2012 Opening Review

So in the last 15 years I have written 11 opening day reviews.  There are some not so memorable, so ugly you just want to look away, opening day reviews I had to write.  2000 comes to mind… nothing like, "We will open the rides at 35 degrees.." then "We will open the rides at 45 degrees" and then (I kid you not) "we will open the rides at 55 degrees" … and and by the way our new ride stinks, and we never opened up the Orient Express the season before like we should have so that's all anyone cares about… Followed by the 2004 season opening day, when Orient Express was just removed and Spinning Dragons was sitting as the worlds largest lawn ornament, in its place… Or it could be the 2003 opening day when the park basically re-opened looking exactly the same as it did in October 2002.  So why am I bringing up all these old seasons past?  Primarily, because I have spent the last few days reading the Worlds of Fun Facebook page, and people complaining about how unprepared and "disastrous" the 2012 Worlds of Fun opening day was.  Disastrous?  Seriously? Nope, not even close.

In reality this opening day wasn’t all that bad.  Yes there were a few snafu’s, a few wet behind the ears ambassadors, and some not so great weather,  but after all there were no tornadoes, the rides all ran, (mostly) and personally? I had fun. Speak for yourselves other facebook people.

So onto the day.  Due to a 0 Dark 30 clinical I didn’t arrive at the park until 4pm.  On arriving I was pleasantly surprised and HOW busy the park was.  I don’t think I can remember when both C &D were both full on opening day.  It hasn’t been the last 10 years.  I kind of feel bad for those people who I told that opening day would be dead.  Sorry. 

It used to be we would park in G lot at this point.  We can’t do that anymore because of preferred parking.  When this was introduced last season, both Jeff and I weren’t  thrilled.  To me this is the biggest money grab of anything WOF has concocted lately, yes even more then the Fast Lane thing.  YOU DON’T GET ANYTHING EXTRA! Its G lot! I parked there last year this time for free!  Atleast give people a covered parking area, bottle of water or something.  For those that use it, really?  Regular parking is 10 feet away, same distance to the entrance.  H lot.  Atleast at Silver Dollar City I get a closer parking spot and feel I get something for my money. 

*Disclaimer: Since SOME people don't have a sense of humor I should mention the covered parking comment was a JOKE.*

Rant over

So as we walked into the park, I spied these new ornamental “cacti” ready to go into Americana.  The old “cacti” are looking a bit thread barren so maybe these are replacing them.  They look nice.  I like the  “working towards the theme” theme that we have going on here.

Cacti Topiaries

So as we moved towards the gate, pretty much everything else looked the same, flags are still there (good thing), and we noticed the first ADA addition.  Instead of having the replace the gate (dang it!), they found a way to get around the non-ADA compliant hill into the park, and built a gradual ramp located behind guest relations.

The ADA complaint ramp at the Scandinavia Park Entrance

On entering the park I realized the park was just as crowded inside the gate as out in the parking lot, it’s a great sign, and the first thing that caught my eye, was the Plaza Gifts sign.  Now don’t get me wrong I think Scandi Skees made a remarkably nice transition from arcade to shop, but man, that’s a BIG sign. The new Plaza gifts is really nice though, its very Cedar Point-like, and I say that in a good way.  The old doorways are all gone, excepting one, and replaced with windows (one original doorway headed towards Voyager is still a door).

The new Plaza Gifts

Inside Plaza Gifts

The old Baltic Bazaar is still with us too, originally I had heard that it might be demolished to have a new structure built.  Personally, I am glad they kept the original structure.  Its received a bit of a face-lift, and new signage.  Norma’s Funnel Cakes (which returned as Norma’s on the map a few years ago), is Norma’s on the sign now too.  I don’t know if the park realizes this, or you the reader realizes this, but Norma’s is an original Hunt Midwest name, named after Norma Hunt.  (Lamar Hunt’s Wife), making it one of only two restaurants in the park to still be named after someone from the park’s Hunt Midwest days. (The other being Big Jack's named after Jack Steadman)

Norma's Funnel Cakes

(For those interested the others included: Lamar’s Libations in Europa, Daniel’s Dannish Deli in Scandinavia, Clark’s Livery Post in Americana, and Rick’s Café in Africa)

I have been avoiding this, but I have to mention it.  The music. Jeff, my husband and fellow WOF nut job, has beaten me down to acknowledge that popular music may MAY be okay for the park entrance, because it is the park entrance.  What about lower Scandinavia?  Come on it really needs some themed music, yodeling.  Something Scandinavia-like.  You have to give me some credit for atleast trying. 

New Trees near Skyliner

Some good news, Orient HAS themed music.  In fact most of the park does!  That’s where we headed next.  Not much has changed.  All rides were up and running, and Bamboozler looks like it may have gotten some light work over the winter.  On a completely different subject let’s talk about trees.  If you remember from last year, many (dozens) of Worlds of Fun pines succumbed to a relatively new killer pine disease.  In the Orient (especially near Skyliner) several were removed.  Good news, these pines have been replaced by new young trees.  In fact, as we will try to highlight MANY of the old diseased pines that were removed last year have been replaced.

