OCEAN CITY – The Ferris wheel and carousel that have been described as iconic symbols of Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, and the city itself, were on a Wonderland for-sale list at a trade show Orlando, Florida, but their owner says they are not on the block.
Developer Eustace Mita has said his plans for creating a 252-room luxury hotel on the site of the former amusement park include the carousel and Ferris wheel. The Ferris wheel is included on a rendering of the developer’s proposed hotel.
Mita told the Herald on Wednesday, Nov. 20, that he owns the Ferris wheel, carousel and wet boats.
“They are not part of the sale,” Mita said via text message.
He said the list apparently included the Ferris wheel and carousel to garner attention.
“He has since taken them down,” Mita said.
A source said Gillian’s Wonderland Pier had a used, 36-foot Bertazzon Double Deck Carousel and a Fabbri Ferris Wheel.
The Wonderland list prices, dated Oct. 30, 2024, describe a Philadelphia Tobbagan Company Carousel Circular Horse and a Bertazzon Music Express, each for $250,000. There is also a Mel Park Giant Wheel listed for $390,000.
In all, the Wonderland list had 23 items for sale, ranging in price from $8,000 to the $390,000 Giant Wheel, for a total of $2,353,000.
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Exhibition and Conference runs Nov. 18 to 22 in Orlando.
