Saying Goodbye To Gillian’s Wonderland - Final Tour 2024

[@MrEufemia]

I hope it stays for generations to come I hate seeing a lot of people's dreams and legacies destroyed because of bigger corporations. Please let's save this park so that many others can enjoy it as well to come. Preserve history's most beautiful possessions.

[@JosephGazzara]

So nice to see so many people up in arms over this. So many memories, not just for us but our children and grandchildren! This will be sorely missed. Fortunately there are many other fun places along the Jersey Shore. Please don’t forget Storybook Land on the White Horse Pike. All of these places need our support (and patronage) to keep going. Shout out to all of the owners, workers and supporters of these places! Thanks for making our kids happy!

[@DisneyMarkUK]

I’ve never heard of this place before but after seeing your video it would be an absolute same to lose it. Thank you.

[@vaygirl]

❤ I grew up in Palermo and we owned a bar that used to be called The Sandbar. I spent so much of my childhood here, riding that carousel and trying to grab the brass ring. Thank you! ❤

[@Sunsoul888]

Thank you Joey. I've never been to Ocean city, nor Gilligan's. However, I pray big corporate multi millionaire doesn't destroy 94 yrs.of family fun,memories etc. If it is saved I will come down and bring my grandchildren. So sad, I hope there will be people petitioning this destruction. Multi millionaires just have greed in their hearts, build,build build. No more condos!!!! Blessings light & love ❤️. Fight to save this unique place.

[@susan7204]

It's not in Ocean City, it's in Wildwood. It's not 94 yrs, it's only 47yrs which I'm not sure why he won't wait 3 more yrs to make it 50yrs! We took my stepdaughter here when she was little. 🥺

[@211Alley]

Yes it is in Ocean City 🤦‍♀️

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

Hey Susuan, Gillian's Wonderland Pier was founded in 1929 by David Gillian in Ocean City. I know it's a bit confusing since I do mostly Wildwood videos but I do cover all the towns in Cape May County :-)

[@twistedmindszzz]

@@susan7204are u drunk ?

[@Sunsoul888]

​@susan7204 I'm going by what Joey said at the very beginning of the video. He said ocean city & 94 yrs.old. watch the start of video......

[@conshygirl830]

Gillian's is leaving behind an iconic piece of history, cherished memories, a legacy of joy & and laughter that brought smiles to millions.

[@michaelmcenery7515]

Some body please buy this and save it so many memories made there with families dont let it be torn down and condos built in place of it.!!!

[@thejasonstackhouse]

It's already been bought, the owner sold it months ago

[@FrankieJ1981]

This is iconic, it would be a crime to close it and put up condos 😢 Places like this are more than property, they are memories that last a lifetime and that's what makes the Jersey Shore the Jersey Shore!

[@carminecdinoproductions]

@@FrankieJ1981 Yeah. That would be a crime.

[@johnchambers8528]

@@FrankieJ1981 There is one possible solution but it would be up to the local residences to help preserve this park. I assume the zoning would have to be changed to permit condos to be built on this land. If it is zoned for something like recreational use then the property owner would have to get it rezoned for residential before trying to build condos. However if it is just zoned for commercial use there is nothing to stop the land owner from tearing down the park and putting something that would fit the commercial zoning. But again it would take a good group of local residents to attend the zoning hearings and object to any changes. Let’s hope the local people also want to preserve the park.

[@UnclePhil1112]

It’s really hard my soul driving over the Somers Point bridge and looking to the left, and not seeing the Ferris wheel light up

[@makeupwithvalerienotrends7961]

Thank you Joey ❤

[@RonaldBrown59]

Goodbye Wonderland, thanks for the memories. Nice video Joey.

[@george.h5530]

Thanks Joey ! Took my Grandson and wife there for the last time last Saturday many years of going there. Very sad to see it end who knows it may continue to be open with changes to make it profitable. Don’t think too many people was aware that it had financial problems and new owner to the land the amusements are on .

[@lancewoods9428]

Thanks for the tour and financial backstory, Joey. I’m gonna miss the synchronized signs and the mono-train the most, and I know my wife will miss the carousel. Whenever we visited OCNJ, we made a point of going to Gillian’s so she could ride it. (Hey, since you mentioned the Tilt-a-Whirl: glad to see the cars intact, unlike what Morey’s did to them on Surfside Pier. Ugh.)

