tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48340319308284376442024-02-28T17:42:57.335-06:00Worlds of Fun.OrgDedicated to preserving the history of Kansas City's theme park, Worlds of Fun. We are not in any way affiliated with Worlds of Fun.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08554948426845553429noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-35017569549472283722024-01-01T15:54:00.003-06:002024-01-01T16:03:40.116-06:00Happy New Year 2024! <p> Happy 2024! Where have the years gone? It feels like only yesterday we were in 2020 discussing when the park would re-open, and to even contemplate some of the anniversaries coming up in 2024 blows my mind. For those not familiar with this, every New Years Day for the last five years or so I have published a blog looking at the different attractions celebrating a 5 year anniversary in that coming season. The idea originated with CP Food Blog, so check them out if you have a chance. For 2024 what I am looking forward to most in this blog is how many existing rides will celebrate anniversaries! Red Baron, Worlds of Fun's oldest kiddie ride, turns 50, Zulu turns 45, and Fury of the Nile, the World's largest rapids ride when it opened in 1984, turns 40 years old! And many more!</p><p><br /></p><p>So, without further ado.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8QFBnzU3-86ZvbbB49U3BstOmhpVNuRAn9aB7NIW4l_NuAZ_mIpiLZoadtr2rFBzjWWLhnAgrAOsPqDR8fICmJNC49dFon9g2N8S81mrdEoC3wLo_XrxE-7yKP4xRkqDBWI5v8MkPk2Onf5uJNq_3QIWR2kDSU-zgrVeVWAwI6prQxK69NEvrTT4JsDV/s5815/Osenbaugh.WOF.09.76a.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4164" data-original-width="5815" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8QFBnzU3-86ZvbbB49U3BstOmhpVNuRAn9aB7NIW4l_NuAZ_mIpiLZoadtr2rFBzjWWLhnAgrAOsPqDR8fICmJNC49dFon9g2N8S81mrdEoC3wLo_XrxE-7yKP4xRkqDBWI5v8MkPk2Onf5uJNq_3QIWR2kDSU-zgrVeVWAwI6prQxK69NEvrTT4JsDV/s320/Osenbaugh.WOF.09.76a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Baron in Scandinavia in 1976<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8Kxq6tm1if4ShPr2Gkz7S8PF9Z95eaIbvbUWGy9aO0XT1Y18MtzGR5Bnj-kuqoHZdKCu7bR5F5rz-4Up2DgjH31xtN_qQbXhRPQXCxlk0ypfRCSlNIiqJaW9SHm1nQsVzFW6G1aiBAeRU7eiw0QuRvNVfRHKK-w0zVPkwkWgVw2LKALBB8lapBVBpFZ3/s3491/redbaron2001002.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2342" data-original-width="3491" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8Kxq6tm1if4ShPr2Gkz7S8PF9Z95eaIbvbUWGy9aO0XT1Y18MtzGR5Bnj-kuqoHZdKCu7bR5F5rz-4Up2DgjH31xtN_qQbXhRPQXCxlk0ypfRCSlNIiqJaW9SHm1nQsVzFW6G1aiBAeRU7eiw0QuRvNVfRHKK-w0zVPkwkWgVw2LKALBB8lapBVBpFZ3/s320/redbaron2001002.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Baron again thought in 2001. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><b>1974 - 50th Anniversary</b></p><p><b>Red Baron and Forum Amphitheater</b></p><p>After opening on May 26th for the inaugural season in 1973, Worlds of Fun would have its first April opening day on April 13, 1974. The park would remain very much the same as it did in 1973, but with two additions. The first being an Allan Herschell/Chance Rides kiddie bi-plane ride to Scandinavia. Named Red Baron, it would be the first step towards creating the park's first children's area in Scandinavia, which would debut in 1977. In 1978, Red Baron moved to the new Aerodrome, where it stayed and is in the same spot today. The World would change around it with Aerodrome transitioning to Pandamonium, Berenstain Bear Country, and Planet Snoopy today. Because of its 50 years of history, multiple generations have experienced Red Baron!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoQl-6Vr8PbCsUU42_UkUYsugeAr8iwO6uAOVJ5v4hdlhXJvqgyNZptrPUyucnayUC0kobeOX1co7-W-ZQqvg4QYsQHS6c2IHXdq2c5Mj6w9_P83nbkn0BeJipIpVs9IKCp00NL29ArIyILOJg8kxMdowr-yPZdXQ2ECxgflhXCv0KiFLanXai0nINzu_/s4076/forum001.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3208" data-original-width="4076" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNoQl-6Vr8PbCsUU42_UkUYsugeAr8iwO6uAOVJ5v4hdlhXJvqgyNZptrPUyucnayUC0kobeOX1co7-W-ZQqvg4QYsQHS6c2IHXdq2c5Mj6w9_P83nbkn0BeJipIpVs9IKCp00NL29ArIyILOJg8kxMdowr-yPZdXQ2ECxgflhXCv0KiFLanXai0nINzu_/s320/forum001.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The second attraction to debut in 1974 didn't premier until June 16, 1974, and that was the famous and vastly memorable Forum Amphitheater. Designed by Randall Duell and Associates, it would accommodate 4,100 spectators and host a multitude of live entertainment and concerts over the next 20+ years. The Forum would debut to the sounds of Harper Valley PTA and Red River Symphony but would host the top names of the time, including Paul Revere and the Raiders, Roy Clark, Chuck Berry, Bill Cosby, Ray Charles, Rick Nelson, and many more. We have an incomplete schedule online here: <a href="http://www.worldsoffun.org/1974/forum.html">http://www.worldsoffun.org/1974/forum.html</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcd94jkzdhgObEQTqoLqWocvm2wnjTDA_3G5Pod7SWVjXk_KzRAu9X4-Pl5Zjpvbfm244wTUGf6Qh3rUtOKfyUHHRfcnBDg-7QVFGMDNgt8hEm2znYB-_vLfABF2n2zUA3JTM7J0zioFk4fvcoyPRlznUkqccERVGMJpkgxxLdoufy_IWC-2EODL3t38m/s2044/ricknelson07057501c.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2044" data-original-width="1960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcd94jkzdhgObEQTqoLqWocvm2wnjTDA_3G5Pod7SWVjXk_KzRAu9X4-Pl5Zjpvbfm244wTUGf6Qh3rUtOKfyUHHRfcnBDg-7QVFGMDNgt8hEm2znYB-_vLfABF2n2zUA3JTM7J0zioFk4fvcoyPRlznUkqccERVGMJpkgxxLdoufy_IWC-2EODL3t38m/s320/ricknelson07057501c.jpeg" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick Nelson at the Forum Amphitheater in 1975. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>In 1999, the Forum had its name changed to Heart of America Theater and featured the popular Summer Spectacular laser light and pyrotechnics show from 1997 until 2002. It was also host to a short-lived re-boot of the concert series in 2008 and 2009 and finally, All Wheel Sports in 2014 and 2015. Today, the theater still stands, but it is no longer in use. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>1979 - 45th Anniversary </b></p><p><b>Zulu, Le Carousel, Beetle Bumps, Wing Ding, Sunken Fountain</b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIzi8HWWq_235ckzrRhOrjtjNE9DZFxs8BxJYPGJvKEFrW4opUcZPELUN9wueDKQlOsbCLTk4hGrSc09tRcFjWgMaWJNYQlZTmzO2HiBdvqVjfJ2avbn8rYTH9y_8SYufvZ8Suik9jLziRYh3qeVM98oin33rIYwwKhqQu1EMDQdY8emthAAnl6m17vAy/s2906/zulu09.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2056" data-original-width="2906" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIzi8HWWq_235ckzrRhOrjtjNE9DZFxs8BxJYPGJvKEFrW4opUcZPELUN9wueDKQlOsbCLTk4hGrSc09tRcFjWgMaWJNYQlZTmzO2HiBdvqVjfJ2avbn8rYTH9y_8SYufvZ8Suik9jLziRYh3qeVM98oin33rIYwwKhqQu1EMDQdY8emthAAnl6m17vAy/s320/zulu09.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zulu in 1979-1980</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkuWd9Qu_9ILGzQmK98YbDROGrobuvhzj0uOyMOC6glC5_XKwYxtGeKg4JoTDy6fKa1BoY5AqolP83rBGZcabiXFoiX__17rmkY-pB5j26sPna-HENPdtWRN4me6nYlNYldXstus6HAVwTL16VmILQrb4N3c5QMyA1MxOe8NXGGeMrKMbntMZBIOlOEa3/s3008/DSC_0024.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkuWd9Qu_9ILGzQmK98YbDROGrobuvhzj0uOyMOC6glC5_XKwYxtGeKg4JoTDy6fKa1BoY5AqolP83rBGZcabiXFoiX__17rmkY-pB5j26sPna-HENPdtWRN4me6nYlNYldXstus6HAVwTL16VmILQrb4N3c5QMyA1MxOe8NXGGeMrKMbntMZBIOlOEa3/s320/DSC_0024.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>By 1979, the opening day had moved back to the first week of April, with 1979 seeing its opening day on April 7, 1979. 1979 itself would see several new attractions and expansions to the park. Still operating today (well in 2023) is the Huss Rides Enterprise model known at Worlds of Fun as Zulu. A popular ride model, the Enterprise, showed up at various parks across the country, but few are left today. From just a Worlds of Fun angle, Zulu is one of the park's oldest flat rides still in its original location with its original name. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ArbJBGxOomzZPUwgpHla0o_8Zly50Zq80QhiszjEpddwReAC4m4V9cjE2qZp7ukAUni7iMi1DrVeSaZ8VgOTi-C2bh0JbRJHHEr2-T4OsLYLJ9y4PAUEwKyLhSfwzvOfYcr9cy_wQ4Y1wiyOTCSu72XoqiYjC5HCwMoFlm3fu4R2eol1UH6THN-l6Nra/s3943/lecarouselb&w.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2692" data-original-width="3943" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ArbJBGxOomzZPUwgpHla0o_8Zly50Zq80QhiszjEpddwReAC4m4V9cjE2qZp7ukAUni7iMi1DrVeSaZ8VgOTi-C2bh0JbRJHHEr2-T4OsLYLJ9y4PAUEwKyLhSfwzvOfYcr9cy_wQ4Y1wiyOTCSu72XoqiYjC5HCwMoFlm3fu4R2eol1UH6THN-l6Nra/s320/lecarouselb&w.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Also introduced in 1979 was Worlds of Fun's first carousel, Le Carousel, manufactured by Bradley and Kaye of Long Beach, CA (which would be acquired by Chance Rides in 1986). Le Carousel would be Europa's last addition for nearly 40 years and would be replaced by Europa's next ride addition, Falcon's Flight, in 2017. Today, Le Carousel continues on its life at Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch in Liberty, Mo. Beetle Bumps, a kid's ride manufactured by Royal Cascade, was introduced in the Orient and would operate until 2022, having been moved to Pandamonium/Kiddy Kingdom in 1998. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sslZEk7OOQbeQo5xVmxd4vR5bA1y-1dZ7eb2MhbJAuBNxRgrqUjJ_lBKO3Cg39iR7cy6556q9fQc241mgV4xCrKmAXcRrbrY-zdfaAKIP43feTD_q_BcygPKabAAKGmj8CE-L48Fh-YMJb4oWKcZXeJtLqFyqMDrTB8RDiRML28WFtLTqdYLqZbKjtAT/s2642/beetlebumps.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="2371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sslZEk7OOQbeQo5xVmxd4vR5bA1y-1dZ7eb2MhbJAuBNxRgrqUjJ_lBKO3Cg39iR7cy6556q9fQc241mgV4xCrKmAXcRrbrY-zdfaAKIP43feTD_q_BcygPKabAAKGmj8CE-L48Fh-YMJb4oWKcZXeJtLqFyqMDrTB8RDiRML28WFtLTqdYLqZbKjtAT/s320/beetlebumps.jpeg" width="287" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgihGvc7wBCyKPYX6gw-sN6w7WnfvweHglgM2wr62iTFGncenwu26k4VyaYhoT8GI1fDvybtfjhesyercV8BJ928gJXn_dnQVWgrIF89qsC5qJYXKpFgJM_DiW7S8-2Q0tEq7Zd-tpmC3cDeQpvZFTBY89nXmMe7xOIaWLuk3T8lZS-rxfjFnlnzOiEj1J/s576/DCP_0168.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgihGvc7wBCyKPYX6gw-sN6w7WnfvweHglgM2wr62iTFGncenwu26k4VyaYhoT8GI1fDvybtfjhesyercV8BJ928gJXn_dnQVWgrIF89qsC5qJYXKpFgJM_DiW7S8-2Q0tEq7Zd-tpmC3cDeQpvZFTBY89nXmMe7xOIaWLuk3T8lZS-rxfjFnlnzOiEj1J/s320/DCP_0168.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The last ride addition for 1979 wasn't new; it would also prove to be the park's shortest-lived ride, Wing Ding. Wing Ding was an addition to the Aerodrome and would be a relocated ride from the recently defunct Fairyland Amusement Park. Manufactured by Eyerly Aircraft Company, it was an incredibly rare Fly-O-Plane ride. It would only operate for two seasons at Worlds of Fun and be removed after the 1980 season and replaced by Incred-O-Dome. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mtcfiZhD5mXrM6C8wcOJyqmJi5qoucKn0Rf4zkrz5qhRuDP-DfoAy1xDKv1sBDS_YJc5XhVgIE6HStIQe5XC1XiV3IK4Dqp2jLUcvSQnd5_o-VWDb7onpAjwpavjY4Lc_p6OVZPMqZwpWDY76blHIe_U2ScbfyPpKsN0loZEFR29SvOId1B4MpR_RYs6/s3872/DSC_2316.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mtcfiZhD5mXrM6C8wcOJyqmJi5qoucKn0Rf4zkrz5qhRuDP-DfoAy1xDKv1sBDS_YJc5XhVgIE6HStIQe5XC1XiV3IK4Dqp2jLUcvSQnd5_o-VWDb7onpAjwpavjY4Lc_p6OVZPMqZwpWDY76blHIe_U2ScbfyPpKsN0loZEFR29SvOId1B4MpR_RYs6/s320/DSC_2316.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The last attraction introduced in 1979 wasn't a ride at all but is well remembered, and that is the Americana Sunken Fountain. For many, it comes as a surprise that the Sunken Fountain wasn't original to the park, and it's true that the first six years of operation would feature a Sunken Garden instead. The 1979 fountain would be replaced by a new fountain in 2018.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>1984 - 40th Anniversary</b></p><p><b>Fury of the Nile</b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DfWn_zTTy9ONw8S8IOFCKnyrleo9uqm8-yF5sd3azukB5cZnJj2gggq_93oQ55hy1iKFGYiQ9-_GdA2xEWFhscY6KnkDQGlLqQ1s-UcSUP0Qmex4ZJqvvBXUh42nTrYOJ3P3eOiAi-BR4QdENFmEM0bLuOTc8_1phiN3SzaHxpT0uvJqphFcff01AvZS/s3285/IMG_0647.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2517" data-original-width="3285" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DfWn_zTTy9ONw8S8IOFCKnyrleo9uqm8-yF5sd3azukB5cZnJj2gggq_93oQ55hy1iKFGYiQ9-_GdA2xEWFhscY6KnkDQGlLqQ1s-UcSUP0Qmex4ZJqvvBXUh42nTrYOJ3P3eOiAi-BR4QdENFmEM0bLuOTc8_1phiN3SzaHxpT0uvJqphFcff01AvZS/s320/IMG_0647.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fury of the Nile opens on May 26, 1984</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyX7_8Lzw61Hp387RU6MIS_uk6dIEs6rGuBouzE6Csl7OCu3vyf9P8_EfmToOgPmdTBkJD4JWAJpqDPQCoCiExAtZp3a2gbKAUk3s3ofRJRNDYiyjwNLWT2mATFx0GIfJ0ZV13eiWxCee832ZFzWWUH0922iWpwzEtYe5hMq_XKzO1flrht1yn4Yuni5J/s2961/jeffambamphotos002.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="2961" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyX7_8Lzw61Hp387RU6MIS_uk6dIEs6rGuBouzE6Csl7OCu3vyf9P8_EfmToOgPmdTBkJD4JWAJpqDPQCoCiExAtZp3a2gbKAUk3s3ofRJRNDYiyjwNLWT2mATFx0GIfJ0ZV13eiWxCee832ZFzWWUH0922iWpwzEtYe5hMq_XKzO1flrht1yn4Yuni5J/s320/jeffambamphotos002.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving Fury of the Nile in the 1980's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Turning 40 years old this year is Worlds of Fun's rapids ride, Fury of the Nile. Though the season opened on March 31st (the earliest opening date in the park's history), Fury of the Nile opened on May 26th, which would have been the park's 12th anniversary. Manufactured by Intamin AG of Switzerland and Burns and McDonnell of Kansas City, Nile was the largest rapids ride in the world when it opened. Containing 1,000,000 gallons of churning white water rapids over a 1,800-foot course, guests experienced its 4-5 minute experience aboard one of the ride's 23 fiberglass rafts. Statistics aside, Nile was incredibly popular when it first opened, and while the line was long, it moved fast, with an actual, all-time capacity of over 1,700 guests in one hour (As of 1985).</p><p><br /></p><p><b>1989 - 35th Anniversary</b></p><p><b>Timber Wolf</b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0f0YQoZXFfLxAisFgRNTK_c0UtqqZcLsMwNNGpQUQDtmeyLkSnjsfCZA8u92VanzTrIeNwhLesARdLQkLVFnjOKGUNCxLpcQpvMquK6tM8rlhokPEm4d6kUWQkzONfKPo60qCW5IScpNlGAHqIjydtiftbNl0pIu15zLs3Wkw6Ev9ozhNL8OFp3SALne/s3537/wof9899081.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2345" data-original-width="3537" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0f0YQoZXFfLxAisFgRNTK_c0UtqqZcLsMwNNGpQUQDtmeyLkSnjsfCZA8u92VanzTrIeNwhLesARdLQkLVFnjOKGUNCxLpcQpvMquK6tM8rlhokPEm4d6kUWQkzONfKPo60qCW5IScpNlGAHqIjydtiftbNl0pIu15zLs3Wkw6Ev9ozhNL8OFp3SALne/s320/wof9899081.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timber Wolf in 1998</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Our first existing coaster to have an anniversary, Timber Wolf, turns 35 years old as of April 1, 2024, as it gave its first public rides on April 1, 1989. Much has been said about Timber Wolf over the last 35 years, but Timber Wolf is critical to the World of amusement parks for more reasons than the fact it was voted #1 in the World in 1991. Timber Wolf, along with a few other notable early 1990s wooden coasters, ushered in the age of the modern wooden coaster. Designed by Curtis Summers and built by Charlie Dinn it is also one of the few Dinn/Summers coasters still operating in a mostly intact (non-RMC'd) state. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AF4lSfmAQiPkAobJx60HZJbt6dgf1bCF3TwMapiTexVDS_i1gZyFva2JWrCPrxXJBdOQ45CiGalSDlVXTxt0xDmUnFGULTNZ7mSCVgszX4AVQhxPvGvyMBrPeleJl7MrAKKLAazhhqqdTI_VIMbC2cQgHc9kSflkKNXkhxIFHWTGJNb6CacJjxPmJNb2/s4032/05262018_4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AF4lSfmAQiPkAobJx60HZJbt6dgf1bCF3TwMapiTexVDS_i1gZyFva2JWrCPrxXJBdOQ45CiGalSDlVXTxt0xDmUnFGULTNZ7mSCVgszX4AVQhxPvGvyMBrPeleJl7MrAKKLAazhhqqdTI_VIMbC2cQgHc9kSflkKNXkhxIFHWTGJNb6CacJjxPmJNb2/s320/05262018_4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A similar view but in 2018</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>One of my favorite stories with Timber Wolf is how its design was determined. Like Orient Express, Worlds of Fun management traveled across the country for "field research," riding a variety of different coasters. Timber Wolf, like Orient Express, incorporated the best of the best, from the psychotic Harry Traver-inspired first half to the quasi Beast-like 560-degree helix, Timber Wolf, like its decade-earlier steel cousin, was an immediate hit.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>1994 - 30th Anniversary</b></p><p><b>Sea Dragon</b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22HreHovB1xKCtuIc-t50fpbaioSLQ20HpCpTDF9aPg6VpFa_7JgRLF4ZSQ86fyshgmPgGeI4vtFHPbz5hD7UWJNycQeXMdJGDmhM6Ew-l181fbuqpMWJNFrDPZugwu8LE0_VYwxTE1-wSOyu3tUhC_mJ63vPrN-WpVhECiWMDDepAeNm1OI9ZoKAPFnm/s2973/Untitled.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2267" data-original-width="2973" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22HreHovB1xKCtuIc-t50fpbaioSLQ20HpCpTDF9aPg6VpFa_7JgRLF4ZSQ86fyshgmPgGeI4vtFHPbz5hD7UWJNycQeXMdJGDmhM6Ew-l181fbuqpMWJNFrDPZugwu8LE0_VYwxTE1-wSOyu3tUhC_mJ63vPrN-WpVhECiWMDDepAeNm1OI9ZoKAPFnm/s320/Untitled.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>While Timber Wolf is one of the earlier rides I can specifically recall details of its opening, Sea Dragon was the first ride that opened at Worlds of Fun the first year I worked there as an ambassador. The 1994 season would begin only a day after the 1989 season on April 2, 1994. While there was nothing specifically revolutionary about Sea Dragon, a ride doesn't have to be record-breaking to be still fun. Sea Dragon has that in spades. Manufactured by Chance Rides of Wichita Ks. Sea Dragon was their standard model, manufactured in both a portable carnival model and the stationary model that Worlds of Fun employees. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>1999 - 25th Anniversary</b></p><p><b>Grand Prix</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiQ9-X83jsvmq8m8LEIivxm23Kyjiz47hGLwM8bT4OUDMcmJOWiT_8L-tQqEBX_qp9TSgAhoufAqRSzm7n1NBzGlffQXojxL6xO1NBVNSr3N15nDGx-rwoRVW6ZSCNRXc1wuHaAOOiiQGsKa2YjhPtUXDzuSeSOncWg2NmMLo_rwo-JeifT4362PRhd1e/s2897/wof9899032.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2026" data-original-width="2897" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiQ9-X83jsvmq8m8LEIivxm23Kyjiz47hGLwM8bT4OUDMcmJOWiT_8L-tQqEBX_qp9TSgAhoufAqRSzm7n1NBzGlffQXojxL6xO1NBVNSr3N15nDGx-rwoRVW6ZSCNRXc1wuHaAOOiiQGsKa2YjhPtUXDzuSeSOncWg2NmMLo_rwo-JeifT4362PRhd1e/s320/wof9899032.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>One of the very few rides I would respond to "good riddance." Grand Prix was the major attraction for what I call the "hangover" year of 1999, which followed the introduction of Mamba in 1998. Opening Day had by this time been moved to mid-April by new owners Cedar Fair, and in 1999 the park opened on April 17, 1999. Grand Prix was a pay-extra-go-cart attraction located where Steelhawk is today. While some people enjoyed this attraction, I could never get beyond the fact that it had "replaced" the Henrietta and the original main Americana gate. Grand Prix would be replaced by Steelhawk in 2014. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>2004 - 20th Anniversary</b></p><p><b>Spinning Dragons</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HVH6bRkWc7aJ_OTlCWXt0tg3rdhct1bHZS-WFzraoHmeo5pvGL4WmuMCu5s8WU6nF8nx37KYSI0P6WmUN6zq_Xfhn2cdvoY2bdTsbMQ6aYRWr1hKazxkeIzUNxEMhOqmWJGyTAmNAZd1PmEEi-RayJH6CGO16OOl3-hEMUTLKi8CfDAsZmxgRKnK7aTY/s2016/IMG_6009.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HVH6bRkWc7aJ_OTlCWXt0tg3rdhct1bHZS-WFzraoHmeo5pvGL4WmuMCu5s8WU6nF8nx37KYSI0P6WmUN6zq_Xfhn2cdvoY2bdTsbMQ6aYRWr1hKazxkeIzUNxEMhOqmWJGyTAmNAZd1PmEEi-RayJH6CGO16OOl3-hEMUTLKi8CfDAsZmxgRKnK7aTY/s320/IMG_6009.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Fifteen years separate Timber Wolf and Spinning Dragons, but it feels far longer than that, as while Timber Wolf reflected the twilight years of Hunt Midwest, Spinning Dragons was Cedar Fair's third coaster added to Worlds of Fun since it took over in 1995. It boggles my mind that Spinning Dragons is turning 20 years old; it feels like it was only yesterday. Manufactured by Gerstlauer of Germany, a direct descendant of Schwarzkopf industries, Spinning Dragons was, at the time, an attempt to repopulate the park with a family-style coaster. Unfairly and inaccurately seen as a "replacement" for Orient Express, it was always intended to be more of a replacement for the original Zambezi Zinger. A free spinning coaster, Spinning Dragons offers a unique experience where every ride can differ in experience and thrill level. It's one of only two coasters I've ridden that I was seriously concerned that I would get sick. (The other being Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot). It was also the first coaster at Worlds of Fun I experienced on its opening day, which wasn't the 2004 season opening day of April 3rd. Spinning Dragons would open two weeks later, on April 17th. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>2009 - 15th Anniversary</b></p><p><b>Prowler</b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmX5dWlhzj31Gf3hyphenhyphenxMObcSQeAFNJQBqSJ8UbFDVUfOQKEOHdCoEzGFN1BcBp7wcoBllMfM5vI5CWdrdb1KB-cDbnWBEYQ9T3oIrHJNhkIJ-wK4YqGjk2XO_K9b9XwlkFtMKzWxofqZn_UfSQl-Yp3q4nO6wFeJGzF6Tfbn4-cOLsU3icV-xeJCro7q-5/s3872/D20_2759.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmX5dWlhzj31Gf3hyphenhyphenxMObcSQeAFNJQBqSJ8UbFDVUfOQKEOHdCoEzGFN1BcBp7wcoBllMfM5vI5CWdrdb1KB-cDbnWBEYQ9T3oIrHJNhkIJ-wK4YqGjk2XO_K9b9XwlkFtMKzWxofqZn_UfSQl-Yp3q4nO6wFeJGzF6Tfbn4-cOLsU3icV-xeJCro7q-5/s320/D20_2759.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Yes, Prowler turns 15 years old in 2024, like Spinning Dragons being 20 years old, which seems crazy to me; for the 2009 season, Worlds of Fun had moved back (again) to mid-April opening with opening day on April 18th. But like Spinning Dragons, Prowler wouldn't open until May 1st. Also, like Spinning Dragons, I rode Prowler the day it opened (actually the day before, thanks to a Passholder preview event). </p><p><br /></p><p>As many will point out, with this being Prowler's 15th anniversary, there was a 14-year gap between Prowler and the following new coaster (Zambezi Zinger in 2023). It is the longest gap between any two new coasters in park history. A detail many overlook though, is that Prowler bookend what I call The Coaster Decade, in that it was the 5th coaster in a little over 10 years at Worlds of Fun. Prowler bookended a decade after Mamba, in much the same way that Timber Wolf bookended a decade after Orient Express. History once again rhymes as often happens. 15 years after it opened Prowler continues to be one of the best if not the best of all Great Coasters International coasters. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>2014 - 10th Anniversary</b></p><p><b>Steelhawk</b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzmhVgGWdhmUm-6wlcdePkVZ0F7MKr7Ko6_HqpZZZ23acFFiOlmIO6QLW43acSlnaHvPENq5o5AMsPOv9wLeIxXOAVEI6MH3HR91LMDM1aXJd2ABi709wLPv6YzVqE3cioQEePmDKSeuAwxZyFiB3S9-s8ndzozozUUEKG8ASrfJXhB9UXy5WPUxA0QNC/s1632/IMG_7087.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzmhVgGWdhmUm-6wlcdePkVZ0F7MKr7Ko6_HqpZZZ23acFFiOlmIO6QLW43acSlnaHvPENq5o5AMsPOv9wLeIxXOAVEI6MH3HR91LMDM1aXJd2ABi709wLPv6YzVqE3cioQEePmDKSeuAwxZyFiB3S9-s8ndzozozUUEKG8ASrfJXhB9UXy5WPUxA0QNC/s320/IMG_7087.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Ten years ago, the local news stations were all playing stories about a "new" ride with a storied past, in 2024 that same ride celebrates its 10th anniversary with the park. The 2014 season would begin on April 12th, but Steelhawk wouldn't open until July 8th. There was no official annouincement of Steelhawk's opening, meaning while there was no official media fan fare there was still a great deal of FAN fare as news spread like wildfire online and fans showed up at the park in droves, even though it was a weekday!</p><p><br /></p><p>Steelhawk started out its life in 2012 at Knott's Berry Farm in California known as Windseeker, manufactured by Mondial. In 2013 after Windseeker experienced technical difficulties leaving riders stranded for 3 hours, it was decided to move the ride to a new location, leaving it at Worlds of Fun for the 2014 season. In 2024 it celebrates its 10th anniversary and I still feel lucky to have this great, towering ride at Worlds of Fun. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>2019 - 5th Anniversary</b></p><p>Five years ago was 2019 and while there were no major new attractions for the 2019 season to celebrate its worth mentioning due to its memorable nature. 2019 was the last "normal" season for 2-3 years, it was the last season for Winterfest, and I still feel that Worlds of Fun and the rest of the World is still racing to recapture the normality lost after 2019 ended. In April 2020, one of the darkest days of the entire COVID event, for what would have been the 40th anniversary of Orient Express I wrote:</p><p><br /></p><p>"With everything going on in the World it's hard to see past today. However, I believe, I hope, tomorrow will come. Tomorrow, the sun will rise on a day when Worlds of Fun is once again open, and we will all see Mamba, Patriot, even the Worlds of Fun Railroad running once again."</p><p><br /></p><p>I smile reading that today, recalling so much hope in a dark, uncertain world. Things are not back to normal, but let us remember where we have been, and realize how far we have come. Here is to an amazing 52nd season, and 51st year of Worlds of Fun!</p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-21967526473332964742023-11-14T13:20:00.000-06:002023-11-14T13:20:54.718-06:0040 Years Ago: Fury of the Nile is announced!<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrr_bi15AviakqAuUwJQo9wiQM0rzOnwfldsGC1Px-kZ-DJRdLHX-r1az2091ySbvY5fWy_sLTS0ra1eRJWqu30rcqBn5EUnbBjOiLi206A17BdyrqKUTpcy-gXWU8JOH_4kBurXMOYjNrHaUMtC0UST82oFP2cmUkTzlw5N5YYPHgyGpl9i6P60yhta3/s7019/nile2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7019" data-original-width="5100" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrr_bi15AviakqAuUwJQo9wiQM0rzOnwfldsGC1Px-kZ-DJRdLHX-r1az2091ySbvY5fWy_sLTS0ra1eRJWqu30rcqBn5EUnbBjOiLi206A17BdyrqKUTpcy-gXWU8JOH_4kBurXMOYjNrHaUMtC0UST82oFP2cmUkTzlw5N5YYPHgyGpl9i6P60yhta3/w291-h400/nile2.jpg" width="291" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJ7yLwrC8VjFFiDy7KnikK94VraOFeL4VVwVUgRwB_qscpBEuK_v-dV4LdiKZPFirTxs7iuKRLLJIjrnXAiutMlQ9P190b9t7cMOMxijzXJG_ByU1WeMnchwQYysdginUKGyRFvrnROOmpA3Wo8CaP5HhIibHPlQh9FMPW8kccE0lnlODkmyq6bGHoftQ/s5974/nile1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4838" data-original-width="5974" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJ7yLwrC8VjFFiDy7KnikK94VraOFeL4VVwVUgRwB_qscpBEuK_v-dV4LdiKZPFirTxs7iuKRLLJIjrnXAiutMlQ9P190b9t7cMOMxijzXJG_ByU1WeMnchwQYysdginUKGyRFvrnROOmpA3Wo8CaP5HhIibHPlQh9FMPW8kccE0lnlODkmyq6bGHoftQ/w400-h324/nile1.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">For about the past decade or so, I've written blogs celebrating what would have been the 40th anniversary of various Worlds of Fun attractions. For once as we approach the 2024 season we will focus on a 40th anniversary for an attraction that still exists: Fury of the Nile. Fury of the Nile would open on May 26, 1984, but would be announced to the public and amusement industry on November 14, 1983. 40 years ago today. Nile was the first major new announcement that I can personally recall when the ride opened and in which I rode early during its existence. It quickly became my favorite ride at the park and stayed so for many years, so much so my husband still jokingly calls me "water princess." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyi1XacRPJBbL1HO8QP3j8-Lof0JCLURTuQyKsAoB27HI3f-UqDbnhQTOYGXWdXguBH4VUa8Nal4iYVG183hpLNXotILX5umNtsSSCGXhLEbGKkx7g2I2GXizVfaF7u3MWXW5vxLH_F1MdqtP7DiF1JPebBG7ZD3NILNdXuhAKK4gXp75xHN7dFeQXVGG/s1489/nile3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1489" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyi1XacRPJBbL1HO8QP3j8-Lof0JCLURTuQyKsAoB27HI3f-UqDbnhQTOYGXWdXguBH4VUa8Nal4iYVG183hpLNXotILX5umNtsSSCGXhLEbGKkx7g2I2GXizVfaF7u3MWXW5vxLH_F1MdqtP7DiF1JPebBG7ZD3NILNdXuhAKK4gXp75xHN7dFeQXVGG/w400-h266/nile3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Like many early Worlds of Fun attractions, Nile was fairly groundbreaking, but it wasn't the first of its kind. Thunder River at Six Flags AstroWorld opened in 1980 and was the first. Influenced by its General Manager, an avid white water rafter, they took the idea to Intamin Amusement Rides and designed what became an extremely prolific ride in the amusement industry.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVHE9og2d2NmTGmIROuxuNF5FJZOPZyXbB9PyKdEMMQPA44LrRcqQvgQonhrCMTmglFCHfV_VAd8YAfXQPU2WiKlrNU636FUTJfW7-f7YC3teI_Uku6d_MsWV6WMCM2VZ-rV5YTrb8tdk8CKmmvUlccrGrmpAGE0QpeXDNUpF_PNRj_nPc0eURRXLnUwP/s6574/1984PK039.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6574" data-original-width="5100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVHE9og2d2NmTGmIROuxuNF5FJZOPZyXbB9PyKdEMMQPA44LrRcqQvgQonhrCMTmglFCHfV_VAd8YAfXQPU2WiKlrNU636FUTJfW7-f7YC3teI_Uku6d_MsWV6WMCM2VZ-rV5YTrb8tdk8CKmmvUlccrGrmpAGE0QpeXDNUpF_PNRj_nPc0eURRXLnUwP/s320/1984PK039.jpeg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkxer4r7UmcR9oOIlbF0DR_IDuhNWyZCPCv41nnC5cFsi1eLNIXY-7-weTrcJ8Fq_c2CcYUy56wcwKqP08zakN0Or5Hd2MYdqTC5VrfCcpRXr_gnw-PaOL2r7K_7XFpjGsKBqxmD4x9gV0pQ8j4N_Mwon2WI2G4Q_OKjgxDZu6kRsQdkvS3_m7YLvJJog/s6574/1984PK040.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6574" data-original-width="5100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkxer4r7UmcR9oOIlbF0DR_IDuhNWyZCPCv41nnC5cFsi1eLNIXY-7-weTrcJ8Fq_c2CcYUy56wcwKqP08zakN0Or5Hd2MYdqTC5VrfCcpRXr_gnw-PaOL2r7K_7XFpjGsKBqxmD4x9gV0pQ8j4N_Mwon2WI2G4Q_OKjgxDZu6kRsQdkvS3_m7YLvJJog/s320/1984PK040.jpeg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGK6yc3e6VYfhwM3lbP6dWOaTBKLYKZ8mkajNkBaV_ndriOAXqS2wW7uHBXT8cNZCUEDL9q2MAiHfWjCLiK2lyHg0FBXDsLoI_uGDh-lvIRiDnK-Z44XMPTsssz7YEh_Z9GhfREg5goDseZEO5ZLqNGI0s0oKs6UujHSrkafkBg8iQKmyPTn6wJmdYS5_m/s6574/1984PK041.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6574" data-original-width="5100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGK6yc3e6VYfhwM3lbP6dWOaTBKLYKZ8mkajNkBaV_ndriOAXqS2wW7uHBXT8cNZCUEDL9q2MAiHfWjCLiK2lyHg0FBXDsLoI_uGDh-lvIRiDnK-Z44XMPTsssz7YEh_Z9GhfREg5goDseZEO5ZLqNGI0s0oKs6UujHSrkafkBg8iQKmyPTn6wJmdYS5_m/s320/1984PK041.jpeg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Ten more rapid rides would open over the intervening years. Three years later, in 1983, Mid America Enterprises and Worlds of Fun General Manager Lee Derrough would announce a $3.5 million, 5-acre expansion project known as Fury of the Nile. Nile would be the longest Intamin Rapids Ride to date at 1,800 feet long, containing one million gallons of water, and is the first-ever rapids ride in the United States to feature a new loading technology, the turntable loading system. Before Nile, all rapids rides in the United States instead used a rather clunky conveyor belt system, like Thunder River at Six Flags St. Louis or the old Lost River of the Ozark at Silver Dollar City. The turntable offered a more elegant design yet also increased throughput by keeping the boats constantly moving. Today, a nearly identical loading system can be found on the largest rapid rides in the country at both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World resorts. </span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvaIkMHyKIUinTjLBHDAW8-z2VHKFwbCSo23arVYOBREQk7k-T72LaSnbe0deU2CUMsr5g1pLzKndDaLakqYUEip6kzfrGNASS0gUqqXwh2M9MKKlNwV6sCbRhJ8hbU-LkbpWM14jp6FLTRYadDVnHykRtShwKajf7x9kiT3V1o5pFdNR1CPLUYBsD_Lq/s3928/nile6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3112" data-original-width="3928" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvaIkMHyKIUinTjLBHDAW8-z2VHKFwbCSo23arVYOBREQk7k-T72LaSnbe0deU2CUMsr5g1pLzKndDaLakqYUEip6kzfrGNASS0gUqqXwh2M9MKKlNwV6sCbRhJ8hbU-LkbpWM14jp6FLTRYadDVnHykRtShwKajf7x9kiT3V1o5pFdNR1CPLUYBsD_Lq/w400-h318/nile6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G7o2PqFfS1Uet9KOQWV11R_7kMpam_cQNWTSsPqKVATDRRQar7JGQ0a9po5mKAMvwljt3p6LhD22ageQ_0FSCNliVDrGyyqn3YALVThP2F7eJ9B5eyzz0r7cJOVO_eWhMelinEFLnAoizil9sWOZuwB6lv5ZTZ-RwvQllJEFdj38XZlOJPP8mGvTftjh/s3912/nile4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3112" data-original-width="3912" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G7o2PqFfS1Uet9KOQWV11R_7kMpam_cQNWTSsPqKVATDRRQar7JGQ0a9po5mKAMvwljt3p6LhD22ageQ_0FSCNliVDrGyyqn3YALVThP2F7eJ9B5eyzz0r7cJOVO_eWhMelinEFLnAoizil9sWOZuwB6lv5ZTZ-RwvQllJEFdj38XZlOJPP8mGvTftjh/w400-h319/nile4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhNVG5XNeH1_Tfi0wBgRtK8kT0X2wGCqrtA3XrvXB2n1MD3P7Y-2Pva3NYz1UVhS6HFj6KiZGFgJh3mAwjXvsdglt54d2cxz-PmBr18bJNIybi-CPqWfY0UGWaVgIp0pV5gG0vjMU-4pjfAACgqIA6JbptAsWEFA1BSbTx3dDtPHlQYTgxMOtVcaI_svz/s3872/nille5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhNVG5XNeH1_Tfi0wBgRtK8kT0X2wGCqrtA3XrvXB2n1MD3P7Y-2Pva3NYz1UVhS6HFj6KiZGFgJh3mAwjXvsdglt54d2cxz-PmBr18bJNIybi-CPqWfY0UGWaVgIp0pV5gG0vjMU-4pjfAACgqIA6JbptAsWEFA1BSbTx3dDtPHlQYTgxMOtVcaI_svz/w268-h400/nille5.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four 250-horsepower pumps that power Nile. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The Nile originally came with 23 circular rafts that were and still are free-floating and travel 7-10 mph around the 1,800-foot-long course. The actual depth of the ride might surprise some, as for most of its duration, it's only 2-3 feet deep. The deepest section of the ride is located under the ride's lift hill and is up to 25 feet deep, used for holding water while the ride is not operational. Initially, eight geysers, two churning lagoons, and waterfalls would leave guests completely soaked. The water is pushed along a concrete trough that varies between 16 to 40 feet wide and is powered by, per General Manager Lee Derrough, "four 250-horsepower engines, three of which will be used at a time".</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KYkxvGeHmzE7JpmLPTJxCfRVGubV96LMMj4TiM-G8IDgHL9qrCZ1ZydeoIN-TKAHithPKlR1x4SXhQbIZ1LDtqjMr10wuHR0HhDgE4NuEIrAZGBFmJEGT3Oxqfn5IzvFx8BA_BXt9sGyc0u6jCguaaOy0UQBMW3GoU6aer860cnVeq3x01Haek7Pjijt/s2712/nile7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2712" data-original-width="1896" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KYkxvGeHmzE7JpmLPTJxCfRVGubV96LMMj4TiM-G8IDgHL9qrCZ1ZydeoIN-TKAHithPKlR1x4SXhQbIZ1LDtqjMr10wuHR0HhDgE4NuEIrAZGBFmJEGT3Oxqfn5IzvFx8BA_BXt9sGyc0u6jCguaaOy0UQBMW3GoU6aer860cnVeq3x01Haek7Pjijt/w280-h400/nile7.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today, the ride is far tamer than it was in 1984. Still, its legacy lives on, and as many rapid rides are being demolished in favor of newer and flashier rides, I am thrilled Fury of the Nile continues to roar on. </span></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-55052480862419949612023-11-12T13:39:00.003-06:002023-11-12T14:57:18.746-06:00A History of Haunt: Part III Halloween Haunt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbZTc52HtsCKNK_qsirwJtUJpzBUmONtyG55ryZdiEOjCEIyeJEv9zECzYdNDnnlu-QoV88i-g5mQgWerueenEInWFkOg0Eymy669N1WaLcz-v1zwWeP14ZkTpA0HpgpKWqpM5x_vqUTHTps4HKnNoV9e0AvCB6yoe0Hn6KZvseQIQEjJ1kDg9Z4DiB_F/s2298/hauntlogo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="2298" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbZTc52HtsCKNK_qsirwJtUJpzBUmONtyG55ryZdiEOjCEIyeJEv9zECzYdNDnnlu-QoV88i-g5mQgWerueenEInWFkOg0Eymy669N1WaLcz-v1zwWeP14ZkTpA0HpgpKWqpM5x_vqUTHTps4HKnNoV9e0AvCB6yoe0Hn6KZvseQIQEjJ1kDg9Z4DiB_F/w400-h208/hauntlogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p> <span style="font-size: medium;">Part II examined the growth of Halloweekends from a primaryly kids-centered minor end-of-the-season event to a more mature-audience-centered event around which the season revolved. Part III will explore the evolution, change, and hurdles the event experienced from 2012 to the present (2023). By 2012, the event included most of the major players that are recognizable even today; the park advertised nine extreme haunts, which included in 2012: Lore of the Vampire, Asylum Island, Bloodshed, Cornstalkers, London Terror, Fright Zone, Outlaw's Revenge, Zombie High, and Overlord's Awakening.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Over the next decade, the park would add one major new haunted house to the ranks and see a literal potpourri of different fright zones, shows, and smaller attractions come and go. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpxdacNG5zgDWYIWQJfzdpLkxuBmDTLqnCaIDJA8KRv9Fs5vPOfQ0-H6xXGMbuvVmS1NfHWtp-555esZkBCROvwd_2-Cp8-O1fKUVIFaHA8MM3vkQMW1wFlqgeQwfB61KEUuSrl7qLWEXT0ti6CE-Gy1scrL-ouQ6LUGp7npg7Km7n8LUuUtYGqJipRRl/s3264/97E73E75-B0A2-4F36-A1A1-D52D02FC6630.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpxdacNG5zgDWYIWQJfzdpLkxuBmDTLqnCaIDJA8KRv9Fs5vPOfQ0-H6xXGMbuvVmS1NfHWtp-555esZkBCROvwd_2-Cp8-O1fKUVIFaHA8MM3vkQMW1wFlqgeQwfB61KEUuSrl7qLWEXT0ti6CE-Gy1scrL-ouQ6LUGp7npg7Km7n8LUuUtYGqJipRRl/w300-h400/97E73E75-B0A2-4F36-A1A1-D52D02FC6630.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2sQ3guaVvoFGtc_-zIZbqILUfyBQkJ9QPDS83Urel17CeEzYHE56yTmdYscHSMTWDuoYm3hdC8tEDZzygAVktsArPxBNHv0s0QBJIk7oePypxv5oz74CpEtUq8DiYb5P3h3Um7oYtpk9_MbXLNLlCz8ytcSPbQLl81s7FaSNr21zkWb75fiNHES2j0G9/s3264/B14C7ECD-A89D-4228-9858-A4CFB6B274A8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2sQ3guaVvoFGtc_-zIZbqILUfyBQkJ9QPDS83Urel17CeEzYHE56yTmdYscHSMTWDuoYm3hdC8tEDZzygAVktsArPxBNHv0s0QBJIk7oePypxv5oz74CpEtUq8DiYb5P3h3Um7oYtpk9_MbXLNLlCz8ytcSPbQLl81s7FaSNr21zkWb75fiNHES2j0G9/w300-h400/B14C7ECD-A89D-4228-9858-A4CFB6B274A8.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fright Lane 2013</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2013 saw the first significant change with the addition of the Skeleton Key rooms. An added "pay extra" haunt attraction, the Skeleton Key rooms were "hidden" rooms within different houses that expanded on the macabre storyline and added a deeper, more personal connection with the storyline. For example, Lore of the Vampire offered a Skeleton Key experience where guests individually would be lowered into a coffin or, in another Key Room, have to find a hidden object in what amounted to a used litter box complete with a decaying "corpse." The Skeleton Key attraction would last for five seasons, with its last season being 2017.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSgvFXhFkeKNvCTX3yu_x3BQS7O7L_vSecm3P7K70ymLidMKTEeJQmsneUhNG9Qsss_PE8-AUy6_wVCgrCksl9QHHkQTf9OQDY31d2qEY-MdIbnQaFwMbGU2Z_eLccC7rFUqt7d_0arEAxbquk-cbHGmO_erzNPkivdlEFnNMZJSDcXnbFb_uPbQo96Ff/s3264/DA9E043C-4EF2-4D52-922D-9B117D235997.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSgvFXhFkeKNvCTX3yu_x3BQS7O7L_vSecm3P7K70ymLidMKTEeJQmsneUhNG9Qsss_PE8-AUy6_wVCgrCksl9QHHkQTf9OQDY31d2qEY-MdIbnQaFwMbGU2Z_eLccC7rFUqt7d_0arEAxbquk-cbHGmO_erzNPkivdlEFnNMZJSDcXnbFb_uPbQo96Ff/w400-h300/DA9E043C-4EF2-4D52-922D-9B117D235997.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lore of the Vampire Skeleton Key Room 2013 (and yes that's me)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpEHI_sTxn_-Z2ruYW5YV6kwt_z7nheXXacjEcCVs_eHSEGwNTi2ZJAxBtoIYuum1Jf_SBvNxTrOfN-Xhpbaq95eZ2OIGopGPwMbu9z_Qw3a-QT-RITspL4d6JXZSlO1mFB28xTE33-olCvjHoxtAy5Vl8aZVJRd2yc00BksWz-Gd4Ddh-I9Xn8EB5Xzo/s400/infernoMIG.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="400" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpEHI_sTxn_-Z2ruYW5YV6kwt_z7nheXXacjEcCVs_eHSEGwNTi2ZJAxBtoIYuum1Jf_SBvNxTrOfN-Xhpbaq95eZ2OIGopGPwMbu9z_Qw3a-QT-RITspL4d6JXZSlO1mFB28xTE33-olCvjHoxtAy5Vl8aZVJRd2yc00BksWz-Gd4Ddh-I9Xn8EB5Xzo/w400-h268/infernoMIG.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inferno in 2013, photo by Dustijn Hollon</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFCxhRDQzFZz5FvVBMMs00qr6pX8ZWbB8KwHagLsxJW9Cfwtm00pPxyaWkardRbmORbBs9ZXcRuZ-sXmQuq5By82m3xoDjPVgGrfS25I0hYOaoAgrpABuSPy40n7rLijA-fqtnHQ8Cgd5iKAK7LdjB3Dq9TGCdpgTseIqluLHdzZznjmxxjNVo9uNmRcP/s4032/IMG_3358.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFCxhRDQzFZz5FvVBMMs00qr6pX8ZWbB8KwHagLsxJW9Cfwtm00pPxyaWkardRbmORbBs9ZXcRuZ-sXmQuq5By82m3xoDjPVgGrfS25I0hYOaoAgrpABuSPy40n7rLijA-fqtnHQ8Cgd5iKAK7LdjB3Dq9TGCdpgTseIqluLHdzZznjmxxjNVo9uNmRcP/w400-h300/IMG_3358.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Though today in Blood on the Bayou (which is where this photo is taken), this "prop" is originally from the 2016 Skeleton Key rooms. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2013 also saw the replacement of Master McCarthy's Dollhouse with Chamber of Horrors, a wax museum come alive with terrifying results. It would also see one brand new attraction, <i>Inferno</i>, a freakish, cirque-style, sideshow next to Patriot. Inferno would only last one season. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFi4z0V6mgKgSW1_mruUWFbaCXUYWTtxu2KWgVsNmXEX_MEPfQk7yFdlbzqL9tH3CHUDzNRibh4oExRS1XnxvpYa4-WsYAITGf6DVHVNKtxAZ0sKzbsTqTMfGSzOBWN5kfSqQatKhERH7ophj-wfZV9WpyoHX8lg5aDiEkWzSscNBOp3128mR3iynjxnl/s3872/DSC_9424.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFi4z0V6mgKgSW1_mruUWFbaCXUYWTtxu2KWgVsNmXEX_MEPfQk7yFdlbzqL9tH3CHUDzNRibh4oExRS1XnxvpYa4-WsYAITGf6DVHVNKtxAZ0sKzbsTqTMfGSzOBWN5kfSqQatKhERH7ophj-wfZV9WpyoHX8lg5aDiEkWzSscNBOp3128mR3iynjxnl/w400-h268/DSC_9424.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tivoli geared up for Ed Alonzo, photo from 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBZSsgTTO3hUKshY32Rw33bYmAbu9hzRtCnpoGH-x_3TxYPELacyr2PMuR6rnIg84HIUbzl7uTO2txzYUZ5xbUKaOmkCDw-ILEUqKyQNDDfWspeK80wkovGt1O6GiR3FLRGuZ80J2name1iMczhK4_fEFJkpWQYyNnaFA9isIoZ8pcJhchhcaHhqk3Fss/s3872/DSC_9903.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBZSsgTTO3hUKshY32Rw33bYmAbu9hzRtCnpoGH-x_3TxYPELacyr2PMuR6rnIg84HIUbzl7uTO2txzYUZ5xbUKaOmkCDw-ILEUqKyQNDDfWspeK80wkovGt1O6GiR3FLRGuZ80J2name1iMczhK4_fEFJkpWQYyNnaFA9isIoZ8pcJhchhcaHhqk3Fss/w400-h268/DSC_9903.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHeboZJVRPK5FWhzGrwO8NFw_H2LNDtdurP3jNnaegyVyQC_te_37-mSnj0Wb4vwtzFz_xm4zlgdjfxPXTB3R8XMyJTzM3BvRPRBqCt51gaqA55cqXyimkMnbRQein5aZ3dkM0R9XzCpdifbHbNsywgLqHsFQWsGr3FTOZ3WD1-iqhhv9jpK8IgR2NPwG/s3872/DSC_9913.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHeboZJVRPK5FWhzGrwO8NFw_H2LNDtdurP3jNnaegyVyQC_te_37-mSnj0Wb4vwtzFz_xm4zlgdjfxPXTB3R8XMyJTzM3BvRPRBqCt51gaqA55cqXyimkMnbRQein5aZ3dkM0R9XzCpdifbHbNsywgLqHsFQWsGr3FTOZ3WD1-iqhhv9jpK8IgR2NPwG/w400-h268/DSC_9913.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Many have been questioning recently what the peak year for Haunt was. Without question, Haunt is still a great event today, but it seemingly has never fully recovered since COVID-19 shut it down entirely in 2020. 2014 was the stand-out season as far as peak seasons for Haunt go. All cylinders were firing; it was the second to last full season of Asylum Island under that name and the last season for Magical House on Boo Hill. It would be the first season where Boneyard would have replaced Fright Zone, and the park was on its second season for Skeleton Key; last and probably most important, the park premiered a new spectacular show at Tivoli.<i> Ed Alonzo's Psycho Circus</i> was an elaborate illusionist and magic show combined with humor and was so incredibly entertaining it packed the Tivoli with nearly every show. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8ppJKfX1fIlm27BAXHcbWfiwIAWn5RjzGZWpPn14Pwl6RlVpYG9Bu30LU-8E0Rsx5v7VBrnN9j2wXK2DP-5PTZStxk12EoptyJ0VZJCpQttvBeh44vbCCNYQgnulSoBJgUIEKuXDPPcFHtnnMnAjcy5YwWWIR0JI0Lj_co8_YCyEHVjEf_KLc0GJ9RYT/s3264/IMG_4833.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8ppJKfX1fIlm27BAXHcbWfiwIAWn5RjzGZWpPn14Pwl6RlVpYG9Bu30LU-8E0Rsx5v7VBrnN9j2wXK2DP-5PTZStxk12EoptyJ0VZJCpQttvBeh44vbCCNYQgnulSoBJgUIEKuXDPPcFHtnnMnAjcy5YwWWIR0JI0Lj_co8_YCyEHVjEf_KLc0GJ9RYT/w300-h400/IMG_4833.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psycho Freaks in front of Tivoli</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLU2zM3cI1L6DaCdyWQraVqje4Ww_EsfRyRBSRtkCseUhj64rZ3rWznt4iAaJhYpRYeY0F7nmrfa50swOXre3GR2e6IYlNMoXm6l8R_0xVOIK6qWoSGi7XipEq6vDxH5FbveEWti2khH3IZBG7CWKeNOmtM8f50f2GiS8a0u0s73gtX2C-yGgy2ZFy1EX/s3264/IMG_4801.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLU2zM3cI1L6DaCdyWQraVqje4Ww_EsfRyRBSRtkCseUhj64rZ3rWznt4iAaJhYpRYeY0F7nmrfa50swOXre3GR2e6IYlNMoXm6l8R_0xVOIK6qWoSGi7XipEq6vDxH5FbveEWti2khH3IZBG7CWKeNOmtM8f50f2GiS8a0u0s73gtX2C-yGgy2ZFy1EX/w300-h400/IMG_4801.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Psycho Freaks Bearded Lady</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">2015 was right on 2014's heels and carried on the popular Ed Alonzo show but also introduced a second, more family-friendly version during the daytime. Outside Tivoli, a new sideshow attraction premiered. It was named </span><i style="text-align: left;">Psycho Freaks Sideshow </i><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">and included characters that would feel right at home in a 19th century circus such as the bearded lady or siamese twins. </span><i style="text-align: left;">Psycho Freaks</i><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"> would last for two seasons. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RnbJcqFgkqG4JZQLpqfDkXfzkujqM6gsLf2eVYN1a7esIwFf_fb3fxvbiLqjtc-aTIOFa1g9NzsdZ8mRAKfTjNgKlyL-loa5A9uNKMdJ-TjdPllXoLtQOUddJ5cEH6gLNsc4jZquH1kFdabiK247JjphOD33SgQFkjSJvE6yhbFnCVK3ZvAQqRFI0C3V/s3264/IMG_4818.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RnbJcqFgkqG4JZQLpqfDkXfzkujqM6gsLf2eVYN1a7esIwFf_fb3fxvbiLqjtc-aTIOFa1g9NzsdZ8mRAKfTjNgKlyL-loa5A9uNKMdJ-TjdPllXoLtQOUddJ5cEH6gLNsc4jZquH1kFdabiK247JjphOD33SgQFkjSJvE6yhbFnCVK3ZvAQqRFI0C3V/w300-h400/IMG_4818.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood on the Bayou, new in 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2axw7fBcrXGKntQJPlTE_8FYwDOB3dP2JQo82-foMadWgF_6Q5GwBtJaqcaU8PrFWbLNy5K4SLRpShy8ZTLMO4GcFG1yW4tiBjDw14WumE_OFaOdiTsYdwgqoFKWod7MZ71sPvwC8eR1k_zHIM05wDtTOKXfesbFETmMOwN40Hq7NHyNZdkBixMpiyk5/s3264/IMG_4824.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ2axw7fBcrXGKntQJPlTE_8FYwDOB3dP2JQo82-foMadWgF_6Q5GwBtJaqcaU8PrFWbLNy5K4SLRpShy8ZTLMO4GcFG1yW4tiBjDw14WumE_OFaOdiTsYdwgqoFKWod7MZ71sPvwC8eR1k_zHIM05wDtTOKXfesbFETmMOwN40Hq7NHyNZdkBixMpiyk5/w400-h300/IMG_4824.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior of Blood on the Bayou in 2015<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0_Y-8J2H8NYa60YOfAK2FHHbMvSZXA1Oo96PaLoC5is8o7KSJL3Ptcfl_J316LcfnxCd4j2bIewABu3uzgZki0_FAGJ9Aaa9yvCDWqZlAyk0NClZLPIvX813SWg3LsvF4pf2WAoN_vc5JLSVMWm4IbRmOMiJ-A9puJQT_tIA5R_xxYFf_q9IFZpk2XhN/s4032/IMG_3335.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0_Y-8J2H8NYa60YOfAK2FHHbMvSZXA1Oo96PaLoC5is8o7KSJL3Ptcfl_J316LcfnxCd4j2bIewABu3uzgZki0_FAGJ9Aaa9yvCDWqZlAyk0NClZLPIvX813SWg3LsvF4pf2WAoN_vc5JLSVMWm4IbRmOMiJ-A9puJQT_tIA5R_xxYFf_q9IFZpk2XhN/w300-h400/IMG_3335.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Blood on the Bayou, photo taken 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6SpW8F6IgAIX1wsYGywE-0doAPpPtcWa5ys04CrDyK4jxqvO_tP2D4oP63RutxSrzjHPxomcdkTYI5syMXzZymYDTUcynL1VZIHKAkOyuMc2mtMu6oBmXlQvq8Xs2qiu5XALK5VdnYQD5vbhjDvAE6KNpzDVZNN_jSdc-iju79oTSe1BW86UjlQ2zLPh/s4032/IMG_3343.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6SpW8F6IgAIX1wsYGywE-0doAPpPtcWa5ys04CrDyK4jxqvO_tP2D4oP63RutxSrzjHPxomcdkTYI5syMXzZymYDTUcynL1VZIHKAkOyuMc2mtMu6oBmXlQvq8Xs2qiu5XALK5VdnYQD5vbhjDvAE6KNpzDVZNN_jSdc-iju79oTSe1BW86UjlQ2zLPh/w300-h400/IMG_3343.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many details that can't be fully appreciated while experiencing Blood on the Bayou which is this painting which features a hot air balloon and sternwheeler. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2015 also saw the last new haunted house to premier (to date) and the best themed of them all, Blood on the Bayou. Themed to the Louisiana Bayou, it catered to more of the macabre than pure guts and gore. The last expansion of 2015 was a change to the Overlord's Awakening Show to include the Wicked Witches of the East and West in an expansion known as <i>Hexed</i>, which, like Bayou, still exists today.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlC_9HyqV8nFBZvCJ2faIB0BI5sN_U0laLEzY_8vrRzM4EnvvspIjKSBEJKkqBRYTWMtsIEPiV5mcOPXU3RxCQOnar9vSsf7t6HaB8zm7ePSKAJu4sk0IOyjG-jx6R15Z7zJXPaXkXTXzNvLrJiYNhInmcSxD3QXipciIumpD402QJw5yrCTZZihzpU7d/s4032/IMG_5146.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlC_9HyqV8nFBZvCJ2faIB0BI5sN_U0laLEzY_8vrRzM4EnvvspIjKSBEJKkqBRYTWMtsIEPiV5mcOPXU3RxCQOnar9vSsf7t6HaB8zm7ePSKAJu4sk0IOyjG-jx6R15Z7zJXPaXkXTXzNvLrJiYNhInmcSxD3QXipciIumpD402QJw5yrCTZZihzpU7d/w300-h400/IMG_5146.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wicked Witch of the West, from Hexed. Photo by Josh Donnici.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_usy5HWp2Fx68oEzBEiO-nkx25TaNrCgtUHAn0YiyyzZixEHpLY4FoUC1OdoXckjhrzk51lyXgM_nq9AFXIGPzgVu9hm-6tOiRzL08LXpJ9W-tMzcvW-vJYwXfvIEd6SdjEbAnhxiPdIUOEpgE3mFOMVp0cSBlANJ2LPYn5gwMbXhFiPb3UoHTMYW6bqd/s4032/IMG_5147.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_usy5HWp2Fx68oEzBEiO-nkx25TaNrCgtUHAn0YiyyzZixEHpLY4FoUC1OdoXckjhrzk51lyXgM_nq9AFXIGPzgVu9hm-6tOiRzL08LXpJ9W-tMzcvW-vJYwXfvIEd6SdjEbAnhxiPdIUOEpgE3mFOMVp0cSBlANJ2LPYn5gwMbXhFiPb3UoHTMYW6bqd/w300-h400/IMG_5147.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wicked Witch of the East, photo by John Donnici.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Eleven years after the last use of Boo! Blast, the children's Halloween attraction, would be given a new name, The Great Pumpkinfest, which is still used to this date (2023). The entire pantheon of scare-free attractions would be relocated from Europa to Planet Snoopy, including many attractions still there today, including a hay bale maze, costume contest, crafts, and Peanut characters. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVQw3GJkdkRZ8v6SSvnUiX_0K_Pe2qHykZ6fKxLa73u8NJ4MRJfR-l0SlZRcaANrEmy1PVcO3Ey63IewnmWTefVy4B4-uvk6K0n6LhAaAiDuD5TTOQZASrh4v8uq81uFMEiw63yqoK9gDzv2AKICXIWRNbcFiGhNbUkpnWN0TSssmEgp-ZjdIYpUKP4-f/s4032/IMG_2719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVQw3GJkdkRZ8v6SSvnUiX_0K_Pe2qHykZ6fKxLa73u8NJ4MRJfR-l0SlZRcaANrEmy1PVcO3Ey63IewnmWTefVy4B4-uvk6K0n6LhAaAiDuD5TTOQZASrh4v8uq81uFMEiw63yqoK9gDzv2AKICXIWRNbcFiGhNbUkpnWN0TSssmEgp-ZjdIYpUKP4-f/w400-h300/IMG_2719.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rFxKqKbVvMlUi-_vuE2XlRly0IDPbrd8pHaZAT7MmZbwQN8LFY9ziT7wDObLPWxP00FpyCdK2tovgCvQzEmIEE-rm7760qLoTtDzWOztRfduUfbI5NyNG1Euk7K42F95ubJtpn541xSbH-yPzHkY8o978vaX9EgsNSE_Jg4hWhGn6bx6S1O2ObjCS8ZY/s4032/IMG_2720.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rFxKqKbVvMlUi-_vuE2XlRly0IDPbrd8pHaZAT7MmZbwQN8LFY9ziT7wDObLPWxP00FpyCdK2tovgCvQzEmIEE-rm7760qLoTtDzWOztRfduUfbI5NyNG1Euk7K42F95ubJtpn541xSbH-yPzHkY8o978vaX9EgsNSE_Jg4hWhGn6bx6S1O2ObjCS8ZY/w400-h300/IMG_2720.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2016 would be a further continuation of the two prior seasons, with Ed Alonzo returning for a third season to Tivoli, in this case known as <i>Ed Alonzo's Fun House</i>. It would also see several new small changes instead of one big new attraction. CarnEvil, which had called Bicentennial Square home since 2007, would be moved to the Patriot area, and London Terror would be moved from Forum Road/Heart of America Blvd to the old Calamity Games Midway Games area at Bicentennial Square and renamed London Terror Square. The most significant change to Haunt in 2016 occurred halfway through the season; Asylum Island would be renamed and rethemed to Urgent Scare after guests at Knott's Berry Farm (which had a similar haunt) expressed concerns over the representation of the mentally ill. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuqmwh7XjO3awfIHycWB45w-6tltMPBTS_fxBL-8N6DOjRlgMN7NCuiJeUkJSP01VI60rbMfMf5C1wxKCQQ9p-m2nQ81imZemMmd5Fi9XY01ik36IZqXmSp-h-SF3ZE2BN1DxO1plPz2L9sS7jwKZv73f2NAaNPtwqumYsn0IVGU_QhZuOr8_qa3t1ug0/s4032/IMG_2709.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuqmwh7XjO3awfIHycWB45w-6tltMPBTS_fxBL-8N6DOjRlgMN7NCuiJeUkJSP01VI60rbMfMf5C1wxKCQQ9p-m2nQ81imZemMmd5Fi9XY01ik36IZqXmSp-h-SF3ZE2BN1DxO1plPz2L9sS7jwKZv73f2NAaNPtwqumYsn0IVGU_QhZuOr8_qa3t1ug0/w300-h400/IMG_2709.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carnevil by Patriot</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTgCUqMEo3DHbhPiasMNljoxhlmT_G9Dk7QIV9p3D7SQUzG-_H6zYfZ_fEhv7J_5ALicDkQZyAeEFx2CMDveFWIKsJ8FeUh-GWV2KL0XCuAkiZaBtsiTsYQ7CGrzKwsOMtBbo9q-Aj_sE-aFSXatmBIdHvF6Mbc2Me1_5hfBaS-9hbKIcl6igEg7E_GlX/s4032/IMG_2710.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTgCUqMEo3DHbhPiasMNljoxhlmT_G9Dk7QIV9p3D7SQUzG-_H6zYfZ_fEhv7J_5ALicDkQZyAeEFx2CMDveFWIKsJ8FeUh-GWV2KL0XCuAkiZaBtsiTsYQ7CGrzKwsOMtBbo9q-Aj_sE-aFSXatmBIdHvF6Mbc2Me1_5hfBaS-9hbKIcl6igEg7E_GlX/w400-h300/IMG_2710.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carnival Clown bus (originally the Camp Bus) by Patriot.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgyAyfqx7yN9ZcIM0CzHEpi-kqXdXPDk1sKYnRSt9wKo3qia08KTol60tVtlKlmXv6gL0U-hN8x8GtOzTYQhTbOaDcUjqqH1GVShir0XCNfR6-hOLFx0WVp-U6M58QyLoqaCh3qtzarNB3D3Jq1Gr3s89poCbg_IszbEiFULCPU4dQ7R0ZZv9Z0LSbNWo/s4032/IMG_2711.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgyAyfqx7yN9ZcIM0CzHEpi-kqXdXPDk1sKYnRSt9wKo3qia08KTol60tVtlKlmXv6gL0U-hN8x8GtOzTYQhTbOaDcUjqqH1GVShir0XCNfR6-hOLFx0WVp-U6M58QyLoqaCh3qtzarNB3D3Jq1Gr3s89poCbg_IszbEiFULCPU4dQ7R0ZZv9Z0LSbNWo/w400-h300/IMG_2711.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The loss of Asylum Island, the largest, most popular Haunt, has yet to have its impact judged. What is certain is Asylum Island had one of the most significant impacts on creating the monster that is the Haunt season, so its removal would also have some impact on the overall experience of Haunt. The new quasi-Asylum Island, Urgent Scare, would be removed entirely after the 2017 season.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLkXagcG0ZbrSp7zVHMzLwZtXKDqzhq6od2URbgN18EAMAN4Abp1vEWHbFDs32EpmvCTQmTB1o0Cg3kt5iD-h_l38ipJ56-OfUdUuHK-HrX1RhsOpO6Mq4IOlIi4CjuAWFENx2g0gIWakExy7Fo7iqurvyf6C0f2WRjva7g-FcHMm515AKpDrtKDtESI4/s4032/IMG_2698.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLkXagcG0ZbrSp7zVHMzLwZtXKDqzhq6od2URbgN18EAMAN4Abp1vEWHbFDs32EpmvCTQmTB1o0Cg3kt5iD-h_l38ipJ56-OfUdUuHK-HrX1RhsOpO6Mq4IOlIi4CjuAWFENx2g0gIWakExy7Fo7iqurvyf6C0f2WRjva7g-FcHMm515AKpDrtKDtESI4/w300-h400/IMG_2698.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017 was the last season for the Skeleton Key Rooms</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2Dvzc0-LYV2OeRGdNqAuqQMZfbk8p-L6f-TKRdC3_qW3Y4ustTAQyLTL7OZVT1mWH_iprZTPGN6M-5cGimhC8XviKg2i_klgEyV0X-VBRos1EF879LQn4i0lFLDaFDgeCWhyphenhyphenKETDsL8OTKfbjRkPTc_A36zmWQFbrxDMs1xIFZYfxHBvKdEdHX1D-ZUK/s4032/IMG_2699.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2Dvzc0-LYV2OeRGdNqAuqQMZfbk8p-L6f-TKRdC3_qW3Y4ustTAQyLTL7OZVT1mWH_iprZTPGN6M-5cGimhC8XviKg2i_klgEyV0X-VBRos1EF879LQn4i0lFLDaFDgeCWhyphenhyphenKETDsL8OTKfbjRkPTc_A36zmWQFbrxDMs1xIFZYfxHBvKdEdHX1D-ZUK/w300-h400/IMG_2699.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2017 began the start of a subtle shift in the dynamics of Haunt. It introduced the No Boo necklace, which makes many questions about what type of event Worlds of Fun was trying to market, a mature event intended for adults or a family event? Another concern regarding 2017 is that Haunt almost felt like an afterthought as the park geared up for its first-ever Winterfest event. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/souKbXxIbv4" width="320" youtube-src-id="souKbXxIbv4"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2016 was the last season for the Ed Alonzo show (he would move onto another Cedar Fair park), so for 2017, the park would introduce a new live entertainment offering at the new International Plaza stage, <i>Skeleton Crew</i>, a Halloween-themed dance, and stunt show which would last for three seasons until 2019. 2017 would also see one other subtle change, with London Terror Square renamed to its current moniker, Ripper Alley.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrEO7KehQP_rSuPqXqmJgRMlycz9HLyHRNO5LhCm3ZGe66IFni70bN15VR2hcQF_uR_gUWbC-rn9q5wVlmMu8_74cfcUhywdnGSwny8hLiG98g8hWgxrbXiQdaXCI8sWh1p30gI5zOaKdZC1ppipgjlamGxZxTqor7IaDYlHVeBt95kInSdP0xl2wHtGm/s4032/IMG_5888.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrEO7KehQP_rSuPqXqmJgRMlycz9HLyHRNO5LhCm3ZGe66IFni70bN15VR2hcQF_uR_gUWbC-rn9q5wVlmMu8_74cfcUhywdnGSwny8hLiG98g8hWgxrbXiQdaXCI8sWh1p30gI5zOaKdZC1ppipgjlamGxZxTqor7IaDYlHVeBt95kInSdP0xl2wHtGm/w400-h300/IMG_5888.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicentennial Square looking familiar to today, but taken in 2018.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo5j9AFrNFcJG8dBafa8L4o7KDzB7rfrkEQonI8Hm94aqFlFewiAhuO2Rjt_DiWKJBXH0wxfagE_NSVSKNnHV_6ORXVNJswTVsFeeAszp1qlRlNzxujDkwT8jj4ga6IJsZVco0Soa2_Nu60o-45AhUCtal-1sU378qgEEpAy38VD1eOtFXVy19EyDQybp/s4032/IMG_5893.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo5j9AFrNFcJG8dBafa8L4o7KDzB7rfrkEQonI8Hm94aqFlFewiAhuO2Rjt_DiWKJBXH0wxfagE_NSVSKNnHV_6ORXVNJswTVsFeeAszp1qlRlNzxujDkwT8jj4ga6IJsZVco0Soa2_Nu60o-45AhUCtal-1sU378qgEEpAy38VD1eOtFXVy19EyDQybp/w300-h400/IMG_5893.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Khaos in 2018 at Coco Palms Pavilion</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfsZUAoo8wnACuPZMYlxX9vN0MPBt2boUiMnjEzekliLxRgAHvmeI1fxH22UNxy1D6NPlCb6CiO1aLtAWQusqiAIcmkpX1v5iGV53RJzCr95X7KbPkMHSGLcvHobYSZHCb3CSrkn-RX_RLO0RDvt4Qsqssx6zRtJLiXlma4Bl7psoqwyrfyFwTEBDlXsF/s4032/IMG_5897.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfsZUAoo8wnACuPZMYlxX9vN0MPBt2boUiMnjEzekliLxRgAHvmeI1fxH22UNxy1D6NPlCb6CiO1aLtAWQusqiAIcmkpX1v5iGV53RJzCr95X7KbPkMHSGLcvHobYSZHCb3CSrkn-RX_RLO0RDvt4Qsqssx6zRtJLiXlma4Bl7psoqwyrfyFwTEBDlXsF/w400-h300/IMG_5897.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2018 and 2019 would see further subtle changes in Haunt with no major new Haunt additions. Chamber of Horrors: Condemned would replace the original Chamber of Horrors in the Zambezi Zinger queue house due to a fire that caused damage to several scenes. A "new" haunt, Khaos would be the shortest lived (only two seasons) and replace Urgent Care/Asylum Island; for this first season, Khaos would re-use the same Coco Palms picnic pavilion at Oceans of Fun. 2018 would also be the last year for CarnEvil, though it would return, at least thematically, in 2022 for one season in Scandinavia.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_9ZPFA6hwM8n10TawHkb5j-oVIbtWLrC1ukQau87lOKb4dGOuV9ESCwzROjWLHL1h-D1kwX_CCTthJjCg8lyeH-w0St8sGz75Ru9DOFzfNuIpLErFT6GSeB5Sv9qPP-YAh7Zb6HWFT4vT0TxTzmU00r1O9ACuJiZPlx8lKNvprf1E6_u-esMo_DDJ5rB/s4032/IMG_2098.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_9ZPFA6hwM8n10TawHkb5j-oVIbtWLrC1ukQau87lOKb4dGOuV9ESCwzROjWLHL1h-D1kwX_CCTthJjCg8lyeH-w0St8sGz75Ru9DOFzfNuIpLErFT6GSeB5Sv9qPP-YAh7Zb6HWFT4vT0TxTzmU00r1O9ACuJiZPlx8lKNvprf1E6_u-esMo_DDJ5rB/w400-h300/IMG_2098.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Khaos in 2019 at Festhaus</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi_-yEy_4wdXCK8WPknPJx7ymuXkRvPdKH8qJddymitRQzhstD_ThWGBqd4pEnaHPspLqpRip-fCU8r4XdIEVXllrXLJxM8M4Gzyd-yTmt5FvORPnj9cp8LMsOnZb2UbgaayR8Elpj2pse43rwwRzLn5eNCTUsfi9e8FJX2NS3iobAQA0UKMHF-RdUs-O/s4032/IMG_2097.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi_-yEy_4wdXCK8WPknPJx7ymuXkRvPdKH8qJddymitRQzhstD_ThWGBqd4pEnaHPspLqpRip-fCU8r4XdIEVXllrXLJxM8M4Gzyd-yTmt5FvORPnj9cp8LMsOnZb2UbgaayR8Elpj2pse43rwwRzLn5eNCTUsfi9e8FJX2NS3iobAQA0UKMHF-RdUs-O/w300-h400/IMG_2097.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjfXmaeLteQKxWiz0Q0SYjmCNYPyRg-If8E6TG9F62CowJSt9AbMvuYLKVSJ0Y2ubvM9JptEN4lo1L9BALvWAPI2_wryYOfPYTbiF46Lc3giFIJC15rmRvM78RQqNta0Xgt2HgfjfqifI4kg0oEEwg5QrJf15S8x-ROsb8kaX_4UjGogT6Es0DGN2xT1N/s4032/IMG_2103.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjfXmaeLteQKxWiz0Q0SYjmCNYPyRg-If8E6TG9F62CowJSt9AbMvuYLKVSJ0Y2ubvM9JptEN4lo1L9BALvWAPI2_wryYOfPYTbiF46Lc3giFIJC15rmRvM78RQqNta0Xgt2HgfjfqifI4kg0oEEwg5QrJf15S8x-ROsb8kaX_4UjGogT6Es0DGN2xT1N/w400-h300/IMG_2103.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2019, in retrospect, has an odd mystique: it would be the last "normal" season for about three years, though no one could have known it then. It was one of those moments where everyone wishes they could have known it was the last breath of normalcy for a long while. For that reason, the changes in 2019 seem like they were planned for the long term when they never would appear again in some cases. Such is the case with Khaos; this weird, psychotic haunted house always struggled with a minimal theme. It was an upside-down, post-apocalyptic world, which seems appropriate in hindsight. In 2019, Khaos would be relocated from its original location at Coco Palms Pavilion in Oceans of Fun to Festhaus Picnic Pavilion. 2019 would also be the last season for Boneyard in Africa, but it would also introduce a Haunt that many know today, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater. Located on Forum Road/Heart of America theater, it would be the third Haunt to be located on that roadway between Mamba and Detonator, and like the other two, would struggle and be, like London Terror, moved to a new location when it would return in 2021.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YFX4HwOMFcDa8OUIrojDfUC6nWQT2YH9Vk-qommQ02WVmKEFqKlyZCG6dUJIqjp1SBpleiHYrnwQWMCoPQhjFLoBoeEs9oIoIKAF-5sBPcqrAFQlILaBunAJguCIInDHrltVespdoeCkTh_rSdo_7cY3m-96VpCYelNzOLJl97VVkbGhEwvYD7M5KmwT/s4032/IMG_2176.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YFX4HwOMFcDa8OUIrojDfUC6nWQT2YH9Vk-qommQ02WVmKEFqKlyZCG6dUJIqjp1SBpleiHYrnwQWMCoPQhjFLoBoeEs9oIoIKAF-5sBPcqrAFQlILaBunAJguCIInDHrltVespdoeCkTh_rSdo_7cY3m-96VpCYelNzOLJl97VVkbGhEwvYD7M5KmwT/w400-h300/IMG_2176.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater in 2019 on Forum Road. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0tdWjxkMOg-JqOCNeTYQuBZJGtWtLe1VAilpwNq5u1mJxLmhkqKGdVo2QFXLqgdnlsmRTZXzp1wbrwHCnYcWJJ32XBKCt0sFr1o9D0L0MgBwfqScdSIEvE8jSA_K2wb5vH2PyWkNgF9YhYLjp2ANWLvybL0e6AvzVRx-k2uuyAhy32tZ-wsVAmCuZqNs/s4032/IMG_2179.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0tdWjxkMOg-JqOCNeTYQuBZJGtWtLe1VAilpwNq5u1mJxLmhkqKGdVo2QFXLqgdnlsmRTZXzp1wbrwHCnYcWJJ32XBKCt0sFr1o9D0L0MgBwfqScdSIEvE8jSA_K2wb5vH2PyWkNgF9YhYLjp2ANWLvybL0e6AvzVRx-k2uuyAhy32tZ-wsVAmCuZqNs/w300-h400/IMG_2179.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5L5hVsTi04hvypscBiADfam7bqfPcQ_h8quhbG91lfXDW7FxddspJd3LwFK7vIGRP-phZ49subUMuegNH-JO9OnqkBJOvPEYcfCFvVEhkWUoqNEOoFNS_hgRf_8WloUpxBX5RBTKqDu_PDI-C_ko_knluAtmsDDt5CNpEIDI5l-1tWfYzPYfQJjOvP0z/s4032/IMG_2187.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5L5hVsTi04hvypscBiADfam7bqfPcQ_h8quhbG91lfXDW7FxddspJd3LwFK7vIGRP-phZ49subUMuegNH-JO9OnqkBJOvPEYcfCFvVEhkWUoqNEOoFNS_hgRf_8WloUpxBX5RBTKqDu_PDI-C_ko_knluAtmsDDt5CNpEIDI5l-1tWfYzPYfQJjOvP0z/w400-h300/IMG_2187.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Eater as seen from Forum and the line for Bloodshed. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The 2020 season was planned to be the last season for Winterfest. Very few know what was planned for Haunt that year, but as everyone knows, neither festival happened; in fact, very little happened at Worlds of Fun in 2020. The season was incredibly short, running from June 22 until September 7. There is no other way to define that season in that it was simply "odd" or as it was called by a few: "Worlds of Fun lite" as about half the rides didn't even operate that season either.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjXqNm938efqpf8Nk6dSnY82_S7CnO8TOzCz01CDrex6AI52Y7_rcvJXlO-gzuq4C0qFCRVDkNjBHlbe_k1bLE1Tp-FBzC0hyJY72jrNwxBwzu10gbGjFmYxeXOqeeAKkCntaMrIsrjLZuOjCP2d8JeJYC9rISz3oRlXezw03O5LkPBPLUGbvy7PKFRUL/s4032/IMG_4096.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjXqNm938efqpf8Nk6dSnY82_S7CnO8TOzCz01CDrex6AI52Y7_rcvJXlO-gzuq4C0qFCRVDkNjBHlbe_k1bLE1Tp-FBzC0hyJY72jrNwxBwzu10gbGjFmYxeXOqeeAKkCntaMrIsrjLZuOjCP2d8JeJYC9rISz3oRlXezw03O5LkPBPLUGbvy7PKFRUL/w400-h300/IMG_4096.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cryptics: Final Scarewell Tour in 2021</i> at International Plaza Stage. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWvoeIoP02dHNwQPvidukcXLNPynblj_uL2GPJknXro8UaQtJE0OLCMOXNE98_79lNKSJv3JInee3OT0NsdL6K6jqfesF71ILuqVXJw3Gih3dQKynWXkg67KvLr2CiuWSBwVEzUu5XHl2Q9Hl06fh6DCQ60YIQZWA_m62i8TOUQnugOYoYYGhLwjPYTqw/s4032/IMG_4389.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWvoeIoP02dHNwQPvidukcXLNPynblj_uL2GPJknXro8UaQtJE0OLCMOXNE98_79lNKSJv3JInee3OT0NsdL6K6jqfesF71ILuqVXJw3Gih3dQKynWXkg67KvLr2CiuWSBwVEzUu5XHl2Q9Hl06fh6DCQ60YIQZWA_m62i8TOUQnugOYoYYGhLwjPYTqw/w300-h400/IMG_4389.heic" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZyy1ICE7x-AIRwU7ugmf2CgbgwzrX5qXtuommo3OPo8W-xfENCGSqdVFIxGJgQI41c3Q-ji0WhOZw8PYWv9iFCdZ6ieTx_7Vb69sqDc0QuE2fu12Zdc647pxP1EenRRcuqsg6ZdBkRqH0lAXYR1uIshhlXvPClR5qlUyXIeeiXdT_VsbyyPs5F4wrUGq/s4032/IMG_4390.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZyy1ICE7x-AIRwU7ugmf2CgbgwzrX5qXtuommo3OPo8W-xfENCGSqdVFIxGJgQI41c3Q-ji0WhOZw8PYWv9iFCdZ6ieTx_7Vb69sqDc0QuE2fu12Zdc647pxP1EenRRcuqsg6ZdBkRqH0lAXYR1uIshhlXvPClR5qlUyXIeeiXdT_VsbyyPs5F4wrUGq/w400-h300/IMG_4390.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Witches Ball</i> in 2021. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If 2020 was Worlds of Fun lite, then 2021 was Haunt lite, with Haunt returning but lacking certain ingredients that many always assumed at this point would be there. Moulin Rouge was dark with no <i>Haunted Homecoming</i> for the first time in 18 years, and also for the first time in 16 years, there was no Haunt at Coco Palms pavilion or at the Feshaus, leaving the whole Haunt experience feeling like something was missing. <i>Haunted Homecoming</i> would be with the park in spirit, though in the way of a new show at International Plaza for Haunt, <i>Cryptics: Final Scarewell Tour</i>, along with <i>Witches Ball </i>featuring the Wicked Witches of the East and West. A haunt that WOULD return in 2021 would be Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater that would be relocated to the old Dinosaur's Alive Trail and be far more successful in its new wooded location. 2021 would also be the last season for Chamber of Horrors, with the Zambezi Zinger queue station returning to its original, intended use.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9X3LpGuuafMbJhTR6oqjT0kCRqXDzUsBFne1RFGNJW8k9YYu2r7o7W8PubIe0BWP1qzT5d9QpA2S7MYg-EHFhBUX_qSeKbtQsgl6ahIxFeEyoDQs5Zpagwua8rz041afubSuAzmz1zcCN78m_XTKIfLZic8spwDjtu4ErZcb7o-c4gFFcmnOTcC3Xt9Hd/s4032/IMG_4055.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9X3LpGuuafMbJhTR6oqjT0kCRqXDzUsBFne1RFGNJW8k9YYu2r7o7W8PubIe0BWP1qzT5d9QpA2S7MYg-EHFhBUX_qSeKbtQsgl6ahIxFeEyoDQs5Zpagwua8rz041afubSuAzmz1zcCN78m_XTKIfLZic8spwDjtu4ErZcb7o-c4gFFcmnOTcC3Xt9Hd/w300-h400/IMG_4055.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2021 was the last year for Chamber of Horrors: Condemned. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCEQZ-KHxq1xXzVPYScU6wydLunkuPBaKKRoGKyRqecXE9VDPOQHkKRC03SwFSXMj8W86sIScYXGtg1F8XnKnhZ9XQJoEU_0_tYj1VtU_IEZ39oUwIY7twWY1zge-Y2kN1-blEQ1nEfM0XaICYOWdprb4rc5yNeqda1PkrY2pzr7RzfjRvSpP5uWX1N6M/s4032/IMG_4056.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCEQZ-KHxq1xXzVPYScU6wydLunkuPBaKKRoGKyRqecXE9VDPOQHkKRC03SwFSXMj8W86sIScYXGtg1F8XnKnhZ9XQJoEU_0_tYj1VtU_IEZ39oUwIY7twWY1zge-Y2kN1-blEQ1nEfM0XaICYOWdprb4rc5yNeqda1PkrY2pzr7RzfjRvSpP5uWX1N6M/w300-h400/IMG_4056.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Chamber of Horrors. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1AqcmpoUBRYk5Fhow9mSUC1ijVCBL7LmU9R3p41oTXMYhryLuJpzpMWpxfAbDhv6fJYacoDjLC-pY8_B6h3lOZ5wesFcKnjQxToci3fRs3Sf0s6T9KR82yJWwz2lDmFn_edsZchsfsknn4ftPyzNlY5PPOz0vdy7Rne978RqWsItzK_0YFxWKWCHolJN/s4032/IMG_4382.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1AqcmpoUBRYk5Fhow9mSUC1ijVCBL7LmU9R3p41oTXMYhryLuJpzpMWpxfAbDhv6fJYacoDjLC-pY8_B6h3lOZ5wesFcKnjQxToci3fRs3Sf0s6T9KR82yJWwz2lDmFn_edsZchsfsknn4ftPyzNlY5PPOz0vdy7Rne978RqWsItzK_0YFxWKWCHolJN/w400-h300/IMG_4382.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater entrance in 2021. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1kRRag-HV4E6zuZJvuop37fWOnFjbHNO-eBFQ-Q5mxNwyLgk9s2_YMMipZzVguES0nNpENxdOdpi5gcirhzTgdM0y95fqGSdZeWRM2qxvuUxNz4_R7PEfimO1eKNXqw9ww_aP2g0BMwHQ3VOzptCYAT-mfBTBmgb5NDZhANZLhn1df81xEnh5VOkf2xK/s4032/IMG_4379.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1kRRag-HV4E6zuZJvuop37fWOnFjbHNO-eBFQ-Q5mxNwyLgk9s2_YMMipZzVguES0nNpENxdOdpi5gcirhzTgdM0y95fqGSdZeWRM2qxvuUxNz4_R7PEfimO1eKNXqw9ww_aP2g0BMwHQ3VOzptCYAT-mfBTBmgb5NDZhANZLhn1df81xEnh5VOkf2xK/w400-h300/IMG_4379.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today there is a roller coaster here, back then it was the walkway for Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater (and before that Dinosaurs Alive)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2022, Haunt would return more in a recognizable form and, for the first time in three years, feature an entirely new Haunted scare zone/house, Malice in Wonderland, Europa's first-ever haunt. Unlike the 2012 Alice in Wonderland-themed kids area, this variation was two-faced. The Wonderland props would offer a scare-free trick-or-treat zone during the daytime and would serve as a creepy fright zone during the night. In addition to Malice in Wonderland, Fright Zone would return as a scare zone in Africa and, along with Outlaws, would bring the fright zone count back up to three, but only for this one season.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehFVgzP9BMCYgOIvh6ptXFJ9jjvePeimTi15Ei_NvABoM0HLAtoAcfoeHCSbjfNUTKLNNL7X5ueG17AAoTSxC4G2xobTuLfUEJe0M6dR3G9u873QnTR0Aj3CjnT-zfuY_9s0v7j72gWQPy0WzcEAUFB7_WxDbYtDlzR84m0-jkB2e0USMXG7o-JXhyBDV/s4032/IMG_3363.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehFVgzP9BMCYgOIvh6ptXFJ9jjvePeimTi15Ei_NvABoM0HLAtoAcfoeHCSbjfNUTKLNNL7X5ueG17AAoTSxC4G2xobTuLfUEJe0M6dR3G9u873QnTR0Aj3CjnT-zfuY_9s0v7j72gWQPy0WzcEAUFB7_WxDbYtDlzR84m0-jkB2e0USMXG7o-JXhyBDV/w300-h400/IMG_3363.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malice in Wonderland at Night. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxf-QIp_wdGwzkArePlmivj6Xd7rKONcb2BRDBFY4UvgiG6dRYGlcCETn882-OO0bXpg1S2uEAaFgfkwY7kF0FCfynHcpdnH5jC-JUU3M219iQiJSJ1qYNNifrzi_7kTu87zMMWuE6wDujjjTUOqUzZxZwgX_2hW1pV7kEZRclSswpk3zLhR8qyHxpN9_s/s4032/IMG_3369.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxf-QIp_wdGwzkArePlmivj6Xd7rKONcb2BRDBFY4UvgiG6dRYGlcCETn882-OO0bXpg1S2uEAaFgfkwY7kF0FCfynHcpdnH5jC-JUU3M219iQiJSJ1qYNNifrzi_7kTu87zMMWuE6wDujjjTUOqUzZxZwgX_2hW1pV7kEZRclSswpk3zLhR8qyHxpN9_s/w300-h400/IMG_3369.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FJVTQm9nYnlCigHnDaK1G_9wLTyjLCxid3ZfwZ1SBjrLj4cqzl6RMuRHSJU3GkhhWYyL96JLJQKjf9zz9f2QTmJKBsWrwZ7qxqucJRSToLUbF7hmPNWFOhm7eN8hO847uXyDAbIefSwJpss3l97YpkPVwbF1bzxim_h8aqMVni2AaqiwJWpKrAe6QdVl/s4032/IMG_3625.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FJVTQm9nYnlCigHnDaK1G_9wLTyjLCxid3ZfwZ1SBjrLj4cqzl6RMuRHSJU3GkhhWYyL96JLJQKjf9zz9f2QTmJKBsWrwZ7qxqucJRSToLUbF7hmPNWFOhm7eN8hO847uXyDAbIefSwJpss3l97YpkPVwbF1bzxim_h8aqMVni2AaqiwJWpKrAe6QdVl/w300-h400/IMG_3625.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trick or Treat in Wonderland in the daytime. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQO5DvkX9DFoAMU_eFVdlDKBvAc0JSAciKHkQI5m10-j0xRxbwMdRSAr0R2XMF4fwA5zcc5oiwqpIGKs0gfzVKehI9vT3mzu0L4m7KIWPGrK-DswSYfm16Q_VKxohDn8kOgV5vtcZborBisRvhBjYgMYIY3UzY1fG83E2ncPt-uzJamWO6Vx2UP4Bv_YJ/s4032/IMG_3642.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQO5DvkX9DFoAMU_eFVdlDKBvAc0JSAciKHkQI5m10-j0xRxbwMdRSAr0R2XMF4fwA5zcc5oiwqpIGKs0gfzVKehI9vT3mzu0L4m7KIWPGrK-DswSYfm16Q_VKxohDn8kOgV5vtcZborBisRvhBjYgMYIY3UzY1fG83E2ncPt-uzJamWO6Vx2UP4Bv_YJ/w300-h400/IMG_3642.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Present Day, 2023, 30 years after the inception of Boo! Bash Worlds of Fun changed things up again by making Haunt a separately ticketed event. No longer would the day slowly transition into a nighttime freak show. Worlds of Fun wasn't the first to make their haunted event a separately ticked event from the regular day pass, not by a long shot. The practice of having separate events dates back to Knott's Berry Farm, which has hosted "Knott's Scary Farm" for fifty years! More changes would come to the event, too; Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater would be slightly relocated to account for the new Zambezi Zinger taking up its old haunting grounds. CarnEvil would return at least in spirit in the form of a new show near Tivoli, <i>Last Laff</i>, which offered a new twist and slice to the typical circus sideshow. A third show, at International Plaza stage, <i>Conjure the Night</i> featured once again the Witches of the East and West from <i>Hexed</i>. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOZVZm6aa6wpA2trX0NHS9g6AysPVJU0iS3WxamQt7oIM9cP2MNjkdkfcjjSQK5EeNX9jwqzpQv7voFBtKkw6csi7U4tjNnSLvEXh3Zx2uBghLUYi0OKdcq_xhsjLPwIa2SYGARef2-yIP0udLySoorwMMeILBHrEorme0LkZnhIIz_1BMwif81x6ZhTJ/s4032/IMG_2094.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOZVZm6aa6wpA2trX0NHS9g6AysPVJU0iS3WxamQt7oIM9cP2MNjkdkfcjjSQK5EeNX9jwqzpQv7voFBtKkw6csi7U4tjNnSLvEXh3Zx2uBghLUYi0OKdcq_xhsjLPwIa2SYGARef2-yIP0udLySoorwMMeILBHrEorme0LkZnhIIz_1BMwif81x6ZhTJ/w300-h400/IMG_2094.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Conjure the Night</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuFqWOzZdRzFIY3EE3K90uXPAr7GRjrb7Xd00NhCFz20_VdKpSskcexKGxAGrTZHXVzLr4eT_Uc_rPpcDGP_UvXv-j7Ef_uuSWO8FXNAWPx3ZETKjPHi0lz3yWywwe6wTLrwM7HEx_clXthh8AOM9gUBuMqC7etwwwq8_dxtUN7Vvlx8tl9ba0ye3_-rl/s4032/IMG_2074.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuFqWOzZdRzFIY3EE3K90uXPAr7GRjrb7Xd00NhCFz20_VdKpSskcexKGxAGrTZHXVzLr4eT_Uc_rPpcDGP_UvXv-j7Ef_uuSWO8FXNAWPx3ZETKjPHi0lz3yWywwe6wTLrwM7HEx_clXthh8AOM9gUBuMqC7etwwwq8_dxtUN7Vvlx8tl9ba0ye3_-rl/w400-h300/IMG_2074.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Last Laff</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pISllNGplfesLI4A_Uv5-yxT8iZcaklSsa9al_3zf1ywBlGFH7CdjxFaMEZuRDaN0iZgZQRs_zvqRpYf5M4Vckh-LahEglKvnu3B4YnrUcf1d0Q4-w5cExEuUVPnAsOF7zsf6x-S2KrlWFnGVVAabTMudpzb3jU5wbbD5xEePxdi8dhg-OAtyzNNoMKs/s4032/IMG_2062.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pISllNGplfesLI4A_Uv5-yxT8iZcaklSsa9al_3zf1ywBlGFH7CdjxFaMEZuRDaN0iZgZQRs_zvqRpYf5M4Vckh-LahEglKvnu3B4YnrUcf1d0Q4-w5cExEuUVPnAsOF7zsf6x-S2KrlWFnGVVAabTMudpzb3jU5wbbD5xEePxdi8dhg-OAtyzNNoMKs/w300-h400/IMG_2062.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Last Laff</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Looking back at over 30 years of Halloween attractions at Worlds of Fun, it has been amazing to witness its growth. Starting from a two-week, kid-centric event back in 1992, it grew exponentially with nearly every single season to an event unrecognizable to its original roots, proving that not all change is bad and can, in many ways, create new traditions and memories. For many, a Worlds of Fun without Haunt is unimaginable, much like for many older fans, a Worlds of Fun without Zambezi Zinger or Orient Express was. History is an ever-evolving story, and the important, memorable pieces are determined by those who live it. By becoming time-honored, Haunt has earned its place in the pantheon of Worlds of Fun classics and traditions, and it will hopefully be around for many years to come.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GQRKzkKQMJgDEVWb7O6-1zfIN1hqyYA2waxnJQ6cv_IEcm2HsNkCRnBVuN0eQdGCrae2J8GNGiRJLRDY9vJYbEumUNDSw_tKzdLrbHQ9nl_62_BCdVpDQFYuHd2wXKewNFuAy_W3_e2bWv9eP4-qedU_0jRhPHKckGguXWsernEIH9hbVIhTprvAdzU-/s5712/IMG_2265.