Photo by Rui M Jacinto
OCEAN CITY, New Jersey — Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, a cherished amusement park that has been a staple of the Ocean City boardwalk for nearly a century, officially closed its doors for good on Sunday, October 13, 2024. This closing marks the end of an era for many families who have created lasting memories at the park.
The amusement park, which first opened in 1929, was overseen by Jay Gillian, who is not only the owner but also the mayor of Ocean City. In August, he announced the closure due to ongoing financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic pressures. “I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly difficult challenges each year,” Gillian stated at the time. “It’s been my life, my legacy and my family. But it’s no longer a viable business”.
On its final day, hundreds of visitors flocked to the pier to enjoy one last ride on its iconic attractions. Long lines formed for popular rides such as the Giant Wheel and log flume, as families took advantage of their final opportunity to experience the park.
As community members mourned the loss of this beloved attraction, discussions about its future began. A local non-profit organization called Friends of CNJ and Culture is currently fundraising to potentially acquire and revitalize the amusement park. Bill Merritt, one of the group’s leaders, noted that they have raised over $1 million toward what could be a $20 million acquisition cost for the property.
The property is owned by Eustace Mita of ICONA Resorts, who acquired it in 2021 after Gillian’s family faced financial difficulties related to bank loans. Mita has indicated plans for future development but has yet to announce specifics regarding the amusement park site.
As families left with bittersweet memories on Sunday evening, many expressed hope that some form of amusement could return to this iconic location. As one visitor poignantly stated, “When you think about it emotionally, you realize you’re losing all the cherished memories and history; how could you let that go?”.
For more information on this story and quotes from those involved, visit AP News.
Sources:
[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/gillians-wonderland-pier-closes-ocean-city-nj/
[2] https://apnews.com/article/ocean-city-amusement-park-closing-gillians-wonderland-1aa9ef6bbb8afee232497af01ac722f3
[3] https://6abc.com/post/bittersweet-hundreds-say-final-goodbye-ocean-citys-gillians-wonderland-pier-last-day/15425292/
[4] https://6abc.com/post/final-goodbyes-ocean-citys-gillians-wonderland-pier-closes-weekend/15418199/
[5] https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/gillians-wonderland-pier-ocean-city-new-jersey-final-weekend/3996626/
[6] https://www.voanews.com/a/historic-jersey-shore-amusement-park-closes-after-generations-of-family-thrills-/7821517.html
[7] https://www.phillyvoice.com/gillians-wonderland-pier-closed-ocean-city-hotel-liquor-laws-icona/
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UhyF5nEjxc
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