[@deejonczak4140]

Thank you for this video, Joey. Very sad to see Gillian's closing. My husband and I made so many wonderful memories with our Grandchildren on this pier. So very sad to see it close.

[@TheIcetemp]

Hey Joey, before my family moved south to Wildwood in 1960, we lived on 34th street in OC. I hung out at Gillian's as a kid. Riding the merry go round, as we called it and leaning way out to grab the rings. Gold meant a free ride.

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

ahh yes!! I wish they still had that!

[@mindlessdroid3630]

We always went to Wildwood but i always wanted to drive into Ocean City but never have. This made me sad but also triggered a lot of my memories from Wildwoods past. Reminds me of how awesome Fun, Casino, Hunts and Sportland pier were and hope someone can save Gillians and the memories of so many people.

[@JimStrader]

Hey Joey, i had thought the Moreys should take it over. It might be far enough away not to cannibalize their existing piers. They seem to have figured out how to make an amusement pier work.

[@28mark]

except Hunt's Pier

[@carminecdinoproductions]

Ocean City deserves more amusements and more amusement parks!

[@princevultan6589]

So many wonderful Wonderland memories for me. I’m 57 and started visiting Gillian’s Wonderland since I was about 2 years old. Hopefully someone will step in and keep it operating for many years to come.

[@kaitlinbennett4181]

Man, I’m sad to see this go. As being 11, it’s sad seeing this place close down after 94 years. We had a good run.

[@44bthknuckles]

i trust that william major purchases it so he can own both funtown pier and gillians, this also help him rebuild in seaside heights.

[@gneauman40]

I'll be visiting in 2 weeks I hope Gillian's will be open. It'd be nice to have one more look around

[@suzannekreiss7369]

Thanks for the tour. I agree it would be terrible to close this 😢

[@d0ublestr0ker0ll]

I was a kid in the 80s and 90s, and Wonderland was always the grand finale of my boardwalk visits. The pizza place was a shooting gallery in the front and a dark ride with strobe lights behind it. The shooting gallery was my favorite thing at Wonderland. I boycotted the pizza place and have never had a slice from it. The inside of Wonderland looks very much the same, but the outside morphed greatly over the years. They used to have a ride called the Salt and Pepper Shakers, right next to the rollercoaster. It's still the most vomit-inducing ride I've ever seen, and I've been on some of the craziest rollercoasters. Adults and children would literally puke during and after the ride quite commonly. It's heartbreaking that Wonderland is closing. NO HIGHRISES. Stand up and protest!

[@johnchambers8528]

Thanks for doing this video to record for history what may no longer be there soon. As you reported this park is not on land they own. So they are at the pleasure of the landlord to continue to lease them the land to operate. That said the main problem with the amusement park is that it can only operate several months a year to make a profit. If the land is really valuable that works against anyone from operating there. The landlord will want a high rent for the land and it may be too high to justify a small seasonal park. It has been said in other comments Morey’s of Wildwood should buy it and operate it. That most likely can not be done for the reasons I noted. In Wildwood Morey’s owns the piers they operate on but here they would have to pay high rent to a landlord if that is acceptable to the landlord. So unless the landlord can make a reasonable profit operating this seasonable amusement park it most likely be abandoned.

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

You’re absolutely right-operating a seasonal amusement park comes with significant challenges, especially when it comes to the cost of leasing land. It’s tough to make a profit in just a few months, and as the value of the land increases, the chances of maintaining such a park dwindle. Morey’s being able to buy it would be ideal, but as you pointed out, the logistics of doing so under these circumstances are incredibly complex. It’s a sad reality that if a solution isn’t found, we could lose another beloved piece of history. Let’s hope for the best!

[@StephenHeigh]

It would be nice if the new developer keeps some of the iconic kiddie rides like the boats, fire engines, hot rod dune buggies and elephants for the little kids. Generations of little kids have loved those rides and Ocean City needs to either relocate some of those rides on the boardwalk and build a kiddie land at a smaller scale.