Moving on to Americana a few minor changes, Pizza Pier and the surrounding food joints received new picnic tables and new concrete.  I wish they had replaced all the concrete in that area, but still it was a nice surprise.

Near Pizza Pier, new concrete and picnic tables

Of course, one of the eatery options on the park  is Caribou Coffee, which opened in the old Pig Pen’s (plush animal shop).  Now I’m not a coffee drinker, but if I was, it’s a nice looking place to get coffee.  And for a positive outlook, atleast its not that coffee chain that starts and ends with “S”, yeah you know the one.  Also suprisingly enough the prices are extremly inflated, coffee runs about $3-4 each.

I also really wanted to make a comment about the photos on the wall,  including Cotton Blossom, Sam Panda, and some original park concept art.  I’m not sure what others think about it, but I think it’s a nice touch.

The new Caribou Coffee

Inside Caribou Coffee

One of the framed photos on the wall in Caribou Coffee

We next moved on to Timber Wolf.  The good news?  Timber wolf not only had both trains assembled and ready to run (an improvement over previous seasons), but they were RUNNING both trains.  That's good, but truthfully, I shouldn’t be mentioning that as an improvement, it should simply be done.  Timber Wolf the ride on the other hand… Can we just give GCI a call and re-track the whole thing?  Yeah I know lots of $$$ but really even I didn’t enjoy it all that much and I usually really like Timber Wolf.  Yes it was fast, and I think there was some airtime in there, but I was so concerned about holding on and not being beaten to a pulp, that I hardly noticed.

In another improvement (should be happening anyway) ThunderHawk was open.  If I was the park I would have certainly made sure it was open for opening day, I think it was closed 75% or MORE of last season.  

The old Uncle Sams Skeeball Hall, now Snoopy's Arcade.  There used to be a large trim piece above the door that was removed at the end of last season, instead of simply being repaired.

The old Uncle Sam’s Skeeball Hall received some new landscaping and trees around it, and some new doors (from the look of it) but the building itself really needs some love, both inside and out.  A lot of its trim was removed last year, probably due to wood rot, which is sad.   Of course it is now home to the parks only remaining skeeball machines. 

Wacky Worm gets a new theme, but is a little late to the party. 

Next to Timber wolf is another coaster… Wacky Worm, Cosmic Coaster, still Wacky Worm to me.  (Hey that rocketship isn't supposed to have FEET) Yep its not open for opening day.  Originally, I was planning a long-winded harp about how every ride should be open for opening day.  AND every ride SHOULD be open opening day, especially when you have a winter that has on 3.9 inches of snow.  Can someone remind me again what ride maintenance does for half of the off season? I want that job.  There really is VERY little that bothers me more then rides not being open on opening day.  However, there is one thing that bothers me more, and that’s mud slinging.  Lately on Facebook I have seen a lot of whining, about simple human mistakes. It seems like a lot of supposedly mature adults forgot what it was like to work their first day of their first job when they were 16 years old, and are following a rather disturbing trend in the US of expecting everyone (except themselves) to be perfect.

Worlds of Fun may NOT be perfect, and as you will see soon in my Europa review, they are FAR from.  Worlds of Fun is ran by human beings, who make mistakes, and while I firmly believe we should learn from mistakes and not keep repeating them year after year, after year (cough cough cough), some small degree of learning curve should be expected on the first day of the season.

Now with that being said one last comment about Planet Snoopy and children’s rides in general.  So last year the park added eight new family/children’s right?  But did they REALLY ADD 8 rides?  No.  In the last two years the park has gotten rid of Bouce-A-Roo’s, Head Over Wheels, Pony Promenade, and Too Too Train.  That’s four.  So the 8 new rides is really fuzzy math.  Still the ride subtraction/addition is a positive number, the park still ended up with 4 new rides overall.    And I don’t care who you are I will take the Grand Carrousel of Bounce-A-Roo’s any day.

So Europa. I have to wonder if the powers that be realize the park really has a section called Europa.  Walk through it, take a look at the rides, shops, restaurants.  Yeah.  There is enough there for me to write 50 pages about.  Honestly, I am beginning to think maybe the park should bulldoze the entire section, leaving of course Le Taxi Tour and Flying Dutchman (hey I LIKE Flying Dutchman) and of course rebuild it. Last year I harped about Autobahn and its pathetic seven cars in operation.  This year… the same thing.  Now I know money does not grow on trees but this is just pathetic.  Right next to Autobahn is State Fair Mini Donuts… in Europa.  This is the snack stand formerly known as Lamar’s Libations.  What I have a hard time understanding is that the park can return Norma Hunt’s namesake, but not Lamar Hunt’s?  Plus the signage is just extremely tacky, and I have yet to see it open this season. 

Then there’s Taxi’s, FOUR whole cars. FOUR..  There are FIVE parking spots at the loading dock, but only FOUR cars.  Well that’s a whole whopping capacity of a hundred or so an hour. This is on a ride that used to operate with 18 cars on average.  

Some shabby looking trim in Europa.

