Happy New Years 2026! A look forwards at Worlds of Fun anniversaries this year!

First, let me apologize for the delay. I usually post this on January 1st, but due to being sick, I didn’t get anything done for several days, which is why there's a delay. Back in 2018, inspired by CPFoodBlog I started the annual tradition of a blog looking at the anniversaries for the coming season. In our case, we stick with the 5-year anniversaries, so 5th, 10th, 15th, and so on. For the first time ever, we have a 55th anniversary this year! So let’s begin.

Byron Gash concept art for Worlds of Fun from 1971

55th anniversary: 1971, Park Announcement and Ground Breaking 

No, the park didn’t open 55 years ago, but it officially came into being 55 years ago with its official announcement, naming, and groundbreaking that all occurred in 1971. On August 4th, 1971, Lamar Hunt and Mid-America Enterprises gathered over 200 local dignitaries and businessmen at the Commerce Tower in Kansas City to announce “phase one” of a massive amusement complex in the Northland. The park, which was officially given a name on this date, “Worlds of Fun” would be a 140-acre theme park with separate American, European, Scandinavia, Africa, and Oriental themed sections.

A few months later, on November 10th, Mid-America Enterprises shifted gears to the actual Clay County site and officially broke ground for the park with the release of 3,000 helium balloons, complete with two tickets for the inaugural season. While the August date introduced Kansas City to the name “Worlds of Fun” the November event would introduce the iconic hot air balloon logo. 

You can read more about these two events in blogs I wrote for their 50th anniversary:

Worlds of Fun's Announcement on August 4th, 1971: http://unwof.blogspot.com/2021/08/august-4th-1971-2021-its-worlds-of-fun.html

Worlds of Fun Ground Breaking on November 10th, 1971: http://unwof.blogspot.com/2021/11/1971-2021-50-years-ago-fun-began.html

Promotional advertisement for 1976. Factoid, that isn't even Screamroller, its the Knott's Berry Farm Corkscrew.

50th Anniversary 1976, Screamroller and Bicentennial Square

On May 26, 2026, Worlds of Fun will turn 53 years old, in the midst of its 54th season. That means that nearly every year for the next decade will have a major expansion celebrating a 50th anniversary. This year, though, we celebrate that first big coaster expansion with Screamroller and Bicentennial Square. As the 5th version of the Arrow Development Corkscrew model, it wasn’t very impressive by today’s standards, 70 feet tall, 1,200 feet of track, and less than a minute for the entire ride experience. Still, Screamroller offered an amazing, if short, thrill ride that most in the area had never seen, let alone experienced!  Bicentennial Square would surround Screamroller with a 3.5-acre expansion and include the largest games area in the entire park. Calamity Games would offer traditional midway games, Uncle Sam’s Skeeball Hall offered 48 lanes of skeeball, making it the largest skeeball game collection in the Midwest, and New Funtier Arcade offered what many papers described as an “updated version of the penny arcade”. While Screamroller would be removed in 1988 and replaced by Timber Wolf in 1989, Bicentennial Square and its 5,000 square feet of gaming would last until 2018, when Skeeball Hall, Calamity Games, and New Funtier Arcade were retired and re-used as part of Haunt.

Screamroller 40th Anniversary blog: http://unwof.blogspot.com/2016/04/screamroller-40-years.html

Byron Gash concept art for Incred-O-Dome

45th Anniversary 1981, Incred-O-Dome, Le Grand Prix, Udder Delights, The Casbah, Victrix Lake Boats

1981, many times ended up in the shadow of the 1980 season, which would introduce the immortal Orient Express. Still, 1981 would give Worlds of Fun fan atleast one beloved attraction, Incred-O-Dome. Incred-O-Dome was a bright yellow dome located originally in the Aerodrome, but it would last through the transition to Pandamonium in 1987. For most of its lifetime, it would be home to a theater-based thrill attraction, projected on its 180-degree, 40 by 26 foot screen would be 70 mm video of car chases, helicopter rides, and roller coaster rides. Originally opening with a capacity of 900 to 1,200 an hour (the number varies based on the source), guests would experience it originally standing up, but over the years, with its waning popularity, it would become a cool, dark spot to lie down on the carpet that over the years had developed its own unforgettable smell. Incred-O-Dome was removed after the 1997 season and replaced by Scrambler until 2014.

1981 would also introduce several other notable additions, including the Le Grand Prix car driving game in Europa and remote control Victrix Lake boats in Scandinavia. Casbah Games would be introduced in Africa and Udder Delights a turn-of-the-century ice cream parlor in Americana. Udder Delights would be renovated into a full-service restaurant in 1995 (Blue Bronco).

