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Wonderland site to host 'stopgap' attractions

OCNJ Daily's weekly newsletter

May 22, 2025

Welcome back to the weekly newsletter from OCNJ Daily! Ocean City was recently named the nation’s No. 2 summer travel destination by USA Today.

In this week's newsletter ...

🎡 Avoiding a ‘black hole’ at Wonderland Pier

Donald Wittkowski | OCNJ Daily

The first summer without Wonderland is about to begin, but the pier will not be completely idle.

Owner Eustace Mita will open an arcade and pizzeria on the vacant property. He said the offerings are a “stopgap” measure while his efforts to build the $150 million ICONA in Wonderland luxury hotel on the site continue. Mita also recently had the former amusement park’s facade repainted.

The iconic carousel and ferris wheel, and other rides, will remain closed.

Mita — who lives in Ocean City — did not want the site to look deserted or run-down this summer.

“I’m a lifelong resident and the last thing I wanted to see as a citizen was a black hole on the northern end of the Boardwalk,” he said. “We wanted to have a new identity.”

Mita said he will likely present his formal hotel proposal to City Council in July.

📅 MDW Events via Access Ticketing Network

Thursday, May 22

  • Breezy with rain, drizzle | 84% chance of rain | High of 63, low of 55

Friday, May 23

  • Clear and breezy | 42% chance of rain | High of 67, low of 53

  • Flag Raising Ceremony | Ocean City Music Pier | 9 a.m., more details here

  • Unlocking of the Ocean | Ninth Street Beach | 12 p.m., more details here

  • Business Person Plunge | Ninth Street Beach | 12 p.m., more details here

Saturday, May 24

  • Breezy with clouds, sun | 25% chance of rain | High of 65, low of 51

  • Memorial Beach Challenge | Ninth Street Beach | More details here

Sunday, May 25

  • Partly sunny and breezy | 14% chance of rain | High of 69, low of 53

Monday, May 26

  • Mostly cloudy | 25% chance of rain | High of 68, low of 55

  • Memorial Day Service | Veterans Memorial Park | 11 a.m., more details here

  • National Moment of Remembrance | Boardwalk | 3 p.m., more details here

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⛱️ Elsewhere around the shore

Thanks for reading! See you next week!