Not only is State Fair mini donuts not open, but neither is Bonici Bros (atleast that I have seen), and its façade is looking especially shabby.  Now that might be made worse by the fact that the rest of the park is looking better, but wow.  Unlike Arrow Taxi Cars, and Bumper cars I know for a fact that sandpaper and paint is pretty cheap. (wood trim isn't horribly expensive either) I just get this feeling that if Europa could talk it would be screaming “help me!”.  Really the poor section hasn’t had a new ride since 1977, 34 years. 

A couple of good things going on in Europa though, Jeff was able to check out the new Trax show at Moulin Rouge, and commented that it was a really good show, sort of along the lines of the old Tivoli show.  So definitely check that out.  Europa also, like western Americana and the Orient still has its themed music! 

The new Trax show at Moulin Rouge

 Last thing about Europa, the Europa/Africa hill is sporting this nice new landscaping wall...

A new landscaping wall on the Europa/Africa hill/

So moving on to Africa.  Of course the big update is Boomerang’s paint job.  Looks nice, and its good that they also took care of the station and metal walkways they were looking really bad.  Couple other things, Same Day Gateway/Ride and Slide Gateway has been replaced with an ADA compatible entrance.  Opening day it wasn’t open, but second weekend it was.  Checked it out, looking good. 

While were in the area (near Mamba and Prowler) I thought I would add a few comments about the new Fast Lane.  First its $50 per person for those unaware, which is a)expensive and b)probably means not a lot of people will be using it.  Couple of things I noticed, on at least Prowler and Mamba, the Fast Lane queue works very similar to Fast Pass at Disney, those with Fast Lane don’t get RIGHT on, the lines join up at the station, so if they want the front, they still have to wait for the front.  Again as long as the park runs decent capacity (two trains when the line is out of the station for example), then I'm okay with the Fast Lane idea, not my most favorite thing in the world, but okay with it.  

However, I still have to voice a concern of both Jeff and I.  What if for example Patriot is running one train and the line is down the stairs and around the station, people are waiting 45 mins plus for a ride, which is basically being run at half capacity.  A Fast Lane user may bypasses a line, but they are bypassing a line that SHOULDN'T EVEN EXIST.  In this case I see Fast Lane as a simple money grab.  The park COULD take the cheap and easy route and run into disgruntled park guests or they could do the right thing, and run capacity.

Sorry for the bad quality photo, Gorilla Grill

One of the big name changes besides Norma’s is the change of Congo Clearing to Gorilla Grill.  I am going to say something that some may not agree with.  Its themed appropriately, and as much as I liked the name Congo Clearing, I really like the new signage for Gorilla Grill, its bright and makes that restaurant really stand out. 

As far as Prowler (besides it being just a great ride) for those that remember opening season last year, we had to wait about a month before even the second train was fully assembled, so it’s a good sign that not only is the second train fully assembled, but both were running. 

So moving into Scandinavia once again. Lower Scandinavia, isn’t changed much, it has the same music selection of Upper Scandinavia, basically popular music.  Are they on the same track?  Guessing so, am I asking for to much to have themed music in atleast HALF of Scandinavia?  Well I can try.

Not a great photo, but if you clip to expand you can get a better view

Oslo’s Chicken and Waffles is another one of those restaurants I have yet to see open, but I have to admit, I really like the logo, putting a chicken in a Viking helmet on the logo, just speaks old Worlds of Fun to me for some reason.   Maybe its just I’m a girl and I think its cute.  Why a chicken in a Viking Helmet is cute, is like questioning why giant plush panda balls are cute, they just are (check out Plaza Gifts)  Still waiting for the restaurant to open so I can see live and in person the concept of Waffles and Chicken.  Supposedly a southern dish, we shall see.

The new ADA compliant entrance for Viking Voyager

So that’s it, another opening day in the books, and next year May 28, 2013 we will be celebrating the park’s real 40^th anniversary.  There have been some dark years in there, and I would like to say I think its all clear sailing ahead, but there are still a lot of problems that I see that need attention.  However, I think the park has made clear, obvious strides between last year and this year, and it looks like attendance is reflecting that, here’s to a great 2012 season! See you at the park. 

April 2012 Off Season Tour

Hello everyone once again, and welcome back to our 3rd and Final Off Season Trip Report to Worlds of Fun. As I had taken a vacation day to study for my Pharmacology Test I was able to actually be present for this trip (I don't think Brandon recognized me). However, things are really moving along at Worlds of Fun Avenue, and with only two weeks to go before opening day I'm sure there are just a few fingers crossed that they can get everything cleaned up and presentable before April 14th. Some things are looking good... some things not so much. So lets see whats going on.

BTW did anyone else but me find the 87 degree weather in APRIL unusual? I was sweating like it was July!

Wow its bright! That was my first comment on seeing the building previously known as Scandi Skees (anyone remember it as Arctic Arcade?) well it is entering its third life, now known as Plaza gifts. The building actually has taken quite a dramatic change. The color isn't really horrible in real life, (except for the blue, I hope that's primer) I like how they moved the doorways from the side, and overall I think it works. The inside still looks like the arcade, but I have been told that it should make its full change over by opening day.

Is this Plaza Gifts? Well it used to be. Going forward though it will be known as Lemon Tree. Pretty significant construction happening inside, it looks pretty much the same on the exterior, minus signage.