Concept art for Omegatron

40th Anniversary 1986, Omegatron

Bicentennial Square would expand from a neo-Victorian theme to a more futuristic look with Omegatron in 1986. Manufactured by Vekoma International of the Netherlands (the same company that manufactured Boomerang), it is what is known as a Vekoma Skyflyer. Though there are MANY similar rides, manufactured by other companies that still operate in carnivals and amusement parks worldwide, the Skyflyer was fairly rare and is almost extinct today. The downfall of Omegatron and all Skyflyers was poor ride design. The brakes on the ride were too small, making for extremely long ride cycles and very low rider throughput. Omegatron would be retired after the 2001 season and scrapped after the 2003 season. It was replaced by Thunderhawk in 2002. 

Concept art for Beat Street 

Beat Street from 1999

35th Anniversary 1991, Beat Street, Rockin Reeler and Skyliner, Crocodile Isle at Oceans of Fun

Until now, we have only covered defunct rides. Finally.. We reach a season that has an existing ride, 1991. 1991 saw not the introduction of a new area, but the re-theme of an older one, a trend that had started in 1987 with the re-theme of Aerodrome to Pandamonium. In 1991, though it was River City to Beat Street, a switch from River Wharf themed area to Coney Island meets 1990’s pop music with a few carny rides thrown in. Along with Beat Street came another Worlds of Fun prop, the short-lived beloved ride, known as Rockin’ Reeler, a Reverchon Himalaya ride which would operate until 2005 (today River City Grill is located in its spot). The second “new” addition was a ride very unlike Rockin’ Reeler, one that just won’t die, though many would love to simply just push it over… Skyliner, an ELI Bridge Ferris Wheel.  It’s still there. Operating. Sometimes. I put “new” in quotes because neither Reeler nor Skyliner was bought new; both were bought as used rides.

Things were a bit more shiny at Oceans of Fun, where Crocodile Isle, a 2,000 square foot water playground for children, would replace the original kids’ water play area, Knee Hai/Belly Hai. 

Detonator concept art

30th Anniversary 1996, Detonator and Ripcord

The first new rides added to Worlds of Fun by Cedar Fair, Detonator and Ripcord, still both operate in the park. Detonator was, at its time, fairly unique, as the first permanent installation of an S&S power shot tower at any amusement park, and was the first twin tower S&S shot tower anywhere. Following Detonator’s success, S&S launch towers would be added at nearly every park nationwide, with Cedar Fair adding the 300-foot Power Tower just two seasons later in 1998. Detonator has several stories associated with it, a favorite is the “case of the ever-shrinking Detonator”. When Detonator was announced, it was advertised to be 200 feet tall. Two years later, when Mamba was announced, the press release for Mamba included other Worlds of Fun rides shown for height scale. At that time, Detonator was listed as 187 feet tall. The truth is that the actual shot towers are 187 feet tall, with the 200 feet being accomplished by the addition of the flag pole on top.

Ripcord would premiere the same season, but not until May. Ripcord was the first pay-extra attraction in Worlds of Fun history, and would be followed by Grand Prix Raceway in 1999 and The Rock Climbing Wall in 2000 (both of which are now defunct). In an interesting twist, Ripcord is not actually owned by Cedar Fair/Six Flags, but is on a long-term lease from Skycoaster Company LLC. There have been rumors recently that Ripcord may be on borrowed time, as parks have been removing them over recent years, but there has not been anything officially announced as of this time. 

Camp Snoopy entrance

25th Anniversary 2001, Camp Snoopy Camp Bus and Woodstock’s Airmail are added

The spur off of Americana in the western side of the park has been through a variety of transitions over the years, from Aerodrome in 1978 to Pandamonium in 1987 to Bearenstain Bear Country in 1997. The next re-theme would occur in 2001 with the remodel to Camp Snoopy. Snoopy would be coming home instead of being new, as Snoopy was first introduced as a walk-around character at Worlds of Fun in 1978. Returning in 2001, the entire area would receive a “woodsy” motif, along with the new “Summer Camp” theme, Two new rides would be added, including the S&S Woodstock’s Airmail  (Today’s Kite Eating Tree), and the Zamperla Rides Camp Bus (also still there). Fascinating enough, Camp Bus is the only section of today’s Planet Snoopy that retains its original Camp Snoopy theming. 

