Zinger Lives! And My journey to finally ride it!

Note: I hand wrote this on the night after we visited Parque del Cafe.  I have typed it out exactly how I wrote it with no changes.  This means it will be a little disjointed as all my original un-edited writings are.  It’s literally me writing what I think as I think it.  But in this case, I think it needs to be exactly that way.

I’m sitting here in our lodging writing this still in Montenegro, Colombia. I have to get these thoughts down or I will forget I’m sure. Two weeks ago, or so, I first wrote down my thoughts about coming here, riding Zinger, overcoming regrets, fears, etc. it’s right here: https://jeffreyjennifer.blogspot.com/2019/05/pre-colombia-trip-thoughts.html?m=1

All I can say, it was worth it a million times over.  It’s more amazing then I could have ever imagined.  Everything.

For 20 plus years I had heard and read it all.  The electric lift hum, soaring through the trees, sitting on the lap of your boyfriend, father, significant other, the tunnel, jumping off and sprinting right back in line to ride again.

For years I tried everything to experience what I had never experienced. Riding Whizzer, Shockwave at Six Flags over Georgia, every single Schwartzkopf I could ride.  Every article I could read.  I thought I understood.  All that was left was to actually ride it.

There was so much more.

What can I say that hasn’t already been said?  I understand finally.  Worlds of Fun doesn’t have the one coaster that everyone loves, that everyone can’t wait to ride again and again and again.  To not only tell stories about but to also share with their family and friends.

Colombia does.  And they know they do.  We spoke with the head of ride operations, every two to three months they are repairing the train bearings and motor.  They know its intensive, it's probably been that way for 20 years.  But guests love it.  They stated to us it was the guest's favorite ride, and you know what?  I think they love it too.  The expressions when I showed and gave them the photos of Zinger, of Jeff sharing his stories, you can’t fake that.  They love it, their guests love it, and because of that, it's worth operating a maintenance nightmare.

Yes, Zinger was a maintenance nightmare, no one is discounting that.  But sometimes… it's worth it.

I am a dialysis nurse and have been for five years.  That is without a question a nightmare for some, but it gives life so patients do it for as long as they can.

Zinger was the heart of the park, it gave the park life.  Cedar Fair obviously wasn’t aware of this when they removed it, or they would have never chosen to do so.

So many memories I hope I never forget.

The flight cancellation and rebooking was a headache.  The four-hour layover in Panama, the 11 o’clock pm arrival at Pereira, hoping our luggage made it, then having to struggle through translation with customs.

The roller coaster-like drive through the dark, washed out roads, that took about an hour but felt like an eternity.  (my stomach won’t let me forget).  Arriving at our lodging at midnight and feeling that deep rushing, sinking stomach when no one spoke any English and all I had was my faltering Spanish and google translate (thank god!).  I remember thinking, not for the first time, what have I done?!  Terrified that I had made a horrible mistake.

We got through it though.

On six hours of sleep, we woke up the next morning at 6:30 (only because I realized I told the employee/cook 7:00 for breakfast).  And it was a beautiful, sunny, morning.  Birds chirped by the dozens if not hundreds.  Oh, and there was no hot water.  I found out later that it took about 10 minutes to get hot water.

Breakfast was amazing, and we walked around the grounds admiring the plants, the view, and the birds.  Beautiful, the perfect day.  One time, years ago, at ACE Coaster Con a member had created a video set to “Perfect Day” and I felt I was living that at that moment.

The fears I had, will Zinger be operating?  Will it storm and shut it down?  No longer seemed to be as powerful.

The driver came and picked us up a little before 9:00, we were only about 2-3 miles from the park and we arrived around 9:00 for a 10:00 opening.

Since we had an organized trip, our wrist bands were already purchased and from 9:00 to 9:45 time almost seemed to stop.  At around 9:45 they opened the walkway down to the turnstiles.  I’m trying to remember how I felt at this point, Jeff seems to think I was anxious, pumped.  I do remember intently waiting for forward movement.

Now that I am writing this I remember thinking and speaking about how it felt like Christmas morning.  The presents are under the tree, and you’re waiting to find out what's inside those shiny packages.

Then the turnstiles open and all you want to do is run as if somehow if you don’t get there fast enough the coaster will go away.

Our plan of attack had already been planned.  Zinger was at the bottom of the park, the easiest way to get there was to ride the Von Roll Sky Ride down.

It’s like someone had planned it that way.

Of course, my best memory of Worlds of Fun and earliest is the Sky Hi (a Von Roll Sky Ride as well).  So it seemed so perfect.  An old favorite introducing me to a new favorite.  It was an awesome ride down, from the clunk-clunk out of the station, the Von Roll plaque on the car, like I said you couldn’t have written this any better.

Several hundred feet down, we landed in the back station (which I noticed had the old counterweight, just like Americana would have had).  After exiting, I was about as tunnel vision as you could get.  I did, however, notice the old firetruck, but it was a quick glance and then moving on.

Did I notice we had made it to the bottom in record time, or that we were the only ones headed towards Montana Rusa? No.

It wasn’t my idea for Facebook live, it was actually Jeff’s but I agreed to it.  My gosh, all those times dreaming about how I would feel, what my reaction would be… Well its there forever in vivid living color and I’m glad I recorded it.  It seemed like the walk took forever, everything in the park is very spread out.  Bridges, walkways, turns, and finally… the blue spiral lift of Zinger.

