Funland rides to open July 10 on Rehoboth Boardwalk
On any given day or night, the screams of delight emanating from the south end of the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk serve as background noise that the busy summer season is in full swing.
But those sounds of joy have been silent so far this summer at Funland: The most iconic business on the historic Boardwalk has been unable to open because of the COVID-19 state of emergency.
However, all that is about to change when Funland reopens Friday, July 10, with limited hours and safety restrictions, just over two months after its normal opening date.
According to Mark Henschke, one of the owners of the four-generation amusement park, a detailed plan of operation has been approved by the Delaware Department of Health and Human Services, the Delaware Small Business Administration, and the Delaware State Fire Marshal.
Henschke said the plan includes enhanced sanitation and cleaning, limiting the number of people in the park, hand sanitizer stations at all rides and throughout the park, mandatory face coverings for everyone age 3 and above, and floor markings in ride lines to maintain social distancing.
In addition, he said, Funland will go ticketless to reduce physical contact between employees and guests. Funland is offering two Fun Pass ride time blocks each day with a limit on the number of passes sold. Time slots at $20 per person are from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. or 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Each Fun Pass must be reserved before arrival at Funland, Henschke said. Go to www.funlandrehoboth.com for more information.
Henschke said the park will operate at 15 percent capacity with 200 Fun Pass tickets sold for each 2-hour session. All rides and games will be cleaned in between each session, and a designated cleaning crew will sanitize high-touch hours throughout each session.
“Your Fun Pass allows you to ride as many rides as you would like during your two-hour time block,” Henschke said. Games will also be available but no prizes will be given out.
The Jungle of Fun and SIM Rider will be closed because of social distancing challenges, Henschke said.
“We still think this is a very great value. The family has worked hard for months developing this plan. We are looking at the upside to provide as much fun as possible,” Henschke said.
Each employee will have their temperature checked each day, and all will be required to wear face coverings.
Funland's Boardwalk games and a designated game area off the Boardwalk will be open from 2 to 9 p.m. without the need for a Fun Pass.
“Funland may look a little different this year, but our family and staff are committed as much as ever to providing clean, safe, family fun for all of our guests. Our family wants to deeply thank our loyal customers and the Rehoboth community for the support and encouragement the past few months. We look forward to the new memories we will make together at Funland,” Henschke said.
