Before Gillian’s Wonderland Pier closed its doors last October, crowds gathered to bid farewell to the beloved animatronic characters that had entertained generations. Known by many as the Man and Dog Show, these whimsical figures serenaded guests waiting for the monorail, while the famed Monkey Band kept lively rhythm beside the carousel.
When the park shuttered, questions lingered about where the animatronics would go. Now, eight months later, fans can breathe a sigh of relief — the characters haven’t strayed far from their boardwalk roots.
Those who venture to the back of the Promenade Food Court, between 7th and 8th streets on the Ocean City Boardwalk, will discover the familiar faces once again in action. Thanks to the generosity of Promenade founder and owner Giovanni Baratta, the animatronics have found a new home in a room at the rear of the court.
Last week, a team of former Wonderland employees gathered to put the finishing touches on the display, making sure the set pieces and animatronic systems were fully functional.
Andrew Boylan, who worked at Wonderland for 13 years and maintained the animatronics, played a key role in their preservation. “I did everything there except own it,” Boylan joked. After the park’s closure, he struck a deal with owner Jay Gillian to acquire the Man and Dog Show. “Now I’ve reached ownership status,” he said. He later obtained the Monkey Band from the auction company handling the park’s assets.
Although the original staging was offered as part of the sale, Boylan opted to build a new setup from scratch. “You needed a forklift to lift it; it was huge,” he said, referring to the original cage used to house the band.
For months, the animatronics lived in a shed behind Boylan’s home as he worked on their restoration. “I had the monkeys in my living room to see how it would look,” he said. Measurements were carefully taken, and a new cage was constructed to fit the space.
Boylan and his team also repainted the fence surrounding the display and added subtle nods to its history — including a vintage weigh scale once owned by David Gillian that longtime fans may recognize. “It used to be with the Man and Dog Show for so long,” noted collaborator Alex Corson.
The animatronics first arrived at Wonderland in 1992 as retrofitted Chuck E. Cheese characters, performing eight country songs under the name “Rocky and the Railroad Ramblers” for $1 per show. Over time, their costumes and playlists changed, and videos of their performances have since attracted hundreds of thousands of views online.
Boylan announced the show’s revival on his YouTube channel, @Actors317, and said its future depends on continued support. “I could’ve kept them in my shed, but the fanbase for this is too massive,” he said.
Fans can now relive the nostalgia firsthand. The Man and Dog Show and Monkey Band are on display at the Promenade Food Court, 744 Boardwalk in Ocean City. Shows run about every hour throughout the summer. For updates, follow @manandogshow on Instagram.
“Don’t take this for granted,” Boylan said. “If you want to keep it alive, keep coming to the Promenade.”
Photos by Steffen Klenk
Steffen Klenk is a photographer and multimedia journalist who enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life. You may contact Steffen at shorelocalsteffen@gmail.com.