Remember a few weeks ago when I posted a photo of a carpenter working on the queue line for Voyager? Originally we thought it was for the Fast Pass system, but later found out it to make the thirty-nine year old voyager ADA compliant. Well Voyager has just gotten one step closer. It now spots a new wooden dock, and is prepping for one of the park's new ADA elevators. For those familiar with the ride, the ADA entrance will be directly to the left of the boat lift gate/crane.

What is this restaurant called again? Nordic Nook, Chicken Patio? This year its Oslo's Chicken and Waffles. (Maybe its just me but I don't get how those two things are related... I keep thinking KFC and Waffle House?) Anyway. Oslo's is receiving some much needed exterior work on its trim.

Moving on to Africa, we have the new and improved (well atleast improved) Boomerang. Now if only they could get rid of that awful... tent station.

Worlds of Fun had some renovation surprises for us too. Mamba photo received such much needed love. Mamba Plaza also has a new PERMANENT food structure... and to think it only took 15 years.

Here is the new structure in Mamba Plaza.


Here is the almost completed new walkway from Oceans to Worlds of Fun. So to get to WOF from WOF village, guests must buy passes at the OOF gate, and actually enter OOF before going to WOF. All in the name of ADA compliance.

Its the interior of the new Caribou Coffee! It will be located right between Charlie's Caps and Front Street Emporium. I know this isn't the most exciting photo, but it proves action is happening.


In Americana we have Wacky Worm... soon to be Cosmic Coaster. Hey folks there is still an apple there. Its still Wacky Worm. From what I have been told it doesn't look likely to be open for opening day. Stay tuned for that opening day review. For now there is still two weeks, and anything could happen.

Also, the new concrete will not only be the the CC queue line, but also as the ADA entrance to Planet Snoopy. The hill up towards Planet Snoopy today is slightly too steep.

And here you thought this review would be 100% positive. While many of the old pines that were killed off last year by the virulent pine disease have been replaced, the one's in the orient weren't so lucky... They got replaced by a concrete pad. REALLY?


Ok I had to send us all off on a positive note. Let me stop for just a minute, maybe I am old fashioned but it just seems odd for me... a girl (women, whatever), commenting on a boys bathroom. Anyway, it looks really nice, like I would like those tiles for MY bathroom nice. It appears to be quality work and should last just a bit longer then the dry wall it replaced.


So that's it for now. Stay tuned everyone as its only 11 days, 12 hours until WOF opens for its 40th Season! Opening Day Review soon after!

Off Season Tour March 5, 2012

While its been a pretty slow off season for most, and for the park, it has been about exactly the opposite for myself. Since January 2012 I have been in Nursing School and working a full time job... Worlds of Fun has unfortunately taken the back seat. I know... I know... blasphemy. Instead of wondering about the park's 2012 operating schedule... I have spent time wondering exactly what language my Pharmacology book was written in :)

However, I haven't abandoned Worlds of Fun entirely. No I plan to spend some quality minutes writing this blog. So lets get on with it. Jeff (minus myself) got the chance to go out the WOF again today (03/05) for another off season tour... again minus me. So for all of you who would love the chance to set foot in the park during the off season... I feel your pain.

So this is about the only action going on in Scandinavia right now... Just for Girls (previously known as Copenhagen), is receiving a new roof. A good thing for sure, but I am left scratching my head. From what Jeff has told me Scandi Skees still looks more like an arcade then well... anything else. I have to wonder if the powers that be have looked at a calendar and realized the park opens in about a month? I mean its not like they can use the weather excuse this year... We shall see.


This one was a rather surprising positive change. So what is it? Here's a clue its was at its time the park's largest capital expenditure, and hasn't been touched basically... since then. Its Fury of the Nile, and it looks like some work is progressing on the end waterfall.


When I realized I might have to talk about Boomerang in a positive light in this blog... I didn't know what to think. After all I haven't exactly ever put Boomerang in a positive light... for heaven's sake I call it the Giant Cheesepuff. Still it already looks about a million times better with its new paint job.


Another ride that was in dire need of a paint job... Monsoon.


The future home of the ride previously known as Wacky Worm... in 2012 the Cosmic Coaster. Amazing how WOF always gets all these "new" coasters simply by renaming them. Think about it the park has been doing this since almost day one. Its like they did it with Funnicular in 1979 and realized... wow the guests fell for this "new" ride thing... lets keep doing it. Hey it works.



Remember how we discussed all the ADA compliant changes this year? Well here we have some major dirt moving in regards to that. Say goodbye to the Same Day Gateway/Ride and Slide Gateway. Well at least that old, steep, hill. Now in appropriate ADA style the entrance goes down a not so steep hill to the Oceans gate, and then turns toward WOF. In this photo specifically you can see where the old ticket booth used to be (where the concrete path ends)


Last but not least. If we can go back a few years, and remember the first attempted remodel of the bathrooms using drywall? Yes some of us remember that. Drywall... in an amusement park... with 100% humidity and no air-conditioning... (another discussion all by itself). Probably a good thing to re-do them with tile.