For a split second my heart stopped. We had seen it run from the Skyride, but there was not a peep from it now.  Oh God please let it be running today.

The line was open, we were the first ones there, it was quiet, not a sound at all. Enter that horrible sinking feeling…

But thankfully it didn’t last long.  A small group was behind us and once they showed up an employee popped his head out of the small hut centered in the middle of the lift hill and said 10 minutes!  In retrospect, I now understand Zinger was and still is not a morning coaster.  If you can imagine when you get up to your alarm clock after a night with not enough sleep thinking “do I have to….” That seems pretty much the story.  The employees were waiting for a full train of riders to show up to run it.

Still, even then there were water jugs in the 2nd and 3rd seats. As first arrivals, I was front seat all the way, and only made sense to ride with Jeff for the first go.

The ride itself was surreal. It’s a good thing I would ride it multiple more times! I recall thinking how long the lift hill was, of course, my only point of reference was Whizzer and Jet Stars which are at least one spiral shorter.  I recall being surprised by the three airtime moments, and how dark and amazing the final tunnel was.  I was a little surprised as to how pokey the overall ride was, there was more than one time I wasn’t entirely sure if we would make it over the next hill.

Of course, now I know why.  Remember the water jugs and waiting for a full train?

We rode it twice more in the morning, once immediately after and again an hour later.  Jeff and I spent time going around the ride, he videoing it to death, I spent time re-creating old photos I had brought with me.

For our third ride, it was just Matt and I (this was the ride the 360 was recorded on).  Jeff wanted to go ride Krater but we snuck off to ride.  By this time Zinger had picked up some kick and was running full trains (the water bottles had been removed).  And that high-speed turn was very much in pure Schwartzkopf fun, speedy and just a little thrilling fashion.

One moment I vividly recall was after we stopped in the brakes the riders behind us began yelling ‘otro veis” which in English translates to “again, again!” I heard that over and over again throughout the day.

Worth mentioning also is that this ride was also the only one with a significant line, we waited for about three trains to ride.  Doesn’t seem to much but compared to all the other rides in the park that were walk-ons it was definitely popular.

While waiting I spoke (or attempted to speak) with one of the ride operators as we had decided to wait for the front again.  I mentioned that the coaster actually came from where we were from and gave him one of the photos I had brought with me.  (since they were actually Walmart prints of the originals). When we came back around after riding I saw the same ride operator down at the ride exit showing the photo to a ride mechanic which made me smile.  But I didn’t think much of beyond that point.

Afterward with Jeff biting at the bit to ride the new thrill coaster Krater and Yipee both Gerstlauers (funny enough all the parks coasters were built in the same factory).  The landscaping around both was amazing, the rides were a lot of fun and Yippee had an amazing view as it was perched up on a mountainside.

Afterward, Jeff, Matt and I stopped at a snack stand and tried a Perro Caliente (Hot Dog), which was topped with a type of french fried topping.  It was awesome and of course, because of the conversion was dirt cheap.

At this point, we decided to head back to Zinger.  I believe this is when I tried Zinger in the backseat, which I ended up enjoying more than almost anywhere else.  It had definitely picked up some additional speed and had broken in well for the day.  We ended up riding twice this time (5 times for those keeping track) and after our second ride, we were stopped on exiting by a ride operator.  Though there was a language barrier (entirely my fault), I figured things out when he handed me the phone.

That little photo earlier, had made its way around.  At this point, I believe they thought the photo I had given them was one of a similar coaster.  We had been invited to the park operations office.  It took us a little bit to find it, along with the fact of our poor Spanish.  But find it we did and it was a fascinating experience.  Maria, who had originally called me (because she spoke English well), She brought out the head of ride operations who also spoke English well.  We were able to explain that their Montana Rusa was exactly the same coaster.  I e-mailed them a copy of the vertical profile blueprints we had and gave them a copy of the Great Times article about the old fire truck.  The operations manager mentioned how they continued to have problems with the drive motors (Zinger/Rusa have electric motors in each car which propels it up the lift hill).  Overall, they seemed appreciative and were extremely polite.  We ended up with some extra souvenirs from the experience as well as an interesting story!

After departing we headed to the train which, though it was a diesel, of course, Jeff wanted to ride.  The train departed on a schedule and since it was a warm day this offered a nice place in the shade to relax.  We actually met a couple there, the husband was originally from San Jose Ca. And had lived in Colombia off and on for several years.  We had a great conversation (always that look and smile when we tell people why we came…).  The train ride itself was fun, it actually had two stations. The most memorable was, no surprise, passing Zinger which was eerily similar to the train ride at Worlds of Fun.  So much so that I started up the train spiel that originally was for Zinger, that I had modified for Prowler when I was a conductor in 2009.

I forgot to mention between the office meeting and train we finally got our good look at the fire truck that was near the train depot.  Obviously, there is no way to know definitely if its WOF’s old fire truck, but I can’t imagine two 1923 LaFrance Brockway Torpedos out there… at the same park that also happens to have Zinger.

