Wonderland Pier Ferris wheel to be dismantled, developer confirms

The iconic Ferris wheel at Ocean City's Wonderland Pier cannot be saved and will be dismantled, according to developer Eustace Mita. Mita, who purchased the site in 2021 with plans to build a luxury hotel, stated that years of salt air exposure have welded major components and bolts in place, making reassembly impossible.

The Ferris wheel was originally intended to be kept as a nostalgic centerpiece for the redevelopment project, but it must now be cut apart with torches. This development follows the closure of Gillian's Wonderland Pier in 2024 and a recent cinder block wall collapse at the site, which prompted Ocean City to issue a formal notice of unsafe structure. The site was designated as an area 'in need of rehabilitation' in June, though redevelopment efforts remain subject to legal challenges.