So that's pretty much it. Some forward progress, especially with Boomerang is being shown. I have to say I am rather surprised, that more hasn't been done. Opening Day is now only a short 40 days away... Enough time to make a believer out of me, and I hope they can as I am really tired of seeing "This Site Under Construction" signs on opening day.

Worlds of Fun Off Season Tour Jan 30, 2012

So while SOME OF US worked today, Jeff got to go out to Worlds of Fun... However I am also 100% sure I am not the only one who wants to know whats going on at 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue. Of course, wouldn't you know the winter that the weather is perfect... the park isn't doing any major construction.

With that being said, there is a little action going on at the park... so let's take a look.

First starting in Scandinavia, All Stars Grill wood trim is getting some love...

I'm sure I have gotten a couple of "huh?" moments when I have written or spoken before about Baltic Bazaar. I didn't make it up, Baltic Bazaar was the original name of this tiny Scandinavian shopping area, and as since no one has bothered to come up with ANY other options since the 70's... that's what it's called. So far it looks unchanged... However I doubt it will stay that way for long.

Scandi Skees also shows some movement... I can see the future EBAY listing... "24 Slightly Used and Slightly Exciting Skeeball Games..." (that's a joke don't everyone go run off to EBAY)

Since not a lot of excitement going on in Scandinavia (for the moment) I figured I would change gears to "Just Took a Picture of it Because it was Cool" moment. Found in the old Orient Photo booth... I believe this is a diagram of the Spinning Dragons car.

And some Patriot seat backs... in Patriot's basement.

Now what about Americana's OTHER coaster? (not Wacky Worm I mean the other REAL coaster) Timberwolf... Though there are no photos to show you, Timberwolf is also seeing a continuation of the its track rehabilitation program. This year it looks like the last half of the 580 degree helix will be getting retracked.

Moving on...

Oh, look its Detonator...

Wait a minute something is missing here...

As an after thought, am I the only person who thinks that the thought of a Detonator rehab makes them feel old? I mean 1996 wasn't that LONG ago, or was it? Yikes. Detonator IS 15 years old... *SIGH*

This spot is reserved for future ranting about Worlds of Fun's first Front of the Line pass option... But for your viewing enjoyment here are the new steps for Detonator's Front of the Line entrance.

So as we all know now, Wacky Worm will be moving in Planet Snoopy to the place once occupied by the Too Too Train. Here is the previous location of said train...

Here is the Wacky Worm...

A little bit closer look at the station area... You know I don't even remember if the park usually left the train there or not during the off season?

Some movement of track...

Keep watching for future updates!

First Look at WOF 2012

As promised I wanted to move from 2011 to 2012 and take a first look at what is in store for next spring. At ACE Coaster Christmas we invited parks from the region to present for the upcoming season. Since the ACE Heart of America Region spans Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas we had a great turn out, and included presenters from Worlds of Fun, Six Flags St. Louis, Schlitterbahn Vacation Village and Silver Dollar City (of course).

Now since this IS a Worlds of Fun blog, I wanted to start with Worlds of Fun. But as I am the writer of said blog, and what I says goes (right out the window), I will also discuss the other parks too.

So Worlds of Fun. Now we all knew going into this that this will not be a year of big rides. However, for me sometimes that's not a bad thing. We saw how this year the gate area was transformed with the addition of the Grand Carousel and Festhaus II. Concrete, wood, and non-moving attractions may not look exciting on a press release, but certainly make a big statement to guests in the park. Like I mentioned in my previous blog, rides bring guests in one time, atmosphere brings them back.

First here's Brandon

Next Here is THE slide.

So what's on the slide...

1. Caribou Coffee, which appears it is replacing Plaza Gifts. To be honest I wouldn't be at all surprised if Baltic Bazaar was completely demo'd and a new structure re-built. While it would be mildly depressing to loss the structure, as long as the new structure is somewhat themed, I'm okay with this. From my experience many years ago working merchandising in the area, back in the 90's the structure was in bad shape. I can't imagine the situation has improved.

Here is some info on Caribou Coffee: http://www.cariboucoffee.com

2. It also looks like another dining option will be located near Caribou Coffee. Though Brandon could not share any more specific details except that it involves barbeque and a local bbq chain...

3. As far as Scandinavian merchandise, the old Scandi Skees will be pr-emptied by merchandise and become a retail store instead of an arcade. Probably a good idea as the few times I have stuck my head inside there were less then half a dozen guests inside. It seems a good size for a retail store, much more so then Plaza Gifts, and seeing how Retail has handled the renovation of various other stores throughout the park I think the outlook looks positive.

4. Haunt Expansion. You would have to be living under a rock these last five to six years not to realize just how big Halloween Haunt has become. So it comes as no surprise that Worlds of Fun is making plans to expand Halloween Haunt. Brandon stated that the plans are for another permanent structure (like Dollhouse and Slaughterhouse). No specific ideas on location per say, but the story line should revolve around high school zombies. Night of the Living Dead... lives again.

5. Wacky Worm incorporation into Planet Snoopy. Well it looks like the rumors about the worm moving up the hill were right. Woodstock's Express (Too Too Train) is history, with Wacky Worm taking its place. No official word on if it will receive a new name, but it does sound like it will receive some much deserved love.