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4284" data-original-width="5712" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GQRKzkKQMJgDEVWb7O6-1zfIN1hqyYA2waxnJQ6cv_IEcm2HsNkCRnBVuN0eQdGCrae2J8GNGiRJLRDY9vJYbEumUNDSw_tKzdLrbHQ9nl_62_BCdVpDQFYuHd2wXKewNFuAy_W3_e2bWv9eP4-qedU_0jRhPHKckGguXWsernEIH9hbVIhTprvAdzU-/s320/IMG_2265.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-49404857534531087352023-11-02T15:00:00.003-05:002023-11-02T15:25:07.891-05:00Cedar Fair and Six Flags Merger: Our Take<div><span style="font-size: medium;">We all woke up this morning to some shocking news: Cedar Fair, owner and operator of Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, was announcing its merger with Six Flags. I'll openly admit I was shocked and greatly concerned by the news initially. I still feel the same way, but I've had some time to absorb the facts. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">First takeaway: nothing, at least nothing significant, will happen immediately. As the merger is not planned to close until the first half of 2024, I expect 2024 to operate not all that dissimilar to 2023 (hopefully with better staffing!). I strongly doubt that on the opening day of 2024, My Cedar Fair Worlds of Fun pass will get me into Six Flags or vice versa. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">For the same reason, I also don't expect any significant changes in park operation, appearance, or identification this coming season.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Initially, when I heard the news, my first concern was the identification of Worlds of Fun, the name, the theme, etc. On these details, like all the others, I know no more than anyone else outside of Cedar Fair or Six Flags. I have some opinions based on some facts thought. First, from the news release, it appears no single entity, Cedar Fair or Six Flags, will predominate; this is not a Six Flags takeover. Cedar Fair's CEO and CFO will be retained, and the corporate structure will be in Charlotte, NC. Already home to many corporate offices for Cedar Fair today. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">With that being said, I think, at least initially, the identities of the individual parks will remain relatively unchanged. I can't see how changing Worlds of Fun to Six Flags Kansas City and Kings Island to Six Flags Cincinnati will help any single park in the Cedar Fair chain. I also don't see significant upcoming changes in Intellectual Properties (IPs) such as Looney Toons or Peanuts characters. I do think that in the future, if a park area requires an update, it is possible Six Flags IPs could be incorporated.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And this is where my concern lies: what the future could hold. Worlds of Fun has always had a unique place in the Cedar Fair family. As one of only two theme parks in the chain, it was also one of the few 1970s corporate parks that has successfully held onto its original theme. That alone is rare anywhere in the amusement world. In my opinion, one of three things could happen in the long term. One: nothing changes in the long term; I highly doubt this. Two: Cedar Fair/Six Flags decides to re-organize all the parks to be more homogenized. This could involve the incorporation of DC IPs into Worlds of Fun's theme. Patriot could be re-themed to Superman and such. This could also see a long-term change in the park's name to Six Flags Worlds of Fun. I'm not a fan of any of that, honestly. Option Three:is perfect world; with the park chain being so overloaded with properties, the overall response is far less micromanagement by corporate, allowing more local control and decision-making. More autonomy for Worlds of Fun staff and management, in my opinion, could only be a major plus for the park as a whole.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Which will it be? Honestly, I don't know; few do. I am sure that we will probably have more answers as time goes by. The most fascinating takeaway for this, though, is one many don't realize. And that is that, with this merger, Worlds of Fun is becoming what it was initially envisioned to be over 50 years ago. What?! Really. Back when Lamar Hunt and Jack Steadman were originally envisioning a Disneyland for Kansas City, they first approached Six Flags. Original blueprints still exist at Burns and McDonnell for a park titled "Six Flags Kansas City." Even though I questioned this story many years ago, the original park marketing director, past General Manager, and past park president, Lee Derrough, further confirmed the story. Why Six Flags pulled out and moved the plans to the St. Louis area is anyone's guess, but it does explain why there was "radio silence" between the 1969 announcement of the theme park to 1971 when Worlds of Fun was officially announced. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">With that little tidbit of interesting history, it makes for a fascinating twist to the news today, But it also leaves one very concerning question that almost every Worlds of Fun fan has had. If Six Flags decided to build in St. Louis instead of Kansas City, why would they consider continuing to operate the Kansas City park? While I cannot wholly silence the fear of closure because I feel it myself, I can offer the fact that both parks have now operated for over 50 years separately and profitably. There is enough distance between the two and the difference between the two markets to continue to support both parks. I do believe that Worlds of Fun is not going anywhere anytime soon. </span></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-55044152250289564082023-10-29T14:37:00.000-05:002023-10-29T14:37:45.892-05:00A History of Haunt: Part II Halloweekends<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yPIOgPtR6PdkIVU4bp52qCYHfbGab0k21kYa-W35OxWcLtTzuZDtIAEpnKrzZnlIDytXxs0kJ4Cqewo-WLxnwjoY5sn7tczui2fS-cn0jmWsuX_Cqk3WKMqNWWOs134ry5PXBsifqrlBV5ueEN3Mp8__C888enyIcqkW9Ri0Yel3EtvSLSFywAP3Qkcx/s2240/WOFsnoopy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="2240" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yPIOgPtR6PdkIVU4bp52qCYHfbGab0k21kYa-W35OxWcLtTzuZDtIAEpnKrzZnlIDytXxs0kJ4Cqewo-WLxnwjoY5sn7tczui2fS-cn0jmWsuX_Cqk3WKMqNWWOs134ry5PXBsifqrlBV5ueEN3Mp8__C888enyIcqkW9Ri0Yel3EtvSLSFywAP3Qkcx/s320/WOFsnoopy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: medium;">Part I of the three-part History of Haunt blog looked at the initial development of Boo! Blast and Halloweekends at WOF, but at this point in 2002, the event was more geared towards younger children than teenagers or adults. Many fans hoped for something bigger and better.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuU4vqgF5gupkq06A_jqYBH10awIXUC0r4YvK6heV7GC_evKYYoNHDphtYND6kBogKmGXQNMzO0HY16AS_Lr8As7LBuAvBy1PaoebuUw7kTlDXPYs3cVnmDMOmCQ4IIcN03BMNIoGXOyHSzyWzC3apYgIFSZQn-ybdncYDIfHwlKzkU9Ajp2dtZoAKvRQy/s3008/clowns1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuU4vqgF5gupkq06A_jqYBH10awIXUC0r4YvK6heV7GC_evKYYoNHDphtYND6kBogKmGXQNMzO0HY16AS_Lr8As7LBuAvBy1PaoebuUw7kTlDXPYs3cVnmDMOmCQ4IIcN03BMNIoGXOyHSzyWzC3apYgIFSZQn-ybdncYDIfHwlKzkU9Ajp2dtZoAKvRQy/w400-h266/clowns1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The old Beat Street Sign was modified to Freak Street.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTjAomYxYoFtYbWrTmGSrGLWwmN_PO4BriQojzbi4_n8SPI9tfZHWld040309vcGDPooKJlE2SIP8wY2Lk4nEKAzV4KgEzFjIH-Bkzs28ez-fdL4fghPncI5oppKKS3U3fGWjWB6zd_Z_XkE9IG6fUmCMHyGmr4Q6jEt8PyTxIKwS6KDwQnJt0Daly83B/s3008/clowns2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTjAomYxYoFtYbWrTmGSrGLWwmN_PO4BriQojzbi4_n8SPI9tfZHWld040309vcGDPooKJlE2SIP8wY2Lk4nEKAzV4KgEzFjIH-Bkzs28ez-fdL4fghPncI5oppKKS3U3fGWjWB6zd_Z_XkE9IG6fUmCMHyGmr4Q6jEt8PyTxIKwS6KDwQnJt0Daly83B/w400-h266/clowns2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The structure for Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns was built in 1982 for River City. Today half of it still stands as part of Patriot Landing gift shop.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It all started innocuously; Worlds of Fun introduced its first full-fledged haunted house intended for mature audiences in 2003. The first haunted house was known as Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns and located on what the park titled "Freak Street." it was exceptionally well thought out and featured both real human clowns and dummy clowns, which one could not tell the difference until too late. As would be the case for the next few years, though, Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns would use abandoned or underused buildings. Freak Street was just the old Beat Street, and Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns was just an old strip of gift shops turned into a haunted house. Sometimes ingenuity beats boatloads of money, which was the case in 2003. Carnival was an immediate hit. So was the other, more family-oriented haunted house, Magical House on Boo Hill in Camp Spooky. Like Clowns, Boo Hill would be re-using a derelict building, in this case, that had been most recently the park's Ambam (employee break area), built initially as Lucky Lyndy's Lunch Counter. In addition to the two new houses, the old favorites were back too: Diggers Used Coffin Lot, Spooktacular, and Trick-or-Treat Town. The event in 2003 would run from September 20 until October 26, six weeks as had become the standard.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g7XE_WBuFZAZKHJTuKvt1fKy35NDpeGIqVGYIzrxCuKay5voYClmkKuyoE36BOhFtMkkf7XeDppd3cY-sco-M9TIdNT1eudX1T7mK_xkYoHIpMlIJF3NYYrJag9SawJSVTy4zTHSyijnENWs3_XK8pMerw82k3549Pr1XjWX5TIWpwO-Bvr9siszqdbd/s250/IMG_2269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="250" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8g7XE_WBuFZAZKHJTuKvt1fKy35NDpeGIqVGYIzrxCuKay5voYClmkKuyoE36BOhFtMkkf7XeDppd3cY-sco-M9TIdNT1eudX1T7mK_xkYoHIpMlIJF3NYYrJag9SawJSVTy4zTHSyijnENWs3_XK8pMerw82k3549Pr1XjWX5TIWpwO-Bvr9siszqdbd/w400-h266/IMG_2269.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Magical House on Boo Hill</span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO-FJncgAQ2cQAFK0n9pJXbkHkt76x-VgXHRc5CwFEZtVmW7CoP88fiqqP4jqpQupDDP5GO3dHJXO_Hu9cLOXOoT4dGPojezq_FRzbqNOazqKmhXDz8nZjH4iHX4FsIcU4XtKQ8-6mPFCMuLSW7unf9ZL2qZ8nEWweQIQxC3GtSPuvNAlhloHWQ_F4DhB/s3008/houseonboohill20041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO-FJncgAQ2cQAFK0n9pJXbkHkt76x-VgXHRc5CwFEZtVmW7CoP88fiqqP4jqpQupDDP5GO3dHJXO_Hu9cLOXOoT4dGPojezq_FRzbqNOazqKmhXDz8nZjH4iHX4FsIcU4XtKQ8-6mPFCMuLSW7unf9ZL2qZ8nEWweQIQxC3GtSPuvNAlhloHWQ_F4DhB/w400-h266/houseonboohill20041.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the interior rooms of Boo Hill. <br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnX9TErhBfSCjlpBpnxnCBwvzwsMkU5LzpNN1UaRzj4nbfd8LU_gGg2qBSiY6ryvRJacMqWYx6l1eUbSFUUyD56jt4LUC7FIVcmNvV3wY0h2oFg9lV1jIfi-CwyLLXVsd0XD7w2esI8wILY5nTuk-GdGLzcB4hnPW12PGpk3U10IsFkMD5lL22XSBBYPRl/s3008/boohill2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnX9TErhBfSCjlpBpnxnCBwvzwsMkU5LzpNN1UaRzj4nbfd8LU_gGg2qBSiY6ryvRJacMqWYx6l1eUbSFUUyD56jt4LUC7FIVcmNvV3wY0h2oFg9lV1jIfi-CwyLLXVsd0XD7w2esI8wILY5nTuk-GdGLzcB4hnPW12PGpk3U10IsFkMD5lL22XSBBYPRl/w266-h400/boohill2.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Upside down living room</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></div>If 2003 was more of a "Let's try this and see if it works," then 2004 was the first step towards the empire that Haunt is today. 2004 saw the first printed park map specifically for Halloweekends (remember it was still Halloweekends at this point), and would see THREE new haunted attractions added in addition to Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns, including Lore of the Vampire, Camp Gonnagitcha Witchhatchet and Fright Zone. 2004 also introduced one of the park's longest-running shows, </span><em style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Haunted Homecoming</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> at Moulin Rouge, a haunted spin-off of the popular </span><em style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Stax of Wax</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. The final addition to the Halloweekends 2004 season was Fright Night Fright Nights, which covered the five Fridays in October (with the event kicking off on Saturday, September 25). When the Fright Night Fright Nights debuted, the park was a literal ghost town, even quieter than Thursdays are today. </span></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gOzC_EfMeHa-1L5XqG4a9TNy1lNrci8qdKaF_Idc_Sapicq7XxSIOEnN8Gj8auXtAna6jzSkVHW9Ya8WIXOex08AduFFYHzXZM_fRwrtKhvnNv8K1swZLKVa1B3B8tkZmCyfEMtr_nyDL3sftvhBak4ffnDtbRWxULSsj4Dhikua5kj9AXHQGbSYanai/s2308/hauntedhomecomingposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2308" data-original-width="1517" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gOzC_EfMeHa-1L5XqG4a9TNy1lNrci8qdKaF_Idc_Sapicq7XxSIOEnN8Gj8auXtAna6jzSkVHW9Ya8WIXOex08AduFFYHzXZM_fRwrtKhvnNv8K1swZLKVa1B3B8tkZmCyfEMtr_nyDL3sftvhBak4ffnDtbRWxULSsj4Dhikua5kj9AXHQGbSYanai/w263-h400/hauntedhomecomingposter.jpg" width="263" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Today this show is on its 18th season, back when this poster hung it was on season numero uno. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3MH0W-PUXwjc78Ws6WltvVseJTgTWxFDp9B1A2OtPKqaFn6yGKVmeLpL-WlY1oAk6NErEX97uBBPiPb_so78IRD-0hQCpqSKuLehqmPvvchCW7F9wjafqoBBjp4wIBGG23QXNTGgu9olT55mN1g5AiPtsRFVVexOnnl-UtI6hT5KYr4hBvi4LuUhqg5_/s4016/hauntedhomecomingpress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="4016" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3MH0W-PUXwjc78Ws6WltvVseJTgTWxFDp9B1A2OtPKqaFn6yGKVmeLpL-WlY1oAk6NErEX97uBBPiPb_so78IRD-0hQCpqSKuLehqmPvvchCW7F9wjafqoBBjp4wIBGG23QXNTGgu9olT55mN1g5AiPtsRFVVexOnnl-UtI6hT5KYr4hBvi4LuUhqg5_/w400-h260/hauntedhomecomingpress.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Promo photo for Haunted Homecoming</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-yoeMXw2TNwtjPyv0hv5NXeOP_zVYcnzrCLHmVCiWPvf-YUkx8HL-dZb1N5f2iYOH_FGY5ntYxzz1d0PNmwyC8hpQ7SeB8bPT01svd_Euu9iVRyAwYxCJyI6bCV7uXt5h-zxipyk5OoVNbG35KbgWP5W_ifhGZquZ4hvIgYJS9J4rzMJHK-1kqrvzj1j/s4016/camppress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="4016" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-yoeMXw2TNwtjPyv0hv5NXeOP_zVYcnzrCLHmVCiWPvf-YUkx8HL-dZb1N5f2iYOH_FGY5ntYxzz1d0PNmwyC8hpQ7SeB8bPT01svd_Euu9iVRyAwYxCJyI6bCV7uXt5h-zxipyk5OoVNbG35KbgWP5W_ifhGZquZ4hvIgYJS9J4rzMJHK-1kqrvzj1j/w400-h260/camppress.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Promo photo for Camp Gonnagitcha Witchahatchet. Notice the very early cymbal monkey on the left. </span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">2004 saw a few more minor details important to Halloweekends history, too. Makeup and Costuming for all three original haunts were applied and donned in the "Creature Crypt," otherwise known as the basement of All Stars Grill (Formerly the Indoor Ambam). Changes to makeup and costuming would occur in 2008 when it would all be centralized, but from 2004 until 2007, all makeup and costuming was individualized to each individual haunt. As mentioned, Camp, Lore, and Fright Zone would all share the Creature Crypt, but each other particular haunt until 2007 would have its makeup and costuming completed on location. </span>With individualized sites, it gave each haunt "back room" more of a "home" like atmosphere and, in many cases, took on a festival atmosphere itself; with Halloween movies being shown and food brought in potluck style, it became nearly a party within a party, </span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_6SiIQpbfhf-I5KngUhF5LaTS2895gCjm8AMf2c_iBZ-8hF-YduBaQOSqE5WjhcPXXJuI0xTH9hTaCM7fzp1thU8cGSgoVfkn_diKKjBZeP31ABD_XxnR-z_1Z5ZZPURHWe31mEkyT7fu4HlUd0nN8LxlLnL-nCWBQk8hWgHjkOFIaOAPS2eld7LXpGZ/s4016/frightzonepress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="4016" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_6SiIQpbfhf-I5KngUhF5LaTS2895gCjm8AMf2c_iBZ-8hF-YduBaQOSqE5WjhcPXXJuI0xTH9hTaCM7fzp1thU8cGSgoVfkn_diKKjBZeP31ABD_XxnR-z_1Z5ZZPURHWe31mEkyT7fu4HlUd0nN8LxlLnL-nCWBQk8hWgHjkOFIaOAPS2eld7LXpGZ/w400-h260/frightzonepress.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Promo photo for Fright Zone which ran from the Scandi/Africa trestle to Moroccan Merchant.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxhPzKVm6RjJPbqwUshlb11VaZDhvKjFTLLm3g5siE_s7bMRjsOWaltsIfr-ZMCiVjZ_Q-SxmQOcR02mdvpk3JrGmAGvFh1f13fiqM_o18RysGHYw7nNFV-6ASkHi8Qu-IdVYAwJbpVCIuEsGrYG-8Y1PqEEJGYHL2nYvUr6VDApCi8Y61ATsBrd3hwkt/s3872/loreofthevampire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxhPzKVm6RjJPbqwUshlb11VaZDhvKjFTLLm3g5siE_s7bMRjsOWaltsIfr-ZMCiVjZ_Q-SxmQOcR02mdvpk3JrGmAGvFh1f13fiqM_o18RysGHYw7nNFV-6ASkHi8Qu-IdVYAwJbpVCIuEsGrYG-8Y1PqEEJGYHL2nYvUr6VDApCi8Y61ATsBrd3hwkt/w400-h268/loreofthevampire.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Entrance to Lore of the Vampire (which was the exit for the Orient Express)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgxjL9vMlNKYQXPYM8NoQhJNo0eRzxGGyQrDpYr8FQ-ug6sv_w6YaxZffAk8XUL2e2_4m8tZkMNJYqTYsex4jmsSbXJGqeR40e62duM34F6qJNfd64t1qQFm_Wa51tWO2XZURoL9LyXomj9QjEzR-Al2EURLmcWrwCqj8CQe4rJZoAlYiwj1KTJhZ95CD/s4016/LoreVampire.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="4016" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgxjL9vMlNKYQXPYM8NoQhJNo0eRzxGGyQrDpYr8FQ-ug6sv_w6YaxZffAk8XUL2e2_4m8tZkMNJYqTYsex4jmsSbXJGqeR40e62duM34F6qJNfd64t1qQFm_Wa51tWO2XZURoL9LyXomj9QjEzR-Al2EURLmcWrwCqj8CQe4rJZoAlYiwj1KTJhZ95CD/w400-h260/LoreVampire.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Promo photo for Lore of the Vampire. <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> Another tradition that started with Camp, Lore, and Fright Zone is the tradition of the park's "parade." Though many may point to the more modern version, which kicked off in 2008, it could be argued that the parade's predecessor could be traced to 2004. Once prepared, the Camp and Fright Zone screamsters grabbed an old rope and were lead, chain-gang style, down to Camp Gonnagitcha and Fright Zone. The vampires, which always opened earlier (4 pm) and also opened on Sundays, would "parade" thematically correctly, carrying umbrellas to shield their pale skin from the midday sun.</span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxREKhif2SqrB7O01roa3BTc6lzNGf_EdZeKKGamf-uPlGVLynGJfrikjc4vQNYaMHa8uYOuflJx-82WhTpD_Q-v7fi4dvOqdwFmtYtlV95LE9bleg7dK2oyviCaPEPAeChxanPa5JZEPqjmpAWkEF0-LMrerGrmOa8QBXWFWk6pYyA6eTp0FbyiMZrWp/s3008/witchestales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxREKhif2SqrB7O01roa3BTc6lzNGf_EdZeKKGamf-uPlGVLynGJfrikjc4vQNYaMHa8uYOuflJx-82WhTpD_Q-v7fi4dvOqdwFmtYtlV95LE9bleg7dK2oyviCaPEPAeChxanPa5JZEPqjmpAWkEF0-LMrerGrmOa8QBXWFWk6pYyA6eTp0FbyiMZrWp/w400-h266/witchestales.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(14, 16, 26); color: #0e101a; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Winifred's Wise Whimsies in 2003</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kUXGoKN9gfaBefSkurfFPXTxOnWpCfXGD70Ke9cAxCOYBCIVWZPBxig-zr_b28QuJ5aWa0SEi4Z60STXfUlmprTtkQxQuqn95-Pozkt9AtecAoHBB9QvAA3RL8F7b_NjfarYQd-StMf3XslfqjQXNPY0dOHdWtxv0kQmNl_2cjt2RbZ4lqqn_GYyd6o8/s3872/scandicharacters2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kUXGoKN9gfaBefSkurfFPXTxOnWpCfXGD70Ke9cAxCOYBCIVWZPBxig-zr_b28QuJ5aWa0SEi4Z60STXfUlmprTtkQxQuqn95-Pozkt9AtecAoHBB9QvAA3RL8F7b_NjfarYQd-StMf3XslfqjQXNPY0dOHdWtxv0kQmNl_2cjt2RbZ4lqqn_GYyd6o8/w400-h268/scandicharacters2008.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Scandinavian Halloween character from 2008</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">2004 had some changes in store for the family side of Halloweekends too. It would be the last season that the term "Boo! Blast" would be used to describe any Halloween event at Worlds of Fun. It also saw a relatively minor change to the title of the Witch's storytelling in Scandinavia; no longer known as Winifred's Wise Whimsies, it became known as Hexaba's Hogwash. </span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzWDvWu7NHa6hhXVOcXq6asDl4HScT3-zAC-d3DxirMPV6LiTn2dfxbAl7dZxIi3EKYPdPCZrj6flWiV8hxyqKGE4nfrsavSyX4YyIGev8nuwPXkIDEoTpgU8L8W8JCLdy1MJduE1JOw8x-QLOSdqlMAv7fYZ0iylEw4TOuLchKnAqmdXaILTyzwY4-3E/s3008/spooktacular20041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzWDvWu7NHa6hhXVOcXq6asDl4HScT3-zAC-d3DxirMPV6LiTn2dfxbAl7dZxIi3EKYPdPCZrj6flWiV8hxyqKGE4nfrsavSyX4YyIGev8nuwPXkIDEoTpgU8L8W8JCLdy1MJduE1JOw8x-QLOSdqlMAv7fYZ0iylEw4TOuLchKnAqmdXaILTyzwY4-3E/w400-h266/spooktacular20041.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Spooktacular </i>in 2004</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSggw8DotEsY5phNLjdVea6hWx2KIGW7F2AHLc3KvX79-sZTe_1UeouAzTJl8XinaSYmnd3AhaYCQNTEbWxQ6qGMdMlJGw4R4JOhKjURfBmqvtxuolI95lIxT9RIipo61qL3sdthCAwyN7-TkTqJEqPPkEidP-9YzGHFKEXWOKnHxjNZzVN5Et_e5__nM/s3008/spooktacular20042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSggw8DotEsY5phNLjdVea6hWx2KIGW7F2AHLc3KvX79-sZTe_1UeouAzTJl8XinaSYmnd3AhaYCQNTEbWxQ6qGMdMlJGw4R4JOhKjURfBmqvtxuolI95lIxT9RIipo61qL3sdthCAwyN7-TkTqJEqPPkEidP-9YzGHFKEXWOKnHxjNZzVN5Et_e5__nM/w400-h266/spooktacular20042.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">From the auspicious beginnings of 2004, the 2005 and 2006 seasons would continue in much the same way. 2005 introduced two new attractions: Dominion of Doom on Forum Road/Heart of America Blvd and John Bundy's <i>Slash</i>. Dominion of Doom offered a simple haunted graveyard experience populated by the living dead. Personal recollection: I was a screamster in the first year of Dominion of Doom. I can attest to the struggles with making this haunt a success as, unlike the other attractions, Dominion suffered from the straight out and back roadway between Mamba and Detonator. It also had a high proportion of female screamsters, giving the haunt its moniker "dominion of dames," unlike Camp or Lore, its makeup and costuming were located in the tight confines of the Country Junction cabooses. 2005 also saw the addition of another John Bundy show, this one created for more mature audiences </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Slash</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. While </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Spooktacular </em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">would continue to run during the daytime, both shows would be housed in the Tivoli Music Hall. <i>Slash</i> would only run for two seasons and would be discontinued after the 2006 season. </span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMyZ9G1W6ri-IWXun-FhI1SNbivFAavsG1aqvLx_wnf_vw_79Fa90-kuLDVp0RIyMzY800tyJYKuDJl0GeLKY9qWA5mgBYi6hmEAl0YNN9O62pjBXhKp9TI2KkR5mR2NBNR-OHum6OYNFetjTmqHz8MZYWH_yGr1DrGugna1NpJrXQ1J-S21rmvgSIwsG/s960/asylumisland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMyZ9G1W6ri-IWXun-FhI1SNbivFAavsG1aqvLx_wnf_vw_79Fa90-kuLDVp0RIyMzY800tyJYKuDJl0GeLKY9qWA5mgBYi6hmEAl0YNN9O62pjBXhKp9TI2KkR5mR2NBNR-OHum6OYNFetjTmqHz8MZYWH_yGr1DrGugna1NpJrXQ1J-S21rmvgSIwsG/w300-h400/asylumisland.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Asylum Island signage near Monsoon.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayW4TIbJ-qDz8nUvwHod5_7tRAxR-q7OQwTuf8bTyonPKLOjRuHjkf-RNWr6kYZk9yRZxo6wN0FOtPNBuupGuItGuczwu3I0Cer4DQq8UZmuF3mrZTnfPpJayGX32E3vUrdyljJ-CbRma-VhsAJcPbixDR92X19hzuF0pgztFulxOrfnuo8DJ-wQuNY5D/s3264/asylumisland3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayW4TIbJ-qDz8nUvwHod5_7tRAxR-q7OQwTuf8bTyonPKLOjRuHjkf-RNWr6kYZk9yRZxo6wN0FOtPNBuupGuItGuczwu3I0Cer4DQq8UZmuF3mrZTnfPpJayGX32E3vUrdyljJ-CbRma-VhsAJcPbixDR92X19hzuF0pgztFulxOrfnuo8DJ-wQuNY5D/s320/asylumisland3.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Exterior of Asylum Island</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">While 2004 and 2005 saw significant growth for the overall event, no longer was Halloweekends an afterthought tacked on to the end of the season, it was still nothing like the madness it is today. We have one attraction to thank for that, which came in 2006. Asylum Island.</span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIh4A9JuVA0tTaEake_J7OATOFlDDG0wLMdIK00seuoWnNs2NM_HIkwfKvNm7sVffLwy1Z4letIOkI4sJ0TMtUPbUmQheRWHY4nsqZ3ZEaaZPYN2rSgBv2vDCl6agNfDCAcem2Mu129xyBnhux1BbwCd6E4-A_vveL_Q5YmAw27yPkRJqoFN9FqZzD9uw/s667/asylumisland2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="667" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIh4A9JuVA0tTaEake_J7OATOFlDDG0wLMdIK00seuoWnNs2NM_HIkwfKvNm7sVffLwy1Z4letIOkI4sJ0TMtUPbUmQheRWHY4nsqZ3ZEaaZPYN2rSgBv2vDCl6agNfDCAcem2Mu129xyBnhux1BbwCd6E4-A_vveL_Q5YmAw27yPkRJqoFN9FqZzD9uw/s320/asylumisland2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First season screamsters for Asylum in 2006</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyM1sFGg_IdTm2UHEplNcnURsuv8a7UlICa0FRvLcw7_k7_Fq7NCq1nm5cvAgdvCgpu-wDzMrNtxyXeCyMWk2Y_eQP1MQKLxdUHVnIhRoQpAbDwAqOFwhRJKd8gmqCRxaQr7eWFRBeSwnkGamHpbcC7Pjlv29MXxp44DTpa6g-3RiKuiKbrjl4pUULKJdU/s3264/asylumisland4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyM1sFGg_IdTm2UHEplNcnURsuv8a7UlICa0FRvLcw7_k7_Fq7NCq1nm5cvAgdvCgpu-wDzMrNtxyXeCyMWk2Y_eQP1MQKLxdUHVnIhRoQpAbDwAqOFwhRJKd8gmqCRxaQr7eWFRBeSwnkGamHpbcC7Pjlv29MXxp44DTpa6g-3RiKuiKbrjl4pUULKJdU/w300-h400/asylumisland4.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"security" signage for Asylum Island</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7plDAJ8YiUmlazPJFtODFzBVnASWIS4yqyQszmud6hRDp7BQQh_1m4hl6Fu4BhQSi-8oEb7YTn4_JiDpPT8Y_lR4j3QWRPPVyGLjOvA8JV0fJqKpawpNwPCX29jxgVTa1QPMcPUkd-gFcB_iGLhXHq6sM_wjh4kuKTw2pXXGUIKD_mRFKbEquP6gQWg_/s3264/aslyumisland6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7plDAJ8YiUmlazPJFtODFzBVnASWIS4yqyQszmud6hRDp7BQQh_1m4hl6Fu4BhQSi-8oEb7YTn4_JiDpPT8Y_lR4j3QWRPPVyGLjOvA8JV0fJqKpawpNwPCX29jxgVTa1QPMcPUkd-gFcB_iGLhXHq6sM_wjh4kuKTw2pXXGUIKD_mRFKbEquP6gQWg_/w300-h400/aslyumisland6.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">More Asylum signage</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0e101a; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0e101a; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Halloweekends and Haunt have always been successful due to the sheer creative talent behind it, whether that be Brent Barr, John Bundy, or one of the many others involved in the early years. Asylum took that perfect creative 10 and knocked it up to an 11. Not a single haunt before or after has captured its terrors, its length, or its sheer depravity. Located at Oceans of Fun in the Coco Palms Picnic Pavilion, Asylum Island took guests through a Mental Asylum overrun by the insane. You had your Doctors and Nurses, lobotomy patients, bathroom attendants, and yard keepers. The impact it had was immediate. Before 2006, lines for most haunts were 30, maybe 45 minutes long. After Asylum, lines were multiple hours long. Personal recollection: I remember a supervisor coming through Asylum in 2006 and letting us screamsters know people were waiting 3 hours… my mind was blown. 2006 also saw the addition of a small show that only lasted two seasons but that many still remember vividly, Jack's Rip Roarin' Improv at Country Junction.</span></span></div><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2_-p3RM5nehyt0yj12PG6znHegzXUXXdPy9P0OB1cURNbLwvlaQw0pwSdznHwsf-yr6MEoxg6JWlZsHdPVVyyrCOJNz5Okj9J4al3ydue3pv9tT5l2IhiqTEMC53REfu06PKWIvGDTm3PU0YTgCVdb3H18K1qqDLxsePVWIdhVagc0wwvfqcLFdXoUJu/s3008/slash20061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2_-p3RM5nehyt0yj12PG6znHegzXUXXdPy9P0OB1cURNbLwvlaQw0pwSdznHwsf-yr6MEoxg6JWlZsHdPVVyyrCOJNz5Okj9J4al3ydue3pv9tT5l2IhiqTEMC53REfu06PKWIvGDTm3PU0YTgCVdb3H18K1qqDLxsePVWIdhVagc0wwvfqcLFdXoUJu/s320/slash20061.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Slash</i> from 2006</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnYOh6ovV8263PPowjqcRJ6Up4DdZWm-s4_CA5AxoiI1zvMGeuoTpHkoITBLciutZUvTTAg_wyZjnTnURhb3HEL8lky4prSoKLr4sPt7rkW_v7SmGC_XCvSsPjBIUuu7pZXRnRMBdtwzfLHmF64V6-Kvpefh4cGHhCvwPuidXzvYIEcI6IJx8M4W8BsFD/s3008/slash20062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnYOh6ovV8263PPowjqcRJ6Up4DdZWm-s4_CA5AxoiI1zvMGeuoTpHkoITBLciutZUvTTAg_wyZjnTnURhb3HEL8lky4prSoKLr4sPt7rkW_v7SmGC_XCvSsPjBIUuu7pZXRnRMBdtwzfLHmF64V6-Kvpefh4cGHhCvwPuidXzvYIEcI6IJx8M4W8BsFD/s320/slash20062.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0pJTOdGXolP27uXbpLrfn6ABBvtEbJl9bFU1q6L7S9ECHwDuZwwIm-o-SSuYSXlZ62-oT1yJU6PKg5pJH8nTkas9GECZm27z7a8PuYVeM9FaW8p8mL9763spPpZg9eVsdhTg5-TD_NxrzEFGPcRkc5wuH8Mf4unlXYQloHLe3U56Ww5ceC8J1hIwDa_S/s3008/slash20063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0pJTOdGXolP27uXbpLrfn6ABBvtEbJl9bFU1q6L7S9ECHwDuZwwIm-o-SSuYSXlZ62-oT1yJU6PKg5pJH8nTkas9GECZm27z7a8PuYVeM9FaW8p8mL9763spPpZg9eVsdhTg5-TD_NxrzEFGPcRkc5wuH8Mf4unlXYQloHLe3U56Ww5ceC8J1hIwDa_S/s320/slash20063.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">After the 2006 Halloweekends, at least every year for the next few seasons, would add something that would move Halloweekends closer and closer to the modern version we know today. </span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8CHXcJHV1LPXe5yU2C2F41MWAewta9odL4a-qonjWVV31uOJ5R8GvZFUApPJoehTxAD07voFDMGrZwh428HWcuZ8aD8v7KYDUBRFce6-ZoaD1pTel8aWvqggUHVaBBJ-qz5RCGL_0hFJlpQTHTJR-Q9idWHZKYMSlyl6Wace9PgxtyEycbCqnpcVxAs-/s4256/bloodshed2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8CHXcJHV1LPXe5yU2C2F41MWAewta9odL4a-qonjWVV31uOJ5R8GvZFUApPJoehTxAD07voFDMGrZwh428HWcuZ8aD8v7KYDUBRFce6-ZoaD1pTel8aWvqggUHVaBBJ-qz5RCGL_0hFJlpQTHTJR-Q9idWHZKYMSlyl6Wace9PgxtyEycbCqnpcVxAs-/s320/bloodshed2009.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bloodshed, or Old McDonald's Slaughterhouse</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeha0q37FV4evFanJURF2zSL-DjK1LiZElYTWN7Ag2JNEt0fmBTZqJPJ9CwRhyphenhyphenqDq49pldl5exV1S1DT9jysAy6cgzcPKBZxmp-vRmO0mFc7g-j0QTLX8NYcTS0q1miSJOUXXUdcwobCRkbWLv28YHeU7FlUqzqpzPyD7Y3DaaS5ym_r1QHnbF17Y6lJC/s3872/bloodshed20081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeha0q37FV4evFanJURF2zSL-DjK1LiZElYTWN7Ag2JNEt0fmBTZqJPJ9CwRhyphenhyphenqDq49pldl5exV1S1DT9jysAy6cgzcPKBZxmp-vRmO0mFc7g-j0QTLX8NYcTS0q1miSJOUXXUdcwobCRkbWLv28YHeU7FlUqzqpzPyD7Y3DaaS5ym_r1QHnbF17Y6lJC/s320/bloodshed20081.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bloodshed was the first structure built specifically to be a haunt.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">In 2007, the park added its first Haunt, designed in a building built specifically for it, Bloodshed or Old McDonald's Slaughterhouse. It would also be the last new Haunt to open with its own Makeup and Costume area, the A/V booth for the Forum/Heart of America Theater. Another new haunt premiered in 2007, CarnEvil. CarnEvil replaced the defunct Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns, which had been discontinued and departed its structure in 2005 due to the arrival of Patriot. The Clowns would take up residence in Bicentennial Square as part of CarnEvil, which would last in that area until 2015. Another unique aspect of the 2007 Halloween season was the event operating schedule change. For the first and only time, the park elected to stay open the entire week of Halloween, from Thursday, October 25 until Wednesday, October 31, and every day in between. It is a personal belief that this odd schedule change necessitated the name change from Hallo WEEKENDS to what we know today, Halloween Haunt. </span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNg4IZmmHk7aQtSAbUnq-l8uo03L6z_lh2JtPWElO5U4JLf8vuIwIOaEyZJAWY2_oqR19TD7xmYnZk26apPc8rLCICkkM1itxab-WnGbFU58vUxO7tmTpjEBfqZrHZ-q1obPm-l3hc9gbFXleW3p82K-KbjvPsSgVok2X4kXqQc0o1StAgD_8Ta7lmlT5a/s2350/dollfactorylogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1754" data-original-width="2350" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNg4IZmmHk7aQtSAbUnq-l8uo03L6z_lh2JtPWElO5U4JLf8vuIwIOaEyZJAWY2_oqR19TD7xmYnZk26apPc8rLCICkkM1itxab-WnGbFU58vUxO7tmTpjEBfqZrHZ-q1obPm-l3hc9gbFXleW3p82K-KbjvPsSgVok2X4kXqQc0o1StAgD_8Ta7lmlT5a/s320/dollfactorylogo.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gNU2vrnmhUQ9IIMDKQ0-ooOq9BcLZZsbOGOmslnWNgD2UF-MwJNR0h_8Qe98kqRdkgsY7OFmT48QuVcnB61-dm0ERoDLtMJX1RKx_RKZeQ1YNUaZAK3kW0zGfIPNOp944BlFoOhvaFbpc-yqBA3bRP41DKkJW4aFRJxI6qgr8tzMsIP1VTkCYfLa0WqN/s3872/dollfactory2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gNU2vrnmhUQ9IIMDKQ0-ooOq9BcLZZsbOGOmslnWNgD2UF-MwJNR0h_8Qe98kqRdkgsY7OFmT48QuVcnB61-dm0ERoDLtMJX1RKx_RKZeQ1YNUaZAK3kW0zGfIPNOp944BlFoOhvaFbpc-yqBA3bRP41DKkJW4aFRJxI6qgr8tzMsIP1VTkCYfLa0WqN/s320/dollfactory2008.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Master McCarthy's Dollhouse exterior (prior and current Zambezi Zinger queue house)<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9GpGOovutwA9QEU6ocdlUWEIPN14I6jBWtUBDMQvpICr4O_0CqKG9rdGmzra8KGOsTGAt3tc7uL9rikEXt3MW_kFRCMkhii8EGaO-wIL3_7G35u7Ha6TWgDWHVjNgCetaXNMr2E4utU7L8P8ekQewHzW_xSOzSrkwZA6Ota-42Ex0bQqkoS4IyVOKPAc/s3872/carnevil2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9GpGOovutwA9QEU6ocdlUWEIPN14I6jBWtUBDMQvpICr4O_0CqKG9rdGmzra8KGOsTGAt3tc7uL9rikEXt3MW_kFRCMkhii8EGaO-wIL3_7G35u7Ha6TWgDWHVjNgCetaXNMr2E4utU7L8P8ekQewHzW_xSOzSrkwZA6Ota-42Ex0bQqkoS4IyVOKPAc/s320/carnevil2007.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Re-used Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns signage for Carnevil </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3aLLiiEMVVGA7iwlDbykjNB2OR00cP5BZkKOVvofc2DjXVuiyCmviUFYQXC37GjVFmJIQw0Pk23ab5lX2WftqNJVNvVziQEMGgrDN_k5O2Upvc4PlYFe8kAOt-94pjSuuC2h-fSAjddD8iaB0TyE8RMad9rAHRy9ajxiNvuBYhTCmp2jMYyv1TO_dpok/s3872/carnevil20073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3aLLiiEMVVGA7iwlDbykjNB2OR00cP5BZkKOVvofc2DjXVuiyCmviUFYQXC37GjVFmJIQw0Pk23ab5lX2WftqNJVNvVziQEMGgrDN_k5O2Upvc4PlYFe8kAOt-94pjSuuC2h-fSAjddD8iaB0TyE8RMad9rAHRy9ajxiNvuBYhTCmp2jMYyv1TO_dpok/s320/carnevil20073.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Carnevil Entrance</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozx2FOI9SGwXctRH9N7fNtsTOSSXmQYCyS2yKSFqB5Y69cWxL2i1jbr68KkNa0tzVUjLaKYnvobYwOWhOnR264y6Ary7O4fK4RsV4_NZqG5JeApb1oGIJjOXycidhmCiSsCIU2ld9AzLeYzHgwKUQTtIacPw3z1PqhWgV9VAbmQRKom1zO-H9kHJsEoL1/s3872/parade20083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozx2FOI9SGwXctRH9N7fNtsTOSSXmQYCyS2yKSFqB5Y69cWxL2i1jbr68KkNa0tzVUjLaKYnvobYwOWhOnR264y6Ary7O4fK4RsV4_NZqG5JeApb1oGIJjOXycidhmCiSsCIU2ld9AzLeYzHgwKUQTtIacPw3z1PqhWgV9VAbmQRKom1zO-H9kHJsEoL1/s320/parade20083.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The first Haunt parade in 2008. Notice how light the crowds were!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">2008 saw the introduction of another new haunt, with its structure built adjacent to the old Zambezi Zinger queue house, Master McCarthy's Dollhouse. The park's third fright zone, Outlaw's Revenge, would debut in 2008, too, with its first-ever cowboy sliders (screamsters that would startle by falling and then skidding along the asphalt). With the addition of the two new haunts and the existing seven, the park would advertise nine extreme haunts! The most significant change, at least for historical purposes, in 2008 was a modification in logistics, which set in place an iconic, not-to-be-missed aspect of Haunt today—the parade. Before 2008, as mentioned, all makeup and costuming were done at each Haunt; for 2008, all the costuming and makeup were centralized near the park costuming building. This change necessitated the movement of screamsters from the centralized location to their individual haunts. Personal recollection: having participated in the 2008 parade, I can attest to the lack of coordination, which was awesome. The parade had no cars, no motorcycles, no Overlord, no signs, just groups of screamsters, vaguely organized by their haunt that ran wild through the park. Good times. </span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXnKLWT_zb-LM4nEpQeAHyO4PNM0DhMQvX8zzbsM0dX_UB4Gbb6geSvlFjFLD_bVAOStZVbHm4Jge9IbqMyLohY3DABq4Mm745JDuuctk0mmH5UbBSm3-ZT3W2GiSq6eaxNLE8JV2BxzNtc7TOh69_1P2YnNuTQxLxzdeQd8qfvXWrWvXMV8iJPLzOW7k/s2406/outlawsrevengelogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2406" data-original-width="2264" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXnKLWT_zb-LM4nEpQeAHyO4PNM0DhMQvX8zzbsM0dX_UB4Gbb6geSvlFjFLD_bVAOStZVbHm4Jge9IbqMyLohY3DABq4Mm745JDuuctk0mmH5UbBSm3-ZT3W2GiSq6eaxNLE8JV2BxzNtc7TOh69_1P2YnNuTQxLxzdeQd8qfvXWrWvXMV8iJPLzOW7k/s320/outlawsrevengelogo.jpg" width="301" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdZe0-9gS_wyD6ULvE1-jddjdfxi5I-IpTbVADjKfzq31l3zppNSfzSJ90BqjKZaZ1eRjO29qKRo7GiJpRy5xWxlGM1pCTpYSTSGTBeIxrqMRywjkkR2pq4hANl-byCrfpdv47lmcQtUbgGRh-9gtNR-NJP1K1hDNAPUQTtboEP54y_TCdeaqikRdgmi6/s3072/outlaw20083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdZe0-9gS_wyD6ULvE1-jddjdfxi5I-IpTbVADjKfzq31l3zppNSfzSJ90BqjKZaZ1eRjO29qKRo7GiJpRy5xWxlGM1pCTpYSTSGTBeIxrqMRywjkkR2pq4hANl-byCrfpdv47lmcQtUbgGRh-9gtNR-NJP1K1hDNAPUQTtboEP54y_TCdeaqikRdgmi6/s320/outlaw20083.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">First season Outlaws from 2008<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgge4ByvR6PLKmJNIu4IqJEzBjzVWO4aKwLbhW8berEp3O6GdPBLIsxgfb4bi1xy8FQgRkiRuBWTUxYR4pqrg-SkASAndnRugqNMKe1DUJHIIURW4ybcBhgmWu9ViIs9eayEYfe_CxlbqNHBoVc9jY69ZT1k3jpZ-R59JSJmQ4tFz7PRz8w7giTLK-zh3Iw/s3872/outlaws2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgge4ByvR6PLKmJNIu4IqJEzBjzVWO4aKwLbhW8berEp3O6GdPBLIsxgfb4bi1xy8FQgRkiRuBWTUxYR4pqrg-SkASAndnRugqNMKe1DUJHIIURW4ybcBhgmWu9ViIs9eayEYfe_CxlbqNHBoVc9jY69ZT1k3jpZ-R59JSJmQ4tFz7PRz8w7giTLK-zh3Iw/s320/outlaws2008.jpg" width="214" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Outlaw's Revenge included dummy cowboy's to disguise the real ones..<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2Jk2ntmst7zXnLcT9laMoW4y5c2kO1nru_JXKTF2vMII4bAUuJfQOoZ8R7bKmaK907zwQ7yIMFzRCBkyJETYKaNn7NH9h8aHznV5e8uhqBlBh3zT903zJwWeaS2Ng6rZne9GhsmQo83wO7OxR2CsuvuxUEPKgZbm-6z7qBaa0aWWPA9ptS8UIrk2x2gr/s3872/outlawsrevenge2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2Jk2ntmst7zXnLcT9laMoW4y5c2kO1nru_JXKTF2vMII4bAUuJfQOoZ8R7bKmaK907zwQ7yIMFzRCBkyJETYKaNn7NH9h8aHznV5e8uhqBlBh3zT903zJwWeaS2Ng6rZne9GhsmQo83wO7OxR2CsuvuxUEPKgZbm-6z7qBaa0aWWPA9ptS8UIrk2x2gr/s320/outlawsrevenge2008.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Original entrance to Outlaw's Revenge scare zone in 2008.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">By 2009, the event had the name it has today; Haunt also had a parade, but what was missing that is identified as integral to Haunt? The Overlord's Awakening would debut in 2009. With the advent of The Overlord, one of Worlds of Fun's longest-operating Haunts would change forever. Lore of the Vampire, which had always opened earlier on Saturday (around 4 pm) and Sunday as well, would be modified to operate the same hours as all the other haunts. In addition to changing hours, Lore of the Vampire was updated with a new bar and dance area known as Club Blood. It never worked well and would only last a few seasons until 2014. </span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy92mbIXH80AIXhD5DiENCOVHjniFHSrM-qexz1frBKHgfwv4yxYM4BLcm5xOLaSQycnVbAu1JlcckJK3utjKIMIukzFdGl29aaa3uhZyEVUCgzfi_gA3IZphctNoK7_YUCSuLgWt9QLiB3L5BABmTS7ABk6xFTSWwWlcO0f9eh5mb60hcrbi8v0lBvTj-/s4256/overlord2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4256" data-original-width="2832" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy92mbIXH80AIXhD5DiENCOVHjniFHSrM-qexz1frBKHgfwv4yxYM4BLcm5xOLaSQycnVbAu1JlcckJK3utjKIMIukzFdGl29aaa3uhZyEVUCgzfi_gA3IZphctNoK7_YUCSuLgWt9QLiB3L5BABmTS7ABk6xFTSWwWlcO0f9eh5mb60hcrbi8v0lBvTj-/s320/overlord2009.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Overlord's Awakening in 2009, the only year Overlord had pyrotechnics.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH349HIl0leKLx2jeqs9YGC2HqSY-BFGFDJpI3eNvVg6Ia-92AsFZWbdNdR9MnFCTVvoSRGR03twpYfcp9563j6peHOHZIiThyphenhyphent475hVMosGNlAxc9h1Ox67Qo-AgeA-OKejSv9oLerGU4lWqSOwnJdzMsoFyFMf0aOd5QL4iYhnO9V8WUUQ3QSG1g5fbC/s4256/clubblood1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH349HIl0leKLx2jeqs9YGC2HqSY-BFGFDJpI3eNvVg6Ia-92AsFZWbdNdR9MnFCTVvoSRGR03twpYfcp9563j6peHOHZIiThyphenhyphent475hVMosGNlAxc9h1Ox67Qo-AgeA-OKejSv9oLerGU4lWqSOwnJdzMsoFyFMf0aOd5QL4iYhnO9V8WUUQ3QSG1g5fbC/s320/clubblood1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Club Blood in Lore of the Vampire</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAczsyu5Gwt3y6iTt4O1FoJxx0_BxtMupzhIMjdrSk1Yy1BQ28OmrjoTCjwb2-htvL-6y7LeqArwexc92YQIY5Yq4FcMIdhS_qFsOOlb61OqlWelzRD5X4KoWCIxbxMgsGDCV2xrpK29Pgvf2Aqav8LfAcodLshCcRJgiTtta19dSX8WMckKQjj11BY9a/s4256/clubblood2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAczsyu5Gwt3y6iTt4O1FoJxx0_BxtMupzhIMjdrSk1Yy1BQ28OmrjoTCjwb2-htvL-6y7LeqArwexc92YQIY5Yq4FcMIdhS_qFsOOlb61OqlWelzRD5X4KoWCIxbxMgsGDCV2xrpK29Pgvf2Aqav8LfAcodLshCcRJgiTtta19dSX8WMckKQjj11BY9a/s320/clubblood2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Graphite inside the Lore of the Vampire/Orient Express tunnel leading into Club Blood. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Until 2009, the family side of Halloweekends had remained relatively unchanged, but in 2009 many of the activities took on a decided "pirate" theme, No longer known as Boo! Blast, most of the family-oriented, scare-free attractions, were still in Scandinavia centered around the Tivoli and its newly re-named and re-themed </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Skullduggery</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> (a variation of the magic show Spooktacular), another wonderful creation of John Bundy and one of his last at Worlds of Fun.</span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktc4K2JZH3hNevwsp8sXk_m1KDudLaTO_4V7ffz0YiRkHG0cbh1ul5yG6IwNZUvBqSg0B3UQHQCrfQy7BwzhW8bbrWHOPnt_WHOnCaK34pr5KeyoVvHcJz1Wqdc75m5fNSnwHFH-9Vht0njIC3gyZoppvzAiwhL4Io8aoNnFk_p1dM3MfzNL3kH96ucwN/s4256/skullduggery20112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktc4K2JZH3hNevwsp8sXk_m1KDudLaTO_4V7ffz0YiRkHG0cbh1ul5yG6IwNZUvBqSg0B3UQHQCrfQy7BwzhW8bbrWHOPnt_WHOnCaK34pr5KeyoVvHcJz1Wqdc75m5fNSnwHFH-9Vht0njIC3gyZoppvzAiwhL4Io8aoNnFk_p1dM3MfzNL3kH96ucwN/w400-h266/skullduggery20112.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Pieces of 8, from <i>Skullduggery</i>"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDv0g86rFq5_1W6ocD-j2RTsJ_FxjdOzIygn60KJgzhe_A032_bz9a5DlLxDL-c_9aGx8U13VIQyh7JyScKu-f14XwwqB5PA1HH-TvaJrFcGUz410zlLi8QQbao_7-SkMC_7r4RIWJurHC6cm3QIAZh-C5ToExi1szQwEAhFaRMJXZUCck2psAzJqYpK7/s4256/skullduggery20114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDv0g86rFq5_1W6ocD-j2RTsJ_FxjdOzIygn60KJgzhe_A032_bz9a5DlLxDL-c_9aGx8U13VIQyh7JyScKu-f14XwwqB5PA1HH-TvaJrFcGUz410zlLi8QQbao_7-SkMC_7r4RIWJurHC6cm3QIAZh-C5ToExi1szQwEAhFaRMJXZUCck2psAzJqYpK7/w400-h266/skullduggery20114.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Skullduggery</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wNMHE7AxZ2OPCqh2FO4aZ60hd_8CRdYPUItKjuD4Ie2eqDgHVnh1EmrLYbueBRCWITiR2CPbvcSeNNKvvp9pdcZkPwpGj0uctzsudridIsm2dw67C81GxqdhdTNPD1GAoRiEXmJ4TQ6pS-W76nLCIqC3ZLwK0tjQOur1dsceWpR4vXwcrB37mN4hBkL2/s4256/midwaycharacters20091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wNMHE7AxZ2OPCqh2FO4aZ60hd_8CRdYPUItKjuD4Ie2eqDgHVnh1EmrLYbueBRCWITiR2CPbvcSeNNKvvp9pdcZkPwpGj0uctzsudridIsm2dw67C81GxqdhdTNPD1GAoRiEXmJ4TQ6pS-W76nLCIqC3ZLwK0tjQOur1dsceWpR4vXwcrB37mN4hBkL2/w400-h266/midwaycharacters20091.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pirate dance characters in Scandinavia in 2009.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGB6Wx7hESWLVEnWizGQyXRO8a_uAGbkYFTe5YWMSlZfzFZMvhVimPAD5oJrTB8XUhgrwe2sU_rPJgd3c7yPPopsoG4lLW-0TMf1aRVPiNxUf4tXdAJs2uK4lBT-CnajqE6tgRB_K8gcwixbWD-asQrdvoPBw0D9iGXioACummD1YMiFxcHekXjU3VxExy/s4256/midwaycharacters20092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGB6Wx7hESWLVEnWizGQyXRO8a_uAGbkYFTe5YWMSlZfzFZMvhVimPAD5oJrTB8XUhgrwe2sU_rPJgd3c7yPPopsoG4lLW-0TMf1aRVPiNxUf4tXdAJs2uK4lBT-CnajqE6tgRB_K8gcwixbWD-asQrdvoPBw0D9iGXioACummD1YMiFxcHekXjU3VxExy/w400-h266/midwaycharacters20092.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">More midway characters in 2009.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">The park added Captain Jack's Street Dance Party (a variation on the old roaming spooky characters), Snoopy's Big Treasure Hunt, and Captain Kitty's Costume Contest. Buccaneer's Hideaway replaced the old Trick-or-Treat Town in Scandinavia, and a new Peanut's sing-a-long show, Charlie Brown's Pirate Adventure, was added to Campground Theater in Camp Spooky. These themed additions would last through the 2011 season.</span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6wRXawRnqcOS1PobAa7_hf9X8P8b6yhEmJA5cOkAOAmPztvQsCCQGfL197RpieYHvu1Zff1DbRp8sADVOulYPwUnHNIkNWDWIJVaDbvITI9H81Z46BTRSvzh6rUEucGZe2_JBB_yfrOFf3J5655Klh5BogiSHbIJyPyKqHAMxccfswvKLAW34yD2L728/s3872/campspooky20071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6wRXawRnqcOS1PobAa7_hf9X8P8b6yhEmJA5cOkAOAmPztvQsCCQGfL197RpieYHvu1Zff1DbRp8sADVOulYPwUnHNIkNWDWIJVaDbvITI9H81Z46BTRSvzh6rUEucGZe2_JBB_yfrOFf3J5655Klh5BogiSHbIJyPyKqHAMxccfswvKLAW34yD2L728/w400-h268/campspooky20071.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Campground Theater in 2007</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAkKMlOPofiLnG27cNSbQLrgmhkCkr8Z62GhR6nHnLC0vSpD9nsM7NwcfPEPtEipfBqXw1yLlycV371OtTCdB4wOvb-ly4Uw0AhF_B92HogEHeG7xaZ3W2WPgAjz3JmMl2w4y387lY_GNwFitNCiASYgYJzWEHmv6_u8sowMqNO3l7J_SWaCmh3hddZDl/s1376/campspooky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1376" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAkKMlOPofiLnG27cNSbQLrgmhkCkr8Z62GhR6nHnLC0vSpD9nsM7NwcfPEPtEipfBqXw1yLlycV371OtTCdB4wOvb-ly4Uw0AhF_B92HogEHeG7xaZ3W2WPgAjz3JmMl2w4y387lY_GNwFitNCiASYgYJzWEHmv6_u8sowMqNO3l7J_SWaCmh3hddZDl/w400-h330/campspooky.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNgkhpL6-WQF9Txs5RPLutwj4q0xUvl5SeIgiS2v6xvGhLgyBhEtlKaEynkv0A7N6r5NheclMfKDVLaNtnpp9xHXz71lwFtd11C5X3OaYtz6mwXzHDDn07Yg8ZE2SrtJGZURShmsX7f6-RxEoE4Icy-H-S5iwhsrk8UfHdvAZM7gr-ApRY78lxd_jJXIa/s6599/piratehauntmap001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6599" data-original-width="5100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNgkhpL6-WQF9Txs5RPLutwj4q0xUvl5SeIgiS2v6xvGhLgyBhEtlKaEynkv0A7N6r5NheclMfKDVLaNtnpp9xHXz71lwFtd11C5X3OaYtz6mwXzHDDn07Yg8ZE2SrtJGZURShmsX7f6-RxEoE4Icy-H-S5iwhsrk8UfHdvAZM7gr-ApRY78lxd_jJXIa/s320/piratehauntmap001.jpeg" width="247" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Treasure Hunt map in 2010-2011.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfa6eu3tID7bwwhPCiTgWpXYHvbcIJ9qPWjmMnsoHIVGcTwxkZqjUhisvZqycGQnZYKP5iu_FEXrRINChLlAPKmXJMJoucNw8GNuA-ckyiVpkWo0zeJdhVMP0Sh_jP4BZ0jG-ehyKfpF5didCmlpdMiSKHK59jxle5GBkJzZynzaQlzAe3Ah1EEE6cCy1/s6599/piratehauntmap002.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6599" data-original-width="5100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfa6eu3tID7bwwhPCiTgWpXYHvbcIJ9qPWjmMnsoHIVGcTwxkZqjUhisvZqycGQnZYKP5iu_FEXrRINChLlAPKmXJMJoucNw8GNuA-ckyiVpkWo0zeJdhVMP0Sh_jP4BZ0jG-ehyKfpF5didCmlpdMiSKHK59jxle5GBkJzZynzaQlzAe3Ah1EEE6cCy1/s320/piratehauntmap002.jpeg" width="247" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">2010 through 2012 would see the end to several older Halloweekends/Boo! Blast favorites. The first to go was Camp Gonnagitcha, which had been moved to the Fury of the Nile queue line in 2008. It never worked quite as well in its new location and would be replaced by a popular favorite, Cornstalkers, in 2010. Another significant change in 2010 was another schedule tweak, which expanded Haunt to the current seven weekends that it occupies even today. </span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_Tpj3e0fJKM-wYcz-8D4FWIL3fF_Rf_kpCILzUgmkrAlvDCGn9Ezuq0HxtBbnyRYwKQ4ddxEg_XI84Uakuul8BTtbQC5FRJYKKhmEmNsRmGVhcvowplNuddLgVibgPiLhMTV4et7yvteREyfieQ6nkWYG3FaEZa5KTPbaMcqrgogE-eZb3VIpFww3FkJ/s3264/IMG_8735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_Tpj3e0fJKM-wYcz-8D4FWIL3fF_Rf_kpCILzUgmkrAlvDCGn9Ezuq0HxtBbnyRYwKQ4ddxEg_XI84Uakuul8BTtbQC5FRJYKKhmEmNsRmGVhcvowplNuddLgVibgPiLhMTV4et7yvteREyfieQ6nkWYG3FaEZa5KTPbaMcqrgogE-eZb3VIpFww3FkJ/w300-h400/IMG_8735.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Cornstalkers entrance during the daytime</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxmuUqBJOJQKisxwx1RNVntL4X4RhdQXfHgkgISaOEfO9MGl1avIpYwpIkuG6l8hbLxUxxUk4HcOD_Wd_Uo6Lr0Oh8mSV5y_0RwKq-n8Ff1cfDpucdpyU82FYIhMkMy_i0bitrydGsS-yYuQnRIAOyrEfGzsal8L4A6HrszoHwybSgz1xgsZHF9-69tz0/s3264/cornstalkers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxmuUqBJOJQKisxwx1RNVntL4X4RhdQXfHgkgISaOEfO9MGl1avIpYwpIkuG6l8hbLxUxxUk4HcOD_Wd_Uo6Lr0Oh8mSV5y_0RwKq-n8Ff1cfDpucdpyU82FYIhMkMy_i0bitrydGsS-yYuQnRIAOyrEfGzsal8L4A6HrszoHwybSgz1xgsZHF9-69tz0/w300-h400/cornstalkers2.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And at nighttime.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">2011 again saw the retirement of several old favorites, with Dominion of Doom being replaced by the new London Terror. London Terror featured a London at night, populated by freakish characters like Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde and Jack the Ripper with a more modern "steampunk" take. Ripper Alley today is its thematic successor. 2011 also saw the retirement of the classic street shows of Digger's used Coffin Lot and Witch Doctor's Revenge and the introduction of another one-season-only show at Country Junction, <i>Half Pint Brawlers</i>, which featured the tagline "Who wants to see a midget bleed?" </span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGyDQC5PTh9BqJJes9_nbAQAjyxMOc5RurTwnRx3Ax7T_HXO_S2MIXnAikCN00zTgwYGfebrWum_omQwMMBKdY9IriBjxURpsoRXkMWr9NjzoxtBVmZcJ3LCA7_pbULaQ4AIgPvwr6pe2f3CtsBjbgP6NI9qGbAZBoWffELCwXiqRkN-H14bu4is0VQKB/s4256/halfpintbrawlers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGyDQC5PTh9BqJJes9_nbAQAjyxMOc5RurTwnRx3Ax7T_HXO_S2MIXnAikCN00zTgwYGfebrWum_omQwMMBKdY9IriBjxURpsoRXkMWr9NjzoxtBVmZcJ3LCA7_pbULaQ4AIgPvwr6pe2f3CtsBjbgP6NI9qGbAZBoWffELCwXiqRkN-H14bu4is0VQKB/w400-h266/halfpintbrawlers.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Half Pint Brawlers at Country Junction</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2caHNBHRJhMb63iQaFFhuBMoEqIQ-Kl80V7ml-hfRY0LIu1QIcAcWT67ZXJAPB6UlLeZrGqUoQyATY4b-isnE9ftlaTdN9YEY9be7mGv7P_itXi7S9lrQ5KrNa7yV7j4f_dKnvurkLkrf_kyZGY88cUzB-LZRxzHHpU382bDKPj-np47umpXEsrICuaze/s3264/IMG_2958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2caHNBHRJhMb63iQaFFhuBMoEqIQ-Kl80V7ml-hfRY0LIu1QIcAcWT67ZXJAPB6UlLeZrGqUoQyATY4b-isnE9ftlaTdN9YEY9be7mGv7P_itXi7S9lrQ5KrNa7yV7j4f_dKnvurkLkrf_kyZGY88cUzB-LZRxzHHpU382bDKPj-np47umpXEsrICuaze/w400-h300/IMG_2958.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Alice in Wonderland kids attractions in Europa in 2014</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;">(</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvFfqm637sfKopO3z1yj1YGDI-nSC541apriLvK-8vXtn2HSTDrsDQsgPVF8sW1po3HW-URYB2r7Rym03U5wsUxxDJsmQEnylv5hSewYyESsGliDrnejcxEdzeNWwcy8jawV2vNhKoTC95rMyzhSkKL5ZP_DxyT0S3-SfTJvjC80ZRL2-uwEcNWE9Owhg/s3008/witchdoctor2003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvFfqm637sfKopO3z1yj1YGDI-nSC541apriLvK-8vXtn2HSTDrsDQsgPVF8sW1po3HW-URYB2r7Rym03U5wsUxxDJsmQEnylv5hSewYyESsGliDrnejcxEdzeNWwcy8jawV2vNhKoTC95rMyzhSkKL5ZP_DxyT0S3-SfTJvjC80ZRL2-uwEcNWE9Owhg/w400-h266/witchdoctor2003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Witch Doctor's Revenge from 2003 would be discontinued after the 2011 season. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_Iq_CrFYz5A7DCzr2ugghIIWvtyhelS4Rk2mCnXFoNJ0IG-qBxomuz02LXBL7FEPqSD1PXreqo0Oc-Tb9APF0yD36uxKHdAPFhRIs7CxfutArAxUdez44vQ3S_-v7_3yes5fuE43tLpjQQ4M8h-7J_f_qnU6SF4jUNUB4VDA2YSdvBYYJJhpYi9R0bUu/s4256/parkinglot2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_Iq_CrFYz5A7DCzr2ugghIIWvtyhelS4Rk2mCnXFoNJ0IG-qBxomuz02LXBL7FEPqSD1PXreqo0Oc-Tb9APF0yD36uxKHdAPFhRIs7CxfutArAxUdez44vQ3S_-v7_3yes5fuE43tLpjQQ4M8h-7J_f_qnU6SF4jUNUB4VDA2YSdvBYYJJhpYi9R0bUu/w400-h266/parkinglot2011.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Parking the grass lot in 2011, a sign of growing crowds. <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">By the following season, nearly all traces of the original Boo! Blast had vanished. The final nail in the Boo! Blast Coffin, though, would be in 2012, when after nearly 20 seasons, John Bundy's illusionist magic show,</span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> Captain Cook's Pandemonium </em><span style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">(<i>Spooktacular </i>in 2012)</span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">,</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> would vanish in the night. A popular and beloved show, it is still well missed. Many of Scandinavia's cute and quaint, scare-free attractions would disappear and re-appear in Europa under new themes, this time with an Alice in Wonderland theme. But unlike the Malice in Wonderland, it wasn't scary at all. The attractions included Mad Hatter's Scary Tales, a Kooky Caterpillar's Costume Contest, Mask and pumpkin decoration, and more. </span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTuHBHd5Id5nF7OxUMdDaGMgng6mTsVrHaBDR8Yrhg7PXYQj2Nu35INGnpIgL_kotkaBHJSh7_MOf87WZWsG32B8gH1z1ZPTrlRiakSd3G7t_o6PfEviMxXdvzY2vhQxQYIHQuT_LBMBSm3U-aSY6gq6xOV23T_nMWQM1qV03NPWzTsF4s71vAstKTCHm/s3872/spooktacular20071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTuHBHd5Id5nF7OxUMdDaGMgng6mTsVrHaBDR8Yrhg7PXYQj2Nu35INGnpIgL_kotkaBHJSh7_MOf87WZWsG32B8gH1z1ZPTrlRiakSd3G7t_o6PfEviMxXdvzY2vhQxQYIHQuT_LBMBSm3U-aSY6gq6xOV23T_nMWQM1qV03NPWzTsF4s71vAstKTCHm/w400-h268/spooktacular20071.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spooktacular 2007</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NloVmXiQhjiKMk5xpuhM8vx_4FYf9s51bUlMqYzh51WSGjbT0AJVLJnQEUb4DWTVyNrVEcfGdY3VCezISgJPs_mU3B9flC-hWQsltE8nXFbDj3t4jmh-CxbQFHKU0DFxFrcs-vs0jbHrtr0IjTE4g5Oo7KnIN7T7n_JKECamCk6KR9r33onRVb3gOlvI/s3872/spooktacular20074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NloVmXiQhjiKMk5xpuhM8vx_4FYf9s51bUlMqYzh51WSGjbT0AJVLJnQEUb4DWTVyNrVEcfGdY3VCezISgJPs_mU3B9flC-hWQsltE8nXFbDj3t4jmh-CxbQFHKU0DFxFrcs-vs0jbHrtr0IjTE4g5Oo7KnIN7T7n_JKECamCk6KR9r33onRVb3gOlvI/w400-h268/spooktacular20074.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spooktacular 2007</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lJSe7v0FDwUthz01-HfTT5coq2nMjBrK8v5ihEFWvT6fyyeifYbOPyXdVobexUWN7uTJQKW0gZGGRWAInDAHkCecZBEsIwKApeHkY7MZenT-N1FoNekoxulkWneKKnTOWR6U5RoaEz5DBRmr9ZDOrnLtduBs51LEUxQjbe4Utf8_yLin_d8COiTiIypE/s3872/spooktacular20075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lJSe7v0FDwUthz01-HfTT5coq2nMjBrK8v5ihEFWvT6fyyeifYbOPyXdVobexUWN7uTJQKW0gZGGRWAInDAHkCecZBEsIwKApeHkY7MZenT-N1FoNekoxulkWneKKnTOWR6U5RoaEz5DBRmr9ZDOrnLtduBs51LEUxQjbe4Utf8_yLin_d8COiTiIypE/w400-h268/spooktacular20075.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">New scares were afoot, as were even more changes. In 2012, Zombie High premiered next to Prowler and is still scaring strong today. Blood Drums would premier at Country Junction but would only last one season. One addition that has survived to today is the addition of Fright Lane, giving guests the ability to pay to skip the line. In 2012, nearly a decade had passed since the introduction of the first haunted house at Worlds of Fun, and everything had changed. The slow winding down fall season had given way to the busiest time of the Worlds of Fun season, and it would only continue to grow… And change.</span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK9wqV7ipXH2Igyu6ZsMcIhUVXQNp36Wwl2uFX8aeRQAkHDZ9JwGtzjLnclaiSnZoBABSWmQKamLgrdksO72zRxAFZU8q1RqlWa3GNzJ0yZQXcORRu5ejMwN0r1UZMAPym6Z8BV6BvuikoiSHfxb0kphrJhQ1JRZs8zPMezpnWLnFsKPbUEtsF7EyZ9Kv/s4256/blooddrums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK9wqV7ipXH2Igyu6ZsMcIhUVXQNp36Wwl2uFX8aeRQAkHDZ9JwGtzjLnclaiSnZoBABSWmQKamLgrdksO72zRxAFZU8q1RqlWa3GNzJ0yZQXcORRu5ejMwN0r1UZMAPym6Z8BV6BvuikoiSHfxb0kphrJhQ1JRZs8zPMezpnWLnFsKPbUEtsF7EyZ9Kv/w400-h266/blooddrums.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood Drums at Country Junction in 2012</td></tr></tbody></table><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlgrllWrjElIXmCo8qX81oDfaPQ1C8k1RkvcX_p0dSauSgghsN23yZ95gVf7WJmhNPr1bFgGPB24HJyBH7B_9ldMl_pzg108tRqZPC60AP3SyMjRFjEjdSo1jDbT5A8-k_K90ISZ2DK-m7NaE6rWFeEwkNktTIbaosFVhoYPLcgPkYRHEsHUiizEe8niI/s4032/zombiehigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlgrllWrjElIXmCo8qX81oDfaPQ1C8k1RkvcX_p0dSauSgghsN23yZ95gVf7WJmhNPr1bFgGPB24HJyBH7B_9ldMl_pzg108tRqZPC60AP3SyMjRFjEjdSo1jDbT5A8-k_K90ISZ2DK-m7NaE6rWFeEwkNktTIbaosFVhoYPLcgPkYRHEsHUiizEe8niI/w400-h300/zombiehigh.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Zombie High new in 2012</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJgS2OP9ZuOzwWbnY2C2M_bdo99A49Ki0PSuUmVy8wp6B1dKJqHi2OPmu2BtuTmI70vJMHYi4ATXvhgx5EqKgdYDM8ZO_2B5kg3CnvjZqrrU0dBC4mvzs-tU-Z8E22JWnyJmJV9JNINK-LAs8rk0c8922VYHRdWxIg0rc-mAxRfbLgAjgfTIjP6vYx1Pn/s4032/zombiehigh2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJgS2OP9ZuOzwWbnY2C2M_bdo99A49Ki0PSuUmVy8wp6B1dKJqHi2OPmu2BtuTmI70vJMHYi4ATXvhgx5EqKgdYDM8ZO_2B5kg3CnvjZqrrU0dBC4mvzs-tU-Z8E22JWnyJmJV9JNINK-LAs8rk0c8922VYHRdWxIg0rc-mAxRfbLgAjgfTIjP6vYx1Pn/w400-h300/zombiehigh2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Zombie High would be the third Worlds of Fun attraction to utilize the fictional highs school of Cleaver High and the Fighting Beavers. (which originated with Stax of Wax in 1985)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></span></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-71133448371821461612023-10-22T18:02:00.006-05:002023-10-23T12:23:26.526-05:00A History of Haunt: Part 1 Boo! Blast <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span><span style="color: #0e101a;">Twenty years ago, Worlds of Fun was in a massive state of flux. Orient Express was operating for its last season, and the park looked exceptionally different than it had only ten years prior. Another change was about to occur to a festival that had been a relatively minor part of Worlds of Fun up to that point, Halloweekends. In 2003 it would begin to expand massively, and that expansion began with two new haunts. </span><span style="color: #0e101a;">Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns and Magical House on Boo Hill.</span></span></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdthT4Fqa99at4dqPD0rVaqcZp-7jdtkPtNGqCOHMy5tBOD8paxz7oti4NcOzrNHNNbfZswbyMPGrjQhJh7PQa7Vc2Kbo1C_CbNDFGQ9tXUIX1MKkD4sfkouwUaaQXRiIIxe_BDMtQjO-TcBAonutSWHq73RsneoKeFowEW2y9-uCpaq8YESGJ53Jud1D/s1635/boobashbutton.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1635" data-original-width="1532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdthT4Fqa99at4dqPD0rVaqcZp-7jdtkPtNGqCOHMy5tBOD8paxz7oti4NcOzrNHNNbfZswbyMPGrjQhJh7PQa7Vc2Kbo1C_CbNDFGQ9tXUIX1MKkD4sfkouwUaaQXRiIIxe_BDMtQjO-TcBAonutSWHq73RsneoKeFowEW2y9-uCpaq8YESGJ53Jud1D/s320/boobashbutton.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Boo! Bash pin a rarity for an event that only lasted under that name for one season.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYy7Vu1Rx9cfmUOrVlSZwTWGa5h1Qa2O7m5_bMWUb6FBxWwp-3WR0ZwU84MwEGDerBMdue8SqfkcroNAGXnyLK3a-ldtHq_eYuTrOFWylqcE1LfNiw8yhzPa1dZwR-iz8cKXzQkfBdom-brua1hNagtYfZnKQs0mZO9YdMiagQs87BE3ttstyGB_eVTaY/s1408/booblastbutton.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="1408" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYy7Vu1Rx9cfmUOrVlSZwTWGa5h1Qa2O7m5_bMWUb6FBxWwp-3WR0ZwU84MwEGDerBMdue8SqfkcroNAGXnyLK3a-ldtHq_eYuTrOFWylqcE1LfNiw8yhzPa1dZwR-iz8cKXzQkfBdom-brua1hNagtYfZnKQs0mZO9YdMiagQs87BE3ttstyGB_eVTaY/s320/booblastbutton.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The more recognizable Boo! Blast logo pin</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns and Magical House on Boo Hill might have been the beginning of the Haunt we know today, but they weren't the beginning of the story of Halloweekends. No, the beginning of Haunt today started far earlier than 2003, and instead started 11 years earlier, in 1992, when the first seeds of the event were planted, not by Cedar Fair but by Hunt Midwest Entertainment (HME). In the early 1990s, HME was looking for ways to attract guests to the park during typically slow times of the year, and they did so by introducing several new park festivals; of primary interest to this blog was Boo! Bash. Primarily targetted at the younger, under-12 audience, the attractions were minor and included a</span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> Rockin' Trolls </em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">show at Tivoli Music Hall, a Dracula magic show (not to be confused with the John Bundy </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Spooktacular</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> that would come a few years later), witch storytelling, trick or treating through the park, and the opportunity for kids to paint their own pumpkin. Unlike today's Haunt, the very first Boo! Bash would only run for two weekends in 1992, Oct 23-24 and Oct 31-Nov 1, bookending the far more popular Oktoberfest festival, which had existed since 1973. </span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In 1993 the festival would return but with a slight name modification from Boo! Bash to the name more recall, Boo! Blast. Like the prior year, many activity offerings would remain the same, but it would expand to three weekends, Oct 16-31. Obviously, the event was determined to be something worth repeating!</span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The 1993 version of Boo! Blast repeated much of the same activities as 1992, including a pumpkin patch, magic show, trick or treating, and treasure trolls show. The event also included a Halloween Fun Walk inside the Incred-O-Dome, and children could also receive treats at gift shops throughout the park and a free bag to carry them in.</span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">1994 would introduce a new major addition to Boo! Blast the Swope Parkway Health Center's Trick or Treat Village. The first thought on Trick or Treat Village is that this was the same as the Trick or Treat Town in the Tivoli Lobby. It is not, as it existed as a separate event from Worlds of Fun before and after 1994-1995. The 1994 Trick or Treat Village is described by an article in the Kansas City Star on October 7, 1994, as "featuring costumed ghouls greeting children at 20 house fronts and a pumpkin patch". It then goes on to mention that a donation of $2 is required for admission to Trick or Treat Village, and includes a decorated pumpkin to take home. Another unique twist to the event is that in 1995, Trick or Treat Village would open on October 30 as a "safe" Trick or Treat option when the park was otherwise closed, for a suggested donation of $5 per person. </span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Another change to Boo! Blast in 1994 was the expansion of the event from three weekends to four from October 8 to the 30th in 1994 and October 7 to the 29th in 1995. As part of the extension, Boo! Blast saw the addition of a classic attraction that would last for nearly the next 20 seasons—John Bundy's magic and illusionist show, </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Spooktacular, </em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">featuring his assistant, Morgan. The show would change themes, titles, and primary audiences over the years but would become integral to many memories of the early event. </span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">1996 would see the first changes by the new park owners, Cedar Fair, which had purchased the park from HME in June of 1995. Before 1996, the park's season would run until the end of October, as it does today. Cedar Fair, for unknown reasons, changed that. The park season would now end in the middle of October and would remain that way for the next six seasons. </span></div><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBW9s0lTVMMd0fKBkHxfGy2FXTlNmy8elPysC6dZKVfqKziT2l525E2geVYDR9plDryVNSH_W9qbXzAbFxPQbjgr6kivq9uZuSQVTbCeMY82UYvm6JMr3pn-ilqTObrhRoLOrzVRNAzZyckvlSZ3_0baDb1dwoKh_Md6lIB83s7vwLb-kmttyxlOV9qe3/s2758/sideshowofhorrors.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2758" data-original-width="1837" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBW9s0lTVMMd0fKBkHxfGy2FXTlNmy8elPysC6dZKVfqKziT2l525E2geVYDR9plDryVNSH_W9qbXzAbFxPQbjgr6kivq9uZuSQVTbCeMY82UYvm6JMr3pn-ilqTObrhRoLOrzVRNAzZyckvlSZ3_0baDb1dwoKh_Md6lIB83s7vwLb-kmttyxlOV9qe3/s320/sideshowofhorrors.jpeg" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo from Side Show of Horrors. Photo thanks to John Bundy</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV6VooB8xjGdOq2u0bKYElW3HX7pkzkAKIwx21xRGaa9I1liEqREGh5YxwTppVGQflFsS4ggBmpv3e94JdBRbyPQbGPPzkmB24KjPPH0EcPn0aQVWX0j_rK6jOfO0bBZCvrO-ly5_p_KgOGpaa8E2CBUUY65Agc4JJSGcaVUn0Mqta-VY0cmCDad4xPgi/s4341/1996ad.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4341" data-original-width="3351" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV6VooB8xjGdOq2u0bKYElW3HX7pkzkAKIwx21xRGaa9I1liEqREGh5YxwTppVGQflFsS4ggBmpv3e94JdBRbyPQbGPPzkmB24KjPPH0EcPn0aQVWX0j_rK6jOfO0bBZCvrO-ly5_p_KgOGpaa8E2CBUUY65Agc4JJSGcaVUn0Mqta-VY0cmCDad4xPgi/s320/1996ad.jpg" width="247" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Boo! Blast ad from 1996</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Boo! Blast would continue, but for only three weekends again, with the event being re-scheduled to the time slot traditionally allotted to Oktoberfest, in 1996 that would mean September 28 until October 13. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">In addition to the schedule change, Cedar Fair would introduce a new attraction, Trick-or-Treat Town, in the Tivoli Music Hall Lobby; it would offer a tiny town where kids could trick or treat for goodies. Other activities also included mask-making and the storytelling K.K. the Witch. Tivoli Music Hall would also continue its tradition of Halloween entertainment provided by John Bundy and Morgan with </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Side Show of Horrors</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. Bundy describes the show as a "Tales from the Crypt format in which audiences saw the bizarre and unusual illusions in the crypt of curiosities." Unlike the later <i>Spooktacular</i>, it was not a show targeted at younger audiences. Bundy continues and describes that, like so many other Worlds of Fun traditions, this one was last minute, being put together in two to three weeks.</span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGZmEyC5L6HyBX4zCAlivJ3_Ph3L-hl_bmYhepRGj_9Yp-ES7YqR5dASHo6ReVPoXX1hh1RRUKlE6rlb3YsABAp8iK_gt2PDLxkhjVdv-S0sahLEVjZbXnGS4Z_EhHyC9r1tHj1fcef3zyNwpQsspu5Nf2xsdo9r9RAv9jvPh-NMHUXGYY4oSHjtqSLvd/s1912/IMG_2178.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1912" data-original-width="1520" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGZmEyC5L6HyBX4zCAlivJ3_Ph3L-hl_bmYhepRGj_9Yp-ES7YqR5dASHo6ReVPoXX1hh1RRUKlE6rlb3YsABAp8iK_gt2PDLxkhjVdv-S0sahLEVjZbXnGS4Z_EhHyC9r1tHj1fcef3zyNwpQsspu5Nf2xsdo9r9RAv9jvPh-NMHUXGYY4oSHjtqSLvd/s320/IMG_2178.jpeg" width="254" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Frankenstein during Halloweekends, possibly taken in 1997 (Icicle in the background would be removed after that season).</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqGEsM3r6S2B_Ma66HpcZxf43NdHRTxLuF2WcrG9hnc7cj-N5q1asd35deS7tkiB7W4Vw8mnCVrlArLAhJYRVE8xG54ln0uyIge2jOnWrioZeZHioWM7CDK0zzIyrSZ3pwb1WHDm8l2ejalM5p_qLUMCfW2_HQ1WwygSH7VsPka5l4PYnI2IbkhSIiYMF/s1024/IMG_2271.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqGEsM3r6S2B_Ma66HpcZxf43NdHRTxLuF2WcrG9hnc7cj-N5q1asd35deS7tkiB7W4Vw8mnCVrlArLAhJYRVE8xG54ln0uyIge2jOnWrioZeZHioWM7CDK0zzIyrSZ3pwb1WHDm8l2ejalM5p_qLUMCfW2_HQ1WwygSH7VsPka5l4PYnI2IbkhSIiYMF/s320/IMG_2271.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Trick of Treat Town in Tivoli Lobby</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">1997 would be more of the same, with the event running from September 27 through October 12 (with October 12 being the closing day for the season). For the first time, Scandinavia would be officially listed as the official home for the event, and attractions would be updated, too. A new John Bundy show, </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Nightmare Castle</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">, premiered, and it would be the first of his productions to feature "Wacky Dracky." Unlike the later </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Spooktacular</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">, this was not geared towards children and families and featured a smaller cast than the later </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Spooktacular</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. In addition to the Tivoli offerings, various roaming characters, including Dracula, Frankenstein, and "other frightful favorites." </span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3jSzQQTr0vlXIT4-qk0SVQs74cjQ7dY-z3UdQehlp7CQsZVx1EN_FBeg78lYRdxJ5ZfSSi6pGye3gnanPgvtoHdkvSjdZhMM1xQCr7M1Gi1a5xstiOTB3JGVOr4trpwwL7yHPAPENIQt27IqgnL1Cx4CJ69BvnAMtP0Y5NTBfhaEingcJKknC13LF0va/s442/nightmarecastle.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3jSzQQTr0vlXIT4-qk0SVQs74cjQ7dY-z3UdQehlp7CQsZVx1EN_FBeg78lYRdxJ5ZfSSi6pGye3gnanPgvtoHdkvSjdZhMM1xQCr7M1Gi1a5xstiOTB3JGVOr4trpwwL7yHPAPENIQt27IqgnL1Cx4CJ69BvnAMtP0Y5NTBfhaEingcJKknC13LF0va/s320/nightmarecastle.jpeg" width="214" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo from Nightmare Castle, photo thanks to John Bundy</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The following season is when things would "start" to get interesting and would start establishing the event we would all know at the turn of the millennia. The first significant change was the re-addition of a 4th week, with the event running from September 26 until October 18 (adding a week back to the operating season). 1998 would also be the first time for two separate Halloween events. Boo! Blast would continue in Scandinavia for the under 12 children, and Halloween Haunt would debut in Africa. In 1998, that meant several new activities. The first two would be creations by John Bundy: Digger's Used Coffin Lot, a comedy horror-style skit based around a fictional used coffin lot (think like a used car lot), and Witch Doctor's Revenge, where a talking head would taunt and tease its audience. The last attraction was Voo Doo Tunes, a DJ in Mamba Plaza with dancing Alien characters.</span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9-iwwwf183Dv6ermTEH-SoCN7wf2x8Be9qbcFJoZmx20W34svEXiHbG1LXIt00t7dW08NrSsszUZnhbAmsUaA499T98xZdSaG8zcJciCLZMYBIesQuHwiAZge9Q7SyKqVAJy7tKBQmHyJ0WxV9tCt3riMMCLXCcsJqtsib6zhbJOZXfPhFWH5cFNfCLW/s1280/spooktaacular1999.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9-iwwwf183Dv6ermTEH-SoCN7wf2x8Be9qbcFJoZmx20W34svEXiHbG1LXIt00t7dW08NrSsszUZnhbAmsUaA499T98xZdSaG8zcJciCLZMYBIesQuHwiAZge9Q7SyKqVAJy7tKBQmHyJ0WxV9tCt3riMMCLXCcsJqtsib6zhbJOZXfPhFWH5cFNfCLW/s320/spooktaacular1999.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">John Bundy's Spooktacular</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqwU7ZzeF1yJfc2A-5d2frzdND7KB0-Ep2ACMw5qr1JupTpGLyVE5jnQ8S4pNFEIBR9SCVYRyszfsEGGlHcztS2h1V-05EZh9npib_DA_rg2GRskDc4lWB2XfuQam60-timwabNOwUK-m4KEMvKzs2teFKjYNoL6eD1TvO6w1t3T0DCwzh5RR9XwM_u9R/s1280/voodootunes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqwU7ZzeF1yJfc2A-5d2frzdND7KB0-Ep2ACMw5qr1JupTpGLyVE5jnQ8S4pNFEIBR9SCVYRyszfsEGGlHcztS2h1V-05EZh9npib_DA_rg2GRskDc4lWB2XfuQam60-timwabNOwUK-m4KEMvKzs2teFKjYNoL6eD1TvO6w1t3T0DCwzh5RR9XwM_u9R/s320/voodootunes.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Voo Doo Tunes at Mamba Plaza.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">The Scandinavian section would continue as Boo! Blast and the Tivoli show would take on the form and theme it would carry through the next decade, the John Bundy production </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Spooktacular</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">. </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Spooktacular </em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">took on its more family-oriented show format but continued to offer a full professional-scale magic and illusion presentation, providing spectacular entertainment value for all ages. Bundy would mention that it would carry on several props from the long-gone and short-lived Mark Wilson </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Haunted Theatre</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"> production that played at Tivoli in 1985 and 1986. In addition to </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Spooktacular</em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">, Tivoli would continue to be home to Trick-or-Treat Town and not far away still in Scandinavia. Broomzelda's Bewitching Tales would be a continuation of Witch-led storytelling. At Tivoli East would be located Maskerade, where kids could make their own mask, and also in Scandinavia, Groovy Tunes, featuring dancing Halloween characters.</span></div></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFXo4CabDupAgQIdkMkj0cvzwTX9nSX9s8MAGg6oQxvbrihOAfsnx2bQhMHZ2feD7fLX4ahFhW-IF29UUtsrrN7PHmrXQq2sfG7huHePI9Dr7xgrbN7qmHOJJhFUr1xrd-HbVIInexZyEnpD_GlkqkK38s3ZWJYgCvrUHVMD3SjrnObOT1urH6L9Iao4A/s1280/witchstorytelling1999.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFXo4CabDupAgQIdkMkj0cvzwTX9nSX9s8MAGg6oQxvbrihOAfsnx2bQhMHZ2feD7fLX4ahFhW-IF29UUtsrrN7PHmrXQq2sfG7huHePI9Dr7xgrbN7qmHOJJhFUr1xrd-HbVIInexZyEnpD_GlkqkK38s3ZWJYgCvrUHVMD3SjrnObOT1urH6L9Iao4A/s320/witchstorytelling1999.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Broomzelda's Bewitching Tales in Scandinavia. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Though there is no official mention of it, it is also believed that the attraction of Fury of the Bloody Nile would begin in 1998 as well, it was memorable for its dyed red water and haunted skeleton raft.</span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrkXhx7KFxlT0feinzLgDKbx6CmyO4emsawvDgwGXWSRFYnZ6mVOrOpT8F10vWrh3bRj06y5mUB_WgTVht-FKbsqLsK1_wN6yPT5ypl9jyRWJ_9AED9fXPwKeC2u6QUWux9hBlI4GDN3u6Ga4TR9ZrZL8f3HM_YlA1AR1ZwqBAWJPrEwO18hnp7Tk3qDM/s1280/fury1999.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrkXhx7KFxlT0feinzLgDKbx6CmyO4emsawvDgwGXWSRFYnZ6mVOrOpT8F10vWrh3bRj06y5mUB_WgTVht-FKbsqLsK1_wN6yPT5ypl9jyRWJ_9AED9fXPwKeC2u6QUWux9hBlI4GDN3u6Ga4TR9ZrZL8f3HM_YlA1AR1ZwqBAWJPrEwO18hnp7Tk3qDM/s320/fury1999.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fury of the Bloody Nile <br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7QHKcPEjcpXrLlTidPsC3JiQ5bXKLK145RZQYLkAewvZ3q5MVazahBegjppDqU370g2zuKu-u6xkAGhMC-HKzd46jAQbl80uPULtE3xP4HfP3wzfbRtrJh0JWdP3Rx6PleG7lHS6srqZ08kGfkkzJjuhQlyjqRkgoOsMxElQbADQj7W7Daxes2A-rQ5M/s4123/booblastad1998.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4123" data-original-width="2102" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7QHKcPEjcpXrLlTidPsC3JiQ5bXKLK145RZQYLkAewvZ3q5MVazahBegjppDqU370g2zuKu-u6xkAGhMC-HKzd46jAQbl80uPULtE3xP4HfP3wzfbRtrJh0JWdP3Rx6PleG7lHS6srqZ08kGfkkzJjuhQlyjqRkgoOsMxElQbADQj7W7Daxes2A-rQ5M/s320/booblastad1998.jpg" width="163" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Boo! Blast ad from 1998</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The final change would occur in 1999 when the event title was officially changed to Halloweekends while still using the tags Boo! Blast and Halloween Haunt for the individual sections of the event (Scandinavia and Africa, respectively). Halloweekends would remain the name of the event for the next eight seasons, with the event changing drastically around the title, becoming more recognizable as the modern version of Haunt with each passing season.