Gillians Wonderland Pier and Island Waterpark
Encyclopedia
Gillians is a historic amusement park
founded in 1929 by David Gillian, who first came to Ocean City in 1914. It was located on the ocean boardwalk of the New Jersey shore.
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 Merry-Go-Round.
In honor of his 100th birthday in 1990, David Gillian donated a horse from the Merry-Go-Round 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 major 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.
Gillian's Wonderland Pier is mostly famous for its 144 feet (43.9 m) Giant Wheel, one of the largest ferris wheels on the east coast.
In 2009, Gillian's Wonderland Pier celebrated 80 years on the Ocean City, New Jersey Boardwalk.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
founded in 1929 by David Gillian, who first came to Ocean City in 1914. It was located on the ocean boardwalk of the New Jersey shore.
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 Merry-Go-Round.
In honor of his 100th birthday in 1990, David Gillian donated a horse from the Merry-Go-Round 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 major 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.
Gillian's Wonderland Pier is mostly famous for its 144 feet (43.9 m) Giant Wheel, one of the largest ferris wheels on the east coast.
In 2009, Gillian's Wonderland Pier celebrated 80 years on the Ocean City, New Jersey Boardwalk.
Indoor Rides at Gillians Wonderland Pier
- Carousel (Philadelphia Toboggan CompanyPhiladelphia Toboggan CompanyThe Philadelphia Toboggan Company is one of the oldest existing roller coaster manufacturing companies in the world.Mack Rides of Germany dates back to 1781, but it did not start building coasters until 1921 Based in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, it was established in 1904 by Henry B...
#75 1926) - MonoRail
- Balloon Race
- Crazy Submarine
- Fire Engines
- Dune Buggies
- Jumbo
- MiniTele Combat
- Wet Boats
- Mini-Scrambler
- Frog Jump Around
- Wonder's Silly Sea Quest Miniature Golf (on the side of Wonderland Pier No tickets required, pay at the entrance)
Midway Rides at Gillians Wonderland Pier
- Giant Wheel ~ 141 feet (43 m) high.
- Musik Express
- Raiders
- Trabant
- Tilt -A- Whirl
- Swings
- Galleon
- Bear Affair
- Rockin Tub *NEW 2011*
- Raceway Whip
- Mini-Scooters
- Little Wheel
- Kite Flyer
- Airborne Shot *NEW 2011*
Lower Deck Rides at Gillians Wonderland Pier
- Canyon Falls Log Flume
- Runaway Train Coaster
- Skooter Bumper Cars
- Moby Dick
- Bumper Boats
- Scrambler *NEW 2011*
Fun Deck Rides at Gillians Wonderland Pier
- Fun Slide
- Fiesta Express *NEW 2011*
- Miner Mike
- Glass House
- Demolition Derby
Water Rides at Gillians Island Waterpark
- Lazy River
- Lil' Buc's Bay ~ 18880 sq ft (1,754 m²) for kids.
- Big Squirt!
- The Serpintine Slides
- Skypond Journey Tube Slide
- Splash Down Falls