Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, a beloved nearly century-old amusement park on the Ocean City Boardwalk, is set to close at the end of the summer. The park, famous for its iconic Ferris wheel visible from much of the barrier island, has been run by generations of the Gillian family and has been a staple of the Ocean City community. However, due to financial difficulties that have plagued the park for years, owner Jay Gillian has made the difficult decision to close its doors for good.
In a heartfelt post on Facebook, Gillian expressed his sadness at letting go of the 94-year tradition of Gillian’s amusements. As both the owner of Wonderland and the mayor of Ocean City, Gillian has poured his heart and soul into the park, making this decision all the more bittersweet.
As part of the closure, 6th Street Pizza and Grill, a popular eatery attached to the Wonderland complex, will also be closing its doors. The exact dates for the closures have not been announced, but Gillian has assured that he has tried his best to sustain Wonderland through difficult challenges.
Earlier this year, Gillian’s Wonderland Pier entered a partnership with developer Icona Resorts in a bid to save the struggling park. Despite these efforts, financial woes persisted, leading to the eventual closure. Gillian has stated that his family no longer owns the real estate and cannot speak to its future, but he will always cherish the memories made at the park.
With Gillian’s Wonderland Pier closing its doors, Ocean City will bid farewell to a cherished part of its history. Playland’s Castaway Cove will be the last remaining amusement park on the boardwalk, following a recent fire that destroyed part of the park’s building. The community mourns the loss of Wonderland Pier but looks forward to the future of Castaway Cove.
Gillian, who has dedicated 47 years to the amusement park business, reflects on his time at Wonderland Pier with gratitude. He has learned invaluable lessons from his family and plans to retire from the industry, leaving behind a legacy of cherished memories and lasting impact.