Trimper’s Rides getting ready for the summer
OCEAN CITY, Md. – Trimper Rides has been a staple of Ocean City for more than 125 years, keeping people entertained with classic rides like the Tidal Wave. Now that Trimper’s is under new ownership, management is focused on revamping the park as well as keeping people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re not taking away any of the charm. You’re still going to have the old Trimper’s experience but we’re bringing in some new and exciting things to modernize the way things have been done the last 100 years,” said Trimper’s Rides president Antoinette Bruno.
As managers look ahead to the 2020 season, they say they’re looking at ways to revitalize the iconic park. New games, rides, food, and drinks are coming. Guests can also expect a swipe card system for rides. “We have 10 rides that haven’t been here before, coming up from a large amusement company in Florida. We have an 80 foot super shot which takes you up 80 feet and drops you,” said general manager Michael O’Neill.
Managers say bringing in all the new features will help to keep business at the park alive and well. “We’re the oldest amusement park around. Our goal is to keep that going, as well as improving the amusement park. So we felt that with the things we decided on doing it’s going to work out real well,” said O’Neill.
With the COVID-19 pandemic at the forefront of everyone’s minds, Trimper’s Rides says they’re preparing protocols to make sure everyone’s healthy when the park reopens. “We will have social distancing policies where we’ll keep people 6 feet apart if they’re going on rides. We’re going to have hand sanitizers throughout the park. We’re going to wipe down each ride before each person gets on it,” said Bruno.
Management says that their main focus right now is keeping this construction progress going and getting employees hired for the coming season. Managers at the park say part of getting workers back to Trimper’s for the upcoming season involves renovating staff housing. They also add that they’re putting a new party room that people can book for events.
