers along the Wildwood boardwalk since 1996. Three decades in, the beloved wooden coaster at Morey’s Piers is still running. For 2026, the ride is getting a set of upgrades that are likely to get locals and coaster fans talking. Here is a closer look at what changed and why it could mean a noticeably better ride this season.
The Company
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RMC, short for Rocky Mountain Construction, is the Hayden, Idaho, company handling the 2026 track work on the Great White. Coaster enthusiasts know the company best for high-profile hybrid conversions like Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa, which converted an aging wooden coaster into a 206-foot steel hybrid running at 76 mph. RMC has also been credited with construction work on Intamin’s El Toro.
485 Feet of Fresh Track
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Two sections of the Great White would be replaced in 2026: the Upper Curve and the Upper POMA, both of which endure significant stress from repeated use. Combined, the replacement covers about 485 feet of track. Riders who have noticed the coaster getting rough in those areas over the years might feel the difference once it’s done.
The Steel
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RMC is using premium-grade weathered steel for the 208 ReTraK system, and it arrives from the factory already matched in appearance to the existing wooden structure. The steel is already weathered, and coatings are optional. This has made for a new track that visually belongs on the Great White from day one, without disrupting the classic boardwalk look the ride has carried since 1996.
Track Built With Laser Precision
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Nothing in this process is off-the-shelf. RMC collects survey data on the existing layout, then manufactures each replacement section using laser measurement systems, CNC plasma cutting, and patented semi-automated welding technology. The finished pieces fit the exact profile of the original track, so the coaster’s layout remains unchanged.
New Millennium Flyer Trains Arrived in 2025
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Announced by Morey’s Piers in November 2024 and introduced for the 2025 season, the Great White now runs with two new Millennium Flyer trains built by Great Coasters International. GCI is known for designing wooden roller coasters, but it also supplies trains for existing rides at other parks. The Great White itself was originally built by Custom Coasters International, a separate company that later shut down.
Single-Axle Cars That Actually Steer
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The old PTC trains used two axles per car. That setup produced a side-to-side shuffling sensation through the turns, a familiar complaint among regular riders. The Millennium Flyer cars each run on a single axle, which lets them pivot through curves. Morey’s Piers confirmed that the switch reduces the shuffling, and anyone who has ridden the Great White in previous seasons should feel the improvement.
24 Riders Per Train, Cushioned Seats Included
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A dozen individual cars make up each Millennium Flyer train, seating two riders across for a total of 24 per run. The seats are cushioned, and individual lap bars automatically lower and lock into a position suited to each rider. The seating setup reflects engineering that prioritizes rider comfort.
Track That Lasts Up to Five Times Longer
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Wooden roller coaster tracks typically hold up for some years before high-stress sections need attention. The 208 ReTraK system, which will be used here, is rated to last up to five times longer than standard wood laminate track. At a boardwalk park where maintenance demands are already high, that lifespan gap could mean fewer service interruptions and lower long-term maintenance bills.
Less Downtime
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According to one report, the Great White requires the most maintenance of any ride at Morey’s Piers. That’s not shocking since wooden coasters sometimes require frequent inspection, repair, and replacement. The current upgrades could translate into a coaster that stays open longer during the summer season.
The Assurance
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All of these upgrades feed into the Great White’s signature route. Old-timers know the ride begins with a 25-foot drop into a dark tunnel beneath the boardwalk, exits the tunnel, climbs a 110-foot lift hill, and then drops roughly 100 feet. The 2026 improvements are intended to help the ride deliver this sequence with smoother transitions and less maintenance pressure.