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OCEAN CITY, N.J. — For countless visitors over the years, the impressive sight of the ‘Giant Wheel’ serves as a welcoming beacon, visible from afar.
This iconic 140-foot (42-meter) attraction signifies the approach to Ocean City, a town that proudly refers to itself as “America’s Greatest Family Resort.” This locale promises family-friendly beaches, lively boardwalks, seagulls, and plenty of seashells, along with a variety of treats including pizza, ice cream, and cotton candy.
At the center of it all was Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, an amusement venue operated by the family of the town’s mayor, representing nearly a century of family-friendly entertainment.
However, the joyous echoes of laughter came to an end on Sunday night, as the amusement park, managed by the mayor and his ancestors for years, shuttered its doors due to financial struggles intensified by COVID-19 and the lingering impact of Superstorm Sandy.
The Gillian family has been at the helm of amusement rides and attractions on the Ocean City Boardwalk for 94 years, with the latest version of their park, Wonderland, opening to the public in 1965.
“I did everything I could to keep Wonderland going, despite the increasing challenges each year,” Mayor Jay Gillian shared in August when he announced the park’s closure. “This has been my life, my legacy, and my family’s. But it has become unsustainable.”
Gillian, who has not fielded numerous inquiries for comment over the past week, faced a community deeply saddened by the closure.
Sheryl Gross visited Wonderland on its last day with her two children and five grandchildren, relishing their final experience there.
“I’ve been coming here forever,” she recalled, noting she started visiting the park when her now 43-year-old daughter was just two, carried in a stroller. “Now I’m here with my grandkids.”
She fondly reminisced about the joy on her family’s faces as they embraced the amusement park’s offerings, regretting that much of that cherished atmosphere would now be lost. “They lit up with excitement on the rides,” Gross said. “That family-friendly vibe will be missed.”
On the final day, crowds formed long lines for the Giant Wheel, the log flume, and other favorite attractions as attendees used the last of their ride tickets, which many had purchased with the hope that Wonderland would continue to thrive.
A local non-profit organization, Friends of OCNJ History and Culture, is currently fundraising in an effort to save the amusement park, potentially under new ownership that might be open to acquiring it with some financial aid. Bill Merritt, a leader in the non-profit, mentioned that they have raised over $1 million, hoping to meet a potential $20 million asking price for the property.
The existing owner, Icona Resorts, once suggested plans for a $150 million luxury hotel with 325 rooms at a different location on Ocean City’s boardwalk, although the city ultimately rejected those proposals. Eustace Mita, the company’s CEO, indicated earlier this year that he would require additional time before suggesting alternate plans for the amusement park property. In 2021, Mita acquired the property after the Gillian family faced risks of defaulting on bank loans associated with it. In a community meeting last month, Gillian pointed out that the park struggled to recover from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, followed by the pandemic in 2020, and a rise in New Jersey’s minimum wage to $15.49 an hour, which drastically increased payroll costs and left him with $4 million in debt. To prevent a sheriff’s sale of the property, Mita provided financial support and afforded Gillian three years to stabilize the business; that deadline has now passed. Mita hasn’t responded to requests for further remarks. Merritt expressed the community’s deep affection for Wonderland, stating, “It’s hard to envision Ocean City without it. When you think about it emotionally, you just know that you are losing treasured memories and invaluable history. Rationally, you recognize that such attractions help keep the town profitable.”
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