So back to the train.  It was about 4:00 when we got back around and I was itching to head back to Zinger and sit on the ride for about the last hour.  But Jeff, being Jeff wanted to check out a section of the park we hadn’t visited yet but saw on the train that happened to have an unusual Huss enterprise with double cabs.  I’ve never seen one like that and considering all the parks I’ve been to that's saying something.  About 4:30 we headed back to Zinger and got there around 4:45.  They make you go back around with each ride, we got about three rides in before 5:00 giving us a total of 8 rides for the day.  I have to say, though I knew we had to leave, it was depressing looking at the ride, possibly for the last time.  That it had taken me pretty much my whole 41 years to finally ride.  I wanted to go back and ride it again and again and realized I never might have that opportunity.  I finally understood.  Riding it was great, fun, amazing… losing it really knocked it all home.

But it’s not just the ride, not just the high-speed turn, or lift, its more than that.  Its the sound when the hum of the lift kicks on, the Schwartzkopf chug, chug, chug, sitting in a loved ones lap and in reality I'm not sure that can be duplicated in any way.  Maybe.

One thing is true, there is nothing like it at Worlds of Fun since 1997.  We headed to the Von Roll station and rode the Skyway back up, the same way we came.  I remember thinking and mentioned how it reminded me of a story I heard where guests would use the trams as “one last ride” to get their kids out of the park.  In the same way, the Von Roll was my last ride out of the park.  It softened the blow.

Overall, I was incredibly impressed with the park.  It compares highly to some of the nicest parts in the country (US).  The park was beautiful, well-maintained, clean, employees were helpful and friendly and the rides we experienced had minimal waits and were fun.  And then it had the Zinger too...

By Any Other Name: A brief history of Worlds of Fun dining locations

About a year ago, I spent a day going through all of our park maps, reviewing all the different food service and retail name changes over the years. Believe me, there have been quite a few.  I never thought it would be interesting as a blog, and at the time it was more of an attempt to catalog the information for future reference. When the 2019 announcement for Boathouse Grill (now Cotton Blossom BBQ) came along, along with the renaming of several existing dining locations and with the retirement of several more, I began thinking about writing a blog looking at some of the more interesting locations and the various options from past and present.  

A great view of the rear of Cotton Blossom at Worlds of Fun most likely from 1973.  You can see the Paddlewheel Cafe on the third floor clearly.  Photo by William Hoobing.

Paddlewheel Cafe Ambassadors from the 1978 yearbook

One of the first stories I ever heard regarding Worlds of Fun came from my dad, so I figured that would be a great place to start. He worked in 1973 as a food service ambassador aboard the Cotton Blossom at the Paddlewheel Cafe. Paddlewheel Cafe was an outdoor (covered) eatery on the third floor stern of the Cotton Blossom and operated until the 1987 season. He used to tell me how he could hear not the Americana music but the Orient music from on board and he always thought that peculiar. Recently, while digging around at the downtown public library, I found the old press releases from when the park opened, and one of them covered the actual menu options available. As you might imagine, everything was properly themed, the sandwiches at Paddlewheel were titled “Showboat” (submarine-style), “Captain’s Choice” (corned beef on rye), and “River Queen” (tuna salad). 

One of the many coupons printed in the KC Star & Times and other regional papers for discounted meals.  This one is for Le Poulet Bone in Europa.

Rangoon Refresher which was replaced by Panda Express in 2007.

Many restaurants, unlike Paddlewheel café, still exist but have been renamed. In some cases they’ve been numerous times over the years: in 1998, Nordic Nook became Chicken Patio, in  2007 Rangoon Refresher became Panda Express, and in 2019, Paisano’s in Europa became the new Let Them Eat Cake. As you might expect, that wasn’t originally named Paisano’s either.  Instead, in 1973 it was known as Le Poulet Bone Cafe and served “French-fried chicken” (yes, you read that right). Le Poulet Bone was re-named for the first time to International Cafe in 1978, Pizza Patio in 1996, Bonnici Bros. in 2004, and finally, Paisano’s in 2013. What truly fascinates me about this restaurant, though, is its hidden secret: it was built with a sunken patio. Guests would step down about three steps to a concrete patio overlooking the wooded area behind it. For at least the last three decades, it’s been fenced off, but you can still look through the fence and see the themed light pole and what is left of the metal table and seat supports.  

You can easily see the original La'Mars Libations at the very bottom of the photo, its dead center. 

The second iteration of Lamars probably just a few years after it changed names to Smoothie Company. 

Europa was home to another eatery, a small hexagonally-shaped snack stand, which was a feature shared by almost every other section of the park too, excluding Americana. In Europa, it was known originally as “La’Mars Libation” (made “European” by adding an apostrophe), named after park owner Lamar Hunt. I remember Lamar’s Libations, but I remember it as the box-shaped Coca-Cola refresh station that is there now. At some point in the 1980s, Europa’s little hex-stand was demolished and replaced. Today, all four of these little hexagonal stands are gone. However, most of them were rebuilt, and two of those new structures bear the same name as the original tiny stand even today. 

Big Jack's Ambassadors with the original Big Jack's behind them.  From the 1979 Ambassador yearbook.

So besides La’Mars, where were the other three? The first is also the last hexagonal stand removed, which was the Icicle located in Scandinavia right at the corner of the Tivoli and Tivoli East. It was removed after the 1997 season. I will always remember the old buttercream yellow and white Icicle as the first place I ever tried to confirm the existence of the long lost cable car system back in 1996.