</span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMAout0Jn_xV-N1suPyhWALb6I7iPegODkqRr-t7LzJZq83DFFy6XBQPmj9pMMLpHVH-SKrGQb19Ykkbcs08mH2g1mk93JbjkEHmhaniVT6tiI0f3yjyY3rksQ9qrzW8MaHmjKKqxLiQKJIXNDHPjj4HECwRvTb8WXvwZhPzkHagM78mNkEKllWETl46v/s1280/1999halloweenhaunt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMAout0Jn_xV-N1suPyhWALb6I7iPegODkqRr-t7LzJZq83DFFy6XBQPmj9pMMLpHVH-SKrGQb19Ykkbcs08mH2g1mk93JbjkEHmhaniVT6tiI0f3yjyY3rksQ9qrzW8MaHmjKKqxLiQKJIXNDHPjj4HECwRvTb8WXvwZhPzkHagM78mNkEKllWETl46v/s320/1999halloweenhaunt.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Halloween Haunt signage headed into Africa</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYRSfs7Zk0nV_lFDbFw0GClwnXdw8PMTjuAl1Y1koK1JH-lrbw6VvdrfNTagZWpYiGfgnNs4Gn5WgigzEOqIumpoKWqoo32-91g3TmqiGbTtkOcjShtNQSmAKE7TdYoKcGRLVMOrz1PnaiAygZXRA0FHDLJASjLsl0xtMFNkC41GbzLEfo89dc15iP2uu/s1021/diggers.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYRSfs7Zk0nV_lFDbFw0GClwnXdw8PMTjuAl1Y1koK1JH-lrbw6VvdrfNTagZWpYiGfgnNs4Gn5WgigzEOqIumpoKWqoo32-91g3TmqiGbTtkOcjShtNQSmAKE7TdYoKcGRLVMOrz1PnaiAygZXRA0FHDLJASjLsl0xtMFNkC41GbzLEfo89dc15iP2uu/s320/diggers.jpeg" width="284" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Digger's Used Coffin Lot photo by John Bundy</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2000 would see the return of Halloweekends and a similar line-up, but the event would expand to FIVE weeks, from September 23 through October 22. Boo! Blast in Scandinavia would remain unchanged except for its witch's storytelling, which would have a new name, Winifred's Wise Whimsies Bewitching Tales.</span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJLn7c5P1t0GA8JxnUlC2VXNcWSlzH3b7h1xxfU-eT5NqpTtxIcMeo5Vkc16N_xHJwTyXLFP_I0XPH4_u5W8bF4wzsTLkTkzT87UUUgOJr5f1-2G0apE-4SXpwjhBMI7CBPR0YKHmh4MHpvImUE-JipMmmLRrBh5pmqdIDhluVjGzgUgtetZDyzgyjTIu/s1280/haunt2001sign.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJLn7c5P1t0GA8JxnUlC2VXNcWSlzH3b7h1xxfU-eT5NqpTtxIcMeo5Vkc16N_xHJwTyXLFP_I0XPH4_u5W8bF4wzsTLkTkzT87UUUgOJr5f1-2G0apE-4SXpwjhBMI7CBPR0YKHmh4MHpvImUE-JipMmmLRrBh5pmqdIDhluVjGzgUgtetZDyzgyjTIu/s320/haunt2001sign.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Signage at the gate that the event has been modified due to 9/11</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">On September 11, 2001, the world changed when hijackers flew two jetliners into World Trade Center Tower One and Tower Two. Halloweekends would go forward but with little of its Africa Halloween Haunt attractions. The Scandinavian kid-friendly attractions would continue, as would </span><em style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Spooktacular. </em><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">There were a few minor additions to the event in 2001 with the new themed modification of Camp Snoopy into "Camp Spooky," which came with a Peanut's Coloring activity in Campground Theater, and children could meet the Peanut's characters in Halloween garb. </span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUNnlqyrW6FtJue5eB4pWgrwSR1nIh7c5ToWKSfvg7k74XjXZ3CLxTpZogj-znbF_350Yiz47BgnDcYet1HPs3n2FMfrg9mFfp2nUS4Rak5qwjv-8kcTslwqP5Gi79I5Ch3QdxuwyIMdkX9TzlzheNtltMUQGjKfJ7ujCDlP2H1TcicUzX4fYO4bhiN1k/s1280/campground2001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUNnlqyrW6FtJue5eB4pWgrwSR1nIh7c5ToWKSfvg7k74XjXZ3CLxTpZogj-znbF_350Yiz47BgnDcYet1HPs3n2FMfrg9mFfp2nUS4Rak5qwjv-8kcTslwqP5Gi79I5Ch3QdxuwyIMdkX9TzlzheNtltMUQGjKfJ7ujCDlP2H1TcicUzX4fYO4bhiN1k/s320/campground2001.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Coloring at Camp Spooky's Campground Theater.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCJSD26_0fhs1nyzX18lRnQTIA2crlswtnRIiRIli33jwNTZg3gOI4joZzNa8cCPbt-DPri_GHOG8lVZR7bBtxZ3QU1v6P8HAaNYhirVeTWb_VDZ1e0hrjv8XpXyaLU06dxfTlPlLNV1hqelHCRu4X0xmiIkU5x2Qn5edUe7-_gzUig-GX2qssxKOhX8A/s1376/campspooky.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1376" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCJSD26_0fhs1nyzX18lRnQTIA2crlswtnRIiRIli33jwNTZg3gOI4joZzNa8cCPbt-DPri_GHOG8lVZR7bBtxZ3QU1v6P8HAaNYhirVeTWb_VDZ1e0hrjv8XpXyaLU06dxfTlPlLNV1hqelHCRu4X0xmiIkU5x2Qn5edUe7-_gzUig-GX2qssxKOhX8A/s320/campspooky.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Peanut's characters dressed in Halloween costume.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;">One change that stands out for 2001 is the event's expansion to six weekends, from September 27 until October 28; this is important as the six-weekend template would last through the 2009 season. With the event schedule expansion, this would also be the first time in six seasons that the park would again open until the end of October. </div></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0W9FWSw_oAMJ8hXR0-vt28WcSSd05wCXm460_6yrIoO-H4zWR5v-3JU5MtjyS8iZi6byaaIw8WyvmROuJzJkp7DVnf9E68dvYKkoWWdcnopcHTWyiAM8wQkII25pvdcS0yDRMP0yJSsnpKMlD0Y-aa5rFsyhjcBeTo6m2X8Omr5dIpHGiuI9Jk9fjRpK/s1280/blooblastherse1999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0W9FWSw_oAMJ8hXR0-vt28WcSSd05wCXm460_6yrIoO-H4zWR5v-3JU5MtjyS8iZi6byaaIw8WyvmROuJzJkp7DVnf9E68dvYKkoWWdcnopcHTWyiAM8wQkII25pvdcS0yDRMP0yJSsnpKMlD0Y-aa5rFsyhjcBeTo6m2X8Omr5dIpHGiuI9Jk9fjRpK/s320/blooblastherse1999.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></span><p></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2002 would return to the full roster of activities and was seen by many as the same old Boo! Blast. Little did anyone know that it would never be the same old again. </span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: repeat; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span data-preserver-spaces="true" style="background: repeat; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A special thanks to John Bundy for answering our questions regarding his several Worlds of Fun shows and providing photos for many of the early shows as well!</b></span></span></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-41047106893288554302023-07-02T15:45:00.003-05:002023-07-02T16:26:26.718-05:00Zinging at Worlds of Fun Once Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlN2FdZIA6x8cmubBUdUWiZWRmTU-akcwnIXUl6WlKt-WE7Xvs8DnvRlRN-eRO1jmQfS33mDeHi8yl4PzD8UEbRr77RC8aTzGGuo3LSCLO0xJid59fMobRnCQMqUL7Q0I00wI9C2MqY0pDYXWvVquulfwm4LC4uLuVk_PyGMLtqYpl_4hhbncnRf325Ag/s4032/IMG_9098.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlN2FdZIA6x8cmubBUdUWiZWRmTU-akcwnIXUl6WlKt-WE7Xvs8DnvRlRN-eRO1jmQfS33mDeHi8yl4PzD8UEbRr77RC8aTzGGuo3LSCLO0xJid59fMobRnCQMqUL7Q0I00wI9C2MqY0pDYXWvVquulfwm4LC4uLuVk_PyGMLtqYpl_4hhbncnRf325Ag/s320/IMG_9098.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p> Over the last year on this blog, we have delved into the announcement, followed by the design of the newly re-imagined Zambezi Zinger at Worlds of Fun. We considered the similar details from the original vs. the new, on paper at least, and interviewed its designers and builders. Finally, the day arrived; Zambezi Zinger would give its first public rides. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCvXP9uXYmVNp6Q3QhSglqJKbimB7Re0TnIiNb8rsp6qmYT9VdY_5GQAMTeJlCsipv8KhZLpE1L5scH60UnCv_WpX4l4Etru90qQPv1vsVe6gHIZppi5Y6a1v2Gw6UbL4eytxiyvD2ektB6jwy2a6nDAVZl9FnmU9Up3yO_DnTHkzCUZoEwm8H5yjxmZV/s4032/IMG_9097.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCvXP9uXYmVNp6Q3QhSglqJKbimB7Re0TnIiNb8rsp6qmYT9VdY_5GQAMTeJlCsipv8KhZLpE1L5scH60UnCv_WpX4l4Etru90qQPv1vsVe6gHIZppi5Y6a1v2Gw6UbL4eytxiyvD2ektB6jwy2a6nDAVZl9FnmU9Up3yO_DnTHkzCUZoEwm8H5yjxmZV/s320/IMG_9097.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxFbU9X3VV_yvogebyyomggKl-ZZZkIbkSz63-2AZgWzP4t30y8Tqvw3ihdBvB5PgZkDgO49f-NeKm7hOXcktFCdNUF3OuI18m_4AVQBpEwbLG6vdx3Mp7wr7MtfwrZNxvLSFnxCp1xrM3S1J4JB5rTnA36P-qjXEBe9N_b6G1kETWS7vkr7LEsll-3bp/s4032/zinger12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxFbU9X3VV_yvogebyyomggKl-ZZZkIbkSz63-2AZgWzP4t30y8Tqvw3ihdBvB5PgZkDgO49f-NeKm7hOXcktFCdNUF3OuI18m_4AVQBpEwbLG6vdx3Mp7wr7MtfwrZNxvLSFnxCp1xrM3S1J4JB5rTnA36P-qjXEBe9N_b6G1kETWS7vkr7LEsll-3bp/s320/zinger12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Worlds of Fun invited us to attend the Big Slick event on June 16th, when the 32 winners of the first rider expedition would experience the first public ride. The new Zinger would open to pass holders the following Saturday and Sunday and finally to the general public on Monday, June 19th.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sS6FHWOMWnrUnqZArQ5YgqYsXEW35gtCvKA264CIWrYsI52cziE9V2cSfpGLsPYEFXSeKw_ssc39kGgNGrMWpGoum9CP0EaNlGPYHA9iodx1rGJrO9E_jUPs2UuolnVpR-2x_EIZUvLz5t_I979uZtIX48mmadj-G3gDiVnFzjzJ5cXLV7zaSUYv6wTj/s8256/zinger1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="8256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sS6FHWOMWnrUnqZArQ5YgqYsXEW35gtCvKA264CIWrYsI52cziE9V2cSfpGLsPYEFXSeKw_ssc39kGgNGrMWpGoum9CP0EaNlGPYHA9iodx1rGJrO9E_jUPs2UuolnVpR-2x_EIZUvLz5t_I979uZtIX48mmadj-G3gDiVnFzjzJ5cXLV7zaSUYv6wTj/s320/zinger1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisEXy61IcIGvnPqKG8g74Wq0c5LtaouqK36InJt-nxv9HAwNF8qGHXxsg0y8Lpm9c4y1GxHN73wI4Hv5A5op5wRmF0_a8GdPjFlDqrH6yELtLB__E8HXR5ocDQyshd7d-09yyvLfbtdQ61SAKHZua0C_PpIJHx2Fq-ZynJpJHCNqBUELbdy2hKZNdV8Ea/s8256/zinger2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="8256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisEXy61IcIGvnPqKG8g74Wq0c5LtaouqK36InJt-nxv9HAwNF8qGHXxsg0y8Lpm9c4y1GxHN73wI4Hv5A5op5wRmF0_a8GdPjFlDqrH6yELtLB__E8HXR5ocDQyshd7d-09yyvLfbtdQ61SAKHZua0C_PpIJHx2Fq-ZynJpJHCNqBUELbdy2hKZNdV8Ea/s320/zinger2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Before the first rides, speeches were given by Worlds of Fun General Manager Rick Fiedler, and Public Relations Manager Brian McGannon, as well as Andrew Garton Assistant Director of Philanthropic Giving at Children's Mercy Hospital (CMH) and Mauria Stonestreet of Big Slick (Pediatric cancer foundation of CMH). The podium itself was an attraction itself, designed and built by the park to look like the ride's iconic spiral lift hill. The presentation of an oversized check to Big Slick and the ceremonial ribbon cutting followed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbUiO0bvcc46Cb-_2_IGY91DI6y_s3KUS7teN97z2ljvy6o79yGcwsR28dZ35u_xlIkJiBth-MCCBqBHaP49pOJTLCmQAigyYsKkXzkI0o-QpCv0mf7KQrlWCZC2sTg4qWcPjn1YjPTD7TNuhYEXgPbeNK_bL0BX30dfb8B9TBJ86xDOsbs2EZAFCaYBn/s8256/zinger4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="8256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbUiO0bvcc46Cb-_2_IGY91DI6y_s3KUS7teN97z2ljvy6o79yGcwsR28dZ35u_xlIkJiBth-MCCBqBHaP49pOJTLCmQAigyYsKkXzkI0o-QpCv0mf7KQrlWCZC2sTg4qWcPjn1YjPTD7TNuhYEXgPbeNK_bL0BX30dfb8B9TBJ86xDOsbs2EZAFCaYBn/s320/zinger4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA5FPpSFbDvhk2ln96c5xhwf0oojKcvG-LcHidtWuMg4m3wXT5iixvVPZwcVZQtcl79drDAaaPN7x1olGZzVgC31aQY41aW7y_aNDPL01KLFiQvwfaEhCPNQ1Qo7T0ii3rSEhrv_Bad-8l3E2ze8RmA82uHTZgrp1l4vDxSS9n4Jl5k2UaMP9tLJc4fyN/s8256/zingerpodium.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8256" data-original-width="5504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA5FPpSFbDvhk2ln96c5xhwf0oojKcvG-LcHidtWuMg4m3wXT5iixvVPZwcVZQtcl79drDAaaPN7x1olGZzVgC31aQY41aW7y_aNDPL01KLFiQvwfaEhCPNQ1Qo7T0ii3rSEhrv_Bad-8l3E2ze8RmA82uHTZgrp1l4vDxSS9n4Jl5k2UaMP9tLJc4fyN/s320/zingerpodium.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>After the first riders had ridden, we immediately headed into the queue we had heard so much about. Probably one of the best-themed queues in park history, the new Zinger reuses the original Zambezi Zinger's original queue house. Riders enter through a side entrance instead of entering through the original entrance. At first, this was a bit confusing, but it follows the back story laid out for the new Zinger when it was announced last August. The story goes that many years ago, a small-time safari company, Zambezi Adventure Safaris went out of business when its star attraction, the Zinger, was believed to have gone extinct. The safari company has now re-opened its doors after new evidence that the Zinger had been re-discovered. Signage on the original main entrance reads, "please use side entrance, as office closed due to snake infestation" This is a small detail that not only fits the new story but is a nod to the old urban legend that snakes once lived in the original Zinger tunnel.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBy50VPkC2yYSr9gCE5HzUmDouW9_xJsjLtjkH4ZYV34sRe-n_s4RAJO-XKsgIH7MeFuQ9KWiame-6ryfRMDPRt-rUCBzAEH2jUa0pA-d2G-_m7CAeW8xnq8hmCcJw6h44JV1t2OlxlBB-fEhUVS61hon2xgzsqI0icuFltD0k_BQJFf56HSo0XoAXUTYp/s4032/IMG_8719.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBy50VPkC2yYSr9gCE5HzUmDouW9_xJsjLtjkH4ZYV34sRe-n_s4RAJO-XKsgIH7MeFuQ9KWiame-6ryfRMDPRt-rUCBzAEH2jUa0pA-d2G-_m7CAeW8xnq8hmCcJw6h44JV1t2OlxlBB-fEhUVS61hon2xgzsqI0icuFltD0k_BQJFf56HSo0XoAXUTYp/s320/IMG_8719.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2D4NGiD2l4nKVVRMZstSTczYgF5wHpR9mOKkW01hJWkzXvyHdgkNl6IieP4_KGsY1ixB9FU7cza8P_zB2CPeBurSTRJ_xk0XdYOpcQ8z1S5Us0gotW0Pl9Px3Mgj6AuT9KTiLjAJraj_78ohxgjCifEZUAB60eHlFgY5WwWc59lGf5fJ4UjUtWEwGQPR/s4032/IMG_8720.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2D4NGiD2l4nKVVRMZstSTczYgF5wHpR9mOKkW01hJWkzXvyHdgkNl6IieP4_KGsY1ixB9FU7cza8P_zB2CPeBurSTRJ_xk0XdYOpcQ8z1S5Us0gotW0Pl9Px3Mgj6AuT9KTiLjAJraj_78ohxgjCifEZUAB60eHlFgY5WwWc59lGf5fJ4UjUtWEwGQPR/s320/IMG_8720.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The details continue throughout the queue line, both planned and unplanned. One of the most unnoticeable details is that if you look down, you can still see where the original queue rails were located; tight and narrow, the park removed them many years ago. Then there is a large corkboard in the queue that is so detailed it could have its own blog! A few standouts include a small letter telling riders to "watch out; there are snakes in the tunnel!" A reproduction of the Schwarzkopf badge (Schwarzkopf built the original Zinger), a copy of a 1973 souvenir map, and a small nod to Phileas Fogg, the original explorer from "Around the World in 80 Days". </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8vANXabv6Z6Ql7kEAnVz-QS219EasYtzIFu1HGGVgDtRpzTiZjieo3FPkFC-WHePMjNALJFGhVDB3GwURIAH9qU33_gYFxcF03q08tLnbyPp9Atzp2cSxR5MKyhNFpnTMlQ05GPhS36wGetkGjntb5vmSeXpPbTqeNhI83cOAfi6P0wxsiDhfgMXgprs/s4032/zinger17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8vANXabv6Z6Ql7kEAnVz-QS219EasYtzIFu1HGGVgDtRpzTiZjieo3FPkFC-WHePMjNALJFGhVDB3GwURIAH9qU33_gYFxcF03q08tLnbyPp9Atzp2cSxR5MKyhNFpnTMlQ05GPhS36wGetkGjntb5vmSeXpPbTqeNhI83cOAfi6P0wxsiDhfgMXgprs/s320/zinger17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauwh70fRjYwNdxn1h1J58DkqsZCkl3FhLm1923TOJpvO3SrUadWPZm_p8JP5LfAWnq49vUMNz5G_qIxY5RsVvm30M5ljTSPLhu2FALjTyHUrw5S87RzDO0z844KpdHHT3jD9PenBddJc1QWs5dU65-PeD0PeowbDi7SYX7fK8CTHmardNhzMKXIEJhr0I/s960/IMG_0265.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauwh70fRjYwNdxn1h1J58DkqsZCkl3FhLm1923TOJpvO3SrUadWPZm_p8JP5LfAWnq49vUMNz5G_qIxY5RsVvm30M5ljTSPLhu2FALjTyHUrw5S87RzDO0z844KpdHHT3jD9PenBddJc1QWs5dU65-PeD0PeowbDi7SYX7fK8CTHmardNhzMKXIEJhr0I/s320/IMG_0265.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Kim Slater</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The various, seemingly generic travel posters are not generic at all. They were designed by Cedar Fair Senior Environmental Graphic Designer Brittani Rosier, specifically for the ride, with each one including a nod to both current and defunct African attractions in each section. For example, the Egypt one features the Sphinx (Fury of the Nile) and a Mamba snake (Mamba), and The Serengeti features a nod to the original Safari ride. Brittani added an interesting detail: the Safari Vehicle on the Serengeti poster was initially designed to look identical to the vehicles on The Safari ride (1973-1978) but was modified to the more "Range Rover" appearance in final production. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fIDuR8B4vdFsJSNoDMX8L7ACGAQrq03PjjWuLKJZJyoqXxawq1_7vokuBLMRjk38UgvEJEnWTHL4p_TzurywFplAX7XfMUDFXalLV9eqg-HS2Lp0X_o5PAVCcEG1F6yyjMO1uNi4J5llH2sQ49kI-ZHdqhTKgYmhSRFokE7DDqJS6ixtlKwXR--Gl7v9/s4032/zinger16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fIDuR8B4vdFsJSNoDMX8L7ACGAQrq03PjjWuLKJZJyoqXxawq1_7vokuBLMRjk38UgvEJEnWTHL4p_TzurywFplAX7XfMUDFXalLV9eqg-HS2Lp0X_o5PAVCcEG1F6yyjMO1uNi4J5llH2sQ49kI-ZHdqhTKgYmhSRFokE7DDqJS6ixtlKwXR--Gl7v9/s320/zinger16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Out of the queue building and towards the station, the landscaping is lush and unparalleled in any queue line at Worlds of Fun. Music is piped in to make you feel as if you are on your way toward a real Safari adventure. Because, of course, you are!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfznIDqm-8mfcRnHQ1w7N-V7FPBedC1dugIVxgqBGZ3DecUYoRt7BKsRl3Rv7c9a9gkSRXSuBDQ3lo6PxE5jO7hM1cR3TQsf6ri2hKqR3xBJ_8T_g8dqjuj37fIFhi2awQEVad9tdSRRvrrU4QwZQb-toq2a6zrDoEekiro0C09YGA7qc7GUwG9DMx1nt/s1782/IMG_9126.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1417" data-original-width="1782" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfznIDqm-8mfcRnHQ1w7N-V7FPBedC1dugIVxgqBGZ3DecUYoRt7BKsRl3Rv7c9a9gkSRXSuBDQ3lo6PxE5jO7hM1cR3TQsf6ri2hKqR3xBJ_8T_g8dqjuj37fIFhi2awQEVad9tdSRRvrrU4QwZQb-toq2a6zrDoEekiro0C09YGA7qc7GUwG9DMx1nt/s320/IMG_9126.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>As discussed in a previous blog, the two trains on the new Zambezi Zinger are the first-ever Great Coaster International (GCI) Infinity Flyer trains. Riders only have a lap bar for restraint, no seatbelts! The significant change here is the height requirement, which the park had initially posted as 40" but was increased to a minimum of 48" just before the ride opening; the "why" to the question regarding the height requirement change is pretty straightforward once you experience the ride. It's fairly intense and makes several rapid, directional changes. The overall intensity doesn't detract from the ride experience but pushes it above what most consider a family ride.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyphtyvJ6b9xRsDomYvaeFB3Y8c7BNctPXcefH1MRDfpIEnmDi3gRA2F0Qutu5oQYdbTFG8e0Xw-Wy-fgubqB1i1NhoYxRJBbJc6nZdWM_EueMkonhnXVDCdM1oIsarbhk76MTqBgqmWLgkgUVu8Ms7HdmTKD3ggfG4jpWsalj89k7oe2ysdgHVDosnEf/s4032/zinger18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyphtyvJ6b9xRsDomYvaeFB3Y8c7BNctPXcefH1MRDfpIEnmDi3gRA2F0Qutu5oQYdbTFG8e0Xw-Wy-fgubqB1i1NhoYxRJBbJc6nZdWM_EueMkonhnXVDCdM1oIsarbhk76MTqBgqmWLgkgUVu8Ms7HdmTKD3ggfG4jpWsalj89k7oe2ysdgHVDosnEf/s320/zinger18.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p>This isn't the first time in amusement history that a ride that was intended to be a family ride ended up being something completely different. Personal recollection: PowderKeg at Silver Dollar City was also intended to be a family ride. No one will discount that PowderKeg is a great ride, and, in my opinion, people will see Zinger as a similar situation; a good ride is a good ride, after all.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPdJiE2AEXD-lunaXCP6WDVDdZDLC4jD0EhYiK_i2yGOmftgORDjaoZ1581PaWb_8_nb0CLNaRImf4Ii5EBxnLLKttGA4qcroAtoHD7H_IFnPdSYTlcfM-pBwqZ7XuO-XdkScOxagpwxvzJrIuSv3u4bG-i_67mBWqaOYTPm2MsHpDWFjgSWCraeupZHV/s1536/zingerfootert.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPdJiE2AEXD-lunaXCP6WDVDdZDLC4jD0EhYiK_i2yGOmftgORDjaoZ1581PaWb_8_nb0CLNaRImf4Ii5EBxnLLKttGA4qcroAtoHD7H_IFnPdSYTlcfM-pBwqZ7XuO-XdkScOxagpwxvzJrIuSv3u4bG-i_67mBWqaOYTPm2MsHpDWFjgSWCraeupZHV/s320/zingerfootert.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This footer is visible from both the new Zinger queue line and when heading towards the lift.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUwv4jBxqZBQrnf5FuVw8bVfyRyJC5iuLgejhJIqrGCic4GOu89ebzeYMsv3vp6PctjGwIgpgMXDb_DC1PPiQlKLCzbLifJercepGXEoixFFUDPbX5xvytt-nNNHGIiNOSq83jEs0BFY1HNGDUdzdohhvxtxbLrpiMTkQdm2hIUse0HzuAnRjG2GTgJIM/s640/zingerfooter2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUwv4jBxqZBQrnf5FuVw8bVfyRyJC5iuLgejhJIqrGCic4GOu89ebzeYMsv3vp6PctjGwIgpgMXDb_DC1PPiQlKLCzbLifJercepGXEoixFFUDPbX5xvytt-nNNHGIiNOSq83jEs0BFY1HNGDUdzdohhvxtxbLrpiMTkQdm2hIUse0HzuAnRjG2GTgJIM/s320/zingerfooter2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the high-speed turn on the original Zinger, and you can see what I believe is the same footer (different angle) below the track. Photo by Tammy Queen.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>A ride on Zinger itself starts as you head out of the station. Immediately on exiting the station, riders should look to the right. In the stream below, they will see several concrete footers for the original Zambezi Zinger, specifically for its "high-speed turn" or its fourth drop that followed the curve around the lift.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc23vu-NzOnsvWV8Uphd3jfi_LOIgwL5zxqcYE4I6woK24RuGX8edriNLw16FhmXl_5hhHRjCM1-KXDToUn0q4kn2wKzfzU0rXjMS4n_z8TBFMwgVfeZM_YwtaCk8h44KQcNXpgn_tT9fB9ZrMPHhSo8r3kiAfuAu3TutNlD9x_L8SrPROcnUdtwGRVwfu/s8256/zinger7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8256" data-original-width="5504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc23vu-NzOnsvWV8Uphd3jfi_LOIgwL5zxqcYE4I6woK24RuGX8edriNLw16FhmXl_5hhHRjCM1-KXDToUn0q4kn2wKzfzU0rXjMS4n_z8TBFMwgVfeZM_YwtaCk8h44KQcNXpgn_tT9fB9ZrMPHhSo8r3kiAfuAu3TutNlD9x_L8SrPROcnUdtwGRVwfu/s320/zinger7.jpg" width="213" /></a></p><p>Once on the lift, The Zambezi Zinger is anything but quiet, thanks to the anti-rollbacks (a feature the original Zinger never had). Besides that auditory detail, the lift is reminiscent of the original Zinger, and unlike your typical lift hill is quite fun. The drop itself is quick and relatively steep compared to the original, which was 56 feet tall; the new version is about twenty feet taller at 74 feet. The ride starts out relatively tame, making a quick turn over by Nile's queue line before heading back towards the lift hill. The turn around the lift is nearly identical to the original, while still being a bit speedier on this new version. What probably amplifies the similarity is that the new lift hill is located within 20 feet of the original, making this one detail, and the lift it surrounds, probably as close as anyone could get to the original without actually re-building the original.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJOI4Z3hTwz1M_-sKfFNwzHW6KbajRX1Wct9FiUREPszlNBz4KshqVl-06DYYNSDN8Dl0D-Trnod-PBf8AMdtR3_LBqo2CqwHNoiLtP1LbF6zOCsWW0j4kWkz3jzU4JGyid7-3Yd66xy9QlUlTO0kQDKSHfSxd9sA7GOROs5RVcMdVC3GUdw0Ub903j3E/s8256/zinger8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="8256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJOI4Z3hTwz1M_-sKfFNwzHW6KbajRX1Wct9FiUREPszlNBz4KshqVl-06DYYNSDN8Dl0D-Trnod-PBf8AMdtR3_LBqo2CqwHNoiLtP1LbF6zOCsWW0j4kWkz3jzU4JGyid7-3Yd66xy9QlUlTO0kQDKSHfSxd9sA7GOROs5RVcMdVC3GUdw0Ub903j3E/s320/zinger8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>From this point, the new Zinger becomes a tale of two different rides. While the original would take a curving drop into the high-speed turn, the new Zinger rips off towards undiscovered land. The train dives, crests over the train tracks, and begins its action-packed second half. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGhp7xhSZ81cySDxiSTpeaVuO6rpGJ8C9pVfDsBxa35NpXOydeGzcUup0MWAgsBtJeRyujf3yfGc-2o5-FIWTO6tCL0Jzm9e-Wl-UQElwaqWmHD0Q5dzSLis7r_DTC2LoNV_pfF4hIeSnBbbSlYIEnWWt-qOfc4d_FgVO-eRlEzJTya-1DChLLzFIaqAz/s4032/zinger11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGhp7xhSZ81cySDxiSTpeaVuO6rpGJ8C9pVfDsBxa35NpXOydeGzcUup0MWAgsBtJeRyujf3yfGc-2o5-FIWTO6tCL0Jzm9e-Wl-UQElwaqWmHD0Q5dzSLis7r_DTC2LoNV_pfF4hIeSnBbbSlYIEnWWt-qOfc4d_FgVO-eRlEzJTya-1DChLLzFIaqAz/s320/zinger11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Going back to Zinger's original announcement, fans have been discussing one vital feature, the tunnel. Some go so far as to say it's not really a tunnel as it doesn't go underground. While I disagree with that assessment, I was surprised that the tunnel was a last-minute addition to the design. Today, the new tunnel is enclosed, and while not pitch black, it is quite fun and at a great location about midway through the ride. After shooting out of the tunnel, the ride continues its quick and ferocious campaign. Flipping riders side to side, so close to the ground in some cases you feel you could reach out and touch it. Several fiberglass African animals populate the second half of Zinger, a zebra, lion, and rhino, all relocated from Kings Dominion. Still, most riders would never realize it as you are being zinged right past them. Before anyone can catch their breath, we have made it back to the station and our safari expedition has come to an end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPs_0fLcdP85osCxydH7-_1R9V6yEFN8YwDj6m5HcFKs7tRlzqrkT1z5Hy_YGqLZiZndh13Gcsh9l3sjH9jgd2EnZMf-cayRCFEkh1-jnXgxVegzoBMT29qRftx22AF3N_BYBt74Pw7uxNhpj19wkIrzmG2w6m-6HZtuuHxieApKXpo4yGsTDraxUrGeJ/s4032/zinger14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPs_0fLcdP85osCxydH7-_1R9V6yEFN8YwDj6m5HcFKs7tRlzqrkT1z5Hy_YGqLZiZndh13Gcsh9l3sjH9jgd2EnZMf-cayRCFEkh1-jnXgxVegzoBMT29qRftx22AF3N_BYBt74Pw7uxNhpj19wkIrzmG2w6m-6HZtuuHxieApKXpo4yGsTDraxUrGeJ/s320/zinger14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeQLDfg0QV8GydDfDGTpghNMIozdZujqe2mbxw3PdpwHSnWe9uMlklo6sJTKztvucXCt4sepYYgQNEgv7om5WHCSMbngwkgx5Npa8yTTLq5KbtxLvdc0zVBitN9_6OpJOvX49Z-QYiXU5gab-bRFYqNEfzY5XC1vZil8GbcWkFoPj0sl_TZnMdfB-tDVl/s4032/zinger15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeQLDfg0QV8GydDfDGTpghNMIozdZujqe2mbxw3PdpwHSnWe9uMlklo6sJTKztvucXCt4sepYYgQNEgv7om5WHCSMbngwkgx5Npa8yTTLq5KbtxLvdc0zVBitN9_6OpJOvX49Z-QYiXU5gab-bRFYqNEfzY5XC1vZil8GbcWkFoPj0sl_TZnMdfB-tDVl/s320/zinger15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lion hiding out in the corner.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>I would end up riding the coaster three more times (for four total) in that first hour of ride operation. It was fun; I rode it multiple times and would do so again. One detail I mentioned is that unlike the original, which was mostly mild-mannered, this new Zambezi Zinger, totally lives up to its name, Zinging guests through the wilds of Worlds of Fun's Africa section. Like the original, though, the trees play a big part, and I imagine they will grow much like they did on the original as the years go by. That really will be one Zinger of a ride!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FIZImUDsO2I" width="320" youtube-src-id="FIZImUDsO2I"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-75141752560980080202023-05-31T07:37:00.000-05:002023-05-31T07:37:45.712-05:00Kansas City Can You STAND to Be First?<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbyF_HNv2iUrZA1CZxDQfk-Dqq3XTlWCC_w6LgBqd1IFOTcxvxYT2HCqI3CMiQPu8AmYcX0dZaR79lIhmK7ymvOSxkJqf1PR0-G8Xkyriwa_ovedtqzUZ6vZMGx1VdsvzH14UU2x9sJl0UAzovHo8W6qSmO1zrQcphavcy00F5iwBcvefxwExWdbGig/s5046/ext5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5046" data-original-width="3296" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbyF_HNv2iUrZA1CZxDQfk-Dqq3XTlWCC_w6LgBqd1IFOTcxvxYT2HCqI3CMiQPu8AmYcX0dZaR79lIhmK7ymvOSxkJqf1PR0-G8Xkyriwa_ovedtqzUZ6vZMGx1VdsvzH14UU2x9sJl0UAzovHo8W6qSmO1zrQcphavcy00F5iwBcvefxwExWdbGig/w261-h400/ext5.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> We celebrated Worlds of Fun's 50th Anniversary only a few days ago, and today we have another significant anniversary to recall. On today's date: May 31st, 40 years ago, Screamroller was converted into the country's first stand-up coaster and became Extremeroller or E.X.T. In researching E.X.T. over the years, I have found very little about it before May 1983, and the 1983 map lists the ride as a sit-down and still named Screamroller. Extremeroller as a stand-up only appears on the 1984 map. My theory is that converting the coaster was not a multi-year planned one like most attractions but was instead a fly-by-night, "how about we try this? Sure, that sounds good" kind of thing. Like many historical details, this is just a theory based on the facts that I have. Worlds of Fun spent about $250,000 to convert Screamroller to Extremeroller. The conversion was completed by Arrow-Huss, the short-lived attempted merger of two great amusement manufacturing companies. Arrow Dynamics and Huss Manufacturing would eventually go separate ways only a few years later. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAwM32LWw99K2ZMDF6B6vcMHoWCMq71ABINZplbGbJjfmaPM54Vdu8s0oV4Pw1_kL6uSJMNaHsKwqYLZqWFcp64rx49TpD_Xu-BU8-U2k036R90W1q3lWhx95n5cqorClxBDWLp99-9Gj29YQKLtP6qUpjzwt_pq09-AEZMmcwXu5bW4MGPkBsabWZQ/s2384/ext1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1475" data-original-width="2384" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAwM32LWw99K2ZMDF6B6vcMHoWCMq71ABINZplbGbJjfmaPM54Vdu8s0oV4Pw1_kL6uSJMNaHsKwqYLZqWFcp64rx49TpD_Xu-BU8-U2k036R90W1q3lWhx95n5cqorClxBDWLp99-9Gj29YQKLtP6qUpjzwt_pq09-AEZMmcwXu5bW4MGPkBsabWZQ/w400-h248/ext1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>To understand why E.X.T. happened, though, one only has to look at what was happening in the coaster world. From the mid-1970s until around 2000, the amusement industry was fully engaged in a "coaster war." Whoever could build the loopiest, fastest, tallest, longest coaster had a claim to "coaster capital," and Arrow was right at the forefront for much of it. Most reactions to the concept of E.X.T. were ones of disbelief, and according to Lee Derrough, that was exactly what they were looking for. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9W72OshfabzOWMBf0qL_5V6wMvook44pNRJmFjEce4bGa-tzM82g6XFeuDur-lhZTmE03hbRlfp8QI2vY-Z8yR35Yl-24syi4fDjj8Nk0lGOOZkdvxEhIrg5H20wXc8jGV9oniBuO1KSy0sxH8tm33s0WwXusTESvNt1-ztVBeqc6T2XG1zLXFp2Vg/s2923/ext3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2093" data-original-width="2923" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9W72OshfabzOWMBf0qL_5V6wMvook44pNRJmFjEce4bGa-tzM82g6XFeuDur-lhZTmE03hbRlfp8QI2vY-Z8yR35Yl-24syi4fDjj8Nk0lGOOZkdvxEhIrg5H20wXc8jGV9oniBuO1KSy0sxH8tm33s0WwXusTESvNt1-ztVBeqc6T2XG1zLXFp2Vg/w400-h286/ext3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stand-up pods and fiberglass body.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Extremeroller would use the original structure of the Screamroller coaster, an Arrow Corkscrew, with only a slight modification to the rollover on the first drop to accommodate the larger and heavier trains. The trains themselves would be gutted, with new fiberglass cars and restraints added to the Screamroller trains' original undercarriage. Out went the seats, and in came tall, six-foot-pods with a shoulder harness, a thigh harness, and a seatbelt around the waist. Also, unlike modern stand-up coasters, there was no seat; it was a literal stand-up ride. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QwkjJFHoSSQj0y7S9zRgLb4IvkUrHCiT3c6tycSY-XUBCFcUvlsyZ-aZXmgjp7AVKzxxWT3tKaF069WyYOTrc5gA8QdeyEl4qKtPqraqz_pYRxyLqt936tE5Y227kvZwT29fdCkn8nYJ3PjgvESHK7BX4Ig5ild4I2hKCNyzVHt2KByj_L7oa5JJBg/s6554/ext4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4976" data-original-width="6554" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QwkjJFHoSSQj0y7S9zRgLb4IvkUrHCiT3c6tycSY-XUBCFcUvlsyZ-aZXmgjp7AVKzxxWT3tKaF069WyYOTrc5gA8QdeyEl4qKtPqraqz_pYRxyLqt936tE5Y227kvZwT29fdCkn8nYJ3PjgvESHK7BX4Ig5ild4I2hKCNyzVHt2KByj_L7oa5JJBg/w400-h304/ext4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concept art by Byron Gash</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p>In the true meaning of "coaster wars," Worlds of Fun wasn't alone in this attempted venture. Six Flags Mid America (St. Louis) was doing its own stand-up conversion to its aging Arrow, River King Mine Train. Many are familiar with this classic family coaster but unaware that it originally had two tracks. One track on the Mine Train received a similar conversion and was dubbed Railblazer. Railblazer, unlike E.X.T., wouldn't open until 1984. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYzVChbix8BaiivGEUy714XNN2hDNzeDKFBvIu8tTgttYgr-Tlw3aHV3TonzdxdOqqRdwj36f2TejtavEXIPmeYqCDhHX9js44w9w8pemPsiEkTx0COBXLnwLMBfrfC2ZRJYPHz68ZQYznHUtSb7Cqv85u7yG49vvZdR5X85J4maoUnvNfaNcoZwq7A/s2434/ext2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2434" data-original-width="1667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYzVChbix8BaiivGEUy714XNN2hDNzeDKFBvIu8tTgttYgr-Tlw3aHV3TonzdxdOqqRdwj36f2TejtavEXIPmeYqCDhHX9js44w9w8pemPsiEkTx0COBXLnwLMBfrfC2ZRJYPHz68ZQYznHUtSb7Cqv85u7yG49vvZdR5X85J4maoUnvNfaNcoZwq7A/w274-h400/ext2.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extremeroller at Worlds of Fun</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM6D2iPPeNTopWHt1XAshV2A9NJbyOiQAIIupitWFNCkfBE9NuSG027fcTYRGn_CT80kky2noINI42YmsP6MHieszoL0T8_vVTMyBuLVv41Uvkh_GSyrkrcZYibiDf3SOfNceKjTBY_OTMs1TjdgjJwLBC61FpIpcdiMzcPYssp8tXi7nEbQVpL6rIg/s4032/railblazer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM6D2iPPeNTopWHt1XAshV2A9NJbyOiQAIIupitWFNCkfBE9NuSG027fcTYRGn_CT80kky2noINI42YmsP6MHieszoL0T8_vVTMyBuLVv41Uvkh_GSyrkrcZYibiDf3SOfNceKjTBY_OTMs1TjdgjJwLBC61FpIpcdiMzcPYssp8tXi7nEbQVpL6rIg/w400-h300/railblazer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Railblazer at Six Flags Mid-America</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Tragedy would strike at Six Flags on July 9th, 1984, when Stella Holcomb, aged 45, was thrown from the ride and died from her head and chest injuries. For many years urban legend would twist this story so that the actual culprit was E.X.T. which had already ceased operation by the time of the accident at Six Flags. An investigation after the death found that Railblazer lacked the waist belts that E.X.T. had, which may have contributed to the accident.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nvhvGLT1t_Odzas7ZhGBVtp-ztCBMQXkQlUQY2IJSkkgSSgJZxJAgocgWK9OzgrPFaocb6baVMsbYL6cSz7WoNP6KAwG1cJWK9R4RxGMu69fd3Etw_6pPw8UPLlq2p57eXWiWSgvElFH7INeHSBuMRi1TTcqcpHibxLDXrlJdkw4AmgpH33i-UiTWw/s5760/ext6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="5760" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nvhvGLT1t_Odzas7ZhGBVtp-ztCBMQXkQlUQY2IJSkkgSSgJZxJAgocgWK9OzgrPFaocb6baVMsbYL6cSz7WoNP6KAwG1cJWK9R4RxGMu69fd3Etw_6pPw8UPLlq2p57eXWiWSgvElFH7INeHSBuMRi1TTcqcpHibxLDXrlJdkw4AmgpH33i-UiTWw/w400-h266/ext6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The deconstructed Extremeroller with Timber Wolf going up in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>So why did Extremeroller return to being a sit-down if it wasn't for an accident? The simple answer is that Screamroller was never designed to be a stand-up coaster. The stand-up trains were far heavier and had a completely different center of gravity, causing technical difficulties with the lift hill and breaking the lift hill chain on more than one occasion. The ride itself wasn't any less safe, but the problems did cause it to be a mechanical nightmare. Extremeroller would return to being a standard sit-down model in June 1984 and live out the rest of its short life at Worlds of Fun until its removal in 1988. Extremeroller would be sold to a park in Taiwan and live on until 2003-2004, known as the Spiral. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k_zfhaa91V0" width="320" youtube-src-id="k_zfhaa91V0"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Forty years have passed since Worlds of Fun's made its splash into the great coaster wars. To many, Extremeroller was a blip in amusement park history but a monumental part of Worlds of Fun history. When it played on T.V., the E.X.T. commercial is my earliest memory of Worlds of Fun, commercial, park, or otherwise; it's probably why I ended up going to Worlds of Fun for the first time in 1983. So for me, at least, I may not have been able to "Stand Being First," but E.X.T. is anything but inconsequential.</p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-2558995039604035902023-05-26T09:59:00.001-05:002023-05-26T09:59:20.786-05:00Celebrating 50 Years of Magic and Adventure!<p><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" xml:lang="EN-US"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrXycxWZgey9vTn07qKTdQstDJNglCEuJRWdkNoR-6guLhcOrbHcxL8cgt9Hqd7q_ro1CJYXsrP7NBy6n7RoZD27b_nZXYZ9Bf2GfC82IcKLtHI7vvLcW66oVP-buDUeA1kiJ9cM3wGyzGx_u4pGDkOAAg4Zb7ytjHEbD2we5slXtCWekOIH04V9YLA/s3536/cb26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3536" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrXycxWZgey9vTn07qKTdQstDJNglCEuJRWdkNoR-6guLhcOrbHcxL8cgt9Hqd7q_ro1CJYXsrP7NBy6n7RoZD27b_nZXYZ9Bf2GfC82IcKLtHI7vvLcW66oVP-buDUeA1kiJ9cM3wGyzGx_u4pGDkOAAg4Zb7ytjHEbD2we5slXtCWekOIH04V9YLA/w278-h400/cb26.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">There are many important dates in Worlds of Fun history, and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">we’ve</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> celebrated many of them, literal cornerstones to memories for many years. Today, though, is the most important date of all. May 26, 1973, the first day that Worlds of Fun opened to the public. The day the magic started. Today’s date started not just the story of Worlds of Fun, it started </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">all of</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> OUR stories with Worlds of Fun.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><p><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd7NwnSOamI7UFLen76HVPt6cG9pM0qUO7eJw8AyVxbnqBVUbjwEwII0PocFyljYUigcXq9upNx9Kbl9Qa8J9GNVI4JnrcdqPDOG0R4BkRAQ8xTlcQOuYqfVYp6YQ_SLzfDJar0LyZYLrGnI6T6-f80OQYaapU2NFp91M378PpBguNgVviftSYeZ80w/s4200/WoF%20Map%201973%20high%20resolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="4200" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijd7NwnSOamI7UFLen76HVPt6cG9pM0qUO7eJw8AyVxbnqBVUbjwEwII0PocFyljYUigcXq9upNx9Kbl9Qa8J9GNVI4JnrcdqPDOG0R4BkRAQ8xTlcQOuYqfVYp6YQ_SLzfDJar0LyZYLrGnI6T6-f80OQYaapU2NFp91M378PpBguNgVviftSYeZ80w/w400-h343/WoF%20Map%201973%20high%20resolution.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{b62354f9-cf23-4867-a144-01882f7d23e7}{197}" paraid="1730831961" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">50 years ago today, one </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">has to</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> wonder what was going through the heads of everyone who attended opening day. We know the thoughts of Jack Steadman, President of Worlds of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Fun, because</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> his words about opening day in 1973 are in print: he </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">states</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> that the opening of Worlds of Fun in 1973 was </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="AR-SA" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="AR-SA">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">an event only slightly less spectacular than the Super Bowl” (Ramstack p. 52). Which says a lot. What about Lamar Hunt and his family? Was he elated that the years of planning had come to fruition? Or did he look forward to the future? How about all the others, the guests, I am not talking about the dignitaries, but the regular park guests themselves. The only park that many of them had ever been to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">was</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Fairyland, and here was a new park. Here is how the park was described in an advertisement from the Kansas City Times on May 26, 1973:</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{b62354f9-cf23-4867-a144-01882f7d23e7}{219}" paraid="171397149" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{b62354f9-cf23-4867-a144-01882f7d23e7}{223}" paraid="1465856347" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="AR-SA" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="AR-SA">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Worlds of Fun is over sixty brand new and exciting things to do. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the sternwheeler Cotton Blossom and a train ride right out of the Old West. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> good </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">eats</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> from around the globe and a trip across five worlds in the Sky Hi.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{b62354f9-cf23-4867-a144-01882f7d23e7}{239}" paraid="1571515515" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{b62354f9-cf23-4867-a144-01882f7d23e7}{243}" paraid="314849915" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Worlds of Fun is Europa and watching the Can-Can at the Moulin Rouge. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> a Flying Dutchman windmill ride and a bumpy-crunching journey on the Autobahn in Der Fender Bender.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{b62354f9-cf23-4867-a144-01882f7d23e7}{253}" paraid="48969615" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{2}" paraid="230536397" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Worlds of Fun is a Safari through the African veldt, a big game hunt, and finding wealth at the Diamond Mine. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> a breathtaking ride on the Zambezi Zinger, and shopping for souvenirs at Bwana</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s Bargains.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{16}" paraid="1778755593" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{20}" paraid="1633012751" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Worlds of Fun is fighting off the Royal Navy in the pirate ship </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Victrix, and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> enjoying a musical revue at the giant Tivoli Playhouse. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> taking a diving, dipping ride in the Schussboomer, and watching wood carvers at the Baltic Bazaar.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{30}" paraid="1513733091" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; 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-webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{34}" paraid="758332112" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Worlds of Fun is exploring </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">the Far East</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> and its alluring gardens and mysterious waterways. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> challenging the Oriental Octopus ride and laughing at the antics of the dolphins. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; 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-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The weather was gray that morning when at 10:00 AM Worlds of Fun opened. But that </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">didn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> deter the festivities and in fact, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">probably made</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> the day that much more memorable. The park opened with a gala parade that featured cars from Le </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Taxitour</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> and The Safari carrying dignitaries, which was led by Worlds of Fun Ambassadors and several local High School marching bands. It was followed by a christening of S.S. Henrietta, balloon ascension, and antique plane flyover. The opening ceremonies themselves were held at Cotton Blossom and included about 3,000 total in attendance, which included everyone from Lamar Hunt to Dutton Brookfield president of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, to the governor of Missouri, Christopher Bond. Bond even commented on the less-than-ideal weather conditions in the Jefferson City News Tribune </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">stating</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="AR-SA" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="AR-SA">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">I heard there was a chance it was going to rain this morning in the middle of the ceremonies, but knowing how Lamar Hunt plans things, I wasn’t too worried” </span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="FR-FR" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="FR-FR"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(amusement </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">park</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> opens p. 5).</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{58}" paraid="1077703267" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{58}" paraid="1077703267" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSZKdb6n3yL5P_gcl5HTPPU2MWzpAeJCV5ciipSb7TGKZDfhOk_kFQjXS481THecLc-780HYdJNgBbQPprPtx8vxw_jDBkozmw_RSgC2TG3O_BedPxk5498xKbYjWvk81UaYDSrLZ652JFFfBJzmUZBOE4zl8n1SpEPudaBFBTi6wx_OzO5twvFXZoA/s3792/wof_construction33.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="3792" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSZKdb6n3yL5P_gcl5HTPPU2MWzpAeJCV5ciipSb7TGKZDfhOk_kFQjXS481THecLc-780HYdJNgBbQPprPtx8vxw_jDBkozmw_RSgC2TG3O_BedPxk5498xKbYjWvk81UaYDSrLZ652JFFfBJzmUZBOE4zl8n1SpEPudaBFBTi6wx_OzO5twvFXZoA/w400-h318/wof_construction33.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Lamar, Norma and Clark Hunt</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{80}" paraid="1399930883" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Cliff Trainer of Kansas City added his two cents in an article published the next day May 27th, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="AR-SA" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="AR-SA">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">you spend four years on a park like this and opening day it rains, don</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">t you know Lamar Hunt is just sick?</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">” </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="IT-IT" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="IT-IT">(Speck, p. 1)</span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Trainer, who </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">with his family visited the park</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> on opening day had their story told by the Kansas City Star and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">it</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> like a veritable time capsule. Mom </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">doesn</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> want to ride the coaster with the unpronounceable name (Schussboomer), but the kids do so she rides anyway and there will be no more coasters after that! After the ride, the kids jump out looking for the next adventure, and Dad </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">has to</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> rein them in saying they have all day! The recently defunct Finnish Fling even makes an appearance, though </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">it</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> misnamed in the article as Finnish Flum. The park </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">wasn</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">just about the</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> rides though, Mom wanted to visit the shops and the </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="AR-SA" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="AR-SA">“</span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">authentic riverboat</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">” </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Cotton Blossom, the point being there was something for everyone. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; 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font-size: medium; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span><p></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{126}" paraid="237481994" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{130}" paraid="121096453" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> A lot would change over the next fifty years, Schussboomer, Finnish Fling, and Cotton Blossom are gone, but Flying Dutchman, Le </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Taxitour</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">, Viking Voyager, Autobahn (Der Fender Bender), Scrambler, and Worlds of Fun Railroad, even ELI the steam engine are still there, and still providing similar fun experiences as they did fifty years before when the Trainers and other 11,072 first day visitors first experienced them. Stop for a moment and appreciate </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">that,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> fifty years of rides being given is a testament to the longevity of those six original rides and to the many mechanics who have kept and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">continue</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> to keep them running! So, for me at least </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">as long as</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Worlds of Fun continues to open its gates it will always </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ALWAYS</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> be Worlds of Fun. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{166}" paraid="1156251036" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; 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text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzd9PmP8o-Fyc4Zn356XM3jAHWSzqupqcO6zNKqA9Nq0k9df_WE6V6yFtZe0lnAhyCwcSobyrjMfEHXMBMwVMGoq7Z58PwkBY-63XwfFPNasWH4XoOkWQuqjslxs0LGHSrcW0SDzjur8GlDhfQPkbiJdI28-QnvzRlSapeyxmjN8M2_FCTNwLwEk9kQ/s3451/dfb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2384" data-original-width="3451" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzd9PmP8o-Fyc4Zn356XM3jAHWSzqupqcO6zNKqA9Nq0k9df_WE6V6yFtZe0lnAhyCwcSobyrjMfEHXMBMwVMGoq7Z58PwkBY-63XwfFPNasWH4XoOkWQuqjslxs0LGHSrcW0SDzjur8GlDhfQPkbiJdI28-QnvzRlSapeyxmjN8M2_FCTNwLwEk9kQ/w200-h138/dfb.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4Y9yZ6Y3mUNgU7Ae5Zj_l7_mURkZ47pTVQgOcRIOoh7-l-6a9v96P8794wQPRD8YUJJS8YDAhQFDuuF5ewAlxZuQoUKjprfJEvzSpciAwjvu5G1emB77-SwmijWVWIGm27JK3pe1lWxJZqOSnSFxL_BiybvnlIPYKYSSIiRfHNNppDQJ9rBogxW6Ug/s3324/wofrr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2470" data-original-width="3324" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4Y9yZ6Y3mUNgU7Ae5Zj_l7_mURkZ47pTVQgOcRIOoh7-l-6a9v96P8794wQPRD8YUJJS8YDAhQFDuuF5ewAlxZuQoUKjprfJEvzSpciAwjvu5G1emB77-SwmijWVWIGm27JK3pe1lWxJZqOSnSFxL_BiybvnlIPYKYSSIiRfHNNppDQJ9rBogxW6Ug/w200-h149/wofrr.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><i>The six original rides from 1973 that operate today: Scandi Scrambler, Viking Voyager, Le Taxitour, Flying Dutchman, Autobahn (Der Fender Bender), and the Worlds of Fun Railroad.</i></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In the end, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">it's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> not about just the rides, or attractions, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">it's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> about the people, the people you visit with, the people you make memories with, and what a WONDERFUL adventure it has been over the past 50 years! Today Worlds of Fun celebrates 50 years of adventures, 50 years of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">makin</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">’ magical memories, and hopefully will for many more years to come.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div></div></div></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{180}" paraid="1268045221" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; 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-webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{184}" paraid="1039058537" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{184}" paraid="1039058537" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{188}" paraid="911653291" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{192}" paraid="538083761" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">(1973, May 27). Amusement Park Opens.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Sunday News and Tribune</span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">p. 5.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{206}" paraid="1174079512" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{210}" paraid="1851892418" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face="Helvetica, Helvetica_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Default" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ramstack, T. (1983, June 1). Who is Jack Steadman? </span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face="Helvetica, Helvetica_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Default" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Kansas City Business Journal,</span></span><span class="TextRun Highlight SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face="Helvetica, Helvetica_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; background-color: white; color: #212121; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Default" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> 49</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Default" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">–</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Default" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">57.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559738":0,"335559740":240}" face="Helvetica, Helvetica_EmbeddedFont, sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: #212121; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{224}" paraid="77541835" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{228}" paraid="1486185263" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Speck, E. (1973, May 27). </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rain, Thrills at Fun World</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">” </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">T</span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US">he Kansas City Star,</span><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> p. 1</span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{246}" paraid="1393721953" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; 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-webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{250}" paraid="1648913413" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; 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-webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{6f02f9de-e392-4485-b8ca-3f5b533c5495}{254}" paraid="1090610476" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; 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-webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{acce4dde-2fee-43e0-aabd-0c87eb2e3dad}{3}" paraid="1268319598" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> Special thanks to Elora Maxwell for proofreading!</span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW133890349 BCX4" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); clear: both; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.847); cursor: text; direction: ltr; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW133890349 BCX4" paraeid="{acce4dde-2fee-43e0-aabd-0c87eb2e3dad}{7}" paraid="312067130" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; color: black; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-contrast="none" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-parastyle="Body" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW133890349 BCX4" data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245417":true,"134245418":false,"134245529":false,"201341983":0,"335551550":1,"335551620":1,"335559685":0,"335559731":0,"335559737":0,"335559740":240}" face=""Helvetica Neue", "Helvetica Neue_EmbeddedFont", "Helvetica Neue_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: normal !important; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-user-select: text; line-height: 17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></p></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-8871978070408714352023-04-18T16:26:00.011-05:002023-04-18T16:44:31.207-05:00Mamba Celebrates it's 25th Silver Anniversary!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDDMfElYAZgPiVjKjEEXaK1LdkxmjHmkdreGTbO2aKyA2GQBZs6na3_JD5psmS0qXP6PpTS0BrXSshHWjEgOk08GqSISRqRsdea7IitI_pOQodQHFBoPchRJF-j2FI0N1wHwgI49HZIxPAzCcMXJmA6Wsz4m5QF-5zVJZG6s6ovjA7wrybZ4wG9nSOg/s3571/mamba8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2343" data-original-width="3571" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDDMfElYAZgPiVjKjEEXaK1LdkxmjHmkdreGTbO2aKyA2GQBZs6na3_JD5psmS0qXP6PpTS0BrXSshHWjEgOk08GqSISRqRsdea7IitI_pOQodQHFBoPchRJF-j2FI0N1wHwgI49HZIxPAzCcMXJmA6Wsz4m5QF-5zVJZG6s6ovjA7wrybZ4wG9nSOg/s320/mamba8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening Day 1998 looking towards Mamba from the Nile queue line</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>25 years ago, on April 18, 1998, Mamba opened to guests for the very first time. I was there for its opening day. I still remember the cars streaming down Worlds of Fun Avenue backing up onto I-435. I recall the enormously long line for Mamba as it was only running one train thanks to a literal 11th-hour miracle to get it open. I didn’t ride it that day, and in fact, wouldn’t ride it for six more years.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lHyC4f5W81_rHkO4LXYEGBjxq7ASa6Xzw6WJpXeB9Pt3QdBjcVuvbjB0kRKl3Zp6wvkUqM20K7dzB5vpEOv5tBk1cyIYdBheEss5LURq27jjsSmFX_eV0rPRg0pr8Vox_OlcOFLDEKq5DpVgFN_LVIOSGyrpJk8pLkzJ90ctY6B4Nwsu3mysbu5KHA/s3529/mamba6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2336" data-original-width="3529" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lHyC4f5W81_rHkO4LXYEGBjxq7ASa6Xzw6WJpXeB9Pt3QdBjcVuvbjB0kRKl3Zp6wvkUqM20K7dzB5vpEOv5tBk1cyIYdBheEss5LURq27jjsSmFX_eV0rPRg0pr8Vox_OlcOFLDEKq5DpVgFN_LVIOSGyrpJk8pLkzJ90ctY6B4Nwsu3mysbu5KHA/s320/mamba6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening Day of Mamba, with no landscaping!<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Five years ago I wrote a blog for Mamba’s 20th anniversary, discussing what made it a legend. Mamba was a legend and still is, many can’t imagine a Worlds of Fun without it. I began thinking of what made it ceaselessly linked with all our conscious imaginations in much the same way that Orient Express and Zambezi Zinger were. Then I began to think about how the two stories, Mamba being built and Zinger being dismantled will be forever enjoined, they were happening at the same time. The two coasters would never coexist operationally at Worlds of Fun. This year for the first time the park will have rides named Mamba and Zambezi Zinger at the same time. </p><p><br /></p><p>Why do I bring this up? Because I believe that part of the impact of the legacy of Mamba is based on what was happening at the park at the time. The late 1990s and early 2000s were a period of turmoil for the park, everything was changing. Nearly a dozen attractions were removed during those years, and much of Mamba’s durability is because, during its early years, it was a constant in a world of change. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsljDXykL5ue-mEyUz-E_3Eq_A11x_MiLXr80xcuIn2qY8b7cwBdE5amWxk7SwvoEkhKRIVTrBqg6-IOgw_vrvfZTXTOKEIzUI8GraI1DfDBJh4FboAG0S64vIqKrbuq7nZUudhDb6PThkKmCE5_5Qxwbf2mz0Ur0_psbDgEv9OOvVJCgCognRYPpQ-A/s4032/mamba1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsljDXykL5ue-mEyUz-E_3Eq_A11x_MiLXr80xcuIn2qY8b7cwBdE5amWxk7SwvoEkhKRIVTrBqg6-IOgw_vrvfZTXTOKEIzUI8GraI1DfDBJh4FboAG0S64vIqKrbuq7nZUudhDb6PThkKmCE5_5Qxwbf2mz0Ur0_psbDgEv9OOvVJCgCognRYPpQ-A/s320/mamba1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first time riding Mamba in 2004.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>All those years ago though I was afraid of riding Mamba, or any coaster for that matter. People tried for years to get me on the old Zinger and then the new Mamba. My mom, who doesn’t even like amusement parks, rode the old Zinger! But not me. No way. By the time I was 21 and Mamba opened, I began getting told something new, “Mamba isn’t that scary, really it’s just an overgrown Zambezi Zinger”. Having never ridden Zinger that didn’t have any major impact on me at the time but I’ve never forgotten that line that Mamba is just an overgrown Zinger. it has kept repeating in the back of my head every time I see Mamba. I have come to realize that there is much more truth in those few worlds than I ever originally thought when I heard them.</p><p><br /></p><p>Maybe it was originally meant to be a joke, but thinking of Mamba as an overgrown Zinger defines the ride and defines why many of us love it. Both Zinger and Mamba share similar qualities and hear me out. Yes, visually they are VERY different coasters. However, both are also specifically built for speed and less for crazy shenanigans, like loops and twists. Both are easily re-rideable, and visitors mention jumping off and back in line to ride Mamba again and again, They are both simply, fun. They both filled the same void. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxzTeA6xnbcuIlwKrm_8DKHIDr_QeIsdQGHKu2-90hXGEZc4MkMtMeNyd7CWgPEkNHswSXgozsFoH0_8gRR0vGTyRg36ec8eWfy5-r2COS542XB3lM4RzOF8eNMWh2ltOO5aqwz-VuJEnJyA-9hgAlddJ-tXxmORje4w7yhsCrTS1DS_TR9qQgq3Hgg/s3539/mamba2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2353" data-original-width="3539" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxzTeA6xnbcuIlwKrm_8DKHIDr_QeIsdQGHKu2-90hXGEZc4MkMtMeNyd7CWgPEkNHswSXgozsFoH0_8gRR0vGTyRg36ec8eWfy5-r2COS542XB3lM4RzOF8eNMWh2ltOO5aqwz-VuJEnJyA-9hgAlddJ-tXxmORje4w7yhsCrTS1DS_TR9qQgq3Hgg/s320/mamba2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>25 years ago Worlds of Fun lost its 24-year-old classic Anton Schwarzkopf creation and gained a brand new Steve Okomoto-designed Morgan Hypercoaster named Mamba. The park unintentionally created a perfect bookend to park history. Today, Mamba does what no other steel coaster in park history has done to date, it has reached its silver anniversary. But even more important, it long ago achieved iconic status at the park. In so doing it has also carried on the legacy of the two steel coasters that preceded it. It’s fun, and it’s dependable, and simply it’s a good friend that is still that red bedrock on the hill.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-25562225872285432342023-04-15T09:12:00.004-05:002023-04-15T11:31:39.231-05:00Opening Day Review 2023<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJEsQQfY-GZCNFbfUdAzoFy-eznrwM6KhwwrfJ9BTfiE5ySkS_3z2_rkeQ8Xq1dZ5x1U7O6kXENigr-V30dlYoQ5CzdsuKfXau3ms254kv1TMT2tbV3Sp8pfF6Xa8AWrwGp4xgYqJLfWgsgp6_1ignJBAJA1oefvSvlOtNgeYh_K4DYumnKU-8CBp6Q/s2878/zinger081.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJEsQQfY-GZCNFbfUdAzoFy-eznrwM6KhwwrfJ9BTfiE5ySkS_3z2_rkeQ8Xq1dZ5x1U7O6kXENigr-V30dlYoQ5CzdsuKfXau3ms254kv1TMT2tbV3Sp8pfF6Xa8AWrwGp4xgYqJLfWgsgp6_1ignJBAJA1oefvSvlOtNgeYh_K4DYumnKU-8CBp6Q/s2878/zinger081.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqi6dGreMcIyTExVjpJf2uXwQ3ECSOO5bVrG_nVP1stW4hkfctV-3Tc6QaW5B73AjOWJVT8ajdEDgrDBFrc0KS4OEEPl0PldmIr4mMacDs6tnB0cbBFlkikNCsRXTDYObDcd_80DDP3GEct2kkQkOzonULeIcKIg7Xc7_9wFidqp2YC_WwUzzxV8YrA/s4032/IMG_7695.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqi6dGreMcIyTExVjpJf2uXwQ3ECSOO5bVrG_nVP1stW4hkfctV-3Tc6QaW5B73AjOWJVT8ajdEDgrDBFrc0KS4OEEPl0PldmIr4mMacDs6tnB0cbBFlkikNCsRXTDYObDcd_80DDP3GEct2kkQkOzonULeIcKIg7Xc7_9wFidqp2YC_WwUzzxV8YrA/s320/IMG_7695.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome to our Opening Day review, for nearly 25 years I have been writing reviews of opening days, I’ve never seen a smooth sailing one (I keep hoping). Our Opening Day typically starts with breakfast at Waffle House with just Jeff and me, but in a blast from the past, I coordinated an Opening Day breakfast at Denny’s on Front Street. I had called on Thursday letting them know to expect 15-20 people. Obviously, that message never made it to the people working there as they seemed surprised to see so many of us. We ended up having to rearrange tables for ourselves, but otherwise, I think it went over somewhat well. Kind of like opening day itself. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVi6VsbT-fGev_MCe5dvsYpcGSqJCj4uJVzIsZcGUrRpig1o4Viaz82tdKi7n5jc3V--UeXmE_n97MSCjvRlVU6vp8HqP-q1C44G8kxbiip3ftl8Qit9wHoFjQz0gwxYzkUL9K1GVBRT-rukSg1oEtRnJRwPcuUZdA4KOUE2UZvCgWxnSQI5ZAarXuw/s4032/IMG_7696.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVi6VsbT-fGev_MCe5dvsYpcGSqJCj4uJVzIsZcGUrRpig1o4Viaz82tdKi7n5jc3V--UeXmE_n97MSCjvRlVU6vp8HqP-q1C44G8kxbiip3ftl8Qit9wHoFjQz0gwxYzkUL9K1GVBRT-rukSg1oEtRnJRwPcuUZdA4KOUE2UZvCgWxnSQI5ZAarXuw/s320/IMG_7696.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Plaza now features these new banners</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around 10 AM we headed for the park, and the toll plaza opened not long afterward. As it was a bit chilly for us Floridians we didn’t end up walking to the gate until around 10:30 which is about when they started letting guests into the International Plaza/Scandinavia area. </span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1269cd98-7fff-7de9-e0a0-9d87d7e60696"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC612war32ZTgjkJ4mhGQlwLZuBhTg4YqN4Et6GyrYdxVu55UwqaWlpIDNtLDdEkAnZ6Chj7lkENYii4ZOrzGfbT-SaUSuZwDjJwbIWhHIXzjkvRmuXnWP11nzBQh4T1cpNsGpAuSi3J-9LI_CAq1o6e4PkkdTmDjhp8srvojKzDW1L19tWIj__pJVEg/s4032/IMG_7698.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC612war32ZTgjkJ4mhGQlwLZuBhTg4YqN4Et6GyrYdxVu55UwqaWlpIDNtLDdEkAnZ6Chj7lkENYii4ZOrzGfbT-SaUSuZwDjJwbIWhHIXzjkvRmuXnWP11nzBQh4T1cpNsGpAuSi3J-9LI_CAq1o6e4PkkdTmDjhp8srvojKzDW1L19tWIj__pJVEg/s320/IMG_7698.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza Gifts features copper topped towers and a cream colored over coloration. Much better than the old orange.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnOFHP9_xysX6eFxalQ6ax_JCathaUA0b2ngc7edw109nk2bWuUk7IMI4ZyK1yT-K9zDgDvgzkRSy7zE3C1jnAM2cX6fmy6KZ-3rIsh8D7fa4oAnUmHJPpNmO4VJnDDPdsHypaiVLoyUaybleuf8Sndzstj_YU5cm8uSKt85XkOJHGKiOyLsD9JYE5g/s4032/IMG_7697.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnOFHP9_xysX6eFxalQ6ax_JCathaUA0b2ngc7edw109nk2bWuUk7IMI4ZyK1yT-K9zDgDvgzkRSy7zE3C1jnAM2cX6fmy6KZ-3rIsh8D7fa4oAnUmHJPpNmO4VJnDDPdsHypaiVLoyUaybleuf8Sndzstj_YU5cm8uSKt85XkOJHGKiOyLsD9JYE5g/s320/IMG_7697.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tech booth for International Plaza stage has been updated with trim and shutters.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once the rest of the park opened we noted like many others all the rides were not in operation. The only ride I noticed that was running was the Grand Carrousel. Still, as the first hour wore on, many rides did come online including in Scandinavia (which is where we were at), Scrambler, Sea Dragon, and Nordic Chaser. Voyager ended up opening late Sunday afternoon. I was not surprised by the lack of operational rides at opening, as it was opening day, kids are in new jobs, and rides haven’t run for five months. Kind of like the line from Jurassic Park, at least the dinosaurs didn’t eat the guests. Still, I think Worlds of Fun could have prepared guests a bit better as far as expectations, and I think the concern over getting a full value out of a full-priced ticket is valid. So here is my thought. In the past Worlds of Fun has advertised the first few weeks of the season as a “sneak peek” inferring that not everything will be up and running like it would be later on in the season. Worlds of Fun would also during the “sneak peek” weekend discount the tickets (which they also did for this opening day), but I believe it conveyed a better message to its guests. Hey, we won’t be entirely ready. Just a thought.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few hours after the park opening most rides were operational, and by the end of the weekend 34 total rides operated, at least at some point, with a total of seven not operating at all (See the list at the end). That number includes five coasters, six if you count Cosmic Coaster. At one point in the not-so-distant past that was more coasters than the park even had, in total. Honestly, was I disappointed that Mamba and the train weren’t running? You bet those are my two favorite rides, and I traveled from Florida! Still, I realize that some things are in the park’s control and many things just aren’t and there is a whole lot of season left to go for me to ride both. I also have to add that it is major credit to the park that even after we left, at 5 pm on Sunday, they still continued, on Easter Sunday, to try to get rides open. Viking Voyager, one of the park's original six rides opened up last Sunday afternoon to guests. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ok now that we have addressed that elephant in the room onto a look at the entire park. And once we move beyond what rides were operational and what wasn’t, the entire park looks FABULOUS. I don’t think there was a building, section, or piece of land that hasn’t been touched. Amazing job!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtJy1gYF2EQ-CE5IJXQj3Ueq-nhMQKwxlYj90RPZAG3LqYcoZblyZCoPQKUBHkitU5dguUDstA35ftIa_j6vAPQrnOj690GElSRukpW-1ofnDC0vsrUP0Tf-X5_u7UL_wOmtFHILDSciWHk68vTeTpBrJXswo9YjIJYNyG7SKh4uEx_jSxD8r6LExGA/s4032/IMG_7919.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtJy1gYF2EQ-CE5IJXQj3Ueq-nhMQKwxlYj90RPZAG3LqYcoZblyZCoPQKUBHkitU5dguUDstA35ftIa_j6vAPQrnOj690GElSRukpW-1ofnDC0vsrUP0Tf-X5_u7UL_wOmtFHILDSciWHk68vTeTpBrJXswo9YjIJYNyG7SKh4uEx_jSxD8r6LExGA/s320/IMG_7919.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norma's Funnel Cakes and Gateway Pizza (using the original entrance of Smor Bord/Inn of Four Winds/All Stars)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmb1R-5Wxm1f92CEojCta7WZGoCQHfls06FgnFffrCVVnc2DQlK8w2NJIEQUcSIqNjmd2B7_uQbhCByEh13EUh8wKaW-41Uq-eyW2iPKQ22No8j5-5vOmFxVhjyw-2a9QEcD5B83wJB50FRCNQi8AN0rUF_45JyBvywEOP794Wj9CRZNdwEHpTvnYsGw/s4032/IMG_7992.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmb1R-5Wxm1f92CEojCta7WZGoCQHfls06FgnFffrCVVnc2DQlK8w2NJIEQUcSIqNjmd2B7_uQbhCByEh13EUh8wKaW-41Uq-eyW2iPKQ22No8j5-5vOmFxVhjyw-2a9QEcD5B83wJB50FRCNQi8AN0rUF_45JyBvywEOP794Wj9CRZNdwEHpTvnYsGw/s320/IMG_7992.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice little thematic touch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUQEkFgLCrnXkwNL9okfvmA3c2bal-zNoyAc4aHs4eBHq2fFMZqQakJj0HedtoaJ2iYatfzJ0a8ocbZ9r1v7bqykjeAzI134YU28Yx81Ww--XfBIixykBxCLM_5S3Gg-_XwDKDdu3J2yEtPvBgNxVZsc5SRqP8EULPYeBJtPqRpQhUxoVh5Zz3-4zhA/s4032/IMG_7993.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUQEkFgLCrnXkwNL9okfvmA3c2bal-zNoyAc4aHs4eBHq2fFMZqQakJj0HedtoaJ2iYatfzJ0a8ocbZ9r1v7bqykjeAzI134YU28Yx81Ww--XfBIixykBxCLM_5S3Gg-_XwDKDdu3J2yEtPvBgNxVZsc5SRqP8EULPYeBJtPqRpQhUxoVh5Zz3-4zhA/s320/IMG_7993.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E.X.T. Pizza!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGg4d6z9gHJy7FKeYhkrrDzoGjGKxWR0tl6Sy234Mwb8Om1Udv5zbgnBHdjXylZlFoSuq8hwDnzysWYUNY7hdIvwTfjF3akMMad0qg_EVPmDtVs8Ao8B8OY0-xy6e237QtKFrc7a1oAvB4k8giIxkTDhv12Ucm9yT88UfmsdT943bZS_n-JxGqLAUPw/s4032/IMG_7971.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGg4d6z9gHJy7FKeYhkrrDzoGjGKxWR0tl6Sy234Mwb8Om1Udv5zbgnBHdjXylZlFoSuq8hwDnzysWYUNY7hdIvwTfjF3akMMad0qg_EVPmDtVs8Ao8B8OY0-xy6e237QtKFrc7a1oAvB4k8giIxkTDhv12Ucm9yT88UfmsdT943bZS_n-JxGqLAUPw/s320/IMG_7971.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patio area overlooking Voyager. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gateway Pizza and Norma’s Funnel cakes had not opened at 10:30 in the morning, but we checked them out later. I do miss an air-conditioned indoor restaurant at the gate and I know I am not alone. I get the arguments about cost, it was an old building, etc. Still, I think it was a mistake to just create outdoor seating. That being said, the patio that is there does look very nice. On the flip side, I checked out the menu and I loved the historical touch of “EXT Pizza”. Poor ambassador, they got a short history lesson, lol.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AkP8DiuWuYR23jzA8fB0wB-94UNRw6dfg1BGVsG6PdmPkvHxpZitnInaYM4xGIO6624I5fq-pL4Jd70m7XSN5rwOzEe1LRq8AqTn1l1zfoPJYSnn8xWGWMhPy7lr9xCOGFnvJh8pqzbH4ffnXIoNuQX6mQJoa-RvxECWgCSrBgzF7wkYmSbJDxgcIQ/s4032/IMG_7699.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AkP8DiuWuYR23jzA8fB0wB-94UNRw6dfg1BGVsG6PdmPkvHxpZitnInaYM4xGIO6624I5fq-pL4Jd70m7XSN5rwOzEe1LRq8AqTn1l1zfoPJYSnn8xWGWMhPy7lr9xCOGFnvJh8pqzbH4ffnXIoNuQX6mQJoa-RvxECWgCSrBgzF7wkYmSbJDxgcIQ/s320/IMG_7699.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50th Anniversary sweatshirt, I saw a lot of people wearing this on Opening Day! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YyGRpIW_3QyxwfliUd6FEkyJt-eNYgLpI3IM8XfcfwhLvBDV9CH1h2akMffh7QPyxK7H9hPLitzETqsKNNYp6m3hbgGSiWHN8PaGUjx9HPltobVeSxaQas4RQwrqYQSSyFxiAPaCyo0dtmSWw4rDwKj46ctaJktL52Vh_4uaG27MJrfWeFxwRyep_g/s4032/IMG_7700.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YyGRpIW_3QyxwfliUd6FEkyJt-eNYgLpI3IM8XfcfwhLvBDV9CH1h2akMffh7QPyxK7H9hPLitzETqsKNNYp6m3hbgGSiWHN8PaGUjx9HPltobVeSxaQas4RQwrqYQSSyFxiAPaCyo0dtmSWw4rDwKj46ctaJktL52Vh_4uaG27MJrfWeFxwRyep_g/s320/IMG_7700.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50th Anniversary t-shirts, the 50th is glittery. I believe it's $24.99.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPEH3KzT-DDpzmLJvljgmh1WDZ5aZrVHCoEHh2Xt93xTtkZ0eas6lNVEsSvAq7jSxhOaEFhXP740SH6gMSgXBIWGT3i42Y5eOka0NgSzBDE0xWAZyDHVQUvPghWyIX3DX7P6AEucnIaE8ZQmL8MdGtbcFOow0JNoe4nIDPOIl4uqXaUFTYISW7CqUdA/s4032/IMG_7704.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPEH3KzT-DDpzmLJvljgmh1WDZ5aZrVHCoEHh2Xt93xTtkZ0eas6lNVEsSvAq7jSxhOaEFhXP740SH6gMSgXBIWGT3i42Y5eOka0NgSzBDE0xWAZyDHVQUvPghWyIX3DX7P6AEucnIaE8ZQmL8MdGtbcFOow0JNoe4nIDPOIl4uqXaUFTYISW7CqUdA/s320/IMG_7704.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan'l Coon, Sam Panda, Grrrtrude Gorilla and P.J. Panda shirt. $19.99</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plaza Gifts was open at 10:30, and we checked out some of the new merchandise. I was overall thrilled with the 50th merchandise (my bank account wasn’t), I do wish the park would go back to using the Partridge Font, but I guess we can’t have everything. If you haven’t seen the new Sam Panda, Grrrtrude Gorilla, Dan’l Coon, and PJ Panda shirt though, that's awesome and it’s only $19.99! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwsMx9gasW6mtzYjvqxIIlJw4_SOrfVp4GE28oaC9j8IYQeGJgWxa4EhKaKwtoClRxsArmRgdAcDlKGOsQgpOI3C8YOLb1x-XmuhEoVa3HFOJ8nnfNOefsBKXbIYrLwP-WooUCa4zhhV1tYwdeVpstXoO0m47R7CQ1wdWyH_3SscTIFySQSpYomggZQ/s4032/IMG_7705.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwsMx9gasW6mtzYjvqxIIlJw4_SOrfVp4GE28oaC9j8IYQeGJgWxa4EhKaKwtoClRxsArmRgdAcDlKGOsQgpOI3C8YOLb1x-XmuhEoVa3HFOJ8nnfNOefsBKXbIYrLwP-WooUCa4zhhV1tYwdeVpstXoO0m47R7CQ1wdWyH_3SscTIFySQSpYomggZQ/s320/IMG_7705.