6. ADA, many updates to the park in regards to the American Disability Act. Making restrooms, queue lines, etc more accessible. To silence the few rumors out there about Viking Voyager receiving the axe, Viking Voyager looks like it will be with us for many more years. A very good thing, as those Arrow Flumes are a vanishing breed all by themselves.

7. Fast Lane, the Front of the Line Pass that the park tried out during Halloween Haunt this year will be expanded to the regular season. Brandon mentioned that 10 rides, spanning thrill rides to family rides will receive the Front of the Line pass.

8. Live Entertainment. Probably one of the more exciting developments. Over the past few years we have seen tentative steps for the park to bring back a few of its old stand-by's, concerts, festivals and now possibly the train robbery. Yes, the old Train Robbery may be returning after an almost 20 year hiatus. The park will also be developing various additional midway entertainment, jugglers, street performers, etc.

9. Infrastructure. While Brandon did mention that most of the infrastructure improvements would focus on Oceans of Fun, he did also mention that all newly renovated areas will feature the same paving stones used in Planet Snoopy.


Moving on beyond Worlds of Fun, we return to our first presenter and host, Silver Dollar City. General Manager of Silver Dollar City Brad Thomas spoke of the 2012 season and its upcoming festivals. I have to apologize as I did not keep detailed notes as far as the details. I do remember the Blue Grass and BBQ festival sounded fun, and tasty. :)

Of course the big news was his teaser at the end. He mentioned that if we should come back for Coaster Christmas next year... that there would be some exciting news to talk about. Hmmmm..... sounds very interesting. Coaster Christmas next year (unless things change) is tentatively scheduled for Saturday December 1. Mark your calendars.

Next up was Chris Ozimek from Schlitterbahn Kansas City, KS. He spoke about several new attractions that will be opening for Spring 2012. I have to say though I may not like the totally dark waterslide (yes I will admit I am afraid of the dark), the 3,000 foot rapids ride sounds like a great time. For a look at the entire line up of new attractions for Schlitterbahn Kansas City, KS for 2012 check out their website: http://schlitterbahn.com/subdomains/kc/new/

One important aspect of Schlitterbahn parks that Chris mentioned but bears repeating for those that havent experienced it, is the Schlitterbahn concept of transportainment. Where instead of having to get out of the water and moving by foot to the next aqua attraction, at Schlitterbahn guests can float to and from all of the various attractions. We have talked about it for three years, it looks like for 2012 the concept will become a reality.

Our last presenter was Mike Neace from Six Flags St. Louis. Mike was able to discuss the new attraction to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor next year, the Bonzai Pipeline.

You can read a little bit more about it here: http://www.sixflags.com/stLouis/rides/bonzaipipeline.aspx

I would recommend watching the video, it looks completely insane. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.... Reminds me a bit of the first generation drop towers.

Overall it was a good time, and I hope everyone enjoyed themselves that attended. I look forward to seeing everyone next year for the 9th Annual ACE Coaster Christmas!

End of Season Review 2011

You know I had meant to write up an end of the season review, right after the park closed... Then life intervened as it often does. I debated quite a bit over the last 2-3 weeks about whether to write this blog, but finally decided to do so, after talking with a friend about it.

This blog will be a little bit different then previous blogs, it will be a little bit personal, which is quite unusual for me. First a little respective. WOF.org has been online since November 1997, when I originally started the website as a free TRIPOD personal site, mostly as just a repository from some of the old WOF stuff I had discovered over the previous few years. But, to tell my story and make my point I have to go farther back then that. See in 1995 I had one of my first chances to get to know my father. Amazingly, though I had not grown up with him as most have, we had quite a bit in common. This included an interest in Worlds of Fun. My father had first worked at the park in 1973, on the Cotton Blossom, as a cook for the Paddlewheel Cafe. He had many great stories to tell, including my favorite being his joke about the "60 Somewhat new and Slightly exciting things to do" (the original tag line for WOF was "60 Brand New and Exciting Things to do").

More importantly to you my dear reader was on a Friday in 1995, he took me to the 4th floor of the Downtown Kansas City Library, known even today as the Missouri Valley Room. It is an amazing treasure trove for anything related to KC history. It was there, on that day that I first saw my VERY FIRST 1973 souvenir map. I was so excited, as there were the attractions that I rode as a child that were already removed by 1995. I made a black and white photo copy of that map, and it hung on my bedroom door for years. I was hooked. Worlds of Fun had turned from an interest, into a complete obsession. I have my dad to thank for that. That and much more.

Sadly, at the age of only 54 my father passed from this life two weeks ago.

I am not writing this blog to dwell on that sobering fact. At first, when reviewing old photos, and thinking about moments in the past, I had almost decided NOT to write an end of season review. After all rotting wood, chipping paint etc is not all that important when taken in the grand scheme of things.

Then I remembered one of my last conversations about WOF with my dad. About the carousel. About how he questioned how a American carousel fit into the theme of Scandinavia, and I remembered how he always used to poke fun at me with the Scandinavian yoddeling music... And I knew I had to write that end of season review.

All year I have been trying to find an argument for just WHY the themed music was important. Nothing I could come up seemed to really hit to nail on the head as to why it was so important to so many of us. When I seriously started thinking about this blog the very first thing I did was go to YouTube (don't we all love YouTube?) and found this...



