Visitors say goodbye to Gillian's Wonderland on its final day

The last few empty logs made their way up, floated around the bend and took their splashy descent, as the usual water drops hit the pavement of the walkway below.

At last, the empty logs were filled with screaming parkgoers, and Gillian was off to the next section.

For the next five hours, the clicks of the coasters, the sounds of hydraulics and screaming guests emanated throughout Gillian’s Wonderland Pier one last time. By 6 p.m., the aura of a busy day at the amusement park was to slowly give way to a silent October night.

This time, for good.

Gillian’s Wonderland, which opened in 1965, was set to close its gates for good Sunday, ending a 59-year run as one of Ocean City’s most iconic symbols. It was a fixture in many South Jersey childhoods, as well as those who traveled hours to visit the Jersey Shore and maybe go for a spin on its iconic Ferris wheel, a beacon for those entering the city.

Jay Gillian, one of founder Roy Gillian’s sons and the CEO of Gillian’s Wonderland, made the announcement in a letter to the public Aug. 9, saying he had no choice but to close the pier and the 6th Street Pizza and Grill. Gillian also has been mayor of Ocean City since 2010.

On Sunday, he was walking through the park, checking on some of the attractions. Several guests walked up to Gillian to shake his hand and exchange a few words.

Gillian, however, declined to talk to the media, reiterating that he will talk in the coming days. He did, however, give way to the thousands of guests who made one last visit Sunday, wanting to hear their stories.

“We came early because I heard there would be a long line. I have a feeling everybody is going to want to ride the Ferris wheel,” said Cecilia Fitzi, 56, who stood at the roped-off entrance with her 95-year-old mother, Marie Leonetti, almost an hour before it opened.

The Leonettis have owned a house on the island since 1943. Gillian’s — going back to the original park owned by Roy’s father, David — was a part of the Leonettis’ family history, Fitzi said. Her older brothers, Robert and Paul, both worked for Wonderland growing up.

Fitzi has been visiting Wonderland since she was born, and she and her mom each have a ring from the carousel, a keepsake they’ve owned for about 40 years.

“This is her house,” Fitzi said of her mom.

If only the lights were on

Fitzi and Leonetti looked up at the Ferris wheel. Its lights have been out all summer, and even longer, they said.

“We knew it was coming. It’s super sad,” Fitzi said.

Gillian no longer owns the property, having sold it to developer Eustace Mita in 2021. The park was heading toward a sheriff’s sale when Mita added a $10 million cash infusion to pay off a reported $8 million in debt and keep the park operational. He gave Gillian three years to climb out of debt, something Gillian said he was unable to do.

There are no public plans for the property, though Mita has expressed interest in putting a hotel there. A hotel is not allowed under current zoning regulations, and city council has recently restated its opposition to changing those laws.

“There’s plenty of hotels and everything else. I hope they can save it,” said Brian Giaccobe, 56, who grew up in Hammonton and lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Andrea Carroll, 54. The couple, both with childhood memories of Gillian’s, were there with their daughter Sydney, 10, and her best friend, Marti Stephan, 11.

The four of them stood outside the side gate along 6th Street, which boasts a nice view of the Ferris wheel, for some pictures.

“My favorite ride is the Ferris wheel,” Sydney said, with Marti agreeing.

‘Here for the last time’

Egg Harbor Township resident Kim Ruberton explained to her 7-year-old daughter, Alex, that so many people, including herself, have a lifetime of memories from having visited Wonderland over the years.

“You’re going to be here for the very last time,” said Ruberton, 39.

“I like that they were able to give everyone a chance to use their last tickets, gave them a heads-up and give them an idea of what’s going on. You see people outside taking pictures of the blocks (that spell WONDERLAND) moving — those little sentimental things you don’t realize isn’t going to happen anymore.”

Lynzee and Jon Denham, of Ocean View, brought their kids Zoey, 5, and Kiya, 18 months, so they could experience what the couple did growing up in Cape May County.

The first ride Zoey wanted to ride was the Kite Flyer, which seats riders on their stomachs and spins them around. So she and her mom hopped in and went for a spin.

“I love all of the rides!” Zoey said after it was over.

Jorje Castro, 37, has been coming from Marlton, Burlington County, since he was a kid to visit Wonderland. Each year since he and wife Rachel became parents, they have brought their kids — Liam, 6, Stella, 4, and Cooper, 1.

The family was there Saturday as well and took a family picture riding the Canyon Falls Log Flume, Liam’s favorite ride. On Sunday, Stella went for a spin on Jumbo, the spinning elephant ride, which is one of her favorites.

“We planned this, right from the beginning as soon as we heard it was going to (close),” Castro said. “It’s terrible. It’s iconic. I don’t think anybody’s really happy about it, except the people doing the deal.”

That won’t erase what Castro remembers of his childhood visits to Ocean City.

“Staying up late, going on rides and eating ice cream,” he said. “What else do you need?”