Concept art from Patriot

20th Anniversary 2006, Patriot and Asylum Island

Mindblowing that it is that Patriot is now almost 20 years old, it feels like only yesterday that it was brand new. Replacing the previously mentioned Beat Street, Patriot re-themed the area as Patriot Landing and reused a portion of the original River City/Beat Street Landing as its gift shop. Patriot is an inverted coaster designed and built by the Swiss firm of Bolliger and Mabillard. Built for a cost of $14 million in 2006, it was the most expensive capital expenditure in park history at that point. Patriot features four inversions, along with a 149-foot lift and a 123-foot first drop. Its most unique feature, however, is its white stripe down the spine of the track, a feature that was hand re-painted as part of the 2020 re-painting of Patriot. As most can surmise, Patriot was built to replace the 1980 Arrow multi-looper Orient Express and while they don’t occupy the same space, Patriot does anchor that side of the park in much the same way Orient Express did. 

In Haunt history, Asylum Island would open on September 23, 2006 as Worlds of Fun's 6th extreme haunt, and Haunt would never be the same. Truthfully, Asylum Island propelled Halloweekends (as it was known then) to a whole new level, it was the first time in Halloweekends/Haunt history that any Haunt would have 2-3 hour plus lines. In 2016, halfway through the Haunt Season, Asylum Island would be re-named to Urgent Scare, and which would close and be replaced in 2018.

Concept art for Planet Snoopy 2011

15th Anniversary 2011, Planet Snoopy, Woodstock’s Whirybirds, Lucy’s Tugboat, Sally’s Swing Set, Peanut’s Road Rally, Flying Ace Balloon Race, Peanuts 500 and Snoopy’s Rocket Express

Camp Snoopy is celebrating its 25th anniversary, so it's ironic that its replacement, Planet Snoopy, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Further expanding on Camp Snoopy and re-theming the area to a more “spacey” theme, complete with bright primary colors, Planet Snoopy is still called Camp Snoopy by many who just can’t twist their minds around the new name… 15 years later (myself included). As part of the Planet Snoopy expansion, the park added seven new rides by Zamperla manufacturing, including Woodstock Whirlybirds (tea cups), Lucy’s Tugboat (Rockin’ Tug), Sally’s Swing Set, Peanut’s Road Rally, Flying Ace Balloon Race (Sambo Tower), Peanuts 500 (whip), and Snoopy’s Rocket Express. 

Grand Carrousel under assembly at the park on May 11, 2011

Along with Planet Snoopy, the park also installed its oldest attraction, by far, in park history, the Grand Carrousel. Grand Carrousel was relocated from the defunct Geauga Lake and fully restored prior to its installation. Originally hand carved by M.C. Illions of Coney Island, there has been some disagreement regarding the year the carousel was built (some places say 1918 and some 1926), and whether it's an Illion’s Supreme or Superior (two slightly different models). Regardless, it is still a beautiful feature for the front of the park, if only the park could get the antique band organ back up and working!

Last item of business for the 15th anniversary season belongs to Haunt, London Terror would premiere as a fright zone, replacing Dominion of Doom in 2011, five years later it would be moved to Americana and become London Terror Square, a haunt that still exists to this day known as Ripper Alley.

Woodstock Gliders, one of the new rides for 2016

Several rides added in 2016 including Snoopy Junction. Linus Launchers and Space Buggies. 

Grand Re-Opening 2011 Blog! http://unwof.blogspot.com/2011/06/grand-re-opening-weekend.html

10th Anniversary 2016, Woodstock Gliders, Beagle Brigade Airfield, Snoopy Space Buggies, Linus Launcher, and Snoopy Junction added to Planet Snoopy 

BUT WAIT! There’s more! More  Camp/Planet Snoopy fun! In 2016, that was 10 years ago (gasp!) Worlds of Fun even further expanded its kids area with five new rides, making it at the time the biggest kids area in the then Cedar Fair chain. The five expansion rides included Woodstock Gliders (Larson Flying Skooters), Beagle Brigade Airfield, Snoopy Space Buggies, Linus Launcher, and Snoopy Junction (Zamperla). 

5th Anniversary 2021, Riptide Racers opens at Oceans of Fun

Last but not least is 2021, or what many called at the time “Worlds of Fun lite,” as this was the season following the extremely brief 2020 Covid-19 season. Riptide Racers was originally scheduled to open in 2020 with Oceans of Fun, but as Oceans of Fun never opened in 2020, it became the new attraction for 2021. Riptide Racers would replace Diamond Head slides, an original 1982 attraction at Oceans of Fun. Built by White Water, Riptide Racers was the longest mat slide attraction in the Midwest when it opened. 