For those unitiated, this was one of those pieces of music played in Scandinavia for years. Yes, it is a German Beer Drinking Song. I almost cried the moment I heard it. I had flashes of watching the boats drop down into the final flume on Voyager, of the silver maple trees at the front of the park turning yellow in the fall. I realized it doesn't just matter if the music fits the theme, but more importantly the memories it creates. I listen to the music and I remember intangible aspects and moments in time. It's like when I was kid I loved driving through NKC and smelling the bread baking at the Tasty Bread Factory. You could always smell it and I loved driving by for that reason. Those smells, just like the music at Worlds of Fun created wonderful vivid memories. Same thing with the Zinger and Express, it wasn't just the steel, or the concrete, but the memories those rides created.

Now no one can ask the park to bring those rides back. However, I don't think it is to out of line to ask to bring the music back. Please don't let the music, and the memories the music created... die.

So I ask the park one more time... Memories are too important to replace with the hot pop hit of the moment. Let those millions of people that have streamed through the gate have this one memory and keep it alive. Please don't let YouTube be the only way to remember our childhood memories.

And that's all I have to say about that.

As I mentioned that was a much more emotional argument then I usually make. There is a reason for that. The music, the crazy, zany, some may say weird themed music can evoke an emotional response, because of the memories it created. While its true guests will visit the park occasionally for the fact that it has great rides, but they will be return, loyal visitors to revisit their memories. If the park continues to remove the atmosphere, and hence the memories, they WILL lose loyal visitors. I guarantee it. Yes, over music.

There were many times this season I didn't want to stay at the park because it didn't feel this same this year, simply because of the music. For the first time it didn't feel like Worlds of Fun. If I feel that way, others will too I promise. I can also promise no one will come say... lets go to Worlds of Fun because they heard the goo goo dolls over the PA system. It IS just that simple.

So here again is my compromise. Bring back the themed music to the midways, but play popular music in the queue lines. After all queue lines are B.O.R.I.N.G. and could be tolerated better with popular music. After all Cedar Point put D.J's in their queue lines to entertain would-be-riders and many of those riders remember it to this day as an enjoyable experience. And isn't that the WHOLE point?

There were other things this season though that definitely had a more positive spin. Others have mentioned it (on Facebook) but I think kudos should be given to landscaping. Now if I had wrote this at the beginning of the season I would have had to disagree, landscaping started off looking rather dismal. However, thanks to a boost in staff it quickly recovered and the park ended up looking pretty nice this season.

Lovely Cacti Garden... with Lantana in the foreground.

I just had to include this it was so pretty... (Yes this was shot at WOF)

A potted flowering plant in Africa. I have no idea what type of plant this is, but the flowers are quite pretty.

I have to say my favorite part this year (as Jeff can attest to) was the American Cactus garden. The cactus garden was a staple at the park for years, and made its reappearance just last year. I was rather surprised that the cacti survived so well despite I am sure just a few rambunctious children.

A pine near Cyclone Sam's, succumbing to disease... sad.

Of course there were a few loses in the landscaping department this year too, namely many of the parks pines. As those more heavily involved in the landscaping field can probably attest to, the last few years have seen the spread of a deadly pine disease, that is virtually unstoppable and kills pines in a matter of weeks...

Many new trees recently planted near the new Festaus.

As kuddos to the park though there were just as many trees PLANTED this year. Plus, from what I have heard many of the dead pines will be replaced by other much more resistant species, which is good to hear. Just say no to the concrete jungle!

Of course themed music and landscaping are important to a park experience. One only has to look as far as your typical Six Flags park to realize that... However, one has to be honest and realize that most people come to the park for RIDES. Unfortunately, in the rides department the park did not fair favorably. There were some bright spots and I will get to those. First let me start out though, this will not be a tirade about Planet Snoopy rides opening late. While we all like to see attractions opening on time, weather is not always within a parks control.

Thunderhawk... about how it looked for most of the season.

However, certain other aspects ARE within the parks control. Thunderhawk for instance? Ouch... It didn't open for the season until FIVE months after the park had opened. Yes Huss Rides (Thunderhawk's manufacturer) is in Germany, however lets not forget the memo that the park was closed for six months. That means Thunderhawk went almost a full year without operating.

Another sore spot that the average guest many not always realize directly, but they will realize with the time in line.. is capacity. Prowler and Timberwolf didn't get their second train in operation until the almost two months after the park opened. For me atleast, that seems inexcusable. ESPECIALLY when your new attractions aren't open either.

So looking at this from your average guests point a view... They have to wait in line double the time they normally would (a 5 minute line becomes 15-20 minutes, or a 15-20 minute line becomes 30-45 minutes), PLUS over half of the family/children's area is still under construction, over a month into park operating season.

And no I'm not even done. There is one ride that I have failed to mention this year, or even the past several years. I should have. But I HOPED the park would remedy the issue, plus in the grand scheme of things its not a top billed ride. Autobahn. Or more appropriatly Der Fender Bender. (Yes and I am one of those people that still call it Forum Road). In this situation a picture is worth a thousand words....