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scandi Candy with lots of painting details added.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hNE4DUEGNNpJ-S_BbT_rZRZ39bKQt0sxrTTg_24s6_Ev30Fufom53lxS9TnHK7DO04rtgjCLRiJ5w4U7S_-O1WXZBKQ_5MSbiQxt7hBK4XrAW51xYm9MeqCCyQ2ewYr-oFcD-6YZ7RZjUaXOVXeO9_Rj31DaQcgXQFtf4oGUHiIh71yvGbiBe0rtfg/s4032/IMG_7706.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hNE4DUEGNNpJ-S_BbT_rZRZ39bKQt0sxrTTg_24s6_Ev30Fufom53lxS9TnHK7DO04rtgjCLRiJ5w4U7S_-O1WXZBKQ_5MSbiQxt7hBK4XrAW51xYm9MeqCCyQ2ewYr-oFcD-6YZ7RZjUaXOVXeO9_Rj31DaQcgXQFtf4oGUHiIh71yvGbiBe0rtfg/s320/IMG_7706.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norwegian Rosemaling on Scandi Candy. It was open Sunday. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then there is the theming, and there is a lot of it. Every building has been touched, painted, and thematically detailed. Scandinavian floral designs have been added in several locations, and I googled the term, it is known as Norwegian Rosemaling. Viking shields have been added to Voyager’s queue line, and Voyager has an impressive new sign. In addition to the paint, there is the music. Now the themed music returned a few years ago but it was fairly low-key. This year… it is right there in your face, There is no way this is NOT a theme park. I love it. LOVE IT.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsbqotpidBw92qJu7hkbPe_4nx7F_J6YMAVdxfity6Ed79BbB3pcN37-is7u3bhnua-1LGupAS2idHh3IoeJmOPdllJ-Dw3rms0nxTdte7hkcJ5e5MY1H2Gd6u21d2zOKBLmxNsQ43FTRC4kdxaPyR_G5djd4oyHYktio5iSX6BT7KJ_UFZvFKmkJ4A/s4032/IMG_7709.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsbqotpidBw92qJu7hkbPe_4nx7F_J6YMAVdxfity6Ed79BbB3pcN37-is7u3bhnua-1LGupAS2idHh3IoeJmOPdllJ-Dw3rms0nxTdte7hkcJ5e5MY1H2Gd6u21d2zOKBLmxNsQ43FTRC4kdxaPyR_G5djd4oyHYktio5iSX6BT7KJ_UFZvFKmkJ4A/s320/IMG_7709.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voyager with it's new sign. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW6s4MP8lywzZqUMbiwQ-BAf1tpaPc7P8rJJN8utasJZ2VmADY4TPbn7iQ8ytXKDUlwJlVtjQIYTl34vWD1WS-qaUDtV3QnA0NsG63pTjTmnNuFkGCpAP1a25lJXIzKPaMWw8De_JaqnDUoEftZGkVM6PtAGrCzXp-Et-rKxKdZYVcq4fNHfELzwzjQ/s4032/IMG_7711.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW6s4MP8lywzZqUMbiwQ-BAf1tpaPc7P8rJJN8utasJZ2VmADY4TPbn7iQ8ytXKDUlwJlVtjQIYTl34vWD1WS-qaUDtV3QnA0NsG63pTjTmnNuFkGCpAP1a25lJXIzKPaMWw8De_JaqnDUoEftZGkVM6PtAGrCzXp-Et-rKxKdZYVcq4fNHfELzwzjQ/s320/IMG_7711.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swedish Sipping Chalet was open!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moving onto Africa, which is probably our biggest area of improvement. The first change is one that was drastically needed, and well appreciated. The park has replaced much of the old, crumbling asphalt with new asphalt. In places that were originally concrete, such as the Africa bridge, the old asphalt sealing has been removed so that for the first time in many years the concrete is visible. Much of the asphalt replacement is in Africa, including in front of the old Big Game Hunt/Zulu, but also the large stretch between Casbah Games and the Nile has been replaced. It looks amazing. No more crumbling asphalt!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FjdkMImpgiO7Sjui_68Ma2wdHnTypFc6deO9zohl2y3jBHzHbN7v1K21q6jZpB56jgGXmar1CwewdfqxNcsdGhU9wDRmZK6b7l-d3LH1oLSm6Cfot4agnQVXZ1slUdhLGR2DmwS_WrXBfDuPFktPeq12nQkKmqOeXo1X-qSPPBdrp7ONbrPlVEQOmw/s4032/IMG_7718.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FjdkMImpgiO7Sjui_68Ma2wdHnTypFc6deO9zohl2y3jBHzHbN7v1K21q6jZpB56jgGXmar1CwewdfqxNcsdGhU9wDRmZK6b7l-d3LH1oLSm6Cfot4agnQVXZ1slUdhLGR2DmwS_WrXBfDuPFktPeq12nQkKmqOeXo1X-qSPPBdrp7ONbrPlVEQOmw/s320/IMG_7718.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Game Hunt, re-named Serengeti Station will now be a theater.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9IaJgh6G0051k9OfjP1S3RbOfIlgm-CJ8UNd-IWk2aKRwhP4Foqoj-39F_8iJbhMXZ84aXPnWEheEIHHD5mKPPSux4ELr4FOUlcD1giy0_nzF3lRwjMLd94WyFUrO9KPt_uQqtp18XIlNvDMqWb2iTzHZCqZEVDxtF1H_ABScm5w9Nemo0zUijF-8A/s4032/IMG_7717.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9IaJgh6G0051k9OfjP1S3RbOfIlgm-CJ8UNd-IWk2aKRwhP4Foqoj-39F_8iJbhMXZ84aXPnWEheEIHHD5mKPPSux4ELr4FOUlcD1giy0_nzF3lRwjMLd94WyFUrO9KPt_uQqtp18XIlNvDMqWb2iTzHZCqZEVDxtF1H_ABScm5w9Nemo0zUijF-8A/s320/IMG_7717.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of the theater. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMbGQl7IWTBHxyjU15JVQLLrHVz8kX8WosB3DzzXellJ9w9ExgCUGBB98farZ1wNAlKkPQ3Ql7IHtCjY6XgfJcbogBVMjCAPP-I2iDLyFvEL7b_7XKgtorI8vAyJcdG1R24lJFsi5g9YpEoB-TsTIKCYsUF19v0m8Kml1u1_-kF-5OEpJQp2hFnKejg/s4032/IMG_7727.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMbGQl7IWTBHxyjU15JVQLLrHVz8kX8WosB3DzzXellJ9w9ExgCUGBB98farZ1wNAlKkPQ3Ql7IHtCjY6XgfJcbogBVMjCAPP-I2iDLyFvEL7b_7XKgtorI8vAyJcdG1R24lJFsi5g9YpEoB-TsTIKCYsUF19v0m8Kml1u1_-kF-5OEpJQp2hFnKejg/s320/IMG_7727.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards the Africa bridge with its white concrete visible for the first time in many years. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Big Game Hunt, which was removed as an attraction in 2017 has been remodeled into a theater.. As far as rides Zulu began operation soon after park opening as did Prowler, but Prowler was only running one train making for a very long wait. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">G'rilla Grill (the old Congo Clearing) has received several updates as well. The serving line has been changed to more cafeteria style (like Cotton Blossom BBQ and old Coasters), with soda fountains and cash register at the end. We tried it out and loved the new setup. We also tried out the new crispy chicken sandwich with Zinger sauce (LOVE!), and the food was quite good. I think overall the functional changes will be helpful as I expect this restaurant to receive far more foot traffic this season due to the opening of Zinger.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96YWjSNZYWQWwa8nkqBPvq36QVaAHLu5igA_W6azVcFCj43Tkubrkt9Znxbnm3QYO1Ob-mJRxYWWOIxVaP5RemB5EO69TFlTeuogte126MJFg_kGFlZXumJf7ZPONZk6b7-AHo8xy0KL2Au6fGY822VFhS9N6DKm_FPsIitlW-_s-GFl2zE8lN0N7eA/s4032/IMG_7730.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96YWjSNZYWQWwa8nkqBPvq36QVaAHLu5igA_W6azVcFCj43Tkubrkt9Znxbnm3QYO1Ob-mJRxYWWOIxVaP5RemB5EO69TFlTeuogte126MJFg_kGFlZXumJf7ZPONZk6b7-AHo8xy0KL2Au6fGY822VFhS9N6DKm_FPsIitlW-_s-GFl2zE8lN0N7eA/s320/IMG_7730.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G'rilla Grill (Congo Clearing), with its new rehab. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8wWwXsoA7QHLnk2-I0xxA9Xu7XmrN5weER2LTf-FozcZ1amBhgsw2shdXan2TzBmVL9hJoY6Yo5Zx_wvDlUCzODVEgB0SoGFG6T_-NgpDgmD0fTlclwVIyHeAO4KU92AjtfLn5L6TyJ2pd6Mdl_UYN2OWv-eVR22Z37JsmxQPDJv55atmrI-aBgEOw/s4032/IMG_7735.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8wWwXsoA7QHLnk2-I0xxA9Xu7XmrN5weER2LTf-FozcZ1amBhgsw2shdXan2TzBmVL9hJoY6Yo5Zx_wvDlUCzODVEgB0SoGFG6T_-NgpDgmD0fTlclwVIyHeAO4KU92AjtfLn5L6TyJ2pd6Mdl_UYN2OWv-eVR22Z37JsmxQPDJv55atmrI-aBgEOw/s320/IMG_7735.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The serving line here is more cafeteria-style now.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RYUL9h7qywh4MkpaxB4yJ1ej4rOpecW0FQR2Yr7HPZGzPhITg4MQYsb4kmdqfZCd7Q7JWDdULqNNsMrnTorokkZHI2oy7TghY78vZO9RN1HfCduv6qfakO9Evue8VGbACU4bxPe8HmB18DZwRgRoLnwZ6rEtFRyLfidRsF36FDEJvbP274o15eJWxQ/s4032/IMG_7944.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RYUL9h7qywh4MkpaxB4yJ1ej4rOpecW0FQR2Yr7HPZGzPhITg4MQYsb4kmdqfZCd7Q7JWDdULqNNsMrnTorokkZHI2oy7TghY78vZO9RN1HfCduv6qfakO9Evue8VGbACU4bxPe8HmB18DZwRgRoLnwZ6rEtFRyLfidRsF36FDEJvbP274o15eJWxQ/s320/IMG_7944.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy Chicken Sandwich.</td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Speaking of which…there were construction walls up around the old Zinger queue house, it appears to be being remodeled. The base lift hill structure is complete as is probably 90% of the ride at this point. The only sections that are not completed, structure-wise are the first drop and the bents (supports) for the first drop. For the rest of the ride, the base structure is present, while still missing portions of the track bed, cat walk, and motors for the lift itself. I have not heard any specific estimate from the park but I am guessing it will be finished sometime around early May.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvESWq5RXI9wToVxUObGBzDt5Nmoe-jilseR7GmYKGputew8T2vO_BuPpfhrvQ6Kj1a2Zq997LbxvBa3VfoO2JbkpMLnl95FlDA5n6HnE1VH1uWirRqRwZUtld2brfN-wxXyUP8lfu9r2hzXbMEvjbLee_dowsEbbQnnEB6YSB7JznsnsVXoZ0PqKNBQ/s4032/IMG_7723.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvESWq5RXI9wToVxUObGBzDt5Nmoe-jilseR7GmYKGputew8T2vO_BuPpfhrvQ6Kj1a2Zq997LbxvBa3VfoO2JbkpMLnl95FlDA5n6HnE1VH1uWirRqRwZUtld2brfN-wxXyUP8lfu9r2hzXbMEvjbLee_dowsEbbQnnEB6YSB7JznsnsVXoZ0PqKNBQ/s320/IMG_7723.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at the Zinger lift hill from across from Zulu. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJEsQQfY-GZCNFbfUdAzoFy-eznrwM6KhwwrfJ9BTfiE5ySkS_3z2_rkeQ8Xq1dZ5x1U7O6kXENigr-V30dlYoQ5CzdsuKfXau3ms254kv1TMT2tbV3Sp8pfF6Xa8AWrwGp4xgYqJLfWgsgp6_1ignJBAJA1oefvSvlOtNgeYh_K4DYumnKU-8CBp6Q/s2878/zinger081.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2878" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJEsQQfY-GZCNFbfUdAzoFy-eznrwM6KhwwrfJ9BTfiE5ySkS_3z2_rkeQ8Xq1dZ5x1U7O6kXENigr-V30dlYoQ5CzdsuKfXau3ms254kv1TMT2tbV3Sp8pfF6Xa8AWrwGp4xgYqJLfWgsgp6_1ignJBAJA1oefvSvlOtNgeYh_K4DYumnKU-8CBp6Q/s320/zinger081.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Zinger from the same vantage point. </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxiMLAUPimVF5OoTtstwioJels5KVF4c6hAnp7ozNBxOTls8kVA0_NUppm0usoxBHnWknWvlRgXFfJ3M028ciuRzDTsFGfq3-x9p8evQl2bAvFlCF4t3aH_Pb0j1GK1dtGqAigOXJVRpk_TFtSMFXt0sot071RuxKSXOVo9r6qpLybaC5nBFOUtuDmQ/s4032/IMG_7745.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxiMLAUPimVF5OoTtstwioJels5KVF4c6hAnp7ozNBxOTls8kVA0_NUppm0usoxBHnWknWvlRgXFfJ3M028ciuRzDTsFGfq3-x9p8evQl2bAvFlCF4t3aH_Pb0j1GK1dtGqAigOXJVRpk_TFtSMFXt0sot071RuxKSXOVo9r6qpLybaC5nBFOUtuDmQ/s320/IMG_7745.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the first drop from Boomerang's exit. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8UaECKtchjXVzji1RNTPfOvOJM9AhBecNScxYBj6y0xzqq3FU-Y6vfPCP2VoTYShf5yVdisDr2L9XB0HdgDNdtYNgrlxuTa31piRHNsf0uD3Yx-S4TTJZfmipIxcis-Y5rWr5wmSQDobUQrtMGCb9mg3npDhVTgNOPXkFcSB6vCgCj3yI2O2CfAASA/s2897/zinger093.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="2897" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8UaECKtchjXVzji1RNTPfOvOJM9AhBecNScxYBj6y0xzqq3FU-Y6vfPCP2VoTYShf5yVdisDr2L9XB0HdgDNdtYNgrlxuTa31piRHNsf0uD3Yx-S4TTJZfmipIxcis-Y5rWr5wmSQDobUQrtMGCb9mg3npDhVTgNOPXkFcSB6vCgCj3yI2O2CfAASA/s320/zinger093.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Similar vantage of the original Zinger. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are several good locations to get a great view of Zinger, most of them coincide with view locations for the old Zinger. Across from Zulu, the lift through the trees is incredibly reminiscent of the original. Also, the Fury of the Nile queue line is a great place to view construction too, even though it was not open on Opening Day.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh242SQtFaOmO-HaH2Ke9IFL3cMCj_leaCV8IQVjoZ532UwHIHr2DScE0VNZXyllSoYllzy0vXWMv6KnLrwcRK8iH4OhrCQ0Z8FpIUbn7kVFvOSlWF67AmvO3gJ_UsRlk0WV2lztcx2-rfeUXNfnb_g6dqSP-VokxKzEkkhonZ52vAgk9EHbCahvPSBiw/s4032/IMG_8048.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh242SQtFaOmO-HaH2Ke9IFL3cMCj_leaCV8IQVjoZ532UwHIHr2DScE0VNZXyllSoYllzy0vXWMv6KnLrwcRK8iH4OhrCQ0Z8FpIUbn7kVFvOSlWF67AmvO3gJ_UsRlk0WV2lztcx2-rfeUXNfnb_g6dqSP-VokxKzEkkhonZ52vAgk9EHbCahvPSBiw/s320/IMG_8048.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old Dino Store is now Zinger's exit shop, Safari Trading Company. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwin7Z1sPF96WxaXhntIFpmCa1DYXhomjDS_xwV8EKyw_44KLIm4A8JGqc7Gkh6UC-c7Q_AK5qgLjk4fP3RDRP9I_gjpQa8XSWq_gWnVMLidN8UAvuOW6qpCtpOWQ_qOHviQJNG_L0zRfGav9J1JbiR5M3v7CDbrDiZFwS2JIhMWa4XzjU8V1UgpfIDg/s4032/IMG_7925.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwin7Z1sPF96WxaXhntIFpmCa1DYXhomjDS_xwV8EKyw_44KLIm4A8JGqc7Gkh6UC-c7Q_AK5qgLjk4fP3RDRP9I_gjpQa8XSWq_gWnVMLidN8UAvuOW6qpCtpOWQ_qOHviQJNG_L0zRfGav9J1JbiR5M3v7CDbrDiZFwS2JIhMWa4XzjU8V1UgpfIDg/s320/IMG_7925.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lot's of themed detail in this shop.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D1eJa8BBU7dJ5ow2r8ST0ON9BqQhM4r0_l5JVjBTkqDQicQuHoKHKCsqAKzfwmv9228616MD03jiyq2Kj36Qk3_QaQURGquoZXXwTzJa6aoTSUm18yRA4CIdm29PcyD22IsCRUE9EyP2r-5MasBqbdMfEetFf0FmuHBGKHrcoMZ9XQR_xtRMJIrZbQ/s4032/IMG_7930.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D1eJa8BBU7dJ5ow2r8ST0ON9BqQhM4r0_l5JVjBTkqDQicQuHoKHKCsqAKzfwmv9228616MD03jiyq2Kj36Qk3_QaQURGquoZXXwTzJa6aoTSUm18yRA4CIdm29PcyD22IsCRUE9EyP2r-5MasBqbdMfEetFf0FmuHBGKHrcoMZ9XQR_xtRMJIrZbQ/s320/IMG_7930.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of quality merchandise.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNKsTM4fmHQqq5rI8VBbFfowWdkaxiHlzb1dtJZIwN01GseGoN7AN-cLLPCxBtIgB_BvBZ8ZDaRltku3sHzfixqGZhQhaOMqvNaJWlBgYB2oobt9QQM2dwJtkn9p7zslo8NjxJT1kheRtitdlsAyoJLaCgV2OVzmzlaFtvFlK6VwIIbnJJZ2aKvbjgQ/s4032/IMG_7922.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNKsTM4fmHQqq5rI8VBbFfowWdkaxiHlzb1dtJZIwN01GseGoN7AN-cLLPCxBtIgB_BvBZ8ZDaRltku3sHzfixqGZhQhaOMqvNaJWlBgYB2oobt9QQM2dwJtkn9p7zslo8NjxJT1kheRtitdlsAyoJLaCgV2OVzmzlaFtvFlK6VwIIbnJJZ2aKvbjgQ/s320/IMG_7922.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the old shields from Big Game Hunt. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The old Dino Store/Arcade has been transformed into a gift shop/exit shop for Zinger and opened around 1:30 in the afternoon. If one could be awed by a gift shop, I was. Many of the old African face masks and shields that were scattered through Africa have found their way into the gift shop along with a variety of other theming, antique suitcases, and the like. The merchandise is varied and high quality, with several embroidered options. Overall it's an exceptionally well-designed shop.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMIK4-p_kwMDANeGCckcGbeoEuSIN20AGMHUF0-h-Vb5oGV7xqlYFLbTJ_f_Pt5eTZkWkNIGvyhDJRQLYC-VSdXIDKdLSQUASUuZ97Ua-LZIjIJk1E4BvWntxgiU4uxtXD3tyQq0x0PkF31QwTMWPCjWN5XCNC5OT2nwqp6tM5qWioG2V3enxJd4bAw/s4032/IMG_7755.HEIC" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMIK4-p_kwMDANeGCckcGbeoEuSIN20AGMHUF0-h-Vb5oGV7xqlYFLbTJ_f_Pt5eTZkWkNIGvyhDJRQLYC-VSdXIDKdLSQUASUuZ97Ua-LZIjIJk1E4BvWntxgiU4uxtXD3tyQq0x0PkF31QwTMWPCjWN5XCNC5OT2nwqp6tM5qWioG2V3enxJd4bAw/s320/IMG_7755.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see Boomerang's new station cover and the blue train in this photo. </td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuR3BaMS5Q_dwr4ktWJ-e7oYNuIXk4o_TEEkCit09WLVWMlFbeYuR_cWFsVuxRXY9hkyUNqF9yz0-kgxgLhoQ36CSX54mPDyn_fj08criN82pK6mN85CWf-_n7sYpL9ZZF8h1TBnKJCNUg9uzJnMZsMW8WyQzdlUjq7bUtuHFFNh77X3s_jUmofLLt1w/s4032/IMG_7769.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuR3BaMS5Q_dwr4ktWJ-e7oYNuIXk4o_TEEkCit09WLVWMlFbeYuR_cWFsVuxRXY9hkyUNqF9yz0-kgxgLhoQ36CSX54mPDyn_fj08criN82pK6mN85CWf-_n7sYpL9ZZF8h1TBnKJCNUg9uzJnMZsMW8WyQzdlUjq7bUtuHFFNh77X3s_jUmofLLt1w/s320/IMG_7769.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boomerang with Zinger in the background. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boomerang did open on Opening Day but was up and down somewhat sporadically over the weekend. I still remember April 8th, 2000, 23 years ago when it opened. Besides the garish orange color of the track, the first thing I noticed was the horrible, pink, and lime green carnival covering for the station. IT IS GONE. The covering is now plain canvas. The train itself, once pink, is now a deep blue color. Both are fairly minor changes but seem to have been well-appreciated by long-time fans including this one. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzEOuoF2_kNxREZNRoNN1Ua2WpcMVRKoB6CRpxq94EI9iU1j4T4FqpyNPocLJnx2bLhSPvfPbA7ITMewcqCHg6yteZ8iY3bUCJ3zTqYTwTT7ijXJfa0VRA6r5RGDXCjRWDy5TpNsNu5f_k--BZ7UZuNr9_-80qKFa3m1SzIq5FaiLbxptXfjwS1rfng/s4032/IMG_7747.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzEOuoF2_kNxREZNRoNN1Ua2WpcMVRKoB6CRpxq94EI9iU1j4T4FqpyNPocLJnx2bLhSPvfPbA7ITMewcqCHg6yteZ8iY3bUCJ3zTqYTwTT7ijXJfa0VRA6r5RGDXCjRWDy5TpNsNu5f_k--BZ7UZuNr9_-80qKFa3m1SzIq5FaiLbxptXfjwS1rfng/s320/IMG_7747.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nile train Trestle with lots of detail!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW1vf3ptsHMNlUwOlS95oKIp15jYlr9nS9zPvbGl-tEtqHu5gmPNF5Lq8tEtq9tnlANS-4xXpFzSqSt5ckuuEXPxkyteG25MKT14X3LWDgOqmliGVJE3Ysuq6yKaUl4-9RZxm6anBZkK_Dn15yOgYhR7shUCGVMm2nZ0NUL_KtIDKS0fufsJRpgdzBQ/s4032/IMG_7751.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizW1vf3ptsHMNlUwOlS95oKIp15jYlr9nS9zPvbGl-tEtqHu5gmPNF5Lq8tEtq9tnlANS-4xXpFzSqSt5ckuuEXPxkyteG25MKT14X3LWDgOqmliGVJE3Ysuq6yKaUl4-9RZxm6anBZkK_Dn15yOgYhR7shUCGVMm2nZ0NUL_KtIDKS0fufsJRpgdzBQ/s320/IMG_7751.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nile/Mamba bathroom.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Nile was down all weekend, and I didn’t see any movement whatsoever around the loading/unloading area which was disappointing. The walkway towards Oceans was cut off so that I couldn’t even tell if the ride had water in it. Probably my biggest disappointment of Opening Day was the lack of Mamba. Mamba has always been the dependable coaster, but from what I’ve heard it is waiting for a part, hopefully, it will open soon. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinP2X13KmI59D-_E9Wpxnkhgb-K5SW7wP4mWXaGlVGO_hH3yPcmCQt-OT6OLareHyqr8edwBAojdtx_CoDw9t8i9rYWyc3m1jMElOvFHpA7QGGt1rt4eN1shUJS56xE1sJmk9SAfR5ZaO6uH-jR2Y-_rHcrJSVZSxOxnYZaj2DjUTLVlytJbewiEGWPA/s4032/IMG_7749.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinP2X13KmI59D-_E9Wpxnkhgb-K5SW7wP4mWXaGlVGO_hH3yPcmCQt-OT6OLareHyqr8edwBAojdtx_CoDw9t8i9rYWyc3m1jMElOvFHpA7QGGt1rt4eN1shUJS56xE1sJmk9SAfR5ZaO6uH-jR2Y-_rHcrJSVZSxOxnYZaj2DjUTLVlytJbewiEGWPA/s320/IMG_7749.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coasters no more! It's now Sand Dune Diner. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcjgyFvWFqSMOD_VWZvpG7OIurZNQrG9Z5Gg2-WbgKRoCCtViFBPXjvzJoZounX2VAWOsnRwAoED9Kj0yn9w-FbCJD629kNpjCYcgrXttyBiQWlbP8H4RgNzrG5Mc_N7G7srQg3JYV5ivzF-FHMlre1VDiMfEfkmnaBLXAbLQVPd9QPBiSH64Gm71Vw/s4032/IMG_7750.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcjgyFvWFqSMOD_VWZvpG7OIurZNQrG9Z5Gg2-WbgKRoCCtViFBPXjvzJoZounX2VAWOsnRwAoED9Kj0yn9w-FbCJD629kNpjCYcgrXttyBiQWlbP8H4RgNzrG5Mc_N7G7srQg3JYV5ivzF-FHMlre1VDiMfEfkmnaBLXAbLQVPd9QPBiSH64Gm71Vw/s320/IMG_7750.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEime_3vB2JSXV4DaUCL6Ok_lyL7LNGo2g200oLywYIVi4kDeYR4ZbxZnSqVsWpKgGjwkMIuMyAk-lLxYH55rilqy9DB-wZequ-fNLp1mso7OhnOUd0qXvWUdJ5njpJPkrcPIqRRVqnRI6m8TmlVXTz5bzHUA5dDCxdCrA--dME1h6P_I0e-h7l3PS5-eQ/s4032/IMG_7935.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEime_3vB2JSXV4DaUCL6Ok_lyL7LNGo2g200oLywYIVi4kDeYR4ZbxZnSqVsWpKgGjwkMIuMyAk-lLxYH55rilqy9DB-wZequ-fNLp1mso7OhnOUd0qXvWUdJ5njpJPkrcPIqRRVqnRI6m8TmlVXTz5bzHUA5dDCxdCrA--dME1h6P_I0e-h7l3PS5-eQ/s320/IMG_7935.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside looks much the same. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thematically speaking Africa has been updated much like Scandinavia. We saw the newly painted Nile train trestle at the end of last season, and it looks terrific. It has further been updated with paintings of the eye of Horus, and Bastet the Egyptian cat deity. The covered trellis area by Moroccan Merchant now is home to a collection of African vessels, which really is a small detail but I love it anyway. The biggest change in Africa through… cue the angels singing… Coasters is no longer known as Coasters, it is now the Sand Dune Diner. The new Sand Dune Diner has had its exterior modified to remove the 1950s American styling and has been painted tan. Rick Rau Worlds of Fun WAS exactly themed, and still is.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODNpmgAM5o_OVKhVkeLozFd9DzInnhHevbJbJpIoCd1rnC_8Azvd2sLrF-MQ4HIzJULrCR9YpStC-5b0OFBVQFeD-aGoWe3sbaHfswzivS1_HbpBkw-2HgDUX5_yEYUkqmrDF1P4TtM8dExnl7bW6GXEHWlA6tS0cQVaXoy1hKWTuSbMD2NA1MkYb5A/s4032/IMG_7752.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODNpmgAM5o_OVKhVkeLozFd9DzInnhHevbJbJpIoCd1rnC_8Azvd2sLrF-MQ4HIzJULrCR9YpStC-5b0OFBVQFeD-aGoWe3sbaHfswzivS1_HbpBkw-2HgDUX5_yEYUkqmrDF1P4TtM8dExnl7bW6GXEHWlA6tS0cQVaXoy1hKWTuSbMD2NA1MkYb5A/s320/IMG_7752.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forum Road/Heart of America Blvd is closed off. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A major detail right next to Sand Dune Diner which has created a lot of discussions online is the Forum Road/Heart of America Blvd closing. That is the walkway that existed between Americana and Africa from around 1999 until just last season. For not just years, but decades, we have been ardently opposed to Forum Road remaining open. From a historical perspective, the park was designed to be a circle, through which guests passed through Europa, not bypassed it. For years I would watch as guests would try to figure out how to get to Le TaxiTour from Forum Road. Because of this, Europa traffic has increased. The other half is that from a park’s operation perspective, there is no place for guests to spend money on Forum Road. Parks make most of their profit on per-cap spending, not ticket costs. As a guest, if we want more improvements, we should want more per cap spending, and directing guests through Europa, the way the park was designed, is a solution. I don’t know if they listened to us (doubtful) but for whatever reason I am glad that Forum Road is closed. If you disagree that’s fine. This world is large enough for multiple different opinions. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86EtJfgR-_uM4no-PrtQDK8Fr8gG9Etro_-cktGUQC1Ypd9xUfGiPvSFhO-v26mlB8LNHyolrLYYWj9-2nJcSMtu-EW4mdeMra-cs41wPwp8TrBt-nz8oZ9lynkomhQ9IMAR9iNPYH-NoQv3iH3LZY5-M3HYhhsW37ihf0D_HMylF817DKz5y34iaUg/s4032/IMG_7783.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86EtJfgR-_uM4no-PrtQDK8Fr8gG9Etro_-cktGUQC1Ypd9xUfGiPvSFhO-v26mlB8LNHyolrLYYWj9-2nJcSMtu-EW4mdeMra-cs41wPwp8TrBt-nz8oZ9lynkomhQ9IMAR9iNPYH-NoQv3iH3LZY5-M3HYhhsW37ihf0D_HMylF817DKz5y34iaUg/s320/IMG_7783.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New handrails leading up to Europa. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OfSQpK0xRAgyTB9ktbwk8CFDx6i2afXhQBDUD5Z1Pj-qmLCB8ZUoXjzJ68Hn5MyOYsIoWylFD4mFdVUQIHy8CGEFDdn4hA0zbNouY_YTiXON9MUx9hQHO2xXvEjEZlHx8tVp9ymQyc2xIEJFUDDgvzkZHCliyaf-gMJ4ZW0T6Bt0e91kTXl4w3HmXw/s4032/IMG_7800.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OfSQpK0xRAgyTB9ktbwk8CFDx6i2afXhQBDUD5Z1Pj-qmLCB8ZUoXjzJ68Hn5MyOYsIoWylFD4mFdVUQIHy8CGEFDdn4hA0zbNouY_YTiXON9MUx9hQHO2xXvEjEZlHx8tVp9ymQyc2xIEJFUDDgvzkZHCliyaf-gMJ4ZW0T6Bt0e91kTXl4w3HmXw/s320/IMG_7800.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moulin Rouge's new paint job. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIaRsBciADQiM0U2C9tRcgFbZzlja4Q9Vl5xdXg2ogODtN6OWQDEh8BhNObjR-d8SNNuPrOocmaXs2ZoeipNycNfZyuid-V4nGiKersVEdJt3jRjJ3bJaJwfS_CGcjeovLAHPDsDkJvHFl0xsCkYidsv7UoaSSqZMB7bpOqP3RFZMRv2uEcr73VqESQ/s4032/IMG_7798.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIaRsBciADQiM0U2C9tRcgFbZzlja4Q9Vl5xdXg2ogODtN6OWQDEh8BhNObjR-d8SNNuPrOocmaXs2ZoeipNycNfZyuid-V4nGiKersVEdJt3jRjJ3bJaJwfS_CGcjeovLAHPDsDkJvHFl0xsCkYidsv7UoaSSqZMB7bpOqP3RFZMRv2uEcr73VqESQ/s320/IMG_7798.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cobblestone Plaza in Europa with a new fountain and new stonework. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYWylTPrws-lW21Ecxc6Z7TludpvkmQUDaAmBE4_IXCk2zh86Zmi6AniD3B3y80krH7WkX-v-lJCz0tu9jqx_W5YDu-Kz_pCG8i3muoYJxAknSo5F0MoHvZoXfD7XyKlG2JlHRR2G1ESdRLC2kSw83JxiRkCM-aNxoi26G7jDIZpQUvkdzsjiS7l03Q/s4032/IMG_7784.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYWylTPrws-lW21Ecxc6Z7TludpvkmQUDaAmBE4_IXCk2zh86Zmi6AniD3B3y80krH7WkX-v-lJCz0tu9jqx_W5YDu-Kz_pCG8i3muoYJxAknSo5F0MoHvZoXfD7XyKlG2JlHRR2G1ESdRLC2kSw83JxiRkCM-aNxoi26G7jDIZpQUvkdzsjiS7l03Q/s320/IMG_7784.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taxi's with its new paint job. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So to Europa it is! The park has added a handrail to the Europa/Africa hill probably due to the closing of Forum Road. Europa itself has received similar updates to the rest of the park. Moulin Rouge has been painted, as has most other structures throughout Europa. Le TaxiTour was the only ride in operation in Europa, and I was shocked that Flying Dutchman wasn’t! Taxi’s along with its half of Europa has received not only MORE new asphalt, but a large section in front of Taxi’s has received themed “cobblestone” concrete, and a nice new fountain. I have to wonder if it's the same fountain from the old Scandinavian gate, and if it is that’s ok, it's the Worlds of Fun way (reuse, recycle and rename). Taxi’s queue house has been updated, it is no longer red, white, and blue like the French flag, but is instead tan and turquoise with a copper-colored tower. It was quite a surprise for me, but I think I like it!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawTxbtD1ndhDdLCjYVHsdAH4DLaA2tiGKoHCUIO3soV-gJgfZrGlenlAbK6Gu_u-JlUSmNMnebOeczpMKoNQK33fBY1j9LcxbF24RfKbt0xksPPTcj2PCQkXgmatn-60r5ktkm124MC_p4MMPwdCVFhADRw_0AMdWQfyEe5sBYHZaFfgx505eRISeTw/s4032/IMG_7792.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawTxbtD1ndhDdLCjYVHsdAH4DLaA2tiGKoHCUIO3soV-gJgfZrGlenlAbK6Gu_u-JlUSmNMnebOeczpMKoNQK33fBY1j9LcxbF24RfKbt0xksPPTcj2PCQkXgmatn-60r5ktkm124MC_p4MMPwdCVFhADRw_0AMdWQfyEe5sBYHZaFfgx505eRISeTw/s320/IMG_7792.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying Dutchman was surprisingly not operational.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ-1KYlkTO07qNQ5mPTXeayJU7n4pG7hl-EFX5NS9H6CduzvlSMoyuVvSFnA4AaSmq-N3c9ng8dcJo1EdnmuhLyxYWDxTRJlr5EtQlg-UiA_bvuef6f337xKfsdUzh5L2dn0ErF0euNWRb0XNYC37M-5y-lLuMYT5ByZ8khWGZOxqanhokKJFDUfjsA/s4032/IMG_7793.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJ-1KYlkTO07qNQ5mPTXeayJU7n4pG7hl-EFX5NS9H6CduzvlSMoyuVvSFnA4AaSmq-N3c9ng8dcJo1EdnmuhLyxYWDxTRJlr5EtQlg-UiA_bvuef6f337xKfsdUzh5L2dn0ErF0euNWRb0XNYC37M-5y-lLuMYT5ByZ8khWGZOxqanhokKJFDUfjsA/s320/IMG_7793.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awaiting a new sign. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNTYEtt7uNtOPPTVvNvt0rEoNbeMoT3Ptfr3WJTAB4PXZAmCTaI3LGhCOcdaxGIkmLlvsIHFBD8U2K0eVBKj6FePrIbdaLg6A1M5RTIjlK4-kINNSYP-r-p-81h3NVxY07HZWKTSF-MYgkVLvhg-XfFVgOmnc95tBU0C9IeQtkMEqaNKCiej6gXBpqA/s4032/IMG_7794.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNTYEtt7uNtOPPTVvNvt0rEoNbeMoT3Ptfr3WJTAB4PXZAmCTaI3LGhCOcdaxGIkmLlvsIHFBD8U2K0eVBKj6FePrIbdaLg6A1M5RTIjlK4-kINNSYP-r-p-81h3NVxY07HZWKTSF-MYgkVLvhg-XfFVgOmnc95tBU0C9IeQtkMEqaNKCiej6gXBpqA/s320/IMG_7794.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The restaurant has entirely been removed from the map but it's still standing, and has been repainted. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Dutchman, as I mentioned, was not in operation but its boats looked freshly painted, and were missing the “Worlds of Fun” from their bows. The old concrete has also been uncovered here, and I am sure the ambassador operating this ride will be thankful. The Coca-Cola station in Europa has received a new thematic sign with German phrases. The Autobahn nearby, also a surprise, was not in operation, though the cars were all present. I wonder if it was a staffing issue. It appears that the roof of Autobahn has also been replaced, another MUCH needed update. The Autobahn, like the rest of the park, has received a new paint job, and I like the color choices far better than the two previous incarnations. The park has also added a garage motif to the end.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWdyTqLTR_FiW3yc-eATP7dqJeULVlyunTbMtHNhcvSX4yGokFdfbNqgPKmtyU-3MqrOUeS5KpeGh0heukza5H4kAh6ng2RGcMs1mKYDUsyYD0Lg6aHa6bQAoNpeTN7VoFs_ush8X7dTj3GMgfjOB-vVNRgoti9kjjvLDAi4Sgx12xVDNiAgVCNv9NA/s4032/IMG_7807.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWdyTqLTR_FiW3yc-eATP7dqJeULVlyunTbMtHNhcvSX4yGokFdfbNqgPKmtyU-3MqrOUeS5KpeGh0heukza5H4kAh6ng2RGcMs1mKYDUsyYD0Lg6aHa6bQAoNpeTN7VoFs_ush8X7dTj3GMgfjOB-vVNRgoti9kjjvLDAi4Sgx12xVDNiAgVCNv9NA/s320/IMG_7807.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coca Cola Stand in Europa with new German signage. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGUcVff7yJ1l5LM_Epg4suDU9aYjD6MccIgtT9uUhpkL16jcYoEIq65JGe-4T0zQ9fg85GA33rEPDlgDHr2Q0ZTqtaXMFueR2PhjVIYPznApyE7BJbZX-6jppUOBMExn8suGVwpG9kdnM3ClHSu78GV0VAvhQZMq8dHnIKUMq-2aE-vuLpuqNwyjoKA/s4032/IMG_7810.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGUcVff7yJ1l5LM_Epg4suDU9aYjD6MccIgtT9uUhpkL16jcYoEIq65JGe-4T0zQ9fg85GA33rEPDlgDHr2Q0ZTqtaXMFueR2PhjVIYPznApyE7BJbZX-6jppUOBMExn8suGVwpG9kdnM3ClHSu78GV0VAvhQZMq8dHnIKUMq-2aE-vuLpuqNwyjoKA/s320/IMG_7810.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autobahn, you can see the roof looks far less yellow, which makes me think it was replaced. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sb1WLuvYZvXuhWuspWTk0IDp_TQF8K1wncRCN60tIQG0HmmKWZpE09zGq3c1yjeRX3WgSBlTqz5ThOGquxOPkP6GHCByIcCsfBqzS-dHDTqSS_vXH_tMgT3KXOB1vI0Ajw2864XyUJImgO5X36ao60jEpLIkC8yWMyz8Smf1fcOXq9F-85FzgL22Qg/s4032/IMG_7809.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sb1WLuvYZvXuhWuspWTk0IDp_TQF8K1wncRCN60tIQG0HmmKWZpE09zGq3c1yjeRX3WgSBlTqz5ThOGquxOPkP6GHCByIcCsfBqzS-dHDTqSS_vXH_tMgT3KXOB1vI0Ajw2864XyUJImgO5X36ao60jEpLIkC8yWMyz8Smf1fcOXq9F-85FzgL22Qg/s320/IMG_7809.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autobahn's new paint job. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Across from Autobahn is one of the park’s five defunct rides, Falcon’s Flight, still standing but for how long no one knows. It’s always sad to lose a ride, but even more so when it's a fun, yet rare ride like in the case of Falcon’s Flight. The ride’s sign has been removed from the midway entrance, but there were no other changes we could note.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFxrgVrJxdO4r_h9VUZJAa6263-BOilRcfWvWduLCiMusSluhMwEYoSMCgE-2wONzLcVCU4Wtzf9aBYIOBm31oNdT5iHOKJkQrj6BZ7LoX0JUfttyADCaAvNy6L4ZLJeNqCPcweiwJ_gE3qh37gZ2UFv_6eXN0tceLmAsxYlyEpPKw4Rv-33VDev1Xg/s4032/IMG_7806.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFxrgVrJxdO4r_h9VUZJAa6263-BOilRcfWvWduLCiMusSluhMwEYoSMCgE-2wONzLcVCU4Wtzf9aBYIOBm31oNdT5iHOKJkQrj6BZ7LoX0JUfttyADCaAvNy6L4ZLJeNqCPcweiwJ_gE3qh37gZ2UFv_6eXN0tceLmAsxYlyEpPKw4Rv-33VDev1Xg/s320/IMG_7806.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Falcon's Flight is still standing. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA-DZ0Y9pFi-45U7pSPLAuDyjAgxhPpoE5eu4q7Q2YiBjEFoMHn7cV6snFsgEoCj8nBgPh7ikJ7-DEI7cqzCSoFblRaHg6Kkx5tZ6n0Fvp1BtANRyql_sS9Y8T87oyLm-HNY2Z-FnNUD_SS5EIDmR6He4vCeMIHq26mhGIczO6GVcRKziK_oeCGvpYQ/s4032/IMG_7814.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA-DZ0Y9pFi-45U7pSPLAuDyjAgxhPpoE5eu4q7Q2YiBjEFoMHn7cV6snFsgEoCj8nBgPh7ikJ7-DEI7cqzCSoFblRaHg6Kkx5tZ6n0Fvp1BtANRyql_sS9Y8T87oyLm-HNY2Z-FnNUD_SS5EIDmR6He4vCeMIHq26mhGIczO6GVcRKziK_oeCGvpYQ/s320/IMG_7814.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signage is gone though. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHFFsDokHzaUQmS4T3I528Mdnlq872Il7mL_i8Ru77EgeFRPPgUyPLawf5JbQBBLLO5awMGXPHioFBYullvqyOnhUt4QoV3MjUxt5LKa2vRsig7ijkLeQZHbn7qC_bohe68X3cmx-7iLQQD7JKGctxnRIxBh3y2CU3JOrzReywd2gFkO2m7ONHxGbWw/s4032/IMG_8027.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHFFsDokHzaUQmS4T3I528Mdnlq872Il7mL_i8Ru77EgeFRPPgUyPLawf5JbQBBLLO5awMGXPHioFBYullvqyOnhUt4QoV3MjUxt5LKa2vRsig7ijkLeQZHbn7qC_bohe68X3cmx-7iLQQD7JKGctxnRIxBh3y2CU3JOrzReywd2gFkO2m7ONHxGbWw/s320/IMG_8027.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small inset poles that are scattered around the park. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before we move on to Americana one last detail. Jeff noticed these small inset poles in the ground scattered through the park. We aren’t sure what the plan is, but based on their location we think they may be signs for each themed area or sub-area. Hopefully, we will have a better idea of what the plan is for them in the coming weeks.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8BqZWNP_iKszF36RyUXcG-2byAwUvr2ytIFDDMLeLU8izZpxa0pzQ0skXKhHYiDShW-md_4VyIZhVapqRIMtYpaXQ4jOqyoe21Fbt0OR7b29RC91SBAlulzVo0PMHnhtXr4r0pkci_x9IYDbGBDB9mOY_lfFUcHsT_DQKnVXfeMlWx_ZPUPjWtB8sg/s4032/IMG_7716.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8BqZWNP_iKszF36RyUXcG-2byAwUvr2ytIFDDMLeLU8izZpxa0pzQ0skXKhHYiDShW-md_4VyIZhVapqRIMtYpaXQ4jOqyoe21Fbt0OR7b29RC91SBAlulzVo0PMHnhtXr4r0pkci_x9IYDbGBDB9mOY_lfFUcHsT_DQKnVXfeMlWx_ZPUPjWtB8sg/s320/IMG_7716.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearance signs on the train trestles. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moving into Americana, a couple of things to note. Each train trestle now has a themed clearance indicator which is probably most useful for tugs and vehicles which drive around the park during off hours. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigouAQkizXTXgyRc71mP_Byar7HQf8ZuURcEtdDGWQLcl4Pdgl-iOzj1yxXf7PuTlp-VfM4JSelk2dYxiAzOeR0diMtA9nE5EzSougqNUu_B3o2WYeDRvG4lQw6eASU_AonPKJ1XdPQ_hl55j4WlLib0TlKmeTIoWAwHXspAGSvRSJh9u4qijfpv2wQA/s4032/IMG_8016.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigouAQkizXTXgyRc71mP_Byar7HQf8ZuURcEtdDGWQLcl4Pdgl-iOzj1yxXf7PuTlp-VfM4JSelk2dYxiAzOeR0diMtA9nE5EzSougqNUu_B3o2WYeDRvG4lQw6eASU_AonPKJ1XdPQ_hl55j4WlLib0TlKmeTIoWAwHXspAGSvRSJh9u4qijfpv2wQA/s320/IMG_8016.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Depot has also been painted. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNxhvnMfYmIoSq4-PJWrL6iXQJMX-wxx148hum-V-bFFmaeNSCkCB1427GRNkEP4VapDL0O9QJnMQvmrKF5dv0PYscRrEvaXUfYH54J_hHJ6l_SzDGJqkNaBj2n8rJ_d3o6DYCvuGrIVZIcqYJ_BYHh-4VDMiyO-_5GGJ78GmWokP9k-CckFtqGN2rg/s4032/IMG_7821.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNxhvnMfYmIoSq4-PJWrL6iXQJMX-wxx148hum-V-bFFmaeNSCkCB1427GRNkEP4VapDL0O9QJnMQvmrKF5dv0PYscRrEvaXUfYH54J_hHJ6l_SzDGJqkNaBj2n8rJ_d3o6DYCvuGrIVZIcqYJ_BYHh-4VDMiyO-_5GGJ78GmWokP9k-CckFtqGN2rg/s320/IMG_7821.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocking Chairs have been added out front. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T15sPgklQspKWkLgqzpkHDoFs6hngF73tu0tVPhrut7UMvqM2sIwSKBsmi5sVcfpZceXIqIpmQvNo76zBQM-6jxv7gjlDIzKnjOR2o9QbpkcugeXSg0cV5-r95YtcYnU1drsc9VgP27nV2aCrDyrgA6nKLZaUss7VLatMr3WWhrL4H4_3bWJNQMFrA/s4032/IMG_8018.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8T15sPgklQspKWkLgqzpkHDoFs6hngF73tu0tVPhrut7UMvqM2sIwSKBsmi5sVcfpZceXIqIpmQvNo76zBQM-6jxv7gjlDIzKnjOR2o9QbpkcugeXSg0cV5-r95YtcYnU1drsc9VgP27nV2aCrDyrgA6nKLZaUss7VLatMr3WWhrL4H4_3bWJNQMFrA/s320/IMG_8018.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The departure/arrival board is still there as is the ELI Emeritus plaque. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Speaking of the train, ELI was not present for opening weekend, as with Zinger under construction (both under and over the train track), it is not possible to safely operate the train. Hopefully, it will be back soon. Depot itself, like so much of the park, has changed colors from its prior dusty red color to a light turquoise color. It sounds weird but does look nice. I checked to make sure that both the ELI Emeritus plaque and Arrival/Departure board were still intact and they were from what I could tell. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6h9EUIt_w9bdd3b-owXte9akPEoLbSHhbzXn_sbx8dK83-GNxSQSrEl3S193X7rSwuKTYnjaNjJShLBENC7upSX5QzbK060V-QNGXiBsbEf27V4P7b0eWQ7ehfDdFvndjURLsNckx8PelnHrKxymBlBMW979XM_Wa1slH0OTcpPfSipsCSlVsQ9iaQ/s4032/IMG_7818.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6h9EUIt_w9bdd3b-owXte9akPEoLbSHhbzXn_sbx8dK83-GNxSQSrEl3S193X7rSwuKTYnjaNjJShLBENC7upSX5QzbK060V-QNGXiBsbEf27V4P7b0eWQ7ehfDdFvndjURLsNckx8PelnHrKxymBlBMW979XM_Wa1slH0OTcpPfSipsCSlVsQ9iaQ/s320/IMG_7818.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Bronco isn't blue anymore! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMmGtHM5ukTjf0Le2AhG4eqkORJRBirvhJoxyg5ev8MNLLm66NukdjAbkLMJD50jZCssaZg0TQnwHK8yJs_z6YlnX-3VsVaeB4BzplMdHuiYqws255PAXUXVr9iq2pJFjze5ve2tYHCbMJcepTQ8qtc9RVzGemUP5V8kJ4n-VJTP0grQFQV2j3mYXoA/s4032/IMG_7828.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMmGtHM5ukTjf0Le2AhG4eqkORJRBirvhJoxyg5ev8MNLLm66NukdjAbkLMJD50jZCssaZg0TQnwHK8yJs_z6YlnX-3VsVaeB4BzplMdHuiYqws255PAXUXVr9iq2pJFjze5ve2tYHCbMJcepTQ8qtc9RVzGemUP5V8kJ4n-VJTP0grQFQV2j3mYXoA/s320/IMG_7828.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Rush Pizza (Vittle Griddle) has a new paint job. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe2N0ZfZ4Z1zfawMt0jmWd1jpX7ez9iJJSmaYoXvEWz0J7XcFhSkyBIZ6HLelLkY_MJyjmwqaQse-zRHf8m1ubfAEYaD9Zh1q2-ZPnqRGkyUBY3gHx9OFbcRJbuZJ5mDZfyj5nyv55J6aR_jGQ8QPaK89Tn83nLdbodDR4OqFl_Vt0a_Sf78Tf7kUKQ/s4032/IMG_7826.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe2N0ZfZ4Z1zfawMt0jmWd1jpX7ez9iJJSmaYoXvEWz0J7XcFhSkyBIZ6HLelLkY_MJyjmwqaQse-zRHf8m1ubfAEYaD9Zh1q2-ZPnqRGkyUBY3gHx9OFbcRJbuZJ5mDZfyj5nyv55J6aR_jGQ8QPaK89Tn83nLdbodDR4OqFl_Vt0a_Sf78Tf7kUKQ/s320/IMG_7826.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyclone Sadie's Antique parlor and surrounding structures have been re-painted and themed.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another small but very useful update to the park this year has been seating. We found four very sturdy rocking chairs that have been added in front of Depot, and also in front of Vittle Griddle. In addition, several (probably about a dozen?) new benches have been added around the Americana section as well. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTEOA7gh581T_83udU0WFetIAXGHX8oxMs4dUK2pAZKx0I8iGF1tO11-z2bCVPuW--hYoOnl1BoL2b7rg-imCsQYPxc6n_r7bJgXKjZF-y2KB9Bpd2dO96VtjUxQ0VfN58ly0iCuWJq2JNf0dFLMRVYA-NdmxSalCwgdvB0FHUKdMAiK6wLkIlMPAFA/s4032/IMG_7888.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTEOA7gh581T_83udU0WFetIAXGHX8oxMs4dUK2pAZKx0I8iGF1tO11-z2bCVPuW--hYoOnl1BoL2b7rg-imCsQYPxc6n_r7bJgXKjZF-y2KB9Bpd2dO96VtjUxQ0VfN58ly0iCuWJq2JNf0dFLMRVYA-NdmxSalCwgdvB0FHUKdMAiK6wLkIlMPAFA/s320/IMG_7888.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many new benches.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjhOEiRut2TYmNF8LoMruFVVF9Aq1Lanxb4JOvW8X4rAPLhRT0jVeJRAowN6o9j2bMYFr0TC0s1pT_7Qe5ZyImNdcfJlx5qNNG_vpCllPyDsd_xFVMjBEl0igKJSWgr8CBbf3JdvY4UsgBGplzk13i-VbFuv42InRNKabSKjcm-mB1HeC7Z6urbBEIA/s4032/IMG_7885.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjhOEiRut2TYmNF8LoMruFVVF9Aq1Lanxb4JOvW8X4rAPLhRT0jVeJRAowN6o9j2bMYFr0TC0s1pT_7Qe5ZyImNdcfJlx5qNNG_vpCllPyDsd_xFVMjBEl0igKJSWgr8CBbf3JdvY4UsgBGplzk13i-VbFuv42InRNKabSKjcm-mB1HeC7Z6urbBEIA/s320/IMG_7885.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country Junction Theater. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNrRhJLvyeECqCzzyTUBogrEhu7O-P79VCXG6J_mw8KCUbuQJmerScflRMlhFSsGl6xQHoXaqpNcrB7gax3zE-s-fGx-7wQzf0huj1XXImpa-n01IRjT2eAZ54kvl3450cDU7BSin9Eeu7XBLRJ8lZ3rRuOlmZNjdYlDD8IhvIf0X45hhL4uIJEBAvA/s4032/IMG_7882.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNrRhJLvyeECqCzzyTUBogrEhu7O-P79VCXG6J_mw8KCUbuQJmerScflRMlhFSsGl6xQHoXaqpNcrB7gax3zE-s-fGx-7wQzf0huj1XXImpa-n01IRjT2eAZ54kvl3450cDU7BSin9Eeu7XBLRJ8lZ3rRuOlmZNjdYlDD8IhvIf0X45hhL4uIJEBAvA/s320/IMG_7882.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detonator's new sign. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Regarding rides in Americana, Detonator was operational on Opening Day (as we didn’t make it to Americana until later in the day I am not sure of the time), along with Cyclone Sam’s, Mustang Runner, and Timber Wolf. As mentioned prior ELI and the Worlds of Fun railroad were down. Timber Wolf didn't open in the afternoon, but like Prowler was operating only one train which made for an extremely long line, about 2 hours on Saturday and about 30 mins on Sunday. Timber Wolf has had some serious updates over the off-season too and honestly, we were pleasantly surprised to find it in operation during Opening Weekend. First, its two trains were sent out to their original manufacturer Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC), and have been refurbished to literally almost new trains. The new trains instead of being painted the classic Timber Wolf red are now painted orange. Like many of the color changes through the park it was a bit jarring, but I might like it, I have to give it some more time. Also on Timber Wolf the entire first drop has been re-tracked and makes for a much more enjoyable, smoother ride. Just as a reminder, that is usually one of the biggest park updates we see annually, this year it’s just one in a big gigantic crowd of new things. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavtnI75KMWAQkbMl5VZlicUs8X4noMyio2g2E8bjzbFgOuDyogqoyhkfPW3yIgcgmq14Bq_hO3ndGuic-QsG4VJnIIKwVDOR1xzvU1jOZxYFjk6mOjofOkHrkh5_sNEX55jhgJUUdxa6_-9CMOeH7J_fyQQ7mYmPnK3Smxem-7qmhFILrA17NRNVhTA/s4032/IMG_8006.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavtnI75KMWAQkbMl5VZlicUs8X4noMyio2g2E8bjzbFgOuDyogqoyhkfPW3yIgcgmq14Bq_hO3ndGuic-QsG4VJnIIKwVDOR1xzvU1jOZxYFjk6mOjofOkHrkh5_sNEX55jhgJUUdxa6_-9CMOeH7J_fyQQ7mYmPnK3Smxem-7qmhFILrA17NRNVhTA/s320/IMG_8006.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timber Wolf's newly refurbished orange trains. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XQvidm3lugcG43viEI6Vuy3SLkMBID5Ss_dL3eFTaCLmfM5npCGLS3LLl4VZAj6i2XynJTddz4B6mmI0j4PnInqo1fsdTxam8_Vlu2Amji7jdLqzgAYl9smRXPTGzwdJSE5DEPmQ7weTZ7RXUzgE8z_BPd53oPQ-zcIGa5770612ky7nXmhiqisfdw/s4032/IMG_8001.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XQvidm3lugcG43viEI6Vuy3SLkMBID5Ss_dL3eFTaCLmfM5npCGLS3LLl4VZAj6i2XynJTddz4B6mmI0j4PnInqo1fsdTxam8_Vlu2Amji7jdLqzgAYl9smRXPTGzwdJSE5DEPmQ7weTZ7RXUzgE8z_BPd53oPQ-zcIGa5770612ky7nXmhiqisfdw/s320/IMG_8001.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The queue line from Sunday. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOqc1RnrbYUU2CNByAt3s5QP3zV_kJxrCYHwLXZk8m4D7Y5rhKU1ZvoEsLZ5i2ZL__rHs15IBmmuw_g8l1g3PntFC8QD97H1JUDd3mZQUrO0NmFL2ADApvPk9KOhZrr8LhGaUZcao3ITLUkLpvAP4ChOEWVrtSCXoBEUUqRxmMV_OFwsfCtIvc6oiBw/s4032/IMG_8013.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQOqc1RnrbYUU2CNByAt3s5QP3zV_kJxrCYHwLXZk8m4D7Y5rhKU1ZvoEsLZ5i2ZL__rHs15IBmmuw_g8l1g3PntFC8QD97H1JUDd3mZQUrO0NmFL2ADApvPk9KOhZrr8LhGaUZcao3ITLUkLpvAP4ChOEWVrtSCXoBEUUqRxmMV_OFwsfCtIvc6oiBw/s320/IMG_8013.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT86V96ikk82sag7EOlaFla7aoQnT7Ngy3V2qVHD9lNmM4bkrPuWFODKsh3v71IZyw6db26ZnJvj-Au4nv3gUBiiPEc7a9HkMMYNvR0GJ-6LXBob9NeQKFz37YEhNX8aoMbBFhpzFVVcB5D5NXXvwcVJt5sbnY-vOgpE4xlau_sV7GDtlT5kztqY6uXA/s4032/IMG_7835.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT86V96ikk82sag7EOlaFla7aoQnT7Ngy3V2qVHD9lNmM4bkrPuWFODKsh3v71IZyw6db26ZnJvj-Au4nv3gUBiiPEc7a9HkMMYNvR0GJ-6LXBob9NeQKFz37YEhNX8aoMbBFhpzFVVcB5D5NXXvwcVJt5sbnY-vOgpE4xlau_sV7GDtlT5kztqY6uXA/s320/IMG_7835.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entire first drop has been retracked. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like the rest of the park, the updates in Americana, thematically, are numerous. Detonator has a new western-style sign, The Red Sky Hi Barn has been repainted, it's not quite the same red, it's slightly more muted. The park has added barrels all over the place, and a covered wagon in front of the old Sky Hi barn too. At Country Junction Theater, there is new signage and newly repainted cabooses. The sign for Cyclone Sadies has been removed and the map now calls it a mercantile instead of an antique photo parlor, so I am not sure if it's changed purposes or just names.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0D8fZ5jEHi5GYxIV5Bpvwyr5ywElMaXm3pFwZ_zY02cNpr6LRpr_VXiWHerEE6yVPPPENfTyqCkKc0ShuQVd31P5CldF61imRAScHiWkFewHeJQCAxlS_OuxwRPNHKoGqy-EOXAhnJztzQ4lTiCzak8r0xAFHuJ4oJDAkeUBPWRtigNiCmh-sPGp6w/s4032/IMG_7887.HEIC" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0D8fZ5jEHi5GYxIV5Bpvwyr5ywElMaXm3pFwZ_zY02cNpr6LRpr_VXiWHerEE6yVPPPENfTyqCkKc0ShuQVd31P5CldF61imRAScHiWkFewHeJQCAxlS_OuxwRPNHKoGqy-EOXAhnJztzQ4lTiCzak8r0xAFHuJ4oJDAkeUBPWRtigNiCmh-sPGp6w/s320/IMG_7887.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up on the old Sky Hi barn, with covered wagon and barrels out front. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GlpdSn1-CA8hwULdHfn4vSCJdW1voQwvDI-JdNOV9TRra-gHf1kOoX5lo8afPxfOV1vqagH7WEmnJkIWxiC2UP9RGc3RL7Wvov7HMedyepr7R9Zrj23BdvHebu4AKVFBmWmqnW993XdnTbTvJNSd-SIcajmTjwtar9Sr9vLp8HE8ub2TnqO9y24_nw/s4032/IMG_7889.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GlpdSn1-CA8hwULdHfn4vSCJdW1voQwvDI-JdNOV9TRra-gHf1kOoX5lo8afPxfOV1vqagH7WEmnJkIWxiC2UP9RGc3RL7Wvov7HMedyepr7R9Zrj23BdvHebu4AKVFBmWmqnW993XdnTbTvJNSd-SIcajmTjwtar9Sr9vLp8HE8ub2TnqO9y24_nw/s320/IMG_7889.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyclone Sadies without its sign. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Game Street USA has a new more muted color scheme, and I like it better than the bright yellow, blue, and green colors that it was before. Again, similar to its original brown color. A big change also in games is that once again, the old New Funtier Arcade (just listed as Americana Arcade) has returned. Last year, a new arcade opened up in Africa in the old Dino Store, and was kicked out for the new Zinger store, so they moved it back to Americana. A great choice in my book. Let's bring the old New Funtier hanging sign back too!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hD92Bs7_P7KmKjbTcT3NI0qb-W6xR3gYifJveEe86QXWaj_SrSXJUu3B8Dr4RCDs4Et0a_8G-Snl-tx3jiYKKRYNRbSwS4ByZ5tWKgzLkZQZRbz3OWUnmyyKhrTuiHuSlHV-FfCeqYrzpgw2PZzPQLgohr-qPq5Xvk9hNka1fZNGvU9C-F7q4VN64Q/s4032/IMG_7895.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hD92Bs7_P7KmKjbTcT3NI0qb-W6xR3gYifJveEe86QXWaj_SrSXJUu3B8Dr4RCDs4Et0a_8G-Snl-tx3jiYKKRYNRbSwS4ByZ5tWKgzLkZQZRbz3OWUnmyyKhrTuiHuSlHV-FfCeqYrzpgw2PZzPQLgohr-qPq5Xvk9hNka1fZNGvU9C-F7q4VN64Q/s320/IMG_7895.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New/Old Americana arcade. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXjAGr4mhHBvp_waN3CfuVrepO9cCEaE5tIsa9a99NLd2pSH9XBRE_rYe7tZOflgW3gtyq6LyTUXDXK79x70bQ3rFd0HqoDwIV7SERjVTQZtdgJnaIcS4d62Hj4_-occR9_RGDTFgEKI6a738gty_edujWLiJOIBJQccse-Ku9oBrZbgojRDCY90n6Q/s4032/IMG_7891.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXjAGr4mhHBvp_waN3CfuVrepO9cCEaE5tIsa9a99NLd2pSH9XBRE_rYe7tZOflgW3gtyq6LyTUXDXK79x70bQ3rFd0HqoDwIV7SERjVTQZtdgJnaIcS4d62Hj4_-occR9_RGDTFgEKI6a738gty_edujWLiJOIBJQccse-Ku9oBrZbgojRDCY90n6Q/s320/IMG_7891.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front Street's exterior has been majorly rehabbed. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZxwPo8NzlaVDt8EDVGhiWPI8R0f_UYnQuyRxPV0vAQJMrhisc_RcIk4_ehqT2yw5W8n8GCeHpWGdBmxJVqfpSfScrPbLFhwI4WVK7NFFr4EDTrnjtrCdW1B5S7DeIJvWHaNayzt4gQWrZivzgCpalA6tM_A2FyQuItptUrLaNSsvxMHn0CF-er81Zg/s4032/IMG_7892.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZxwPo8NzlaVDt8EDVGhiWPI8R0f_UYnQuyRxPV0vAQJMrhisc_RcIk4_ehqT2yw5W8n8GCeHpWGdBmxJVqfpSfScrPbLFhwI4WVK7NFFr4EDTrnjtrCdW1B5S7DeIJvWHaNayzt4gQWrZivzgCpalA6tM_A2FyQuItptUrLaNSsvxMHn0CF-er81Zg/s320/IMG_7892.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Down the hill is Front Street, the original main entrance plaza of the park. The last time Front Street received any major rehab was in 1995, until this year. This year Front Street’s exterior was greatly modified and updated. New brick trim has been added, a covered entrance to the Emporium has been added, as well as a new, functional bell tower that tolls on the hour. It’s a pretty impressive update. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xsZnBMRYdG6DW0z7Jf1umKWvl4pV2-hsnzj0cXuvbZiqvSv1KScYfFlQOFWSuJV6tQoQpD2Jw_4SeLuHyvpF2sp0h8HbfPNIPB21531WWHZjZpC_EzqBT4NWl5ZyiapFsCphRIpWRpqRGDtTiWSTGoCY6pkliATSDY3g1w35-tThGdbuadTRZwF-BA/s4032/IMG_7908.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xsZnBMRYdG6DW0z7Jf1umKWvl4pV2-hsnzj0cXuvbZiqvSv1KScYfFlQOFWSuJV6tQoQpD2Jw_4SeLuHyvpF2sp0h8HbfPNIPB21531WWHZjZpC_EzqBT4NWl5ZyiapFsCphRIpWRpqRGDtTiWSTGoCY6pkliATSDY3g1w35-tThGdbuadTRZwF-BA/s320/IMG_7908.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyliner was closed but I noted this new sign. (Maybe it was there last year?)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Across from Front Street, is Steelhawk, which was not surprisingly, non-operational. Next door was Patriot, which operates like a Swiss watch because it is also Swiss, and as such is seemingly always operational. Patriot was also the only coaster in the park operating two trains! Skyliner, the Ferris Wheel next door was also non-operational. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2_2yNONSJy6sAmIxViRv__ah3QwIvbbV1zI4FjirEzl5FHGE50g__qZ808Tz5EYzxpEGo8rK99eTOcTC84hQhdCWmBVHhrs-l1nO2eP5wFB5csnoVqSguisiV8JbF9823YuwDm02OCq1XRSudI5dz5fxV6uME7EzB5NXT5xXE6llpU5ptG1lTxdhhg/s4032/IMG_7896.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2_2yNONSJy6sAmIxViRv__ah3QwIvbbV1zI4FjirEzl5FHGE50g__qZ808Tz5EYzxpEGo8rK99eTOcTC84hQhdCWmBVHhrs-l1nO2eP5wFB5csnoVqSguisiV8JbF9823YuwDm02OCq1XRSudI5dz5fxV6uME7EzB5NXT5xXE6llpU5ptG1lTxdhhg/s320/IMG_7896.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cotton Blossom BBQ.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1WT57CZFEKBkrufAONaCmxW3dCFQGi488GbLx0QNWKkCmesop2_odo4UhLowohX0Oh2woIn0nXqC7rRM6FTeQKOaACGkVS1cpKlhR7dVtAX77YYW0Jbb_hwXx56E6Rs8_MGKrg5g0IAY_8NzcFYYnKbi1YAOwfpgcpcQqTUEfOo_F11e7WcFLUD5vQ/s4032/IMG_7898.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1WT57CZFEKBkrufAONaCmxW3dCFQGi488GbLx0QNWKkCmesop2_odo4UhLowohX0Oh2woIn0nXqC7rRM6FTeQKOaACGkVS1cpKlhR7dVtAX77YYW0Jbb_hwXx56E6Rs8_MGKrg5g0IAY_8NzcFYYnKbi1YAOwfpgcpcQqTUEfOo_F11e7WcFLUD5vQ/s320/IMG_7898.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpei9IRZNdSNWHG80yHt8F6lYBIcpQQqYG-N3iya6LIYwPjppIJu6J7B00KGeFZC0s5cUl9JHrelODBphi_IB3LM1IPyc3wnWN2VXoLS9bfpZln9APD2RVLHM5bOizm3ZvcckAF-SMmCmWgwHnOvJUrwX6sQON54oGkKk7vyPFX8tnTcldWNoc5tqu5Q/s4032/IMG_7901.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpei9IRZNdSNWHG80yHt8F6lYBIcpQQqYG-N3iya6LIYwPjppIJu6J7B00KGeFZC0s5cUl9JHrelODBphi_IB3LM1IPyc3wnWN2VXoLS9bfpZln9APD2RVLHM5bOizm3ZvcckAF-SMmCmWgwHnOvJUrwX6sQON54oGkKk7vyPFX8tnTcldWNoc5tqu5Q/s320/IMG_7901.heic" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Regarding food service locations we found Cotton Blossom BBQ open, but Gold Rush Pizza (Vittle Griddle) was closed, it appears it is receiving the same updates as G'rilla Grill (Congo Clearing). All of the Front Street shops were open, including the new Shake shop from last year, Emporium, and Cinnabon. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHL_OI0lH073tNNA3JhSvu9V5GVhKAkMvLiDKGbNaGgtpArzkgCHWRNdd7cQGhAF6ba4uJTEi0i-rZZx96sSu4o8LA7Z9ka6pun_AFQKgj45VvrK3T10FzJ7qgGrQz4XVJSj-S9X_DkV5Q0SCk09GZ2VgB4TkS0m1nOWmZ2a4Xp2Zy-LhZnGlNLsTG9A/s4032/IMG_7836.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHL_OI0lH073tNNA3JhSvu9V5GVhKAkMvLiDKGbNaGgtpArzkgCHWRNdd7cQGhAF6ba4uJTEi0i-rZZx96sSu4o8LA7Z9ka6pun_AFQKgj45VvrK3T10FzJ7qgGrQz4XVJSj-S9X_DkV5Q0SCk09GZ2VgB4TkS0m1nOWmZ2a4Xp2Zy-LhZnGlNLsTG9A/s320/IMG_7836.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three removed children's rides have been replaced by shaded sitting areas. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UFFMkTDh1JaoPit9oIdvtKWmqT0KjcXX1gCiKYv7Z_T14QGfkazp-YsGt6XtouTUPnh1i0wvnIAi5rildtylI1MnkRsKZJjHAmV5lCQO8e1kdTJnZiz4GL2CSfQGwvMbhABHJNHdd31UuhfOx1Fb8DLczcGaUAQ3APrHTa8kVjlqnujzfh-iLwrCCw/s4032/IMG_7837.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UFFMkTDh1JaoPit9oIdvtKWmqT0KjcXX1gCiKYv7Z_T14QGfkazp-YsGt6XtouTUPnh1i0wvnIAi5rildtylI1MnkRsKZJjHAmV5lCQO8e1kdTJnZiz4GL2CSfQGwvMbhABHJNHdd31UuhfOx1Fb8DLczcGaUAQ3APrHTa8kVjlqnujzfh-iLwrCCw/s320/IMG_7837.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM3zDXlTD31HNJ8dSBnUbiiNI50g4wnf5bRtDt9i7L4ejoiRaAVhB4Zoomg6s7v_YV90HKllKx7c1TDnytJWt7TGCFH0P7_mZwb5PRlPaOdpIraVDpL1awVN7IldttFWkabt1y2JMQ5LWJAAX5-NDHyl65RcgVeVBDPy5-UM3PdwbsJNzX9ThUK3xmQ/s4032/IMG_7850.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsM3zDXlTD31HNJ8dSBnUbiiNI50g4wnf5bRtDt9i7L4ejoiRaAVhB4Zoomg6s7v_YV90HKllKx7c1TDnytJWt7TGCFH0P7_mZwb5PRlPaOdpIraVDpL1awVN7IldttFWkabt1y2JMQ5LWJAAX5-NDHyl65RcgVeVBDPy5-UM3PdwbsJNzX9ThUK3xmQ/s320/IMG_7850.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many rides operating in Planet Snoopy. (Kite Eating Tree)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before we move onto our last area, Orient, we are going to backtrack a bit to Planet Snoopy as there have been several changes to that area as well. Overall, the general appearance of Planet Snoopy hasn’t changed, but three rides have been removed. Linus’ Beetle Bugs (Beetle Bumps), Peanut’s Yacht Club (Tot’s Yachts), and Turn Tyke have, as previously reported, been removed. Unlike the larger rider removals, all three children’s rides are gone, replaced by a large umbrella for each ride pad, and park benches. I hate to be one to gloss over the removal of any ride, especially ones that are over 40 years old, but I actually kind of like a shaded sitting area in Planet Snoopy. Ugh does that make me a horrible person? Truth be told, Planet Snoopy does still retain 17 total child-oriented rides, making it still one of the largest kids' areas in any Cedar Fair park. As far as classic rides, the three oldest kiddie rides left are Red Baron (added in 1974), Swing a Ling (Charlie Brown’s Wind Up), from 1987, and Cosmic Coaster (Wacky Worm) from 1993. As far as operational rides, Planet Snoopy carries the weight when it comes to total rides in operation. On Saturday, every ride was in operation except for Woodstock Gliders, which was in operation by Sunday. That means of the 34 rides that were in operation in the entire park, over half of them were kiddie rides. There were eight rides not in operation at any time during opening weekend.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkwHJJlC9RaxLykBXbVTzCUEZb-xOWMqXPYkeGojgQvsEfohATrSliHEHM2dwwBZOdezj4IvzP9hBaLq7g7kr25yKyxmeXxMjMcUlxTKy-eOctFBJgDcyO2dLH1sn7kub3TVIvAnYxGKr0D7oN0yjdyl6u6cmdSjlNIkq5KorFbOPnc9-jId8Bb5U1A/s4032/IMG_7964.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkwHJJlC9RaxLykBXbVTzCUEZb-xOWMqXPYkeGojgQvsEfohATrSliHEHM2dwwBZOdezj4IvzP9hBaLq7g7kr25yKyxmeXxMjMcUlxTKy-eOctFBJgDcyO2dLH1sn7kub3TVIvAnYxGKr0D7oN0yjdyl6u6cmdSjlNIkq5KorFbOPnc9-jId8Bb5U1A/s320/IMG_7964.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Operation:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grand Carrousel, Fjord Fjarlane, Sea Dragon, Nordic Chaser, Scrambler, Viking Voyager, Prowler, Zulu, Boomerang, Le Taxitour, Detonator, Mustang Runner, Cyclone Sam’s, Timber Wolf, Patriot, Bamboozler, Spinning Dragons, all of Planet Snoopy (17)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not in Operation:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mamba, Fury of the Nile, Flying Dutchman, Autobahn, Steelhawk, Skyliner, Worlds of Fun Railroad.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIzLSbkDrFZHdA8PUyAhzzu0l4Dd4I3Rhim4SBF6HxEIZYstdb9xY2mum7LzZLJcCeNH5WUaqGJYvDXbDcKDZYKjNtesH2LYR__K06J1vB-ri6zYnQYhHOUEEEmRN3aHXGtzl0Qg9xtV7EVaU64-Do2RI09AHitBKz6Z4gzelHLCLWrZmAPpWo5fGLA/s4032/IMG_7909.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIzLSbkDrFZHdA8PUyAhzzu0l4Dd4I3Rhim4SBF6HxEIZYstdb9xY2mum7LzZLJcCeNH5WUaqGJYvDXbDcKDZYKjNtesH2LYR__K06J1vB-ri6zYnQYhHOUEEEmRN3aHXGtzl0Qg9xtV7EVaU64-Do2RI09AHitBKz6Z4gzelHLCLWrZmAPpWo5fGLA/s320/IMG_7909.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7NsT5Jd3WMPIqLhfJLi67rKBESrVLhiwDOVshrkpogzRpR_N6R844ssX1ZGXGVX4dfvES6b9igg-DSOU_VaqRu4mTJkNngkrj5XKzL93ek7X2CUwwR8WyM17PcvtHj-3kQYDiTWC6TOr3IsWIofOfoDB45e-TebdJWcOOFvpUzh7KzCvR32NB47orA/s4032/IMG_7912.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7NsT5Jd3WMPIqLhfJLi67rKBESrVLhiwDOVshrkpogzRpR_N6R844ssX1ZGXGVX4dfvES6b9igg-DSOU_VaqRu4mTJkNngkrj5XKzL93ek7X2CUwwR8WyM17PcvtHj-3kQYDiTWC6TOr3IsWIofOfoDB45e-TebdJWcOOFvpUzh7KzCvR32NB47orA/s320/IMG_7912.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEDP9MJMggGtDA-NnS2oNte36Xcyh7_rW-_42tKgVf24Wg5iyGNBCYOWoeHzrHcrAc4zN0bi-kkp39LxFesQ7EQOKH4uMq6cXPcNWgBUo-hs6N3xsNZ7hAV90P662lbUV912_2dvr1H_9JwpeD6BQIJgYbcBEppdXUx3lf5bi-3Cw373pP51gLDwYaA/s4032/IMG_7913.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEDP9MJMggGtDA-NnS2oNte36Xcyh7_rW-_42tKgVf24Wg5iyGNBCYOWoeHzrHcrAc4zN0bi-kkp39LxFesQ7EQOKH4uMq6cXPcNWgBUo-hs6N3xsNZ7hAV90P662lbUV912_2dvr1H_9JwpeD6BQIJgYbcBEppdXUx3lf5bi-3Cw373pP51gLDwYaA/s320/IMG_7913.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lV_QWiCkWbqWI57Pp1jtpvqMdJ8Uu3sw7CnMopKQNZsqPJB7cZ7TLVIXkhGYNWRB55mOUNMtlboV__okONPXBowSYrhbu8UqZc8M-77hXuzw62emHObNz8IBeeJcwGf7xoHX8KGDPu2M6K5XfABkgvOtEJRXcCQq9MeUQHZVeJ7YrYzKeczHWwvhHA/s4032/IMG_7999.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lV_QWiCkWbqWI57Pp1jtpvqMdJ8Uu3sw7CnMopKQNZsqPJB7cZ7TLVIXkhGYNWRB55mOUNMtlboV__okONPXBowSYrhbu8UqZc8M-77hXuzw62emHObNz8IBeeJcwGf7xoHX8KGDPu2M6K5XfABkgvOtEJRXcCQq9MeUQHZVeJ7YrYzKeczHWwvhHA/s320/IMG_7999.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From Americana, we head to our final section, Orient, or as it has been renamed, East Asia. Is using the term “Orient” offensive? Anyway, I guess it could have been worse. Whatever we are going to call the area, the theme is a variety of Asian cultures. The Chinese lanterns have been replaced over the old pond area and the new ones look fabulous, especially with the blooming Bradford pears in the background. An interesting tidbit is that the Orient was the only section of the park that had all of its rides in operation the entire weekend (Bamboozler and Spinning Dragons). Besides the lanterns, there is not much else to report. The Orient was massively refurbished with Spinning Dragons and is still newish in appearance, and doesn’t require a lot of updates. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43Z4xkmI6P3t5nDRoVXuLhPBM5Xgb2qnYUxzbIpKEPftEKgFVcwb_uqtAFQ_rLUNeC4jHKJclp24_L1lvWD-gLupTVrSyDqKAZPQ52NWElXmkwNgpzfDa5D7Bp2hrctHqhBWI6ekduaZTnhNyjAA0mUhCRotZWlxMytxfW44kZfa6jkDZsBE6QyJj-A/s4032/IMG_7975.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43Z4xkmI6P3t5nDRoVXuLhPBM5Xgb2qnYUxzbIpKEPftEKgFVcwb_uqtAFQ_rLUNeC4jHKJclp24_L1lvWD-gLupTVrSyDqKAZPQ52NWElXmkwNgpzfDa5D7Bp2hrctHqhBWI6ekduaZTnhNyjAA0mUhCRotZWlxMytxfW44kZfa6jkDZsBE6QyJj-A/s320/IMG_7975.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLJV_FnKaLQxFyq-Tah-dQTpObFVparn6LyJ6f61edoGGuIlxocLjvthJ-XLNtBx2Imz4TwsM0fgT8fTX6ZG1WFsPkKZxVt9pHaSYYDu4qUPTPoAjGpby_lZ4Hh-Fd9-wEr1l_3HHBNjZ9_RqoklNM9WRd_ICxcXzEV0YMqZW5GZ2G9HjUQfpumnubw/s4032/IMG_7976.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLJV_FnKaLQxFyq-Tah-dQTpObFVparn6LyJ6f61edoGGuIlxocLjvthJ-XLNtBx2Imz4TwsM0fgT8fTX6ZG1WFsPkKZxVt9pHaSYYDu4qUPTPoAjGpby_lZ4Hh-Fd9-wEr1l_3HHBNjZ9_RqoklNM9WRd_ICxcXzEV0YMqZW5GZ2G9HjUQfpumnubw/s320/IMG_7976.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And now, the other elephant in the room - the incident on the night of Opening Day. First, let’s drop what he said/she said/Tik Tok says and deal with the facts, what do we know, factually? Some large groups of kids were seen congregating around the park. From reliable news sources a fight broke out, and they were quickly escorted out of the park by Kansas City police and park security. After being given facts from sources I trust, there is absolutely zero evidence of a stabbing; regardless of what is posted on various social media groups. If such an event had happened, that kind of news would be plastered all over local news stations, but nothing has made it to any reliable media sources. Because it never happened. Rule of thumb, never believe everything you read online. Especially Tik Tok. Since I originally wrote this up the park has officially instituted a chaperone policy for those under 16 years of age after 4pm. We commend the park for taking this step to help control crowds. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So that’s it, and what an Opening Day it was! Every year for the last six or seven years, we have flown from Florida to Kansas City for Worlds of Fun Opening Day. It is probably the highlight of my year. Seriously. Even with all the bumps. Looking back, some might ask if we regret the effort and investment for such a trip. And the simple answer is, no. We had a great time, and I look forward to many more visits over the 2023 season! Long Live Zambezi Zinger, and we will see you at the park!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>*In the paragraph about the re-theming of Coasters I mentioned Rick Rau. Rick was Marketing Director of Worlds of Fun through the transition from Hunt Midwest to Cedar Fair. In an interview from 1999 when we mentioned that Worlds of Fun was being de-themed and specifically brought up Coasters, his response was that "Worlds of Fun was never exactly themed". We disagreed. This quote along with ours about Coasters was published in the KC Star Magazine in 1999. </i></span></p><br /><div><b>Special thanks to Keith Langabee for Proofreading!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-32163114626948368792023-04-05T09:28:00.008-05:002023-04-05T11:06:16.516-05:00Five Rides Removed for the 2023 50th Anniversary Season<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> With the beginning of the 2023 season fast approaching we have received news that Worlds of Fun is retiring not one, not two, but five rides. Though we do not have official announcement from Worlds of Fun on the removals, all five attractions have been removed from the <a href="https://qr1.be/JT7Y?fbclid=IwAR0k3B1nFcmKm7l7GRwhqvtENSUaFnMnJu4aEToOCwWUJrfuLPV8oPrvgfw">2023 Map</a>, and many have already been removed from the park. While it's easy just to create a social media post I believe that no ride or attraction should simply "vanish" into the night, so I determined a blog post was in order. A quick look at the five rides that appear to be making the trip down the "mortal coil" to memories only.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DGEwGtYuzWs_DP85JKAoYNFE5bxTAh-USUC6cxXAd2-QDOSFxqfJd9k9uYCwUulxg5395GJ84Xq83dg44_jtOon6bQwkPD-A-FqLQaiH4N85jaPqneLcB81907wzmwSMxBntMbG-7rP4SazuCHJ7zEFwmXit_-G9gue7pts4KIa7nnp8lScnKhF1NQ/s3008/monsoon3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DGEwGtYuzWs_DP85JKAoYNFE5bxTAh-USUC6cxXAd2-QDOSFxqfJd9k9uYCwUulxg5395GJ84Xq83dg44_jtOon6bQwkPD-A-FqLQaiH4N85jaPqneLcB81907wzmwSMxBntMbG-7rP4SazuCHJ7zEFwmXit_-G9gue7pts4KIa7nnp8lScnKhF1NQ/s320/monsoon3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monsoon in recent years</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvVtIipMOAXV9cCwpr1mAd0HZJVgDy9Uu1cbNVS1XKiEI4jaERbfc4KLrB0CgH5RUCDRvOlcHsIUR9FVzLRC-IwB4Axtrx-ze9a_i9QrIuO3e_-f9sLJWbqR8YRYaqcUeDjaSrICFj2xCeOYe63iUA1o1aWlzQ014fsd9AppwMep-IbVDPuWEq7pZDA/s1913/monsoon5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1913" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvVtIipMOAXV9cCwpr1mAd0HZJVgDy9Uu1cbNVS1XKiEI4jaERbfc4KLrB0CgH5RUCDRvOlcHsIUR9FVzLRC-IwB4Axtrx-ze9a_i9QrIuO3e_-f9sLJWbqR8YRYaqcUeDjaSrICFj2xCeOYe63iUA1o1aWlzQ014fsd9AppwMep-IbVDPuWEq7pZDA/s320/monsoon5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monsoon in 1993</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhPD41dEAwbcDm0nZg5RP3-GDbkSgUMUopX3KDXWGmqhh6ICvB0ETXff8pqgMCZEZBk_9QUzvwo42GlNJE0ZVdW1WHfTEK2epdJa7yYGlLD9w4E-X6PJkSolO_anrM-sz0pmujb0iizVPd-g-9fETNfKhhp32g5EwsJqyJPgWPcMoFseHLa_P9QgEcA/s3532/monsoon1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2358" data-original-width="3532" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhPD41dEAwbcDm0nZg5RP3-GDbkSgUMUopX3KDXWGmqhh6ICvB0ETXff8pqgMCZEZBk_9QUzvwo42GlNJE0ZVdW1WHfTEK2epdJa7yYGlLD9w4E-X6PJkSolO_anrM-sz0pmujb0iizVPd-g-9fETNfKhhp32g5EwsJqyJPgWPcMoFseHLa_P9QgEcA/s320/monsoon1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monsoon when it opened April 17, 1992</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1) Monsoon</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Monsoon is still standing as of the time of this writing, but it does appear that Monsoon's time has come. Monsoon was added as part of the 20th Anniversary 1992 park expansion and was manufactured by Intamin Rides (same as Fury of the Nile). More than just one ride, it represents, historically, a fundamental change in the park or parks. With the addition of Monsoon and the Same Day Gateway, Hunt Midwest started the process that would eventually combine Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun into the same park that they are today. In the early years, Monsoon literally had a border wall separating the two separate parks queue lines, and guests loaded separate boats. The part that terrified me about Monsoon, but that others loved is that it had no restraints to speak of, only a grab bar. It made for quite a thrilling ride and will be missed. I am hoping that with the removal of Monsoon that means another attraction will be added to replace it, simply due to the sheer size of Monsoon's footprint, but only time will tell.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiPHltyU_31mz7BCfzNBo5a3iTDfwEB9AL8qSdJWpXgvt8kwP6heAhzSjr_8Rr82DnTcbThMJPpVMn67hNvW1znpEDYq02HuFA2fyuOCcIxnIIS8okIPbCV23bGi-jE1scVL-yXk2IoHorcEsBW4JRpJDzgUA7-SV_0V34oE7JFzAJTYjKRXHv_nMRA/s1632/falconsflight.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1224" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiPHltyU_31mz7BCfzNBo5a3iTDfwEB9AL8qSdJWpXgvt8kwP6heAhzSjr_8Rr82DnTcbThMJPpVMn67hNvW1znpEDYq02HuFA2fyuOCcIxnIIS8okIPbCV23bGi-jE1scVL-yXk2IoHorcEsBW4JRpJDzgUA7-SV_0V34oE7JFzAJTYjKRXHv_nMRA/s320/falconsflight.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF3iTc9zHI3hdNCggi6G1YtR0jzG9A_s53DAQ38VNvIZJQWJ_20IzCaZbkfAvQsJuHI1hK84GxpHooZ46zyPLmORds2Zx4QM4wVyCThIkUWJQ1sf0gkOq0PoR2ywYqcX_wgm4_aM-AUSL4THYeh2PvxMoCtmWjaCJwS-88nHsLSUtLjaHEfuwlw9Fcg/s3264/falconsflight3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF3iTc9zHI3hdNCggi6G1YtR0jzG9A_s53DAQ38VNvIZJQWJ_20IzCaZbkfAvQsJuHI1hK84GxpHooZ46zyPLmORds2Zx4QM4wVyCThIkUWJQ1sf0gkOq0PoR2ywYqcX_wgm4_aM-AUSL4THYeh2PvxMoCtmWjaCJwS-88nHsLSUtLjaHEfuwlw9Fcg/s320/falconsflight3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2) Falcon's Flight</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This one doesn't come as big of a surprise as Monsoon as Falcon's Flight has spent much more time non-operational than operational. It, like Monsoon, is also still standing and also has no official confirmation of removal. Falcon's Flight was added for the 2017 season along with Mustang Runner, to replace Le Carousel and is a Condor-type ride manufactured by Huss Rides of Germany. Falcon's Flight did not operate through the 2020 or 2021 seasons, and only sporadically during the 2017-2019 and 2022 seasons. It's a sad loss not so much for its history with the park, but for the fact that Huss Condor rides are becoming extremely rare.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyu0ArI3AqYkX6DTSHMZp7JSQFrCnj0S0nrgZehzeRC0trxHVahALDUmUZAf45LmNQ8poKqbVwrK_y6W3INR_x2y8VkQk27KZdnbuNmPAP1JxXZ9Dm_qUxqVmXHdry32L4ThqlNQWOq1OV2iAU6s9M0rgFhHU4o_7K9O4PKz0NbI9EtE4-B2IDzFjWw/s4032/turntyke2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyu0ArI3AqYkX6DTSHMZp7JSQFrCnj0S0nrgZehzeRC0trxHVahALDUmUZAf45LmNQ8poKqbVwrK_y6W3INR_x2y8VkQk27KZdnbuNmPAP1JxXZ9Dm_qUxqVmXHdry32L4ThqlNQWOq1OV2iAU6s9M0rgFhHU4o_7K9O4PKz0NbI9EtE4-B2IDzFjWw/s320/turntyke2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turn Tyke from 2022</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQe8JePRroOAZJNI9UjdyudGnnWK4a6XtkNoLE0-2Uu9IpZr7HK6m6J5m8dbpZJ3CwPbBFITdCcK94PUOf969jKMQ7RtIirP9RwFDTIqi099sOVSq2Ja4oHLRpcKJsLTrqU4O8CJB74qDB3CxKU8Bi6YQ0GsHvfDHnuWKLH9Mgx8oPV1mPhSSxuwczJQ/s1000/turntyke3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1000" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQe8JePRroOAZJNI9UjdyudGnnWK4a6XtkNoLE0-2Uu9IpZr7HK6m6J5m8dbpZJ3CwPbBFITdCcK94PUOf969jKMQ7RtIirP9RwFDTIqi099sOVSq2Ja4oHLRpcKJsLTrqU4O8CJB74qDB3CxKU8Bi6YQ0GsHvfDHnuWKLH9Mgx8oPV1mPhSSxuwczJQ/s320/turntyke3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turn Tyke in 1987</div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">3) Turn Tyke</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Turn Tyke is our first kid's ride of three, it is also the only one of three that hasn't moved in its entire existence. Like Monsoon, Turn Tyke was added as part of an anniversary season, in this case, the 15th in 1987 as part of the Pandamonium expansion. This leaves only one ride left from the Pandamonium expansion, Charlie's Wind-Up or Swing-A-Ling. Turn Tyke was manufactured by Zamperla Rides. It is confirmed that it has been removed from the park.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKcIxQwGvA-7VxU_-JEqe_8u79RXMqPHsq_DUZXEiYDu00Nqa_MMXwR2qC-y8QdiMIwuWsF7h1Y5merXbYiKbwfiJPEtwOEVQ7UPCrljqNijKb8IoPNTQk_FppqdEeX_YrfHv6IdeeobdM_YGtM_RCatY5XDX9WKJQ5vzgTQ9igGDj9h8n5mSjc1mcA/s576/beetlebumps.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKcIxQwGvA-7VxU_-JEqe_8u79RXMqPHsq_DUZXEiYDu00Nqa_MMXwR2qC-y8QdiMIwuWsF7h1Y5merXbYiKbwfiJPEtwOEVQ7UPCrljqNijKb8IoPNTQk_FppqdEeX_YrfHv6IdeeobdM_YGtM_RCatY5XDX9WKJQ5vzgTQ9igGDj9h8n5mSjc1mcA/s320/beetlebumps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Linus's Beetle Bugs from 2001</div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8l7bcrSTB7CVlmX7meNDvpT8v63DX1sVBqLnhyY_Jpre3g_s3EwJXKtUdcyc6c1uLRZpHGbOf9802LuO3EsbjknmAOGGqxyFTdKsWMegjVMZc_756jQgrKeIBM_EIZYYk99aDRz4Vh0tIEBbdE3_hXxN1e_ejewN7dfAJRhjPkbhki3ynSiLjAN98w/s710/275306202_3076721522549329_8596628274180703742_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="710" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8l7bcrSTB7CVlmX7meNDvpT8v63DX1sVBqLnhyY_Jpre3g_s3EwJXKtUdcyc6c1uLRZpHGbOf9802LuO3EsbjknmAOGGqxyFTdKsWMegjVMZc_756jQgrKeIBM_EIZYYk99aDRz4Vh0tIEBbdE3_hXxN1e_ejewN7dfAJRhjPkbhki3ynSiLjAN98w/s320/275306202_3076721522549329_8596628274180703742_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beetle Bumps in the Orient, photo by John Middleton</div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">4) Beetle Bumps</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">These last two hit a little harder than you would expect for a kiddie ride. I don't recall riding Beetle Bumps, though I am sure I did, I do remember operating it in the Orient section of the park. The Orient was the original home for Beetle Bumps added as part of the 1979 expansion. This makes Zulu the last remaining ride left from the 1979 expansion. Beetle Bumps was manufactured by Royal Cascade, and was located where the Coca-Cola Refresh station is in the Orient today. In fact, the structure for the Coca-Cola stand was built originally for Beetle Bumps. Beetle Bumps was moved to Pandamonium in 1998 and was renamed Linus' Beetle Bumps in 2001. It is confirmed that it has been removed from the park.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6od4MO6WJ2lGjIT5vfFdbFaLYqv22kWwz3lBndyILlpVg-L7iTQlMFuCNtP4qU0tYMk3DYWjLOhzKX3k9YyFb1r1hXfmANGLdA9eOc38Mgy1Utss_zTTCjOY9nSXBu4mpr9av_On6KGJBKveGWtJiAhmD7ff34yuVYmVJ4K57tfrVmIbDJYUeulARbA/s4032/totsyachts3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6od4MO6WJ2lGjIT5vfFdbFaLYqv22kWwz3lBndyILlpVg-L7iTQlMFuCNtP4qU0tYMk3DYWjLOhzKX3k9YyFb1r1hXfmANGLdA9eOc38Mgy1Utss_zTTCjOY9nSXBu4mpr9av_On6KGJBKveGWtJiAhmD7ff34yuVYmVJ4K57tfrVmIbDJYUeulARbA/s320/totsyachts3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFndJe4KZIstSMHVFwLRCseKXfefd6wU40NM9sVEtrQ5UsyGmeRJW82EGuWQLLRHKbdrnvlzh-M8CQxX6l1gavlugT55hpNrfkrNQGD-64DtFN6aabVgRf6VDerU62bWRw1v8sZZtgwF-7q6ZU79qjbRhooDLxurj7LqAthLK4k4AZc_T9p52mW9b9Q/s3531/totsyachts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2357" data-original-width="3531" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFndJe4KZIstSMHVFwLRCseKXfefd6wU40NM9sVEtrQ5UsyGmeRJW82EGuWQLLRHKbdrnvlzh-M8CQxX6l1gavlugT55hpNrfkrNQGD-64DtFN6aabVgRf6VDerU62bWRw1v8sZZtgwF-7q6ZU79qjbRhooDLxurj7LqAthLK4k4AZc_T9p52mW9b9Q/s320/totsyachts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">5) Tot's Yachts</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This is the hardest for me, as Tot's Yachts was one of only two rides still operating in the park that I remembered riding as a kid. Now we are down to one, Scrambler. I remember riding it in its original location, Scandinavia, where Fjord Fjarlane is today. Tot's Yacht's was added as part of the 1978 expansion and was manufactured by Allen Herschell. It was removed from Scandinavia in 1991, to make way for the re-located River City Rampage (Fjord Fjarlane). It reappeared two years later in 1993 in Pandamonium. In 2001 its name was changed to Peanut's Yacht Club. It is confirmed that it has been removed from the park. </span></p><p><br /></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-46872081469548788172023-01-01T15:57:00.002-06:002023-01-01T19:05:59.215-06:00Happy New Year! A look at 2023 Worlds of Fun Anniversaries!<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweKq3bwaRT-0V0uLjzpiAKr9iL3EGf_dzarV3cNJTDVwnvhKaZzUuQ_QOcsxQ9pHsA1EGraXXKLriBPC2r9WnUiEALc4GjMi5HYLVxQTOCN16YIZSS0sV1JAmcFFYrC9BQXsACy6N02L9zbqPgUJCONCxtl41GpAuLAaEo_cHH9lj-hCxiWRoyP1Mlg/s13110/cottonblossom063a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="10135" data-original-width="13110" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweKq3bwaRT-0V0uLjzpiAKr9iL3EGf_dzarV3cNJTDVwnvhKaZzUuQ_QOcsxQ9pHsA1EGraXXKLriBPC2r9WnUiEALc4GjMi5HYLVxQTOCN16YIZSS0sV1JAmcFFYrC9BQXsACy6N02L9zbqPgUJCONCxtl41GpAuLAaEo_cHH9lj-hCxiWRoyP1Mlg/w400-h309/cottonblossom063a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Opening Day May 26, 1973</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Well, it’s the big one, the year we have been preparing for. 2023. Many years ago in my 20’s I once figured out how old I would be when the park turned 50 years old.. to a 20-something-year-old 45 feels ancient. Now, not so much. Crazy how fast time flies isn’t it? 2023 is when we officially celebrate Worlds of Fun’s 50th anniversary as it originally opened on May 26, 1973. But there are MANY more anniversaries this year too and in this blog, we are going to look at all of them!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">1973 - Worlds of Fun opens with 61 brand-new and exciting things to do!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">1978 - Aerodrome and Barnstormer premier (45th Anniversary)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">1983 - E.X.T. or Extremeroller becomes the country’s first stand-up coaster on May 31, 1983</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">1988 - Python Plunge opens (35 anniversary)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">1993 - Wacky Worm, Worlds of Fun’s 2nd oldest coaster opens (30 anniversary)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">1998 - Mamba, Worlds of Fun oldest full-size steel coaster opens (25 Anniversary)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">2003 - Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns debuts during Halloweekends and kicks off modern Haunt (20th Anniversary)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">2008 - Master McCarthy’s DollHouse and Outlaws Revenge Haunts debut in Africa</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">2013 - Dinosaur’s Alive Debuts in Africa (10th Anniversary)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">2018 - Nordic Chaser debuts, Floral Clock returns (5th Anniversary)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I’m just tired writing that out! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuYSrlzaYLTF0JiTPC0NTsiixG0WiU5QTJE-QDrwyokqvhpETFlEkOBfTIdBpMnY_uoDSk_pbrB3ED6ho-o4NC-yRd64l-nA3mKXvTnMBJHaORI6NL5fWVoDMlMe4iItMMqhqisiCOVfgaJ9R0HjMtp77rPObAJgP31bJiN-2Kp47YuPDqLkJ5A60-Q/s4032/IMG_9456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuYSrlzaYLTF0JiTPC0NTsiixG0WiU5QTJE-QDrwyokqvhpETFlEkOBfTIdBpMnY_uoDSk_pbrB3ED6ho-o4NC-yRd64l-nA3mKXvTnMBJHaORI6NL5fWVoDMlMe4iItMMqhqisiCOVfgaJ9R0HjMtp77rPObAJgP31bJiN-2Kp47YuPDqLkJ5A60-Q/w400-h300/IMG_9456.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nordic Chaser replaced Finnish Fling in 2018</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><u>2018 - 5 Years</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Five years ago, it doesn’t seem that long ago. And here is an even crazier thought, Nordic Chaser was the last ride addition to Worlds of Fun until this year! That’s probably a big thanks to Covid-19 which gave us Worlds of Fun-lite for more than one season. Nordic Chaser is probably most remembered for replacing a park original, Finnish Fling. While still a spinning ride, Nordic Chaser is far milder. Manufactured by Mack Rides of Germany (pronounced Mauk) Mack Rides also notably manufactured Time Traveler at Silver Dollar City. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44P_qX3Qf3mvzHRniJ0BQlNU5a9LxxOe3n3LMt1KiGAtBKlZ2Ah9TgihcVMgc-F7UGD1XuYtsA2ekrLG2e7rbn-PF8qnE0x_OUjtHRMncwmRwzZeUQrQTvZfxDltu4xQvm-Xp0SreJ3GpqKAkBUHauOdEqrIT_tqxh2EhIhmagzXxS3BDB_fXpg0UxA/s3642/05262018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2653" data-original-width="3642" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44P_qX3Qf3mvzHRniJ0BQlNU5a9LxxOe3n3LMt1KiGAtBKlZ2Ah9TgihcVMgc-F7UGD1XuYtsA2ekrLG2e7rbn-PF8qnE0x_OUjtHRMncwmRwzZeUQrQTvZfxDltu4xQvm-Xp0SreJ3GpqKAkBUHauOdEqrIT_tqxh2EhIhmagzXxS3BDB_fXpg0UxA/w400-h291/05262018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timber Wolf with its new banked curve in 2018.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">2018 is also memorable for the return of the Floral Clock after a 20-year exodus and the controversial replacement of the Timber Wolf 560-degree original helix with a new banked turn instead. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SNq8pVQsLZD0QScLTzKk25QL9Vi1hYPOz4humkNFI0pxITny05H8JB1JO5gwOYe2upqsd6XYOUGrgRLx1HXwwW2p-Xt2aQgQY7bjfEDrmArJPwuM_9gWty0T7svFe2kxES4gN9Vqk7YVykw5iSOmOWTxyUZCmxbgnAsGge1cW54nZsPSISMTBJ6Rxg/s960/IMG_4506.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SNq8pVQsLZD0QScLTzKk25QL9Vi1hYPOz4humkNFI0pxITny05H8JB1JO5gwOYe2upqsd6XYOUGrgRLx1HXwwW2p-Xt2aQgQY7bjfEDrmArJPwuM_9gWty0T7svFe2kxES4gN9Vqk7YVykw5iSOmOWTxyUZCmxbgnAsGge1cW54nZsPSISMTBJ6Rxg/w400-h300/IMG_4506.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2013 for the park's 40th anniversary a small group of us went around and rode all the original rides at the time. This was back when Scrambler was in Americana.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><u>2013 - 10 Years</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Ten Years ago, was Worlds of Fun’s 40th Anniversary. On May 26, 2013, we as fans circumnavigated Worlds of Fun and rode the (then) nine original rides (well eight, we were all too tall for Crazy Kars), and hosted a small history exhibit in the Tivoli Music Hall lobby. New in 2013 were several small but notable additions. Dinosaur’s Alive an interactive walk-through exhibit premiered in the African section as a pay extra attraction. Dinosaur’s Alive would be removed following the 2019 season. Miss Lizzie’s Chamber of Horrors would replace Master McCarthy’s Dollhouse in Africa as well. Probably the biggest change in 2013 though was the combination of Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun into one park, along with the addition of a new waterslide complex near the Surf City Wave Pool, Predator’s Plunge, Shark’s Revenge, and Constrictor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVBvlaEcXV5Y2e725CNfe5lGX08WLGFiHIb5x9v_oC_ajCTdLEy1zvJbvK7AAznLPHHut7k8DNKfXgJA1cY_lmzRz6DBMznY6652eC181H6h80y-lzDPiN192-aNP6ugc_hNa28jQOVsz6TbkRL589C8Wk_US1ZPCwpOlcVRV2yKaiyRufECv09EDOg/s3872/DSC_2261.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVBvlaEcXV5Y2e725CNfe5lGX08WLGFiHIb5x9v_oC_ajCTdLEy1zvJbvK7AAznLPHHut7k8DNKfXgJA1cY_lmzRz6DBMznY6652eC181H6h80y-lzDPiN192-aNP6ugc_hNa28jQOVsz6TbkRL589C8Wk_US1ZPCwpOlcVRV2yKaiyRufECv09EDOg/w268-h400/DSC_2261.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinosaur's Alive premiered in 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb4ihSFYSkocUIaZkIcRV-KXZHiZNxPCaUHEWGxPmvP1qiy7H3bosWnKjZAtfLlBZqSPMVXMVD0nt0XRauLLHnyklF3B99qZ2UsRwr_tbYnTXi8SVK_xcpFY5ZuK7x1cM60A0XwAIKNEpN8uR1kuQFMgg4xSYIqIQabSEx2JJsFzxvrpsWjHzVtnDSw/s4032/IMG_1352.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqb4ihSFYSkocUIaZkIcRV-KXZHiZNxPCaUHEWGxPmvP1qiy7H3bosWnKjZAtfLlBZqSPMVXMVD0nt0XRauLLHnyklF3B99qZ2UsRwr_tbYnTXi8SVK_xcpFY5ZuK7x1cM60A0XwAIKNEpN8uR1kuQFMgg4xSYIqIQabSEx2JJsFzxvrpsWjHzVtnDSw/w400-h300/IMG_1352.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new slide complex premiered at Oceans of Fun</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><u>2008 - 15 Years</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Fifteen years ago two new haunts would bring the 2008 Haunt season up to 9 extreme haunts! Master McCarthy’s was just mentioned in the prior paragraph would debut in the old Zambezi Zinger queue house, themed to deranged dolls, I will forever remember the first time I walked in and was greeted with “It’s a Small World”. Truly terrifying. Master McCarthy’s never worked as well as I am sure was hoped, and would be replaced five years later by Chamber of Horrors. The other haunt introduced in 2008 is still around, Outlaw’s Revenge. One of the first “fright zones” outside of the original, Outlaw’s would introduce Worlds of Fun victims to “sliders” or screamsters that would fall and slide across the pavement creating sparks and terrifying screams in their wake. Jeff Mast, one of our editors was one of the very first outlaws, and recalls the poor quality knee pads and equipment they were originally provided with, going out and buying more professional, and durable pads and equipment himself. He also researched and glued metal washers to gloves creating the sparks on the ground that are so identifiable with sliders even today. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqljldbAXCk23L4_gNUAvv3twcM_8YwtJHrIDV2L1sprt663w9VlXM0s5_cxZkD2TYLhezlfSh4q1R5ADnmg68oUM_Ugs9BpBdvHXySE3cuBNEEjNFZh6_k-wVW6CCSslfYJN03yj9naVsmjrcjdtgk8stSeuHgs1gvtqeTCB4UFsCd-7s5QKyaxrHfA/s3872/D20_7511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqljldbAXCk23L4_gNUAvv3twcM_8YwtJHrIDV2L1sprt663w9VlXM0s5_cxZkD2TYLhezlfSh4q1R5ADnmg68oUM_Ugs9BpBdvHXySE3cuBNEEjNFZh6_k-wVW6CCSslfYJN03yj9naVsmjrcjdtgk8stSeuHgs1gvtqeTCB4UFsCd-7s5QKyaxrHfA/w268-h400/D20_7511.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15 Years ago Master McCarthy's premiered in Africa.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlzYa6Ajuq82EDhX99FkaAGF1wDNk_jBUYk--2qAwIewOdQ-r8uuILsilhFdbQEXzRiWAlYHbLtKTGVmNghjcU-pa9QftejTeuBm_HVJS-7SauK6uBuJmEQXD_2mDCPh3EPWNxUyJaZqfNHUFUI6mArWTCIp6bcfiK_bKb_cbbloHNAHVpy8hJAuy3w/s3072/DSC03255.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlzYa6Ajuq82EDhX99FkaAGF1wDNk_jBUYk--2qAwIewOdQ-r8uuILsilhFdbQEXzRiWAlYHbLtKTGVmNghjcU-pa9QftejTeuBm_HVJS-7SauK6uBuJmEQXD_2mDCPh3EPWNxUyJaZqfNHUFUI6mArWTCIp6bcfiK_bKb_cbbloHNAHVpy8hJAuy3w/w400-h300/DSC03255.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so did Outlaw's Revenge.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><u>2003 - 20 Years</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">If this is beginning to feel like a history of Haunt you wouldn’t be far off, and 2003 is where it all started. Twenty Years ago Live Entertainment had the idea to take a derelict building (The old Beat Street shops) and create a terrifying attraction, the like of which had never really before been seen at Worlds of Fun. Populated by both living and dummy clowns, guests could never tell which was real and which wasn’t until it was too late, creating what could be argued to be one of the best haunts ever to grace Worlds of Fun. The concept immediately caught fire and had one of the longest lines in the park. In 2004 the park would start its yearly expansion of Haunt to what it is today. None of it would have happened without Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns twenty years ago. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeMwS1-JLQKC0dK82Iouyj7TPT3fyfzeB_oVvE8H5ahiw4GBhwH95nqT55s9jvorY76Ktj0_eil1r-MHibPN46PX3meMX3kSTSUbHbAF4MGLyqTdvSgSu5pMrGCXQguBpLTvvx6RduvzwIbH5IhtMgtyKRDtD-BYtfresCgycsV_M2dePhhZCvKr-Ng/s3008/DSC_2761.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPeMwS1-JLQKC0dK82Iouyj7TPT3fyfzeB_oVvE8H5ahiw4GBhwH95nqT55s9jvorY76Ktj0_eil1r-MHibPN46PX3meMX3kSTSUbHbAF4MGLyqTdvSgSu5pMrGCXQguBpLTvvx6RduvzwIbH5IhtMgtyKRDtD-BYtfresCgycsV_M2dePhhZCvKr-Ng/w400-h266/DSC_2761.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns kicked off modern haunt in 2003.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><u>1998 - 25 Years</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">1998 was truly a turning point in Worlds of Fun history, it was the first year without Zambezi Zinger (the original), it was the first year of Mamba. 25 years ago this year. Mamba was the third of the D.H. Morgan Hypercoasters, usually referred to as the Morgan Triplets, with the others being Wild Thing at ValleyFair (1996) and Steel Force at Dorney Park (1997). In 2023, Mamba not only eclipses Zinger as the oldest full-size steel coaster at the park but also celebrates its 25th anniversary. Quite early in its existence Mamba became iconic to Worlds of Fun, and there are many, that are adults even that can’t remember a Worlds of Fun without it or even imagine a Worlds of Fun without it for that matter. It has become in many ways the modern version of the Zambezi Zinger, for being a little thrilling, speedy, and a lot of fun. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNo8uvJ1zM6j3DauZQ7bbAZ3hYWsISvAibBTgUH_ylaZMNyA80pqx96DLNusMGTYIy4kzLCgAP4ZY7vwlat5UwW6f6MaC8A7rgwWmq4WvRfASWaqWiBznKYjGEpnIMEm2ObHzTHhWP8qVE-UIMpi1U-ACCgXFVrVos5YkZuOGqunin-s4sM0q13Pl7rw/s3552/Image%20251.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3552" data-original-width="2308" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNo8uvJ1zM6j3DauZQ7bbAZ3hYWsISvAibBTgUH_ylaZMNyA80pqx96DLNusMGTYIy4kzLCgAP4ZY7vwlat5UwW6f6MaC8A7rgwWmq4WvRfASWaqWiBznKYjGEpnIMEm2ObHzTHhWP8qVE-UIMpi1U-ACCgXFVrVos5YkZuOGqunin-s4sM0q13Pl7rw/w260-h400/Image%20251.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mamba in March 1997 when it was nearly ready to open.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iIcO8ihEoz2afmY8N9Kef3XSOVyMmJul9Mp9pekcXw0mbwnxH4BFCLErnTHf86qCLKVWze_OvbwyqYth1wHGpPIM3LaZo-o0L_Q5af60s6XUy6z9wWDRYEbM0AZGBWU6DRwZdyBg1tpjmg9yWT--HZ_2Kmc6kboVZIYMNwXaGP2vn53auUPqF845ZA/s3473/Image%20245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2336" data-original-width="3473" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iIcO8ihEoz2afmY8N9Kef3XSOVyMmJul9Mp9pekcXw0mbwnxH4BFCLErnTHf86qCLKVWze_OvbwyqYth1wHGpPIM3LaZo-o0L_Q5af60s6XUy6z9wWDRYEbM0AZGBWU6DRwZdyBg1tpjmg9yWT--HZ_2Kmc6kboVZIYMNwXaGP2vn53auUPqF845ZA/w400-h269/Image%20245.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking backwards from B-block trim brakes on Mamba.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><u>1993 - 30 Years</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">While writing the paragraph above I have to include that Mamba is the oldest FULL-SIZE steel coaster in the park. Why? Because there is one older steel coaster, but it’s tiny, Wacky Worm, or as it is known today, Cosmic Coaster. Though there have been some disagreements as to its original manufacturer, every mention of the coaster by the park has identified its manufacturer as the Italian firm Pinfari. Wacky Worm opened with the 1993 season as a major expansion to the kid's area of the time Pandamonium. Kids would ride, sometimes with an adult, a 12-seat bright green train shaped like a worm that would wind its way around a bright yellow track and through a gigantic red apple. In 2012, one year after the transition to Planet Snoopy, Wacky Worm would be re-themed into a rocket ship, and re-named Cosmic Coaster, it was also moved just slightly up the hill from its original location. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SyvqqG3t5qgKN0bqbZU6XSjsVmcvN7i6tSAYzEfycNcab4jnZ4VoHgD_F5JOwvNq_L5-iRBjXpn0MBhLsMOvO89jFJNLh_c837f9Dd3mZ5IZfZiBSsGrH5hCY-BpyNFZZzX1LGIk5MTPWuKhl5UDMfKc8eAQsn-xqAdP1LjxeSFLaCXMIIYteEKhjQ/s3557/postcard186.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2420" data-original-width="3557" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SyvqqG3t5qgKN0bqbZU6XSjsVmcvN7i6tSAYzEfycNcab4jnZ4VoHgD_F5JOwvNq_L5-iRBjXpn0MBhLsMOvO89jFJNLh_c837f9Dd3mZ5IZfZiBSsGrH5hCY-BpyNFZZzX1LGIk5MTPWuKhl5UDMfKc8eAQsn-xqAdP1LjxeSFLaCXMIIYteEKhjQ/w400-h272/postcard186.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many kids had their first coaster ride on the green worm in Pandamonium/Camp Snoopy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><u>1988 - 35 Years</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">The first anniversary we look at a ride that is no longer in operation. Python Plunge opened in late April 1988 as a $1 million expansion as part of a total of $1.6 million in capital expenditures for the season. Manufactured by New Wave Rides of Arlington, Tx, Python Plunge was composed of four separate water sides, two-speed slides, and two enclosed serpentine slides. Both slides were experienced in a raft that guests had to carry up one of two forty-foot tall towers. Python Plunge became known as just Plunge in 1992 and would operate through the 1999 season. Plunge would become Standing But Not Operating (SBNO) until 2001 when it was removed entirely. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPu66j3shuUvk9x8hRoAxChZz7yYk8Sgv4hbSfIXMiiPnP1podG-T_vinS28rY1i94GpS85WTXWxAKnZSCnRlav3fDMXBnRprLOFFBHPSiaYxY4FPk_KEDleb6oyerz7L2Sd4yYM5em-hGME1RzXW1gtoPfgblOlLpeWMSCugq8Nq0CPYUsCBH4K2vQ/s4220/postcard195.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4220" data-original-width="2947" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPu66j3shuUvk9x8hRoAxChZz7yYk8Sgv4hbSfIXMiiPnP1podG-T_vinS28rY1i94GpS85WTXWxAKnZSCnRlav3fDMXBnRprLOFFBHPSiaYxY4FPk_KEDleb6oyerz7L2Sd4yYM5em-hGME1RzXW1gtoPfgblOlLpeWMSCugq8Nq0CPYUsCBH4K2vQ/w279-h400/postcard195.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Python Plunge debuted 35 years ago in Africa.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><u>1983 - 40 Years</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Another defunct attraction was the Arrow Corkscrew known as Screamroller/Extremeroller. While it opened in 1976, in 1983, 40 years ago, it took Worlds of Fun a step towards cementing itself into roller-coaster history by becoming the country’s first stand-up roller coaster. The sit-down cars (nearly identical to those on Orient Express or Boomerang), were switched out to stand-up pods, lacking the small bicycle-like seat that modern stand-up coasters all have. It was a true stand-up coaster. The newly renamed Extremeroller or E.X.T. would open on May 31, 1983. It would only operate for about a year as a stand-up and was re-converted back to a sit-down in June 1984. The infamous accident at Six Flags Mid-America, which Extremeroller seems to always be incorrectly remembered for, occurred in July 1984. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Sud-Da_Hb3kR90D0AUVQ152hKai4mWaNQhigut0dBw3J1v-mXq5QCsjHI-XppyhdIT6vHCIYHX75nkxtCHLA94MrC0cqmkMJof6vrjsjk2GZ4botenjFsQb4FdsaNeoPuq_vt3ElIDzZ3ju_SB2GrRFEbbMvW1oYRKQARbOHqc-dLQuftkPaT2X6yQ/s5065/Untitled4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5065" data-original-width="3256" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Sud-Da_Hb3kR90D0AUVQ152hKai4mWaNQhigut0dBw3J1v-mXq5QCsjHI-XppyhdIT6vHCIYHX75nkxtCHLA94MrC0cqmkMJof6vrjsjk2GZ4botenjFsQb4FdsaNeoPuq_vt3ElIDzZ3ju_SB2GrRFEbbMvW1oYRKQARbOHqc-dLQuftkPaT2X6yQ/w258-h400/Untitled4.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E.X.T. or Extremeroller advertising its May 31, 1983 opening. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEOlJ_bLoup5c8dnnOATBsjZDSbSihf1LJgtfADUSNWBKH07YfUAtO5geKxwkWYdsRyYqGTotTqrSiQYHep3cbyApOYS_-kDBr5u-DJ2W4pA8WbcoPC65EieqgSlnHp5jx9ts0SAhXEtq7yORcCeIW35rzfKnWOE3UbqVmlN378TxT-Lms7j9CBOxzw/s6554/1983pk0022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4976" data-original-width="6554" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEOlJ_bLoup5c8dnnOATBsjZDSbSihf1LJgtfADUSNWBKH07YfUAtO5geKxwkWYdsRyYqGTotTqrSiQYHep3cbyApOYS_-kDBr5u-DJ2W4pA8WbcoPC65EieqgSlnHp5jx9ts0SAhXEtq7yORcCeIW35rzfKnWOE3UbqVmlN378TxT-Lms7j9CBOxzw/w400-h304/1983pk0022.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extremeroller concept art.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><u>1978 - 45 Years</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">On April 8th, 1978 exactly 45 years from this year’s opening day another one of Worlds of Fun’s shortest-lived rides opened, Barnstormer, along with the new expansion land, Aerodrome. Aerodrome’s acreage has changed names and themes many times but is today’s Planet Snoopy. Barnstormer the ride was a towering 100-foot tower ride equipped with 12 bi-plane-shaped cars that would dive up and down through the air. Manufactured by Bradley and Kaye of Long Beach Ca. Barnstormer was one of only three such rides ever manufactured, and would only last at Worlds of Fun until June 1983 when it was removed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5UPNjaqmpv6uKBxZdfpVLwahY0SyrhtwJ0wqnoESduXmoPUnUkzOK_S4IwUZQqWUZTH3gkE6SD60g8S8ELvxJdWxI3tW0wqPGbtZwzRBKfoCDiHOw5NWfU7T7bbk7xZAi2Lr0nd6ApiZXk8hEmyMEB2V0BTZbg6XC3rn_TdTWhUUAWVJtq6bTSHftw/s4191/postcard160.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2981" data-original-width="4191" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5UPNjaqmpv6uKBxZdfpVLwahY0SyrhtwJ0wqnoESduXmoPUnUkzOK_S4IwUZQqWUZTH3gkE6SD60g8S8ELvxJdWxI3tW0wqPGbtZwzRBKfoCDiHOw5NWfU7T7bbk7xZAi2Lr0nd6ApiZXk8hEmyMEB2V0BTZbg6XC3rn_TdTWhUUAWVJtq6bTSHftw/w400-h285/postcard160.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barnstormer and Aerodrome premiered on April 8, 1978, 40 years ago to the day of opening day 2023!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><u>1973 - 50 Years</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Over the last two years, I have written several blogs celebrating the 50th anniversary of some park construction milestones. However now, we have finally reached 2023. 50 years ago the park is taking shape, it is already recognizable for what it will become, When the park opened on May 26, 1973, it was home to over 60 brand new and exciting things to do, or so the park advertised. Still of those 61 exciting things to do, only 15 were rides and of those 15 only six (or seven depending on how you look at it) still exist. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">At Worlds of Fun these six include:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqROt9g1iy5gigIuO5--cJa389RhOGShqim2V7Yq4ZXY0OhB9y2EVrTUHAo7TR-JWf95-UhPZTI4k04xxI4QjTudo2WwqA1QEs20QMSHs3J_a8VKZJEjKSUjZCu1gb54zOYySwwxOCL-SbSrlrmL1aJ5IFtn0YDs6shPqopTynVFDLPQuaxRpyB3bKA/s3497/Untitled.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2593" data-original-width="3497" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqROt9g1iy5gigIuO5--cJa389RhOGShqim2V7Yq4ZXY0OhB9y2EVrTUHAo7TR-JWf95-UhPZTI4k04xxI4QjTudo2WwqA1QEs20QMSHs3J_a8VKZJEjKSUjZCu1gb54zOYySwwxOCL-SbSrlrmL1aJ5IFtn0YDs6shPqopTynVFDLPQuaxRpyB3bKA/w400-h296/Untitled.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Flying Dutchman: Flying Dutchman is still in the same place, with the same name with pretty much the same ride experience as it had fifty years ago (seatbelts were added many years ago). Flying Dutchman is an Intamin AG Flying Dutchman ride. When Hunt Midwest still owned the park it was a commonly known detail among ambassadors that Flying Dutchman was Lamar Hunt’s favorite ride.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfMI4_7SGjYxsS8VBJjWsaeGw-P_FAfvBvvw76zXP2dE0SWl_wGwCPkkqkzyvnJb7N5In7IaZusL1O3AXQUavY2v7-C-96lPProhzVaLTq3t_81F0H_dPvm6CrqITTKbK8sPAdM4XNUooqEmcjSK3VQvd_5wmDFv7l2SZ9WyOUivcC9U0kBO2rVrefg/s4135/Image%20138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2833" data-original-width="4135" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivfMI4_7SGjYxsS8VBJjWsaeGw-P_FAfvBvvw76zXP2dE0SWl_wGwCPkkqkzyvnJb7N5In7IaZusL1O3AXQUavY2v7-C-96lPProhzVaLTq3t_81F0H_dPvm6CrqITTKbK8sPAdM4XNUooqEmcjSK3VQvd_5wmDFv7l2SZ9WyOUivcC9U0kBO2rVrefg/w400-h274/Image%20138.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Le Taxi Tour: Also in Europa, one of two Arrow Development manufactured rides that opened with the park (both still exist). Manufactured with the Taxi-themed car style, several rides of its type once existed, but because of the acreage they occupied many have been removed over the years. Thankfully, Worlds of Fun still has their’s and it is still as much a favorite as it was fifty years ago. Like Flying Dutchman, Le Taxi Tour hasn’t changed a whole lot over the years either.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf-fCfwDR4B0VtwlcTzHvUnP1q3JSA3jxfriRpjCQp7NHUSBgeMAXOoWOf4UIx4I7zTx3tskh-kPutXn-D21rnrqa-_-E6M3-rbn9F0cNYe5VYGq4sre-XX-05s95ax8ZtCDXasFYL49lO6IyVvb6BG-TenFihXVucN8ZFUve53DbN9aukLequV9ddg/s4220/postcard196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2947" data-original-width="4220" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf-fCfwDR4B0VtwlcTzHvUnP1q3JSA3jxfriRpjCQp7NHUSBgeMAXOoWOf4UIx4I7zTx3tskh-kPutXn-D21rnrqa-_-E6M3-rbn9F0cNYe5VYGq4sre-XX-05s95ax8ZtCDXasFYL49lO6IyVvb6BG-TenFihXVucN8ZFUve53DbN9aukLequV9ddg/w400-h279/postcard196.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Autobahn: The last of the original rides in Europa that still operates. Autobahn opened as one of the park’s two bumper car rides in 1973 known as Der Fender Bender but still in the same location as it is today. The ride’s name was changed in 1997 and the ends of the structure were enclosed in 2010. As an addendum, the second bumper cars ride, one designed for kids, and originally known as Crashem Bashem, was removed after the 2015 season. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGxxzRLWg8pk_lApLarPMRH0zogwHqLgedZHIkkx6VVARZLHK3dB9O00enYeHISK0NoRQvPW5j3XARVw2QCFrWrtKptSP0ie-wlosLpQ-l8bNe0-GjLdO2LEEDsfRk0q4KD236zTbqiqBpEKfuKFqDV5B-Jbm7K68yLnb_lPaOQzzYT8J-U520AWm9Q/s5328/pg8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5328" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGxxzRLWg8pk_lApLarPMRH0zogwHqLgedZHIkkx6VVARZLHK3dB9O00enYeHISK0NoRQvPW5j3XARVw2QCFrWrtKptSP0ie-wlosLpQ-l8bNe0-GjLdO2LEEDsfRk0q4KD236zTbqiqBpEKfuKFqDV5B-Jbm7K68yLnb_lPaOQzzYT8J-U520AWm9Q/w400-h260/pg8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Worlds of Fun Railroad: ELI was out of commission for a couple of years but thankfully we got her back, and in far better shape than she left in. ELI is an authentic steam engine manufactured by Crown Metal Products of Wyano, Pa. It like the other five original rides is still very much a favorite to guests to the park, a point that was truly felt when it was missing for two and a half seasons.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPNP9h937CqMo3JelyuSKagQdirQQqu7KQFLBWtv0o7X99bdCsyI55ewBWOULf0Q87qXH13lJVrPGWR6aYUKcr80YYVw76QuxVAxLDDj7Bhj5GTWVqVp-pYe-1QuCLn0QPbVHnKrCSDoH6vgmS6fLEwT4D8CeyMj7A8ikGZerRgW8BCsld0EntAIggA/s3492/Untitled3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2593" data-original-width="3492" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPNP9h937CqMo3JelyuSKagQdirQQqu7KQFLBWtv0o7X99bdCsyI55ewBWOULf0Q87qXH13lJVrPGWR6aYUKcr80YYVw76QuxVAxLDDj7Bhj5GTWVqVp-pYe-1QuCLn0QPbVHnKrCSDoH6vgmS6fLEwT4D8CeyMj7A8ikGZerRgW8BCsld0EntAIggA/w400-h297/Untitled3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Scrambler: Scrambler currently operates in its original 1973 location, but hasn’t always been there, as it was located in Americana from 1998 until 2014. Scrambler is an ELI Bridge Scrambler ride, the only ride on this list that is still in production by its original manufacturer unchanged even today.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyc-fZindsOCVA6ppROMSSHaRownIKOlHFa0CfnZ8RYkXPCIPvxeS7MK0fifoV7tMMMASyWLfH7s_ZwflvUdsN2-yYWGrMcxFhyN7HrOMsC7v939VmYPjbbud-G7AZZXeKg8gMKjweCJ_zsVyeLFq7zr2A6Spp6SqOH3uEiAMC6OkPrOizRI49jhwwg/s3554/Untitled2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2643" data-original-width="3554" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiyc-fZindsOCVA6ppROMSSHaRownIKOlHFa0CfnZ8RYkXPCIPvxeS7MK0fifoV7tMMMASyWLfH7s_ZwflvUdsN2-yYWGrMcxFhyN7HrOMsC7v939VmYPjbbud-G7AZZXeKg8gMKjweCJ_zsVyeLFq7zr2A6Spp6SqOH3uEiAMC6OkPrOizRI49jhwwg/w400-h297/Untitled2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Viking Voyager: The second original Arrow Development attraction that opened with the park. Like Le Taxi Tour, Voyager was once a dime-a-dozen type ride but is becoming rare in recent years. A traditional flume ride, Voyager originally operated boats with red dragon heads at the bow. These boats were replaced in 1994 with the current headless variety,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">And last but not least, I just can’t celebrate 50 years of Worlds of Fun history without mentioning the ride that ALSO turns 50 years old, IS still in operation, even if that doesn’t necessarily mean it's in operation at Worlds of Fun. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUncPvKUQfnsJgo0g9FGDRlt3RSvnaCv8E_g0ADoZOIaG4B9RIUDqtAem3mbXCrAvynXri-DlkiEXySEP8PPlpxyMaC48-iOIekciOABou8uTpRgf0mLKOx7fAnuBehEFI59aGb15DTi7Lr8CcZMKOA9u7V57vZ6-RO3k1NZ_TSR9aTUD8ec3Y0hiuQ/s3283/postcard142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2068" data-original-width="3283" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUncPvKUQfnsJgo0g9FGDRlt3RSvnaCv8E_g0ADoZOIaG4B9RIUDqtAem3mbXCrAvynXri-DlkiEXySEP8PPlpxyMaC48-iOIekciOABou8uTpRgf0mLKOx7fAnuBehEFI59aGb15DTi7Lr8CcZMKOA9u7V57vZ6-RO3k1NZ_TSR9aTUD8ec3Y0hiuQ/w400-h253/postcard142.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinger in 1973.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1UWA55kR_y26AgJEGCNVMvmajov3e96Wv26thvt-5UAaQ5-hOYtpIfRjXRmmJBljsMHsG2kJw95dhJvC46LsYE9AntV8m6W0Og3zYezW_izFzadllQ4EGyoDhYU9ZnjwalowiTEPbOIuIpzihCWSReZmHwQ6takppsBdvqsAPrw7o54Li8EziIpogw/s4032/IMG_9893.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1UWA55kR_y26AgJEGCNVMvmajov3e96Wv26thvt-5UAaQ5-hOYtpIfRjXRmmJBljsMHsG2kJw95dhJvC46LsYE9AntV8m6W0Og3zYezW_izFzadllQ4EGyoDhYU9ZnjwalowiTEPbOIuIpzihCWSReZmHwQ6takppsBdvqsAPrw7o54Li8EziIpogw/w400-h300/IMG_9893.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinger, or as it is known now, Montana Rusa in Colombia, looking nearly identical 50 years later (the only change is the addition of a catwalk which was added by Worlds of Fun)</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Zambezi Zinger: Manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf and designed by Werner Stengel, Zinger is classified as a Speedracer or Extended Jumbo Jet. Zinger operated at Worlds of Fun from 1973 until 1997 when it was removed following the end of the season. It was sold and purchased by Parque del Cafe in Montenegro Colombia, who reassembled the ride, complete with a concrete tunnel, and began operating it as Montana Rosa in 1999. Today it continues to operate in its “new” location. </span></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-77856213198987111262022-12-04T18:21:00.002-06:002022-12-04T19:34:26.039-06:00Zambezi Zinger: An Interview with Clair Hain and Tyler Mullins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jHuvguMxpDjp-JG6mCccQAtEdUfmUKCu4qUesNuvVp8OFz6Fx6hc8JjVTVVn8oP-jjaw8pVjdsDtITDCo5vYDvx8qSDXDDW9A0Nq-mYL_1ktDl0OUUWFhKZ5_0OjhdQX1coSowIsB8Kbyksi9gd_2sOMrVsAG6wlWrak-tdej8-4TWgqFlZCemn6yw/s3570/postcard122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2389" data-original-width="3570" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jHuvguMxpDjp-JG6mCccQAtEdUfmUKCu4qUesNuvVp8OFz6Fx6hc8JjVTVVn8oP-jjaw8pVjdsDtITDCo5vYDvx8qSDXDDW9A0Nq-mYL_1ktDl0OUUWFhKZ5_0OjhdQX1coSowIsB8Kbyksi9gd_2sOMrVsAG6wlWrak-tdej8-4TWgqFlZCemn6yw/s320/postcard122.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBFCsL9-UFe7d8Q-oiM2nhicYoJWsH4xYBjUXJM8hxsSwTrSSiWSIZyCfdlSKeYeY3VLbmsfKc-OlxJmsy9uncovgzinbDCEejXnBQKLBxw8ijxCPT9vCyloBJLMzPNmPYsg50BLuDOercXVsprOlr-jVAnMP8csKDdh-cKNbPnH36_-KrgHBaDHlqQ/s1350/300091385_10159039345318250_8976196657828152813_n.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBFCsL9-UFe7d8Q-oiM2nhicYoJWsH4xYBjUXJM8hxsSwTrSSiWSIZyCfdlSKeYeY3VLbmsfKc-OlxJmsy9uncovgzinbDCEejXnBQKLBxw8ijxCPT9vCyloBJLMzPNmPYsg50BLuDOercXVsprOlr-jVAnMP8csKDdh-cKNbPnH36_-KrgHBaDHlqQ/s320/300091385_10159039345318250_8976196657828152813_n.jpeg" width="256" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Last November, Worlds of Fun Dot Org had the privilege to interview Great Coasters International President Clair Hain and Skyline Attractions Design Engineer Tyler Mullins about the new Zambezi Zinger. Skyline Attractions provided the engineering and design work for Zambezi Zinger while Great Coasters International will construct the new ride. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Hain started in the roller coaster business in the 1980’s when the Playland Park Rocket was moved to Knoebels’ Grove where it was reborn as the Phoenix. He would work under Charlie Dinn, and then Charlie’s Daughter, Denise when she formed Custom Coasters International. Yes, that’s the same Charlie Dinn that built Timber Wolf; Hain was involved with Timber Wolf, Prowler, and Zambezi Zinger, touching every wooden or hybrid wooden coaster ever built at Worlds of Fun. In 1994, Hain established Great Coasters International (GCI) along with Mike Boodley, and together would create a portfolio of world-class wooden coasters, including Worlds of Fun’s own Prowler in 2009.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In 2014, three GCI employees left to form Skyline Attractions. The new company, named in honor of Cincinnati chili, continues to partner with GCI. on numerous projects, including the new Zambezi Zinger. Skyline Design Engineer Tyler Mullins is responsible for creating the Zinger’s layout. Mullins is a Cincinnati-native, having worked at Kings Island before earning an engineering degree and interning at GCI. Another internship with Skyline led to his current full-time role. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">in August 2021, Cedar Fair approached GCI about building a tribute Zambezi Zinger at Worlds of Fun. Hain explained that GCI prepared three concepts before they arrived at the final product. The first proposal a steel single-rail coaster that would reuse the Orient Express tunnel. Mullins explained that Cedar Fair had second thoughts about placing a homage to Zinger in the Asia section of the park and requested to move the design to the original Zinger site. According to Hain there would go on to be two more additional concepts, one being an all-steel track concept, and then the final concept with the spiral lift hill that the park chose to go with. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The spiral lift was identified as integral to the new Zambezi Zinger, Tyler states: “The spiral lift hill was an iconic element that we needed to retain, people see it and think Zambezi Zinger.” It was Anton Schwarzkopf that first introduced the spiral lift on the portable Jet Star II model and continued to include it on nearly all of his Jet Star and Speedracer coasters, including the Zambezi Zinger. The original was powered by a motor in each car, which connected to a power rail on the lift hill itself. A series of track-mounted feeder tires will propel trains up the new Zinger spiral. Feeder tires are common among amusement rides. Zinger’s will be quite different though instead of the tire coming in direct contact with the car, they will instead be mounted to grip (pinch) a fin on the bottom of each car. There will also be plenty of them, over a 120 different drive tires, Hain and Mullins both assured Worlds of Fun dot org that the tire system won’t be affected by rain. The new Zinger will also have a more traditional version of anti-rollbacks consisting of mounted with side-facing teeth. The original Zinger relied on a built-in clutch that would prevent unexpected rollbacks, but could be manually released to allow the train to roll back downhill in necessary. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOAh_KvBpBtar5TdLDh5T0nvMYY6FqEQa7nw4DSef5LiyY7Qk7pQcEvlwVujj8oVDyvO3b6eIvZC4_CIJFzT9knbYUKna__kx1TAwXFCyiG-NGqNvxM8wdZlrG3ScgphDRLdXqyd_qrQz3XXHMRcxaVJzq0HXWwmzNPJtGwHaMS02v55y1t3jV_YHVw/s4032/IMG_4052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOAh_KvBpBtar5TdLDh5T0nvMYY6FqEQa7nw4DSef5LiyY7Qk7pQcEvlwVujj8oVDyvO3b6eIvZC4_CIJFzT9knbYUKna__kx1TAwXFCyiG-NGqNvxM8wdZlrG3ScgphDRLdXqyd_qrQz3XXHMRcxaVJzq0HXWwmzNPJtGwHaMS02v55y1t3jV_YHVw/s320/IMG_4052.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The new Zinger will also be the first coaster to run GCI’s Infinity Flyer Trains. Infinity Flyers are built with class 4/class 5 restraints and can allow the train to accomplish crazy elements such as inversions, launches and more. Zinger obviously won’t have any of those elements, but three selling points made Infinity Flyer the obvious choice for Worlds of Fun’s new ride. Most importantly, Infinity Flyers come with a far tighter turning radius than the older Millennium Flyer trains. Infinity Flyers boast a an 8.95 foot minimum turn radius, compared to the older Millennium Flyers like Prowler’s that require a minimum radius of 18 feet. Why is this important? The train has to make it up a twisting lift hill, and only the Infinity Flyers can accomplish that unique feature. It also allows the overall ride to navigate far tighter, “zippy” maneuvers setting Zinger further apart from prior Great Coaster International coasters. The second impressive feature of Infinity Flyers is their rider-minimum-height requirement of 40” (though park operators may choose to set a higher height requirement). Thirdly, the new rolling stock are more accommodating to riders of difference sizes thanks to a hydraulic locking lap bar as opposed to the more typical mechanical ratcheting lap bar. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once the new Zinger was announced the first questions that were asked is what material it would actually be composed of, wood or steel. It is advertised as a hybrid coaster meaning it is not entirely steel and not entirely all wood, but surprisingly the decision on wood or steel wasn’t based entirely on ride ability but instead on aesthetics. Tyler Mullins explains in his own words:</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“There is over 600 feet of titan track, which statistically ends of being 25.6% of the ride just over a quarter of it is titan track, that consists of the full lift hill as well as the curve around the lift hill. The reason behind that is that we wanted to retain the very open aesthetic of the original Zinger’s lift hill, that if it was built out of wood it would be a very dense structure it wouldn’t really look like the iconic spiral lift hill, people wouldn’t associate it with the original.“</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When Jack Steadman and Lamar Hunt built Worlds of Fun 50 years ago they chose <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">a hilly, wooded Clay County site because of its natural beauty. Rides and attractions were designed around the trees, in some cases requiring multiple re-designs so not to disturb some of the older trees on site. Still that was then this is now. Only now it does seem like history is repeating. Mullins used a CAD drawing of the site, complete with tree locations, to design the new Zinger, specifically choosing the direction of the ride based on the trees on site, keeping the older ones even if it meant re-designing the entire coaster structure to accommodate it. They were even more squeezed by a nearby creek too. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The same creek already caused a</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">complete redesign of Prowler over a decade ago, This time the team went in with knowing not to cross the creek. According to</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Hain it was thanks to some endangered salamanders in the Prowler area, and now endangered Bats with Zinger area.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Yes, bats.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Maybe there really were bats living in the original zinger tunnel.</span></span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></div>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately not every tree could be saved. Mullins mentioned specifically two very large trees a 36” and 40” diameter set of trees that the park specifically requested to be saved, with the larger of the two dating to the Civll-War era. Once grading began they realized the roots of the oldest tree was more extensive than originally thought, and the structure of the ride was changed again to a unique cantilevered structure design at that location to maintain the original track profile, and help keep the trees roots intact. Even that wasn’t enough to save the tree. Hain states: “we had to salvage the trees. I think one had to go. We were going around it, and it ended up getting, its roots were getting hit. So we had to take it down. The one tree we wanted to save got taken out. It’s really quite a shame”. It was. A Nearly 200 year old tree. Hopefully the tree itself was saved for its wood and will be re-used in some way. The funny part of this though is that it wasn’t the first time this nearly exact same story happened. Four decades ago Orient Express was also designed around a very specific, old tree. Then park General Manager Lee Derrough told us about the ironic twist: after Orient Express opened the tree they had once tried desperately to save… also died. History does love to repeat itself.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When one thinks of the original Zinger what are the defining features? The spiral lift hill? The bobsled-style seating? And the tunnel. Yes, we are going there now. Mullins had a little to add to what we already know and it’s exciting to hear,“There will be a tunnel. Yes. I don’t know if I can say where it is going on the ride. I know the tunnel was a later commitment which is why it is not in the POV. It's been full committed, we’ve designed it, it’s going to be very exciting though because its in an area where you are going to get close to the ground. You are going to dive into the tunnel, it’s going to be one of those cases like on the Beast at Kings Island where you don’t know if the train is small enough to make it into the tunnel, you are going to lower your hands a little bit. I wish I could say more about where it was. “</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Worlds of Fun is definitely playing poker face on the tunnel location, but Mullins would continue to detail the overall ride experience. “With Zambezi Zinger you are already very close to the ground, this is the closest that any Great Coasters ride has gotten to the terrain. I don’t think people realize how exciting this element of the ride will be. We have designed new structure to accommodate putting this train as low to the ground as we can in some areas. And it is custom designed to the location with the hillside its on. You are going to be right on top of some of that terrain as you are tilting, it’s going to feel like you could stretch your hand out and brush the grass. And of course you can’t but it’s going to be so exciting.”</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are two details there that shouldn’t be missed, it will be the closest Great Coasters ride to the ground EVER built, and it will be so close to the ground you feel you could brush the grass with your fingers. Worlds of Fun dot org Editor Jeff Mast rode and operated the original Zambezi Zinger more times than he could count. He recounts how the original Zinger had a very similar “close to the ground” feature where you could literally run your hands through the puddles on the sides of the track. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Getting into the nuts and bolts of it all though, when will the new Zinger open? Hain says they are focused on meeting the deadline, weather permitting. I hate to mention that fifty years ago was one of the harshest winters on record, and it does seem that this year’s weather is looking to say “hold my beer” on that record. Hopefully not. Regardless Great Coasters is trying to hedge its bets and get ahead where they can. This winter Hain stated Great Coasters will be testing portions of the spiral lift in their offices in Pennsylvania. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“The biggest challenge right now is control systems.” Hain said. ”The control system is really difficult right now, because we aren<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>t the only ones, everyone in the industry is having difficulty getting electronic parts. We actually saved ourselves, we have two rides being built in China that I thought we sent everything over there for, but we haven<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>t built it yet, but the control system did not leave. Our control system company came in yesterday and stole the guts out of them, so that they could get the mother boards to put the control system together for this ride and one in Japan.” Don’t ever discount the importance of the system that runs the coaster, remember Mamba and the one train operation this year? Same thing. Sounds like a possible disaster was averted thanks to a little luck, a lot of experience and some good planning.</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So what is happening right now you may ask? According to Hain the park just obtained permits in November, foundations are going in, and some of the ride has gone vertical!. So we should hopefully get some more visuals from the park itself soon!</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawZc2LIOG9cLneZH8i7UnFurkXLYOg0fGDiCdygFP9UwzwdhDv0IWZLKVjVKJRTGaA6MHsaHRzJS4g1mQPeBKcdSdcNfLNNkVeO_x4Xdyie0WyBKjTSmIeHsGZQEYTSaIeVEIU9X_o8J4F-f1KCzVV455VpDJmc78MzzREm6bBmIuEHaLO5a6yLXeiQ/s4032/IMG_2498.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawZc2LIOG9cLneZH8i7UnFurkXLYOg0fGDiCdygFP9UwzwdhDv0IWZLKVjVKJRTGaA6MHsaHRzJS4g1mQPeBKcdSdcNfLNNkVeO_x4Xdyie0WyBKjTSmIeHsGZQEYTSaIeVEIU9X_o8J4F-f1KCzVV455VpDJmc78MzzREm6bBmIuEHaLO5a6yLXeiQ/s320/IMG_2498.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ever since the new Zambezi Zinger was announced in August many of us have dealt with a roller coaster of emotions, how is it like the old Zinger, how is it NOT like the old Zinger, is it really enough like the old Zinger to be called Zambezi Zinger? Many questions, with few straight answers. One item that is indisputable though, there is a certain amount of “magic” attributed to even just the name, to the concept of Zambezi Zinger. The moment the sign went back up on the queue house at Worlds of Fun is testament to that. Just simply mentioning it and everyone from Kansas City has their own story, or stories. Hain tells a story of going out for lunch in Kansas City recently “at this barbecue place, in the middle of this industrial area, by the train tracks” (one guess which one it was), he continued that when they walked in the greeter recognized the Great Coasters and Worlds of Fun logos and immediately said “oh you guys are building the Zambezi Zinger!” And of course they had to deny it, but that employee knew. It IS exciting, and the excitement is contagious. Hain expressed his opinion of the new Zambezi Zinger best “They are going to s**t! I think the people are going to s**t because of how insane this is going to be.” </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Special Thanks to Todd Swetnam for proofreading!</span></p><div><br /></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-25222777779252513142022-11-24T16:18:00.002-06:002022-11-24T16:18:09.290-06:00From Foam Mountains to Outer Space: The END! <p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Well folks we have come to the end; episode five of our look at the evolution of Worlds of Fun</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">s children</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">s areas. We started in Scandinavia with Half Pint</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">s Peak and Humpty</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">s Haven and forty-five years later have gone into outer space with the world-famous beagle, Snoopy. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0lb6RaNFG5YkaFb10FyzNPD4sLmZ8jYjeMkKB9pKe7YDO_2zO-Gki6YzkZIdSo0Znvz2SAalJrXKOQ9Tdmc4tpRMbVXo6vrvBC2QyP5WrjPtHvnIaddgqLIirufHc18rK0WNvR2_bZGcLfrzsKDBXAsBxs_tvSigKx3vd1qF4TKnq3pfNt8EDDT2QA/s4256/DSC_8447.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0lb6RaNFG5YkaFb10FyzNPD4sLmZ8jYjeMkKB9pKe7YDO_2zO-Gki6YzkZIdSo0Znvz2SAalJrXKOQ9Tdmc4tpRMbVXo6vrvBC2QyP5WrjPtHvnIaddgqLIirufHc18rK0WNvR2_bZGcLfrzsKDBXAsBxs_tvSigKx3vd1qF4TKnq3pfNt8EDDT2QA/s320/DSC_8447.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On August 10th 2010 Worlds of Fun announced the new expansion of Planet Snoopy of Snoopy's Birthday!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyb7FpOX-i12-78ZJUBjzQ8viHTzYcxJLkStYXhNIYGlNDBwmIMNzxIE6_X2Y2BrkTxF5Yiu9XuTrSZlHgd6evBeubxvlWUpILzcSUxvF7SU3xXSH5TPseWVEMQWh-XFcVBM2VVO7JCsUJwkI2aMaf7l21JvesAfRp0g_X8CKqe9s0hAfXCvALYl2XQ/s4256/DSC_8456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyb7FpOX-i12-78ZJUBjzQ8viHTzYcxJLkStYXhNIYGlNDBwmIMNzxIE6_X2Y2BrkTxF5Yiu9XuTrSZlHgd6evBeubxvlWUpILzcSUxvF7SU3xXSH5TPseWVEMQWh-XFcVBM2VVO7JCsUJwkI2aMaf7l21JvesAfRp0g_X8CKqe9s0hAfXCvALYl2XQ/s320/DSC_8456.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snoopy even got a special dog-boned shaped birthday cake for the occasion!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFqPzLc9HV9OP-jNda_bfeWNtumUhNww9bq-N76ttPOk2N2_qLOMq8Va3vXD7MD3GQYQSwFAgE4D3ltNO5UmmnvTtLd4MMA-M0-SKDH9yLIRlRBBapoYcdD5dvfXno3YegewUomRMYdMrk95qH2h18_44YDYhgSUTWVfRywE3WXSSwuS3TZlyvsJryg/s4256/DSC_8459.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4256" data-original-width="2832" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFqPzLc9HV9OP-jNda_bfeWNtumUhNww9bq-N76ttPOk2N2_qLOMq8Va3vXD7MD3GQYQSwFAgE4D3ltNO5UmmnvTtLd4MMA-M0-SKDH9yLIRlRBBapoYcdD5dvfXno3YegewUomRMYdMrk95qH2h18_44YDYhgSUTWVfRywE3WXSSwuS3TZlyvsJryg/s320/DSC_8459.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandon Stanley, Director of Public Relations at the time posing with the concept art for the new Planet Snoopy.</td></tr></tbody></table></span><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 2010 Cedar Fair decided it was time to update Worlds of Fun<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Camp Snoopy and expand it once again, this time rebranding it to Planet Snoopy! It<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s hard to forget that day in August 2010 when Worlds of Fun announced the new expansion on Snoopy<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s birthday! There was a gigantic gift box, balloons, and a dog-bone-shaped cake!</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NOCeTGtMcYNfrvy3dFUqZIw2tynmSkPSZhDAweMdxGzyFVn4AJ7dqVlWm28Up1_MHUUwLNY4q81ymkCxBS5izX5B4fxidN5zY7yzgwPP6-b_CgBY0KhU7jYvOikrwWBwpohjnQNKVQhoB_W7RyVXVg7rMK_kiOkxCRv7lWGLnPCXaJIrJK6PItb_6w/s4256/DSC_3856.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NOCeTGtMcYNfrvy3dFUqZIw2tynmSkPSZhDAweMdxGzyFVn4AJ7dqVlWm28Up1_MHUUwLNY4q81ymkCxBS5izX5B4fxidN5zY7yzgwPP6-b_CgBY0KhU7jYvOikrwWBwpohjnQNKVQhoB_W7RyVXVg7rMK_kiOkxCRv7lWGLnPCXaJIrJK6PItb_6w/s320/DSC_3856.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 1997 Bear County Museum is transformed into Peanut's Showplace, with the removal of much of the Berenstain Bear Country theming removed.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oRExs_ZB3lAtYK_bsrDIgkl6wj-6uFjOTsxYrDn416VuX2LkKn3ItbXJ8JEAsIZtz72-Zph-4efFUWpgXP0ac8iSNh8T1K0zX4ahTKv_UcUB-LqLDUxnr3-5wgf9YCssJccWW_j1LSTpsy_tQxX0uh-n1Elvn70W82qKIGRueaZcTd7MrDnNIPlWPw/s4256/DSC_4373.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oRExs_ZB3lAtYK_bsrDIgkl6wj-6uFjOTsxYrDn416VuX2LkKn3ItbXJ8JEAsIZtz72-Zph-4efFUWpgXP0ac8iSNh8T1K0zX4ahTKv_UcUB-LqLDUxnr3-5wgf9YCssJccWW_j1LSTpsy_tQxX0uh-n1Elvn70W82qKIGRueaZcTd7MrDnNIPlWPw/s320/DSC_4373.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planet Snoopy still very much under construction even on opening day.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65qYWKduLLpKJm2-5E0ennS9Qi3nwa86ujs2aKP9GljufCEPHNQi5ytQgPCWj5dgzPVk79h0tC9suSomeriXq9mPDF0Gp5V_jcptu0vTtr0Pl-CQaSWOagLgd7TVlo920-35lwKX-EETMr134MOFIJwjnTnN6UjSyDfVkZgmKv744GMn8AvJ1ZOcu8Q/s4256/DSC_6047.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65qYWKduLLpKJm2-5E0ennS9Qi3nwa86ujs2aKP9GljufCEPHNQi5ytQgPCWj5dgzPVk79h0tC9suSomeriXq9mPDF0Gp5V_jcptu0vTtr0Pl-CQaSWOagLgd7TVlo920-35lwKX-EETMr134MOFIJwjnTnN6UjSyDfVkZgmKv744GMn8AvJ1ZOcu8Q/s320/DSC_6047.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand Opening of Planet Snoopy occurred on May 28, 2011. Frank Wilburn, park General Manager at the time cuts the ceremonial ribbon. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">When the park opened on April 16, 2011, nearly nothing was ready in the new Planet Snoopy except for Wacky Worm, Pony Promenade, Woodstock<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Express, and Scrambler. Slowly, seemingly every week another ride came online until by summer Planet Snoopy was up and fully operational. Planet Snoopy was the largest kid<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s area expansion in park history, with the addition of seven new rides all manufactured by the Italian firm, Zamperla. The new rides included Woodstock Whirlybirds (Mini Tea Cup), Lucy<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Tugboat (Rockin<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’ </span>Tug), Sally<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Swing Set (Happy Swing), Peanut<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Road Rally (Convoy), Flying Ace Balloon Race (Samba Balloon Tower), Peanut<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s 500 (Speedway), and Snoopy<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Rocket Express (Aerial tram). Worlds of Fun<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Planet Snoopy expansion saw the removal of two kids' rides: Road Rally (Micro Moto Bahn added in 1977) and Head over Wheels (Viking Vheel added in 1982).</span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6ElDksbWtS0fwYt3N1B2vh2f_r_ISStobL534QD1D2y3bUqKgUjb2Fb_Qn38xytMRUN5ehmgYPW_Hxxlw90byBlbYMdPB3903Y2qNRwrLFKCDmfbYLGHIwY2MrkWpAR4FoKIcZX90K80BUVFZ8CVfUs9wDJTQG6RtIPvdIH56gxZAxqdjnn6Vw3tLg/s4256/DSC_6065.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6ElDksbWtS0fwYt3N1B2vh2f_r_ISStobL534QD1D2y3bUqKgUjb2Fb_Qn38xytMRUN5ehmgYPW_Hxxlw90byBlbYMdPB3903Y2qNRwrLFKCDmfbYLGHIwY2MrkWpAR4FoKIcZX90K80BUVFZ8CVfUs9wDJTQG6RtIPvdIH56gxZAxqdjnn6Vw3tLg/s320/DSC_6065.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodstock Whirlybirds by Zamperla.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEXiWCMka6Ltdqg8xHHhIPi-zODaAx-B3DXfBsaIR8FjI7hmNJohq89I7F6KzNWfQ499WLw0Yvan4KCxdvsLD5Rwlwv4gSmSkxQsPvX11KZ-5eozYBykzNJVq-sqTkIdWRLNlNOBVXyA-FbncZQOBygP1IWdeA9e8e-NcbWaYSLwBYuRkGDFmQ-qb9A/s4256/DSC_6398.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEXiWCMka6Ltdqg8xHHhIPi-zODaAx-B3DXfBsaIR8FjI7hmNJohq89I7F6KzNWfQ499WLw0Yvan4KCxdvsLD5Rwlwv4gSmSkxQsPvX11KZ-5eozYBykzNJVq-sqTkIdWRLNlNOBVXyA-FbncZQOBygP1IWdeA9e8e-NcbWaYSLwBYuRkGDFmQ-qb9A/s320/DSC_6398.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut's 500<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsfZe64irBGUE8IsqDRxCE070bhKBvZlpCGhoeQ5yny7ohr7n6bOXlCWgoiJoXE9mNElOSPAJ_REi_5ko1Xlu9ZRJ8UmNYmKTsbSI6Y6Yz6ameFyk1Y7zPgqN6ochmVFPy_iFNL8f_bBZbBDCIhFi6nfhZRQrpmLe_539MrZ19HlEq72NpUa02zbP0Q/s4256/DSC_6433.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsfZe64irBGUE8IsqDRxCE070bhKBvZlpCGhoeQ5yny7ohr7n6bOXlCWgoiJoXE9mNElOSPAJ_REi_5ko1Xlu9ZRJ8UmNYmKTsbSI6Y6Yz6ameFyk1Y7zPgqN6ochmVFPy_iFNL8f_bBZbBDCIhFi6nfhZRQrpmLe_539MrZ19HlEq72NpUa02zbP0Q/s320/DSC_6433.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucy's Rockin' Tug.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to new rides, the entire area also received some well-needed cosmetic updates. The concrete paths were replaced by paving stones. Outbuildings such as the old <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">“</span>Bear County School” (Sally<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Dance Studio), and <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">“</span>Boys Club/No Girls Allowed” (Woodstock<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Nature Center) were removed. The Spooky Old Tree(Kite Eating Tree) slide was entirely removed to make way for the Rocket Express loading platform. Woodstock’s Airmail would take on the Kite Eating Tree name after moving across the midway to accommodate the arrival of the Peanut<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s 500 ride. The <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">“</span>old” Bear County Museum (Beagle Bay Outfitters and Snoopy Campground Theatre) would also receive exterior updates to remove additional remnants of Bear County theming while the nearby Launchpad Gifts (Great Waldo<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Prop Shop) was converted into a Family Care Center. Taken individually no one change was massive, but taken as a whole it was the update the area deserved and made the entire area feel fresh and new. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"></p><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVaY0-jMKen94BNadNY8N0zbrrq3LBiy4BtDsdD96uBS29-S3FcbUnmZBq2LJmGSAZG81eP2FSmO5S5GKbk4C2-HZHXHy_oQ6FAMzD23FDUC8csIrAKbj0AZJbaVyE5DR1Ia-zJgIB1Y-Ec5xHLcDqZaHH96KwPfWUKQKf0q4SI8YTBMzb3J5Zrj8Vg/s4032/IMG_3679.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVaY0-jMKen94BNadNY8N0zbrrq3LBiy4BtDsdD96uBS29-S3FcbUnmZBq2LJmGSAZG81eP2FSmO5S5GKbk4C2-HZHXHy_oQ6FAMzD23FDUC8csIrAKbj0AZJbaVyE5DR1Ia-zJgIB1Y-Ec5xHLcDqZaHH96KwPfWUKQKf0q4SI8YTBMzb3J5Zrj8Vg/s320/IMG_3679.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;">The Snoopy in a canoe is replacing by a tubing Snoopy. </span><br /><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOi7Sw8LuAv0J33xbOVu6wtz6ViQ9JJ_s6Cn3ddHxS4q0JzOhDBjTBhZiW9WmNNmuuiw3wwkCy5CuZbAYmb3c4nkRncVRmEH4r21mfMBWGF8ExsFEVuu-PT8Hs4B0Tkxx0v9g3PhF1CqB60MPcvPzduBvZ1lf1q8iPVDXs_BDN0qp0rhjfBFBGkeUQrA/s1280/P6100041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOi7Sw8LuAv0J33xbOVu6wtz6ViQ9JJ_s6Cn3ddHxS4q0JzOhDBjTBhZiW9WmNNmuuiw3wwkCy5CuZbAYmb3c4nkRncVRmEH4r21mfMBWGF8ExsFEVuu-PT8Hs4B0Tkxx0v9g3PhF1CqB60MPcvPzduBvZ1lf1q8iPVDXs_BDN0qp0rhjfBFBGkeUQrA/s320/P6100041.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great before and after, Campground Theater and Beagle Bay Outfitters in Camp Snoopy (previously the Bear Country Museum).</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV-dee6zHiGn2AqZikM3HiTDs5kxYxNrAOdWyLhPRgig5cRsvhyhH3TMjH3MzZav0cSP-xoA9rEIhcoUr3z89u1AmkBISrM9rx3xLUQZpk5gnQ9ayrrLCtGZkNNORo1vQWvQYfJpnkSTkOwl7tF4XwfbjsDwz4ypwSNpeOmfqFC0cGb9NTuJmXVlkww/s3264/IMG_8873.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV-dee6zHiGn2AqZikM3HiTDs5kxYxNrAOdWyLhPRgig5cRsvhyhH3TMjH3MzZav0cSP-xoA9rEIhcoUr3z89u1AmkBISrM9rx3xLUQZpk5gnQ9ayrrLCtGZkNNORo1vQWvQYfJpnkSTkOwl7tF4XwfbjsDwz4ypwSNpeOmfqFC0cGb9NTuJmXVlkww/s320/IMG_8873.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And after the transition to Planet Snoopy.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 2012 Worlds of Fun relocated and rethemed its oldest steel coaster, Wacky Worm In an ironic twist, the park<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s first kiddie coaster, Funicular/Silly Serpent was also moved and re-themed, so Wacky Worm was just following tradition. In Wacky Worm<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s case, it was only moved up a hill and was re-themed to Cosmic Coaster. The worm-themed train became a rocket, (with feet!), and the apple transformed into a planet. More ride removals came in 2012 with the retirement of Peanut<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Ponies (Pony Promenade added in 1982) and Woodstock Express (Too Too Train added in 1987).. In 2015, Worlds of Fun decommissioned the park-orginal Krazy Kars (Crashem Bashem), the last remaining kiddie ride outside of Planet Snoopy.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ3LfRGjZAuybGlhL_7p9TNP6rIN2WSNzEE5zJp_hNarhqGKO4BoSG2dxlyt5Oe3ziGyKYc0h2cIJojc3YyrnTSy4oPT61LqAol2UVNJaCan6O146ONOWom4FH3JgaFMW0syFsAP3kZjyb1_nwtX9alakqVnVo59cQNYGFMtwY0M0t8XzjuCkyBagzA/s2884/wackyworm04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2059" data-original-width="2884" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ3LfRGjZAuybGlhL_7p9TNP6rIN2WSNzEE5zJp_hNarhqGKO4BoSG2dxlyt5Oe3ziGyKYc0h2cIJojc3YyrnTSy4oPT61LqAol2UVNJaCan6O146ONOWom4FH3JgaFMW0syFsAP3kZjyb1_nwtX9alakqVnVo59cQNYGFMtwY0M0t8XzjuCkyBagzA/s320/wackyworm04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wacky Worm when the area was known as Pandamonium.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRxj0f6K_Vq6Topr5XVGqM4ibWDB3q1dJh18ZscALITfWULuYW2Pm15hE_ouWpEAHE2w3maPMccTFYVnOor2P_LQTKu9LDMTCL6BSpLHA68dIRi_x_zA4siPaVBt6hqVCu5Mdix8ofRfs0Hv7oPduIOL_-dZ9QXAX8emBpUKOemG6m4ybXw3IXVAHWQ/s3264/IMG_6976.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRxj0f6K_Vq6Topr5XVGqM4ibWDB3q1dJh18ZscALITfWULuYW2Pm15hE_ouWpEAHE2w3maPMccTFYVnOor2P_LQTKu9LDMTCL6BSpLHA68dIRi_x_zA4siPaVBt6hqVCu5Mdix8ofRfs0Hv7oPduIOL_-dZ9QXAX8emBpUKOemG6m4ybXw3IXVAHWQ/s320/IMG_6976.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A near identical view in 2016 once Wacky Worm was moved up the hill and several rides were added.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYqGdugeTUnDe5wJ1_s_89epOlPWUyda7jhwpQkQMivKg2h6vNcUv2-Gwy02rNNYSGwhI7Xe-WYpaifOV73KsTSHkoPTe4XzoEHXKvBI9TqfgvSXE_P7_ZtOgwEffyc9T3Yaglbl_lccdieD-5KIIs4xKvYkaouMfiBDGmT6wLGFBmePD4B1xcraKWA/s3264/IMG_0152.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYqGdugeTUnDe5wJ1_s_89epOlPWUyda7jhwpQkQMivKg2h6vNcUv2-Gwy02rNNYSGwhI7Xe-WYpaifOV73KsTSHkoPTe4XzoEHXKvBI9TqfgvSXE_P7_ZtOgwEffyc9T3Yaglbl_lccdieD-5KIIs4xKvYkaouMfiBDGmT6wLGFBmePD4B1xcraKWA/s320/IMG_0152.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wacky Worm was moved and became Cosmic Coaster in 2012. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Big changes were right around the bend in 2016, when Cedar Fair expanded Planet Snoopy again, with five new rides from Zamperla! These rides were truly additions rather than replacements; no rides were removed from Planet Snoopy to accommodate the new arrivals in 2016. Beagle Brigade Airfield (Flying Tigers) would replace the aging restaurant building that was originally Lucky Lyndy<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Lunch counter (better known as the employee cafeteria in the late 90s and more recently Magical House on Boo Hill), Snoopy<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Space Buggies (Jump Around), Linus Launcher (Kite Flyer) and Snoopy Junction (Rio Grande Train) would be added down the hill from Cosmic Coaster, where Wacky Worm used to sit. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdM-KXg0DWFv__BIuNU8Z5nK4r9fdrVjbM0mOYS3_bJfOVp1NFubAxjyahGW2eofX5PZ4YE10v5OZ77uC-R4TSsMM4inOZhiY1nfm7EgCNNBOttZOrg9lGpyFPeRRcnHVZMXjLXl_q_kZcDK8nHCCSTBbw9v2px9S5gxvrPR2shAgKrhpqLO0sFoWdPQ/s3008/DSC_2747.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdM-KXg0DWFv__BIuNU8Z5nK4r9fdrVjbM0mOYS3_bJfOVp1NFubAxjyahGW2eofX5PZ4YE10v5OZ77uC-R4TSsMM4inOZhiY1nfm7EgCNNBOttZOrg9lGpyFPeRRcnHVZMXjLXl_q_kZcDK8nHCCSTBbw9v2px9S5gxvrPR2shAgKrhpqLO0sFoWdPQ/s320/DSC_2747.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magical House on Boo Hill was the last incarnation of the original Lucky Lindy's Lunch Counter. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRJMSCIIYjAaMFhNuffoqbYvwPi3W-coE0wjXZDEM8VQPk81dM4tkEAJBdnFcIPr0FjwhK-9SR8k9GyxpYYbBBHAg_3PqJYQaJwXQ7m8bxl1EOmLhxc7pbWyRFTquL58uYab5Cv8An1z4j_eR4YigmhI-BKu2X0GBIIKK7srLxiJ52bi9_6j6r3le_Q/s3264/IMG_7007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRJMSCIIYjAaMFhNuffoqbYvwPi3W-coE0wjXZDEM8VQPk81dM4tkEAJBdnFcIPr0FjwhK-9SR8k9GyxpYYbBBHAg_3PqJYQaJwXQ7m8bxl1EOmLhxc7pbWyRFTquL58uYab5Cv8An1z4j_eR4YigmhI-BKu2X0GBIIKK7srLxiJ52bi9_6j6r3le_Q/s320/IMG_7007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beagle Brigade Airfield replaced Magical House on Boo Hill. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPkopQcKXeMgC474ZUYIZigSgl-9ApkgEqwXMMO3joMD6cCIjDk0SaC1PjtyxA4bzK5OsISLO88q4buXJ2nuhDMHzFzH6ycGqH86mG2yTKZeU722e67Ow0O6F1eQb6XofGWYFjN8ELNLmgojbx3HYyT3hHAVNx-3KsNH64Q_6RaBsgbIZg07niUV0ZQ/s3264/IMG_6987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPkopQcKXeMgC474ZUYIZigSgl-9ApkgEqwXMMO3joMD6cCIjDk0SaC1PjtyxA4bzK5OsISLO88q4buXJ2nuhDMHzFzH6ycGqH86mG2yTKZeU722e67Ow0O6F1eQb6XofGWYFjN8ELNLmgojbx3HYyT3hHAVNx-3KsNH64Q_6RaBsgbIZg07niUV0ZQ/s320/IMG_6987.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snoopy Junction</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the center of Planet Snoopy, the park added a popular Larson Flying Scooter, known at the park as Woodstock GlidersWoodstock Gliders seems an unpresumptuous little ride, but it has quite a history as both a ride and for where it stands at Worlds of Fun. First from a ride standpoint, though it's new at Worlds of Fun, the ride, at least in concept is very old. Bisch-Rocco first manufactured a nearly identical ride in the 1930s and 1940s known as the Flying Scooter. There are a few of the original variety of these rides left, including one at Cedar Fair’s Carowinds in Charlotte, NC. Larson Rides, best known for its Ring of Fire ride, revived the concept and re-introduced the Flying Scooters ride in the 2000s. The new version is nearly identical to the old version though some enthusiasts disagree on various aspects of the ride experience itself. </span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcyEQ4R5HjhCmQTpAWJv0yPYo1hO6gn8o7dtF3-R1wag3X6vyoJ4iBGjPDuXD-AOgUTBPZsoTsyQmwcv_gtuAwSkVIlgI9zM8huII1-JUPl44vTjjQChNYlqxSGOFsssDdFHshPrhvKWBgt-7NsGnJTBdX2hOr_5cDTmlQQDOb32j-lRdIrrnz3j6yA/s2703/barnstormer8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2085" data-original-width="2703" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcyEQ4R5HjhCmQTpAWJv0yPYo1hO6gn8o7dtF3-R1wag3X6vyoJ4iBGjPDuXD-AOgUTBPZsoTsyQmwcv_gtuAwSkVIlgI9zM8huII1-JUPl44vTjjQChNYlqxSGOFsssDdFHshPrhvKWBgt-7NsGnJTBdX2hOr_5cDTmlQQDOb32j-lRdIrrnz3j6yA/s320/barnstormer8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">A few more before and afters. So first we have Barnstormer in 1978.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjHwqwaUSG61PsvAQzO_dvYO6RDAiBwgkqYtEG_45-cJwb6xQqg2gvahikqg-55CQi7-VdhSgHs5kPGUKvBQ3iGvuZ-QzRQOcDqKI5dlqvdppYG2HNFp28ercSnpU-YbYdFMCH4x91FFU6CIB2gOqXpcX_s-_CEwwkVoMbzOeZH4oZ9KXyz7sNH9m8A/s1000/pandamonium3lrg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1000" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjHwqwaUSG61PsvAQzO_dvYO6RDAiBwgkqYtEG_45-cJwb6xQqg2gvahikqg-55CQi7-VdhSgHs5kPGUKvBQ3iGvuZ-QzRQOcDqKI5dlqvdppYG2HNFp28ercSnpU-YbYdFMCH4x91FFU6CIB2gOqXpcX_s-_CEwwkVoMbzOeZH4oZ9KXyz7sNH9m8A/s320/pandamonium3lrg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tailspinner (Octopus) would replace Barnstormer in 1984, it would last until 1996.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpamsKd4lfELFF_wP9v1AH0BeABWl_cpm7d8KyIAFYRNQ8SnyXrNsXRVRIG0i-kTGJ7-Ul2Q6FtyzlgZXS5Q_breitgHVYi2tdXVVpgUJE0Fdkto6c8hLUIglTLnb_-X3G8vmYK7Gk5Kctn4fa3AVEnvjYGIpnifQVbjarWOm9qLHZVtu4cD7_YIIKw/s4032/IMG_3692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpamsKd4lfELFF_wP9v1AH0BeABWl_cpm7d8KyIAFYRNQ8SnyXrNsXRVRIG0i-kTGJ7-Ul2Q6FtyzlgZXS5Q_breitgHVYi2tdXVVpgUJE0Fdkto6c8hLUIglTLnb_-X3G8vmYK7Gk5Kctn4fa3AVEnvjYGIpnifQVbjarWOm9qLHZVtu4cD7_YIIKw/s320/IMG_3692.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the current ride in the SAME PLACE is Woodstock Gilders.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Woodstock Gliders moved into a rather historic piece of Worlds of Fun real estate, first home to Barnstormer (1978-1983) and then Octopus/Tailspinner (1984-1996). Octopus was removed from the park in 1997 to accommodate the installation of the Berenstain Bear Family Treehouse (Octopus would be reinstalled in Scandinavia in 1998). It wasn’t long before the Berenstain Bears were evicted, and the Snoopy Bounce inflatable was installed on the site. Woodstock Gliders was the first ride to be located at the site in twenty years! One could easily miss that the small building built as a pump house for Barnstormer is still standing. It was rethemed to Papa’s workshop in Berenstain Bear Country and the PEANUTS school house in Camp Snoopy. The rethemed building is once again fulfilling its purpose as a ride’s electrical building.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1HoBeU1dvHNjMQez9JT123FWuw5tVRxK-UY3IV46Q5ndmpXvUhVS1asKF_xE9O1iY7MTk78tAE7Uw0VX0C53vLpIZmp0dkV06NWWStUip-gIvGWO14qQRm71hKnqYPcF1FmLo939NPGOiq4tihnYBbXqa0zy8NHn9P4qjNbRn0KPECxE9Ejx4vfr0A/s4032/IMG_3689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1HoBeU1dvHNjMQez9JT123FWuw5tVRxK-UY3IV46Q5ndmpXvUhVS1asKF_xE9O1iY7MTk78tAE7Uw0VX0C53vLpIZmp0dkV06NWWStUip-gIvGWO14qQRm71hKnqYPcF1FmLo939NPGOiq4tihnYBbXqa0zy8NHn9P4qjNbRn0KPECxE9Ejx4vfr0A/s320/IMG_3689.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Peanut's Playhouse became a petting zoo in 2019.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhh5-OA9tMyBjRc5VT7W23o3wxwWaxw_aMnuGQYnUxu7w1Ou1QmT9TXWdo8lCKxgdm3n2o_DzoDZPwmp2t2mPOXbYJgV5QhrZhA2HLqzgOgYMxTOnt-tZkHzXaTBEJfxQp0TrEnY_we9TjmzQ35qL1nSqkRgKm28IVBCW6OpWGLt_Dkn2IGyTQW26Mg/s4032/IMG_0653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhh5-OA9tMyBjRc5VT7W23o3wxwWaxw_aMnuGQYnUxu7w1Ou1QmT9TXWdo8lCKxgdm3n2o_DzoDZPwmp2t2mPOXbYJgV5QhrZhA2HLqzgOgYMxTOnt-tZkHzXaTBEJfxQp0TrEnY_we9TjmzQ35qL1nSqkRgKm28IVBCW6OpWGLt_Dkn2IGyTQW26Mg/s320/IMG_0653.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Probably one of my favorite "expansions" was the introduction of Woodstock!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVapv-WV0ILc4xMr2jD20e5OpM5NZfiIHO0zD6VemS9COnm47mAlTYzPN8SQCNyFcepgYeHStvOv6D3Lz5SnyH2WRgbOCm1jrtksNrq1-7GG7VyL7OiiWoOpd76hM9hsOEYnSENDD3iEpWYGhDfiOV_AR18U7NSidRU9YN7V-AlWTqe_13SXRB56jlg/s4032/IMG_5150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVapv-WV0ILc4xMr2jD20e5OpM5NZfiIHO0zD6VemS9COnm47mAlTYzPN8SQCNyFcepgYeHStvOv6D3Lz5SnyH2WRgbOCm1jrtksNrq1-7GG7VyL7OiiWoOpd76hM9hsOEYnSENDD3iEpWYGhDfiOV_AR18U7NSidRU9YN7V-AlWTqe_13SXRB56jlg/s320/IMG_5150.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">And the introduction of Schroder and Franklin.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Planet Snoopy hasn<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>t changed much in the last few years. Peanut<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Playhouse became an animal petting zoo in 2019, (and was a mask-free rest area in 2020 during COVID) A few new walk-around characters have been added to the Peanut<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s mascot lineup including Woodstock and Franklin. As much as things have changed over the last forty-five years so much has also stayed the same. Red Baron is still where it was parked in 1978 with the addition of Aerodrome, the Aerodrome <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">“</span>hangar-themed” bathrooms still look exactly as they did forty-four years ago too. The basic structure of the original Flying Circus Theater, which became Panda Pavilion in the 1980s still exists as part of Peanut<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Showplace (look for the metal poles and spot the different ceiling types). Even the incredibly popular play-music pad from the Bear County Expansion still exists. And though many older rides have been removed many still operate including the 1974 Red Baron, (originally Scandinavia), the 1978 Tot<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Yachts (also Scandinavia), the 1979 Beetle Bumps (originally in the Orient), and the 1987 Turntyke and Swing-a-Ling (from Pandamonium) still take their second and possibly third generations for a ride.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEseHiOvCuqhqMp3q5W9cfe--5jb90OXdlGjf1U0MOqYz3ZSZ74cQjdJw7o2x9G4DsKbHsxuofAvq4B2ezOe8jyYC0dsfaXjkZ3I5NKcAaFAr1n55-tQUM56PEKAPVLkeVwnjpFOWF_TN-lTteiagWuZElmuAJbMEwq1ujyjeZVl8b1ezCMETQZJBfg/s4032/IMG_3683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEseHiOvCuqhqMp3q5W9cfe--5jb90OXdlGjf1U0MOqYz3ZSZ74cQjdJw7o2x9G4DsKbHsxuofAvq4B2ezOe8jyYC0dsfaXjkZ3I5NKcAaFAr1n55-tQUM56PEKAPVLkeVwnjpFOWF_TN-lTteiagWuZElmuAJbMEwq1ujyjeZVl8b1ezCMETQZJBfg/s320/IMG_3683.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">The original Aerodrome bathrooms still look like airplane hangers.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJo4PEi-mTEJnk5pxst9K4hqWny2iI441N5HHDXcn1Yi_GAJ9U08YVuJssihEH4FkdPB4ua76R0WZhvn5Jc5_E65vqF8Q_-gfG-BP1l29DXti1HXZEh5l6NvB37-ALL1l2iE0-EOdQLTFgjNUFk9x93NKe--0YmYKdP4z3x4-TsrZ_bzQj9DPqPGinA/s4032/IMG_3684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJo4PEi-mTEJnk5pxst9K4hqWny2iI441N5HHDXcn1Yi_GAJ9U08YVuJssihEH4FkdPB4ua76R0WZhvn5Jc5_E65vqF8Q_-gfG-BP1l29DXti1HXZEh5l6NvB37-ALL1l2iE0-EOdQLTFgjNUFk9x93NKe--0YmYKdP4z3x4-TsrZ_bzQj9DPqPGinA/s320/IMG_3684.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Barnstormer pump house today is used for electrical housing for Woodstock Gliders.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDntABH7DSYdVhlZ0oG0sVF7okykYH0bZHk6U2NlDJQQ132jw5GswZqCA2KZQnCxBaK7-10Lg-DL1VWGajvh-Uv99zny_5ak_eGoMXOxSatZME5jxsvIe0qK_fYXO6uCIaFUcvoHxiAPNr1ljWhii2CTrv52dlrE1n_rAh_Q5Dj6QMJynT3ddag2rbQ/s4032/IMG_6968.jpg" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDntABH7DSYdVhlZ0oG0sVF7okykYH0bZHk6U2NlDJQQ132jw5GswZqCA2KZQnCxBaK7-10Lg-DL1VWGajvh-Uv99zny_5ak_eGoMXOxSatZME5jxsvIe0qK_fYXO6uCIaFUcvoHxiAPNr1ljWhii2CTrv52dlrE1n_rAh_Q5Dj6QMJynT3ddag2rbQ/s320/IMG_6968.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the separation between Peanut's Showplace and Snoopy Boutique you can still see the original structure of Flying Circus Theater.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">That s at the heart of it all, families having fun together, kids experiencing the same fun rides their parents, and even grandparents enjoyed. I<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>m 45 and have fond memories of both Humpty<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s Haven in Scandinavia and Pandamonium growing up. Many people my age have children, and some even grandchildren that are experiencing the same rides I and their mothers, fathers, and grandparents rode as kids. Those years, the experiences may be in the past, but the memories never are, they just continue to grow with the years. Here<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">’</span>s to many more years of fun times for kids of all ages at Worlds of Fun. </span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6p8pljrgpuJhxiegmCSNVtrw9ZLHXD2cJXyagXAEIuXp5lRtFa_TureChWtedReGI5-Ozb_OOPgF7ekBnHWHxhIEeaWpCXPi2fV-TwUSutKt0n6TCV6e4q-p-z7zTfTv9m9NlQWq1GZVCAYEXsGO7Q_0L9uuIMFr_Q55ZzabvuLsNAASsVl3cpJ5gaw/s504/aerodrome3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="504" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6p8pljrgpuJhxiegmCSNVtrw9ZLHXD2cJXyagXAEIuXp5lRtFa_TureChWtedReGI5-Ozb_OOPgF7ekBnHWHxhIEeaWpCXPi2fV-TwUSutKt0n6TCV6e4q-p-z7zTfTv9m9NlQWq1GZVCAYEXsGO7Q_0L9uuIMFr_Q55ZzabvuLsNAASsVl3cpJ5gaw/s320/aerodrome3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Having more fun with before and after this view is from 1978, but as you will soon see its a view that hasn't changed much in 45 years. </span></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQw8gufUDlngLTTEwas51TjM_OO406aVGgLPdKlmDiuPQwcMG1FHdCEjdrWM_eWsaCufNzkw8VP1x_8GivqU1JLF-sJQIvSNCPjD5D4YeUgKAcp4tjB0u_tIHcf79cEpUyYk6GxBiHfs0XAE_O08vZeLaY9GghC9Qstdbn4e0y5_-WqHXdZLzF37fqw/s3568/pandamairlines001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2290" data-original-width="3568" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQw8gufUDlngLTTEwas51TjM_OO406aVGgLPdKlmDiuPQwcMG1FHdCEjdrWM_eWsaCufNzkw8VP1x_8GivqU1JLF-sJQIvSNCPjD5D4YeUgKAcp4tjB0u_tIHcf79cEpUyYk6GxBiHfs0XAE_O08vZeLaY9GghC9Qstdbn4e0y5_-WqHXdZLzF37fqw/s320/pandamairlines001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Same ride, same location in the 1990's, PandAm Airlines. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-iXaJtyvo5epF_NGpkmjl8eTWU8BYANZeauLVCHJ5tgSRe3ejP0wELfLLh278_5mzTjKgEWDVFc3yBJsFz7nsJK7IjeGEdf9GYHWea5Jc3j4ym6yXCD0im2ogIeW42RmfPSVy-Dedh89iD95liU7yITWahRwDESveqgh0UINY8Az-iUkTmiEwgkq2A/s4032/IMG_3678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-iXaJtyvo5epF_NGpkmjl8eTWU8BYANZeauLVCHJ5tgSRe3ejP0wELfLLh278_5mzTjKgEWDVFc3yBJsFz7nsJK7IjeGEdf9GYHWea5Jc3j4ym6yXCD0im2ogIeW42RmfPSVy-Dedh89iD95liU7yITWahRwDESveqgh0UINY8Az-iUkTmiEwgkq2A/s320/IMG_3678.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">And today, it's Red Baron again. Same place, same ride still.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><b>Special thanks to Todd Swetnam for proofreading this blog! </b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-6625782032289632472022-11-05T06:02:00.000-05:002022-11-05T06:02:01.004-05:00The Devil is in the Details<p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4EX-bboWLWl54hjbWnuB1nw8caimhAtMYwKyW3KSsx2Q8cihNEbfUe2PIagZNRQn16hqfCXm6GvZd7JvtA_kFZYvbmq9lhEZPRvujbeSyd9lBj9i5TWfEqCuEy7JmKmMHp8U2_V9Fygggor6fKVL2zRlwIGPf9B08mP6YIeEqjaenLK0N5HMsm1viw/s5611/nov51972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="5611" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4EX-bboWLWl54hjbWnuB1nw8caimhAtMYwKyW3KSsx2Q8cihNEbfUe2PIagZNRQn16hqfCXm6GvZd7JvtA_kFZYvbmq9lhEZPRvujbeSyd9lBj9i5TWfEqCuEy7JmKmMHp8U2_V9Fygggor6fKVL2zRlwIGPf9B08mP6YIeEqjaenLK0N5HMsm1viw/w400-h283/nov51972.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kansas City Star article from November 5, 1972. An ironic detail is in the lower right hand corner, advising readers that the NEW Kansas City Airport would be opening on November 11th. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7d4QBeWLAnOtTrzPSlC4iII-q4MtbOLsukhBDKfFPvP0E3Mknsa3zzfXI6kg9uL6X6HIWtOLTTxIAZR8sLMDu4S0WStsYmeyAkjIqGQPedMT3ZMpYeKoq13MuIEqJjH5K1Lfy4_y6T-YhWpkcEAIXhhkqb6aaANLU4TFtAO3N8lCGWYMiziCPocf9w/s5977/oct51972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4692" data-original-width="5977" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7d4QBeWLAnOtTrzPSlC4iII-q4MtbOLsukhBDKfFPvP0E3Mknsa3zzfXI6kg9uL6X6HIWtOLTTxIAZR8sLMDu4S0WStsYmeyAkjIqGQPedMT3ZMpYeKoq13MuIEqJjH5K1Lfy4_y6T-YhWpkcEAIXhhkqb6aaANLU4TFtAO3N8lCGWYMiziCPocf9w/w400-h314/oct51972.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A clearer view of the same photo from the article. Worlds of Fun is starting to take on an appearance that is recognizable. Notice how Der Fender Bender (Autobahn) only has half a roof so far!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">There is an old saying that a photo is worth a thousand words.