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Park Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
Gillian’s Funland
America's newest amusement park
Gillian's Funland in Sea Isle City is the only new amusement park ticket prices as Wonderland Pier in Ocean City and tickets will be
to be unveiled in the United States this year. Paul Ruben travels interchangeable between the two venues. Also featured will be the
to New Jersey to meet owner Jay A Gillian, who also operates same special offers, including Two-Ticket Tuesdays/Thursdays and
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier just down 10 miles down the shore in Wristband Wednesdays.
Ocean City To economise further, Gillian's two parks will share the services of
their permanent personnel, about 20 to 24 staff across two shifts.
B
ased on both Gillian's experience and his heritage, Funland is It may be too early to outline future plans for Funland, but Gillian
expected to succeed unlike other recent openings in the US. admits a possible expansion "could arrive depending on city plans and
Gillian is a third-generation amusement park owner. His the outcome of this season."
grandfather, David Gillian, started Gillian’s Fun Deck 80 years ago,
and then in 1965 his father, Roy Gillian, opened Wonderland Pier.
Built at a cost of less than $2 million (Euro.1861.4m), the opening Gillian’s
Funland was delayed for a month because of poor weather that
stymied construction. Now, however, visitors to Sea Isle City can enjoy
its 12 family rides and attractions.
"The best part of Funland is the location,” says Gillian. " It's the first
thing you see when you cross the bridge into Sea Isle!"
The area was previously home to Fun City, a 30-year-old park that
closed in 2001 for the development of beach homes. Gillian had
wanted to open an amusement park in Sea Isle City for years, but the
price of real estate precluded it. When the city offered him a 10-year
lease on a 300ft x 80ft parcel of land in exchange for 10% of the
park’s annual gross revenues, he moved quickly.
"My vision is to have a family-oriented amusement park,” he
explains. “That includes continuing the Gillian tradition of serving
families from one generation to another. It's what families enjoy about
our brand."
Funland is comparable to other parks on the Jersey shore, facing
the same competition: "The weather," rues its owner. But Gillian
believes it is also unique. "It's a great kiddie park! It’s got its own
personality in the rides that have been chosen and because of the
location of the park."
The mix of around a dozen attractions was supplied mostly by either
Zamperla or Rides-4-U. Gillian has worked with both Len Soled of
Rides-4-U and Ramon Rosario of Zamperla before and knew he could
count on their help. A single concession stand sells cotton candy and
funnel cakes. Gillian wanted to stay away from snacks that may
interfere with other
businesses in Sea Isle
City.
"Yes, we will cross
market in the shore
region and our
traditional Gillian’s Dozen
Pennsylvania market,"
Gillian’s Funland features an eclectic collection of 12 family and kiddie rides.
says Gillian. "Families
Included are a Zamperla Kite Flyer, Samba Balloon, frog-themed Jump Around
are our target market."
and Rockin' Tug, plus a Fiesta Express coaster that formerly operated at
Gillian’s Funland
Cypress Gardens in Florida. Jay Gillian went into his own inventory of rides to
will have the same add a kiddie train that formerly operated in Ocean City. Len Soled of
Rides-4-U brokered six of the rides including a 28ft Chance Carousel, a
LEFT: Jay Gillian and father
Roy pictured on opening
new Frederiksen Fun Slide, new bumper cars by SBF/Visa, an SBF
day at the new park
balloon wheel, Wisdom Raiders and a Moser Bear Bounce.
26 AUGUST 2009
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