A month or so ago discussion popped up on our Facebook group regarding the famous Worlds of Fun water tower, how it’s always been one of the iconic Worlds of Fun structures, and I thought it would be fun to create a “7 Wonders of the Worlds of Fun World”. So began the art of creating the list, defining the attractions that were historical AND iconic. Attractions that might not be the biggest or shiniest but we couldn’t imagine Worlds of Fun without, and that we look forward to seeing, and in one case only realize how important it is to our experience when it goes missing. You the reader may or may not agree with our list, and that’s fine, disagreement here is all part of the fun.
And in no particular order:
THE Gorilla.
African Animals:I’m not talking about real animals here, I am not even talking about my husband or those coasters that are named after wild animals either. No, I am talking about those fiberglass and topiary animals scattered throughout the African section.
Hippo that was over by Zinger's station, circa 1999.
The oldest of these is the most easily identifiable, the black gorilla located by Gorilla Grill, which also shares its family tree with the crane over by the Fury of the Nile turntable. Both creatures “originated” with The Safari, a drive-yourself car ride, very similar to Le Taxi Tour, which only lasted until the 1978 season. The animals preceded even Worlds of Fun and were bought used from a miniature golf course! Originally, there was also a Hippo and Tiger but those both vanished following the 1999 season.
Fury of the Nile crane
The other animals are much more recent and those are the topiary Rhino, Giraffe, and Elephant also near Gorilla Grill that was added to the park by the park’s landscaping team in 2017.
Elephant Topiary circa 2020.
Due to the numerous photos and posts related to the gorilla at Worlds of Fun over the years, it should require no explanation as to why this virtual zoo belongs on this list, but you have to wonder… after all these years shouldn’t the gorilla finally get a name?!
Gertrude?
ELI/Worlds of Fun Railroad:
ELI out in Yumma Yucca Mesa.
This was a tough one. Not tough so much choosing ELI or the Worlds of Fun Railroad as a wonder of Worlds of Fun, or recognizing its value to the park, but difficult because it hasn’t been there for two full seasons. We all listen for the sound of the whistle, or its “chug chug chug” as it makes its way past Prowler, or up Taxi’s hill. But those sounds have been missing for a while and we all miss it.
Jeff took this back when the "miniature" photo style was popular, I can't remember the exact year.
ELI and its supposed brother, LEVI are both Crown Metal engines, built to look like their 1800’s counterparts, but built in the early 1970s. Many see the propane tanks on the tender and think ELI isn’t a real steam engine, but appearances can be deceiving. Most Crown Metal engines DO burn propane but do so only to heat the water, to create steam, and it’s the steam that gives the engine its power. In essence, the propane has replaced the more traditional wood or coal. The fact that ELI is a steam engine has made it iconic to the park, and that’s pretty standard for the few parks that still operate steam engines. Cedar Point and its CP & LE Railway (Lake Erie), Kings Island’s KI and MV (Miami Valley), Railway, and then of course there are the two domestic Magic Kingdom Disney park’s which require zero explanation. The funny thing is… the Florida version of the Magic Kingdom railroad has been down and out about as long as Worlds of Fun’s has been. I still have faith that ELI will be back, with Worlds of Fun hope is and always will be strong.
ELI fresh with a re-paint in 2018.
Floral Clock:
Floral Clock from 1991, notice no date, that will be an important detail on the next photo.
There are two attractions on this list that while technically new, could also be argued to be “original”. Both the old and new versions of the floral clock are in the same location (Africa, but on the hillside by Moulin Rouge) and incredibly similar except that the new version is slightly larger. The original has many photos associated with it, and one of the earliest photos I remember ever finding of it online had a family complete with striped bell-bottom pants and other ’70’s attire! It also has many great stories, one of my favorites is that of a young Worlds of Fun landscaper that would go onto bigger and better places who strived to improve the park, and recalled that at one time the floral clock had a month and date in topiary letters and numbers too. By the time the young man worked at the park the daily changing of the date had been discontinued as part of budgetary cuts. He not only found the old number and letter molds but personally restarted the daily date changes himself and continued the tradition until he too left the park. The entire floral clock would vanish after the 1996 season. The small plot would go on to be remembered for its “You’re the King of the World!” High-Striker game, and a few picnic tables, though for many years the basic shape of the floral clock was still visible in the grass on the hillside.