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">50 years ago the following Kansas City Star article was printed and circulated celebrating the park reaching 50 percent completion along with accompanying aerial photo.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Now I could simply post the article and photo but it’s me and I love to delve into the details.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXt6sQX-v92Gf4KUkBp74Km-bBgOFH4XyleC_3kFw77zxrXK6o0HaVIRxnXfZGKAO0H5z3ZtCLuLs5zM5P1iJ1J2BDk3vdOgnEljCD_FD3weLkWESSaqnaAOFRWfk4jPRkoZ5M6iC1hQBPJvTNYLF8USzQLluDmbJz5x3LMjQTa6OJR7rEo9wcLhX9g/s3992/wof_construction39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3152" data-original-width="3992" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXt6sQX-v92Gf4KUkBp74Km-bBgOFH4XyleC_3kFw77zxrXK6o0HaVIRxnXfZGKAO0H5z3ZtCLuLs5zM5P1iJ1J2BDk3vdOgnEljCD_FD3weLkWESSaqnaAOFRWfk4jPRkoZ5M6iC1hQBPJvTNYLF8USzQLluDmbJz5x3LMjQTa6OJR7rEo9wcLhX9g/w400-h316/wof_construction39.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Vittle Griddle from the same time period. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4luK0NAdRRVg3mz00ONwhSND5f6VsPMdiD63KlyY31rXPblChtSkvHzqjtwmUdRXLAEJoxXl7pKQ-kug75hOwnjeUeLjgMIVQChVEX3ABHbTebPz70xJlK4Mf5jUYlwFW9oKvuc1f1D0EqFL8XW1L6YSlj5Vh047w_3BTQzL44x2wS5he2IkN-MZ-Q/s3984/wof_construction40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="3984" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4luK0NAdRRVg3mz00ONwhSND5f6VsPMdiD63KlyY31rXPblChtSkvHzqjtwmUdRXLAEJoxXl7pKQ-kug75hOwnjeUeLjgMIVQChVEX3ABHbTebPz70xJlK4Mf5jUYlwFW9oKvuc1f1D0EqFL8XW1L6YSlj5Vh047w_3BTQzL44x2wS5he2IkN-MZ-Q/w400-h318/wof_construction40.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Moulin Rouge from about the same time period. </span><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The details are at the heart of it all, and that is my major takeaway from this article. Lamar Hunt and Jack Steadman knew then that if the rides got people through the gate it was the attention to detail that kept them coming back. So they didn’t design a cookie-cutter park.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlmneOv-sidQSyoxqcleFwuxq9FZxcIKXFsH08LF1PTIK4sqeMNotsjex63nxgvtvBIGhyreSL-XNO09M-CuaUJuDJngUzjQQcjORDRy4cK2BES-qzDNxJRhM6Wjty0xakwJgIgnqhQ7CAotohYEi_8rxGjYwzshAvle5IeryYZDagvw8Lu7dFd1SFA/s5866/Osenbaugh.WOF.09.76b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4291" data-original-width="5866" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlmneOv-sidQSyoxqcleFwuxq9FZxcIKXFsH08LF1PTIK4sqeMNotsjex63nxgvtvBIGhyreSL-XNO09M-CuaUJuDJngUzjQQcjORDRy4cK2BES-qzDNxJRhM6Wjty0xakwJgIgnqhQ7CAotohYEi_8rxGjYwzshAvle5IeryYZDagvw8Lu7dFd1SFA/w400-h293/Osenbaugh.WOF.09.76b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kopter from 1976, located in Scandinavia. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">To highlight this point are my two main takeaways from this article. This first pertains to the plan for children's rides in the park. Manager of Public Relations David Holt is quoted stating “Our feeling is to make it a real family experience by having something along the way for the children”. Instead of specific and separate children’s areas like most parks had, they intermingled the children’s rides with the adult rides. The three original children’s rides were Kopter in Scandinavia, Crashem Bashem in Americana and Funicular in Europa. This concept was apparent through the 1980s and into the 1990s too when you could find Micro Moto Bahn in Scandinavia, Beetle Bumps in the Orient, and Pony Promenade in Americana just to name a few. Starting in the late 1970’s Hunt did start adding more concentrated areas for children such as Half Pint’s Peak or Pandamonium but the “sprinkled through the park concept” lasted until Cedar Fair went ahead and centralized all the rides in around 1998.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0dnueyJ5LfatyZhwfLr377Q1fewyuVh6aUPGnLb7sTUfx4h0Lzd2WSldK_gm7BwBaphOYBVC1cln_fecFYoG1EjStjqt85QUmVgUhOWMcFOnCZK5NLrs8IKT5ftXtd92e2KA4z4A9q1U-5EiVGMQ16LeVxwvOBdn1-uggwfFNVZMWqHGYcOSAJOMVA/s3896/wof_construction17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3896" data-original-width="2704" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0dnueyJ5LfatyZhwfLr377Q1fewyuVh6aUPGnLb7sTUfx4h0Lzd2WSldK_gm7BwBaphOYBVC1cln_fecFYoG1EjStjqt85QUmVgUhOWMcFOnCZK5NLrs8IKT5ftXtd92e2KA4z4A9q1U-5EiVGMQ16LeVxwvOBdn1-uggwfFNVZMWqHGYcOSAJOMVA/w278-h400/wof_construction17.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is actually one of my favorite construction photos, but was shot far earlier than November 1972. However, it illustrates the unique aspect of the old bridges at the park. These are the pylons before they became bridges.</span><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX-MGiF5mlIgvQBJ4-frOxozegewJASwknP2pjN9Wl4MLUmDxPpXZt0QiFFkwUDLd2_dE_T7HvOI1ExYtVXhi8CeZoO4WFxUe_EWRKBxr29qdbK89sOo9lJsYvTHnLAx7RXPt08Plj4GWAwwGnbte8NMcAT2qg31qV06tPBhRuCsr0nqF96525gmY3Q/s3527/postcard118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2482" data-original-width="3527" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX-MGiF5mlIgvQBJ4-frOxozegewJASwknP2pjN9Wl4MLUmDxPpXZt0QiFFkwUDLd2_dE_T7HvOI1ExYtVXhi8CeZoO4WFxUe_EWRKBxr29qdbK89sOo9lJsYvTHnLAx7RXPt08Plj4GWAwwGnbte8NMcAT2qg31qV06tPBhRuCsr0nqF96525gmY3Q/w400-h281/postcard118.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">And one of the train bridges. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other major takeaway is about the train trestles, “We tried to be authentic and tried to keep in a lot of details” Holt would be quoted saying. Today the trestles are nearly the same traditional-style structures as they were in 1973, with the exception of the Fury of the Nile trestle which is a very large set of pre-cast water culverts. I’ve always loved the unique detail of the bridges, but beyond the fact of them being train bridges is the concept of going beyond the bare minimum necessary to create something truly unique. It was that attention to detail that always set Worlds of Fun apart, after all, Jack Steadman stated in August 1971 that they planned to have the most beautiful and exciting park ever built. To do so the devil had to be in the details. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwM8cae3x2Ad_jiRf9-3C_4GBwzd42UDwQPx0Ct-mBNaUcKFs535rlAarsiXt1RoX-Z2hoPyEHISgcGgBeBNPobyNi4m8f5zG6BHCmI0KpMd3Nd-Rm1juspGWrIL-x8Uh2xRJamWj_9iuPl46pXJuSOJLnj1j4rDQ4_DkoNmtbmmWcN0NOibOX_EbjDw/s5432/1973brochure04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5432" data-original-width="4660" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwM8cae3x2Ad_jiRf9-3C_4GBwzd42UDwQPx0Ct-mBNaUcKFs535rlAarsiXt1RoX-Z2hoPyEHISgcGgBeBNPobyNi4m8f5zG6BHCmI0KpMd3Nd-Rm1juspGWrIL-x8Uh2xRJamWj_9iuPl46pXJuSOJLnj1j4rDQ4_DkoNmtbmmWcN0NOibOX_EbjDw/w344-h400/1973brochure04.jpg" width="344" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of the 1973 brochure, and there were two different versions that I stumbled on accidentally! One was printed in 1972 and shows a spring opening, the second is printed in 1973 and shows a May 26, 1973 opening date. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’d always like to think that Jack got precisely what he wanted and for many of us that grew up with it it WAS the most beautiful park in the country. Worlds of Fun’s opening wasn’t without a few challenges, the upcoming winter of 1972/73 highlighted that absolute demand for excellence, it was one of the most brutal winters on record for Kansas City and saw not only a record ice storm in January but then also necessitated jackhammers to break through frozen ground to plant the trees that we still see today. It was the same cold winter that would delay Worlds of Fun’s opening day. At this point, 50 years ago, opening day was still slated for Spring 1973, but thanks to that wonderful Missouri weather became late May by the time everything was said and done. </span></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-35802462167461907152022-08-14T18:28:00.005-05:002022-08-17T12:22:22.506-05:00Zambezi Zinger: A Re-imagined Legend<div class="separator"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1VUYX7oxqPOP7WgjtjkbeqYW9F_B_kNExbmBzLP2zLclF6mNTko2d2mOvq88dGzbaWTwWrBnxF17imr2krm-BMQ5N82fnMjA5qdK2WuOgf5ZUPPEBgUq7FHSYoMjm0wbo0plaOhqHmYyYxDjAkIEeAX-IGg5EwuE-qvAQycbofytzljIP4v8GpJoXg/s1170/IMG_1500.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaT1ENHZwT0rWro-nizb5dh-Tt1mBaFCsjzt1G3sg4etfYX5tMJCWApmps-VEqo69qyWT4eAbptaznQ5DT-M4FGGQCAMHmQcKh9p9nuvBX2OAChOal93eRVj0NTfQu6m9iCXOvoEEjDWuas4CpAt4BNAOLO28sy8n4jMaGnUXRKXUJJZNgLE-u3BRlA/s1941/jeff1993242.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="1941" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaT1ENHZwT0rWro-nizb5dh-Tt1mBaFCsjzt1G3sg4etfYX5tMJCWApmps-VEqo69qyWT4eAbptaznQ5DT-M4FGGQCAMHmQcKh9p9nuvBX2OAChOal93eRVj0NTfQu6m9iCXOvoEEjDWuas4CpAt4BNAOLO28sy8n4jMaGnUXRKXUJJZNgLE-u3BRlA/w400-h281/jeff1993242.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span>After all the hullabaloo with the new Zambezi Zinger died down I began to think about a blog and realized I had never written a blog on the original Zambezi Zinger. It’s been featured in a couple of blogs, but no single blog about it. Now is the time.</span><span> </span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKY1UEmnMJsWCwJSKxH5_r7YlgWkNI5QmDvahiLc_ZPRywpPkYAIGGbeveDAPsjOAqhSfnTI1wPomg7V-WMOK7TB93XXy29jx1Z54m7ZOd3ql29Je8Sj5C-qZL-r2IYAaR11tZWjrqVTgT0Bt3JOWMeHomOhOQ5GveEV1AMD5-y9ykipQZtpNapHw2w/s2074/048.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2074" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKY1UEmnMJsWCwJSKxH5_r7YlgWkNI5QmDvahiLc_ZPRywpPkYAIGGbeveDAPsjOAqhSfnTI1wPomg7V-WMOK7TB93XXy29jx1Z54m7ZOd3ql29Je8Sj5C-qZL-r2IYAaR11tZWjrqVTgT0Bt3JOWMeHomOhOQ5GveEV1AMD5-y9ykipQZtpNapHw2w/w400-h296/048.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Zinger queue house in the 1990s. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj--kei2p7oAsh5oXINuXaid_iy4Biv_WCcf4AWeZ7nmOxSkNkymmt1q5XzMO_0_3C11v4RY36WxodDi47_olkxzgA4cFGZVipX_FvdjL6X4k2pcd1vhhtZZg4N0_v2uc5xhAUcztgl6F5rbKYt4V85vDvjgUqBMcdbHANtF_-uIMbd_b2JV3HbKLYwmg/s1560/IMG_1493.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1170" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj--kei2p7oAsh5oXINuXaid_iy4Biv_WCcf4AWeZ7nmOxSkNkymmt1q5XzMO_0_3C11v4RY36WxodDi47_olkxzgA4cFGZVipX_FvdjL6X4k2pcd1vhhtZZg4N0_v2uc5xhAUcztgl6F5rbKYt4V85vDvjgUqBMcdbHANtF_-uIMbd_b2JV3HbKLYwmg/w300-h400/IMG_1493.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">For 25 years Zinger's queue house has been without the signage for Zinger on it. This last week it returned! Photo by Kim Slater. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Probably one of the most discussed details of the new Zinger is that the park elected to keep the original name, Zambezi Zinger. What many don’t realize is that just the simple fact of re-introducing the name adds a whole great story back to the park. Back before Worlds of Fun first opened, all those 60 brand new and exciting things to do needed names. The story I am going to tell is one I have heard from multiple sources, and the details vary a bit, but the basic facts are always the same. There was a gathering held to name the rides, and numerous adult beverages were present. That makes some of those crazy names make more sense right? Anyway, at the end of it all, they tabulated the number of drinks that were required to name each ride, and Zambezi Zinger came out on top with the most. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFECeKd6oFhFN4vwYyWBcVw3vMg2VnYA2oRgXYaEpkKgTQ_l3qnnnadouMQn0pr8RfsSpIZV8B_m60kv82sPceMePe63P9cg__aSx866V_Oj_vVV_d43ladM7LgkkORABiIMU0Hstw3kc9KvVjHiEc039wEylGJnORbzYgsYCi86HoG27G6wkn3sLN3A/s3826/zingetconstruction.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2564" data-original-width="3826" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFECeKd6oFhFN4vwYyWBcVw3vMg2VnYA2oRgXYaEpkKgTQ_l3qnnnadouMQn0pr8RfsSpIZV8B_m60kv82sPceMePe63P9cg__aSx866V_Oj_vVV_d43ladM7LgkkORABiIMU0Hstw3kc9KvVjHiEc039wEylGJnORbzYgsYCi86HoG27G6wkn3sLN3A/w400-h268/zingetconstruction.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The original Zinger under construction.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Another detail about the original ride names that I love, is that so many of them were alliterations. An alliteration is a two-word phrase where both words start with the same letter. Viking Voyager, Congo Clearing, Rickshaw Richards, Oriental Octopus, and… Zambezi Zinger. All alliterations. Most of them are gone, but one of them is now back.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f38V4H-59bA" width="320" youtube-src-id="f38V4H-59bA"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Big Bend at Six Flags over Texas, the original Speedracer.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Before there was a name though there was the idea. The original Zambezi Zinger was designed by Werner Stengel and built by Anton Schwarzkopf and was part of Schwarzkopf’s Jet Star line. The Jet Star line was introduced in 1968 and included the Jet Star I and 2 models, the Jumbo Jet model, and Speedracers (sometimes referred to as the Extended Jumbo Jet). You can read more about the evolution of the entire line of coasters in my blog from last year <a href="http://unwof.blogspot.com/2020/06/from-schussboomer-to-zinger-anton.html" target="_blank">here</a>. In my opinion, Zinger is the best of the Jet Star family, and one of the finest coasters ever built by Anton Schwarzkopf (Though admittedly I never rode Big Bend). What has always fascinated me is that Lamar Hunt went with a German-built steel coaster as his headliner coaster when most parks opened with an Arrow mine train coaster or a wooden coaster or both. The likely inspiration for Zinger was its direct predecessor, Big Bend which opened at Six Flags over Texas in 1971. Both Lamar Hunt and Jack Steadman were from Texas too, so it's likely they saw it while planning for the park. Zinger would become the second Speedracer, with the two Whizzers at the two Great America parks being three and four. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IFIOed9RaUHaU2_RGRFHnNO_BaVA1fxAxtCPdqV8GVO2O6_21skfZ6LZynGfShiMu49jXXyHdunp1kXC6xe3pg2LG4ijpmqYE5VJ7dgMF-w0N0K0Mm-21d3QWgVkAgF-xUjRhFgM6Nx4skOsLyVls2MxM74fiKgF-EUugX3yaS6l0-DKRkLNgrMQhw/s1923/jeff1993174.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1923" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IFIOed9RaUHaU2_RGRFHnNO_BaVA1fxAxtCPdqV8GVO2O6_21skfZ6LZynGfShiMu49jXXyHdunp1kXC6xe3pg2LG4ijpmqYE5VJ7dgMF-w0N0K0Mm-21d3QWgVkAgF-xUjRhFgM6Nx4skOsLyVls2MxM74fiKgF-EUugX3yaS6l0-DKRkLNgrMQhw/w400-h285/jeff1993174.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The spiral lift shot from the midway by Zulu. The spiral lift of the new Zinger will be roughly in the same place. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnDejHt944947pK5XOHLH1QMpxXnU7C4iLjPJiaGHyXTupfLPywF9-ZaRoeS5CAOgHAo7TLcAGHiDK3VMCWeY8adYMcUwvvTG-NpSDCKcEtYbVpf183Cj5-m4shrPdqGto-VX0eJLfBDC0TunRZVu-wbo3KwV3R1ONgfQ48aeaLPvweRJqOBx-mdzVw/s1941/jeff1993232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1941" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnDejHt944947pK5XOHLH1QMpxXnU7C4iLjPJiaGHyXTupfLPywF9-ZaRoeS5CAOgHAo7TLcAGHiDK3VMCWeY8adYMcUwvvTG-NpSDCKcEtYbVpf183Cj5-m4shrPdqGto-VX0eJLfBDC0TunRZVu-wbo3KwV3R1ONgfQ48aeaLPvweRJqOBx-mdzVw/w400-h283/jeff1993232.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Zinging through the woods!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">What made Zinger so memorable, and what made it also probably so difficult to recreate, is its abundance of unique features. The ride started with the spiral lift, which was a feature shared by nearly all the Jet Star coasters but nearly no other coaster ever before or afterward. Unlike traditional lifts, Zinger’s lift was neither straight nor powered by a chain. Instead, it spiraled up, powered by an electric power rail at the center of the track. Inside each car was an electric motor, and when the two came in contact, it propelled the train up the lift and created the signature hum of the lift too. Wee…. Hummmmm…..</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrvUUzinOkGYelqooqhyxZiHv4uRXOq0vgNcWyB5qKzRUJMuszopZ833gn_3JdF_EROjXvQNHgWOZg2f_e0CkGCB9RM0J8U2uYkLtdaj18xTkaCHDES2qsuowemI-ZEjMSpkk116h-ev_BmxddZQaErR7G-vbDBRn5wdcaI6MZHFXrS68l_WDPzLrUA/s3038/wof790031.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="3038" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrvUUzinOkGYelqooqhyxZiHv4uRXOq0vgNcWyB5qKzRUJMuszopZ833gn_3JdF_EROjXvQNHgWOZg2f_e0CkGCB9RM0J8U2uYkLtdaj18xTkaCHDES2qsuowemI-ZEjMSpkk116h-ev_BmxddZQaErR7G-vbDBRn5wdcaI6MZHFXrS68l_WDPzLrUA/w400-h270/wof790031.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The first drop on Zinger.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIXUQSwdX5yrs1fF2Cif52nVOpx0V7D0yS-64Qg7mvzgfBpGgPQmxxQhAVcCnKw12Y6pTQFf6lgzvG79LQTVsjRoyQRIX8vgtwS7d_icMs8biGPF4aahZQJjVnUh4Vxr5nVupSJ8xZlb6boAvDnsm4c48-I6NWIJ0iqvMqguOOnW1sUwqKmju-eoazQ/s1180/IMG_1450.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1180" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIXUQSwdX5yrs1fF2Cif52nVOpx0V7D0yS-64Qg7mvzgfBpGgPQmxxQhAVcCnKw12Y6pTQFf6lgzvG79LQTVsjRoyQRIX8vgtwS7d_icMs8biGPF4aahZQJjVnUh4Vxr5nVupSJ8xZlb6boAvDnsm4c48-I6NWIJ0iqvMqguOOnW1sUwqKmju-eoazQ/w400-h220/IMG_1450.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">AND the first drop on Zinger (that's going to get confusing!)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Of course, this unique design had its faults, which is why it was abandoned after the Jet Star line was discontinued, and Schwarzkopf himself went back to traditional chain lift hills for his future coasters. Many past guests and ambassadors recall Zinger trains stalling out on the lift. When this happened it necessitated multiple park ambassadors to climb up the lift and release each car’s clutch which allowed for the train to roll back down the lift. So let’s not be too hard on the park if it has issues with the new spiral lift. It’s pretty dang heroic of them to attempt that craziness a second time.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcGPB3oIfEB1AvyXeyln37IxTSLBy8FWcz9fy3mWjbPJ2RNyoqN6pC98DRTrIlyNcLMWIpiTvpndlucnmJafVlywhAJrEfb6cLxKO1MTr4aUkJALT_9L4zCntNAhElI4VNK-N5AodmVtYihBUxSx2zm-E_q9hlksjSbSyE6jQpzWbaCu0qmeGbE6b-g/s3570/postcard122.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2389" data-original-width="3570" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcGPB3oIfEB1AvyXeyln37IxTSLBy8FWcz9fy3mWjbPJ2RNyoqN6pC98DRTrIlyNcLMWIpiTvpndlucnmJafVlywhAJrEfb6cLxKO1MTr4aUkJALT_9L4zCntNAhElI4VNK-N5AodmVtYihBUxSx2zm-E_q9hlksjSbSyE6jQpzWbaCu0qmeGbE6b-g/w400-h268/postcard122.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Another angle, original Zinger.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr9SO-47UYNojQgIDCDftADMRQ7mNnL45nlo8zrfkPGr9_-_cAOHSVyrcTWzkXNDcOfL-gg0j7gxe9HexTkD7BxhWPOM8GdQ-1lD_1_wPtj7JrWA-qUN-qpvJf0VrQ1HzwBk21X_tGWi0qrJL7rSmmscvcWNvhVYR-jasaUGoX6uQjhZv-6Lz17QV4g/s1180/IMG_1451.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1180" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr9SO-47UYNojQgIDCDftADMRQ7mNnL45nlo8zrfkPGr9_-_cAOHSVyrcTWzkXNDcOfL-gg0j7gxe9HexTkD7BxhWPOM8GdQ-1lD_1_wPtj7JrWA-qUN-qpvJf0VrQ1HzwBk21X_tGWi0qrJL7rSmmscvcWNvhVYR-jasaUGoX6uQjhZv-6Lz17QV4g/w400-h220/IMG_1451.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">New Zinger.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Besides the lift, Zinger had some very unique ride vehicles. Unlike nearly every modern coaster, the original Zinger cars were ridden bobsled-style, similar to Voyager boats. It was one of Zinger’s most memorable features, allowing guests to ride in the laps of their loved ones or friends, or perfect strangers, with not a single restraint, not even a seatbelt. That lack of restraints and open car design is pretty much why that would never fly today. Not so much because it's technologically difficult but because insurance companies would never allow it. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9av5HO-b0XhssXV7ReOFl0d8yLePRY_8YimXc_vN3x-AiYRj92xGXRVx_pdg7qCqB21OjZ8o55lHCKrCwSqfL1eDKZz2tJhlRscktHjVk1VGwrUtWJ_sTYEd_GC8OYPtCw3JdUvQyPKgNd0cBJgFNGGICzm3d8e3CGsToSODL9Pw8sIp7ceuPz9gMQ/s3523/zinger172.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2374" data-original-width="3523" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9av5HO-b0XhssXV7ReOFl0d8yLePRY_8YimXc_vN3x-AiYRj92xGXRVx_pdg7qCqB21OjZ8o55lHCKrCwSqfL1eDKZz2tJhlRscktHjVk1VGwrUtWJ_sTYEd_GC8OYPtCw3JdUvQyPKgNd0cBJgFNGGICzm3d8e3CGsToSODL9Pw8sIp7ceuPz9gMQ/w400-h270/zinger172.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The spiral lift and high speed turn on the original Zinger.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtBueaH_xelQCJHBhepJeElV3tP0koYB98XI4uq896B-W_ZwZVJ3Qk1v4kJdwtUDwQUZh9vDRg3rHQIxb4koDJMAsbP_fOBM2uUaatreNY2jq6HAUxv3OCLntibENiIL5TAUvfY0oCEeH9i0La2Qb2cXOKsMIjVoTR2xjXSur9fwMO4AQ58SEqo0ARQ/s1180/IMG_1449.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1180" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFtBueaH_xelQCJHBhepJeElV3tP0koYB98XI4uq896B-W_ZwZVJ3Qk1v4kJdwtUDwQUZh9vDRg3rHQIxb4koDJMAsbP_fOBM2uUaatreNY2jq6HAUxv3OCLntibENiIL5TAUvfY0oCEeH9i0La2Qb2cXOKsMIjVoTR2xjXSur9fwMO4AQ58SEqo0ARQ/w400-h220/IMG_1449.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">And similar element on the new Zinger.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The ride itself was described best as almost all Schwarzkopf coasters are, it was fun. Zinger was zippy, had just a touch of airtime, and sped through the trees like abandon. Once it got warmed up that is. Zinger was a little sluggish getting going in the morning and still is for that matter. It didn’t take riders upside down but was built as its name implied (Speedracer) for speed. Probably my favorite element was its high-speed turn, which the new Zinger partially attempts to replicate. After dropping off the lift, and taking the initial drop, Zinger would head out towards Nile, turn and then head back towards the lift. It would then duck under the first drop and do a quick turn around the spiral lift. After traversing around the lift it would then drop, curving into the hillside. It offered just a little thrill to an otherwise mild, family-style coaster.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWvBH6_I8-9sUOXfU-C7rPPblZCSrfD5Zx2q0VGzppOVEC62D8cnsje6iYmh_A_CxEgEwd6g6Q959a1_TFk_BrVA78yUcYXJ1oUGFEHbCo9eMHKrQkEXbC1y9m-6Jl_5wEvs9X1ZQkNqkDlALnaenka8YB5V4wesM-dzvHcyKueRh7VRYD2C5okFDJQ/s2859/zinger183.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1937" data-original-width="2859" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWvBH6_I8-9sUOXfU-C7rPPblZCSrfD5Zx2q0VGzppOVEC62D8cnsje6iYmh_A_CxEgEwd6g6Q959a1_TFk_BrVA78yUcYXJ1oUGFEHbCo9eMHKrQkEXbC1y9m-6Jl_5wEvs9X1ZQkNqkDlALnaenka8YB5V4wesM-dzvHcyKueRh7VRYD2C5okFDJQ/w400-h271/zinger183.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Entering the tunnel of the original Zinger. Photo from ACE News.<br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFR79i9wQeIZxnnWUPG7_o2-Rz9R4_BCtcz3vQfMv0pFbpQJUuGwKDdyAqGI3rZ-MEmGlCFhrwXGW4Z39nI5couconN6-t_ZnTZNNreO-mMPTje1J87aqEzgHUgQW711n46hB31G2X_Q2zagmQrshTjW1bCm_mFkHo1uUuiLtcrk1D0m8XBH7LJhsoA/s1925/jeff1993222.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="1925" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFR79i9wQeIZxnnWUPG7_o2-Rz9R4_BCtcz3vQfMv0pFbpQJUuGwKDdyAqGI3rZ-MEmGlCFhrwXGW4Z39nI5couconN6-t_ZnTZNNreO-mMPTje1J87aqEzgHUgQW711n46hB31G2X_Q2zagmQrshTjW1bCm_mFkHo1uUuiLtcrk1D0m8XBH7LJhsoA/w400-h285/jeff1993222.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Exiting the tunnel.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Of course, no discussion of Zinger would be complete without talking about its tunnel. Zinger’s tunnel was so integral to the ride experience and iconic that Parque del Cafe in Colombia where Zinger is today built a nearly identical underground concrete tunnel just for the relocated ride. And there are still NO SNAKES falling on riders. The new Zinger plan states that it will also have a tunnel, and honestly it is one detail I can’t imagine any tribute to the original Zinger NOT having. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuQZf-r18BTQTpjdvqirLNDcYYfXj0wolkEgWeAR_qXMC-mfZm46GEodJ2kZ6KjH5Gt6Rjs3HXOll29H3FjXeaMmbwZZjXQGKbtTMj0gaOERKCKteY1tVxWFqBsO9Ytkig4Cfceow6R4aF866cjJgmHuliNMh8AsBRnJJG6H838rWfmHu8ngBPUQd6w/s3560/wof9899150.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2353" data-original-width="3560" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuQZf-r18BTQTpjdvqirLNDcYYfXj0wolkEgWeAR_qXMC-mfZm46GEodJ2kZ6KjH5Gt6Rjs3HXOll29H3FjXeaMmbwZZjXQGKbtTMj0gaOERKCKteY1tVxWFqBsO9Ytkig4Cfceow6R4aF866cjJgmHuliNMh8AsBRnJJG6H838rWfmHu8ngBPUQd6w/w400-h265/wof9899150.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The tunnel from 1998, looked so forlorn...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmbFSVRbN42EIr38D5VOqa7hKCdNFgRrNmF1WkaIbHu-f7kGSB6IuRTPzZUTQpsOZiFhP1EOjPxZn0byyhgL-DQaiNVxBoZyjUOvwYYOza6hJIwER-e-knyk54qUjm1ZV6gNrk1g0RZ1W4JeEMkk-nsAJFA9AaeB46V3Vt77w8nJZDqdkurRQxiNwPQ/s3560/wof9899149.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2353" data-original-width="3560" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmbFSVRbN42EIr38D5VOqa7hKCdNFgRrNmF1WkaIbHu-f7kGSB6IuRTPzZUTQpsOZiFhP1EOjPxZn0byyhgL-DQaiNVxBoZyjUOvwYYOza6hJIwER-e-knyk54qUjm1ZV6gNrk1g0RZ1W4JeEMkk-nsAJFA9AaeB46V3Vt77w8nJZDqdkurRQxiNwPQ/w400-h265/wof9899149.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The removal of Zinger left scars...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjLyKcWlEq-FU2x06uXOAaC8aOW_4eWMXqmuGtkrbVy1KQ3ErKv9i1S3SkE207WBZR7pxe_23vrbGQ9e6jmkhCs_ogh71ilhbxaazxdD1wu8WgrkHa09LxC65bqxsWfjlu5hYBdtHchvAduNCQs0V14P9XFhg7xBt3GmdLL5SNbbLf2dcxA1WOneYrQ/s1170/IMG_1500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1170" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjLyKcWlEq-FU2x06uXOAaC8aOW_4eWMXqmuGtkrbVy1KQ3ErKv9i1S3SkE207WBZR7pxe_23vrbGQ9e6jmkhCs_ogh71ilhbxaazxdD1wu8WgrkHa09LxC65bqxsWfjlu5hYBdtHchvAduNCQs0V14P9XFhg7xBt3GmdLL5SNbbLf2dcxA1WOneYrQ/w400-h385/IMG_1500.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Same viewpoint as above but from 1973 when Zinger was there...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Zinger would only be with us for 24 years, making its final ride in 1997. There was no announcement of its removal, only an empty lot on opening day 1998. One question is why Zinger was removed, and there are multiple answers. Probably having a major impact was that Anton Schwarzkopf declared a final bankruptcy and went out of business in 1995, thereby making replacement parts harder and more expensive to obtain. So it makes sense that in 1997 when the park looked at a necessary structural refurbishment of Zinger, it was decided once the price tag went above two million it wasn’t worth the expenditure. That’s one question that I am positive would have had a different answer if the impact had been realized at the time.</span></div>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJDFzrEq5Jss8xHX_3060vt8eTWhcQ56nAlBEcuhDfWUqXyk1DWpa9PeRMVsrOjr0T5m8sra3XjVNjUOSfTry_PcQg7hnpCsh9a_8hGOb08ddfsbnqIKxE29Z7L4XQqLjhlDV5r0rBMf1aIq8sgJ7NJ5rO9hepmAsrvgrmmQXsaRjFf9UE-GZmyZI6Q/s3368/Untitled%203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2767" data-original-width="3368" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJDFzrEq5Jss8xHX_3060vt8eTWhcQ56nAlBEcuhDfWUqXyk1DWpa9PeRMVsrOjr0T5m8sra3XjVNjUOSfTry_PcQg7hnpCsh9a_8hGOb08ddfsbnqIKxE29Z7L4XQqLjhlDV5r0rBMf1aIq8sgJ7NJ5rO9hepmAsrvgrmmQXsaRjFf9UE-GZmyZI6Q/w400-h329/Untitled%203.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">From a 1982-83 off season photo of the park, I have outlined the layout of the Zinger as its hard to tell from just the photo. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrmYvw3VXF14XJTE9aOxfRtNVXW9NCVxMSV835pCQUxRS66gpssit8j--Fzx0x36EeZ05oKanKMlPuIO6h2HGjXWmFjnaQl36ax0S6qNyoTozPcVldAmN6j6-wb2zpdsLcAQScVwjltiszpPXoOlMC18soSTiSGI7sriRWxsao_gmqMQ2x0Ya-bifWQ/s1180/IMG_1452.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1180" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrmYvw3VXF14XJTE9aOxfRtNVXW9NCVxMSV835pCQUxRS66gpssit8j--Fzx0x36EeZ05oKanKMlPuIO6h2HGjXWmFjnaQl36ax0S6qNyoTozPcVldAmN6j6-wb2zpdsLcAQScVwjltiszpPXoOlMC18soSTiSGI7sriRWxsao_gmqMQ2x0Ya-bifWQ/w400-h220/IMG_1452.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">A similar viewpoint of the new Zinger.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Zinger was beloved by many, then and now, and hasn’t been forgotten. Though for many years I believe that was Cedar Fair’s desire. And here is the major takeaway. 25 years ago, when Zinger was removed Cedar Fair’s focus was on remaking the park in their image, that of Cedar Point. Mamba, Boomerang, Detonator, Ripcord, and Thunderhawk were in, while the old guard Orient Express, Zambezi Zinger, and Omegatron were out. A key detail is that the park never announced the removal of either the Zinger or Express. There was no last ride. Like they had never even existed. Except it didn’t work quite the way Cedar Fair expected. People didn’t forget. Time passed and Cedar Fair began to change its way of managing Worlds of Fun. Finnish Fling DID get a retirement party, defunct attractions were no longer on the “black list” and their names were mentioned, and celebrated again. Details that were once overlooked were appreciated, and theming returned. A new, different focus. Is it perfect? No. Is the new Zinger perfect? No. Was the original Zinger perfect? No. But the very fact that Cedar Fair made the realization that Zinger was important to the park’s culture and was worth the effort to at least pay homage to makes a point that this isn’t your Cedar Fair’s Worlds of Fun of twenty-five years ago. It’s a more honest Worlds of Fun than it was. No longer denying the past but trying to recreate it as best as today’s technology will allow. And for that, I give them all the credit in the world. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Special thanks to Brad Green for reading over this for me, and to Tara Shryock for providing the sub-title!</span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-27788933708488254432022-07-28T08:06:00.001-05:002022-07-28T08:10:22.758-05:00The Summer of '72: Worlds of Fun goes Vertical. <div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vqfgh0_CxZVXOj5dfEQWdi9LqhPydeFTnEkIZ9ks0E8bb7WxKL0SiV_ugDPR6SJflgQr21mxhNvAMiEc0fTwJFJdWPlabKyIpF3Eq7i-XluBJB7mS6R-MbeHLKuL_Y8IDI-Snp1bPgqZWwOzRR2Fs5NZmax-skhVe6u3Gkm0X_nIKyH5Pbt2AFFmOw/s3911/cb20.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I recalled to a recent poster a few weeks ago, I’ve been researching Worlds of Fun history now for more than 25 years, but I didn’t always have some obscure Worlds of Fun history fact coming out of my mouth at a second's notice. Back when I was a teenager, I spent many hours at the Missouri Valley Room at the Kansas City downtown library scrolling through old microfilm/fiche of </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kansas City Star and Times</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> articles on Worlds of Fun. One of the first articles I encountered was a tiny article titled “Worlds of Fun Park 20 Per Cent Complete” which was published July 28, 1972. I also recall tabulating at the time how old I would be when the park turned 50 years old. Oh, how old 45 felt to a 19-year-old.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-fbc4b032-7fff-5da0-3020-97d073969a36"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The importance of the article and others around the same time can’t be emphasized enough when it comes to the history of the park. It was the summer of 1972 when the foundations of everything we now know as our park truly started rising from the ground up. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEi7FjbyoTPtPR7TmeEhBHENBElPvD3CaLrkxzc7NHlzworrB2kE9DclyMgiUmn8q-GPhNU9LepVlRU-6Z_paDJCJQGaCXkJaK90y_SuG-Vn0Ndaki07yUwEgL3P_FJpaguSBjVmDpurJiJHSOvrIWxpnPHamJcUoMorDFjkOeZyjys627GPw1t6GIg/s3101/jedunn2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2900" data-original-width="3101" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEi7FjbyoTPtPR7TmeEhBHENBElPvD3CaLrkxzc7NHlzworrB2kE9DclyMgiUmn8q-GPhNU9LepVlRU-6Z_paDJCJQGaCXkJaK90y_SuG-Vn0Ndaki07yUwEgL3P_FJpaguSBjVmDpurJiJHSOvrIWxpnPHamJcUoMorDFjkOeZyjys627GPw1t6GIg/w640-h598/jedunn2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lamar Hunt signs a ceremonial contract with J.E. Dunn for the construction of Worlds of Fun. Also pictured are Jack Steadman (President of Worlds of Fun), Stan McIlvaine (General Manager), Bill Dunn Sr. and Lamar Hunt. (And this is why he was called "Big" Jack).</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">May 19, 1972: At Traders National Bank (Traders on Grand), the announcement was made that the general construction contract had been awarded to JE Dunn Construction company. Burns and McDonnell, a local engineering company, had already been working with Worlds of Fun and park designers Randall Duell & Associates of Los Angeles, Ca., since the park had been announced in 1971. According to William Dunn, at the time of the announcement, all construction work, including all sub-contracting, was to be completed by Kansas City area firms. Jack Steadman, Worlds of Fun President, supplied some fun statistics regarding the park:</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: -7pt; padding-left: 7pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2/12 acres of lakes to contain three ships</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: -7pt; padding-left: 7pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twenty-two box cars of lumber</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: -7pt; padding-left: 7pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 1/2 acres of roofing material</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: -7pt; padding-left: 7pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3 miles of plumbing</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: -7pt; padding-left: 7pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">35 miles of electrical wiring</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: -7pt; padding-left: 7pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">30 million pounds of concrete</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: -7pt; padding-left: 7pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">50 million pounds of crushed rock</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: -7pt; padding-left: 7pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">58 million pounds of asphalt.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: -7pt; padding-left: 7pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4,000 railroad ties</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: -7pt; padding-left: 7pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6,000 feet of track</span></p></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIMcIVHfYZs0uVlurw21plf_xftxgxD88eRKy5xJzvv0VFoqNj7w3SQh4voZId-ybmmkRI-uWSKmiTuekFP3qMl6GtKFyxy3oTRtyoPOkRUAHc3RtUK0bYfIirjHQEdPDn9CQltg_R8fzMPSMDsjwSjsjT4jzSXr_vpsLo45YDkC3wtMMA2oEtPvTsQ/s723/construction1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="723" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIMcIVHfYZs0uVlurw21plf_xftxgxD88eRKy5xJzvv0VFoqNj7w3SQh4voZId-ybmmkRI-uWSKmiTuekFP3qMl6GtKFyxy3oTRtyoPOkRUAHc3RtUK0bYfIirjHQEdPDn9CQltg_R8fzMPSMDsjwSjsjT4jzSXr_vpsLo45YDkC3wtMMA2oEtPvTsQ/w640-h501/construction1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ski Heis station under construction from the Kansas City Star July 16, 1972</td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><span><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc19_sybKkmZ_xNV18HhMknyGenk2mSQwFpZPpppimMonk3o18qGrnmPDUzvxNdlzWjiuOE50u28KG9PwFwMDpk0DiwS7YlPHEqwEPs86I4jblhLBqTx7-xM-lyAJQqfEtTCsu7KNetjPYBF2EHleluqYphjiXXsT-3jF6bMdfovZsMKYGNKeJjfgfoQ/s765/constructon2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="726" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc19_sybKkmZ_xNV18HhMknyGenk2mSQwFpZPpppimMonk3o18qGrnmPDUzvxNdlzWjiuOE50u28KG9PwFwMDpk0DiwS7YlPHEqwEPs86I4jblhLBqTx7-xM-lyAJQqfEtTCsu7KNetjPYBF2EHleluqYphjiXXsT-3jF6bMdfovZsMKYGNKeJjfgfoQ/w608-h640/constructon2.jpg" width="608" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And depot from the same article. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to a </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kansas City Star</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> article by Joe Roberts published May 19, five of the 61 structures that would form the park were already under construction including the Cotton Blossom foundation, Scandinavian Sky Ride station, Victrix, Train station, and the Americana Sky Ride loading station. Two days later, May 21, Roberts uniquely explained the quick vertical growth of the park. “Sixty different buildings and at least 20 special rides and recreational features designed to be concealed by the natural contours of the Clay County hills will start appearing like mushrooms after a spring rain,” Roberts said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2Ag9Dc2BZEebIhfFvYLnTMaMsW9M7jW3E5ivuuAyniEW_mVVtroisOx5z_fwQlrHOGadJNtNShXVjybFwtjC1XkbUhJRnC0MrglSweV49b9rj7tw5EfGAH2YVWj4ctwcHYQafcx8MxGn-Z1lB1PBmwGc9rrSSRTW-DEiAb6mKT33gxtelLHBRzec5Q/s2728/vic3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="2728" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2Ag9Dc2BZEebIhfFvYLnTMaMsW9M7jW3E5ivuuAyniEW_mVVtroisOx5z_fwQlrHOGadJNtNShXVjybFwtjC1XkbUhJRnC0MrglSweV49b9rj7tw5EfGAH2YVWj4ctwcHYQafcx8MxGn-Z1lB1PBmwGc9rrSSRTW-DEiAb6mKT33gxtelLHBRzec5Q/w640-h405/vic3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victrix from around August 7, 1972 </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was right, yet some of them would be more complicated to get to rise from the ground than others. Case in point: Cotton Blossom and Victrix–two boats bought from the 1970 MGM Backlot Auction. By June 18, the 2.5-acre concrete “lake” for Cotton Blossom was complete with a base foundation and vertical construction of Cotton Blossom could commence. Jack Steadman specifically mentioned the struggles with Cotton Blossom in an article from The </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kansas City Business Journal</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in 1983. At the time, Steadman stated it was Lamar Hunt who wanted Cotton Blossom when he saw it in May, 1970. “Hunt Saw the Cotton Blossom and something clicked,” he said. Contrarily, Steadman shared that he was skeptical about such a purchase as he doubted the ability to physically move such a large object halfway across the country (Oh to be a fly on the wall during THAT conversation!).</span></p><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfk_HW2cAJFadjuN1Qn1EagIhffXL19azrSH92pG7GVOI55DVLMYh1FRddxkqIfaVMrhw5UT0iV3utNskPqCfm3ucsihTnAj5R1vyIXqY0Yx4TlB4sUXTb6sKmGUUFMsQhjuXGI2WJmqAR8QVrqzWdGa8TOLNTvncIaptYfdPpb_XWXn-PgOJil8tqg/s3936/wof_construction30.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="3936" height="517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfk_HW2cAJFadjuN1Qn1EagIhffXL19azrSH92pG7GVOI55DVLMYh1FRddxkqIfaVMrhw5UT0iV3utNskPqCfm3ucsihTnAj5R1vyIXqY0Yx4TlB4sUXTb6sKmGUUFMsQhjuXGI2WJmqAR8QVrqzWdGa8TOLNTvncIaptYfdPpb_XWXn-PgOJil8tqg/w640-h517/wof_construction30.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cotton Blossom's grid-like foundation completed from around June 18, 1972. </td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vqfgh0_CxZVXOj5dfEQWdi9LqhPydeFTnEkIZ9ks0E8bb7WxKL0SiV_ugDPR6SJflgQr21mxhNvAMiEc0fTwJFJdWPlabKyIpF3Eq7i-XluBJB7mS6R-MbeHLKuL_Y8IDI-Snp1bPgqZWwOzRR2Fs5NZmax-skhVe6u3Gkm0X_nIKyH5Pbt2AFFmOw/s3911/cb20.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2423" data-original-width="3911" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vqfgh0_CxZVXOj5dfEQWdi9LqhPydeFTnEkIZ9ks0E8bb7WxKL0SiV_ugDPR6SJflgQr21mxhNvAMiEc0fTwJFJdWPlabKyIpF3Eq7i-XluBJB7mS6R-MbeHLKuL_Y8IDI-Snp1bPgqZWwOzRR2Fs5NZmax-skhVe6u3Gkm0X_nIKyH5Pbt2AFFmOw/w640-h397/cb20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cotton Blossom finally vertical in around October of 1972. </td></tr></tbody></table><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lamar Hunt would win the auction for Cotton Blossom with a bid of $15,000, beating six other bidders, including one who wanted to turn Cotton Blossom into a floating restaurant in Los Angeles. The plan was that Cotton Blossom would be methodically disassembled, with each piece labeled and noted on the blueprints. It was then moved from California to Kansas City via six boxcars and put into the caves for storage. It was almost exactly 50 years ago that JE Dunn must have realized the re-construction of Cotton Blossom wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. All those numbered pieces weren’t all numbered. Steadman’s concerns were realized, and there were some that thought that Cotton Blossom might not </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ever</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> be re-assembled. Local retired shipbuilder Wyman Beardsley came to the rescue though and supervised a 35-man crew to re-construct both Cotton Blossom and its MGM neighbor Victrix. </span></p><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0PJW-6dJ_MgpPTeSEzCW0l9ezpPGQSSBw7o02tlvVRvVB22QOlGjI5BG0RUYBpNrsIYUTwgsDQvTL4yrgN4LUYh8gHQOFRIuH1rpY4nhW7nybMFTI2LHFQSGzz1-W3MbNbG2AKyQ4L8fR1FvJ0XQurKe9NerusTOYHyx3eDCLc5DZVweCBWmKyA-gw/s2136/wof_construction15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="2136" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0PJW-6dJ_MgpPTeSEzCW0l9ezpPGQSSBw7o02tlvVRvVB22QOlGjI5BG0RUYBpNrsIYUTwgsDQvTL4yrgN4LUYh8gHQOFRIuH1rpY4nhW7nybMFTI2LHFQSGzz1-W3MbNbG2AKyQ4L8fR1FvJ0XQurKe9NerusTOYHyx3eDCLc5DZVweCBWmKyA-gw/w640-h462/wof_construction15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henrietta's foundation with the Sky Hi station in the background. from around July/August 1972.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvDlOYkkPLQpHHJgW0oZglo0WZur-GpQki400cZQJ_owen-21kCPpqxQOxE38k77hPeh0tihR_gfo6qG0Ck4q6-0D4NB91H16q_zWRyMyswcuiQ21UeL5V_MeCl5iq2gZzZnz0OIc94sS6I67HewyGcEKcpytwYIQ_1NTkQeXf_ExPXuMx7wX1YkqdQ/s2752/WOF_construction9lrg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1928" data-original-width="2752" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvDlOYkkPLQpHHJgW0oZglo0WZur-GpQki400cZQJ_owen-21kCPpqxQOxE38k77hPeh0tihR_gfo6qG0Ck4q6-0D4NB91H16q_zWRyMyswcuiQ21UeL5V_MeCl5iq2gZzZnz0OIc94sS6I67HewyGcEKcpytwYIQ_1NTkQeXf_ExPXuMx7wX1YkqdQ/w640-h448/WOF_construction9lrg.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From around July/August time frame, the Depot track bed is visible center of the photo, with the Sky Hi station on it's left. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another aspect of Worlds of Fun was already there and would turn out to be just as integral a feature of Worlds of Fun: the trees. Jack Steadman himself stated that he wanted to build the most beautiful park in the world, and that included natural beauty. Randall Duell, designer of the park, was quoted in </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Midwest Architect's</span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> article “The Fun City Where No One Lives” describing how he originally envisioned the park. “We walked through there one morning, and we came onto the most beautiful circle of trees–the park kind of grew around them. It’s an absolutely beautiful site and we’ve worked hard to preserve it,” Duell said. Cotton Blossom wasn’t the only struggle the park had, and that included redesigning the train layout five different times so as not to lose any of the park’s mature trees. Jack Steadman even went on record stating, “I told the workmen if I saw anybody touch a tree I would personally strangle them” (A New Northland Attraction). I believe that the original tree grove mostly still exists if hampered not by the owners of the park but by Mother Nature herself. It’s still the center of the park to this day. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjzQRf12SDBngTp1CFl4ZU47yvev92dhRoJDid8Fu2JpohRlxqjP-_KMNSojB1Eg7uK1LOi-G1EPpzJvzj8jRvtYZBuoMyC9b5IzuuBW0Y4ZUMxZyRFPAzksQKwbU5ECLkFsINQwfeUIMhM_Aw4xUmSn0ZPRZzS-R80mOMtepXKXQ2BwIj0BAX33mUQ/s5899/aug301972.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4649" data-original-width="5899" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjzQRf12SDBngTp1CFl4ZU47yvev92dhRoJDid8Fu2JpohRlxqjP-_KMNSojB1Eg7uK1LOi-G1EPpzJvzj8jRvtYZBuoMyC9b5IzuuBW0Y4ZUMxZyRFPAzksQKwbU5ECLkFsINQwfeUIMhM_Aw4xUmSn0ZPRZzS-R80mOMtepXKXQ2BwIj0BAX33mUQ/w640-h504/aug301972.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From August 30, 1972, in it can be plainly seen the giant grove of trees at the center of the park. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmM6u-x7RxFUrALmgGkLge2jlwsYvrYswfo4dY635mf4d8-CI6Gn9RnJ30wCoemvPnfUBQiClMZer_vRTaO1UAbRQcy0lHwWLgudgBag2rg-mQb-Dcpmv3jd055McaSpkLDTpVS3AeqPTShCPzVsxay9VCk4hlb9jfpHP_hAYrRXVQ73OFkRpQ-Er5nA/s1191/Untitled4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1191" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmM6u-x7RxFUrALmgGkLge2jlwsYvrYswfo4dY635mf4d8-CI6Gn9RnJ30wCoemvPnfUBQiClMZer_vRTaO1UAbRQcy0lHwWLgudgBag2rg-mQb-Dcpmv3jd055McaSpkLDTpVS3AeqPTShCPzVsxay9VCk4hlb9jfpHP_hAYrRXVQ73OFkRpQ-Er5nA/w640-h522/Untitled4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a recent Google maps aerial of Worlds of Fun, in which can still be seen the same large central grove of trees. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If anything is obvious about the details mentioned is that Jack and Lamar weren’t planning just for 1973 but for the long term. As we can see by the following two decades the park grew and doubled in the number of attractions, and acreage, including an additional park, too (Oceans of Fun in 1982). I will share one final quote from Jack Steadman which epitomizes this concept: “We will never stop building. We have almost 500 acres and every year we will build more and more rides, more and more family attractions, and will have a greater number of activities.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, you did Jack, and we who grew up with it will never forget the park and the memories you gave us. </span></p></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Special Thanks to James Carter for Proofreading!</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">A New Northland Attraction, Jack Steadman: A Kid at Heart. (1973, May 30). Dispatch-Tribune, 2.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Big Showboat’s a Comin’ . (1972, June 18). Kansas City Star, 104.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Cotton Blossom docks at KC’s Worlds of Fun. (1972, June 18). Olathe News, 3.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Gosa, G. (1972, November 5). ‘Worlds of Fun’ Playland is Taking Shape Swiftly . Kansas City Star, 2B.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">In the Fun City ... Where No One Lives. (1972). Midwest Architect, 1(4), 18–21.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Ramstack, T. (1983, June 1). Who is Jack Steadman? Kansas City Business Journal, 49–57.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Roberts, J. (1972, May 19). Fun Park Contract Signed. Kansas City Star, 42.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Roberts, J. (1972, May 21). Building Variety in Big Fun Center. Kansas City Star, 1G–2G.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">.Worlds of Fun Park 20 Per Cent Complete. (1972, July 28). Kansas City Star, 7.</span></p><div><br /></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-70786452434568297102022-05-27T16:48:00.005-05:002022-05-27T19:20:00.172-05:00Oceans of Fun turns 40! <p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PaEu2K6g_yrT6tDn1WEoXc0Yf0NzrnDfY2ySS1B-7wRy89HjXiPkw4IOL8TImgAx2iuycvdyF31R_ZoNIuZdGJaEU04XnJw1JVfkO4VKM3dN6G0qv1ObnFOUmQdkTSmRb1PprULLIJMb2fyXpyxrnwOA7qqvJA9vQE1VjY8wPGP42OIbw_NOve7TQA/s3788/grandopening.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2075" data-original-width="3788" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PaEu2K6g_yrT6tDn1WEoXc0Yf0NzrnDfY2ySS1B-7wRy89HjXiPkw4IOL8TImgAx2iuycvdyF31R_ZoNIuZdGJaEU04XnJw1JVfkO4VKM3dN6G0qv1ObnFOUmQdkTSmRb1PprULLIJMb2fyXpyxrnwOA7qqvJA9vQE1VjY8wPGP42OIbw_NOve7TQA/w400-h219/grandopening.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worlds of Fun management, including Lamar Hunt, Jack Steadman and Lee Derrough in Hawaiian shirts at Oceans of Fun's grand opening. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: large;">With it being the 40th Anniversary of Oceans of Fun it seems almost obligatory to write an Oceans of Fun blog. Today, most guests just write Oceans of Fun off as a “typical water park” but I find that statement to neither be true today nor 40 years ago when Oceans of Fun opened. 40 years ago the idea of opening a water park in the midwest, an area with snow and ice in the winter seemed crazy, yet today it isn’t even just the only water park in the Kansas City area. I have also found Oceans to not be your typical water park today either. Most water parks whether added on to an amusement park or not, feel like gigantic concrete jungles, with little to no grass, little to no shade, and attractions seemingly piled on top of each other. Oceans of Fun due to its plan and also its maturity seems to never suffer from any of that, there is not only grass, but large mature trees, and some attractions can almost be described as a hike from each other. And I like it that way.</span><p></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPhK6f7zXq2TEDVJTHIi2ZFALCwY81Xs2WijM0NEZd22bgIU7OBgGrKC9YpSnmU9GAX61aQbSaH88uPvw3hH-TlLbdDT4NnJLFkGUBTz8IgBy3Jrx4POwKXJfZavaQtaJMbhKFgt36L_K70vwajmtKkUjN5V9WmzogyKCbnBnQQCdfoy1E-zcYCQoDA/s4032/IMG_6054.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPhK6f7zXq2TEDVJTHIi2ZFALCwY81Xs2WijM0NEZd22bgIU7OBgGrKC9YpSnmU9GAX61aQbSaH88uPvw3hH-TlLbdDT4NnJLFkGUBTz8IgBy3Jrx4POwKXJfZavaQtaJMbhKFgt36L_K70vwajmtKkUjN5V9WmzogyKCbnBnQQCdfoy1E-zcYCQoDA/w400-h300/IMG_6054.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oceans of Fun Gate in 1987</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9Faw2qxhUkhFm_jQswLZerLhomQBzOo2KLNvsSl6WcLTYAp3S0JtFT8UN8cvxCh-88yXMOKxEZFDN9EU3jrsJXk7G38nqaJrGezXCmeX5-kGGtd1F5WU-qFXCAtACJd8MelizTnka6KQAleCIz4XgFB9X5MXEnnpO4vPOqqRhAWkyZYWYj8bwyHolg/s2112/oof1993.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2112" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9Faw2qxhUkhFm_jQswLZerLhomQBzOo2KLNvsSl6WcLTYAp3S0JtFT8UN8cvxCh-88yXMOKxEZFDN9EU3jrsJXk7G38nqaJrGezXCmeX5-kGGtd1F5WU-qFXCAtACJd8MelizTnka6KQAleCIz4XgFB9X5MXEnnpO4vPOqqRhAWkyZYWYj8bwyHolg/w400-h199/oof1993.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Landscaping between Caribbean Cooler and Diamond Head. Photo from "At-the-Park" Magazine from 1993.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And it was intended to be that way too: in an article just before Oceans of Fun’s opening Tom Steadman, manager of Research and Development was quoted “ We have a beautiful setting with the trees and the terrain… this is very secluded and serene. We designed I that way intentionally” (Smith, 1982, p. C1)</span><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHsmIBuv2nh_eK8MhCDxeyez4mjhnRZTy3QRhVvYLEj8NSbtvXOIh-ZxZyRJ9mK9jQ2TjMcQM1jW6tHEO1mHrnK1r7iqNflYltVBuB9QBw_i9So4AkyegHnkNcg3EsRWWrjC6DBRjnDBiJlA2jMsqeCVcNCreXxU1v-1Wmxjsunx1_UV5Y5cv9Bwd6A/s1536/017_DR.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHsmIBuv2nh_eK8MhCDxeyez4mjhnRZTy3QRhVvYLEj8NSbtvXOIh-ZxZyRJ9mK9jQ2TjMcQM1jW6tHEO1mHrnK1r7iqNflYltVBuB9QBw_i9So4AkyegHnkNcg3EsRWWrjC6DBRjnDBiJlA2jMsqeCVcNCreXxU1v-1Wmxjsunx1_UV5Y5cv9Bwd6A/w400-h266/017_DR.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Between the gate and Trader Nick's in 1999. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>If that seems familiar it should, as it “rhymes” right along with the story of Worlds of Fun itself. The idea of Worlds of Fun was conceived when Jack Steadman first visited Disneyland in 1957, whereas the idea of Oceans of Fun was born after a visit by Lee Derrough to Wet ’n Wild in Orlando 20 years later in 1977.</span><span> </span></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAo9mcfczi-zAt2E0jXpgNkRKlouNuiHAwyPxlD9xm4TDRBKeYL7Pk8RGMlfKO0UNNnSCfIzdB0MdpN4cI-X1jFQslL0JhrYGKnliSN1vaWcPTz3ibdoPiKkcdYBReRW4nm6H8ibdPaUw2Q96sY8ftMz97DxATYb8pGnpNr3YsRN26YMzzj_XJ9Epzw/s5943/wavepoolconstruction.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3616" data-original-width="5943" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAo9mcfczi-zAt2E0jXpgNkRKlouNuiHAwyPxlD9xm4TDRBKeYL7Pk8RGMlfKO0UNNnSCfIzdB0MdpN4cI-X1jFQslL0JhrYGKnliSN1vaWcPTz3ibdoPiKkcdYBReRW4nm6H8ibdPaUw2Q96sY8ftMz97DxATYb8pGnpNr3YsRN26YMzzj_XJ9Epzw/w400-h244/wavepoolconstruction.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surf City Wave Pool under construction.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnOMO5w6Myngn9ztFQ8ATnCMD0vMxBVlrQZibFgTtbmTUerNMQVl-QkthkNwX7u2QFmT7UrvWQDRk3LPuqHvPXAkvh2WL-Gqi28VHOfaGf9zTClDygsLv1tTk86T10a4h4VORSfNkcfSUwjlh09V4X1WvKjPp6mBrmyWnSpSIIGeZtTud0niMcD-D_Q/s4277/oof0033.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3035" data-original-width="4277" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnOMO5w6Myngn9ztFQ8ATnCMD0vMxBVlrQZibFgTtbmTUerNMQVl-QkthkNwX7u2QFmT7UrvWQDRk3LPuqHvPXAkvh2WL-Gqi28VHOfaGf9zTClDygsLv1tTk86T10a4h4VORSfNkcfSUwjlh09V4X1WvKjPp6mBrmyWnSpSIIGeZtTud0niMcD-D_Q/w400-h284/oof0033.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surf City Wave Pool 1982.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On May 22, 1982, Oceans of Fun opened to Kansas Citians on a very chilly wet day. Enclosed in its gates were attractions many of us would be familiar with today. The highlight was and still is Surf City Wave Pool built by WaveTek. Surf City was one of only a dozen or so wave pools of its kind at the time, it reached over two-thirds the size of a football field, contained over a million gallons of water, and originally reached a maximum depth of 9 feet (today it has been reduced to about 6 feet). One of my favorite memories of Surf City, besides all the candy merchants… was the music. You could always tell when the waves were going to start as the The Safaris </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> “Wipeout” would come over the loudspeakers just prior. According to a May 18th Kansas City Star article, the theme from </span><i style="font-family: helvetica;">Jaws</i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> was planned to come over the speakers when the waves ended. Everyone OUT OF THE WATER.</span></span><div><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIv4Im407yISutwbL1rJFHffgxVaGlQMYUPZBlXBi_kmm5_GFkeNp5I8zoQH0oYggmeWq7fqB0e3NmJnk4SAbqXSChqatDbbmsFQD2a_iDhOERfyEOIsa5Dfatq0WW4dmaiM7JqAQlwE91ZSyiDbP7UgtBECWOmDfPgw46t7IsZQcHMbY9ckBf4viug/s5882/oof0055.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3802" data-original-width="5882" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIv4Im407yISutwbL1rJFHffgxVaGlQMYUPZBlXBi_kmm5_GFkeNp5I8zoQH0oYggmeWq7fqB0e3NmJnk4SAbqXSChqatDbbmsFQD2a_iDhOERfyEOIsa5Dfatq0WW4dmaiM7JqAQlwE91ZSyiDbP7UgtBECWOmDfPgw46t7IsZQcHMbY9ckBf4viug/w400-h259/oof0055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castaway Cove under construction</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Not far from Surf City Wave Pool is Oceans of Fun’s only remaining, mostly unmodified original attraction, Castaway Cove and Belly Up Bar. For guests 21 years and over, Castaway Cove offers even today a 2,500 square foot swimming pool, and probably the most popular attraction is its half in the water/half dry land “belly up” bar. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XJJvtvArlZfOwBv-9TPQ9u__8U4_UqMaHja-Qq0jebUYVfZFP8i6ctiYeIIUY63Jer_-C1zc_eXwGUe7KMSMjgwnlBYTBF3d1hVXJI6Xw4SUDFwC0sRjxv9sF2kCOITmBrpp5ZZwHCdam03SWElSlBUiBOstfPu3K7SR1QnK0tYKbZCh8RCXCBQs2A/s1577/bucaneersbay.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1577" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8XJJvtvArlZfOwBv-9TPQ9u__8U4_UqMaHja-Qq0jebUYVfZFP8i6ctiYeIIUY63Jer_-C1zc_eXwGUe7KMSMjgwnlBYTBF3d1hVXJI6Xw4SUDFwC0sRjxv9sF2kCOITmBrpp5ZZwHCdam03SWElSlBUiBOstfPu3K7SR1QnK0tYKbZCh8RCXCBQs2A/w400-h303/bucaneersbay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayak's at Bucaneer's Bay in 1993. (From At-the-Park magazine)</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc3Zmgl_hefSOMXFSqadQugvjcRC8PWA3RcYsIOC6wG4YBV96MRZmCg9zXA3meVbkbT3CLwZ_3zJfI4e6wkNBc0C230zei4AfKHziGHSKbOtqsO9NTjz-WJLOd6hI4K03bzcQVbX1q6qEmppTmOBryMyTnhDwuYLB5nF9FIkC9DSEVz2SU5_w9-C1aA/s2587/skishow1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2286" data-original-width="2587" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc3Zmgl_hefSOMXFSqadQugvjcRC8PWA3RcYsIOC6wG4YBV96MRZmCg9zXA3meVbkbT3CLwZ_3zJfI4e6wkNBc0C230zei4AfKHziGHSKbOtqsO9NTjz-WJLOd6hI4K03bzcQVbX1q6qEmppTmOBryMyTnhDwuYLB5nF9FIkC9DSEVz2SU5_w9-C1aA/w400-h354/skishow1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ski Show at Bucaneer's Bay in 1982. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Everything else at Oceans of Fun has changed over the years and mostly in good ways. The original five-acre Buccaneer Bay was briefly home to a ski show and for many years kayaking and boating until it was closed off in 2019. A little known fact is that the water from Buccaneer Bay is connected to the Fury of the Nile and can be pumped in either direction. (In and out of Nile). This is why Nile water sometimes looks (and smells) like lake water. Buccaneer Bay’s original neighbor the 1.5 acres Neptune’s Lagoon has been long gone, replaced in 1992 by Coconut Cove. Neptune’s Lagoon offered a “natural” lake play area and was composed of a rock base covered by 12-18 inches of “tropical” sand, imported from the “exotic” Kaw River. It offered a maximum advertised depth of 5.5 feet. I remember Neptune’s Lagoon well and loved its sand bottom and sand beaches, and the play areas that were later added in 1983. I suppose I can appreciate it being replaced though as Neptune’s Lagoon was far from sanitary I am sure, and probably would appear gross to many modern water park goers today. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv6v-ZDc_4vMJRTyuvfaW9Hr8unHvpljE3Pwahjc6JzFRk_JeMYYRtDGgQc9cJLOviAVLwKmd9shq3vK6A92vB25qyjOJNe5um8TDo6tHS_YFXi4om4_bnE7WRubZ5kacmhu5UoG0wyJCsvabo5PrhOvZP8wXOlcAx4hcwwHpGt-JFjtgpMIMS5Zouw/s2940/bellyhai.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2940" data-original-width="1991" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv6v-ZDc_4vMJRTyuvfaW9Hr8unHvpljE3Pwahjc6JzFRk_JeMYYRtDGgQc9cJLOviAVLwKmd9shq3vK6A92vB25qyjOJNe5um8TDo6tHS_YFXi4om4_bnE7WRubZ5kacmhu5UoG0wyJCsvabo5PrhOvZP8wXOlcAx4hcwwHpGt-JFjtgpMIMS5Zouw/s320/bellyhai.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belly Hai/Knee Hai play area in 1982.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_CwdIcI1DJNgKTsoe9tJ_XdSPF3bJrX_zAivhqGcwKa9h8vWdXiADeAQdorBRrgAvbVbxUOmuz5yAJBbEzHWSvJvlMYG7Y9m3zNqGK3MB45sUGozyv5y9bvnjG3hGQWKsNMfimB1OXYgUdhI2QmVkfijpZZkC1OUwInpxfFiyOkKh0j1TzRLQ3Atzg/s2068/oof001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1838" data-original-width="2068" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_CwdIcI1DJNgKTsoe9tJ_XdSPF3bJrX_zAivhqGcwKa9h8vWdXiADeAQdorBRrgAvbVbxUOmuz5yAJBbEzHWSvJvlMYG7Y9m3zNqGK3MB45sUGozyv5y9bvnjG3hGQWKsNMfimB1OXYgUdhI2QmVkfijpZZkC1OUwInpxfFiyOkKh0j1TzRLQ3Atzg/w400-h355/oof001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">As far as areas specifically for kids Oceans of Fun had that too, before the expansion of Crocodile Isle (1991) and Captain Kidds (1995) a smaller kids area known as Belly Hai and Knee Hai came complete with mini slides, water cannons, and small wading pool. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG4zWRnYytxreuT4bbziCbrY54LXLj_zdwkVCl69NwtQcc6Axu6ldPoxSV9kx-SutsnVWlMQ4AZS7kfZO3TloIUsZc0RKnV-JkGThf5pa0-0Ap-5zs6_8A-TVkS2MWf8hUtga-nYVF38mRqEnAvBbgph782aYhiuO0zb9lNBzXrkhjYj8PSSmynueyA/s1591/diamondhead1993.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1591" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigG4zWRnYytxreuT4bbziCbrY54LXLj_zdwkVCl69NwtQcc6Axu6ldPoxSV9kx-SutsnVWlMQ4AZS7kfZO3TloIUsZc0RKnV-JkGThf5pa0-0Ap-5zs6_8A-TVkS2MWf8hUtga-nYVF38mRqEnAvBbgph782aYhiuO0zb9lNBzXrkhjYj8PSSmynueyA/w400-h269/diamondhead1993.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Head with it's original slide signs. Photo from At-the-Park. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And then there is Diamond Head. Diamond Head which is easy to forget was Oceans of Fun’s first and only slide complex when the park opened in 1982. Originally there were plans for more, but probably with a growing budget (the park was originally planned for $6 million, but the final cost was $7.25 million), the slides planned were pared down to the three 400-foot long slides on Diamond Head. And who can forget their names? Waikiki Wipeout, Honolulu Lulu, and Maui Wowee. Supposedly they were lined up from least thrilling to most, but I am not sure there is any credit to that story, that’s just what I was told as a kid.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1peYgEEqjbqQAjvnXbjCQ3v91fe5oF1Sm2K1onyloobGk1w9RHg9XGuvCF6SyBCK6MZWZytti35wXDb65RbngbPz-y39p-1XqFuOpo3AFzDhfuSGgbm4FzpCreKmKpR_DUFjgYgdyjwNjayv5ET9TaRnKEs9WVOs_c3sSa4KQ-xZ4kIgJDAjOc8Kirw/s4127/oof0015.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="4127" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1peYgEEqjbqQAjvnXbjCQ3v91fe5oF1Sm2K1onyloobGk1w9RHg9XGuvCF6SyBCK6MZWZytti35wXDb65RbngbPz-y39p-1XqFuOpo3AFzDhfuSGgbm4FzpCreKmKpR_DUFjgYgdyjwNjayv5ET9TaRnKEs9WVOs_c3sSa4KQ-xZ4kIgJDAjOc8Kirw/w400-h280/oof0015.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The photo is taken from Typhoon which wasn't added until 1983, but is the only photo that I have showing Neptune's Lagoon. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXGNkpWSGoH6nOgmaej84twuaA5qhk1Nitzkb-SsLHpbMvwNkhxSxnr6ddm_ImFhvApF9iHnzmF0tFHlaoGvs2nvARWiUgc7OnZJc6MScUzwEWv97OZ9UmySawVRmYuIbFDCO2wfMIbj06ouwxyWHkNS7T1VFmOYsbOUbau_OY9cieUs1wH04_ASNxg/s1743/untitled.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1743" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXGNkpWSGoH6nOgmaej84twuaA5qhk1Nitzkb-SsLHpbMvwNkhxSxnr6ddm_ImFhvApF9iHnzmF0tFHlaoGvs2nvARWiUgc7OnZJc6MScUzwEWv97OZ9UmySawVRmYuIbFDCO2wfMIbj06ouwxyWHkNS7T1VFmOYsbOUbau_OY9cieUs1wH04_ASNxg/w400-h258/untitled.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same photo a closer look at Neptune's Lagoon. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">According to stories and reviews when the park first opened most guests weren’t impressed with Diamond Head, but looking back on my personal experience I thought they were some of the most thrilling slides in the park, I always felt like I was about to be flung out!</span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NGRpIEXaPcyialjZz87CHPabj-PJcp9PpsmJCOM_WZ8hAws0oGs6UDBlEW_a85HpSYYR6sT2wfWX6dEiForCTEA5wSijutfyimi54sNBg5PIC-pTMzncSIdNQkQ4xeawqvJPP9GJr4b-VsrZ9u9IUBoFhea_onjC6zUDSeqWgXXW1SBDDZLj2ec4IA/s1536/022_DR.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NGRpIEXaPcyialjZz87CHPabj-PJcp9PpsmJCOM_WZ8hAws0oGs6UDBlEW_a85HpSYYR6sT2wfWX6dEiForCTEA5wSijutfyimi54sNBg5PIC-pTMzncSIdNQkQ4xeawqvJPP9GJr4b-VsrZ9u9IUBoFhea_onjC6zUDSeqWgXXW1SBDDZLj2ec4IA/w400-h266/022_DR.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oceans of Fun Gate in 1999.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlV1MelfMvnIz1_lSIeqZVlItqz_DG0oF4sOvbFSr2os2LFUNW9JPCC9nqhpu4AR020SZQYAg48ibGZ65Lx5VJQhwUYARz9AE0Uc5d3LljV5zR9UfmcgxUmEEPm-St2L8ApOg3gz1OFIprBww11I_WvwylqBI7YfmQ6b-DxXyZIsQJLdeT8tY5G1KbA/s1536/013_DR.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlV1MelfMvnIz1_lSIeqZVlItqz_DG0oF4sOvbFSr2os2LFUNW9JPCC9nqhpu4AR020SZQYAg48ibGZ65Lx5VJQhwUYARz9AE0Uc5d3LljV5zR9UfmcgxUmEEPm-St2L8ApOg3gz1OFIprBww11I_WvwylqBI7YfmQ6b-DxXyZIsQJLdeT8tY5G1KbA/w400-h266/013_DR.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Head slides again in 1999. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Diamond Head’s slides were refinished back in 2008 but were finally removed following the 2019 season, having lasted nearly 40 years, and replaced by Riptide Racers in 2021.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">In the beginning… 40 years ago that was Oceans of Fun.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dLKzxc0f7hgF8JqasZ7LsKHJ75H27qp22uuC82fG-BkN8dtSxVHQ8QgrGzewCokRqhjlUSgYsdpBMwyysWzXLsWwEhio-Q-cHyRgqteWZndx1BK1lrjLNakZsfmTOtdFzL9CalZ7v_9nciftOmoArWicn169bXkeWrWNiCTbwF2kRtoyKl19W2v4Aw/s2016/IMG_1456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dLKzxc0f7hgF8JqasZ7LsKHJ75H27qp22uuC82fG-BkN8dtSxVHQ8QgrGzewCokRqhjlUSgYsdpBMwyysWzXLsWwEhio-Q-cHyRgqteWZndx1BK1lrjLNakZsfmTOtdFzL9CalZ7v_9nciftOmoArWicn169bXkeWrWNiCTbwF2kRtoyKl19W2v4Aw/w400-h300/IMG_1456.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bright green astroturf used to cover the surfaces around attractions. This photo was taken in 1987 when Caribbean Cooler opened. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> A multitude of attractions would be added over the years, today the park has grown from only three water slides to over a dozen from Typhoon to Predator’s Plunge to Aruba Tuba and then some. Neptune’s Lagoon is long gone, and Surf City Wave Pool has drastically changed over the years too. Oceans of Fun fills some of my earliest memories, I miss the bathing houses being named “Wahine” and “Kanaka” (woman and man in Hawaiian) I spied that on the Honolulu Airport bathrooms this last January and it took me back. I miss the aqua-colored plastic storage tubes, the green astroturf, and the tropical ambassador shirts, a lot has changed over the years. Still, at the heart of it, Oceans of Fun hasn’t changed all that much, it’s still just as beautiful a park today as it was all those years ago and it’s still just as popular. Here is to another decade of good times. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomYul8jDbsnAHfd9rgLjZU_0gGEma9WdKfBfBmdnghh4ypT8dRAgZgETVjGCh7oTDpBLvdNRpne0DJcmiiIcPsVl-utFMeP3THg5YyJ27RcxJux9031XPdnNrtNsC0P9vahdDTeUdpxlmGS02l9LEg7jdnedmz4d6pdFPIHpbou0U5kqwYey445LF-g/s3893/oof008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3893" data-original-width="2668" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomYul8jDbsnAHfd9rgLjZU_0gGEma9WdKfBfBmdnghh4ypT8dRAgZgETVjGCh7oTDpBLvdNRpne0DJcmiiIcPsVl-utFMeP3THg5YyJ27RcxJux9031XPdnNrtNsC0P9vahdDTeUdpxlmGS02l9LEg7jdnedmz4d6pdFPIHpbou0U5kqwYey445LF-g/w274-h400/oof008.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Oceans of Fun Ambassador costume.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6INA3XQ6OfpxGJp29K6v8mluPfKXzmwREOYR1OKYN-E76BLwIyeJbNUCS_gPp6gc6IEm05g9fMfjcL5fHczPB0cmW7Qlk_586BPZ6P114EHOpz5T1fdnmnf0SVDCBj10eztyNBcgTUGQ0LyTz0THCKLUCJiuIGMacbd8_aSmTBW2K7PtCZJJZcuWNFA/s4032/IMG_9575.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6INA3XQ6OfpxGJp29K6v8mluPfKXzmwREOYR1OKYN-E76BLwIyeJbNUCS_gPp6gc6IEm05g9fMfjcL5fHczPB0cmW7Qlk_586BPZ6P114EHOpz5T1fdnmnf0SVDCBj10eztyNBcgTUGQ0LyTz0THCKLUCJiuIGMacbd8_aSmTBW2K7PtCZJJZcuWNFA/s320/IMG_9575.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First of two Oceans of Fun Ambassador costume tops we have in our collection.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ90V8vPrW4U5gHYPh2sHD8BFK16XQU0Lu0csUJGNfzk4LaoauuATrHN7sCvXfXbkifGzeFDjmHD0BfCGkbz7uqF3pbc4jew1z_x8jEnGK5A3u8rPUrD_BRUccPwUL0chXgHAjkhvL4BLdHONvGr_toiRfo20YJecB1k301N956THyUjX9YLrhkhYpQ/s4032/IMG_9576.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ90V8vPrW4U5gHYPh2sHD8BFK16XQU0Lu0csUJGNfzk4LaoauuATrHN7sCvXfXbkifGzeFDjmHD0BfCGkbz7uqF3pbc4jew1z_x8jEnGK5A3u8rPUrD_BRUccPwUL0chXgHAjkhvL4BLdHONvGr_toiRfo20YJecB1k301N956THyUjX9YLrhkhYpQ/s320/IMG_9576.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Smith, G.B. (1982). Any Park Expansion will keep regional customers in mind. <i>Kansas City Times</i>, C1.</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Burnes, B. (1982). Fit to be tide: The surf’s up in Missouri! <i>Kansas City Star</i>, B1</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rassenfoss. J. (1982). Surf’s up - but goosebumps are too. <i>Kansas City Star</i>, 23A</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hobart, K. (1982). A Change of place for landlubbers. <i>Independence Examiner</i>, p. 4</span></p><div><br /></div></div>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-6844568860828549062022-05-19T20:16:00.008-05:002022-05-19T20:25:15.815-05:00From Foam Mountains to Outer Space: Part IV<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn1ar62YmvOJB1LD-fioNhmyrgYkYy4i5zVTV8rdHTPkzsENsRjP1qn8dPo_lUXdILgndLdN1iko_znLGKIHGMmF65bZk5zUF5M5Nt8vMDlwKsHSzQSadtIxRkg42jZa86rkO0OT-zTHUhvLyMbxb8Edn50wyUTYqS2Se-lFevm1B01hAEZIsMy7Tmw/s3008/cp_campsnoopy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn1ar62YmvOJB1LD-fioNhmyrgYkYy4i5zVTV8rdHTPkzsENsRjP1qn8dPo_lUXdILgndLdN1iko_znLGKIHGMmF65bZk5zUF5M5Nt8vMDlwKsHSzQSadtIxRkg42jZa86rkO0OT-zTHUhvLyMbxb8Edn50wyUTYqS2Se-lFevm1B01hAEZIsMy7Tmw/w400-h266/cp_campsnoopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not Worlds of Fun, it's Cedar Point! Gemini is in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> Last episode we looked at Berenstain Bear Country, Cedar Fair’s first sojourn into kid’s areas at Worlds of Fun. Even in 1997, the writing was on the wall for the future, as Cedar Fair had purchased Knott’s Berry Farm and obtained rights to Knott’s Camp Snoopy along with the park in 1996. Snoopy is a far more recognized intellectual property than the Berenstain Bears and Cedar Fair wasted no time in installing Snoopy and Co. at its flagship park, Cedar Point. The first time I visited Cedar Point, in 1999, Camp Snoopy was the newest expansion and I was impressed with the quality. It seemed years away from Worlds of Fun which had only added Bear Country two years prior.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3krW5a55K7OfE4rZGJ7EC0uyRZ5TaRqfq13XiIaG0bc0zFWI40PUtYoNDVZsBIxXCVCF2zk5fdgqND0hH3ASoJ6A7j0HNZxuX2ygsKB6owzpwrMkMCIFKkQ-QIVH5PRvDXy_jxCFuRAD3jILqKOe97XQX4ICa6WtRrxeM45ZYXjaxn7WPtH1XF-01Xg/s12434/wof2001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5381" data-original-width="12434" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3krW5a55K7OfE4rZGJ7EC0uyRZ5TaRqfq13XiIaG0bc0zFWI40PUtYoNDVZsBIxXCVCF2zk5fdgqND0hH3ASoJ6A7j0HNZxuX2ygsKB6owzpwrMkMCIFKkQ-QIVH5PRvDXy_jxCFuRAD3jILqKOe97XQX4ICa6WtRrxeM45ZYXjaxn7WPtH1XF-01Xg/w640-h277/wof2001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2001 Worlds of Fun Fun Guide.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;">The twist though is that Camp Snoopy would be introduced to Worlds of Fun, replacing Bear Country in 2001. It wouldn’t be the first time that Snoopy would come to Worlds of Fun. Back in 1978 Worlds of Fun’s costume designer Dawna Welborn created the very first in-park Snoopy costume, and Snoopy paired up with the then park mascots, Sam, Dan’l, and Grrrtrude for the year 1978.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jPHoUZGMlRext8R71GH-Wo9G8pcNds3VlsXEnItyDRCTB3DsRxc9BfV7IRlOFd72pJxMBfhITmxGo0HjPLSKOve8h_mltuNZnfBqL3IaDb9Wioc56dBGekuXPdPDBKiNfb5g4YFhCCvctsfK4Zfnm2qnuuboug_WbMjkH6tDPw2C4HB_lSbMx5891g/s1279/snoopy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1279" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jPHoUZGMlRext8R71GH-Wo9G8pcNds3VlsXEnItyDRCTB3DsRxc9BfV7IRlOFd72pJxMBfhITmxGo0HjPLSKOve8h_mltuNZnfBqL3IaDb9Wioc56dBGekuXPdPDBKiNfb5g4YFhCCvctsfK4Zfnm2qnuuboug_WbMjkH6tDPw2C4HB_lSbMx5891g/w400-h278/snoopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snoopy at Worlds of Fun in 1978, with Sam Panda, Gertrude Gorilla and Dan'l Coon. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2pflWGS70HTdySDOUd4pYKis8su07zjMBOKdEQq-GdDurbMMF2o6Dz1-koqY3bD56iZle7NBvXq3oItgcxz5o5tOxz7A0e9a4DVgU_kP-rpGAY-uoSk9f7AOarm_h8yZEdOAvHYPhsLM3Bx7y-CJ5S9quZQutoDqTHt9eWlsw8PdBc5PysuUsz2irg/s1280/snoopy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2pflWGS70HTdySDOUd4pYKis8su07zjMBOKdEQq-GdDurbMMF2o6Dz1-koqY3bD56iZle7NBvXq3oItgcxz5o5tOxz7A0e9a4DVgU_kP-rpGAY-uoSk9f7AOarm_h8yZEdOAvHYPhsLM3Bx7y-CJ5S9quZQutoDqTHt9eWlsw8PdBc5PysuUsz2irg/w300-h400/snoopy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snoopy in 2001</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Opening Day 2001 was warm and humid for early April, but what I remember most was being pleasantly surprised with the quality of the new Camp Snoopy. Looking back I am surprised by my overall pleasant reaction. However, that could be that it also followed several plain ugly park additions over the two prior years. Boomerang, Coasters Drive-In, and Grand Prix Raceway were never the highlight of WoF expansion history. So though “only just” a kid’s area Camp Snoopy was created with care and gave the appearance that it wasn’t just a paint job, though in reality much of it was exactly that. </span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4cmrkEayIevY_Z2mPcb6CfW4OzddFhAUlpwfMkibe96mExy61sBUZALnI59QftHOBkOWCtEwPX8r8B64iTIgkjlGOccAIRrC5wr5OP-doJva_WNpbg1n_V0vyIDMpX0zAHqHgwjiomlFLYZPOGsOeyoOnmM8Wcd9FXqNgRcUJtxOrRZ_hAkvKcpzIQ/s1280/campsnoopy1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4cmrkEayIevY_Z2mPcb6CfW4OzddFhAUlpwfMkibe96mExy61sBUZALnI59QftHOBkOWCtEwPX8r8B64iTIgkjlGOccAIRrC5wr5OP-doJva_WNpbg1n_V0vyIDMpX0zAHqHgwjiomlFLYZPOGsOeyoOnmM8Wcd9FXqNgRcUJtxOrRZ_hAkvKcpzIQ/w400-h300/campsnoopy1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Camp Snoopy.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcrS54IRQ5E22MX-v2Rht4v_r49G4NQnwfV6rb1f6NaTpgWU-KwU0D8LIhLHttKWw8yR1cPgvTipDpNpNKUp37Iu8u_PrI2P0ZJ5brTt1wZcXxmCQdQnQjZu43V7hbEMEJJR7-NK6KIhHiUcapUgn6_h6fo4s2IM-okFIakfXMS0J-oGruufpbSzOaA/s1280/campsnoopytheater.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcrS54IRQ5E22MX-v2Rht4v_r49G4NQnwfV6rb1f6NaTpgWU-KwU0D8LIhLHttKWw8yR1cPgvTipDpNpNKUp37Iu8u_PrI2P0ZJ5brTt1wZcXxmCQdQnQjZu43V7hbEMEJJR7-NK6KIhHiUcapUgn6_h6fo4s2IM-okFIakfXMS0J-oGruufpbSzOaA/w400-h300/campsnoopytheater.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campground Theater, previously Bear Country Museum. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qsGHd47Hn7Zs2O_XGA-vqDMZqvX5rTavcBowDJaFn5wk-JMc-eCjB7vp96GaFCVUFKCRZaEj8wPpryrxDehv1XBJ5MGGfXq78USeOI92P7ZYBuz9T8MVx8xluSJkUJGdnMzBjtQ9XHlsfmE2hVvFZv7ep1sTL3C-HaG4I_qACpRO6BYGmevEitGJ5A/s1280/P6100041.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qsGHd47Hn7Zs2O_XGA-vqDMZqvX5rTavcBowDJaFn5wk-JMc-eCjB7vp96GaFCVUFKCRZaEj8wPpryrxDehv1XBJ5MGGfXq78USeOI92P7ZYBuz9T8MVx8xluSJkUJGdnMzBjtQ9XHlsfmE2hVvFZv7ep1sTL3C-HaG4I_qACpRO6BYGmevEitGJ5A/w400-h300/P6100041.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Beagle Bay Outfitters.