By Bill Quain
It is impossible to be a weekly columnist from Ocean City and not write a story about the end of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier and the beginning of the “ICONA in Wonderland” Hotel. I tried to avoid it, but I got an email from the AAWC (American Association of Weekly Columnists) informing me that, if I didn’t write about it, I’d be “drummed out” of the AAWC! Being drummed out is a bad scene! They tear off my “I am a columnist” badge, take away my laptop, and force me to wear an “I write comic strips” badge. I shudder when I think about it.
No surprise: OC people hate change
When the news that Wonderland was going to close hit the Facebook groups, all the OC regulars – residents, homeowners, and visitors – raised a ruckus! There were lots of laments, predictions and even some dire warnings. “This is the end of Ocean City as we know it” was a prevailing theme in the emails and editorials.
I started to get the messaging about Wonderland confused with the campaign messaging from the Republicans and Democrats. I almost sent a mail-in ballot to Jay Gillian’s office, asking him to reconsider his decision to close Wonderland down!
However, when I read that his payroll costs had risen from $40,000 to $80,000 and that was one of the reasons he was closing the park, I thought better of it. As a former business owner in Ocean City, I know how labor costs can be a killer.
One last trip ‘round The Wheel
Like many people, Jeanne and I took one last trip on the Ferris Wheel – or did we? It seems that the new developer has plans to keep both the Ferris Wheel and the Carousel. Who knows? Maybe these two iconic rides on the Boardwalk will reopen from time to time. If so, we’ll do our best to get on the list of riders. Just in case, I started to buy up Wonderland Tickets! By the way, they are very inexpensive right now! My guess is that it will take about 2,500 tickets for the Carousel, and a five-night stay at the hotel in early August to ride the Ferris Wheel.
As a “hotel guy,” I’m prejudiced.
Many of my readers know my story. I attended the Hotel School at Cornell University as an undergraduate, and at age 19, in the summer of ’72, I leased a hotel here in Ocean City. I have worked in a number of hotels across the U.S., and now teach Hospitality Management at Stockton University. So, I’m prejudiced in favor of hotels – especially nice ones! Yes, I’m sure I’ll be sitting on a Boardwalk bench years from now, stopping walkers, bikers, runners and surrey riders, and telling them about the “good old days” when you could ride over people’s heads on a tiny train, go around in circles in little boats and slide down a giant slide. “And it was all right there,” I’ll say. “But now, all we have is that beautiful hotel, all brand-new and well-kept. Isn’t it a shame?”
But then, I’ll reflect back on all the hotels that used to be in Ocean City, and think how lucky we are that people love this place so much that they are willing to invest in a piece of our community.
It’s the OC hotel/amusement tradition.
Here’s an irony. Where is the other (remaining) amusement park in Ocean City? It’s in front of The Flanders Hotel! And what did we lose when Playland’s Castaway Cove was built? The beautiful hotel deck and beach club at The Flanders.
Most people don’t remember this, (or maybe weren’t even alive at the time), but The Flanders used to have two huge pools and a semi-private beach, with canvas cabanas. The pools were filled with saltwater. In fact, I learned to swim in those pools! I often tease my wife that since she didn’t learn to swim in the Flander’s pool, she can’t call herself an Ocean City “local.” There was even a separate diving pool. When you came off that high dive and hit that salt water, it was tough!
That oasis was replaced by an amusement park. When Playland’s Castaway Cove expanded into that space, there was a lot of grumbling about the change! Ironic, isn’t it?
Mr. Mita, welcome to Ocean City
But please be aware that we are all a little afraid of change. We know your plans are just that, plans, and they need to be approved. And the general public is going to be watching everything with great suspicion. In fact, a group of citizens recently formed an organization called “Friends of OCNJ History & Culture” and reportedly raised a million bucks to offer a different plan!
However, if you can gain approval to build a beautiful, tasteful and prosperous hotel, it won’t be long until that hotel is just part of the Boardwalk scenery. We haven’t had a new, full-service hotel built here in many years. Plus, you aren’t just building a hotel. You’re going to be a part of family stories, generational images, and an iconic family vacation destination.
Okay, this column should get responses!
Blast away! Write to me at bill@quain.com. I’m a big boy. I can take it! As I say each week, I’ll see ya in the papers!
Bill is a Professor in Stockton University’s Hospitality Management Program. He is the author of 27 books, and a highly-respected speaker. Even though he is almost totally blind, Bill is a long-distance runner and runs the Ocean City Half Marathon each year. He lives in Ocean City with his wife Jeanne, and his Guide Dog Trudy. Visit www.billquain.com or email him at bill@quain.com.
