Gillians Wonderland Pier
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is a historic amusement park founded in 1929 by David Gillian, who first came to Ocean City in 1914. It is located on the ocean boardwalk of the New Jersey shore. History. David started his career in the orchestra at C. Elwood Carpenter's Dance Club (aka The Casino), located over the Moorlyn Theater on the old Boardwalk. In 1917 he transferred to the Hippodrome pier, where he played with Robin Robinson's Orchestra. The Hippodrome had a movie theatre, vaudeville, dancing and amusements for children. In October 1927, a fire destroyed the  Hippodrome, after which the burned boardwalk was replaced in 1928. In 1930 David Gillian opened a Fun Deck at Plymouth Place and the Boardwalk. The two main attractions were a Ferris wheel and a Carousel. The Fun Deck was transformed into a water park (today known as OC Waterpark) after 1987. In honor of his 100th birthday in 1990, David Gillian donated a horse from the Carousel to the Ocean City Historical Museum. David Gillian died in March 1993 at the age of 102. In 1957, David Gillian retired and his sons, Bob and Roy took over from 1957-1977 . In 1965 Roy left the family business and started Wonderland Pier at 6th Street and the Boardwalk (where Stainton's Playland had burned down 10 years prior), with 10 rides and a parking lot. Roy became mayor of Ocean City in 1985, and retired from politics in 1989. In 1994, Roy became the president of IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions). His son, Jay Gillian, became mayor of Ocean City in 2010. The Gillian family decided to expand their business beyond Ocean City by opening Gillian's Funland of Sea Isle City. Located on JFK Blvd. In January  2021 Gillian’s was under foreclosure but the Gillian family announced they would still be open for the 2021 season. On March 30 they announced they were teaming up with Icona Hotel owners to enhance the park. For the 2020 season they added a Huss Frisbee and for 2021 they have added a Super Fun Slide and a Larson/ARM Super Loop Gillian's Wonderland Pier is mostly famous for its Giant Wheel, one of the largest Ferris wheels on the east coast. Accidents. Wild Wonder On August 28, 1999, two people were killed and two injured when a roller -coaster car lost traction with the rails on a steep ascent and plunged backwards. The ride involved with the accident was the Wild Wonder. Canyon Falls Log Flume On July 22, 2007, 5 people were injured after a loose bolt was believed to be the cause of a malfunction on the ride, causing two logs to collide with each other. Speedway On August 25, 2013, a 4 year old girl was on the platform of the ride as it was about to start. She was then transported to the hospital shortly after. According to a spokeswoman from the NJ Department  of Labor & Community Affairs, “the accident was caused by operator error, and the operator was later fired. There were no mechanical problems with the ride.