***see update at end!
We are blessed with an annual weekend of beach, boardwalk, great food and great friends in OCNJ.
More and more I recognize what a gift it really is. To be honest, joining our complicated family for one event is already a special gesture. But to invite us back to the beach of OCNJ over and over again…well, that’s a huge blessing. It’s a non-verbal affirmation to say “we know you are complicated but we choose you in our life anyway.” We feel loved and valued. Ocean City NJ has become a favorite weekend for our family.
Loaded up 
That time she got away… 
Breakfast of Champions
There are many things that draw us to the beach of OCNJ. Inevitably, for our daughters, the beach and the boardwalk rides are at the top.
We are so glad to be introduced to the joy of reserving OCNJ beach wheelchairs. You can read more about that HERE. Also, while I agree with those who have found some of the staff and regulations actually make the experience tougher than it needs to be, we still love and appreciate the availability.
At the end of each day, the fun continues on the OCNJ boardwalk with food and rides.
Making a splash 
Did I mentioned we are complicated? Nothing makes us more aware of that than time at an amusement park…or in crowds…or in public!
Ha! But we can suck it up a bit better when someone else is by our side. Helping hands and a can-do attitude make things a little lighter. We choose to participate knowing that our time will be more difficult than the average family. Having friends join us is invaluable!
Imagine our surprise when, after 7 years, we were informed of a free companion ride bracelet available at Castaway Cove in OCNJ.
Unfortunately, this little nugget was shared after our final ride of the evening. Hoping to verify the employee was accurate in her information, I made a quick stop at the information desk as it was closing down. The manager quickly told us to stop by next visit and we would be able to obtain a red bracelet which would allow us to ride as companions to our daughters. Super! Y’all know how fast we can burn through ride tickets!
I did not find this information anywhere on their website.
Furthermore, after searching the site at Castaway Cove OCNJ and coming up empty handed, I emailed the office for an official policy statement. Likewise, I never had a return answer. However, I was given such confident responses at the park that I feel good about sharing the information. I think it is worth the effort to ask when buying tickets in person.
Please share your experience if you ask for the companion band!
*** update from a Facebook Group Share:
We just took advantage of this today… The employee at the ticket booth knew what I was talking about but one of the ride operators said she had only seen the Bracelet one other time from a family that is there all the time and didn’t really know all the details of them. She was really nice about it. I told her, they probably don’t advertise it because of the people who will be dishonest.
I’m also happy to have it because I want employees to know upfront my son has special needs (autism/adhd) and requires some patience when boarding rides or listening to instructions. Everyone who worked there today was wonderful, especially the lady at the one ride that looks like bumper boats but they’re in a bumper car like surface. He was having trouble understanding them but loved them, she coached him through. We got Diggerland season passes this year and each time we’ve gone there we’ve had trouble with a couple of employees not being patient. I suggested they have some sort of Bracelet or a way to identify those with special needs, especially non-visible ones, so employees use some patience. I hadn’t been to OC in 6 years but will go back now. This is the first place I’ve seen a companion getting to ride free. It truly is helpful, I can’t let him ride alone due to attention seeking behaviors like playing with seatbelts or standing where other kids his age can ride alone.
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