HISTORY
Over 60 Years of Family Fun!
1930's
1960’s
1970’s
1980’s
1990’s
2000’s
2010’s
2020’s
1930’s
The Pier in the 1930's
1960
1964
In 1964 Charles “Buddy “ Jenkins and Arnold Palmer met… Jenkins had just acquired a large parcel of bayside property in Ocean City MD and Palmer — the reigning “King” of golf at the time — was developing Driving Ranges and Miniature Golf courses.
Jenkins purchased a franchise and in July 1964 opened the Arnold Palmer Putting Course and Driving Range. The following year, he added 10 Amusement Rides and over the next several years Jolly Roger® Park established itself as a major tourist attraction in the seaside resort.
1965
Added 6 Rides, including a Merry-Go-Round, Kiddie Roller Coaster, Skyliner and Train; the Train still operates today
1966
Added Carousel, Dry Slide and Bumper Cars
1970
Splash Mountain begins with a concrete Water Slide
1974
Acquired Pier and began major renovations and added new rides and attractions.
1976
SpeedWorld® begins with 2 tracks – Formula One and Family Track
1979
Treasure Golf is built - the first "elevated" Miniature Golf Course on the East Coast
1980
Opened Gold Rush - a Miniature Golf Course and Arcade in North Ocean City.
1980
Bumper Cars and Speed Boats added.
1983
Added Log Flume.
1984
Second Miniature Golf Course - Treasure Golf
1985
Saw a Series of Live Acts and Shows:
- Alligator Pond
- Flying Wallendas
- Petting Zoo
- Bill Wills Parker Playhouse
- Dolphin Show
- High Dive Acts
- Royal Hannford Circus
- Lion and Tiger Shows
- And who could forget, Donte the Elephant and Earl the Chimpanzee
1986
The Ferris Wheel, 1001 Nights, Music Express and Enterprise were added during the second renovation of the Pier
1986
More Amusement Rides and Haunted House added at the Pier.
1990
SpeedWorld® expands with several new tracks.
1990
Jolly Roger 30th Street circa 1990
1991
Splash Mountain expands with addition of Lazy River.
1996
Wild Mouse Roller Coaster added to Park.
1998
Expansion of Lazy River and addition of Lost Lagoon at Splash Mountain.
2000
Stealth, Master Blaster, Wave Pool and Rain Forest added at Splash Mountain.
2005
2 Great Parks 1 Low Price! In 2005 we officially branded Jolly Roger at the Pier, passes and armbands became valid at both locations
2007
Added Eye of the Hurricane at Splash Mountain.
2011
Aqua Loop – the East Coast’s only 360 Degree Looping Water Slide – added at Splash Mountain.
2012
Aqua Loop – the East Coast’s only 360 Degree Looping Water Slide – added at Splash Mountain.
2014
Jolly Roger® Amusement Parks Celebrates 50th Anniversary.
2015
Debut of Splash Mountain Mermaids
2015
Opened the Cyclone – world’s first Cart Coaster.
2015
First World Famous Black Friday Sale!
2016
Drop and Twist added to 30th Street Rides and Pirate Ship "appears"
2017
The Tea Cups, a classic amusement favorite.
2017
The Kraken was added to the Pier location.
2017
July 25th - First Christmas in July to benefit Toys for Tots
2018
Twist n' Shout Kids Slide added to Splash Mountain
2018
After a winter-long renovation the Giant Wheel at the Pier is reopened!
2018
Crazy Cabs added at the Pier.
2019
Barracuda added to 30th street.
2020
Freestyle 360 was brought to the Pier!
2020
The Tilt-a-Whirl Rides was brought to 30th St.!
2020
Drop & Twist was brought to the Pier!
2023
Sunny the Seagull went viral at Thrasher's Fries!
2024
Jolly Roger® Amusement Parks Celebrates 60th Anniversary.