[@chrissyf68]

Hi Joey, How sad this would be if they knock it down n destroy it 😮😢....So many childhood memories going to this beautiful place with my Sons since they were 1 year old. Now they are 24 but they still have great fun memories there on those rides.....Always a fun great time there. We have videos of them on all the rides there from every year....And hundreds of photos of course. 😊 Hope Morey's buys this place n continues to stay opened... Thanks for sharing this with us... Stay safe hugs to you from NYC 😊❤

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

Hi there! I totally agree-it would be heartbreaking to see such a special place go. I wish morey's would buy it

[@johnchambers8528]

@@WildwoodVideoArchive See my earlier comment on why this outcome would be hard to do.

[@teddyfurstman1997]

Hope this park is saved somehow. Such a sad loss.

[@SpeedBreaker1525]

Used to come there every summer I went last on the last Sunday of summer well like before Friday at least

[@newjerzhomes]

The Morey’s should buy it .

[@debbysalmon2498]

Probably becasue of the electric bills. Here in Jersey our electric bills doubled. Mine went from $250 something to over $500. I wasn't expecting that much. We had the Air on for the last part of June and July. So you can image what theirs looked like. It wasn't long after that Electric hike that they announced they were closing...

[@johnmollenkofsr7379]

I used to live right up the street on 8th Street from there at the old hotel on 8th Street lived there 9 years

[@bobwigg761]

The Bellevue?

[@josephf.447]

That awesome Joey what a surprise that you're in ocean city when were you there? Would you rather ocean city or Wildwood

[@bubbygirl132]

This place is part of my childhood it would be sad to close and turn it into something else I rather see it as something for families to come to every year

[@danielmkubacki]

This is sad. Nice video.

[@SharonZarrow-te7qv]

Shame to see it go part of new jersey shore life,I used to go to seaside park wonder if it's still there.?

[@nervouSShitter]

Thanks for making this video. We've always been curious to know what the OC boardwalk was like, specifically the piers with rides. We are WW diehards (visit 1-3 times per season) but were thinking of giving OC a shot. When we heard Gillian's was closing we felt we missed out. Our children are roller coaster/thrill junkies and after watching the video, they would have been disappointed at Gillian's compared to Morey's. So we did miss out as we should have visited OC years ago when they were a little younger. Regardless, it's sad to see things like this disappear and despite having zero attachment to Gillian's, I hope someone can take it over or they can at least keep some sort of semblance of it.

[@ericdressler2020]

If Wonderland closes I'm done with Ocean City. They wouldn't care about vacationers. Next stop Cape May, NJ.

[@nervouSShitter]

​@@ericdressler2020 Cape May is awesome and great around Halloween and Xmas time. I wish I knew more about OC but no friends or family visit to ask of their experience/opinions. After watching this video and looking at Google maps, for what our family is interested in, OC seems to offer less than what WW does. The only thing at this point to make me want to stay at OC is if the demographic were different and my kids focused on the beach more than thrill rides.

[@CharlesSilver-ew3ju]

C'mon New Jersey, the most populated state in the country and this video doesn't have more views/likes?

[@MrEufemia]

It will

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

haah thank you!

[@debbysalmon2498]

Where are you from?? We are not the most populated state in this country.

[@evankimble8124]

They should make it a shopping plaza.

[@SCUMCRODE]

Last year’s proposal also requested the community civic center and adjacent public parking lot (visible on the drone shots with solar panel roof). It is used all year, especially fall-spring for indoor OCYAA sports and various events, and the parking lot for those events, all HS field events and vacationers alike. Build a hotel if you want but this community will never allow that community center and parking to be sold out from under us! Just sayin

[@paulg845]

Hey Joey, Keep up the good work. Here's an idea for a future video: "the history of beach badges in New Jersey". Always wondered *how it got started* and *why it continues*? As far as I know, Cape May, the Wildwoods and Atlantic City are the only three areas without Beach badges in New Jersey. Why can those three areas get away without it but the rest of the state can't? Again keep up the good work.

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

Cape May actually has tags lol. That is a great idea for a video though! I will have to knock that out in the spring :-) Thank you!

[@rksnj6797]

A lot of the rides were not operating for the past few seasons because they were in need of repair. Seems like there was no money put into the business for years. They replaced some rides for arcade type games.

[@brianhaflin9799]

Last several years have also been rough on the amusement park industry in general in terms of getting parts and being able to ship them to the park that needs them.

