More Than Half In Ocean City Oppose Wonderland Luxury Hotel, New Poll Says

OCEAN CITY, NJ — More than half of Ocean City residents oppose the proposed ICONA in Wonderland luxury hotel on the Boardwalk, according to a new poll commissioned by a local group.

The results of the poll, commissioned by local group Ocean City 2050 and conducted by the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) at Rutgers University, were released Thursday.

According to the results, 53 percent of respondents oppose the plan, while 44 percent are in favor. Of those, 38 percent are "very opposed" and 15 percent are "somewhat opposed," while 21 percent are "very supportive" and 23 percent are "somewhat supportive."

Advocacy group Ocean City 2050, a local coalition of citizens who recently presented their "better idea" for the former Wonderland Pier, said that their poll proves that hotel opposition is strong and widespread.

"Ocean City residents want thoughtful growth, with an emphasis on improving entertainment, dining, and retail options that attract foot traffic and enhance the boardwalk experience for all ages — not large-scale hotel development that threatens its charm and function," said Ocean City 2050 spokesperson Jim Kelly. "Moreover, this research corroborates that many fear that declaring the site a redevelopment zone would set a precedent that could lead to similar high-rise hotels up and down the boardwalk, changing the very character of Ocean City."

Respondents feared immediate impacts of the hotel like increased parking and traffic, along with long-term consequences such as there being more high-rises on the Boardwalk in the future.

Most of the residents polled said they wanted to see more family-friendly amenities in Ocean City, along with more retail shopping and varying food options.

“These results point to a community that values its character, accessibility, and sense of place, but is seeing that erode through over-development,” said Bill Merritt, also of Ocean City 2050. “Residents are not against change—they just don’t want change to erase the City’s unique character. A high-rise resort on the Boardwalk would do just that.”

The census was conducted by The Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey on behalf of Ocean City 2050. Respondents to the census reflect the population parameters of registered voters in Ocean City.

The census instrument was developed jointly by the client and ECPIP researchers, who received approval from the Rutgers Institutional Review Board to conduct the study.

All registered voters with cell numbers were recruited by text to an online survey conducted in June 2025. Recruitment by cell provided 65 percent coverage of the target population of adults as estimated by the registered voter base maintained by L2 Data. A second listed sample of Ocean City Consumers, also maintained by L2 Data, was used to recruit non-registered voters. Participants were screened to ensure that they were residents of Ocean City. Eligible residents and registered voters were recruited by a landline phone if a cell phone was not available.

Previous Reporting

• 'A Better Idea': See Alternative Proposal For Wonderland In Ocean City
• These Ocean City Groups Are Speaking Out Against Wonderland Luxury Hotel
• New Advocacy Group Announces Plans For Ocean City's Future
• Controversial Wonderland Luxury Hotel Gets Ocean City Chamber Backing: Report
• Mita Lays Out Plans For ICONA In Wonderland Luxury Hotel
• Alternative Plan Proposed For Wonderland Site In Ocean City