Icicle from the 1979 Ambassador Yearbook.

The other two hexagonal stands may have new structures but still retain their original 1973 names. The first was built as Big Jack’s Jungle Juice in Africa. Once again, most recall the box-like structure that exists today, but it too was originally identical to the Icicle and La’Mars. Big Jack’s is named after Jack Steadman, the man behind the idea for Worlds of Fun. The other is one of the more fascinating drink stands (if a drink stand can be fascinating), and that is Pagoda Soda. As of today, Pagoda Soda has had three different structures, starting with its hexagonal structure in 1973 and replaced at some point in the early '90s with the box structure attached to the Aquatic Arena. When Aquatic Arena was bulldozed after the 2003 season, we figured that was the end of Pagoda Soda. Amazingly, at the beginning of the 2004 season, we found out Pagoda Soda wasn’t dead, it was reincarnated across the midway as the Pagoda Soda we know today. 

A view of the Orient in 1979, you can see the old Pagoda Soda in the background on the left.

The first Pagoda Soda, this photo was taken in 1989 for Orient Express 10th birthday party.

The second Pagoda Soda, this one lasted until 2003.

And the current Pagoda Soda.

Another unique name, and one that like so many old food locations was named after a member of the Hunt Midwest family that very recently made a physical move, was Norma’s Funnel Cakes. Norma’s Funnel Cakes, named after Lamar Hunt’s wife Norma Hunt, wasn’t an original 1973 location, but it was added to Baltic Bazaar in 1979. When Baltic Bazaar was finally retired in 2016 to make way for the new gate, I was pleasantly surprised that like Pagoda Soda, Norma’s would live on with name intact. This was especially surprising since so many locations named after a Hunt Midwest family member had already been removed or renamed. Lamar’s became Smoothie Company in 1999, Daniel’s Danish Deli (named after Lamar’s son Daniel) was re-named after 1995 to Just for Kids retail shop, Clark’s Wheelbarrow (also Lamar’s son) was entirely removed with the Americana gate after the 1998 season, Sharron’s Sweet Shop (Lamar’s daughter) lasted until 2001 and became Peppermint Patties, and even Rick’s Cafe in Africa (named after marketing director Rick Rau) was renamed King Tut’s in 2001.  

Daniel's Danish Deli in 1980 and Ambassadors.  You never forget that weird newsprint wallpaper...

Rick's Cafe, located where Auntie Anne's is in Africa today. (next to the floral clock)

Of course, it wasn’t all about soft drinks and funnel cakes. Worlds of Fun also offered a full-service restaurant back in the day, originally known as The Smorbord Cafeteria in Scandinavia, which today is named Chickie & Pete’s. It opened in 1973 and offered appropriately named menu items such as Potatisalad (Swedish Potato Salad), Biff Slottsstek (Beef Pot Roast) and Applentarts (apple pie). I imagine if I had trouble typing that out, it caused even more problems when it came to pronouncing them!  

A writer for the Kansas City Star, on a visit out to Worlds of Fun in 1977, commented on a visit to Smorbord Cafeteria, stating it was $2.99 for each adult and $1.99 for each child, allowing guests an all-you-can-eat-on-one-plate experience, with desserts and drinks extra (minimum wage was $2.30 an hour at the time). His specific opinion? “The food was overpriced, overcooked, and tasted as if it had come from a can.”  (Stein, 1977) 

Below the Smorbord until 1996 was the Ambassador break area (or Ambam), which, thanks to a dumbwaiter, served much of the same food and the restaurant above it! Jeff’s first managerial job at the park was as manager of the Ambam, and he recalls working hand in hand with the park’s chef. He would often order off-the-menu options for park ambassadors, including some rather unusual ICEE flavors. In 1985, Smorbord was switched to a full-service sit-down experience and re-named Inn of the Four Winds. Four Winds would remain until Cedar Fair completed the purchase of the park, and in 1997 was re-named to mimic the Cedar Point favorite “All Stars Grill.” Over the years it made the slow transition to the counter service option that it is today. In 2011. it made its final name change to Chickie and Pete’s.

Smorbord as a buffet in 1978, with ambassadors.  

All Stars Grill in 2000, previously Inn of the Four Winds, previously Smorbord.  Today, Chickie and Pete's.

Baltic Bazaar in the 1990's before the color change in 2000.  Norma's Funnel Cakes is located closest to the viewer.

2019 once again brings several changes to food service options – Cotton Blossom Barbecue, of course, but also several food service locations that are also being relegated to history, as well as one or two names being retired. Vittle Griddle, the park’s main counter service restaurant located in Americana, has been re-named for the first time in its 46-year existence to Gold Rush Pizza. Pizza Pier, first introduced in 1974 along with the entire Americana food court area, has been demolished. While necessary for expansion, and from first impression an overall positive change, it’s fascinating to realize that the Pizza Pier structure that housed probably every possible amusement park gastric delight over the last 46 years (and more name changes than you can shake a stick at) was an original structure to the park that opened with the Show Me Shop, Donut Whole, Fairmont Foods, and Dairy Dock.  

Pizza Pier from about 2003.  

