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| Previously known as Trimper’s Rides, Windsor Resort | |
 Trimper Rides from the boardwalk | |
| Location | Ocean City, Maryland, Maryland, United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°19′36″N 75°05′17″W / 38.3267°N 75.0880°W / 38.3267; -75.0880 |
| Opened | 1893 |
| Owner | Windsor Resorts |
| Operating season | Early April-Mid September |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 28 (16 Outdoor Rides) |
| Roller coasters | 2 |
| Water rides | 0 |
| Website | https://www.trimperrides.com/ |
Trimper Rides Of Ocean City is a amusement park located near the inlet at South First Street and the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland, United States. It was founded in 1893 as The Windsor Resort. It is located at the south end of the boardwalk and consists of three outdoor lots and an indoor section.
History
Daniel B. Trimper and his wife, Margaret, arrived in Ocean City in 1890. By 1893, they were owners of boardwalk property between South Division and South First Streets, including two hotels: The Eastern Shore and the Sea Bright.
In 1900, the Trimpers rebuilt the Sea Bright after a severe storm had damaged the hotel; they modeled its new structure after Great Britain's Windsor Castle. The two hotels, together with a theater and an amusement park, became known as Windsor Resort.
In 1912, Daniel Trimper purchased a massive carousel from the Herschell-Spillman Company in North Tonawanda, NY. It was 50 feet (15.24 m.) in diameter, with the only other carousel made by the firm at that time having been sent to Coney Island, which was later destroyed in a fire.
The carousel's 45 animals, three chariots, and one rocking chair were driven by a steam engine, with rides originally costing a nickel. It is now classified as one of the oldest still-operating carousels in the nation. The carousel was declared a historic landmark in 2007.
In the 1950s, the Trimper family added outdoor rides. The pace of expansion has increased since the mid-1960s, with a new ride being added nearly every year.
Trimper's son, Daniel Jr., managed Windsor Resort Corporation after his father's death and served as mayor of Ocean City for 16 years. In 1964, Granville Trimper collaborated with Bill Tracy to create the Haunted House. In 1965, a WWII veteran, Daniel Trimper III, was handed leadership of the park and nearly doubled its size with the purchase of the land and attractions of Melvin Amusements. Five years later, John and Maria Bilious were hired to restore the cherished Herschell-Spillman Carousel to its former glory.
Dan Trimper III retired in 1981, passing the reigns to his cousin Granville Trimper. The most popular ride in the outdoor park was bought in 1985: the triple loop boomerang "Tidal Wave" roller coaster.
In 2020 and 2021, Trimper Rides held a Weekly Farmers Market during the season on Fridays from 9 am-12 pm. As of 2022, they have discontinued the Farmer's Market.
In 2021, Trimper Rides hosted a Winter Carnival with local vendors, discounted select rides, and games. Also in 2021, Trimper's Rides owned an arcade on the boardwalk, Boardwalk Games, which is now permanently closed.
Beginning In 2021, Trimper Rides began construction on an outdoor food hall. Trimper Rides previously owned or leased space to The Red Apple, Jessica’s Fudge House, Chick-Fil-A, Nana’s Hot Chicken, Smoked BBQ, On The Boards, and Sticky Fingers.
In 2022 the park opened Trimper Treats, Trimper Sweets, and Trimper Carousel Corner.
Rides
The Indoor Area contains rides aimed for young children. It contains a collection of vintage amusement park memorabilia and paraphernalia, ranging from antique ticket booths, to operating antique rides. The main attractions include a large collection of operating vintage William F. Mangels kiddie rides, a circa 1912 Herschell-Spillman Carousel, a bumper car ride, and a shooting gallery.
The three outdoor areas are where most of the major rides are located.
Some of the outdoor rides for the 2023 season are:
- Balloons
- Endeavor
- Fun Slide
- Himalaya
- Rock N Roll
- Spinning Coaster
- Tea Cups
- "The Tidal Wave", a 126 ft (38 m) tall looping roller coaster
- Tilt A Whirl
Trimper Park also has 2 attractions accessible from the outside:
- Mirror Maze
- "Pirate's Cove", built 1971, a Bill Tracy designed walk-through fun house; one of only two left in the world
Former rides
- Area 51 (2021-2022)
- Aladdin’s Lamp (Retired, 2018)
- Crazy Cabs (2020)
- Super Shot (2020)
- Slingshot (2007)
- Freak Out (Retired 2019)
- Fun Slide (2020) A new one currently operates at the park.
- Hangten (2020)
- Inverter
- Kid's Swings (2022)
- Magic Maze (2022)
- Magnum (2021-2022)
- OC Big Wheel (2020-2022)
- Rockstar (Retired 2019)
- Rock-O-Plane
- Rockin Tug
- Round Up (2020)
- Scrambler (Retired 2019)
- Techno Power (2021-2022)
- Tilt-A-Whirl (Retired 2019) A new one currently operates in the park.
- Toboggan (Retired 2009)
- Wacky Worm (Retired 2019)
- Yo-Yo (2022)
- Wild Mouse
- Zipper (Retired 2019)
Arcades
Trimper Rides owns Marty’s Playland, which is an arcade on the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Events
During the 2020 season, Trimper Rides added new events to help bring people into the park. Some of these included karaoke nights, DJ nights, car shows, and bike shows.
During Halloween, Trimper Rides had a children’s hay maze, hay rides, face painting, and costume contests.
Further reading
Jim Futrell (2008). Amusement Parks of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Stackpole Books.
References
- Hausel, Tracey (2023-06-02). "Daniel Trimper". Trimper Rides. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ Hooper, Bethany (2020-08-25). "2020 A Year Of Transition For Ocean City's Trimper's Rides". News Ocean City Maryland Coast Dispatch Newspaper. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- ^ "Celebrating 125 years of Trimper's Rides". OceanCity.com. 2018-08-17. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- ^ "Trimpers Rides and Amusements". Trimpersrides.com. Retrieved 2012-05-18.
- ^ O'BRIEN, HAYLEY (19 February 2018). "Trimper's: Losing the lamp, but maintaining the magic". The Daily Times. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
- Demko, Keith (2 March 2022). "Trimper's Rides bringing 'Big Wheel' back in Ocean City after summer of controversy". The Daily Times. Retrieved 2023-01-28.