Der Fender Bender in its early years (late 70's)

Same ride, but different name, now the Autobahn circa 2011

I am sorry... there is no way to sugar coat this. YUCK. Here are the options that I can see... Fix it, or Replace it. Sometime soon. Seriously you operate with only 7 cars? 7?!?! The park operates with 7 because the ride will not operate with fewer then that, and that is the reason it runs with 7 because it can.

The problem is there is way WAY to much patch fixing. Fix it enough that it will work (somewhat), or fix it to the minimum that it can operate, and leave it be. Until it breaks again. Autobahn falls in this category, so does Le Taxi Tour, (8 Cars are you serious?), and even Fury of the Nile. I refuse to ride Nile anymore, its not even a shadow of the ride it was in 1984. I primarily believe because of "easy" fixes. Yes the ride is safe, yes the ride operates, but is it fun? Or have the cheap fixes, just enough to keep the ride running safely, also had a negative impact on the overall ride experience? In other words has the ride ceased being fun? If you have to even think about that question then there is something seriously wrong.

Yes, that was painful. But you know it really needed to be said. For those that don't think it should be said, I welcome you to step into the park as a guest, and experience some of the rides and experiences I just mentioned, and not get frustrated.

Planet Snoopy... The old thought process with parks was to paint with garish colors so that guests would notice the new paint... (atleast that was the thought at Cedar Point in the 30's and 40's) well it worked.... and I actually really like the bright colors.

With that being said there were some very good experiences with rides this season too. Truthfully. Planet Snoopy for instance, not only did it double the number of Planet Snoopy rides, allowing children and parents to ride together, but it's also really nice looking! I can't even begin to tell you the times we headed to Planet Snoopy to find that's where the crowds were! Plus, it looked so fresh and clean, sparklingly so. I have admitted this once, but Planet Snoopy is easily one of the best looking children's areas in the entire almost 40 years of Worlds of Fun's existence.


The other big addition was the Illions Carousel. Now I understand no one in this area seems to get as excited about this as I do, but most will agree that it made the entrance plaza look about a million times better. For those that know me I might ask that you take a seat before I make my next comment. Cedar Fair did an exceptional job, exceptional. There was not a single corner cut with this project, and there were several ways they could have done so... They didn't have to completely restore the carousel, they didn't have to use REAL gold in the horses manes and tails, and most importantly they REALLY didn't have to restore the band organ. Most people may not realize this, but Worlds of Fun now has the only working band organ of the entire Cedar Fair chain, and folks it doesn't take both hands to count the operating band organs in parks across the country. They are rare, amazing creations that simply can't be reproduced by all but the most amazing sound systems in the world.

My drool moment is officially over. But seriously it is something that should be appreciated. Last comment and I will move on... but wouldn't that band organ music sound SO much better with Scandinavian music in the background as opposed to modern... errr... music playing instead? Yes I won't give up.

Of course the end of the season wrapped up with Halloween Haunt, the park's premier event for the season. There is no way of getting around the fact that Halloween Haunt is one of the park's best ideas in the last decade. It certainly brings folks in that's for sure, and that is a GREAT thing. I love seeing the crowds, and yes, even parking in the grass. What can I say I am weird. However I have to wonder why the park isn't exploiting the rest of the season? April thru September? I really think that festivals (and concerts) during the summer could turn out crowds just as big as October. After all they did it in the past, and its been proven that there are just as many people today that will come to the park.

There's not much to say about the Haunts that hasn't already been said. They were all quite good, but definitely there was a degree of improvement from the beginning of Halloween Haunt to the end on Oct 30th. One aspect I want to comment on is the Front of the Line Passes (FOL). Honestly I was skeptical about this idea. I have seen how well (or not so well I should say) they have worked at Cedar Point and Six Flags in the past. Not too well. However, I will be honest from what I saw there were no mass protests about FOL passes from stand-by guests (those without FOL passes). Overall it seemed those that used the passes were satisfied, the price wasn't obnoxious and I am sure it made the park money.

Some who read my comments may think that I am positively against the park making money. That all I want is the park to spend itself into a hole fixing everything, and forget about real life, and the fact that the park is a business. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reason I make the comments I do is that I want the park to prosper, not just this year, but next year, ten years from now... on and on. I want the park to bring in record profits, because it lets them invest in the park for the future. So when I see them making changes like Front of the Line passes, I don't express concern because the park is making money off of it (which is great), but because I see a concern that guests might be turned off by the idea. So far that is not the case, which is great.

However, it is one thing I think should be handled with caution. Think about a point a made earlier about reduced capacity on Prowler with only one train for the first two months. Guests are frustrated with a long wait now, how will they feel about an instituted Front of the Line program? If capacity issues are dealt with at the same time that Front of Line is instituted, I don't for see a huge problem. Otherwise, it could be. Just a word of caution FOL looks like a cash cow, it probably is, but long term quality guest experience should NEVER, EVER be traded for a quick dollar now.

So now it is the off season. Its getting cold, but next year it looks like we should see some great infrastructure improvements. My next blog post will look at that in more detail, and hopefully over the next few months we will have some photos to share with you. Until then, I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and merry christmas!