One of the other major changes for 2019 comes to Battle Creek BBQ, which also receives a new name and somewhat new (or more accurately, rebooted) menu offering, Prospector’s Cantina serving a Tex Mex menu. The structure that is Prospectors was built in 1981 as Udder Delights Ice Cream Parlor. Many guests, including myself, remember stepping into Udder Delights, which to my memory was always massively crowded, and the first thing I recall was the vibrant tin ceilings which remain to this day. The other fascinating aspect of Udder Delights was that prior to its construction, Front Street was a breezeway and offered a direct walkway straight through to the Union Depot. In 1995, Udder Delights made its first transformation into, believe it or not, a Tex Mex restaurant that served freshly made tortillas (anyone remember the tortilla maker?) and named Blue Bronco. In 2005 it changed again to Zarda BBQ, with its final change coming in 2009 to Battle Creek BBQ. With Cotton Blossom BBQ now taking over the sweet hickory aroma, this two-story restaurant proves that what is old will eventually become new again.

You can plainly see the old breeze-thru where Peppermint Patties is today.  This walkway was closed up in 1981 when Udder Delights was added as well as a second ambassador break area, Ambam West.  The Ambam was removed sometime in the late '90s and you can now once again pass through from Front Street to the Depot.

The first thought I had when I considered doing a blog about food service restaurants was, “Who in their right mind would find this interesting?” But then I had a conversation with a friend of mine about Udder Delights and all my memories of it, and I recalled asking the Icicle Ambassador if they remember the old gondola ride, or how I would buy a sandwich for lunch from Daniel’s Danish Deli, or eat lunch in the old Ambam below Inn of the Four Winds. And I realized something very important – there is nothing that is really “unimportant” when it comes to memories, and sometimes it is the tiny details that really do matter.

Blue Bronco from 1995, I believe the patio area was added with the change from ice cream parlor to a restaurant.

References

Stein, S. (1977,  April 28), At Worlds of Fun, Dizzy is Chic, Stomach Weak, Food… Unique. The Kansas City Star, p. 5.

Special Thanks to Heith Carnahan for volunteering to proofread this story.

2019: Second Weekend Review

Second Weekend Review

Usually, I do an opening day review, but since this year it was really up in the air on whether we could afford to fly back prior to our big international trip in May it was a very last minute decision.  So forgive me if my opening day review has become this year a second-weekend review!   We ended up visiting the park on all three days of the weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday (though our original plan was only Friday and Saturday), so this will cover some of the updates for 2019 season on all three days.

New Back Lot Planter

We parked in the front lots (D) on the first day, and back lots (H) on Saturday and Sunday, so we had the experience from both sides.  Landscaping was absolutely beautiful from both directions, though some areas were still in the process of being planted, such as the new planter by lot B that was just dirt at the time.  However, there are new apple trees that have been planted between the fence and administration building, new lily turf annuals have been added to the walkway and the existing trees were also in full bloom.  From the back lots, the old 80’s style planters have been removed and a new landscaping brick planter/bench combination has been added in its place, which really updates the area.

Landscaping from C & D Lots.

The bathrooms, specifically the one between the front lots and the gate really needs a lot of work.  I know they were updated only a few years ago, but it appears they have received a lot of abuse in that short span of time.  I found a few dryers and sinks that didn’t work at all.  (oh how I miss sinks you could turn on and paper towel holders… but that’s everywhere)

Easter Decor!

Once in the park, the first thing we saw was the new Easter decorations, the Easter Bunny was there off and on to meet guests, and the gigantic eggs were back again this year along with some oversized peeps that look like they may have been reused from Haunt.  (or maybe they were made for easter and just used for haunt).  Very cute no matter what.

On Friday I had accidentally left my season pass in my hoodie that I didn’t wear on Saturday, I realized this after we had gotten to the park on Saturday and that hoodie was 20 mins away at home!  I thought my only option would be to pay to replace my season pass card (this wasn’t my first experience losing/forgetting my season pass…).  Thankfully at Guest Relations, they printed off a temporary pass for no cost, which was a huge help…. We also decided on Saturday to buy the all-day dining pass, which is $29.99 per person and doesn’t include drinks so we also bought the refillable mug for $11.99 which gives you free refills on the day you buy it and $1 refills the rest of the season.  As you might imagine then food will play a pretty big part in this review. While waiting in line I also noticed boxes of small pins sitting behind guest relations.  I then noticed over the next few days that employees were wearing themed pins to the various sections they worked in, the girl at Autobahn wore a Europa pin, at Prowler an Africa one, and I especially loved the “Le Taxi Tour Student Driver” stickers.  Neat little detail.

 

Week Two

Week Three (photo by Brad Green)

We headed towards the Orient to start checking out the new updates for 2019 and noticed lots of new Japanese Maples have been planted along the back of Rickshaw Richards.  Also as you head into the Orient, the SO bridge looks like it’s been “invaded” by the Orient (its an inside joke between Jeff and me that different “worlds” like to invade and conquer new territory). Though it wasn’t completed when we were there, it has been at least partially completed as of the third weekend which is when you are reading this.  The Orient was previously home to a much smaller Torii gate on the Orient/Americana boundary, that was removed after the 1998 season.  The new Torii gate is very similar, if much larger and built to accommodate trucks that will be passing over the bridge during off hours, which was the problem with the original.

New grass! 

