If you live on the East Coast, you’ve probably spent at least one sunny day on the Jersey Shore. And if you were a fan of the historic amusement park there, you’ll no doubt be saddened to learn that the family-owned facility has closed its doors after generations of fun.
Here’s what happened.
At a Glance:
- Gillian’s Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, NJ, closed after 94 years of operation.
- Financial troubles worsened by Superstorm Sandy, the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased labor costs led to the closure.
- Local efforts are underway to raise funds and potentially save the amusement park.
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, a historic amusement park in Ocean City, New Jersey, closed its doors for good on Sunday, October 13, 2024, marking the end of nearly a century of family-friendly fun at the Jersey Shore. For generations, the towering Giant Wheel served as a landmark for vacationers, signaling they were approaching “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” known for its beaches, bustling boardwalk, and kid-friendly atmosphere.
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The park, which has been operated by Mayor Jay Gillian’s family since 1929, faced insurmountable financial challenges, including the lingering effects of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising labor costs due to an increase in New Jersey’s minimum wage. Gillian explained in August that these issues, compounded by $4 million in debt, made the park’s continued operation impossible. “I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly difficult challenges each year,” Gillian wrote. “But it’s no longer a viable business.”
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On the park’s final day, visitors, many with long histories of coming to Wonderland, enjoyed the rides one last time. Sheryl Gross, who has been visiting since her now 43-year-old daughter was a toddler, reflected on the loss, saying, “It really made it feel family-friendly. A lot of that is going to be lost now.”
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The park’s closure has sparked local efforts to save it. Friends of OCNJ History and Culture, a non-profit group, is raising funds to potentially help a new owner purchase the property. Bill Merritt, a leader of the group, noted that they have raised over $1 million, though the total price for the park could reach $20 million. “Ocean City will be fundamentally different without this attraction,” Merritt said, emphasizing the park’s integral role in the community.
The property’s current owner, Icona Resorts, bought it in 2021 when the Gillian family was in danger of defaulting on loans. The company’s CEO, Eustace Mita, has yet to announce plans for the property but has hinted at the possibility of a luxury hotel elsewhere on the boardwalk.
With the rides now silent, the future of Wonderland Pier remains uncertain, leaving a gap in Ocean City’s history and culture.
Surely, with so many loyal customers saddened to see the amusement park go, somebody must be willing to pick up the torch?