Worlds of Fun 2nd Weekend Review (2021 season): http://unwof.blogspot.com/2021/06/worlds-of-fun-and-oceans-of-fun-second.html

Setting sail through history with the Macedonians and Romans.

A month ago, we looked in detail at Viking Voyager. Voyager wasn't the only place to set sail for the high seas; in Scandinavia. Originally, the area was home to Victrix, a full-size 110-foot-tall, 3-masted schooner (pirate ship) about where Sea Dragon is today. It was removed after 1992. However, Victrix wasn't alone. The area was also home to a collection of 8-foot miniature boats, also bought from the MGM Backlot auction in 1970, but from a far more legendary movie, the 1959 MGM spectacular "Ben Hur" starring Charlton Heston. If you don't know who that is... shame on you, go Google it, I'll wait.

Scene from Ben Hur, the Roman galley ship, from the "Making of Ben Hur"

And the Macedonian ship also from the "Making of Ben Hur"

I can only barely remember these boats, with the one in front of Finnish Fling being the most memorable, but there were several around Victrix, too. They would "vanish" around the same time as Victrix, 1991-1992. Over the past 30-odd years, I've pieced together the history of these small ships, identifying all the 8-foot ships throughout the park, finding out where they came from, how they were renovated, and quite possibly their story AFTER they left the park. 

Roman and Macedonian ships in front of Victrix, photo by Gregg Barr. 

Macedonian ship in front of Finnish Fling, photo by Gregg Barr. These are the exact same ships from the Ben Hur shots above. 

Our story starts on May 3, 1970, when the MGM backlot auction began. Lamar Hunt would purchase dozens of different movie props for use throughout the park, wagons, buggies, carts, and, yes, of course, Cotton Blossom and Victrix too. 

Roman Galley Ship by William Hooping. This was shot before Worlds of Fun opened, but after the boats were acquired from MGM. William Hoobing restored many of them.  Notice the shields on the boat. 

The Macedonian ship, also by William Hoobing. 

shields from the Roman galley ship that were sent to us by Williams Hoobing. 

Several years ago, I was contacted by a William Hoobing, who was a neighbor of Jack Steadman, President of Mid America Enterprises, who built Worlds of Fun. He told an intriguing story that many of the smaller boats once purchased at the MGM backlot auction had been dropped off in his driveway for refurbishment before being placed in the park. One could only imagine these 8-foot boats sitting in a residential driveway... well, imagine no more, as his son recently sent me several photos of the said boats in the said driveway.

From a driveway to Worlds of Fun, and there they would stay for nearly 20 years. I was surprised this last weekend when I asked Jeff's sister, who worked at the park back in the 1980s, if she remembered the smaller boats... she didn't recall them. I don't think she is alone. Honestly, that makes two points. One being that it was super impressive that Lamar Hunt invested into the detail of the park that many wouldn't even recall... and two, that it's no surprise they were removed, as many people don't remember them.  Funny enough, though I am far younger, I actually remember the boat in front of Finnish Fling, even though I can't actually recall Victrix!  It's odd how memory works sometimes.

Screenshot from AP news clip on the opening of Planet Hollywood Australia in 1996. Note the Macedonian ship in the background. 

And compare. Though there were multiple model ships built, the one above is identical to the one at Worlds of Fun (though the above condition if far more poor). 

At this point, we leave the world of fact and enter the world of maybe. While I can't exactly pinpoint the year the smaller boats were removed, I know they were gone by 1993. Our next chapter has to do with Planet Hollywood, a nearly forgotten restaurant chain similar to Hard Rock Cafes but dedicated to movie props instead. Jeff recalled reading an article in an airline magazine around the early 2000s about how Planet Hollywood had recovered a Ben Hur model boat in a Nebraska field... abandoned. Several years ago, I even found a photo from the opening of a Planet Hollywood in 1996 with a boat... that suspiciously looked very similar to the Macedonian galley boat that was in front of Finnish Fling. I was so intrigued that I even reached out to the Planet Hollywood curator at the time, located conveniently in Orlando, FL. I even provided photos of the boats at Worlds of Fun. I didn't receive an immediate response, and when I did receive a response, it was to tell me that they couldn't divulge details of their collection. That response, along with the matching details I had found over the years, makes me think there is a very good chance Planet Hollywood today has one of the boats that was located at Worlds of Fun.  Will we ever know? Maybe. But sometimes it's the unanswered questions that both annoy and intrigue, and allow the opportunities for the stories to come out of the darkness of the past. After all... if I hadn't originally asked, maybe I would have never found out about the ships in the driveway?