Another minor landscaping change in The Orient was the change from mulch around the Spinning Dragons fountain, to grass.  It is a relatively minor change but looks much more polished.  Rickshaw Richards also had some new merchandise like many of the retail locations around the park and now features a variety of pop culture merchandise from Harry Potter to Mario Bros.  

Cotton Blossom BBQ across the walkway from where Cotton Blossom originally was.

Right on the boundary of The Orient and Americana sections, Ripcord lake offers, and this is rather an odd deja vu moment for those that recall the similar view of the original Cotton Blossom, a great view of the new Cotton Blossom BBQ.  Personally, when I first read about the announcement for the change from BoatHouse Grill to Cotton Blossom BBQ I wasn’t sure what to think of the name.  I was honestly a little worried that it would be simply plastering a historic attraction name to a new cookie cutter restaurant.  I am very happy to be very wrong.  The signage is an almost perfect duplication of the original smokestacks and signage from the original Cotton Blossom. There are also numerous small touches to the original Cotton Blossom throughout the restaurant, the photos of course, but also the red, white and blue bunting so similar to what was on the Cotton Blossom, as well as the Dixieland music that plays around the restaurant itself.  On Saturday, in an attempt to get our money’s worth out of the dining plan (you can eat every 90 mins), we ate there twice.  Both Jeff and I had the chicken the first time with Mac and cheese, and on the second visit I had the chicken fingers and Jeff had the brisket with Brussel sprouts.  The chicken was an absolute stand out, but everything was very good.  I wasn’t a fan of the Brussel sprouts but that's probably explained by my aversion to anything green and healthy.   Though the pickles were great, are pickles healthy?!

There has been a lot of discussion about seating.  There is a fair amount of seating on both sides of the restaurant, and quite a bit of exterior table seating.  There are both heaters and fans for different temperature extremes, and the eating areas have great views of either Patriot of Steelhawk.  I do share some concern over the amount of seating if there really is enough for larger crowded days.  

Another concern I had when the photos were posted by the park and it became obvious that Pizza Pier and surrounding food areas were demolished.  After all, they were original structures.  This was another pleasant surprise! I really like how the new placement of Cotton Blossom BBQ really opens up the entire area and gives it a new fresh appearance.  Landscaping is beautiful, and several new trees were planted in the new areas while it appears as many mature trees as possible were left from the original design of the area. 

A panoramic photo I took, while Steelhawk was running (hence the bizarre twist), that shows the overall layout with the new Cotton Blossom BBQ.

Jeff went to go ride Patriot after we made it thus far, I took some time to take some photos around the area.  (For some reason looping coasters have started to really bother me in the last few years). Jeff noticed Patriot was running considerably smoother than in previous years and it was apparent that both of Patriot's trains have received more than standard TLC during the last offseason.

Our next ride was Timber Wolf since it has been re-tracked just slightly from the end of the new helix to the last 180-degree turn.  While smooth, excepting for about the last 20% of the ride, I did find my ride somewhat dull, though admittedly it was early in the day, with the only significant airtime on the bump right after the new turn.  I’ve heard from others it was running far better later on in the day and on Saturday, and I meant to come back and ride it again but never did.  Like the end of last year, all of the old Bicentennial Square is closed off, so Timber Wolf now exits over by Planet Snoopy, and a new entrance to Planet Snoopy has been added down by Linus Launcher and the Snoopy Junction train ride.  

Cylone Sams video shot by a friend of mine (the phone/camera was sat on the loose articles box), last weekend.

Wolf and Patriot weren’t alone in the rides getting updates over the offseason, in fact, MANY rides have received updates. Including the 24-year-old Cyclone Sams.  It’s been quite a few years since I dared ride Sams so on Saturday night a friend of mine rode it and reported back.  I did notice that the old pre-ride video is playing with the FunTV loop in the queue line area.  His report back did mention the fog machine that others had mentioned, as well as the addition of a tornado siren at the beginning of the ride, but that there were more lights and it wasn’t as dark inside the ride as it had previously been.  Also, he noticed the old screen effect on the ceiling has been removed too.  However, it's great to see any old ride being updated, especially one that thrives as much on effects as it does on the basic ride experience.

Cyclone Sam himself telling us all about his Cloudpoofer 2000 contraption.

Another big change to food service options involves the previously named Vittle Griddle and Battlecreek BBQ (or as I always call it Blue Bronco). With the removal of Pizza Pier and addition of Cotton Blossom BBQ, food offerings had to be moved around a bit.  It was sad to see Vittle Griddle renamed since it had held that name since the park opened in 1973, it has been renamed to Goldrush Pizza (at least appropriately thematically named), I am not a huge fan of the new sign either.  Battle Creek BBQ has also been renamed and received a new menu, to Prospectors Burritos and Cantina, which now serves a menu somewhat similar to Chipotle, with build your own burritos and bowls.  The building itself has also received a few updates, as well as new decking on the outside deck.  

Using the all-day dining plan we also stopped to try both places out, I had the steak burrito from Prospectors which was … ok.  The tortilla itself was very tough the inside filling was actually very good.  Jeff had the new gold standard pizza, which is pizza with macaroni and cheese and French fries on top.  Jeff liked it but said the French fries were a bit much, he ended up picking them off and eating them separately.  