[@bobwigg761]

The financial issues probably go back to the rollercoaster accident years earlier, the lawsuits and higher insurance costs that must have followed didn’t help. When they started selling off rides, deferring some maintenance, filling spaces with arcade machines, it was clear they were having problems. I do wish somebody like the Moreys with the passion and resources for operating an amusement park could take it over.

[@ZURROS]

Some great points. Definitely trouble getting parts, covid, getting insurance, past litigation, worker shortage and of course all the availability of all the other options there are to go to. Nostalgia can be expensive . Sometimes too expensive. Like everything else that has become extinct in the last 20 years, it's just the next thing to go.

[@glock2101]

It’s gonna be a Spirit Halloween store

[@carminecdinoproductions]

@@glock2101 WHAT?!?

[@scole901]

i hope morleys buys it

[@djcapelli221]

Icona owns they will not sell it I can guarantee that

[@hogbone7]

Morey's should buy it

[@debbysalmon2498]

Can't the State declare it a historic landmark ?

[@treborillirac]

Morey should buy all the rides and reopen sportland pier

[@Berserk_Loon]

It's a shame to see something like this close. Being land locked like they were, did allow for expansion.

[@ddrusa]

Someone should put a sign save this park

[@ice_priz100]

Man I'ma mis Gillians

[@JonathanJones-bc8kx]

You should do Abandoned on this next aftermath

[@jeffsimons8893]

Hi Joey are the water parks still open after labor day in Wildwood going down this weekend

[@chrissyf68]

No. The Waterparks are closed. Just the rides on 2nd pier will be opened at 5pm Friday n Sat n Sunday only. Not opened Mon - Thurs.... I found this out through the Moreys Pier website... Only the Middle Pier will be opened, others will be closed....But food places n stores and Arcades are opened everyday...😊

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

hey! No Water Parks tend to close right after the Labor Day holiday

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

correct correct and correct! Thank you Chrissy!

[@prebaned]

Have to follow the money, sadly. They had a good run.

[@patrickreichert1442]

The new owner should build a state of the art, luxury hotel and then build a scaled down amusement pier with a small arcade and then sell discount passes to the hotel patrons. Keep the pizza place and add some other new food vendors. Can’t miss!

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

See where you’re coming from, but I’d have to disagree. What makes this spot so special is its nostalgic charm and its history as a family-friendly amusement park. Replacing it with a luxury hotel and a scaled-down pier might attract a different crowd, but it risks losing the character and memories that so many people cherish. At the end of the day, it's not our decision haha

[@patrickreichert1442]

@@WildwoodVideoArchive true the owners will do what they want as is there right. I don’t think rebuilding a facsimile of what is there now will be economically viable or interesting to patrons. I think the fact that they are tearing Gillian’s down indicates they need a new clientele in order to make more revenue. But I respect where you are coming from too, it won’t be the same 🥲

[@debbysalmon2498]

Plus the hotel can not sell or serve alcohol, OC is a dry town.

[@patrickreichert1442]

@@debbysalmon2498 I dont drink so not an issue to me. But i see your point

[@drewblouch8625]

What day does it close for good this year?

[@rksnj6797]

I believe Indian Summer Weekend it the last weekend it's open.

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

Columbus Day Weekend

[@LochNessLegend]

Give it the Indiana Beach…

[@ZURROS]

When Nostalgia and viability collide. It's sad. Unfortunately the bottom line usually wins.

[@kdub1323]

Putting a massive hotel (or condo) in that location instantly starts the process of turning OCNJ into OCMD

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

I totally get your concern! Adding a massive hotel or condo could definitely change the vibe of Ocean City, NJ, and not necessarily for the better. Part of what makes OCNJ so special is its family-friendly atmosphere and the charm that’s different from more commercialized places like Ocean City, MD. Overdevelopment could lead to losing that unique feel and the laid-back, classic boardwalk experience that so many people love

[@carminecdinoproductions]

@@WildwoodVideoArchive Yeah. I don’t want any overdevelopment. I want lots of good boardwalk amusements like new amusement parks!

[@debbysalmon2498]

@@WildwoodVideoArchive They do know OC is A dry town right?? That's why we went their as kids, family friendly.

[@matthewsalayko118]

Haha '90s ride you're so funny Joey

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

yea, I should have guessed older before saying anything lol. The color should have given it away

[@carminecdinoproductions]

What would take the place of this beloved amusement park?

