Trimper's Rides

Daniel B. Trimper and his wife, Margaret, arrived in Ocean City in 1890.[1] 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.[1]

Rebuilding the Sea Bright in 1900 following a severe storm, the Trimpers modeled the new structure after Great Britain's Windsor Castle.[1] 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 in diameter, with the only other carousel made by the firm at that time having been sent to Coney Island, and that one was later destroyed by 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.[2]

In the 1950s, the Trimper family added outdoor rides.[1] 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 teamed up with Bill Tracy to create the Haunted House.[2] In 1965, 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 formal glory.

Dan Trimper III retired in 1981, passing the reigns to his cousin Granville Trimper.[1] 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,[1] Smoked BBQ, On The Boards, and Sticky Fingers.

In 2022 the park opened Trimper Treats, Trimper Sweets, and Trimper Carousel Corner.

The Pirate's Cove Fun House is one of only two Bill Tracy built walk-through's left in the world.

Aladin's Lamp is a small portable-style "fun house". It includes a number of floor tricks, a revolving turn-table and a spinning barrel. This ride was retired on January 10, 2018.

The Indoor Area contains most of the rides for younger kids. It plays host to a collection of vintage amusement park memorabilia and paraphernalia, ranging from antique ticket booths, to operating antique rides. The main attractions inside this part of the building are 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.[3]

The Toboggan Roller Coaster, retired in Winter 2009.

The three outdoor areas are where most of the major rides are located.[3]

Some of the outdoor rides for the 2023 season are:

• Balloons
• Endeavor[4]
• Fun Slide
• Himalaya[1]
• Rock N Roll
• Spinning Coaster
• Tea Cups
• "The Tidal Wave", a 126 ft (38 m) tall looping roller coaster
• Tilt A Whirl

Trimper’s 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[2]

Trimper Rides owns Marty’s Playland, which is an arcade on The Ocean City Boardwalk. Marty’s Playland is known to be a popular arcade featuring Skee Ball, Claw Machines, and more.

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 paintings and costume contests.

Jim Futrell (2008). Amusement Parks of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Stackpole Books.