When the 2019 map came out a few days before opening one of the major changes noted was that Americana had been subdivided into two separate themed sections, with the “new” area named “Wild West”.  This seems to have been well received, including by us for the simple fact that the Wild West area has always had a very separate theme then the more Victorian Front Street area has had.  Making the name change more “re-naming something” that has always been that way anyway.  We also loved seeing the new signage which was around the park identifying the different themed areas.

In Planet Snoopy there were a few minor changes.  Peanut’s Playhouse is in the process of transforming to Pig Pen’s Petting Zoo.  The Rockin’ Tug was down as we passed by but I am pretty sure all the other family/kids rides were in operation which compares well to some other parks, I won’t mention any names…. It also appears the Family Care Center (old Launchpad gifts) now has a safe sensory space for kids on the spectrum.  Nice touch.

Next up is Europa, which believe it or not, has quite a bit for me to talk about.  First, it like many of the other themed sections received new themed signs defining the themed area, with real bricks at both the entrance from Americana and after that long hill (which seems to be getting bigger as I get older), from Africa.  Second, the old pizza place, Paisano’s is no more, it is now “Let Them Eat Cake” and it seems to focus primarily on funnel cakes.  When it's open, which like Paisanos doesn’t seem all that often.  In the three days we were there it was open once on Saturday.  Falcon’s Flight also had its ups and downs though it was however more often open when we passed by... It also appears to have received more new lights, as the eyes on each Condor blink different colors, it looks great at night!  I ended up riding Taxis and Autobahn during the weekend, Taxi’s had about a 45-minute wait, probably due to the fact that it was running only about 4-5 total cars.  (?).  I did notice while I was in line that I could not only see the Worlds of Fun Balloon on WOF Ave but actually see cars traveling down it.  That is probably because a) its early spring and the trees are a bit behind on leaf quantities, and b) a lot of the trees have really been thinned out, which for overall appearances is actually a good thing. I also rode Autobahn which was running 10 cars, but they seemed to be running well, I got quite a few skidding turns which was awesome and reminded me of riding it when both it and I had quite a few fewer bumps and dings.

Deja Vu surprisingly enough was open Saturday and Sunday when we visited.  For the past few years, it has been home to retro park merchandise, Zambezi Zinger, Orient Express, etc.  With those items having found their way to Front Street Emporium, Deja Vu is now home to a new line of retro merchandise, retro toys including Lincoln Logs, and Lite Brites.  It's pretty awesome actually.  If I hadn’t had to worry about Spirit airlines checked bag fees that lite brite would have gone home with me.  One comment and I get the name Deja Vu still fits, but you know with this kind of merchandise it could actually fit its original name, La Petite Toy Shoppe. 

Jeff couldn't help playing with the toy coasters for sale at Deja Vu.

Going down the hill to Africa is the second year of the return of the floral clock.  This year it's featuring a sun rays design which I really liked, and I am guessing the shrubbery words will return once the Missouri weather regulates like last year. 

Second Week...

Third Week...

So like always there is the ten-ton elephant in the room, and when I was up at Guest Services on Saturday morning figuring out my pass and buying the all-day dining pass I noticed the two closed rides on their wipe board, WoF Railroad and Fury of the Nile.  I will talk about the Nile in a minute.  However, I learned from a brief discussion with another guest Saturday night that there is some confusion about ELI and the Worlds of Fun Railroad.  As we all know ELI is temporarily “on vacation” off property probably for the first time since 1973.  However, rest assured ELI will be back.  The confusing part is that another guest I spoke with thought ELI was powered by propane, and seemed confused when I mentioned its boiler was being replaced.  ELI DOES use Propane but it is not powered by Propane.  instead, like the 19th and early 20th-century steam trains ELI uses Propane (instead of coal or wood), to heat the firebox, boil the water in the boiler, create steam, and that steam is literally the ONLY thing creating forward (and sometimes reverse) motion.  If it makes it easier thinking of ELI as a gigantic 25-ton tea kettle, that’s actually fairly accurate.  And yes folks rest easy, ELI will be back and better than before.

Nile on Friday.... This is how Nile stores water when the ride is not operating.  it was then and still is now the only rapids ride designed to store water in its own trough (all others store them in a seperate pond).  This feature was designed by Burnes & McDonnell.

The awesome new Tunnel decor.  

The other attraction listed as “closed” was Fury of the Nile.  On opening day it was reported that the trough was dry, on Friday it was full of water,  and on Saturday… it was OPEN!  I had heard it had received several updates to the tunnel and I wasn’t disappointed.  I loved the Nile as a kid, it was my first “thrill ride” and there for many years, I rode it each and every time I went to the park which in 1994 was quite a few times!   I remember the tunnel was always dark and foreboding, unlike the last few years when it has just become rather dull.  It isn’t anymore, the park added a soundtrack, light effects, and fog.  I definitely recommend riding at night when the effects are much more pronounced.  The waterfall and geysers were not on, which was probably a good thing (it was in the 70s when I rode it).  The only concern I have is the same concern as on other rides, the Nile was running 8 total boats, probably because it only had one person on the turntable doing load and unload, meaning I waited about 45 minutes to ride. 

