HISTORY

Star Burst

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.

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