[@williamgibb5557]

The pier opens too late in the afternoon and too many rides not in operation. By 2pm everything should be working. But its not . Try Playland at 10th street. Better rides but they open later also.

[@johnclifton8074]

Some of that stuff looks like it was from the old "Casino Arcade" that used to be towards the south end of the boardwalk. Especially that carousel that used to be HUGE ! A shame that big money destroys that which used to be fun ,just for their own profit ! How much money is enough for these people ?

[@stevenflores8894]

Joey..did you do all the drone footage?

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

I do all my drone footage on my channel :-)

[@carminecdinoproductions]

What might happen to all the rides at this park?

[@brianhaflin9799]

Most will likely be torn down and trashed. Besides a few, most I think are either in need of major repairs or would be too costly to move elsewhere. Especially when majority are more generic rides that places can buy new and/or with modern systems. I have heard rumors that some might survive and will remain on the pier but that will be decided later on.

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

Most of these are flat rides that can be sold off. The other stuff could be scrapped but you will see others find a new home

[@Thunder_6278]

Joey, I'm almost positive it will be demoed. Hello, condo-rama.🤥

[@OCcanUsee]

Ocean City's mayor, the Honorable Jay Gillian, released a public statement on August 9 saying that Wonderland would be closing. The letter stated that the amusement industry was all he had known, being the family business for 3 generations. "It's been my life, my legacy and my family. It's sad to let go", he said. But, I can only imagine it will also feel like a huge weight will be lifted off of him. The stress and decisions of how best to run the organization will be a thing of the past. Thank you for the memories Mayor Gillian.

[@Motherloadrocks]

American number one family vacation town closing its amusement pier for high-end hotel,sound like a great idea🤮

[@JD-fy5ri]

how is there no tribute video to Jack morey on this channel. did i miss it or something?

[@WildwoodVideoArchive]

go back to our Meet and Greet Video. We spoke about Jack and his legacy

[@JD-fy5ri]

@@WildwoodVideoArchive gotcha I will have to go back and watch that. My two cents I do think you should have a video of his legacy and interview his brother will On how it all started and the family history. Love what your doing with the channel and wildwoods Joey keep up the great work

[@redrubyslippers8284]

They should leave the amusement pier as is whoever owns it. There r no other places for kids to go on the boardwalk besides arcades. It would be sad to see it disappear. Sometimes it might look good on paper as a resort hotel, but in reality, it's going to be sad for all the little kids seeing a huge resort in its place. They can't be losing money since it's always packed everyday. So for now all we can do is hope and pray that it won't be demolished. 😔🥺🙄🙏

[@SlyDvl]

At least move the ferris wheel and carousel to Castaway Cove.

[@jeffreydornblaser5924]

Castaway cove already has those 2.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

@@jeffreydornblaser5924 Yeah. Maybe the Ferris wheel and carousel should be moved to a different New Jersey seaside amusement park or maybe an amusement park in Pennsylvania.

[@mgmeo]

No wonder this place just isn’t viable, it’s just a big concrete pad, no shade, no flow. It just doesn’t feel like a place you want to spend a day like Morey’s Piers. It’s the same reason why Adventure Pier has failed to this point. Also, the reason they are able to get away with the IP is that they are custom commissioned artwork, done after the sale to Gillian’s.

[@carminecdinoproductions]

@@mgmeo Huh?

[@mgmeo]

@@carminecdinoproductions Not sure what you want clarification on

[@Snooziac]

Sad.

[@44bthknuckles]

moreys pier should purchase funtown pier so it can be rebuilt than gillians wonderland pier moreys needs to step out of their comfort zone joey.

[@coasterpath]

Avalon ,,

[@SmilingBeagle-wn9hy]

Probably sell out to some real estate developers and build a tacky hotel

[@MochiTheFrogYT]

No wildwood?😢

[@Reese-fs1su]

This is Ocean City

[@datamack]

Ocean City is a failed version of Wildwood

[@carminecdinoproductions]

@@datamack What?

[@debbysalmon2498]

I think they have both been around for a long ,long time.

[@JeffreyPiatt]

They really should get Six Flags Entertainment Company to manage it nothing that snoopy can't solve.