I got vetoed on my vote to ride Mamba (I KNOW!), but those with me agreed to ride Prowler instead.  Prowler like all the roller coasters at the park was running BOTH trains which was awesome to see.  The wait was short, and we rode in the second car.  It was an enjoyable ride, lots of airtime, the only roughness I noticed was the turn at the far end, which did jackhammer you a bit.  Otherwise, and I know Prowler of recent times has been having almost a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde personality when it comes to rider experiences, I had a great experience.  Gorilla Grill was open also surprisingly on Saturday and Sunday, (I still call it Congo Clearing), we didn’t eat there but both Jeff and I noted that it still had its plexiglass coverings up from Winterfest, I don’t know if this is permanent or if it just left over from Winterfest (there were a few very minor items still up from Winterfest around the park).  

Africa also had two “welcome to Africa” identifying signage both at the Scandi/Africa border and the Europa/Africa border that was awesome.  Not big or expensive, but a nice atmosphere.  I also noted that though some of the music had been changed it was still all appropriately themed, very nice.

I might add… I also noticed the Prowler operators wearing both the small “Africa” buttons but also “Prowler First Ride” stickers.  Not realizing that they were first-ride stickers I asked where they got them from, and both employees (ambassadors… man I have gotten really out of practice on calling them that).  Offered both myself and friend one.  Definitely NOT my first ride on Prowler, but still awesome to have.

It was great to see Zulu In operation while there, especially since so many parks are removing their Huss Enterprise rides,  its missing its ride sign, but since it's been there 40 years… I think we all know its the Zulu.  One thing I also noticed by Zulu is actually right across from it, Big Jacks (which thankfully is STILL Big Jacks) on Friday the small patch of land next to it was barren, by Saturday there were palms there.  I love that, literally, you visit one day, and then the next and there are already positive changes.

Moving into Scandinavia, I am happy to report that all rides operated in that section on all three days we visited and at no time when we were there were any of them down.  In fact, I think of all the rides the only ones I ever saw down at any time were the Nile, WOFRR and Falcon’s Flight.  (it's a Condor…. There is a reason they are rare).  Since in the past I have absolutely crucified the park for having so many rides down weeks, if not months into the season… I have to applaud the park on getting almost everything operational, even water rides that most parks don’t open until summer, (Nile, Voyager), AND at least in the case of coasters, operating TWO trains.

So as mentioned Scrambler was operating as was Voyager, Scrambler received new cars for its 46th season, and they are in the traditional Scrambler stainless steel which I love, and you really don’t see much anymore.  Nordic Chaser was running relatively line-less, but one thing I noticed is that the boat in the center is really getting beat up for only one-year-old.  It couldn’t be because of the severe winter…. hmmm.

Nordic Nook/Chicken Shack, whatever flavor of the month name the restaurant by Sea Dragon has had, is completely shuttered, when I originally read about the new candy shop, Scandi Sweets I thought it was going here.  Now it just looks rather sad.  I am guessing it will be gone before too long.  Scandi Sweets instead is going where the old Lift/Christmas Shop/Norseman’s Niceties was, its also shuttered but with signs announcing the new shop coming in May.  One thing that is missing is the old hanging sign, which has been looking really bad the last few years since kids have been playing with it (which is one part annoying and one part sad).  Not surprised its gone.

Back to International Plaza, the park is adding a new sound/light booth across from the stage.  Most likely for the coming Grand Carnivale, but probably a great addition for the various International Plaza shows too.  We walked out the park Saturday night around 10 pm (heard the closing spiel twice, once on the Nile and once when we walked by Scrambler) and all was quiet.  In fact so much so that the only thing I really noticed was that the closing spiel had changed, just slightly.  It now offers more of a nod to the world theming by calling guests “world travelers” and park tickets are once again “passports” it and also re-introduced the use of calling park employees “Ambassadors” which made me EXTREMELY happy.  Even more so when I saw on the official website that employees are officially being recognized as Ambassadors even on job listings.  I still remember as an Ambassador myself both reading in the old employee manual that read something like (and I am paraphrasing) “employees are called hosts or hostesses at all parks except at Worlds of Fun were they are referred to as “Ambassadors”, and two I also very vividly remember my dad asking me back about fifteen years ago if employees at Worlds of Fun were still called Ambassadors, himself having been an ambassador in 1973, and I responded at the time to the affirmative.  It literally broke my heart when they changed it to Associate.  So it might be completely pointless to Cedar Fair executives, and rather ridiculous to some to care what an employee is called… but for its part of the whole experience and though it may be just a small rather insignificant change… I am thrilled.  

Dad… yes, they are STILL Ambassadors :)

Jeff pointed out that WOF finally has the drive drums on Nile running correctly... first time in many many years.  They are supposed to run in opposite directions to help avoid boat wedges.

So overall… we had a great time.  We paid for both the day dining plan and the drink mugs and found them both to be great deals.  Definitely buy the dining package EARLY though because its a lot of food, and you have to eat at least twice to get the value out of it.  I like to say that not only did we have so much fun we came back for an unheard of the third day in a row, (for us), Jeff actually used the word “amazing” in reference to Worlds of Fun not just once but TWICE, and last… Jeff actually was disappointed that he did not get to ride Fury of the Nile. (I honestly cannot recall one time that he has ridden it with me in the past 20+ years)  Which he only decided to tell me after the fact.  So I guess we have a reason to come back.  As if I really need a reason.  See you at the park!