Floral Clock from 1996, notice though it has the day's date on it (July 30), that's different than the 1991 posted above.
Everything changed in late 2017 when I received a Facebook message from a friend who told me the floral clock was coming back, at first I didn’t believe him, I had heard that line just a few times already. Then he sent me a photo of the actual construction work being done and I wanted to meltdown and cry. I think I did shed a few tears of happiness in the IKEA return lane, and yes it was such a memory I still remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I found out. Today, the floral clock is back at Worlds of Fun, right where it belongs, and hopefully, it will stay that way for many years to come.
New Floral Clock, circa 2018
Front Street Fountains:
Old Front Street Fountain, not entirely sure on the year taken.
As the City of Fountains, it's unimaginable for a park to be located in Kansas City and NOT have a fountain, but that was the case until 1979. Before 1979 it wasn’t a sunken fountain it was the sunken garden… complete with a compass at the center. For the 1979 season, the fountain was introduced and remained there for almost 40 years, until it was replaced by today’s star fountain in 2018. Truth be told, if your family didn’t have a photo in front of the Floral Clock or African Gorilla you probably had one in front of the Americana fountain, like everything mentioned prior its iconic status is undeniable.
Close up on the old Front Street Fountain, from a Worlds of Fun postcard no exact date (1980's)
Of course, a big part of that is that it was originally part of the park’s main entrance, and the sunken fountain, for twenty years was the first and last thing most people saw when they entered and exited the park. Then there was of course the ‘if you or a member of your party have become lost or separated we recommend at this time that you meet at the sunken fountain located next to the main entrance to the park” (or in later years… next to the Grand Prix Raceway). An interesting aspect of all history is that sometimes though an object’s original purpose is long gone, its status created by that original purpose is retained. So true is the main gate long gone… but the Americana fountain still retains its original iconic status.
New Front Street Fountain, Circa 2018.
Mamba:
Mamba at Sunset circa 1998.
In the HBO Mini-Series “John Adams” Benjamin Franklin commented that Col. George Washington was so tall he was bound to lead something at some point. So too with Mamba, which literally lords over the entire park and is almost destined by its sure size to be iconic. However, that’s not the whole story as there are far more coasters these days that are taller and faster and longer that DON’T carry the same status at their home parks that Mamba does at Worlds of Fun, and we may wonder why.
Mamba Plaza, notice the flags still hanging in the station! Circa 1999.
I like to think that it all resides on the time for which Mamba debuted, which was during a period of drastic change for the park. Zinger and Express were both removed within five years of its introduction. Simply put, it not only had to be the biggest flashiest new attraction at the park, but it also had to fill the shoes of the many legacy attractions that were removed at the same time. Mamba amazingly accomplished that feat and has become beloved because it has for many, always been there.
Mamba goes through its final camelback's, not entirely sure what year this was taken.
Today, those of us who were there when Mamba opened for the first time still love Mamba, but there is now also a whole new generation, and possibly now even two that don’t remember a Worlds of Fun without it. To further cement its iconic status Mamba is due in 2021 to tie with its cousin Orient Express in its number of years of operation (22 years) and the following year in 2022 match the operational years of Zinger.
Mamba roars into the final brake run. Circa 2020.
Torii Gate:
The old Torii Gate circa 1998.
The Torii Gate is unique in that like the Floral Clock there is the old version and the new version, but unlike the floral clock, they are located in two different spots. However, LIKE the floral clock fans have unanimously adopted the new version to be the equivalent or better than its predecessor. The original once stood at the division of Americana and Orient, about where the Coca-Cola Refresh is today. The official/unofficial explanation for its removal is that it blocked vehicle traffic in the park during non-operational hours. In 2019, the Torii Gate returned, on the opposite side of the Orient, on the S/O Bridge (Scandi/Orient), looking a great deal like the original though this one was designed so as not to impede traffic.
The new Torii gate on the S/O Bridge circa 2019.
One of my favorite stories about the Torii Gate (and I am by far NOT the only one!) is the urban legend that tells ambassadors for all generations that it is bad luck to walk under the Torii Gate, Take it for what you want, but many past ambassadors even today refuse to walk under the new Torii gate for this very reason.