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">While nearly every ride and attraction from Pandamonium/Bear Country would remain in the transition to Camp Snoopy, at the same time many of them would be drastically changed, cosmetically at least. At the Bear Country Museum the exterior received a paint job, and minor theming changes (the telescope was removed), the interior had all of its Bear Country exhibits removed, and most theming elements removed. After a paint job and some minor re-modeling, it became Beagle Bay Outfitters and Campground Theater. The Spooky Old Tree was re-painted, kites were added and it became the Kite Eating Tree. The Bear Country TreeHouse was completely demolished and a Camp Snoopy Bounce House was added in its place. Probably the most laughable re-name though goes to the ride that STILL hadn’t moved and was known at the time as Kiddy Hawk Airlines. According to the 2001 park map it was re-named back to Red Baron. According to the ride’s SIGN itself though… it appeared to have a more unique name. Red Bacon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cDqOzYa8PWexVOwubnVyRhYR3wuiVj_xwwdXZKlejGVdPgNqZZ98ZWx7TCDeu3DpeJjC7Lb-Q6URZpE_YUufvsJzlcEpPZJwOgjUVXAdfo2-y6GrPcw7XX9uBz8Rtv7I3g0pgf2p8RJiBS2-oIPj7jQ3UN9hKoyQWaeAU8xxnM6uK6vniEPU2eCqdQ/s1280/redbacon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cDqOzYa8PWexVOwubnVyRhYR3wuiVj_xwwdXZKlejGVdPgNqZZ98ZWx7TCDeu3DpeJjC7Lb-Q6URZpE_YUufvsJzlcEpPZJwOgjUVXAdfo2-y6GrPcw7XX9uBz8Rtv7I3g0pgf2p8RJiBS2-oIPj7jQ3UN9hKoyQWaeAU8xxnM6uK6vniEPU2eCqdQ/w400-h300/redbacon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this ride EVER change?! Spoiler alert... it doesn't. But it isn't known as Red Bacon anymore either.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGoHzVXHruuNpDRwQLs89rJU-QvS9mNeRh7QFlpVAZR0YrjpaHVJNoPl07OU5wynXjXuhcdQhzy_x_Kikbtkq-_Ns_XleKf5atwvdWOK9_F-WPArTQCvbk7bF9CwJUwVZBUcRYz6f0Pvu2HbHyTswaYuqzkh8ZyhFfrTzZUlIzLQ8W5XNkO-JuqskLA/s1280/snoopybounce.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGoHzVXHruuNpDRwQLs89rJU-QvS9mNeRh7QFlpVAZR0YrjpaHVJNoPl07OU5wynXjXuhcdQhzy_x_Kikbtkq-_Ns_XleKf5atwvdWOK9_F-WPArTQCvbk7bF9CwJUwVZBUcRYz6f0Pvu2HbHyTswaYuqzkh8ZyhFfrTzZUlIzLQ8W5XNkO-JuqskLA/w400-h300/snoopybounce.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snoopy Bounce... let's all contemplate a moonwalk bounce house occupying the space of Barnstormer, Octopus and the Bear Family Treehouse. Today's Woodstock Gliders is located in the same place. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Camp Snoopy would introduce two new rides to the area, and expand the play area again by a total of one acre. New to Camp Snoopy would be the S&S Mini Drop Tower known then as Woodstock’s Airmail (today it is the Kite Eating Tree) and it would replace Either Oar a mini kid’s canoe ride that was introduced with Pandamonium. The second expansion was a Zamperla Junior Flying Carpet, known as Camp Bus, then and now. Both rides were a step up from the traditional kiddie rides allowing adults to ride with children.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnpjEHrnb6vuwmE-FxMB3YvknKCNDh3NI7_DY1kbHJjU207GuQKtPqclcSs_DTc6DMTkUI20f3T7lk0gbS5mf_JR_p5oQGblk0xOKYpssf1sz3yH8jIGj2kxrWATfKVzZwWdcRmUtg7pRvlEyJfe7TFzNuuQ_ZvUq2fM6Jz9V7eEfbJNJFb2yMz8qxQ/s1280/woodstocksairmail2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnpjEHrnb6vuwmE-FxMB3YvknKCNDh3NI7_DY1kbHJjU207GuQKtPqclcSs_DTc6DMTkUI20f3T7lk0gbS5mf_JR_p5oQGblk0xOKYpssf1sz3yH8jIGj2kxrWATfKVzZwWdcRmUtg7pRvlEyJfe7TFzNuuQ_ZvUq2fM6Jz9V7eEfbJNJFb2yMz8qxQ/w400-h300/woodstocksairmail2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodstock's Airmail produced by S&S of Utah. Today it's the Kite Eating Tree.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wMa3gkmCWzMTjdW9unLJfe7r8_yp39qEeRuR7bU9bQErxdSy3zlu4kMCLGIxEI_z3wL1iPDjbimeSf75skn3FQy_gt5VXfXxlD1fBX3IxJK5EbpNWy3dJCpuXcXLuPkHldGorW8RTLPl80bx6nkHootAFPaGFih8C1ILknEHzUkmoHjfnTTS4s4MJw/s1280/campbus.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wMa3gkmCWzMTjdW9unLJfe7r8_yp39qEeRuR7bU9bQErxdSy3zlu4kMCLGIxEI_z3wL1iPDjbimeSf75skn3FQy_gt5VXfXxlD1fBX3IxJK5EbpNWy3dJCpuXcXLuPkHldGorW8RTLPl80bx6nkHootAFPaGFih8C1ILknEHzUkmoHjfnTTS4s4MJw/w400-h300/campbus.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp Bus, it's still pretty much the same. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Probably the biggest change with Camp Snoopy though was the introduction of an entirely new aesthetic. Everything became forest green and redwood tree red. The old circular fountain would change forever and become instead a waterfall with Snoopy and Woodstock paddling away in a canoe. And then there were the character introductions. Of course Snoopy wasn’t really “new” but the whole Peanut’s Gang was, and even today they remain recognizable and well-loved. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHprtdj58pu77k9reKLZchmqcRkkY64tdcgt4BBRD_w0vWqWPQ9eaEtYTIwRKz-JEbJjnD_jMhHNhL8Ztv_eCLx2_sL6i-zAZZ9tBXYR-U4BaPm20Th81MaLnNapi6zNefjns5NqvLm9wnmZx9GjKrLirbfCoszfVkLrE4cHUUaEvvJB5TL16wCEINCQ/s1280/campsnoopy2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHprtdj58pu77k9reKLZchmqcRkkY64tdcgt4BBRD_w0vWqWPQ9eaEtYTIwRKz-JEbJjnD_jMhHNhL8Ztv_eCLx2_sL6i-zAZZ9tBXYR-U4BaPm20Th81MaLnNapi6zNefjns5NqvLm9wnmZx9GjKrLirbfCoszfVkLrE4cHUUaEvvJB5TL16wCEINCQ/w400-h300/campsnoopy2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Camp Snoopy fountain. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEQMrKFPikgccZVfh23ZsGVdAfgX-YZvnhXUtMVNizJnD45onyKVgSG87gNhIyb4RhMj3TbULUFvSgfrl8eBYwPm6WU0-krEcss9NPznVuYvMN_nHeD5cqnQx_gitbX4H38ZAD6QTFWOo-nr_47srl32enXOY8mt9wlW17aFD2BrgkfCS9iEBFxsmBA/s1280/kiteeatingtree2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEQMrKFPikgccZVfh23ZsGVdAfgX-YZvnhXUtMVNizJnD45onyKVgSG87gNhIyb4RhMj3TbULUFvSgfrl8eBYwPm6WU0-krEcss9NPznVuYvMN_nHeD5cqnQx_gitbX4H38ZAD6QTFWOo-nr_47srl32enXOY8mt9wlW17aFD2BrgkfCS9iEBFxsmBA/w300-h400/kiteeatingtree2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spooky Old Tree became the Kite Eating Tree (still just a plastic slide) </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThUip5ZwbSequ2nSrJS8gaW8mSHG9BlKUvWPRIRjd45RhPwWRNaMeyZzL_mMFiq71omo9X804BV_B4VW-AYlHb8M-Sz64qvizrsJHp-9oo399dEYso_ASqXybmXV1swId4MX2uSPSpceKH_nuqWipJdTgsURqxi8xTbfrhmX6Yj9KEoHQ4wMvAdhJUw/s1280/P1010247.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThUip5ZwbSequ2nSrJS8gaW8mSHG9BlKUvWPRIRjd45RhPwWRNaMeyZzL_mMFiq71omo9X804BV_B4VW-AYlHb8M-Sz64qvizrsJHp-9oo399dEYso_ASqXybmXV1swId4MX2uSPSpceKH_nuqWipJdTgsURqxi8xTbfrhmX6Yj9KEoHQ4wMvAdhJUw/w400-h300/P1010247.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Affordable psychiatric advice....</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Camp Snoopy would be with us for longer than Bear Country, 10 years, and in that time it would see a few expansions. In 2003, in its first major Halloweekends expansions, the park took the 1978 Lucky Lyndy’s Lunch Counter building and transformed it, its last time, into Magical House on Boo Hill, an adorable and ingenious take on a not-super-scary haunted house. In 2005, the park expanded further with the foam ball playhouse, Peanut’s Playhouse.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNjGOgdMZz_uUtbfqNEpWnLjd6VNrR2s32v7q8LZ_feUzS973xDV3z1h5AIoeHREPtR2lLfRpReypEurZQCxKOaf5uYG_mkwQ2ZLqRQ9lNVr1HBlalY8dstHA5BF2GpLxzoRRA3WQh7R0xJIlRqCLnuQ1NEwUk1jMuDRPQvKqBwZAHWyveCJtqBCUlA/s2498/peanutsplayhouse.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1799" data-original-width="2498" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNjGOgdMZz_uUtbfqNEpWnLjd6VNrR2s32v7q8LZ_feUzS973xDV3z1h5AIoeHREPtR2lLfRpReypEurZQCxKOaf5uYG_mkwQ2ZLqRQ9lNVr1HBlalY8dstHA5BF2GpLxzoRRA3WQh7R0xJIlRqCLnuQ1NEwUk1jMuDRPQvKqBwZAHWyveCJtqBCUlA/w400-h288/peanutsplayhouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut's Playhouse in the winter of 2010/2011 </td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHmlm9zxdVnTxZ7Q-lIF81XDKFYiDfoRumYcSIweOcb3uqSe6LsM2-bY4vnX1wD7l5zdMaBHY5VtZQ_z6FY085Co4gx8EGLQFbSut-OtKNwQ0HiPElHUKzP5Fw9oYwJPqeiTj92GrR8ROgWTA79RZQNEf-qY4_2g92TZaqvYeBZuzX2G4cCyRMSvTFQ/s3008/DSC_2747.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="3008" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHmlm9zxdVnTxZ7Q-lIF81XDKFYiDfoRumYcSIweOcb3uqSe6LsM2-bY4vnX1wD7l5zdMaBHY5VtZQ_z6FY085Co4gx8EGLQFbSut-OtKNwQ0HiPElHUKzP5Fw9oYwJPqeiTj92GrR8ROgWTA79RZQNEf-qY4_2g92TZaqvYeBZuzX2G4cCyRMSvTFQ/w400-h266/DSC_2747.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magical House on Boo Hill which was one of my favorite attractions.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In 2011 Camp Snoopy would be replaced and Snoopy would go to outer space. Snoopy himself would remain but unlike the last three renovations, almost nothing else would stay the same. But that’s for our last chapter…</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMQnJX_lsIV5qDXQaf-bNOj7Pxb63zxkD6kMnLGDXeDjzKNkoEsGATNuxYH-YkjMd-EcGuFbYA-Bosf7VJhHks96RK7vB-Rw1BrN5A63GmQloGeZcSg28TjQ5W5CHlxmODvCxWm98fB483ACW7FvEWSKc2DWwy7rzCnzShkfHP_CyyipLKwwsngntcQ/s1280/snoopyatnight.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMQnJX_lsIV5qDXQaf-bNOj7Pxb63zxkD6kMnLGDXeDjzKNkoEsGATNuxYH-YkjMd-EcGuFbYA-Bosf7VJhHks96RK7vB-Rw1BrN5A63GmQloGeZcSg28TjQ5W5CHlxmODvCxWm98fB483ACW7FvEWSKc2DWwy7rzCnzShkfHP_CyyipLKwwsngntcQ/w400-h300/snoopyatnight.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Camp Snoopy at night.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Part III: Berenstain Bear Country: <a href="http://unwof.blogspot.com/2022/02/from-foam-mountains-to-outer-space-part.html">http://unwof.blogspot.com/2022/02/from-foam-mountains-to-outer-space-part.html</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Part II: Pandamonium: <a href="http://unwof.blogspot.com/2021/12/from-foam-mountains-to-outer-space.html">http://unwof.blogspot.com/2021/12/from-foam-mountains-to-outer-space.html</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Part I: Half Pint's Peak/Humpty's Haven: <a href="http://unwof.blogspot.com/2021/10/foam-mountains-to-outer-space-evolution.html">http://unwof.blogspot.com/2021/10/foam-mountains-to-outer-space-evolution.html</a></span></p><p><br /></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-21051892135609610102022-05-06T15:02:00.003-05:002022-05-06T15:07:14.034-05:00Opening Day Review: April 30th 2022<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">After two decidedly abnormal opening days, we are finally back to opening in April, barely, but still April. Over nearly 25 years of Opening Day reviews I’ve written some real doozies, this thankfully isn’t going to be one of them. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRuvRy4Jn6Js6H6wdwsCy8MfKW-Cic9HDaf9fQneOj5vvhOLeDE4nOhK-BDTHcJzsWrq0BxZVM6FoNyYzzkJ9gxJ4iIbiFJDKNYgpdKjnhUnhGhhffvvlYGcrxqS3R7c8MDYVACZNTFsBIhUWGdv-BaJhYGW0ruaxugln9Y7HKFF0BYNvRvpGmmLaWg/s4032/IMG_8846.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRuvRy4Jn6Js6H6wdwsCy8MfKW-Cic9HDaf9fQneOj5vvhOLeDE4nOhK-BDTHcJzsWrq0BxZVM6FoNyYzzkJ9gxJ4iIbiFJDKNYgpdKjnhUnhGhhffvvlYGcrxqS3R7c8MDYVACZNTFsBIhUWGdv-BaJhYGW0ruaxugln9Y7HKFF0BYNvRvpGmmLaWg/s320/IMG_8846.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is exactly what Mamba looks like at 1:30 AM in the morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJJz530eslShnET_7rnZs6f8dp1FbW5TV6T6BeLYchrT16HKNhPMBUi72EUOu6iFfDgGL7ofhSEC5XGhYZoAzDSqr2MxqObQ9DW1Tu13nqDkz0dSkcf2Oig3WJo5DysZmwM9Q1Cg0nzWW9KeZHm4e5b3chtQgwTpCtzGsRh_Ogw4UgzvX6xqX5b4JNw/s4032/IMG_8857.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJJz530eslShnET_7rnZs6f8dp1FbW5TV6T6BeLYchrT16HKNhPMBUi72EUOu6iFfDgGL7ofhSEC5XGhYZoAzDSqr2MxqObQ9DW1Tu13nqDkz0dSkcf2Oig3WJo5DysZmwM9Q1Cg0nzWW9KeZHm4e5b3chtQgwTpCtzGsRh_Ogw4UgzvX6xqX5b4JNw/s320/IMG_8857.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the next morning I had this nice view during my run through the Oceans of Fun parking lot. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We planned to fly into Kansas City Thursday night/Friday Morning (landed at 12:30 AM), and stay at Worlds of Fun Village for three nights. Originally, I had booked a cottage, which was $85 for Thursday night and $110 for Friday and Saturday nights, but I switched to a cabin for Friday and Saturday and those ran about $130 a night. I booked the Village primarily because of the 5k I had signed up for at Worlds of Fun on Saturday morning, but overall it was incredibly convenient just for going to the park too. </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhev_xZoZHbpyXRpeYKPq1VZGBmCsgJQdXNrluiZsFldJc_oSFV2htn4DKNoJaJ_djzNc5NKAFj1YJ6TSpce4EnwjDFGADe5_QKj--MZYPGM-y8KDAgheNm4KSJwYsZCXXqiRziC_ZS3r9cP3amfJIKZKTrJ5RoXbPWoXc567X67v9JoaYl8_ygQ1E3UQ/s4032/IMG_8858.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhev_xZoZHbpyXRpeYKPq1VZGBmCsgJQdXNrluiZsFldJc_oSFV2htn4DKNoJaJ_djzNc5NKAFj1YJ6TSpce4EnwjDFGADe5_QKj--MZYPGM-y8KDAgheNm4KSJwYsZCXXqiRziC_ZS3r9cP3amfJIKZKTrJ5RoXbPWoXc567X67v9JoaYl8_ygQ1E3UQ/s320/IMG_8858.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the porch of a cottage. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We checked in at 1:30 AM on Friday, I had called before our stay to make sure a check-in at that time was an option, and they confirmed I would just need to call security when we arrived. (The phone number was posted on the main door). Turns out check-in was quick and painless, the security guards who checked us in were familiar with the process and super friendly! </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf4EpAJ7By6HDmIqCgg37auTxlq_6LXkM5D3e1u5qXjA3DzZO0qThRn2JZKplFA_rOp9XiikCMj6fVCQgQG0sKQADijXZxwfkoXhbGPPFMgnzstC4oq3-vaAEYtS0Tg_hzqEhxmIq3GXHfK8T9S4SiesWNUQIqJPP7loBuAELzOWXgBSOzl8FsQ-5MQ/s4032/IMG_8884.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf4EpAJ7By6HDmIqCgg37auTxlq_6LXkM5D3e1u5qXjA3DzZO0qThRn2JZKplFA_rOp9XiikCMj6fVCQgQG0sKQADijXZxwfkoXhbGPPFMgnzstC4oq3-vaAEYtS0Tg_hzqEhxmIq3GXHfK8T9S4SiesWNUQIqJPP7loBuAELzOWXgBSOzl8FsQ-5MQ/s320/IMG_8884.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabin exterior with charcoal grill and picnic table. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEUtYxSw1RdKH7C7OHs52YjbpIdqVstGl5axFa7heTqNzzLXTCni4ZOfuz4WxEC4AABtD37XA9ObUC-tVeEnYWT7ZbhPgjkj7DUPXWi-r8yp8zL_L0Syv2GoXKiBVW1VlkGcopLhligJSshoN1tYP9wJumVJYVQsoI1Km6ZcNxOFphYXg9Kd1Us3Klg/s4032/IMG_8886.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEUtYxSw1RdKH7C7OHs52YjbpIdqVstGl5axFa7heTqNzzLXTCni4ZOfuz4WxEC4AABtD37XA9ObUC-tVeEnYWT7ZbhPgjkj7DUPXWi-r8yp8zL_L0Syv2GoXKiBVW1VlkGcopLhligJSshoN1tYP9wJumVJYVQsoI1Km6ZcNxOFphYXg9Kd1Us3Klg/s320/IMG_8886.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living area with two futons</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXIVn_ITF2yYwqwlYkWOO01v_jv7BEb8vH_1n7w60AGJl_-VmzXS762oQKf3Wdgqj6fgI9_rFgqo5CmBa3XKjLKLus-ziaeSfm_Bjuuz41n_yIdpEnnAQNoneW8AktS5XgsP4n5PdltWlpdaWnGWKQhY3fmpK_dY_gPL6U_3iQ5XMHglKXDQCSNcm-A/s4032/IMG_8889.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXIVn_ITF2yYwqwlYkWOO01v_jv7BEb8vH_1n7w60AGJl_-VmzXS762oQKf3Wdgqj6fgI9_rFgqo5CmBa3XKjLKLus-ziaeSfm_Bjuuz41n_yIdpEnnAQNoneW8AktS5XgsP4n5PdltWlpdaWnGWKQhY3fmpK_dY_gPL6U_3iQ5XMHglKXDQCSNcm-A/s320/IMG_8889.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedroom with a double bed. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">As mentioned we switched from a cottage the first night to a cabin the last two nights, and there are a few differences between the two: cottages have a double bed and bunk beds in the bedroom, while cabins have just a double bed but two futons in the living room and a separate 2nd-floor loft area. Cottages do have the distinct advantage of being closer to Oceans of Fun’s gate, and the main building and pool area, while the cabins are further down by Mamba’s helix.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxmX43_A_o9Tq3IYKBg4OVawGbS93DPwupxd3yJdaOveMtUHw4WMd7_Sn2MVY-cdI_GPa7IHOthKhqzKYdoOQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Running under Mamba on the 5k!</span></b></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday morning arrived sunny, and sleep-deprived after a night of severe weather, but for me, nothing beats the excitement of WOF opening day, it’s like my adult version of Christmas Morning. This was my 3rd time running a 5k through WOF, but I always find it super fun because you get to run the maintenance roads through a lot of areas of the park that are not usually accessible publicly. This included running UNDER Mamba! I highly recommend it to anyone who has any desire to run whatsoever.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC1Ct1DKgKabgrKqSypNbhnopsAD4lF--MAkhRFoCJmFjzzCrklt6m_vfYBBDmHd3ZFeb-VN0X0mbM_3S8TSAsAyZGMZcdh86VkMAk-Rq1WTJBxxAcATPtdRjgir6jm_vnSfb12uIczXPltFJpEaeZoC-lmINkQv63C9bzbLVq5NQzjU9abUdE1gxzQ/s3328/IMG_8898.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2760" data-original-width="3328" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieC1Ct1DKgKabgrKqSypNbhnopsAD4lF--MAkhRFoCJmFjzzCrklt6m_vfYBBDmHd3ZFeb-VN0X0mbM_3S8TSAsAyZGMZcdh86VkMAk-Rq1WTJBxxAcATPtdRjgir6jm_vnSfb12uIczXPltFJpEaeZoC-lmINkQv63C9bzbLVq5NQzjU9abUdE1gxzQ/s320/IMG_8898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunrise from Worlds of Fun Village on Opening Day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzhD8Lq06ESdkoNRNtfhLXM9vgmbA2R7D9T6Zp9iikI8gikCmX0Y7qWkbwZ4y9J2tWunW5SeiH6BJvpjvTlIr5bw9gxiZ3NYqpqmKa1GDPcnAHY4ww4feG-x8UWdVvMhjhEzjVtzjr97ZiX-WABNZsJyqvSWF8lcB3kimIufaDm2wPikpYxZorZndCQ/s4032/IMG_8906.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzhD8Lq06ESdkoNRNtfhLXM9vgmbA2R7D9T6Zp9iikI8gikCmX0Y7qWkbwZ4y9J2tWunW5SeiH6BJvpjvTlIr5bw9gxiZ3NYqpqmKa1GDPcnAHY4ww4feG-x8UWdVvMhjhEzjVtzjr97ZiX-WABNZsJyqvSWF8lcB3kimIufaDm2wPikpYxZorZndCQ/s320/IMG_8906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Running by Timber Wolf!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">From there we headed over to Waffle House for our traditional opening-day breakfast, and back to the cabin for a shower. After that, it was time for the Opening Day at Worlds of Fun! We were easily able to walk from our cabin to the Oceans of Fun gate, though you can easily drive there too.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc-JtI4FFBwYCPQyOqnRNas-q9lzbBPQsnLWeKgKQom7J8GJTQDNAy0wAUzlVbm_ZPzWhWGbSzzUR0qhLUSlDaOCyzvUiVmixNqWo2x2hgTDVLt-3EKLjjNA5Mcyhxb7rVq_wLoteJbd1bRNtyerIFG8Lqkr_m1yyScOUwKOn0XhG3Y26BXYWJ516VA/s4032/IMG_8911.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc-JtI4FFBwYCPQyOqnRNas-q9lzbBPQsnLWeKgKQom7J8GJTQDNAy0wAUzlVbm_ZPzWhWGbSzzUR0qhLUSlDaOCyzvUiVmixNqWo2x2hgTDVLt-3EKLjjNA5Mcyhxb7rVq_wLoteJbd1bRNtyerIFG8Lqkr_m1yyScOUwKOn0XhG3Y26BXYWJ516VA/s320/IMG_8911.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from Oceans of Fun gate towards Mamba, there is a train going up the lift hill!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oceans of Fun gate was open, and I believe has to be open any time the Village is open (since walking to and from the park is a major perk). We arrived at the park gate around 10:45 and had no issues with admittance.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYe_nnsJ4PqBqATOMN0c6f5Sam81DVFTB7uwX30VWcgChkFlLx837iXrEKiygh-_QRojNFAX4EOhPEncPPB1r1B5pOia_YFNS9BBYu40StxrSXoycrgq41CRtbRllM2NJmeubGSLfiVsALJHE2o_i4a-uE_gPIIuKvsYy1HXjlAKtixfpJ1EURGKmjg/s4032/IMG_8914.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYe_nnsJ4PqBqATOMN0c6f5Sam81DVFTB7uwX30VWcgChkFlLx837iXrEKiygh-_QRojNFAX4EOhPEncPPB1r1B5pOia_YFNS9BBYu40StxrSXoycrgq41CRtbRllM2NJmeubGSLfiVsALJHE2o_i4a-uE_gPIIuKvsYy1HXjlAKtixfpJ1EURGKmjg/s320/IMG_8914.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mamba entrance after it had been open for about 20 mins. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large;">We decided first to head to Mamba, as it was right there by the Oceans of Fun entrance, and at this point, we had seen it cycle a few times. Before Opening Day I wasn’t 100% sure Mamba would even be operational, as it wasn’t operating during the employee preview the weekend prior and it had just received a brand new control system. Jeff said he had heard it test run on Friday and we had seen it test run a few times Saturday morning so I was hopeful, it is my favorite coaster in the park. We ended up waiting nearly an hour by the entrance chain (with only 2-3 people in front of us) and were on the first train out. It was VERY windy that morning, but when I heard the trims fire extremely lightly, I immediately knew things were different, and even with the wind I probably had more airtime on the run back than ever before.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgp68Ys-yA9ZutHfZfg6Uuoe4SzB6ePn8XDlwCsWTDmkRwfeuRuGSEc3MIXLKwLX6YqCkvEiYO0lgUdlwReiwg3t9AC66wkbth72-FcT7P7ga54-GRaSbdoXWne0Dyr8dcHaLAIUTlUzBYXVg0eILYvyozEAjUf7i4bJMt4xJjgiTbsa5UTPmm4GriQ/s2048/278582797_10221981818163138_1507227029366619092_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgp68Ys-yA9ZutHfZfg6Uuoe4SzB6ePn8XDlwCsWTDmkRwfeuRuGSEc3MIXLKwLX6YqCkvEiYO0lgUdlwReiwg3t9AC66wkbth72-FcT7P7ga54-GRaSbdoXWne0Dyr8dcHaLAIUTlUzBYXVg0eILYvyozEAjUf7i4bJMt4xJjgiTbsa5UTPmm4GriQ/s320/278582797_10221981818163138_1507227029366619092_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Third train sitting partially disassembled in E Lot. Photo by Kim Slater. </div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large;"><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></p>Mamba was only running one train, due to the new control system, a second train was sitting up in the transfers with the third train in parts over in E lot. Because of the one train operation, I was pretty sure that would be my only ride on Mamba that day. Or so I thought.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large;"> </span><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHYxrxE55v5nx2rybxb_lcPywZtmP76NgUAnASzBAGhQyp0p58icM071tSfy1x9_sGb_ztc5QftLwMnHgohPA444FhXsMGyInzNPqegzeAEylYZa8Yn6hq2fKFN7il0mqBSECEi0-S0fuZWjYauc2OMkkhKyJW3V4aBZbt48RzA2kW_G8KJKzaWYi6A/s4032/IMG_8917.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHYxrxE55v5nx2rybxb_lcPywZtmP76NgUAnASzBAGhQyp0p58icM071tSfy1x9_sGb_ztc5QftLwMnHgohPA444FhXsMGyInzNPqegzeAEylYZa8Yn6hq2fKFN7il0mqBSECEi0-S0fuZWjYauc2OMkkhKyJW3V4aBZbt48RzA2kW_G8KJKzaWYi6A/s320/IMG_8917.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the service line for Coasters.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZhiUcTB3oL_E1luta6aRo9-j8IiJc3mFT_hGQD1hr6rdmzcWt7JV_-slX5RbXR9sv7kr29YqwtBE5kjRSVTz01qDTJNUZi-fJLH8n8_UXu0PKz_k_pwpNlKadUIKoEMmteC81zgYrEDoUhPlzSsAkRwc2UOg8I-1dw4sT7F7v4dv9CjMSVJv7u654g/s4032/IMG_8918.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZhiUcTB3oL_E1luta6aRo9-j8IiJc3mFT_hGQD1hr6rdmzcWt7JV_-slX5RbXR9sv7kr29YqwtBE5kjRSVTz01qDTJNUZi-fJLH8n8_UXu0PKz_k_pwpNlKadUIKoEMmteC81zgYrEDoUhPlzSsAkRwc2UOg8I-1dw4sT7F7v4dv9CjMSVJv7u654g/s320/IMG_8918.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onion rings and burgers are first.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk5ZsJddHXxyjKEbe3ZxUKmTA8OO35aJ9KjuaCePHFKTFftXduIhY74YqWwaQHzti1uEZnu3AxrRoPzEgyDaHnUuqbzrJCKIjRdDFNiZ0_BQZH9UJblLKft5keEGc1LrTj3bT0j44EJql5HoHmaisM7z1q2Xg5UfrOYJ0cGIwmAnPyN1MlQ1q_wB-vQ/s4032/IMG_8919.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk5ZsJddHXxyjKEbe3ZxUKmTA8OO35aJ9KjuaCePHFKTFftXduIhY74YqWwaQHzti1uEZnu3AxrRoPzEgyDaHnUuqbzrJCKIjRdDFNiZ0_BQZH9UJblLKft5keEGc1LrTj3bT0j44EJql5HoHmaisM7z1q2Xg5UfrOYJ0cGIwmAnPyN1MlQ1q_wB-vQ/s320/IMG_8919.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look at the menu. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large;">After Mamba, we checked out Coasters Diner, as we had heard there were changes there. Coasters has been a quick service indoor restaurant, now it's more cafeteria-style like Cotton Blossom BBQ. The new layout seems to work better, and the food looks (and I later confirmed TASTES) a lot better too! Hamburgers, Chicken Fingers, and Beyond Burgers are still on the menu but now Pot Roast, Macaroni and Cheese, and veggies join the line-up. The only criticism, and it’s rather minor, is I wish there was more indoor seating.</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxA_uW6Id_NFG5EkVYa5ojtkIwgnY-A50inHXhTKVxRYviNXiYWnyV3okf3lBXufpmM1oe8L0OJnhpiv89WBKIKs3nOVhq8Fk-Q9ukMM3dVetd5kIOTnhA9evPa05KdJtCVhqz-cjmCzQQY6nYI7fxb-9p5AKnBAt97j7ZIoAyYnpgV57nmBudJMO0g/s4032/IMG_8915.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxA_uW6Id_NFG5EkVYa5ojtkIwgnY-A50inHXhTKVxRYviNXiYWnyV3okf3lBXufpmM1oe8L0OJnhpiv89WBKIKs3nOVhq8Fk-Q9ukMM3dVetd5kIOTnhA9evPa05KdJtCVhqz-cjmCzQQY6nYI7fxb-9p5AKnBAt97j7ZIoAyYnpgV57nmBudJMO0g/s320/IMG_8915.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NIle was testing at this point and would open to guests soon afterwards.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vsZPopXYnTtVvvJ46fsy_bL61PiImoBBnZ9K_urzmf9_p7LXa0l9kbCq0P6a3n1COzZ9Mp7H3mESzvtvM2T4tqn-GrfJkQGjJRV2Xi1kQTjiZaYydupL6zhGAz4Ws6afXHYIcjHMyAOMjO-Y1H-od_Y9ckzCCr14PuHNji3x0J3jU17J4t9_YNcaqg/s4032/IMG_9069.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vsZPopXYnTtVvvJ46fsy_bL61PiImoBBnZ9K_urzmf9_p7LXa0l9kbCq0P6a3n1COzZ9Mp7H3mESzvtvM2T4tqn-GrfJkQGjJRV2Xi1kQTjiZaYydupL6zhGAz4Ws6afXHYIcjHMyAOMjO-Y1H-od_Y9ckzCCr14PuHNji3x0J3jU17J4t9_YNcaqg/s320/IMG_9069.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Worlds of Fun Railroad coaches sitting on Forum Road. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrBxM8k_IwGZMCooBwDUwOJDAkvbXABx_VCnQZ0xrilTSjUYRk3Vp0GN7lfHFWl_H9g4zVjl1PjCth1UvTieUXko-EEoZwN575b5qO1r_t8LqYJ671f7vuPMeb9NdL3heW8fAeZLahL3FVZy-7CbTyyZOyYwPaqK5ky374Z8trfY1JeZDQFF9O4jpzg/s4032/IMG_8935.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrBxM8k_IwGZMCooBwDUwOJDAkvbXABx_VCnQZ0xrilTSjUYRk3Vp0GN7lfHFWl_H9g4zVjl1PjCth1UvTieUXko-EEoZwN575b5qO1r_t8LqYJ671f7vuPMeb9NdL3heW8fAeZLahL3FVZy-7CbTyyZOyYwPaqK5ky374Z8trfY1JeZDQFF9O4jpzg/s320/IMG_8935.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look, you can see the coaches have wheels. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">The Nile was testing as we walked by and headed towards Europa via Africa, Nile would open up to guests not long afterward. ELI’s coaches were sitting out on Forum Road and the Worlds of Fun Railroad was the major non-operational attraction for opening day! However, there is a little bit of a light at the end of the tunnel. When Jeff visited the park about a month ago for an off-season tour the coaches were sitting on cinder blocks with no wheels. The park has replaced the trucks (wheel assemblies) for the coaches during the off-season. On Opening Day though the cinder blocks were gone and wheels were back in place so there is forward progress.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjsCAxCrB0MApg6W3VhqdjztH-tOx9L-neJV6OqNvhGta048DjD4Ei6cYcS5ymYHr7kTNAYijEIV9WqEBJM08K61FHrXG4EIDg6kPstgZimdg8sb7Y4h5_w-oSOv6jkcsMtQvIAbBGHoYvSXvUErw3qLzEpMU-arrezIHmN_x3pj9IRrr4DKGwH930g/s4032/IMG_8979.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjsCAxCrB0MApg6W3VhqdjztH-tOx9L-neJV6OqNvhGta048DjD4Ei6cYcS5ymYHr7kTNAYijEIV9WqEBJM08K61FHrXG4EIDg6kPstgZimdg8sb7Y4h5_w-oSOv6jkcsMtQvIAbBGHoYvSXvUErw3qLzEpMU-arrezIHmN_x3pj9IRrr4DKGwH930g/s320/IMG_8979.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Forum/Heart of America sign is now gone...</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIlGdcOyQcWAd-DwTODwgZ7LzcEZKi6juYMfWPDoL_88VX1gy7NqXdYSxgLEYI0JZZwE-2O-ZyXXfDuwMh5KRiGl7JZJaUhiPe437xSaufO62cE2-yLeiy8bZE756xLyCyrvDIROg-oDR5g7v0kys4NXStuWyd1l-3wgQCTeIpua8Hqt_izL0uS85KQ/s4032/IMG_1525.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIlGdcOyQcWAd-DwTODwgZ7LzcEZKi6juYMfWPDoL_88VX1gy7NqXdYSxgLEYI0JZZwE-2O-ZyXXfDuwMh5KRiGl7JZJaUhiPe437xSaufO62cE2-yLeiy8bZE756xLyCyrvDIROg-oDR5g7v0kys4NXStuWyd1l-3wgQCTeIpua8Hqt_izL0uS85KQ/s320/IMG_1525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it looked like last year (2021)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">A little bit of sad news also on Forum Road… the Forum sign is now removed. Many, including myself, connect that four-column sign and Forum concerts as synonymous, and we are sad to see it gone, but to be honest Forum, as we all knew it at least, has been gone for a while anyway. RIP Forum sign. </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby7STy7gqmTX7qJ_UR_jKUL8epEv9IAl-MlF0virTvzVPlXbLRje3_mWAHzkTEmjNCUItfODZo06TBzzjzQaJG1yJThXBQvacBC3Bp2ucRwD7EwFpkouZYB_mExY9AhP6TZWiK154k7F8H9uk3DjS-dWTpmK0RPqIPt5AIPQ17WJyRrpNIAxsNQOj3A/s4032/IMG_9033.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby7STy7gqmTX7qJ_UR_jKUL8epEv9IAl-MlF0virTvzVPlXbLRje3_mWAHzkTEmjNCUItfODZo06TBzzjzQaJG1yJThXBQvacBC3Bp2ucRwD7EwFpkouZYB_mExY9AhP6TZWiK154k7F8H9uk3DjS-dWTpmK0RPqIPt5AIPQ17WJyRrpNIAxsNQOj3A/s320/IMG_9033.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floral-less clock. WOF just teased that it now has it's design in for 2022. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSsWeITHjy-SgE2VIH8rXw02F8tXN56AJC32-BG9JbNQKmpuKh_r8sEuJYZXzXiHA4p7hFGFnbFQo1MPUowZ246FBgjE3l0dRVrif4M-caAzh8N0l8B0u_vpAdKpBw1R1qDJXNZ3KQx24AnP8cfyT4EKIP3KCI74IfV4Jq6_2lU1arhtRVuS9MwqIiw/s4032/IMG_8925.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSsWeITHjy-SgE2VIH8rXw02F8tXN56AJC32-BG9JbNQKmpuKh_r8sEuJYZXzXiHA4p7hFGFnbFQo1MPUowZ246FBgjE3l0dRVrif4M-caAzh8N0l8B0u_vpAdKpBw1R1qDJXNZ3KQx24AnP8cfyT4EKIP3KCI74IfV4Jq6_2lU1arhtRVuS9MwqIiw/s320/IMG_8925.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arcade has now taken the place of the Dino Store. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf_sEDfWsYyu3Gk-xALLk54NZeUPy2Ymad7f5cq0NI8B7gxL4qQFwhwvAaOGW0kDP5pX9Uo3NUAhfuVFkaRZG7cEAzxPmTrzi-qahjyZm49rA0c6xK-QtZo_8r91XWYPIJOEsSK5u_NGX986EPV6G9z27l_Ml4K2llpS0dndasZbQOEIKJRc4h4GiPw/s4032/IMG_8922.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf_sEDfWsYyu3Gk-xALLk54NZeUPy2Ymad7f5cq0NI8B7gxL4qQFwhwvAaOGW0kDP5pX9Uo3NUAhfuVFkaRZG7cEAzxPmTrzi-qahjyZm49rA0c6xK-QtZo_8r91XWYPIJOEsSK5u_NGX986EPV6G9z27l_Ml4K2llpS0dndasZbQOEIKJRc4h4GiPw/s320/IMG_8922.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look inside. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Moving into Africa the floral clock was floral-less, but next door Africa received a new, small upgrade in the form of the park’s only arcade. WOF’s last arcade, Snoopy’s Arcade/New Funtier Arcade had last operated in 2018, so the park went four years without one. The new Arcade in Africa is small, has only two skeeball machines, and few other arcade games (including at least one I am pretty sure came from New Funtier Arcade). Still, it’s a nice change to have an arcade back in the park. I’ll review the arcade a little more in detail further along in this blog.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOaa4G4-XggPj9emwRwCotSFaolnfgCSTjbH-bLlUvhwR9HYzSqgQxVWKsO-yFMMmt-IxfuXk4JwLY6uZzVm7hWYN8Hhy-T5YWtdCtsPNfsup4hikmzkjlGqYbsiZGKbj2psTsf2SbMvObNhPPHovac_G4Czw5N5PnYemHsDYa-rjjlJJBOXCvOapEg/s4032/IMG_8927.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOaa4G4-XggPj9emwRwCotSFaolnfgCSTjbH-bLlUvhwR9HYzSqgQxVWKsO-yFMMmt-IxfuXk4JwLY6uZzVm7hWYN8Hhy-T5YWtdCtsPNfsup4hikmzkjlGqYbsiZGKbj2psTsf2SbMvObNhPPHovac_G4Czw5N5PnYemHsDYa-rjjlJJBOXCvOapEg/s320/IMG_8927.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving into Europa we are surprised by Falcon's Flight testing!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsLgZIypxhTtzgZ9eVYs02HZOeQUZ_Y8VKRNoRb4gXQ9FRezIWvmO87PCeSTtSWHxAweYWNbEgttJyIgoony0csrfiKf9D8tDHYxIjB6E828gapZ0CNqFTyxkkF32Kpj0etOmb7fK7n7Id3S77zHch6eJQ3-4kFNVxE-yS1WHko9ps3Wy758AuLgdwQ/s4032/IMG_9023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsLgZIypxhTtzgZ9eVYs02HZOeQUZ_Y8VKRNoRb4gXQ9FRezIWvmO87PCeSTtSWHxAweYWNbEgttJyIgoony0csrfiKf9D8tDHYxIjB6E828gapZ0CNqFTyxkkF32Kpj0etOmb7fK7n7Id3S77zHch6eJQ3-4kFNVxE-yS1WHko9ps3Wy758AuLgdwQ/s320/IMG_9023.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taxi's</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf0r2FL5o7L86VVbr3pYBOrOZY0uKDWL9IsJ8Wb3jjsykNwoThFAjnfkDd-Jq3uKMkpyjAbdTITP9hWh2mkOVesiAOdPDAbv0hdhMJXL996caz4QosUX_dnJBnvqQ5IjuBNXzyUL2f6SYHzkV-2jwvDpj6QuWAAGTHJND6NZVJtTS1nTIoLa7nadp0Q/s4032/IMG_8973.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJf0r2FL5o7L86VVbr3pYBOrOZY0uKDWL9IsJ8Wb3jjsykNwoThFAjnfkDd-Jq3uKMkpyjAbdTITP9hWh2mkOVesiAOdPDAbv0hdhMJXL996caz4QosUX_dnJBnvqQ5IjuBNXzyUL2f6SYHzkV-2jwvDpj6QuWAAGTHJND6NZVJtTS1nTIoLa7nadp0Q/s320/IMG_8973.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying Dutchman</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIRj-5e_Mp8VcT1g5NhRtqgBVEF7g3wzvMTKOdwb00GDtAYA9mHuHO_6HcDJDwiTMqaGwtoiI8dghX_pD6GpZJvjKnVUnYc_ZKjoImUtmleYZ5uUcpZq6Fe3paCB43hs2cBZ13WtfUCEhDgt2YVm-B0-ElYltYCok5KutHhJQeLQ-OxVtRUPwE3tICw/s4032/IMG_9029.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIRj-5e_Mp8VcT1g5NhRtqgBVEF7g3wzvMTKOdwb00GDtAYA9mHuHO_6HcDJDwiTMqaGwtoiI8dghX_pD6GpZJvjKnVUnYc_ZKjoImUtmleYZ5uUcpZq6Fe3paCB43hs2cBZ13WtfUCEhDgt2YVm-B0-ElYltYCok5KutHhJQeLQ-OxVtRUPwE3tICw/s320/IMG_9029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Moulin Rouge which has a new show starting June 10th!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">We headed up to Europa, and the first thing we noticed was Falcon’s Flight was operational! It wasn’t open for guests yet but movement of any type on Falcon in the last few years is a major achievement! Le Taxi Tour was open but had a massively long line out of the queue house so we passed on that. Flying Dutchman was open (when is it not?) and of course, I rode it, the same old dependable ride. Autobahn was closed, it would remained closed the entire weekend.</span></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnW3ZKSlJBKwcUzs26Qlr2h-AZkTftK0evOpaAAfG3Vk8lLQT37e_ADeV-q0JZ9RYQFLNQ0A-_h_J7Y2T2mIiNMbroc8CF85Wm_LRWgf00mA69OfpZDRcGhVcPb1C24nSyEpLxdgL8EFxEzqGeuSvTU-glpyUoM75357DmvpZbyKS3I81x-FRa3T00w/s4032/IMG_8932.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnW3ZKSlJBKwcUzs26Qlr2h-AZkTftK0evOpaAAfG3Vk8lLQT37e_ADeV-q0JZ9RYQFLNQ0A-_h_J7Y2T2mIiNMbroc8CF85Wm_LRWgf00mA69OfpZDRcGhVcPb1C24nSyEpLxdgL8EFxEzqGeuSvTU-glpyUoM75357DmvpZbyKS3I81x-FRa3T00w/s320/IMG_8932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shot from the queue line, Falcon's Flight is loaded with guests!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTgVrQeeBR44TBzduulhF5W1ryLZcgOueQNicq8TQoLDZ731fOaul3g1NmS04MtNWVTbm14_sGMajMYxn3_YDoQtfx4blqyyRNi1ScnpTHzh1wy59YFudY0XwgwEl75hIVgn_n6Wjz7kqw4XkcYVr2HqzcPRJ5PVrQVFWaHH-DCcR7uoh1_W5y9dSHw/s4032/IMG_8930.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTgVrQeeBR44TBzduulhF5W1ryLZcgOueQNicq8TQoLDZ731fOaul3g1NmS04MtNWVTbm14_sGMajMYxn3_YDoQtfx4blqyyRNi1ScnpTHzh1wy59YFudY0XwgwEl75hIVgn_n6Wjz7kqw4XkcYVr2HqzcPRJ5PVrQVFWaHH-DCcR7uoh1_W5y9dSHw/s320/IMG_8930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0zEuK1LOL-xb7Npy0UP33OzR9dtZPBIFpUhDyBbMEOTBBkknpBh7FRhPdOqI5CIvL_iibcfJUQ3JrQHsi7_q0iJ76RdKN1hoVP-GKg0giBfI-T6hJ7UwjvH5usD6ZpyegVUEQFmtcbyCGMdVZuWAlznjw0ly0u7EzWzkpibADBb60xbgJkRu8ZsvLQ/s4032/IMG_9021.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0zEuK1LOL-xb7Npy0UP33OzR9dtZPBIFpUhDyBbMEOTBBkknpBh7FRhPdOqI5CIvL_iibcfJUQ3JrQHsi7_q0iJ76RdKN1hoVP-GKg0giBfI-T6hJ7UwjvH5usD6ZpyegVUEQFmtcbyCGMdVZuWAlznjw0ly0u7EzWzkpibADBb60xbgJkRu8ZsvLQ/s320/IMG_9021.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autobahn was closed all weekend.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">We were about to head towards Timber Wolf when we noticed Falcon’s Flight was loaded with guests! I had never ridden a Condor let alone Falcon’s Flight so we all turned around and nearly ran back in line! When it has operated it's been sporadic, so we didn’t know how long it would last! We got a ride, and it was quite fun, kind of like a Scrambler in the air. Falcon would run the rest of the weekend without much problem. So a ride that was, not so long ago, referred to as the Worlds of Fun lawn ornament is now the Worlds of Fun’s opening day miracle!</span></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhed1R27ywtwM3DUbMlNGjnTndUrCFseaNr8CWZ8t3nRCr4eAcu--f2G4r2koTe1V2kD4syiT1Ai6osS99vwjR2_77ztpzn7oMTuYdlneLzLz9zt_sn_BqJMY6ThZqJeYz54u3u4HQTT3GgO1amP8OfF9H-Wpn1abN_X-S8tHxnEkkAw5KvVjFi97LiRA/s4032/IMG_8938.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhed1R27ywtwM3DUbMlNGjnTndUrCFseaNr8CWZ8t3nRCr4eAcu--f2G4r2koTe1V2kD4syiT1Ai6osS99vwjR2_77ztpzn7oMTuYdlneLzLz9zt_sn_BqJMY6ThZqJeYz54u3u4HQTT3GgO1amP8OfF9H-Wpn1abN_X-S8tHxnEkkAw5KvVjFi97LiRA/s320/IMG_8938.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Spirits opened in the old Subway location<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTKH7320_cgX66GYaVLWlVPqnSadTyjJPLm3zo8OQ4oUuUu0e_HPF0Hn9NJzDZHCJUaFaVyLWNTh6YJ9o49TsJP_Hg_DVBoBkySbEE-nn_xcR0oWSoifPl069cgWiRGMnK5oN731rWHWowvk5WOeJc3Zyq428-JkajG22bOCbcezpv8ylkAPtWETNMw/s4032/IMG_8939.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTKH7320_cgX66GYaVLWlVPqnSadTyjJPLm3zo8OQ4oUuUu0e_HPF0Hn9NJzDZHCJUaFaVyLWNTh6YJ9o49TsJP_Hg_DVBoBkySbEE-nn_xcR0oWSoifPl069cgWiRGMnK5oN731rWHWowvk5WOeJc3Zyq428-JkajG22bOCbcezpv8ylkAPtWETNMw/s320/IMG_8939.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior shot of American Spirits<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6E849CxVeJG0SGeqrIAuwoOWQ2UmmECP5jrpeIh0ZoQ3hyJcJNvudJBqZhMDZ-Bt--AkIqdpGsEYGBi10zoM4QB0yEu7A0bPnGeeJ1I1DCwhsfCmFS7zpDx2mnqC6BzPV7hBh4_3PvtmK-A_hrzk8ZDGPJJ2cy34cg0zj-LMAGWmdKvJFiPyga8sjbw/s4032/IMG_8940.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6E849CxVeJG0SGeqrIAuwoOWQ2UmmECP5jrpeIh0ZoQ3hyJcJNvudJBqZhMDZ-Bt--AkIqdpGsEYGBi10zoM4QB0yEu7A0bPnGeeJ1I1DCwhsfCmFS7zpDx2mnqC6BzPV7hBh4_3PvtmK-A_hrzk8ZDGPJJ2cy34cg0zj-LMAGWmdKvJFiPyga8sjbw/s320/IMG_8940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We next headed by Timber Wolf but its line was long, out to the straightaway so we passed by this time. We wanted to check out the Front Street area which has seen some updates to dining/drinking. The old Subway across from Front Street Emporium is now American Spirits Frozen Drinks which offers tropical-flavored frozen alcoholic beverages. Across from it in Front Street, the Front Street Tavern continues into its second season, and the old Caribou Coffee next door is empty and seems like it will be home to the Ice Cream shop but there is no sign as of Opening Weekend.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6NJyDWBswB2r0ZslB_BCeBVLzkvZqYnee5UfZhoTBxNI0Zt57tx0SeVJ2yWfPeEu4gHZ55mhFD-PwGq4Ez0JKB3-nhGzr0vP6gXw05o0aWXNziadGNdjHTYg172PuWocwHzw1_gwBp55FVY4zi9GW_dA0PoprDHUyQ7FWWYRUqRmV7BYidcddLpVRQ/s4032/IMG_8944.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6NJyDWBswB2r0ZslB_BCeBVLzkvZqYnee5UfZhoTBxNI0Zt57tx0SeVJ2yWfPeEu4gHZ55mhFD-PwGq4Ez0JKB3-nhGzr0vP6gXw05o0aWXNziadGNdjHTYg172PuWocwHzw1_gwBp55FVY4zi9GW_dA0PoprDHUyQ7FWWYRUqRmV7BYidcddLpVRQ/s320/IMG_8944.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down Front Street, the old Caribou Coffee has been completely removed.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopQUnL1ez5cEMsfEgT5UTfEUS0be3gxccUMY2yG8ztVMT-gqpbbEwSsqbUX8B09XQ0vNc_tbQlHrlSGFfkdsZXT_Ck4nrdQN1_pTOnZ0tj7PkiXnsGZYSgBE4dtyLQVUOdLxHJuS46qZsxAI6CcHHv3E9vNqn4O9gpSiPnlsY5GhZXOffttim0KL0dQ/s4032/IMG_8975.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopQUnL1ez5cEMsfEgT5UTfEUS0be3gxccUMY2yG8ztVMT-gqpbbEwSsqbUX8B09XQ0vNc_tbQlHrlSGFfkdsZXT_Ck4nrdQN1_pTOnZ0tj7PkiXnsGZYSgBE4dtyLQVUOdLxHJuS46qZsxAI6CcHHv3E9vNqn4O9gpSiPnlsY5GhZXOffttim0KL0dQ/s320/IMG_8975.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ELI Shirt<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMxpDC-NAadyB6zm4p7x9f42r6j2joz7RaoA8mllXlhx_hKGwwpwXRmPA6O76QO1VfQcwpWQz0tCZedvkmG22xAP1BsRep_vvD7SpUfmkWBLWkv9JGYCaSz7usJBRfdlMPpA-oL78WhfhEkxMtUQteN6ycfXOwnbPNedcmebDN2gncE1JRVhia3z-qg/s4032/IMG_8943.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMxpDC-NAadyB6zm4p7x9f42r6j2joz7RaoA8mllXlhx_hKGwwpwXRmPA6O76QO1VfQcwpWQz0tCZedvkmG22xAP1BsRep_vvD7SpUfmkWBLWkv9JGYCaSz7usJBRfdlMPpA-oL78WhfhEkxMtUQteN6ycfXOwnbPNedcmebDN2gncE1JRVhia3z-qg/s320/IMG_8943.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charley Hustle Shirts, be aware these run very small!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Front Street Emporium has a few new nice mentionable merchandise items, there is an adult-sized ELI shirt ($35), which is also covered with cows, horses, and pigs. Seems odd? Go take a look at the 1973 souvenir map. I am not sure if that nod is intentional or not, but it works and I am sticking with that explanation. There is also a small “Red Games Barn” kids shirt, (sorry no pictures), a nice selection of Charlie Hustle balloon shirts ($32), and a very nice slate grey embroidered jacket. ($96)</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtkBX5Y9b5_-JsXq2qCXtGGoRF1MZWCHOcOlUvXxXbJVUifA6Aua_3Z2BDtrQpaqdsFI1JZe4sP5Efb1PGVr8A8D21oeoAijuER6ISW32GCJv9WGuYuT6HInzPOHOopBluebrJCeQg-HnwZFGNUXQF2pgayZp21C0e8F0niTfgQ-PhWOm57zVQhXBxA/s4032/IMG_8947.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtkBX5Y9b5_-JsXq2qCXtGGoRF1MZWCHOcOlUvXxXbJVUifA6Aua_3Z2BDtrQpaqdsFI1JZe4sP5Efb1PGVr8A8D21oeoAijuER6ISW32GCJv9WGuYuT6HInzPOHOopBluebrJCeQg-HnwZFGNUXQF2pgayZp21C0e8F0niTfgQ-PhWOm57zVQhXBxA/s320/IMG_8947.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cotton Blossom Stage.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFas7n_kvlGKOOILxzbESwfKoxA605MZvnaLxmzhm5OGdG7opfuxdj3QGxiHdLeZeoiN0WXmb4u9zLwl8XtAdjvN2X7Wt4F0Vw0t5B072rWJMbUadqc734Sgjv2RcYrJNVvuuQCPN1MQNrqLv8e9uLXgV90aI5gy7T6sKTEcTgvX7K7N_-JlafRNHXPQ/s4032/IMG_8948.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFas7n_kvlGKOOILxzbESwfKoxA605MZvnaLxmzhm5OGdG7opfuxdj3QGxiHdLeZeoiN0WXmb4u9zLwl8XtAdjvN2X7Wt4F0Vw0t5B072rWJMbUadqc734Sgjv2RcYrJNVvuuQCPN1MQNrqLv8e9uLXgV90aI5gy7T6sKTEcTgvX7K7N_-JlafRNHXPQ/s320/IMG_8948.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ripcord with Patriot behind it.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UQgNp3fnj-3o1NYl8C_Nklu9_t7VBD3f_VdlVPZ5xeSbHJzh6fukd3iOi-nWFJBH6aPCQFiqa16FRp6OoabvJDszKrFUDGN3Swcrlgx9R8LV55I9d_3YKqaBQN1LX4fiyDc3BX_cRZIMIKDsH3zd39c-UFq9bw4AOtpoGKnUxG8NzxQp9IhaHleigw/s2897/wof9899030.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2897" data-original-width="2026" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1UQgNp3fnj-3o1NYl8C_Nklu9_t7VBD3f_VdlVPZ5xeSbHJzh6fukd3iOi-nWFJBH6aPCQFiqa16FRp6OoabvJDszKrFUDGN3Swcrlgx9R8LV55I9d_3YKqaBQN1LX4fiyDc3BX_cRZIMIKDsH3zd39c-UFq9bw4AOtpoGKnUxG8NzxQp9IhaHleigw/s320/wof9899030.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Similar view from 1999.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Between Front Street and Cotton Blossom BBQ is a new covered stage area which will most likely be for “The Uprights” dueling piano show that should be starting this summer. It’s nice and fits well into the area.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwtHXR-2Mftu9RcK7L2vNQkeaxx6GmXJcwoRl46MhYdP3GYX3FLsU8jmubofHiDYvS0jzKz9ZH4KW0YYH4sJwJlEqDeawEAF6vOQ_nI0e7MaNKeW3-EdezTgX233fVtXYl_8g0It1vXKpsDw-bsWEFTfThWFLvbuPxyU_968rQ_B_rcntHasBLu7qWw/s4032/IMG_8950.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwtHXR-2Mftu9RcK7L2vNQkeaxx6GmXJcwoRl46MhYdP3GYX3FLsU8jmubofHiDYvS0jzKz9ZH4KW0YYH4sJwJlEqDeawEAF6vOQ_nI0e7MaNKeW3-EdezTgX233fVtXYl_8g0It1vXKpsDw-bsWEFTfThWFLvbuPxyU_968rQ_B_rcntHasBLu7qWw/s320/IMG_8950.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from the Orient across the S/O Bridge.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZyIPfFSiyP-PEBDDJGcrWIB8zgxfqQqGs9oO4AJeO-vt-tGNGsvoiTdAJaNWbLA-0Q-0Tg62jHSrl2Xseq_IPfc49xnW3uSWX5odLXh6kquPf0CF6ze_TLq3mfZCrXMSF_QLP9-t5vEcNRUOtGna-4K--rIT4teNsOSwbLf9PY25-F2pmuBMknKGRA/s4032/IMG_8951.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZyIPfFSiyP-PEBDDJGcrWIB8zgxfqQqGs9oO4AJeO-vt-tGNGsvoiTdAJaNWbLA-0Q-0Tg62jHSrl2Xseq_IPfc49xnW3uSWX5odLXh6kquPf0CF6ze_TLq3mfZCrXMSF_QLP9-t5vEcNRUOtGna-4K--rIT4teNsOSwbLf9PY25-F2pmuBMknKGRA/s320/IMG_8951.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voyager was running.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">We headed through the Orient towards Scandinavia, Bamboozler and Spinning Dragons were fully operational as was Panda Express. Moving onto Scandinavia/International Plaza, we were pleasantly surprised to see Voyager operational! It shouldn’t surprise me that it was operational but I was, it was great to see! </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzcJfn2xZ695Sc3ZQaNmg9ThFXRAv8MdghurtBxKKOBeF0MSUIGrh4xdARkyTjFFv_bfUVpIHZh0lmdTrNDCq0GO3F-XgXqxCBRn5sP5V9XmXuJqyFfN1BySRtFByl9N3PBtwts8O8zZIvR9ryQPu-ZFWatCwI0AO84bgthbrHcHn6tX6O2gr4dKNlw/s4032/IMG_8953.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzcJfn2xZ695Sc3ZQaNmg9ThFXRAv8MdghurtBxKKOBeF0MSUIGrh4xdARkyTjFFv_bfUVpIHZh0lmdTrNDCq0GO3F-XgXqxCBRn5sP5V9XmXuJqyFfN1BySRtFByl9N3PBtwts8O8zZIvR9ryQPu-ZFWatCwI0AO84bgthbrHcHn6tX6O2gr4dKNlw/s320/IMG_8953.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind the construction wall the old Chickie & Petes is about 1/2 to 2/3 demolished.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLbwAjv3qVOYw_Bpu90NX5kmhwAtPU2qADx7rI2dTdbIrG03p4m8W0dRqBYlB5fYFE9CtHFmSyZoJVgq7TwB1pAIIxER9fEeX59SCjXynD35qufujleDD5GCDHkMQSTMEP5w_lyOKUJIwERBc04_Dzx9gna_cLxIzuT6n_iGcTSXR2B2WzrIIwYhFoQ/s4032/IMG_8956.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLbwAjv3qVOYw_Bpu90NX5kmhwAtPU2qADx7rI2dTdbIrG03p4m8W0dRqBYlB5fYFE9CtHFmSyZoJVgq7TwB1pAIIxER9fEeX59SCjXynD35qufujleDD5GCDHkMQSTMEP5w_lyOKUJIwERBc04_Dzx9gna_cLxIzuT6n_iGcTSXR2B2WzrIIwYhFoQ/s320/IMG_8956.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But Norma's Funnel Cakes is still open.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvHHLYJixOGxk2RMhlAQutnTXed3-gGWJGyPKabxoLxEhcfjVsgQOkx8PNTt4kUAEP1nwdyW5QNqnxtS-UejFTyM_S3evtnKj615XXuA-EEp7sjepSC7Cx33q3JUgVAUG5oT-rmPMrn0bFM6H_3DBKWeceZ3TO_h-03dsaseQjBk46Fw2d2p4STyRDg/s4032/IMG_8957.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvHHLYJixOGxk2RMhlAQutnTXed3-gGWJGyPKabxoLxEhcfjVsgQOkx8PNTt4kUAEP1nwdyW5QNqnxtS-UejFTyM_S3evtnKj615XXuA-EEp7sjepSC7Cx33q3JUgVAUG5oT-rmPMrn0bFM6H_3DBKWeceZ3TO_h-03dsaseQjBk46Fw2d2p4STyRDg/s320/IMG_8957.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look at Voyager and the old Chickie & Petes from Voyager Exit. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">So about all that construction at International Plaza. Pizzo Pizza is completely gone, and about half to maybe two-thirds of the old Chickie and Pete’s (All-Stars/Smorbord) is gone, with what appears to be a large patio area being created next door. Both the building permits and Worlds of Fun’s 2022 map show Gateway Pizza going into this area but I am not sure if they are going to be adding to what is left of the original Chickie and Pete’s or just renovating it. We shall see. Today though there are construction walls around the entire structure, Norma’s Funnel Cakes, attached to the structure in question is still open though.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqbYlvFjKTQJWs60Ax33ad9G7DasXmt1t64ESI1IMwv0TPWIxknhMT9yUxHTNceuIw6xvobcf5ieBivnqguDbSRXItTPL8QhmVVKZeUHQoaewSBThXnfOF_ZQwgrCIjse6cllhzGXyrdD-HamtSF6n7eoaDpUqN6g9KqaXy6Rv3mojNq_y4JwcUML2A/s4032/IMG_9044.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqbYlvFjKTQJWs60Ax33ad9G7DasXmt1t64ESI1IMwv0TPWIxknhMT9yUxHTNceuIw6xvobcf5ieBivnqguDbSRXItTPL8QhmVVKZeUHQoaewSBThXnfOF_ZQwgrCIjse6cllhzGXyrdD-HamtSF6n7eoaDpUqN6g9KqaXy6Rv3mojNq_y4JwcUML2A/s320/IMG_9044.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tivoli Music Hall with Choir & Band Festival Banners.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAt_7qxnHNl7j9Za5_OoiEO8gfd-NhWV75BXrxOAnJqvSJcwykPgzXR2qar1KMI_dj-p_fGocQ7UNCF3OuwB1Ua66blnaWhvo4sbFsv-qJmiyozl4zaDK1BuFvJuQDkDMCfE31n5uu46BUYAxJ0lxptCVD642_crIfkCHAFxAsuTyC9bvHe4BV1z5_w/s4032/IMG_9035.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAt_7qxnHNl7j9Za5_OoiEO8gfd-NhWV75BXrxOAnJqvSJcwykPgzXR2qar1KMI_dj-p_fGocQ7UNCF3OuwB1Ua66blnaWhvo4sbFsv-qJmiyozl4zaDK1BuFvJuQDkDMCfE31n5uu46BUYAxJ0lxptCVD642_crIfkCHAFxAsuTyC9bvHe4BV1z5_w/s320/IMG_9035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nordic Chaser was operational.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghD31yy9XEWR7iInnQv3uQP7hEF5GvW3IGLAUxkDjHrvpXuSrxz9osapO2LOeknuDybqT4QE_yNKnae8d1-ie_GCNqgXJ8N2NVW0fJBpGoIUmTE21LTYB3hQcDye55X2j6hQbBZ3Px-bAohFGYX_bOUT5PhDocM0V9elQl5DuZm8MZhgcQho-AE7no8A/s4032/IMG_8968.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghD31yy9XEWR7iInnQv3uQP7hEF5GvW3IGLAUxkDjHrvpXuSrxz9osapO2LOeknuDybqT4QE_yNKnae8d1-ie_GCNqgXJ8N2NVW0fJBpGoIUmTE21LTYB3hQcDye55X2j6hQbBZ3Px-bAohFGYX_bOUT5PhDocM0V9elQl5DuZm8MZhgcQho-AE7no8A/s320/IMG_8968.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old Victrix Lake, you can just make out the outline of Victrix.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">There wasn’t much else that has changed in Scandinavia, Tivoli has banners celebrating the return of the Band and Choir Festival, which from the dates are only one weekend each? But I guess that sort of makes sense coming off COVID shutdowns. Sea Dragon’s lake was super clear so you could easily make out Victrix’s outline, and as mentioned all the other rides were operational so that’s great too!</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1tjL0ewim1okCg8_QVlmuqWMygLQokhsXbhmdmpkLM38nfSWoZbT6iZybl60_nSrKedT524xeAmvSQrVfLriH7YiI5Pu6YrjqI6tTqVTpUyvvEvvQCRc207QWgxWsNXR3gu-4evqpZVJEiI19l1eqGfmaIeL2XOk9s9BZfZMuytdO2lsp-b4mONV0w/s4032/IMG_9034.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1tjL0ewim1okCg8_QVlmuqWMygLQokhsXbhmdmpkLM38nfSWoZbT6iZybl60_nSrKedT524xeAmvSQrVfLriH7YiI5Pu6YrjqI6tTqVTpUyvvEvvQCRc207QWgxWsNXR3gu-4evqpZVJEiI19l1eqGfmaIeL2XOk9s9BZfZMuytdO2lsp-b4mONV0w/s320/IMG_9034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zulu was closed all weekend,<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMY8vUh7wAe0tPktzGk6RM8wdrDSPPRVZxVQmR07I6-SigvIf9Gm3vVoq0b-pu_ph9czIQTL_O1k8c3Wpr5oAhan925-CKCwXabuXGNs1ZXZVaAvZap_5Gw094DvUp_mLGideLq486Fo97uThmCflCe3YM1XTWCMAA67KUmLSyRtSYWi5HjJoKTqrzg/s4032/IMG_8965.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMY8vUh7wAe0tPktzGk6RM8wdrDSPPRVZxVQmR07I6-SigvIf9Gm3vVoq0b-pu_ph9czIQTL_O1k8c3Wpr5oAhan925-CKCwXabuXGNs1ZXZVaAvZap_5Gw094DvUp_mLGideLq486Fo97uThmCflCe3YM1XTWCMAA67KUmLSyRtSYWi5HjJoKTqrzg/s320/IMG_8965.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ELI's Tender </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e_IMcWCyBe8ZkQTBMs6QpB0b6qrdKZiAL-jow-6H6tPkAsAIR0YdIRtij-1Un7YNHJbRnXG7iXSHhgRLEjR-HGgwJJrjBtBvqMbHxwqaPLEj8eL-Jtrh6ktfDOnk1ZPFKMCQxMUtqBQ0p_w8GPcTz1o7wzTmX2bBd4t7HIJlO8-aMs2NNOo9yguM5A/s4032/IMG_8966.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e_IMcWCyBe8ZkQTBMs6QpB0b6qrdKZiAL-jow-6H6tPkAsAIR0YdIRtij-1Un7YNHJbRnXG7iXSHhgRLEjR-HGgwJJrjBtBvqMbHxwqaPLEj8eL-Jtrh6ktfDOnk1ZPFKMCQxMUtqBQ0p_w8GPcTz1o7wzTmX2bBd4t7HIJlO8-aMs2NNOo9yguM5A/s320/IMG_8966.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ELI's Propane Tanks</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Moving into Africa, Zulu was down all weekend, it’s all assembled so I am not sure what the delay with it is, but at least it’s in one piece. Looks like it’s not far from returning to operation. Prowler was operational and like Timber Wolf was running two trains. I had mentioned about a month ago that Prowler had nearly 1,000 feet of re-track work done, so it was on my list to ride! The line was fairly short, and it gave a great ride! I do have to wonder about the AMOUNT of track work done, it doesn’t appear that 1,000 feet of track (that would be nearly half the ride) was replaced, but there was some significant track work done. Prowler is running well and we are excited for the return of Prowler night rides and that super well strategically placed on-ride camera flash!</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31AzrESjqYfUFPeILYgkDxme5zJaiAkBJmhO_5IALvCMADu0Mq45RWZoSsow_C4sZfTVlj91uQsYdiPkUWJlyFNPNCnH-LVCyxnBN4gDlJFACPHOnqkrAPXJf3WkIxwOh5s51vka0ujhZYR_qB36lDbFqCSR2MLIU76VSZeRp5-IaH8JkJdHnSh28QA/s4032/IMG_9048.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31AzrESjqYfUFPeILYgkDxme5zJaiAkBJmhO_5IALvCMADu0Mq45RWZoSsow_C4sZfTVlj91uQsYdiPkUWJlyFNPNCnH-LVCyxnBN4gDlJFACPHOnqkrAPXJf3WkIxwOh5s51vka0ujhZYR_qB36lDbFqCSR2MLIU76VSZeRp5-IaH8JkJdHnSh28QA/s320/IMG_9048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old Zinger station, I don't recall those lights being on recently?</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H8rWOYTHEerlnAwCuWOS6dBJUbUdtxwO8ilgEY1j--zBWo7dLKLYVjsBBJtT8LgGNX9tdoBt6wxTilPLBrLxSgrH8xZy0aCSQ5WLt7g-XjdG9CM6yyw1lSKfeiqkDheqYKfR_kVJTDb8bGjOjymDnLsdw3H6bZ3xAWJhWeF11RDnygnrEXOCNlNF2A/s4032/IMG_8970.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4H8rWOYTHEerlnAwCuWOS6dBJUbUdtxwO8ilgEY1j--zBWo7dLKLYVjsBBJtT8LgGNX9tdoBt6wxTilPLBrLxSgrH8xZy0aCSQ5WLt7g-XjdG9CM6yyw1lSKfeiqkDheqYKfR_kVJTDb8bGjOjymDnLsdw3H6bZ3xAWJhWeF11RDnygnrEXOCNlNF2A/s320/IMG_8970.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look carefully you can see another big CAT in the background.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_LSxpmLaoOemymTTGBui29WGOxV0DQPhl_MbkjsJsrXqNIZ1uz9athP6WlcpqRUECpMvsXmT7za7hHFA6dNo4DK1QlbZQbO2oNmYHG0yri8RjXdqoWIiQrj0q4tYRDTXmxE9cc7Uo-2GdqGB7BY2t0iR2W_u-PskcDikC-A4LZOSxNLa-ViLrlFvsA/s4032/IMG_9045.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_LSxpmLaoOemymTTGBui29WGOxV0DQPhl_MbkjsJsrXqNIZ1uz9athP6WlcpqRUECpMvsXmT7za7hHFA6dNo4DK1QlbZQbO2oNmYHG0yri8RjXdqoWIiQrj0q4tYRDTXmxE9cc7Uo-2GdqGB7BY2t0iR2W_u-PskcDikC-A4LZOSxNLa-ViLrlFvsA/s320/IMG_9045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Jack's was open.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next to Prowler, just behind its small gift shop, you can make out some land clearing that goes under the train bridge and continues almost to Boomerang. I will be completely honest, we are not entirely sure what it’s for. Hopefully, we will find out sooner rather than later. </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFck9QfdBQfqyzMnL-3u91sv2sdNzT2t_qLUX1OT_oaKaQLTOnC7zCvBfDWImtwnUNJbM4ayDeMpep6dGoVYopOhKr5xjNL5azlXaf2JiKS1NS_3IKjVq1pYYBQoo9wBHUhDXCDK-cwIAFF2zJTVmCD3h0uG5E5zhePP5ncYWt1OTP3tLQgHHI2Bdog/s4032/IMG_9046.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFck9QfdBQfqyzMnL-3u91sv2sdNzT2t_qLUX1OT_oaKaQLTOnC7zCvBfDWImtwnUNJbM4ayDeMpep6dGoVYopOhKr5xjNL5azlXaf2JiKS1NS_3IKjVq1pYYBQoo9wBHUhDXCDK-cwIAFF2zJTVmCD3h0uG5E5zhePP5ncYWt1OTP3tLQgHHI2Bdog/s320/IMG_9046.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some WOF Landscaping.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalsTnMM5b_ULzVzSPqg2pBYfniDVyaPW_7ukIzag2NPQKeTorXVA3CfLRWxTq7r6uZG9pA4tQXDPWM2uqyDWbRmlzGb5eS-ReKjb0cfIRY0yus9Yc_lnvn3IpTP4ejk0Adn4Rj5M4YQ-ecNvCWiQN75jL7fQxpNlL6TSGAA--wTzAj6H54eaL4hE3OQ/s4032/IMG_8972.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalsTnMM5b_ULzVzSPqg2pBYfniDVyaPW_7ukIzag2NPQKeTorXVA3CfLRWxTq7r6uZG9pA4tQXDPWM2uqyDWbRmlzGb5eS-ReKjb0cfIRY0yus9Yc_lnvn3IpTP4ejk0Adn4Rj5M4YQ-ecNvCWiQN75jL7fQxpNlL6TSGAA--wTzAj6H54eaL4hE3OQ/s320/IMG_8972.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prowler shirt with the throwback Partridge Balloon Logo. (well the Cedar Fair one)</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Boomerang was once again operating this season which means every single coaster was operating in the park on opening day, a good sign. We checked out Moroccan Merchant which has a nice selection of African-themed merchandise (safari animals both plush and toys), plus a nice selection of Africa-ride merchandise including Fury of the Nile, Prowler, Mamba and Zambezi Zinger. I like the new Prowler shirt, with the purple panthers, and the retro Partridge balloon logo on it. I did not check the price but I am fairly sure it's similar in price to the ELI shirt as they are produced by the same company.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPdNhthfQwfHxsmN3VzRqfjiXPaH2OG3SAAkKs9zFR_y0pJOC6e07bVg_v3KXRbaTDJ5kC8oeBvUVEy8f1gPy-nz879pxyorltG5_mzhUAGF8XWmu3AJX0tdb5aoJf648rgKDLm8BilK-hsSF6Z6zEGfX7bCC-Sky01anwuBmwvRzd9yC629VbBXwrw/s4032/IMG_8997.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuPdNhthfQwfHxsmN3VzRqfjiXPaH2OG3SAAkKs9zFR_y0pJOC6e07bVg_v3KXRbaTDJ5kC8oeBvUVEy8f1gPy-nz879pxyorltG5_mzhUAGF8XWmu3AJX0tdb5aoJf648rgKDLm8BilK-hsSF6Z6zEGfX7bCC-Sky01anwuBmwvRzd9yC629VbBXwrw/s320/IMG_8997.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Tenders at Coasters Diner.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcpUF1HAN9a7Md13BN8dYAkPLTbAoEScNpYtsoyn7x7Dx2c6d205P3e1bZqbE-nGFBHI_PV7KM0rKq_2Iie-ipE_cQ179nQrh6x2uMbLkPESMDKv9aGyyKI9fQwzjJMDPAdGP6SdWAYTaUPA8o-sTeGXfkFnWHcYaGrH0WrFF8069H7eeniLrOfJdJg/s4032/IMG_8999.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcpUF1HAN9a7Md13BN8dYAkPLTbAoEScNpYtsoyn7x7Dx2c6d205P3e1bZqbE-nGFBHI_PV7KM0rKq_2Iie-ipE_cQ179nQrh6x2uMbLkPESMDKv9aGyyKI9fQwzjJMDPAdGP6SdWAYTaUPA8o-sTeGXfkFnWHcYaGrH0WrFF8069H7eeniLrOfJdJg/s320/IMG_8999.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pot Roast.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z-0_7CCWvrKaMltBa5gZgfd6TWKDOCN1SdOlcsoxW5GWbtlQuOr6ERkJOXp8tl5L4nD7jbrYAdFJLuj42TdRXBep1JsTDRx6j2cMowueClA8LWgoUads6I1KTOtXtFTVSP23KI_yv75M6JZ0-XmnBI3F8QqQQWWVL_jkwfK3FUDoHhKcRkpx4wNwPw/s4032/IMG_9001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1z-0_7CCWvrKaMltBa5gZgfd6TWKDOCN1SdOlcsoxW5GWbtlQuOr6ERkJOXp8tl5L4nD7jbrYAdFJLuj42TdRXBep1JsTDRx6j2cMowueClA8LWgoUads6I1KTOtXtFTVSP23KI_yv75M6JZ0-XmnBI3F8QqQQWWVL_jkwfK3FUDoHhKcRkpx4wNwPw/s320/IMG_9001.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn and Macaroni and Cheese. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Right about this time Jeff left to go relax in the cabin, while I planned to stay around for enough time to at least get a ride on Timber Wolf and check out Planet Snoopy. I ended up hanging out with a friend of mine from college, and she was hungry so we decided to try out the new Coasters menu. Wow. I covered the actual physical changes earlier, but at this point, we tried the food, the Mac and cheese and Pot Roast. Two thumbs WAY up. If you are going to eat at the park, this is the place to try!</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BlwKfs6xHMnBfgYWakX9SNke_gVdnBT-AY7yYhLE13fc7PprKN88qztxCE4G-OmOTGMD4mkIx3X6V_1ohCpYdVia7mN1ZsHT26HzKH7ybcwyYD8g3T-UmXJ91WR2BIuyVJne3kyVRqOIuCthbawW8x5c8wS2UXxzg2DTSj-2Wu7mIWcHDzJa17_9FA/s4032/IMG_9002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BlwKfs6xHMnBfgYWakX9SNke_gVdnBT-AY7yYhLE13fc7PprKN88qztxCE4G-OmOTGMD4mkIx3X6V_1ohCpYdVia7mN1ZsHT26HzKH7ybcwyYD8g3T-UmXJ91WR2BIuyVJne3kyVRqOIuCthbawW8x5c8wS2UXxzg2DTSj-2Wu7mIWcHDzJa17_9FA/s320/IMG_9002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old Orient Express Chicken Exit sign is still at Timber Wolf.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvL_FLPoIuzmuWhLXlwuz6JXrcEQNWSRhCbufb2OqrvESoPxUYaHHN6sAQzgZUna3wNRNK-S7_B8VuUxuLeDNh38Ccxn-KMLuLCvMex1dxnRg36UeffddWjnZhvIHbOMZJdYt8JZmB4jSCDrjoefLIHU_nzh-ibGDrbJkwu2vbsKNuSvsz0bpth3vQQ/s4032/IMG_9003.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvL_FLPoIuzmuWhLXlwuz6JXrcEQNWSRhCbufb2OqrvESoPxUYaHHN6sAQzgZUna3wNRNK-S7_B8VuUxuLeDNh38Ccxn-KMLuLCvMex1dxnRg36UeffddWjnZhvIHbOMZJdYt8JZmB4jSCDrjoefLIHU_nzh-ibGDrbJkwu2vbsKNuSvsz0bpth3vQQ/s320/IMG_9003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detonator had it's topper refinished in the off season and it looks great!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our next stop was to finally ride Timber Wolf, earlier the line was fairly long, at this point it was slightly outside the station so I figured to give it a try. I started up a conversation with a fellow “line waiter’ about the old E.X.T and classic WOF in general, that was lots of fun! Finally, about 45 minutes later we get to the station and of course, Timber Wolf went down right as we were the next train to load! But it was a short wait and overall it was a good ride, though somewhat slow probably due to the 20+ mile an hour winds. I am pretty sure part of the last segment of Timber Wolf was re-tracked last year but it appears the entire last segment from the flat 180 turn to the brake run has been completely re-tracked and doesn’t jackhammer you like crazy anymore. I’ll be looking forward to future rides as Wolf is one of my favorite coasters in the park.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Hd_yiY3Q2KEiwlst4QpVSDFYlM9jN-PeO8_2RY55RpAUI1QZo7E4cY8tmwz_p7z4A-N1CFomwu6hobxLB1YBRO1y83bsEV_SizgUZ1Y73Bfuko4Skv_yf-_BwhiNlmmskzmaGa0dgBdoeyNQpzVeiS29_Q9qjiTBbFz850ijwemuEacyGbi2vIOA7g/s4032/IMG_9013.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Hd_yiY3Q2KEiwlst4QpVSDFYlM9jN-PeO8_2RY55RpAUI1QZo7E4cY8tmwz_p7z4A-N1CFomwu6hobxLB1YBRO1y83bsEV_SizgUZ1Y73Bfuko4Skv_yf-_BwhiNlmmskzmaGa0dgBdoeyNQpzVeiS29_Q9qjiTBbFz850ijwemuEacyGbi2vIOA7g/s320/IMG_9013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snoopy's Rocket Express</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzJghAd-DuZqPFw9U2RfS5Sehh1OW6w0TxOq8Zg98en6J1n0ljmHtgYk1JvmuvtxBXpsHZqjb1EQ73039riletaSrx2LPUKwIoyHiMK25N4g8clq22b5p6oVlZh6gMtza7X5wmNiLjxgTkRLP4M-F0qaBIDn1GAOYGemZs-msWahG82IdYalh3K3xAg/s4032/IMG_9017.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzJghAd-DuZqPFw9U2RfS5Sehh1OW6w0TxOq8Zg98en6J1n0ljmHtgYk1JvmuvtxBXpsHZqjb1EQ73039riletaSrx2LPUKwIoyHiMK25N4g8clq22b5p6oVlZh6gMtza7X5wmNiLjxgTkRLP4M-F0qaBIDn1GAOYGemZs-msWahG82IdYalh3K3xAg/s320/IMG_9017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oldest ride in Planet Snoopy, Red Baron.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkVHBGQT1H8kuDTsWdSI1ciq_9ORLIurxCFo3Os1PNEO6hRfv89Nyu2yecGIrA_ytxUkj7QfeOGNgtoF-zmzzj2bcp9T56jipZnuoqpYY0ZN8Wgs6Nwkhcp6TvLk6qgfHm3X_32AHLgG9o6d-csessCugtgxeeboA9qEaI04iI-H31_bp8XmkUvrqyQ/s4032/IMG_9007.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkVHBGQT1H8kuDTsWdSI1ciq_9ORLIurxCFo3Os1PNEO6hRfv89Nyu2yecGIrA_ytxUkj7QfeOGNgtoF-zmzzj2bcp9T56jipZnuoqpYY0ZN8Wgs6Nwkhcp6TvLk6qgfHm3X_32AHLgG9o6d-csessCugtgxeeboA9qEaI04iI-H31_bp8XmkUvrqyQ/s320/IMG_9007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie Brown's Wind Up from the Pandamonium expansion.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I headed up to Planet Snoopy, obviously not to ride anything but just to check it out for any changes. One of my favorite tidbits is that Red Baron is not only the 7th oldest ride in the park (it opened in 1974) but it’s been in its current location since 1978! There were no major changes to Planet Snoopy that I saw, but all the rides appeared to be running, and fully staffed which must have been a challenge for the park this season! </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Pab9BNCu8ZeuRi7PdA_kTQrb_jNaTvKHFoKd8JvypUp38zCI89Q6dkirFd4wQw1KPFC6fIXdKV6QfiRwbkEOB93baUMAMUEcYv3HKGmB8tX11se-s0n7HEOeacbfcZicwYdu-tDGwi0PgyOoE_f1DSqx1FWwUJ1DpfbMqW3U7eu7mJHh7mOgyq5KZQ/s4032/IMG_9053.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Pab9BNCu8ZeuRi7PdA_kTQrb_jNaTvKHFoKd8JvypUp38zCI89Q6dkirFd4wQw1KPFC6fIXdKV6QfiRwbkEOB93baUMAMUEcYv3HKGmB8tX11se-s0n7HEOeacbfcZicwYdu-tDGwi0PgyOoE_f1DSqx1FWwUJ1DpfbMqW3U7eu7mJHh7mOgyq5KZQ/s320/IMG_9053.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First to play a game you either have to get a new card or add money to an existing game card.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXBSPnpAQcyVa4_JD1EDercfbB7hEEQcfTsqAlz0Yi0K8KZ0rnrZAkvPBpXuvQuiT645Evzmicm66TtJfJ4H0RKyLY5uqWWxe_YgNA7wzEtkNnpNtqbQD1CrHdtmzenIAKqZmtQKVU4ti-vVmGCHGYqb34_RF2pTdi_ZjK3s8LJV2lD66mZvwBBkflg/s4032/IMG_9049.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXBSPnpAQcyVa4_JD1EDercfbB7hEEQcfTsqAlz0Yi0K8KZ0rnrZAkvPBpXuvQuiT645Evzmicm66TtJfJ4H0RKyLY5uqWWxe_YgNA7wzEtkNnpNtqbQD1CrHdtmzenIAKqZmtQKVU4ti-vVmGCHGYqb34_RF2pTdi_ZjK3s8LJV2lD66mZvwBBkflg/s320/IMG_9049.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical... Skeeball Machine rebooting...<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHabw-ajzqRp329TDiki6fhoJX9fTKQHnKtBUw5p3F3XGR2zePBSmEgdeS_QFWPzgGYCRjAui6MZVClg9d6X_DtX40eNYr3e7hYI2D1WKee6zSpt8L5kwahEQnXfVO4NjBURYSLvryPRXSyjq5bfRvOhVM-C3jffHn3fejq_juiAeqN_XK6gfoQF-_Ew/s4032/IMG_9050.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHabw-ajzqRp329TDiki6fhoJX9fTKQHnKtBUw5p3F3XGR2zePBSmEgdeS_QFWPzgGYCRjAui6MZVClg9d6X_DtX40eNYr3e7hYI2D1WKee6zSpt8L5kwahEQnXfVO4NjBURYSLvryPRXSyjq5bfRvOhVM-C3jffHn3fejq_juiAeqN_XK6gfoQF-_Ew/s320/IMG_9050.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXfM1e5xDOSEY19lDw-62GG4wWdXKi2kPBy_caxQgLzlD9epFx3ldTGSxLy9TJCNtGuGVcuRYFY3kRDE3MaBHJU-z1Mafz3v1ujyWGF2HxU3toVW6cU06lHdwTm8Uad7W8YsHY2FpTAVkPfSG6FT9yA__S6w5UO3RQcOS68XifYVgMIu_ReQVpgaHAQ/s4032/IMG_9051.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXfM1e5xDOSEY19lDw-62GG4wWdXKi2kPBy_caxQgLzlD9epFx3ldTGSxLy9TJCNtGuGVcuRYFY3kRDE3MaBHJU-z1Mafz3v1ujyWGF2HxU3toVW6cU06lHdwTm8Uad7W8YsHY2FpTAVkPfSG6FT9yA__S6w5UO3RQcOS68XifYVgMIu_ReQVpgaHAQ/s320/IMG_9051.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prize redemption machine, this worked ok. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">So at this point, I was planning on leaving but that didn’t quite happen… First I decided I should try out the new arcade, for research sake of course. First off, for those that grew up with the old-style arcades, gone are the tokens and tickets, everything is digital now. To play, you have to purchase a game card with a certain amount of credits included. I paid $10 for a rechargeable card, and I think I got about 6-7 skeeball games out of it, I didn’t count. Primarily because I kept crashing the skeeball card readers! Pretty sure that was user error, lol. </span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGvCKhFggPgE1tPNATj5o-O5ypNram-MEXIQ5xptW6TTyfPV1JshurzQ9gd2bb2luM3Wl5-SCuHR7jrYo5QcfuemlonrzZ5O-LLM4VwsQLHE3MV-Dcz5BwzK6Zq_39tA3oVL5PP8DqoEypHfRRyPdL4alDhYDi8bmz7GrENM6c6FAT7x4WDZDujIU9A/s4032/IMG_9065.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGvCKhFggPgE1tPNATj5o-O5ypNram-MEXIQ5xptW6TTyfPV1JshurzQ9gd2bb2luM3Wl5-SCuHR7jrYo5QcfuemlonrzZ5O-LLM4VwsQLHE3MV-Dcz5BwzK6Zq_39tA3oVL5PP8DqoEypHfRRyPdL4alDhYDi8bmz7GrENM6c6FAT7x4WDZDujIU9A/s320/IMG_9065.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mamba from Nile's queue line.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzxLIuRm-GDYFvly_xswx5kl6CNPyPdSZAM7GXcjiy6e5op75TigYqtrvVYm2bl11XRJ7WOsSgyVGKzB6Q38v8NddszveGSNkJzYXe-CVnf15TIPuMB5GZ-5dy23kGepcBMblc1nH-cjtqrTCjh2Vs9tcPl5L-ihMwe8-Q40V18RAfi9E30X_RxaBww/s3571/wof9899166.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2343" data-original-width="3571" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzxLIuRm-GDYFvly_xswx5kl6CNPyPdSZAM7GXcjiy6e5op75TigYqtrvVYm2bl11XRJ7WOsSgyVGKzB6Q38v8NddszveGSNkJzYXe-CVnf15TIPuMB5GZ-5dy23kGepcBMblc1nH-cjtqrTCjh2Vs9tcPl5L-ihMwe8-Q40V18RAfi9E30X_RxaBww/s320/wof9899166.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same view from opening day 1998!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mETycZ2dFDcIA-5dFZEqV4V4lgHzeXgrJWvocyomhLONfrF2QlKJi4CniYrSRjMVeKz_NgdW36yl04GhIrZIBJItEXjGNotpS4APQEE6oy7KVleGMFyCz8OCsk8kvBmQ9MX-v0d85sofX3Up6IZgh3CBkIarLr4IQ8ojZURfzHzmU7jMynwHCbLpLw/s4032/IMG_9064.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mETycZ2dFDcIA-5dFZEqV4V4lgHzeXgrJWvocyomhLONfrF2QlKJi4CniYrSRjMVeKz_NgdW36yl04GhIrZIBJItEXjGNotpS4APQEE6oy7KVleGMFyCz8OCsk8kvBmQ9MX-v0d85sofX3Up6IZgh3CBkIarLr4IQ8ojZURfzHzmU7jMynwHCbLpLw/s320/IMG_9064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fury of the Nile was operational.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">So it was getting around 6:30 PM or so, and I almost left at this point. It was chilly, but not quite as windy….which got me thinking about Mamba. I almost didn’t ride it. In fact, I went up the queue line, and back down and then I thought… what else do I have to do? So I went ahead and waited. The entire first switchback section was full, so I was expecting about an hour wait with one train operation and that’s almost exactly what I waited for. Was it worth it? 100% YES. OMG. The first half was good as usual, the second half, with the limited trims (some say no trims, but I think it’s hitting just a smidge), provided some serious, high-grade, floater airtime on the return run. If Mamba ran that well all the time, it would easily be a top ten steel coaster in my book. And no I don’t usually rank rides. I was so blown away that I found an hour on Sunday when I wasn’t planning on going to WOF at all, to go back out and ride Mamba two more times.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw1z4F1EPXoz4WfCby9WfJgRfCLK8dlyB-wxrCkcvdLmlFmqM8C2CKNPGyMdRFenHDyDJBin_vS6MZdBdjn8w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Inside Mamba station on the 2nd to last train!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rYUAemsTB8xq8zmMw9O2v6B1c-zO1fZHcip_LKiEU8ZJGDFxaIOqeztBDv0Zt9g7L4ULj6v4t_detY7luqnTRHWf4CON3FeIyPUDHDW3BXdtf9gnb2jquLG7OCHJhLngKO50WgruogtnPRSVkQhCNbIJk4fbsfHJL6T5MCqB0F2v1pNRSKHd_g6RWg/s4032/IMG_9070.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rYUAemsTB8xq8zmMw9O2v6B1c-zO1fZHcip_LKiEU8ZJGDFxaIOqeztBDv0Zt9g7L4ULj6v4t_detY7luqnTRHWf4CON3FeIyPUDHDW3BXdtf9gnb2jquLG7OCHJhLngKO50WgruogtnPRSVkQhCNbIJk4fbsfHJL6T5MCqB0F2v1pNRSKHd_g6RWg/s320/IMG_9070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1Iq906KgImm8WKWGgVLLFBPwHeWsm5ITNJzNxijJ8FYBt6vXhhG2f_iLRI9x07-EJ17xBmsLmKikyeEmLOc_MkPLSNRTgqRXyXyVO22UjYOcjo9BKqohqHz8vIaHa9sYJAqZDKPo-ZY0b9F6jcX1LR_xco7NMA32DVNQud6NHBneRKCZ-fuNr6hNdw/s4032/IMG_9072.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1Iq906KgImm8WKWGgVLLFBPwHeWsm5ITNJzNxijJ8FYBt6vXhhG2f_iLRI9x07-EJ17xBmsLmKikyeEmLOc_MkPLSNRTgqRXyXyVO22UjYOcjo9BKqohqHz8vIaHa9sYJAqZDKPo-ZY0b9F6jcX1LR_xco7NMA32DVNQud6NHBneRKCZ-fuNr6hNdw/s320/IMG_9072.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mamba's new drive box.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">So at this point, it was closing, (8:02 because I checked). And it was time to leave. For some reason, Worlds of Fun is my happy place and I feel somewhat sad leaving it behind. Still, it was a great day. </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OLZUbHdti3feeqPgxufIyK3t4q013osO7F9j8cQBFc0PBS-g9ry1ovZMtTxstaVE4iQgZP8IHvy5GftJa7NgCs-uLN_EyITuEddG3p_yDt3VplqEwdd1tuEpcneKHJxoAup5z6TwIkOfK-bpuKeXLGyEbohiMpMsjiCkYYygnb20Oohpo9zPf_s-lw/s4032/IMG_9079.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OLZUbHdti3feeqPgxufIyK3t4q013osO7F9j8cQBFc0PBS-g9ry1ovZMtTxstaVE4iQgZP8IHvy5GftJa7NgCs-uLN_EyITuEddG3p_yDt3VplqEwdd1tuEpcneKHJxoAup5z6TwIkOfK-bpuKeXLGyEbohiMpMsjiCkYYygnb20Oohpo9zPf_s-lw/s320/IMG_9079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIb2fhlI51iX4x97N3Dfb4wote8XOtG64uPiiHYBCutDAv25ATrSMSpQsHV-rBV-uLzyXZ2_M4gDdV8QWK3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mamba's Trim brakes as seen/heard from WOF Village on Saturday Night. </span></b></div><br /><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before I wrap this opening day review up one last commentary that I want to add. Walt Disney has the famous quote that you can build the greatest park in the world but without people to run it, you have nothing. Especially in the economy we are in where companies are begging for employees it was refreshing to have such a good experience with the park’s staff of ambassadors. Every ride that I rode, every restaurant we went to, and even the O dark thirty security guards at WOF Village, everyone was pleasant, friendly and helpful and some in my opinion went above and beyond. The Mamba crew seemed to be super enthusiastic, and made it felt like almost a coaster enthusiast event all the time. Up in Planet Snoopy the operators on Snoopy’s Rocket Express were adding personal sound effects when each car was “launched”. In the arcade a games ambassador came and helped, more than once when I had technical difficulties with the skeeball machine, without me having to ask. Was everything perfect and running like a well oiled machine? No, but it’s opening day, no one should expect that. Did the ambassadors help in creating a welcoming, fun atmosphere? Absolutely. </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknc0vEXauFqhUVasLtbZzsiJzxt2ntezYe5v3tshtn9Ez_4Dc_d3sxM9y-y0TkziIcnsz8V6RdKiXHpAUCD708w3wJyGeZipL7QvPh8FsMzSdvxB0tbQ5dre_4yaGBRdZp4aAaBIQFwQvW9AUJZhmD7KIqomCZatserPJcI_yZk8JJUc5fWq5qtHDlQ/s4032/IMG_9094.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknc0vEXauFqhUVasLtbZzsiJzxt2ntezYe5v3tshtn9Ez_4Dc_d3sxM9y-y0TkziIcnsz8V6RdKiXHpAUCD708w3wJyGeZipL7QvPh8FsMzSdvxB0tbQ5dre_4yaGBRdZp4aAaBIQFwQvW9AUJZhmD7KIqomCZatserPJcI_yZk8JJUc5fWq5qtHDlQ/s320/IMG_9094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ran into the park around 6 pm Sunday...<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnd004evXDhUYmxkSnzzQEQzp2d1SC-QR4E6RQfncTGGcfPJDgGMTyO4KMsr5_umhBTfBorHpFtc02s487BM-s7NRMtAGnQg9F9MMcQXsf3zUosTU_WvizhZ7tc2qZ481WeF-MXFZLSS906ANiYlTWFABG2SXv654fyE72dcQDhGKbtnSSh61Teeeqw/s4032/IMG_9107.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnd004evXDhUYmxkSnzzQEQzp2d1SC-QR4E6RQfncTGGcfPJDgGMTyO4KMsr5_umhBTfBorHpFtc02s487BM-s7NRMtAGnQg9F9MMcQXsf3zUosTU_WvizhZ7tc2qZ481WeF-MXFZLSS906ANiYlTWFABG2SXv654fyE72dcQDhGKbtnSSh61Teeeqw/s320/IMG_9107.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To ride Mamba of course! </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have written many opening day reviews. I used to count but I stopped somewhere around a dozen, there have been some decent ones, some bad ones, some REALLY bad ones, and a couple of good ones. 2022 fits neatly into the “good ones” column in my book, nearly all the rides were running, all the coasters were running, a ride that no one in a million years expected to be running, was running, and nearly all the foodservice and retail locations were open. The food was, surprisingly, really good, the ride experiences ranged from good to amazing, and even though the weather wasn’t perfect, as Monday’s weather can attest it definitely could have been worse. I am looking forward to the rest of Worlds of Fun’s 50th season and am hopefully for its 51st (50th anniversary) in 2023!</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYadF_22nqVPrT7y5oEBBtEQbRCN4idMcFm9NoCzNUj9kGzaON_yGNdpfRwhflTWjVQh1IhXIO_l6q_n5DUISoVWcL-HHgUT59Csu5BXLpCX7BDuZz3Y-pw7Hc1ZcXTHrkBI01leKNWij29u5bOg6r01iE341Bjypk9ZAIbUEJByWwfY4BnHdjqiGdJA/s4032/IMG_9014.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYadF_22nqVPrT7y5oEBBtEQbRCN4idMcFm9NoCzNUj9kGzaON_yGNdpfRwhflTWjVQh1IhXIO_l6q_n5DUISoVWcL-HHgUT59Csu5BXLpCX7BDuZz3Y-pw7Hc1ZcXTHrkBI01leKNWij29u5bOg6r01iE341Bjypk9ZAIbUEJByWwfY4BnHdjqiGdJA/s320/IMG_9014.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Charlie Brown!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRpmM4cQFlOF7WT9Uys6PZb_muQtxXc48lAMrnJwA5Fgupm1UdH47wo4AfFXD42AcaWZXSFEWqN13gOgv18KWw74skEUbsFqeEKvUnf_gdp_gLwuZYG3zviGZNhgP5bTaMLNc9BMDHS89pHjSAEIgVvqAkEx8_Qf7QtYxvXLzvX8H3V4hxZRwNiUuGw/s3529/woffa007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2326" data-original-width="3529" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRpmM4cQFlOF7WT9Uys6PZb_muQtxXc48lAMrnJwA5Fgupm1UdH47wo4AfFXD42AcaWZXSFEWqN13gOgv18KWw74skEUbsFqeEKvUnf_gdp_gLwuZYG3zviGZNhgP5bTaMLNc9BMDHS89pHjSAEIgVvqAkEx8_Qf7QtYxvXLzvX8H3V4hxZRwNiUuGw/s320/woffa007.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in 1999. <br /><br />Special Thanks to Megan Burnett for proofreading!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-12713742472794505532022-02-27T08:26:00.002-06:002022-02-28T12:49:30.575-06:00From Foam Mountains to Outer Space: Part III<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD6ZnQ_OPSSKoQYe6rI8j53ezTzeFUXzXo1KXDmUHuxJUbzSipl1MpVguJHEMPKo7rgifsrbQFLUs9PotOlCrfazLItNr0XDjNTqOyJR-8_DuWdh4DWgJBFX8yWBuKRLLxtkTq-yQzXPNd6HPak0__9bs7boNwTnPoGLPG6G0mrKn8zdYZuEaqBwBSEw=s2351" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="2351" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjD6ZnQ_OPSSKoQYe6rI8j53ezTzeFUXzXo1KXDmUHuxJUbzSipl1MpVguJHEMPKo7rgifsrbQFLUs9PotOlCrfazLItNr0XDjNTqOyJR-8_DuWdh4DWgJBFX8yWBuKRLLxtkTq-yQzXPNd6HPak0__9bs7boNwTnPoGLPG6G0mrKn8zdYZuEaqBwBSEw=w400-h265" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Bear Country. Mamba is in the background, Mama and Papa Bear greet guests. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Pandamonium would reign as Worlds of Fun’s kid's area for a full decade from 1987 until 1997. Its undoing would come from a major shift that would affect the entire park. In June 1995 the announcement was made that Hunt Midwest, who had built and operated the park since its inception in 1973 was selling the park to Ohio-based park operator, Cedar Fair. Cedar Fair would almost immediately start making changes to the park, and one of those included a change to Pandamonium in 1996. Detonator an S&S space shot was added in place of Head over Wheels which was moved down by Wacky Worm. 1997 would continue the changes to Pandamonium, with its retirement and the introduction of a new set of characters and themed land taken from the pages of The Berenstain Bears, Mama, Papa, Sister, and Brother Bear.</span></div><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxTh2xPPpCzOe-ruRtuol1PGggozVXi-op2EGwvNKO9udpnhxx5S7vSz8Az7q6OAsAnJzMAVwv9IjbGy4akW-MiDJeCqijPDFV4iEIvhZIQ-wgPLvXHbwxr6jf66gzibcNWujY1_XHZBma8YuDobBG8fphhrRfZ1njvGSTmFp8Abul08QWNgL6VfyikQ=s1000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1000" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxTh2xPPpCzOe-ruRtuol1PGggozVXi-op2EGwvNKO9udpnhxx5S7vSz8Az7q6OAsAnJzMAVwv9IjbGy4akW-MiDJeCqijPDFV4iEIvhZIQ-wgPLvXHbwxr6jf66gzibcNWujY1_XHZBma8YuDobBG8fphhrRfZ1njvGSTmFp8Abul08QWNgL6VfyikQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 1995, just prior to Detonator's addition, this area of Americana was still part of Pandamonium.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSn8d6zbOCBMGrpSys_zK3gNf2Pxay3TPcf81FTlA404VWo8PGtWbB7OlrlzrN6JJpDfhrM5OlIgm0VgvDgDFlTExQKOOTIE5O89iG2STdpT-cylLPoJY-Ei-a4f0lf15J-KTdHLEDy3SFB_RB2VGhzJpbmrk0CFoIXfudaE7BQebr2Eq6CMk5vJXXaw=s2351" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="2351" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSn8d6zbOCBMGrpSys_zK3gNf2Pxay3TPcf81FTlA404VWo8PGtWbB7OlrlzrN6JJpDfhrM5OlIgm0VgvDgDFlTExQKOOTIE5O89iG2STdpT-cylLPoJY-Ei-a4f0lf15J-KTdHLEDy3SFB_RB2VGhzJpbmrk0CFoIXfudaE7BQebr2Eq6CMk5vJXXaw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 1996 Head over Wheels moved down by Wacky Worm.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">At an expansion of one acre, Bear County would completely change the appearance of Pandamonium for the most full-immersive atmosphere the park had ever attempted for a kid's area. Panda Pavilion theater (originally Flying Circus Theater) would be massively modified, taken down to basic steel structure, and expanded in size massively to become the Bear County Museum, complete with interactive activities, computer lab, and reading room. Today, the same structure is used as part of Peanut’s Showplace and Snoopy Boutique.</span></div><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxMYDT0RSmr4KMOxUZgELfEZdVeTEwXdVr19YVYz1SKAXELBxzRWBYoKr8RO2ySAXTKQXB8iVNOhh6KMK20l7gKpCr-XrtkNPvvG65I2_wmtmDedhMZ0FeRgBWrTBBGvQchY0KWbvDgB0GPp2NRb5dl-KkCRaYlws5R6cMBONkTPbS9ZJnSkp9QMHu5Q=s1489" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1489" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhxMYDT0RSmr4KMOxUZgELfEZdVeTEwXdVr19YVYz1SKAXELBxzRWBYoKr8RO2ySAXTKQXB8iVNOhh6KMK20l7gKpCr-XrtkNPvvG65I2_wmtmDedhMZ0FeRgBWrTBBGvQchY0KWbvDgB0GPp2NRb5dl-KkCRaYlws5R6cMBONkTPbS9ZJnSkp9QMHu5Q=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the Bear Country Museum. Today the entrance to Snoopy Boutique is nearly identical.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI5MTqBCOFanV7i3G4vN0hQuYt4-2DLVuoOrpiLzA91hhofqeyP2nyrZV4VuHVJcvgS3U0tfkdfI_NfOyG2wzXnONkDIp_9kt7b5jBANDuv1M8EpVuk3y_83N69EmEJMl-5SabVBf-FbxlUW2BNV45jE59a3YvIIESe94bNd6Q-I_hXgHefR-G0qZjZw=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI5MTqBCOFanV7i3G4vN0hQuYt4-2DLVuoOrpiLzA91hhofqeyP2nyrZV4VuHVJcvgS3U0tfkdfI_NfOyG2wzXnONkDIp_9kt7b5jBANDuv1M8EpVuk3y_83N69EmEJMl-5SabVBf-FbxlUW2BNV45jE59a3YvIIESe94bNd6Q-I_hXgHefR-G0qZjZw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Computer Cave. (remember this was added in 1997 when computers were still rather clunky and large)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo2f5Zz0KvqDu9coTowc8NWOS6piuObZTgbq7g1FsHGKGjierk3Abj7Y8cBaLnhGLwS3hBw1sR2Hql0GqKXisk3GBxthCzgfwWyIhelCs4yBBXZi-Rzr1QttY0l9WEKAP-YH0w-DFVL-pmVLBhqhRdYoGyYsQup6nWwIMvkbYHWNtGDHYBMkp2eNhsoQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo2f5Zz0KvqDu9coTowc8NWOS6piuObZTgbq7g1FsHGKGjierk3Abj7Y8cBaLnhGLwS3hBw1sR2Hql0GqKXisk3GBxthCzgfwWyIhelCs4yBBXZi-Rzr1QttY0l9WEKAP-YH0w-DFVL-pmVLBhqhRdYoGyYsQup6nWwIMvkbYHWNtGDHYBMkp2eNhsoQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The idea of the Bear Museum was a learning experience. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Right next door to the Museum was the Spooky Old Tree slide, which was a basic spiral slide, enclosed in a creepy grey fiberglass tree with appropriately ominous glowing eyes. Like so many details, Spooky Old Tree was lifted from a specific Berenstain Bear’s book, in this case. <i>Spooky Old Tree</i>. From many recollections, Spooky Old Tree terrified its target audience quite well! Once Snoopy came to town, Spooky Old Tree would last on for another decade as the Kite Eating Tree.</span></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfMerPf8jXGMahYV2tepBxQxAvRp6_3WfXtrrh6SLAq2f0WSDnfvaPrAUkuT-FPNTobzDjJJysAgRYv3CGCZSnNYxLdbs-nild2pRKf-nCe8LX0UChOm6cjFRCXWvh9R8uChMn8fXqscZAjGcWOiXNmBLcHLTyiClH5iftB8yz_9CeOkjXRgte9CZWJQ=s1489" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1489" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfMerPf8jXGMahYV2tepBxQxAvRp6_3WfXtrrh6SLAq2f0WSDnfvaPrAUkuT-FPNTobzDjJJysAgRYv3CGCZSnNYxLdbs-nild2pRKf-nCe8LX0UChOm6cjFRCXWvh9R8uChMn8fXqscZAjGcWOiXNmBLcHLTyiClH5iftB8yz_9CeOkjXRgte9CZWJQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Spooky Old Tree slide.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpsT93rEDbUJ3PIK2vqFFItrSFjkr7IFK68rYsKtiwIzciUGnbQ5Gt45uYJnhFzIHuGaPZPMZ-21Zr18cpoVt9D5H0LTDb57NCmz57kGppwDeBjJXFZ4cRoPJqa6hroRDgeQ1S0G18UkN7PjDhdSesTiFUlafJSvE1nmpKHt46klCGv_AeB8rBuAS5mw=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpsT93rEDbUJ3PIK2vqFFItrSFjkr7IFK68rYsKtiwIzciUGnbQ5Gt45uYJnhFzIHuGaPZPMZ-21Zr18cpoVt9D5H0LTDb57NCmz57kGppwDeBjJXFZ4cRoPJqa6hroRDgeQ1S0G18UkN7PjDhdSesTiFUlafJSvE1nmpKHt46klCGv_AeB8rBuAS5mw=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Bear telephone booth.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvlbKMEA-mqN6shxa6rdwBEdt6dhmnUFnpAOIFW58eK37I-gvjS33Q-pVYGBAmbgpSXqpHpWR2H7UHwYxcvl9kt6FS61-HvR7KwukWybC2Tg5zHKkf1kjvtfOMuMLQ3yFQq0M8P2PbP4IV7RlRvL7ahJKXRh_l1FQK8-gfG3bIL2Rqja-vqnRCqhn0ww=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvlbKMEA-mqN6shxa6rdwBEdt6dhmnUFnpAOIFW58eK37I-gvjS33Q-pVYGBAmbgpSXqpHpWR2H7UHwYxcvl9kt6FS61-HvR7KwukWybC2Tg5zHKkf1kjvtfOMuMLQ3yFQq0M8P2PbP4IV7RlRvL7ahJKXRh_l1FQK8-gfG3bIL2Rqja-vqnRCqhn0ww=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various book stumps were spread throughout the area , and featured the books various attractions were based off of.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>A lot of many guests' favorite memories are the small details, and there were a lot of them in Bear Country. The Bear Family characters could often be found roaming the land, large tree stump all-weather “books” were scattered through the area, and small “brother bear” and “sister bear” telephone booths were fun to play in. The Boys Club, which was a small hideout surrounded by a pond area, was themed after the book <i>No Girls Allowed</i> and not far from that was the Dinosaur Pit which was a large gravel play area with a balance beam, digging equipment, and a large dinosaur skeleton to play on (based off <i>The Day of the Dinosaur</i>). To a kid this was awesome, heck it was fun as an adult! The gravel play area would survive, sans skeleton until 2005 when it was replaced by Peanut’s Playhouse. Probably one of my favorite details was tiny and often overlooked, and that was Teeter Totter, a large human-sized teeter toter, instead of sitting you would stand though! One feature that was introduced with Bear Country that does still exist is the musical play pad, today in front of the Peanut’s 500, this tinkling treasure is one of the last holdovers from this short-lived area.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLPBnl2N9u-fAuB3XlRIzZ73x-8IIliuLVYRla2798xnCRL3O7pU2t7LJRWSGrLdve0K3dUofvd690vfyaohLtfwuk2C8AGQyQ8qSf6x8LVfbvhE0YliPMXI6j4GxqyXRZHS6ZnmyhI8FRFDj4tJH0FrImFnlNjx20Ck9N_Iwr7SaQciaKOBYwO9wicg=s1489" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1489" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLPBnl2N9u-fAuB3XlRIzZ73x-8IIliuLVYRla2798xnCRL3O7pU2t7LJRWSGrLdve0K3dUofvd690vfyaohLtfwuk2C8AGQyQ8qSf6x8LVfbvhE0YliPMXI6j4GxqyXRZHS6ZnmyhI8FRFDj4tJH0FrImFnlNjx20Ck9N_Iwr7SaQciaKOBYwO9wicg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bear Country Tree, Woodstock Gliders is located in the same location today.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6dqEI5icw7aQDvksaT8JHuwJTzfjAmShVmq7L96MsW0ta7JshXg31_ZmKLD4SIycLlgkwkU3VHp5xGmxh9AQtQqAY1RAyog4qYsLIE9oEwVFDUYk5dRDeits28q6ZWvZfA7acxUXkiuz5DuaxRcKyJzxJ3rvfD9Ld52BtPBHz_dRSSfolxCU1RlgMmQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6dqEI5icw7aQDvksaT8JHuwJTzfjAmShVmq7L96MsW0ta7JshXg31_ZmKLD4SIycLlgkwkU3VHp5xGmxh9AQtQqAY1RAyog4qYsLIE9oEwVFDUYk5dRDeits28q6ZWvZfA7acxUXkiuz5DuaxRcKyJzxJ3rvfD9Ld52BtPBHz_dRSSfolxCU1RlgMmQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen area inside of the Bear Country Tree</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI9i3PhgYBfP-TdOuXctW_s5qS2vkBZqdSSKt0fngEvVHlJlyg47OrjFx3Bo5N5pKrGSkrGak20JFh3EHpBbFrD55nxh-lYviX6PhLL1TFavNnqwm2b9vEuJNQ26rQjdiBqmpJJz7AmiDxu__dkf1_QBQEXCtTpEr-DJ4a-BSYgmLbey8BpTP-gPF_WA=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI9i3PhgYBfP-TdOuXctW_s5qS2vkBZqdSSKt0fngEvVHlJlyg47OrjFx3Bo5N5pKrGSkrGak20JFh3EHpBbFrD55nxh-lYviX6PhLL1TFavNnqwm2b9vEuJNQ26rQjdiBqmpJJz7AmiDxu__dkf1_QBQEXCtTpEr-DJ4a-BSYgmLbey8BpTP-gPF_WA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up to the various "floors" to the Bear Tree.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>One major attraction that was also added, and of which no detail remains was the Bear Family Treehouse. Bear Country Treehouse did what Pandamonium never could, evicting Octopus from the area. And in fact, Octopus would leave the park entirely for the 1997 season, re-appearing only in 1998 in Scandinavia. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1rJKsYfDTwzpYqMcfAcMPTDth2Ej0mmYHcUzWnUtoYw4xVtZb-STAJqHuvErAPhJ-NSxv7cjuQ_TTrZRWcH1qDGvlrmbhWaF5dKIVrUtYYIv6zyZipv-qDhBm3CkxYvR5mGnn_WfTmK6Mb7a7tlGPKXcxRBQFvtWBPpmX8QOfWaHaU1L3jBJoFP-rLQ=s1489" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1489" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1rJKsYfDTwzpYqMcfAcMPTDth2Ej0mmYHcUzWnUtoYw4xVtZb-STAJqHuvErAPhJ-NSxv7cjuQ_TTrZRWcH1qDGvlrmbhWaF5dKIVrUtYYIv6zyZipv-qDhBm3CkxYvR5mGnn_WfTmK6Mb7a7tlGPKXcxRBQFvtWBPpmX8QOfWaHaU1L3jBJoFP-rLQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boy's Clubhouse, which would become Woodstock's Nature Center in 2001.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJQxohff0XKmjyWGGKJR5wbjZaSbB_p7r_KOJEvPJG_yDg-sS6B3taE9Y1anbsrUxz0qDZR5A0sfZxfWKZtfun0GRHLT0uJl1LZL4t328cNR24UtjIhevnrPFBTo-4s6XzE7UmyIHwI5XiPv3qF9VVVYsDeZZsmEut198_9dQEWeaPpwZco88XRMUwqg=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJQxohff0XKmjyWGGKJR5wbjZaSbB_p7r_KOJEvPJG_yDg-sS6B3taE9Y1anbsrUxz0qDZR5A0sfZxfWKZtfun0GRHLT0uJl1LZL4t328cNR24UtjIhevnrPFBTo-4s6XzE7UmyIHwI5XiPv3qF9VVVYsDeZZsmEut198_9dQEWeaPpwZco88XRMUwqg=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teeter Totter. Both Teeter Totter and The Boy's Club were located about where Peanut's Road Rally is today. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOe7EjGlC0f6nDo9dywgzjjYSpU0CdSd3WQE7RMESmaP2X-oC532Vd6DKIg8nuIDDZot__kSkDsmyrNmXKpDgMKRD_eBUdm8sntl6HyYM47iJ0YW-sf55OihXkjLDo3VGdYYcOTCzsNeUHZeaiDcixvN3_A8kXjVky2pF_9IcOYGHBeN6RtWDSt-t30Q=s1489" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1489" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOe7EjGlC0f6nDo9dywgzjjYSpU0CdSd3WQE7RMESmaP2X-oC532Vd6DKIg8nuIDDZot__kSkDsmyrNmXKpDgMKRD_eBUdm8sntl6HyYM47iJ0YW-sf55OihXkjLDo3VGdYYcOTCzsNeUHZeaiDcixvN3_A8kXjVky2pF_9IcOYGHBeN6RtWDSt-t30Q=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo is worth a thousand words and I think a photo can explain this attraction better than any description. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">The Bear Treehouse was massive at nearly 30 feet tall, but it wasn’t a ride, but instead a walkthrough experience. It was incredibly detailed and along with much of the rest of Bear Country, it’s sad to think it only lasted such a short time. The Bear Treehouse would be replaced in 2001 by Snoopy Bounce and today Woodstock’s Gliders is located at its original location.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin-M0mv8ubANK8FqAK1ynwGnxKD4e3GL4eN_yOHJuTTgAIGqDjCEuyQzUr-moT7npHcxGScttC69gH79Dg0P17DleC2U4DcoBurIiZj51S3bLhFvfICZPxbU1q-vcp6RxBPn220WkxOG8dNflUDeUzjl9Uzdv6E87kTVHNHJxD1_h48W1mn_DpaGlRdg=s1489" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1489" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin-M0mv8ubANK8FqAK1ynwGnxKD4e3GL4eN_yOHJuTTgAIGqDjCEuyQzUr-moT7npHcxGScttC69gH79Dg0P17DleC2U4DcoBurIiZj51S3bLhFvfICZPxbU1q-vcp6RxBPn220WkxOG8dNflUDeUzjl9Uzdv6E87kTVHNHJxD1_h48W1mn_DpaGlRdg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinosaur Pit, today this is about where the old Peanut's Playhouse is, which replaced the play area in 2005. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">So what about the rest of the rides? It’s easy enough to say that in regards to the rides not much changed, but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate. All the rides that were already there as part of Pandamonium remained relatively unchanged, the signage looked the same, the colors stayed the same. The exception is PandAm Airlines which became Kiddy Hawk Airlines (its THIRD name change if you're keeping score).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir6X0zuixyPsmvgOVLnayweOkArh319s9qLGu_gLgd7D6ZBFwPb392OVzoqC10aS1bZ49rnCzfJRGTdSuYpgR4RQxxZ2uAqR0Qi0yDcSI_RIa5YPwj-YZcFqR5JojjxqQZ-ft6EeY9KRZBFVhpQlESetXyyuYwCTh9uImJ-VsEHS--Ccztg0p2oLZ8Iw=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir6X0zuixyPsmvgOVLnayweOkArh319s9qLGu_gLgd7D6ZBFwPb392OVzoqC10aS1bZ49rnCzfJRGTdSuYpgR4RQxxZ2uAqR0Qi0yDcSI_RIa5YPwj-YZcFqR5JojjxqQZ-ft6EeY9KRZBFVhpQlESetXyyuYwCTh9uImJ-VsEHS--Ccztg0p2oLZ8Iw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beetle Bumps was relocated from the Orient to Kiddy Kingdom in 1998.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBlEzgaFLLFeb7MjCVrFMQZzoI4zmP4GbRCYjZZc-mamKT0gsMS82t1Rn9oPA-H2joY39w4olwPLji6oHjfXVtU3XCDW6gWrP7c8WR2ICrtYqXukdVanZrZKTlwxPHevF3QD_HizreSSfN0SpqkA_Puh37pSjbdxcOIJbWtzZQe5HRmw3MY_N5-s5kYw=s1489" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1489" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBlEzgaFLLFeb7MjCVrFMQZzoI4zmP4GbRCYjZZc-mamKT0gsMS82t1Rn9oPA-H2joY39w4olwPLji6oHjfXVtU3XCDW6gWrP7c8WR2ICrtYqXukdVanZrZKTlwxPHevF3QD_HizreSSfN0SpqkA_Puh37pSjbdxcOIJbWtzZQe5HRmw3MY_N5-s5kYw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But this one didn't move at all once again. Keeping in mind that it originally started its life in 1974 in Scandinavia and moved to the then Aerodrome in 1978. In 1997 it was still in the same place, and it's still there today! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">What changed in regards to kid's rides was more so the REST of the park. Up until this point, there were still nearly half a dozen kids rides operating outside of the designated kid's area. Micro Moto Bahn in Scandinavia, Pony Promenade in Americana, Beetle Bumps in Orient, and Bounce a Roos in Europa. That would all change. Three of the four would be moved in 1997 and 1998 to the newly designated Kiddy Kingdom leaving their ride pads empty for the "necessary" popcorn and dippin’ dot carts that would occupy them, in some cases to this day. Beetle Bumps today is the Coca-Cola Refresh stand in The Orient (It’s the same pagoda structure and everything).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6EBj6lxS9uhiAKIWzwhB93WYyIp5Vd2PM2LL93xXwJgP1dnjX-HDDcdxKWXLQ5U84c8FLtdwVZ6cWKQoEKUI9vIxjOr3teAX3Lk-VT7HWjgrPEh07FzzSBYSXtupeSuuUn_zTQElrMOiZOVIuLA5buhpDjEqMyAdZO2WuHvZbCKsR4qkIVQRNDq_mZg=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6EBj6lxS9uhiAKIWzwhB93WYyIp5Vd2PM2LL93xXwJgP1dnjX-HDDcdxKWXLQ5U84c8FLtdwVZ6cWKQoEKUI9vIxjOr3teAX3Lk-VT7HWjgrPEh07FzzSBYSXtupeSuuUn_zTQElrMOiZOVIuLA5buhpDjEqMyAdZO2WuHvZbCKsR4qkIVQRNDq_mZg=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micro Moto Bahn moved in 1997 to Kiddy Kingdom from Scandinavia (it was the last ride to hold out from Half Pint's Peak/Humpty's Haven area)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>With history, it's hard to sometimes see the impact a change will have in the long term. With Cedar Fair's first few years of park operation at Worlds of Fun it was pretty obvious what direction they were headed towards. Cedar Fair was taking Worlds of Fun and trying to mold it into the Cedar Point tradition. Kiddy Kingdom was the name of the kid's area at Cedar Point, which also, not surprisingly had a Bear Country too. Many of the changes instituted by Cedar Fair that occurred or would occur over the intervening years would drastically change the park, some in good ways, some in tragically depressing ways. Berenstain Bear Country, though technically a copy of the one at Cedar Point (though in my opinion it was an improvement) was not of the latter, it was a beautifully executed kids area, well themed, well laid out, and even to this day well-loved. For just the four seasons it had with us, it left an indelible mark. </p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-44544016174505166382022-02-12T11:58:00.004-06:002022-02-12T21:24:29.432-06:00It's All About First Appearances: A look back at Worlds of Fun costuming in its early years. <p> A few days ago a poster asked about all the old themed costumes. My original plan was to post a couple photos to Facebook but then I found SO many I thought to do a quick blog. So here we are.</p><p>For those unaware Worlds of Fun Ambassadors wore themed costumes until approximately 1992-1993 when they were slowly phased out. They were completely gone by the time I was a rides ambassador in 1994, at that point everyone wore the Americana ride shirt/bandana costume. For many though, including myself, the themed costumes are a vivid part of early Worlds of Fun memories. Not surprising many changed over the years, but some were relatively resilient and changed very little. </p><p>I will use color photos when they are available, otherwise I will supplement with black and white when that's all I have. Photos are supplied by Jeff Mast and Debbie Reasoner. For those wondering why there are not more, and are under 30, please remember that when ambassadors wore costumes cameras also ONLY used film. Meaning photos, especially color photos, are much more rare for this time period.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_zJmBkKAvydc2MRyDyrRX71acjH5p7ZqL-z5Rv1j9y5d7pHFe2DCgFM3LBl_eLljNNTyvu_64EIPrexG5iHo1U_GLMqdBrMS_74yDfhu8nv5nr379oaJtewNife4RhJRxt5KahQThJ0ciOGYBGGJCRSkpLPSKFtZAKkGYhsPS8XimLhRa5d3COFW3dQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1675" data-original-width="2048" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_zJmBkKAvydc2MRyDyrRX71acjH5p7ZqL-z5Rv1j9y5d7pHFe2DCgFM3LBl_eLljNNTyvu_64EIPrexG5iHo1U_GLMqdBrMS_74yDfhu8nv5nr379oaJtewNife4RhJRxt5KahQThJ0ciOGYBGGJCRSkpLPSKFtZAKkGYhsPS8XimLhRa5d3COFW3dQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQDFAii2BGoAOasef18AXfBI8fhQ3avOjH1aQ3l6L3QU8ME_g23Q2S6deIj9Ez3h_zMcEDZzC9UlB9lmJZjNAqIjQK_XplQhtr8C7QoUDhdCA6zjOC3W1EXrHLsBOpHwYkuSbQmZ_vrn3i2ZRsVwGiQFZn_maooMmOImvPyliPabwCL89Y_GMR5RCb2w=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQDFAii2BGoAOasef18AXfBI8fhQ3avOjH1aQ3l6L3QU8ME_g23Q2S6deIj9Ez3h_zMcEDZzC9UlB9lmJZjNAqIjQK_XplQhtr8C7QoUDhdCA6zjOC3W1EXrHLsBOpHwYkuSbQmZ_vrn3i2ZRsVwGiQFZn_maooMmOImvPyliPabwCL89Y_GMR5RCb2w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to Debbie Reasoner we have several color photos of the old gate costumes. When guests arrived at the park this is how they were greeted, remembering that guests passed over the Henrietta upon arrival! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilVd-1l2uHB4ORUEDdY7ZmdzNGF7CIJ-Ifup1ti3NnxSnWLj9yhtoFG38Mt9p_tQDMcKrNzxbAh_FRecfCP2YyWShn4WgZFSEs_LJoem44gq_Vxp42_U1PHxbaGy-zgVkjwWNsQxaSCVsOyWolAS9Mqd5N-aHmUzAU09TV0oYxy8dz_Cj7ACDNW7KtTA=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1167" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilVd-1l2uHB4ORUEDdY7ZmdzNGF7CIJ-Ifup1ti3NnxSnWLj9yhtoFG38Mt9p_tQDMcKrNzxbAh_FRecfCP2YyWShn4WgZFSEs_LJoem44gq_Vxp42_U1PHxbaGy-zgVkjwWNsQxaSCVsOyWolAS9Mqd5N-aHmUzAU09TV0oYxy8dz_Cj7ACDNW7KtTA=s320" width="233" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Scattered through the park guests would find these lovely balloon girls...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Orient would be the first stop of many outside of Americana and it's one section we know changed color drastically over the years. The costumes started out orange, and became turquoise by the late 1980's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPortSNBYge_vCGlZGgUmLh_5ZlkHb52tOknmtBvm4hE0YCenLwVqzgdITEyl7qkYjWtS0yeLTJWHjXtn5ME0lUNroIa7dq5k__YGWbjCs7uQxPN_ZzE_Uwfn_JfBMsOSzeqi1R6iaBXeznAhdaZfWU3wcVruz7ZZIZhwMUCIbNePVv8TO9u01Mkt4Cw=s1022" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1022" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPortSNBYge_vCGlZGgUmLh_5ZlkHb52tOknmtBvm4hE0YCenLwVqzgdITEyl7qkYjWtS0yeLTJWHjXtn5ME0lUNroIa7dq5k__YGWbjCs7uQxPN_ZzE_Uwfn_JfBMsOSzeqi1R6iaBXeznAhdaZfWU3wcVruz7ZZIZhwMUCIbNePVv8TO9u01Mkt4Cw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the Oriental Octopus two male ambassadors load and unload the cars. An important detail to note is that until polo shirts took over all male ambassadors wore pants and women always wore shorts. This was true even in 1994 when individually themed costumes had been phased out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_UFnPztV2deCLmbHEY5-unrViTrg_O1Yuz-p20VnAR2Vh2rv0WCS4iF5kxMfXQutBxcM6kZJGvcI7YUqRyx_IxqXOG0P-z-LcY7GrCaDG5yIrQIc6TMM60qnC3B6-DITztdv4vIWn7LdYvWOcje3xetFN8hwV0nXEmdu-P3bO7d7Ih_sSIBvYNVQmeQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_UFnPztV2deCLmbHEY5-unrViTrg_O1Yuz-p20VnAR2Vh2rv0WCS4iF5kxMfXQutBxcM6kZJGvcI7YUqRyx_IxqXOG0P-z-LcY7GrCaDG5yIrQIc6TMM60qnC3B6-DITztdv4vIWn7LdYvWOcje3xetFN8hwV0nXEmdu-P3bO7d7Ih_sSIBvYNVQmeQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An early woman's costume from the Orient, standing in front of the original Rickshaw Richards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilVCjmeSZD5hFC_CdzHPSceDtCQuXvPuPdWR-AtLBzTPTyUUUBBGC9mduImpF7W_eteGuKCBdmVg6heE_xxdl8tIWrS3i6lLQtCN6o_vs2OWorgjTH3NsJ7QyhxdEaNklf5BRJXNz1aE-lCfbEiaKfcRHeMZANzCN2vKMgRkxIACP_Ibr-vvL8UGVkxw=s5760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="5760" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilVCjmeSZD5hFC_CdzHPSceDtCQuXvPuPdWR-AtLBzTPTyUUUBBGC9mduImpF7W_eteGuKCBdmVg6heE_xxdl8tIWrS3i6lLQtCN6o_vs2OWorgjTH3NsJ7QyhxdEaNklf5BRJXNz1aE-lCfbEiaKfcRHeMZANzCN2vKMgRkxIACP_Ibr-vvL8UGVkxw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A photo by Jeff Mast from the late 80's shows the newer woman's costume. You can't tell in this photo but it's turquoise. Another detail to easily tell age of a ambassador photo is by their name badge. If you compare the name badge in this photo with the one proceeding it, the rectangular badges were from the 1980's while the smaller badges with the round logo on top were from the 1970's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSU6yKL9yiJBonQupetfy9v43jM20HfSYdbofzDJeYaLmsPNEF4RuZomTRJJPyh4VrMoUgnqbYe3Z6_JVntRIKJCDKcxRT4Yc-RfQdwNDEhtucX9T5wje4fnUHgn1CTB2AvZxb42NCDSZmvj7WxrtML-gkeNZz-PLHAeJVqx25sv_hrn3ot4l6k_6LAw=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSU6yKL9yiJBonQupetfy9v43jM20HfSYdbofzDJeYaLmsPNEF4RuZomTRJJPyh4VrMoUgnqbYe3Z6_JVntRIKJCDKcxRT4Yc-RfQdwNDEhtucX9T5wje4fnUHgn1CTB2AvZxb42NCDSZmvj7WxrtML-gkeNZz-PLHAeJVqx25sv_hrn3ot4l6k_6LAw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The men's version, also turquoise. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj70XGyg0f7Fzs-D-tikjpMYDRzP2qqqy8xr08zLJrih7WBQ7dTaObDpDYMGUlhEP1kkrP3ELoHm45GNawe1Cano6ZtOYP2yHvE-hCmkXidTp-SoQcd_3BGdTNwhBU-QyPHBCm4aiL5p749dISDpCbdGOhvh_4VD9wPkpNQu_gNTZo12grwM5o5U2L-9A=s3012" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="3012" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj70XGyg0f7Fzs-D-tikjpMYDRzP2qqqy8xr08zLJrih7WBQ7dTaObDpDYMGUlhEP1kkrP3ELoHm45GNawe1Cano6ZtOYP2yHvE-hCmkXidTp-SoQcd_3BGdTNwhBU-QyPHBCm4aiL5p749dISDpCbdGOhvh_4VD9wPkpNQu_gNTZo12grwM5o5U2L-9A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moving onto to Scandinavia, we have ride ambassadors for Viking Voyager lined up in front of the old Norseman's Nicities sign. There were different costumes not only for men and women, but for different departments too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWNd6mfuaKajQ1fM8gQp9B_NnSFtI-ku4SVGr1gGKRyuPfQnf0jNTiozkQAL9WPohvzz2fWnrugfsV5xGXV6QlV9ZrFQ1Bb_IAzWRbDSKszQaHH_KudHfJGHGLZBlMn-SlluYOOCMSZ9Pt5zGxZAnhbKFIGq0AXsXg33ysX3KzLrGo3eWH2vQMZicofQ=s1980" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1980" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWNd6mfuaKajQ1fM8gQp9B_NnSFtI-ku4SVGr1gGKRyuPfQnf0jNTiozkQAL9WPohvzz2fWnrugfsV5xGXV6QlV9ZrFQ1Bb_IAzWRbDSKszQaHH_KudHfJGHGLZBlMn-SlluYOOCMSZ9Pt5zGxZAnhbKFIGq0AXsXg33ysX3KzLrGo3eWH2vQMZicofQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A photo by Jeff Mast shows the actual colors of these costumes. This photo is from Voyager unload.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvoIuEeGf0NGJzD6VCo_KVcItrUsW60XRYjv-WjQTPyTKrEIj6Ff2LTC1_anHu_ldL-AgV0sesl47I77IjfWBhUBAS0cHASHyE61b95_b_0QyHDB4gWVrBCjKXGUwuXA4ucFSz6ODYYkjSOganim9LIbSnGlWgMW9rfohtTaza1tS_3QW1zLw4T6_WJw=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvoIuEeGf0NGJzD6VCo_KVcItrUsW60XRYjv-WjQTPyTKrEIj6Ff2LTC1_anHu_ldL-AgV0sesl47I77IjfWBhUBAS0cHASHyE61b95_b_0QyHDB4gWVrBCjKXGUwuXA4ucFSz6ODYYkjSOganim9LIbSnGlWgMW9rfohtTaza1tS_3QW1zLw4T6_WJw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I believe these were Scandinavian retail costumes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLid7zlWPGR1-GWPya_GuYOqRBL_8d1O8lAGOI4f9Jgx6IAF7EulrVZF2MBhwW_NSz9toMF6vewEqEJayTWKNHWe9Aa_j5ykI0GybqrFe1ilT71VicvFCLAMiXYRMkPoRM5RH32iEaM6i24u8uEQnL_4NJmkmPyaj4goczKtn9k1mzI9bIEsN8xj2WjQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLid7zlWPGR1-GWPya_GuYOqRBL_8d1O8lAGOI4f9Jgx6IAF7EulrVZF2MBhwW_NSz9toMF6vewEqEJayTWKNHWe9Aa_j5ykI0GybqrFe1ilT71VicvFCLAMiXYRMkPoRM5RH32iEaM6i24u8uEQnL_4NJmkmPyaj4goczKtn9k1mzI9bIEsN8xj2WjQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And Scandinavian food service. Notice the 1970's name badges. These last two photos are by Debbie Reasoner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNTXQp-qLsddYc3D8hgFIBPWdHcSWfxn1W1zT3RBa3IHvHFNB-epstMBeupX69R27IOh6wC0yLFLiNJA6q-aGHXPOIdKj2YhjIPv2on3TydRTjoYNs2Jv_qset-17fvtcDiK9SLwihIa5c1KE6IQVIRQb78Q6uQUNKhujk5t0OOLNDfBNBkb3_D3DIgA=s5760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="5760" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNTXQp-qLsddYc3D8hgFIBPWdHcSWfxn1W1zT3RBa3IHvHFNB-epstMBeupX69R27IOh6wC0yLFLiNJA6q-aGHXPOIdKj2YhjIPv2on3TydRTjoYNs2Jv_qset-17fvtcDiK9SLwihIa5c1KE6IQVIRQb78Q6uQUNKhujk5t0OOLNDfBNBkb3_D3DIgA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moving onto Africa, and we find the panel operator not so busy in the Zinger station. African ambassadors wore khaki safari costumes. I have also been told that when Fury of the Nile first opened the costume included a safari helmet too but it didn't last long as they were incredibly hot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1l51gPqWFxAlxdxgOLj7EuuueCIS7dofFMq_zds6r-cENjAgeOz6MEH78k-aJ-5DdmVxlKQfg0Ba1IaU4EwjFelTCggwZyBqwTjbU9w4tin1S99FT-Dn8DRNGk3fn3m59Le9xFCZ_c9tV7A2e0zRc7rp6wM6YAGfYt-bAPBbdMioS3jlG0AV-G0W8qg=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1l51gPqWFxAlxdxgOLj7EuuueCIS7dofFMq_zds6r-cENjAgeOz6MEH78k-aJ-5DdmVxlKQfg0Ba1IaU4EwjFelTCggwZyBqwTjbU9w4tin1S99FT-Dn8DRNGk3fn3m59Le9xFCZ_c9tV7A2e0zRc7rp6wM6YAGfYt-bAPBbdMioS3jlG0AV-G0W8qg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A close up look at the Africa men's costume.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiauWzy4dBd0lz7O9pKitV0y6l-N1rkemYx8rul5qcNp6EDZEFUlfBVzUzmpH7xhW-Oe8fHTY5gfTRHwNpJknWwhCvRSpAJ8mTqi-9-RwwngoScAozi-f1iZUt8vPG_lDe8heA_MVbj8tBO3VRj9tWs--54LkjBLeFcZQPj1QSMichwW9_S-hyYs0cKVw=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1403" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiauWzy4dBd0lz7O9pKitV0y6l-N1rkemYx8rul5qcNp6EDZEFUlfBVzUzmpH7xhW-Oe8fHTY5gfTRHwNpJknWwhCvRSpAJ8mTqi-9-RwwngoScAozi-f1iZUt8vPG_lDe8heA_MVbj8tBO3VRj9tWs--54LkjBLeFcZQPj1QSMichwW9_S-hyYs0cKVw=s320" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And women's in front of Smor Bord. Notice again how women were always wearing shorts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5gKYvUdUm2uk4gMHFPkRne0H801euDomv7cAXlT6g7CVK_qwzSnnuKo-6l22xw0oQxURkQNz9f6lqPPgCXBoD1aAZadDya4nl0PAATwtbCutlQwTSq_WBkY3vcryZfTrvW4v9iEH150cpv5vl3oqCQSXF9ONrY490sa_9xU4DF0tRUALA6g4EC5dtbQ=s1447" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1447" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5gKYvUdUm2uk4gMHFPkRne0H801euDomv7cAXlT6g7CVK_qwzSnnuKo-6l22xw0oQxURkQNz9f6lqPPgCXBoD1aAZadDya4nl0PAATwtbCutlQwTSq_WBkY3vcryZfTrvW4v9iEH150cpv5vl3oqCQSXF9ONrY490sa_9xU4DF0tRUALA6g4EC5dtbQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moving up the hill to Europa, I don't have many photos of the Europa costume but I do have this one by Jeff Mast. Notice the Europa scarf that was often used for completely unintended purposes...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg03G4ylg_jBJY66_dwofjHexthB7dNczARpa08j-pSnIuHZnCW5dY4kY9zKbNVDUSimknvlA2o9tQm5S5ZNQkcBDYnyMKUlWe2J0ctIFb5Qxt1Djfr2iVLDVeJ-xzg0VQ955_CYugcf-8Xas06fqp_fmpVq5FNEvTtGVxEz0SUP5xXy4QDDdQAELeN8w=s2945" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2440" data-original-width="2945" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg03G4ylg_jBJY66_dwofjHexthB7dNczARpa08j-pSnIuHZnCW5dY4kY9zKbNVDUSimknvlA2o9tQm5S5ZNQkcBDYnyMKUlWe2J0ctIFb5Qxt1Djfr2iVLDVeJ-xzg0VQ955_CYugcf-8Xas06fqp_fmpVq5FNEvTtGVxEz0SUP5xXy4QDDdQAELeN8w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Aerodrome and Barnstormer had it's version of the aeronautical costume complete with captain bars on the shoulders. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdPdQrcOIvKxSVrV5I9Fe9MdvX7BzZBtlPNYCHJGj5etExeJ_o1MiFP4dLbEZga5Tf7vvGVWVqe6drSGkvkEXOzxjtP3rSwYNFvON9kxU13P17OZdT-4p_WAEwDLHMQelEAZW4boNSYbSl8gVXjgkSLv8Ld8D9Ej8ycMm-kslh-E7fgmp4pY03c9CobQ=s5760" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="5760" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdPdQrcOIvKxSVrV5I9Fe9MdvX7BzZBtlPNYCHJGj5etExeJ_o1MiFP4dLbEZga5Tf7vvGVWVqe6drSGkvkEXOzxjtP3rSwYNFvON9kxU13P17OZdT-4p_WAEwDLHMQelEAZW4boNSYbSl8gVXjgkSLv8Ld8D9Ej8ycMm-kslh-E7fgmp4pY03c9CobQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As areas of the park were expanded they too received their own costumes. These were the Pandamonium costumes, which were quite plain but very colorful (the stripes were various bright colors).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1Flxtc__Cc8rCYoMxkJwGxVLpR75sAmDBKC7DwJe6Y13VfRg71anBsLRC8cCMTnJqq7MLUpQ5j1TDVXf_a6vawBfuggvjvaef9MYyFCQdVEiXKVWj6exbfrdF4iLP1DnZJ9L-ZhG5XcHt30CpBr3t_h3YQbTEwpmgzEHdomNbeWJ27vbalaVezjP8yQ=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1Flxtc__Cc8rCYoMxkJwGxVLpR75sAmDBKC7DwJe6Y13VfRg71anBsLRC8cCMTnJqq7MLUpQ5j1TDVXf_a6vawBfuggvjvaef9MYyFCQdVEiXKVWj6exbfrdF4iLP1DnZJ9L-ZhG5XcHt30CpBr3t_h3YQbTEwpmgzEHdomNbeWJ27vbalaVezjP8yQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">EXT or Extremeroller probably had my absolute favorite ambassador costume, the "Buck Rogers" costume as I like to call it. It was updated in 1986 with the addition of Omegatron. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is only a small taste of the various costumes park ambassadors would wear over the first twenty years of the park's operation. It's amazing to think that these polyester nightmares existed for not even half of the park's operational years, yet are still so memorable and integral to many's early memories of the park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No blog on park costuming would be complete without mentioning the group of dedicated seamstresses and costumers responsible for creating these multitude of outfits. Let's not forget Worlds of Fun employees even to this day thousands of seasonal ambassadors every year! They then as now all need something to wear! To this day, costuming at Worlds of Fun still is running full steam ahead and creates costumes not just for Worlds of Fun but many other Cedar Fair parks as well! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-85993072449103359372022-01-01T10:33:00.004-06:002022-01-01T17:23:56.037-06:002022: A New Year with New Anniversaries! <div class="separator"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRKzJHHYJGAx8de0XjEI3CNjNon2MTEJhwYnJYce6KpIas26AckTVlp-fM-bwXfrKBzGPrDWCGy3SOQlTP-w8gWvfcPnsS2WVqxOz6rEaV6yTvYbsaPZ9YCGOastkQzK3h15Phohr7gJE8V4O84Whg4MY6zROfcMQyNVad_6SDaLTNnBUCn9EU_PSh4g=s6792" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6065" data-original-width="6792" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRKzJHHYJGAx8de0XjEI3CNjNon2MTEJhwYnJYce6KpIas26AckTVlp-fM-bwXfrKBzGPrDWCGy3SOQlTP-w8gWvfcPnsS2WVqxOz6rEaV6yTvYbsaPZ9YCGOastkQzK3h15Phohr7gJE8V4O84Whg4MY6zROfcMQyNVad_6SDaLTNnBUCn9EU_PSh4g=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 Years of Making' Magic logo from 1982. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">Another year gone, and though 2021 wasn’t all we dreamed of after 2020, at least Worlds of Fun seemed to have a somewhat more normal season, Worlds of Fun-lightish. 2022 is here, and 2023 is right around the corner and with it some of the biggest anniversaries we will ever have, the 50th of Worlds of Fun and the 25th of Mamba just to cover the shortlist. But we aren’t there yet. 2022 has plenty to keep us all occupied. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSd1xmcYhnkRDQIU60v5_sErJaTITc9x3o5hRF_dIoxTWCQyv3KDmVFxyDs-pH4EPTzTbuE0BhasQxovC-a9f-AtmLf-pfNeIDLdWist1mGVv_jQiLt8i3a17jhHsH2w-Mc2cBvYA12EGaofAyNbxu9QrmhExsZnu5dlG2cw-3Y5dSaq6zYwt-bWNIlQ=s5931" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4839" data-original-width="5931" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSd1xmcYhnkRDQIU60v5_sErJaTITc9x3o5hRF_dIoxTWCQyv3KDmVFxyDs-pH4EPTzTbuE0BhasQxovC-a9f-AtmLf-pfNeIDLdWist1mGVv_jQiLt8i3a17jhHsH2w-Mc2cBvYA12EGaofAyNbxu9QrmhExsZnu5dlG2cw-3Y5dSaq6zYwt-bWNIlQ=w400-h326" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting up the original Oceans of Fun sign</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The biggest anniversary of them all is Oceans of Fun which will turn 40 years old in 2022, but in a very strange twist, also celebrates its 40th season the same year. Keeping in mind with anniversaries there is no year ZERO, but there is a season ONE. Thanks to dear COVID Oceans didn’t open at all in 2020 so we went from Season 38 in 2019 to Season 39 in 2021. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQg_BCO-xcQHl6_ZK1stUYJFW0BtPZ2MwgZw7eOM17sMW7irxyc1N48Q2XM0AQjytY08T-AwQCfEPfQK3oYKayvxMK3I-8744fRLEFpRma6HAH0QYAnuzAOpsMV0a6pJgadC07z2-QV_w8VVtbUlzrkWXmuwBk1dWQbXTtbXg5atlYbPwaCJhEFUISpw=s5371" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3979" data-original-width="5371" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQg_BCO-xcQHl6_ZK1stUYJFW0BtPZ2MwgZw7eOM17sMW7irxyc1N48Q2XM0AQjytY08T-AwQCfEPfQK3oYKayvxMK3I-8744fRLEFpRma6HAH0QYAnuzAOpsMV0a6pJgadC07z2-QV_w8VVtbUlzrkWXmuwBk1dWQbXTtbXg5atlYbPwaCJhEFUISpw=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 25th Anniversary celebrated in 1997. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This brings us to the next item. Oceans of Fun along with the Worlds of Fun additions of River City Rampage (Fjörd Fjärlene) and Country Junction were added for the park’s 10th anniversary in 1982 (10 Years of Makin’ Magic). If the 10th anniversary was in 1982 why isn’t the 50th in 2022? We can’t blame COVID this time. The truth is far more fascinating, and it goes back to who is running the show. When Mid-America Enterprises/Hunt Midwest owned the park they celebrated most anniversaries on the season number. So, the 10th anniversary was 1982, the 15th anniversary was 1987, the 20th was 1992, and so on. When Cedar Fair took over in 1995 they continued that making the 25th anniversary 1997, and the 30th in 2002. Then they changed everything in 2007. There was no 35th in 2007, the 35th anniversary was celebrated in 2008! On the year number instead of season number. That’s how we ended up with 2023 being the 50th anniversary and NOT 2022. Of course, we could always do what Disney does and celebrate it BOTH years.18-month celebration! Drinks at Belly Up Bar for everyone!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Speaking of Belly Up Bar. Let’s take a look at our ride anniversaries for 2022:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2017: 5th Anniversary: Falcon’s Flight/Mustang Runner/New Gate</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2012: 10th Anniversary: Zombie High opens during Halloween Haunt</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2007: 15th Anniversary: Bloodshed opens during Halloween Haunt</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2002: 20th Anniversary: ThunderHawk</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1997: 25th Anniversary: Bearenstain Bear Country/Summer Spectacular</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1992: 30th Anniversary: Monsoon/Same Day Gateway/Coconut Cove</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1987: 35th Anniversary: Pandamonium/Caribbean Cooler</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1982: 40th Anniversary: River City Rampage/Oceans of Fun/Country Junction Theater</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1977: 45th Anniversary: Singapore Sling/Wobble Wheel/Bounce a Roos/Half Pint’s Peak/Micro Moto Bahn/Floral Clock</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggiyby-RUZXUDI4tTX5vedxINqtdJ9IY28X1-58Gvu8LAfEiMHmANWjxoVTBtbOaZU2MN-9FP7Syyc5j9j_j3EtVZ5YoV2edkFM7PK4pnaR8ZShjuW47QUOKrsEJvAfL4XCVLC2F_Z_ra34FWjUgcNdbA_UYyoyJFXYYLpjH9jYsIkjR65RL28MEHA8A=s4040" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2623" data-original-width="4040" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggiyby-RUZXUDI4tTX5vedxINqtdJ9IY28X1-58Gvu8LAfEiMHmANWjxoVTBtbOaZU2MN-9FP7Syyc5j9j_j3EtVZ5YoV2edkFM7PK4pnaR8ZShjuW47QUOKrsEJvAfL4XCVLC2F_Z_ra34FWjUgcNdbA_UYyoyJFXYYLpjH9jYsIkjR65RL28MEHA8A=w400-h260" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>1977: 45th Anniversary: Bamboozler</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After the park would open in 1973 several new attractions would be welcomed to the park over the following years. One of the earliest additions that is still in operation today is Bamboozler. In 2022 Bamboozler turns 45 years old. Bamboozler, or as it was known in 1977, Singapore Sling was one of five major additions to the park, one in each themed area. Singapore Sling went to the Orient, while Wobble Wheel went to Americana, (removed in 1993), Bounce a Roos to Europa (removed in 2010), Half Pint’s Peak (removed in 1986), and the Floral Clock and Nairobi Nigel’s Pygmy Playhouse in Africa. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyD0hVvjOg47ou3hUB6_BQWkObW5EPRct3bEvUsnhOSj1GRmVu_Ion4k8Swq2eVs9oc2dwElmCUKYlLi-UxLe7dLnyhzaKLqp2RvgqbN0emxfudHWNVILHkk3hn59GcodZIjqM5Nj5ivMtBf7aqppjyy1uqlIt-l2Coafaj90QEfy0cMB9YEUAnjy5ug=s3602" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2709" data-original-width="3602" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyD0hVvjOg47ou3hUB6_BQWkObW5EPRct3bEvUsnhOSj1GRmVu_Ion4k8Swq2eVs9oc2dwElmCUKYlLi-UxLe7dLnyhzaKLqp2RvgqbN0emxfudHWNVILHkk3hn59GcodZIjqM5Nj5ivMtBf7aqppjyy1uqlIt-l2Coafaj90QEfy0cMB9YEUAnjy5ug=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore Sling in 1977, using the same queue entrance that would be re-used by Orient Express in 1980.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzNN2CkmVLAQcgIHlemHXFiboNI0g2JcdzV3NfT2w6x_aL6cu8M8PwrHNDZfQks2mknVpInp4mUFOx1Zp4nkM_JESuIVO5478Rh4Kl3vZL22AcF9Dyh4arnvmmiILi15_kpD8QRvM2tSMiT0ojnQq0Dnyv4ERTllCaECuZfWohobyoN-RDV4u6bkvkvQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzNN2CkmVLAQcgIHlemHXFiboNI0g2JcdzV3NfT2w6x_aL6cu8M8PwrHNDZfQks2mknVpInp4mUFOx1Zp4nkM_JESuIVO5478Rh4Kl3vZL22AcF9Dyh4arnvmmiILi15_kpD8QRvM2tSMiT0ojnQq0Dnyv4ERTllCaECuZfWohobyoN-RDV4u6bkvkvQ=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bamboozler today. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While Singapore Sling was added in the Orient, it wasn’t in the same place that it is today, as Octopus was there until 1983. Instead, it was located about where Spinning Dragon’s exit is today, or where the entrance to Orient Express was previously. In fact, Orient Express would re-use the queue line from Singapore Sling in 1980! Also in 1980, Singapore Sling would be moved to Americana and become Whirligig up in the old Bicentennial Square (where Thunderhawk was most recently). Like many rides in that corner of the park it was affected by high winds and wouldn’t operate frequently, so when Octopus was moved out of the Orient, the newly re-named (AGAIN!) Bamboozler was moved into its place. And it’s there today.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1jQ-mDz4n3gkMd_n167SNDU0Y6zmf8CqyIgZ8nU7WWOFUTrDM_uJEibL_vrlIKpN319m3cQKPazTG0ZPFl9cGrJU9uN8S-KRLB4-_nGBURMTilqzR00QDkzsow3xfeQiTq5DHZ8qPd550EnvTr1zqhWNea_PpvhsXUxAocZDiezqI3ldMGPTjmyJhKA=s4277" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3035" data-original-width="4277" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1jQ-mDz4n3gkMd_n167SNDU0Y6zmf8CqyIgZ8nU7WWOFUTrDM_uJEibL_vrlIKpN319m3cQKPazTG0ZPFl9cGrJU9uN8S-KRLB4-_nGBURMTilqzR00QDkzsow3xfeQiTq5DHZ8qPd550EnvTr1zqhWNea_PpvhsXUxAocZDiezqI3ldMGPTjmyJhKA=w400-h284" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Surf City Wave Pool in 1982.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8sX3RECkX5hXeNKH3gth5RKGugjABPI8J9yVQjS7-jr7qhHjkyabiPg7gpniRk2VhpKnu2Z9N-8gOZutV348yju8bQ74HJDhL3zsKCXBYcGfB6OrEkzM-k9bORioeE9BQzM3xODhEB_-SiQZ66H2VKcgz4_XpavtljEVgsjI4XEbpyk2jFc9qMBhoKQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8sX3RECkX5hXeNKH3gth5RKGugjABPI8J9yVQjS7-jr7qhHjkyabiPg7gpniRk2VhpKnu2Z9N-8gOZutV348yju8bQ74HJDhL3zsKCXBYcGfB6OrEkzM-k9bORioeE9BQzM3xODhEB_-SiQZ66H2VKcgz4_XpavtljEVgsjI4XEbpyk2jFc9qMBhoKQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oceans of Fun gate in 1987.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3GrzbVLQ3lfzGinmEPI55tCDpp2JH96HfrFicXAY3sCEjwCWQE_D9qbca38UOpwrxs0VniWuI4Sq_DpEn3XlBgk8VtZHcZyarhPvJcqM-IF2NnSwiAbxSwqgcCmgVfK5jLh1n7UNYV_vRwPyqytXfdUPi0FiuL0NL-ebGvIqbkk2nalHJtBupUS4sVQ=s3554" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3554" data-original-width="2321" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3GrzbVLQ3lfzGinmEPI55tCDpp2JH96HfrFicXAY3sCEjwCWQE_D9qbca38UOpwrxs0VniWuI4Sq_DpEn3XlBgk8VtZHcZyarhPvJcqM-IF2NnSwiAbxSwqgcCmgVfK5jLh1n7UNYV_vRwPyqytXfdUPi0FiuL0NL-ebGvIqbkk2nalHJtBupUS4sVQ=s320" width="209" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belly Up Bar in 1982</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>1982: 40th Anniversary: Oceans of Fun, River City Rampage, and Country Junction</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When a park celebrates a big anniversary you expect big things. Worlds of Fun delivered for its 10th anniversary! It not only added several new attractions to Worlds of Fun, but it also added a whole new park, Oceans of Fun! Oceans of Fun was built as the world’s largest water park, spread over 60 acres which advertised 30 different attractions! Though the park has changed over its 40 years, it is still home to two original attractions the Surf City Wave Pool and Castaway Cove/Belly Up Bar. In recent years Oceans of Fun has become synonymous with Worlds of Fun since they are a single admission today. However, back in 1982 that was not the case, guests had to physically drive and park at both parks separately. That’s an important point to remember.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAyYECVnMQs7GSo8G3UUx4OdYx4gGaAk9hp_S6z8zpnXlmqmR5T-Rd0J0Pt8f09vn06Z-PmrK-9Phnt79a6z2u652ufUcYeioIjYnJjRvxrAJltac0sTtI3iugUdu9bpOLTQDmSktBK6WLz4cy_AIe_FW2UiGYjK5va2tmX7YULfWQCNtgXvYtVG3feQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAyYECVnMQs7GSo8G3UUx4OdYx4gGaAk9hp_S6z8zpnXlmqmR5T-Rd0J0Pt8f09vn06Z-PmrK-9Phnt79a6z2u652ufUcYeioIjYnJjRvxrAJltac0sTtI3iugUdu9bpOLTQDmSktBK6WLz4cy_AIe_FW2UiGYjK5va2tmX7YULfWQCNtgXvYtVG3feQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River City Rampage in 1982</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGP7Rp7jNJNJ5z88eV4VJTPQ04mKpF2y7jyKWynentA3G5OYo-fpPI0xRasFOm204bWKYDI_gc559wwPhEcjjc2uqfTjisCt9ig75ZlO6r_0Mvseqs4QMJN-wfQif4_nRyj5XjxnwovPgvEsq-K55YR8vbas27o9vlDuitzgAwj_hzIoHfDPuVFox7vA=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhGP7Rp7jNJNJ5z88eV4VJTPQ04mKpF2y7jyKWynentA3G5OYo-fpPI0xRasFOm204bWKYDI_gc559wwPhEcjjc2uqfTjisCt9ig75ZlO6r_0Mvseqs4QMJN-wfQif4_nRyj5XjxnwovPgvEsq-K55YR8vbas27o9vlDuitzgAwj_hzIoHfDPuVFox7vA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fjörd Fjärlane today. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At Worlds, things weren’t stagnant either. The new River City area would be an expansion of the Americana section of the park, an area that today is known as Patriot’s Landing. River City would be composed of wharf-themed shops and the River City Rampage, a ride that celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Today River City Rampage is known as Fjörd Fjärlane. In 1991 it was moved to Scandinavia and re-named to make way for the “new” Rockin’ Reeler and Beat Street re-theme. Fjärlane is still a very popular ride but is often confused for a Huss Swing Around, when it is a knock-off by Japanese manufacturing company Meisho, today known as Sanoyas Rides.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicnx8r1FgDOPuxRXuDcLsosHLtKwgi_jfM0VimFILbax0Y-ZfDZddijgjmcU2T1or3RncwqvEd1pt35trF4cupk8GUISIXDU63Oa47wjhBHGaLB53NEWc_U95J0dArZUt89MfNO3Raizp7O1fAsOGKxZh9D6aMymlpoOWgVOINzUfFF_z_OXHUEQ42cQ=s3974" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3148" data-original-width="3974" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicnx8r1FgDOPuxRXuDcLsosHLtKwgi_jfM0VimFILbax0Y-ZfDZddijgjmcU2T1or3RncwqvEd1pt35trF4cupk8GUISIXDU63Oa47wjhBHGaLB53NEWc_U95J0dArZUt89MfNO3Raizp7O1fAsOGKxZh9D6aMymlpoOWgVOINzUfFF_z_OXHUEQ42cQ=w400-h316" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction of Country Junction and River City</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0jAurK0Y-5dUEof6jmONYnPhg8xRcbTVv0yJaHn9egAj61POTzQfpJOVX_6gITfFATen2OVOOciX3vfQNNxu_-WxItDXO2kPc1yGPnY0Jj_q99lX2IQb1SLP2KzXwh_jewHVjmeNkQAcM-lDTKr9CUFt_cX7y-UaQwZBapxs8LcaM21abi2iivFb6WQ=s5987" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4748" data-original-width="5987" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0jAurK0Y-5dUEof6jmONYnPhg8xRcbTVv0yJaHn9egAj61POTzQfpJOVX_6gITfFATen2OVOOciX3vfQNNxu_-WxItDXO2kPc1yGPnY0Jj_q99lX2IQb1SLP2KzXwh_jewHVjmeNkQAcM-lDTKr9CUFt_cX7y-UaQwZBapxs8LcaM21abi2iivFb6WQ=w400-h318" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concept art for River City and Country Junction. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As if a new thrill ride, new area, and whole new water park were not enough for the 10th anniversary of the park, Worlds of Fun added a new theater in 1982 too! Country Junction, located next to the train depot would premier for the 1982 season with a Nashville-themed variety show featuring an 11-performer cast. </span></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhniIjDpSGY0s6t0j37aIxhpqfPP6o-WOch86b8trhn5sATnPAP-I1tDqa69p9Ln7CRvWHMDK4HL1FzWXun278QrZU4Je8aTaD1uAjcAvtaxko-sM3JfFIkPY9Ryu6JBBfjH3YbvBKSx0j4u7Kp6KHBPz66bv6hir8SPy2B4xljS7ngaKdTM4md8CQuOg=s6265" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4829" data-original-width="6265" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhniIjDpSGY0s6t0j37aIxhpqfPP6o-WOch86b8trhn5sATnPAP-I1tDqa69p9Ln7CRvWHMDK4HL1FzWXun278QrZU4Je8aTaD1uAjcAvtaxko-sM3JfFIkPY9Ryu6JBBfjH3YbvBKSx0j4u7Kp6KHBPz66bv6hir8SPy2B4xljS7ngaKdTM4md8CQuOg=w400-h309" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concept art for Caribbean Cooler.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcpYEwzWgp6AdyL0wRc0xQnP9oBhF73rEIMXqEK8G_bbhxxAxV0JjN-WnNAcp9IOc0-V4SL2BKldkQEWg1TLIBPbwOuL29uQu6tSap-c0nvOFXgIVE_iBpSRrQPUnNcf0uMO82cb0KHEQv-H6BbggjcoZem8ZsGWCPIXXdj1PoPYN-XDhikNzRPUJHPA=s2016" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcpYEwzWgp6AdyL0wRc0xQnP9oBhF73rEIMXqEK8G_bbhxxAxV0JjN-WnNAcp9IOc0-V4SL2BKldkQEWg1TLIBPbwOuL29uQu6tSap-c0nvOFXgIVE_iBpSRrQPUnNcf0uMO82cb0KHEQv-H6BbggjcoZem8ZsGWCPIXXdj1PoPYN-XDhikNzRPUJHPA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caribbean Cooler when it first opened in 1987, 35 years ago<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>1987: 35th Anniversary: Caribbean Cooler and Pandamonium!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For the park’s 15th anniversary the attention would again be turned to Oceans of Fun, with the addition of the Caribbean Cooler an 810-foot long lazy river. Today it's nearly impossible to imagine an Oceans of Fun without it, but it and its memorable bright green astroturf that surrounded it was the first big expansion at the park since 1983. Designed by Burns and McDonnell, Caribbean Cooler is still as popular today as it was 35 years ago. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglqaqnxrbl92IKgOGOdEDBhtSaW40Mc9jNpOrQjpjuZulaGKxgbSsiNNK4jL0n2Stsk6KOAfnjxqTJkM4LiscANZE2KRBRGEnwzqpd3IBJfd1nGxZ2ReF2qr16d2hOcbtW7eXY57scdAbuFpB4tnb8OLWVhFhNbXuU65bToeWld_IrRfnFuK1V43arUw=s2910" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="2910" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglqaqnxrbl92IKgOGOdEDBhtSaW40Mc9jNpOrQjpjuZulaGKxgbSsiNNK4jL0n2Stsk6KOAfnjxqTJkM4LiscANZE2KRBRGEnwzqpd3IBJfd1nGxZ2ReF2qr16d2hOcbtW7eXY57scdAbuFpB4tnb8OLWVhFhNbXuU65bToeWld_IrRfnFuK1V43arUw=w320-h219" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turntyke turns 35 years old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwPKrObdd1DYOFM-PUg93qrCdcpFpjsKGMeFik2sVMPOs3oCcMS0tpcYh221SDLfDpsdsJe5jl_0GhjiADllGgTyMv73dWX-5ghxwLDiGuMinoiUHhWATsEKltt5YOsjDRDrJBALBAHM2Hb7TO2pem4MDv3sZOcljaEzprtp9DiKVL5JwvWrsYnn6CPQ=s3537" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2345" data-original-width="3537" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwPKrObdd1DYOFM-PUg93qrCdcpFpjsKGMeFik2sVMPOs3oCcMS0tpcYh221SDLfDpsdsJe5jl_0GhjiADllGgTyMv73dWX-5ghxwLDiGuMinoiUHhWATsEKltt5YOsjDRDrJBALBAHM2Hb7TO2pem4MDv3sZOcljaEzprtp9DiKVL5JwvWrsYnn6CPQ=w320-h213" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So does Swing a Ling. </div><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Like 1982, Worlds of Fun also saw a new addition too with Pandamonium. Though Pandamonium no longer exists, the area where it was located is still a kid’s area, today known as Planet Snoopy. Two of the four rides introduced for Pandamonium still exist too! TurnTyke (Peanut’s Turntyke) and Swing a Ling (Charlie Brown’s Wind-up) both still operate.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibxiBYR3kgp9QjGHo-uN-V8rRYyRS1QjB-r-iaCrdcCUrwma8MigSOUrANNqlY1CnabBwpHpyutStBeV57C5HU10B3kij3bwQ55I7E-RUw_RPn8zEU856r-1ykZaEpVbL6rzycm2oKidcvCCFeGbhKaatQJue7nerjxykWMWQpS6l2ZkrMexXdWFmX0w=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibxiBYR3kgp9QjGHo-uN-V8rRYyRS1QjB-r-iaCrdcCUrwma8MigSOUrANNqlY1CnabBwpHpyutStBeV57C5HU10B3kij3bwQ55I7E-RUw_RPn8zEU856r-1ykZaEpVbL6rzycm2oKidcvCCFeGbhKaatQJue7nerjxykWMWQpS6l2ZkrMexXdWFmX0w=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same Day Gateway booth that existed from 1992 until 2012. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYFCAf0yUs2_w9nSiIjV6rFfQZcAfekdnpFY_vYP-v6ztsKTL4wn6lmH5tmxOts8XfOFipB9OmlL_Z4T8mx-R4r7LDkj9Uv76NNY2M-ZVZDiSO5Hfwfh4L7sTrqULwlGhk3lLVLN3MRxz-j-dHpRsfGckDkHn465afCAaxTBQMHelYkFYzqpBnephqbA=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYFCAf0yUs2_w9nSiIjV6rFfQZcAfekdnpFY_vYP-v6ztsKTL4wn6lmH5tmxOts8XfOFipB9OmlL_Z4T8mx-R4r7LDkj9Uv76NNY2M-ZVZDiSO5Hfwfh4L7sTrqULwlGhk3lLVLN3MRxz-j-dHpRsfGckDkHn465afCAaxTBQMHelYkFYzqpBnephqbA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monsoon with its infamous "border wall". One side was Worlds of Fun and one side was Oceans of Fun.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>1992: 30th Anniversary: Monsoon, Coconut Cove, and Same Day Gateway</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The trend for Oceans of Fun expansions on park anniversaries continued with 1992. Monsoon, today is just known as an Oceans of Fun attraction opened originally as a shared attraction between Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun. Not entirely technologically innovative, Monsoon was manufactured by Intamin Rides, the same company that built Fury of the Nile. What made Monsoon different was its unique joining of the two parks. Before 1992, both Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun were completely separate, to move between the two parks you had to physically drive between the two parking lots and enter each of the separate gates. With Monsoon came the Same Day Gateway. While both parks would remain separate admissions until 2013, with the Same Day Gateway guests could now walk between the two parks. The fact that both parks were separate admissions created a bizarre yet very real “border wall” at the Monsoon exit, and many Monsoon ambassadors jokingly referred to themselves as the “border protection agents”. The wall finally came down in 2013 when both parks were joined together as part of one admission price.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJcEKK9Ew0cSjqIbna6zCmrdYtwtAS5Ush_AvUP4naJ6hpaIoUll7jcxJhEL9TE1nr1aUSgPWyCO17iZZrefqpFpprRJK2xL33eY32NIBko9gP6oSq4zUowwkloG0wqFlfRblkb0HlnHnyWLeCi0mkgXSqOoGQgvsuOZ-exaHjjWLH81hY1ww6mL-CEg=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJcEKK9Ew0cSjqIbna6zCmrdYtwtAS5Ush_AvUP4naJ6hpaIoUll7jcxJhEL9TE1nr1aUSgPWyCO17iZZrefqpFpprRJK2xL33eY32NIBko9gP6oSq4zUowwkloG0wqFlfRblkb0HlnHnyWLeCi0mkgXSqOoGQgvsuOZ-exaHjjWLH81hY1ww6mL-CEg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Neptune's Lagoon.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4ey51OLGgrwN7XPXgbbAfpCWicJ9aZ83dNqjycIGGHf8Bh_hjxinLSDWDeO-jrtjFwEtyydgSOnomMLK1rllt7T3HOYGXK6ieLWXDSzu0jWMFZXANUuvCdmacFvn7lTIh9vGiJACLDbJLFfrlrgNAzaFIOWWkLBUgHkS_JuHnL0Pi-09Jppe-zkp24w=s1536" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4ey51OLGgrwN7XPXgbbAfpCWicJ9aZ83dNqjycIGGHf8Bh_hjxinLSDWDeO-jrtjFwEtyydgSOnomMLK1rllt7T3HOYGXK6ieLWXDSzu0jWMFZXANUuvCdmacFvn7lTIh9vGiJACLDbJLFfrlrgNAzaFIOWWkLBUgHkS_JuHnL0Pi-09Jppe-zkp24w=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it's 1992 replacement, Coconut Cove. Definitely an upgrade!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Nearby to Monsoon is Coconut Cove, described by Hunt Midwest as 20,000 square foot super pool. Filled with play toys, small slides, and in 1993 Aruba Tuba, Coconut Cove replaced the original, Neptune’s Lagoon. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqzHQ1WPJ1pqpoQrTjfOvDTRt-Qo-kUY_jwBr24ydBeHH7HVqaxn9-XGOh0-dy7CrQEA7SN-r8nYr9dUaNV0_vLAiKkyvjIowEIP6Qdfp76JegNO6xuaAYXOtrT12z30H0XbzsnCKIpARw3BO34zJfU_5eQB4Y8dUI61CpWzgVSNGdQpZkaMeeyphEEw=s3872" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiqzHQ1WPJ1pqpoQrTjfOvDTRt-Qo-kUY_jwBr24ydBeHH7HVqaxn9-XGOh0-dy7CrQEA7SN-r8nYr9dUaNV0_vLAiKkyvjIowEIP6Qdfp76JegNO6xuaAYXOtrT12z30H0XbzsnCKIpARw3BO34zJfU_5eQB4Y8dUI61CpWzgVSNGdQpZkaMeeyphEEw=w400-h268" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bloodshed turns 15 years old in 2022.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>2007 & 2012: 15th and 10th anniversary: Bloodshed and Zombie High</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the past few years, I haven’t included any of the Haunts, but someone mentioned how Haunt coming back in 2021 was one of their favorite memories… and how can haunt be a favorite memory if it isn’t at least an attraction? In 2007 the park introduced its first haunt specifically built to be a haunt, Bloodshed. 2007 was also the first year that the park changed the name of the event from Halloweekends to Haunt. In much the same way Zombie High was also a completely independent structure built specifically for a Haunt. Zombie High will be celebrating 10 years this year as it opened in 2012. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaYDL2TPLCtt2olsYDjM3s8TY1VuPrMULitqB54_0Q59jWWYWOSWE6D8iG9ioFuqrPWcO3XdzcdVvG8siGuHo5AunBACmVJzUy5Iy3fnaqbYOo067YhxM7TJlq7BkHsiPE4x8Z7YuKu8tMF0Anhu0qandEC6pyRmQMX81eRqEC0g1JcZLTWhjdgenxcw=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaYDL2TPLCtt2olsYDjM3s8TY1VuPrMULitqB54_0Q59jWWYWOSWE6D8iG9ioFuqrPWcO3XdzcdVvG8siGuHo5AunBACmVJzUy5Iy3fnaqbYOo067YhxM7TJlq7BkHsiPE4x8Z7YuKu8tMF0Anhu0qandEC6pyRmQMX81eRqEC0g1JcZLTWhjdgenxcw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mustang Runner turns five years old in 2022.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7iHPbT4iWPKT_1bK2QDKgMIBLsP_uq8jLtuUGYeHfFli-sSrhjr-tBVGPFWzXMtQm9kImVKLQ2DgiKJyjcXhxi1lqZcc53Tjs32lQc5Savn0drV5A8iELWWEUjtaD0ReBdsKRlAYnSKmoRoKmB4uLpGP1YoDQ2QnkgsYE7du2OEM43oeXpSBqr8g1NA=s1632" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1632" data-original-width="1224" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7iHPbT4iWPKT_1bK2QDKgMIBLsP_uq8jLtuUGYeHfFli-sSrhjr-tBVGPFWzXMtQm9kImVKLQ2DgiKJyjcXhxi1lqZcc53Tjs32lQc5Savn0drV5A8iELWWEUjtaD0ReBdsKRlAYnSKmoRoKmB4uLpGP1YoDQ2QnkgsYE7du2OEM43oeXpSBqr8g1NA=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proving that it really has operated in prior years...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>2017: 5th Anniversary: Mustang Runner, Falcon’s Flight, and Park Gate</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Five years ago Worlds of Fun not only introduced Mustang Runner and Falcon’s Flight but also replaced the old Scandinavian back gate with the new main gate we enjoy today! It’s surprising to realize that all occurred five years ago as it feels like in many ways it was only a year or two ago. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Then There are the Rest...</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A few attractions that should be celebrating anniversaries this year but can't because they no longer exist. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8Yt0lmwkX6MsEcRKFaWvCZuxe2p_EszBKHASkvcneiY0vrxzNFZ9DZS4hYCNd5L7P1A5LR90b45IWRmGY19zMSESlxhsyFSERmQ2mRkYMNaKJnTJj4xNWzD9-iMSa9osPZsnNcOaEPmAqYi5dUG_sIiLl0OeHpLVtE2ddR8VjshBjetqn85g4EMJuhQ=s1280" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8Yt0lmwkX6MsEcRKFaWvCZuxe2p_EszBKHASkvcneiY0vrxzNFZ9DZS4hYCNd5L7P1A5LR90b45IWRmGY19zMSESlxhsyFSERmQ2mRkYMNaKJnTJj4xNWzD9-iMSa9osPZsnNcOaEPmAqYi5dUG_sIiLl0OeHpLVtE2ddR8VjshBjetqn85g4EMJuhQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bearenstain Bear Country was introduced in 1997 and was one of the shortest lived attractions lasting only until 2000. It would have been 25 years old this year. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJSvOpoflO5zaRSE54F9_Y4J-Fap4VD1tyomlnPWPeAEP16_eZKf6M5Ia2Eey6oCPfE6IQ46z0TwZ65zhOewXshRm-mwhRko2obtdjgir3aXUCJtmo6LVLmd6xnB_qySmGXdC7DFRi93tL6vVDDJEWodF1QnjN5tItmWF5PET4qdL3RVwSQ198a8SdlA=s1152" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJSvOpoflO5zaRSE54F9_Y4J-Fap4VD1tyomlnPWPeAEP16_eZKf6M5Ia2Eey6oCPfE6IQ46z0TwZ65zhOewXshRm-mwhRko2obtdjgir3aXUCJtmo6LVLmd6xnB_qySmGXdC7DFRi93tL6vVDDJEWodF1QnjN5tItmWF5PET4qdL3RVwSQ198a8SdlA=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thunderhawk was Worlds of Fun's lawn ornament before Falcon's Flight, but it operated for several years before it obtained that status. Funny enough they are both Huss rides. Thunderhawk was introduced in 2002 and would be 20 years old this year.<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4834031930828437644.post-38580350356113805732021-12-04T14:24:00.002-06:002021-12-04T18:57:55.585-06:00From Foam Mountains to Outer Space: An evolution of Worlds of Fun's children's areas Part II <p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">We left off in our last episode in 1986, with Scandinavia still being the home to about half of the park’s children's rides and several popular children’s attractions such as Half Pint’s Peak and Humpty’s Haven. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> (read more in Part 1 of the series here: <a href="https://unwof.blogspot.com/2021/10/foam-mountains-to-outer-space-evolution.html">https://unwof.blogspot.com/2021/10/foam-mountains-to-outer-space-evolution.html</a>)</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj-A1hZUgWRvNiVeJzZLEEkpdkqPsKkP4AyBPscQBzsBgzD-SYNdsgYJe99YbTdEa-UuqWgTlucsABaELqOgFws9smFievgx6AUEdib4AwCZVVbi02lYccvrJ7kZQNSX-4khiApoJ778P/s2048/1987_large.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1603" data-original-width="2048" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj-A1hZUgWRvNiVeJzZLEEkpdkqPsKkP4AyBPscQBzsBgzD-SYNdsgYJe99YbTdEa-UuqWgTlucsABaELqOgFws9smFievgx6AUEdib4AwCZVVbi02lYccvrJ7kZQNSX-4khiApoJ778P/w400-h313/1987_large.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1987 Souvenir Map</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Multiple changes were afoot in 1987 though. First, Silly Serpent (originally Funicular) would be permanently removed after the 1986 season. Also, the park would replace Aerodrome with the first planned, centrally located children’s area, Pandamonium!</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuA8rQxagBAdySvSJO6-dk6pC5e9gE8jtC2-iXWkqFKSHh7SP-lrRmYJ1jHYlC8i3apYEmEY9wmToTGY1VPwHALuSyGClXF1NAvPQAYlrih5rTQUCuV325vyRkoQ16hPBE1fZkBSCVONX/s2048/PICT0556.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuA8rQxagBAdySvSJO6-dk6pC5e9gE8jtC2-iXWkqFKSHh7SP-lrRmYJ1jHYlC8i3apYEmEY9wmToTGY1VPwHALuSyGClXF1NAvPQAYlrih5rTQUCuV325vyRkoQ16hPBE1fZkBSCVONX/w400-h266/PICT0556.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A look at the Aerodrome just prior to its conversion to Pandamonium. Photo is shot from Screamroller's lift hill by Jeff Mast. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aerodrome opened as a park expansion in 1978 and was themed to flight, from the thrilling Barnstormer a 100-foot-tall biplane ride, to Lucky Lindy’s Lunch Counter. Aerodrome wasn’t designed as a kid's area, but it did have a children's ride, with the 1974 Red Baron being relocated from its original location in Scandinavia. Today, nearly 45 years later Red Baron is still located in the same spot it was relocated to in 1978! </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ac3sQNxLR2sL-6jZ6v1B1EgamkDYDHRAHdqrmc7mym3KokrjXai9LpsV_12v74DJhffpb-B9oT90U6QguSwz4-9hyXKKrj8AJZ2WtJTmYIbnr_M0fYYGh9xzKOpMzWSNt4mn32vdbERv/s504/aerodrome3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="504" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ac3sQNxLR2sL-6jZ6v1B1EgamkDYDHRAHdqrmc7mym3KokrjXai9LpsV_12v74DJhffpb-B9oT90U6QguSwz4-9hyXKKrj8AJZ2WtJTmYIbnr_M0fYYGh9xzKOpMzWSNt4mn32vdbERv/w400-h256/aerodrome3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Baron in the Aerodrome</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKBY4GZjYUw8AGKUtiwLpfBJPnsxQpL4udpKba7z51I4Mybi3oYjzn3LIMhoRMgsBI7XgJ5gCziywS7gq8tAPr9aiVq0oyxmCMDeBKjeoO-FXSDpYhcdr2gLEwIYemWwjCL6WWYFhpCY3/s2048/pandamairlines001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="2048" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKBY4GZjYUw8AGKUtiwLpfBJPnsxQpL4udpKba7z51I4Mybi3oYjzn3LIMhoRMgsBI7XgJ5gCziywS7gq8tAPr9aiVq0oyxmCMDeBKjeoO-FXSDpYhcdr2gLEwIYemWwjCL6WWYFhpCY3/w400-h256/pandamairlines001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PandAm Airlines in Pandamonium. It is the same exact ride, in the same exact location, and in this case shot from nearly the same angle. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">It might seem odd for a kid’s ride to be mixed in with a thrill ride, but at this point, Hunt was still following its original plan to distribute children’s rides through the park instead of having them in one single kiddie area like so many parks did. That all changed with Pandamonium. The big question though is why Hunt didn’t instead expand on their already existing pseudo-kiddie area, Half Pint’s Peak and Humpty’s Haven in Scandinavia? I think there are several possibilities for that. One, there was already kid-friendly entertainment at the old Flying Circus Theater. Also, there were two kids’ rides already in the area that didn’t need to be moved (Crashem Bashem and Red Baron). And last, the Aerodrome area offered I believe more room for expansion in the future. </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBn-IqC5LyL-mRN8-XE5n9tj-8Q9Awo7SAAPmi5srCmmCE6xC_H2uX2VRlfWKGxL475uJDJTf5Ir5czBukdP9ejOkIrhp4HdaX-imSF7wWo6EXQZOOr3k3FHfRa3OXKp9O4pO1ZmqhfKw/s1600/IMG_5585.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBn-IqC5LyL-mRN8-XE5n9tj-8Q9Awo7SAAPmi5srCmmCE6xC_H2uX2VRlfWKGxL475uJDJTf5Ir5czBukdP9ejOkIrhp4HdaX-imSF7wWo6EXQZOOr3k3FHfRa3OXKp9O4pO1ZmqhfKw/w400-h261/IMG_5585.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Brite at the Rainbow Pavilion (Flying Circus Theater), in 1986. Photo by Debbie Reasoner. </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the most memorable additions to Pandamonium was the introduction of a whole new themed character, P.J. Panda. Worlds of Fun had introduced Sam Panda back in 1975 but P.J. was intended to be the smaller, more kid-sized version and would become so iconic for kids that P.J. was virtually synonymous for an entire generation. </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2HP6FdhJxi8sWwvWXSDQK5cxnkMmB5_AxItGgKnB-dUSMarSSjG93WN8jik0NJUWhudLyRaAjynrQ3wagsNQ1HvQmrrtukSyu9ygQ1miahPB94U3k9lJsTbbsMs4m3lQrL-cFHjgiWoG/s2048/pandamonium006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="2048" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2HP6FdhJxi8sWwvWXSDQK5cxnkMmB5_AxItGgKnB-dUSMarSSjG93WN8jik0NJUWhudLyRaAjynrQ3wagsNQ1HvQmrrtukSyu9ygQ1miahPB94U3k9lJsTbbsMs4m3lQrL-cFHjgiWoG/w400-h316/pandamonium006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P.J. Panda was introduced with Pandamonium. You can see Flying Circus Theater and Screamroller in the background.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Along with P.J. came four new rides, Either Oar a small canoe ride, Swing-a-Ling a circular swing ride, Too Too Train a small kiddie train ride, and Turntyke a small circular kiddie car ride. Two new climbing and activity areas were added too including HabiTot, and Kiddie-opolis (which lasted only until 1992). </span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvynbVHzvg_Y9xYbJaYhv6PgyCgpzXn24aNbMhRX2KmVv7G8ehfNb2sKBRgFIL8Fyxmi836DVMa4Q0waZaYcrm-viI5xKYxZys9kK93tq-m-faDZrqY_0K6dyCQWtGkH3IF2Zou4sT17q/s1000/pandamonium10lrg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="1000" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvynbVHzvg_Y9xYbJaYhv6PgyCgpzXn24aNbMhRX2KmVv7G8ehfNb2sKBRgFIL8Fyxmi836DVMa4Q0waZaYcrm-viI5xKYxZys9kK93tq-m-faDZrqY_0K6dyCQWtGkH3IF2Zou4sT17q/w400-h281/pandamonium10lrg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiddie-opolis play area (those big red balls were a pain to try to walk across!).<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DHuQRDhmTMnS65GPlidy4PxvblciaEdujLvpNZG2tFTlKIomj17tYFaAbncJiZbNzYUUnsh-1_UE20EVaoK7nZOoLWObvajQLvPDnRU0-lsUmHEeYFVTD4bRajGZoJOPClypsBzbbORe/s1000/pandamonium8lrg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1000" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DHuQRDhmTMnS65GPlidy4PxvblciaEdujLvpNZG2tFTlKIomj17tYFaAbncJiZbNzYUUnsh-1_UE20EVaoK7nZOoLWObvajQLvPDnRU0-lsUmHEeYFVTD4bRajGZoJOPClypsBzbbORe/w400-h314/pandamonium8lrg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Press release for Pandamonium's announcement.</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to new rides, several attractions were re-themed and re-painted to fit with a more kid-centric area. Lucky Lyndy’s Lunch Counter became Kid’s Stuff, Cockpit Coolers became Soda Sipper, and even Red Baron received its first-ever (but far from last) re-name PandAm Airlines, a tribute to Pan Am Airlines.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"> </span></div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaSarGwwAZTbJmhGpF20RBoRqxKHqSKgjtlyc5U0k7Fd-GTzlNYRoWzJOmpb19_Pz9ZUe88R8ku1usli-Jy_HqbzJZxwo7EpCNb6vUKhjcgOAQ-PtY3Hj52JkhH-o3xsGFaBblG-6U2Pb/s1000/pandamonium9lrg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1000" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaSarGwwAZTbJmhGpF20RBoRqxKHqSKgjtlyc5U0k7Fd-GTzlNYRoWzJOmpb19_Pz9ZUe88R8ku1usli-Jy_HqbzJZxwo7EpCNb6vUKhjcgOAQ-PtY3Hj52JkhH-o3xsGFaBblG-6U2Pb/w400-h274/pandamonium9lrg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tomato-Plant Octopus ride. You can see the tower for Kid's Stuff (old Lucky Lyndy's Lunch Counter) in the background.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMlaU6m9LD3zwD7g4rlX1FSJSuoKkjYOq0ZMWn6K6edDQpcWO5QFCM58NzwDYku6D0ljejY7kojHthlsSVjDmvgol47pzAqnvkD3st__XLPnsooNKuvoFMVYTUX6m8TgkVnYTAGCQtB_3/s2048/PICT0388.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMlaU6m9LD3zwD7g4rlX1FSJSuoKkjYOq0ZMWn6K6edDQpcWO5QFCM58NzwDYku6D0ljejY7kojHthlsSVjDmvgol47pzAqnvkD3st__XLPnsooNKuvoFMVYTUX6m8TgkVnYTAGCQtB_3/w400-h266/PICT0388.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pandamonium looking from the back of the area towards Either Oar on the left side, with the entrance to Octopus on the right. </div><br /><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then there was Octopus. Octopus would replace the thrilling Barnstormer in the then Aerodrome in 1984 and be re-named Tailspinner. When Aerodrome transitioned to Pandamonium one would think the thrill ride Octopus would be moved out too. Nope. Octopus stayed exactly where it was and was re-named back to Octopus. An interesting personal story is that I first rode Octopus in Pandamonium, in 1987 the year Pandamonium opened. I had a brave moment, for a 9-year-old me. Suffice to say it was the first and last brave moment not only of that day, or that season but probably for the next decade. It terrified me. </span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMvT25gF3AjFoZMDTWY4iIp_rmdDpMo_NFOPe6vkLM8LfqhAW7KzSFG06ryPxYAkWLG2Qd69p2NuOgJ7p0PFhBUpHvScHx0xG-qJAv2YBqF6aAYof-A7MPqo_c7Nzq_BxUlxhcOixG91A/s1000/pandamonium7lrg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1000" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMvT25gF3AjFoZMDTWY4iIp_rmdDpMo_NFOPe6vkLM8LfqhAW7KzSFG06ryPxYAkWLG2Qd69p2NuOgJ7p0PFhBUpHvScHx0xG-qJAv2YBqF6aAYof-A7MPqo_c7Nzq_BxUlxhcOixG91A/w400-h274/pandamonium7lrg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of places have changed appearances drastically over the years, but none more than this view. Today, Detonator is located where Head over Wheels (kiddie Ferris wheel) is in this photo.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-jGYTOxnhjj9bFgMz_N9kOlEzjYAM7q-zS4Co3MmfV7ZS_WCCermE3uyb7ekTqj972ydmuo34kaOOIX6Vu3qC4t8q1NK2Q8xmCAIF1i9IjhbDD3YDnydbt0MYpkGaQAhsb6lHRgHWKAe/s1000/pandamonium12lrg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1000" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-jGYTOxnhjj9bFgMz_N9kOlEzjYAM7q-zS4Co3MmfV7ZS_WCCermE3uyb7ekTqj972ydmuo34kaOOIX6Vu3qC4t8q1NK2Q8xmCAIF1i9IjhbDD3YDnydbt0MYpkGaQAhsb6lHRgHWKAe/w400-h274/pandamonium12lrg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turntyke along with Swing a Ling is one of two Pandamonium expansion rides still in operation today.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another attraction that received the “new paint new theme” treatment was Flying Circus Theater, in actuality though the changes with it had already been coming for several years. In 1983 it became Treehouse Hollow for the ShirtTales, and in 1986 became the Rainbow Pavilion when the park welcomed Rainbow Brite. </span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7OfRfGvxtCk3YaR8hdgosl0iT5-AMc9q5989EIjMjNj1hhHbm7EQ_ppO209AlUhTIdINk1jcRNShlyGpFxQqyRjvu_7wktwE3SwD9FTtqy2v0e9VfbRvUH0KVFzyBA2fI28YCSJLWdO_/s2048/wackyworm01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="2048" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7OfRfGvxtCk3YaR8hdgosl0iT5-AMc9q5989EIjMjNj1hhHbm7EQ_ppO209AlUhTIdINk1jcRNShlyGpFxQqyRjvu_7wktwE3SwD9FTtqy2v0e9VfbRvUH0KVFzyBA2fI28YCSJLWdO_/w400-h281/wackyworm01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wacky Worm was part of the 1993 Pandamonium expansion. An interesting point is that in early photos Screamroller in in the background, but 1993 it's Timber Wolf. Also of note, the colored light blocks out in front of Wacky Worm spelled out "A.C.E' for the American Coaster Enthusiasts. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjt5wYXQYrBsTmkvqKGGRlU9AJnXqWLDixSq3Dws8Dt9m-law6JV7ymx9xlDeSEbqDmG5M8qSwXJpL18jzCgZ6B4eyXKkyPNp3hK5eRVXk8a1Q9mIfvAdVi0YZHnwFrlcme6NZRNgwyjN/s1000/pandamonium4lrg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1000" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjt5wYXQYrBsTmkvqKGGRlU9AJnXqWLDixSq3Dws8Dt9m-law6JV7ymx9xlDeSEbqDmG5M8qSwXJpL18jzCgZ6B4eyXKkyPNp3hK5eRVXk8a1Q9mIfvAdVi0YZHnwFrlcme6NZRNgwyjN/w400-h286/pandamonium4lrg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Either Oar was one of four rides introduced with Pandamonium. It would last until 2000, and would be replaced by Woodstock's Airmail in 2001. (Today's Kite Eating Tree)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pandamonium with its block-colored lights and colors would stay around for the next decade. Changes would come in 1993 which would see the re-addition of Tot’s Yachts (from Scandinavia), as well as the addition of a new kiddie coaster, Wacky Worm. 1993 would also see the introduction of the park’s bird show, Rainforest Follies to the Flying Circus Theater r-named again to Panda Pavilion. It like so many other park attractions would meet its end with Cedar Fair and Berenstain Bears in 1997, sort of, as we will look at in our next blog.</span></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0OExYIWvDHzRnFFdWN8N7aCU3rjyv1OFcsNBLzHt8Yq66a3sjM5Laivu1E_2x3SuYKt1r9t6Li6VypnYXksXrdtiFzi39Ysr4plAP3ehE1xy3Qs7EHuEt-EwTfnYwnHSpuTSR4FtW8tl/s2048/pandamonium1996012.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2004" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0OExYIWvDHzRnFFdWN8N7aCU3rjyv1OFcsNBLzHt8Yq66a3sjM5Laivu1E_2x3SuYKt1r9t6Li6VypnYXksXrdtiFzi39Ysr4plAP3ehE1xy3Qs7EHuEt-EwTfnYwnHSpuTSR4FtW8tl/w391-h400/pandamonium1996012.jpg" width="391" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most fascinating detail about this photo is the date, March 23, 1996. This is the latest documented appearance of P.J. By the 1996 season the Bearenstain Bears would begin appearing in the park. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pandamonium though is an interesting expansion to consider when looking at the last years of Hunt Midwest and Worlds of Fun. It in many ways symbolizes the shift, Hunt Midwest continued to operate kids rides OUTSIDE Pandamonium but would never again add a kids' ride outside of it as they had in prior years. Hunt Midwest was just beginning to follow the trend of other parks, instead of doing what they always did best, their own thing. For this reason, Pandamonium is in many ways not only a major turning point for park kid’s areas but also for the park as a whole in itself too. </span></span></p>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14560003120424259001noreply@blogger.com0