Water Tower/The Hot Air Balloons:
The Original Worlds of Fun Hot Air Balloon circa 1979
Yes, here it is. The ultimate wonder and icon of Worlds of Fun isn’t a ride, or even an attraction in the park at all, but is still absolutely, indisputably deserving of the title. That dang hot air balloon. Jack Steadman’s quote from 1971 pretty much says everything: “We chose the large, multicolored ascension balloon for our symbol because it represents fun, adventure and travel reminiscent of the movie “Around the World in 80 Days” These are the things we want Worlds of Fun to represent” Roberts, Joe (1971, Nov 11), “Gala Start to Fun World” Kansas City Times, p. 1a
The not-so-owned-by-Worlds of Fun, but still Worlds of Fun water tower.
I remember when I was a kid, back in the’80’s, and I lived in the Northland, every time I saw the water tower I knew I was near Worlds of Fun. I was surprised recently (and I guess I really shouldn’t have been) that I wasn’t the only one that thought that way. Back in 2007 Worlds of Fun did the unthinkable, they changed the official park logo from that iconic hot air balloon with partridge font for the first time in their 35+ year history at the time. Funny enough… it came back not long afterward, and the park even included a new version of the hot air balloon in the park’s new entrance in 2017. A fascinating detail about the balloon that a friend helped me realize is that of all the variations of the balloon out there, the water tower, the one at the park toll plaza, at the park gate, even the logo all share the same color pattern, yellow/blue, purple/pink and green/orange, every single one was designed and intended to look like the original park logo introduced now almost fifty years ago. One thing is true through it all, the hot air balloon and Worlds of Fun are unquestionably synonymous with each other. Thanks, Jack.
And the new Worlds of Fun Balloon at the main gate circa 2017.
When writing about Worlds of Fun history my focus over the years has been almost exclusively the rides, and there is still a mountain of information that has yet to be included in a blog entry.However, I was recently asked about the park’s old dolphin show, known as Fins & Flippers and I have found recently that for many who experienced it it’s a show they have never forgotten, but for a whole new generation it’s a show that they never even experienced. So, let’s start with a bit of background. Fins & Flippers was the park’s dolphin show and opened as one of the Orient section’s two original main attractions (the other being Oriental Octopus), and lasted until it was discontinued after the 1996 season. The duo of dolphins that performed changed frequently as did their human co-stars, but the basic premise never did. The dolphin stars would jump through hoops, launch straight up out of the water for targets, soak guests seated in the first few rows with their flips and aerial antics, and in the end also provide a unique educational experience for a completely midwestern landlocked region. The show wasn’t just about watching though either, in many cases the trainers would call young children out from the audience to directly interact with the playful dolphins too. From a personal stand point I can recall vividly not only hoping to sit in the “get soaked” seats, but also watching from just outside the stadium, because if you were late, you were stuck outside.
The Orient in 1973
The story of Fins and Flippers begins in 1973 with the park’s inaugural season. The original dolphins were named Skipper and Dolly, and were owned and trained by Quinlan Marine Attractions of Lincolnton, NC. The original trainers (performers) were Teresa Farmer and Kaye Sink in 1973, and Sherry Passow and Bill Brown in 1974, they would train the dolphins through the winter in the warm weather of North Carolina, and fly out with the dolphins in the spring and back again in the Fall. The dolphins only lived at Worlds of Fun during the park’s operating season itself.
Training in 1974
Even 47 years ago, there was no doubt by any of the trainers of the intelligence of either animal or the whole entire species. In an article from 1974, Sherry and Bill frequently commented on the animals ability to communicate with each other, as well as having quite sly ways in making know their feelings on any particular matter.It’s a fact that many animals are often just as interested in the humans as the humans are of them. This fact was never more noticeable then when Sea World Orlando re-opened after its three-month closure recently and what is true today was also true in 1974! As the trainers would attest, Skipper and Dolly would often “choose” to “show off doing a belly buster to mischievously splash anyone within reach” when they should have easily landed in the water without a splash. They literally enjoyed making a splash and seeing the audience reaction!Bill and Sherry would continue by saying that though both dolphins were incredibly smart, Dolly’s intelligence far overshadowed Skipper’s saying about Dolly that“if you treat her like a dolphin she gets insulted” (Lapham, KC Star Magazine).
1976
For 23 years dolphins would go on performing at the same 1,500 seat auditorium in the park, the pool which while larger than some at the time would today be considered comically small, nine-feet deep and 35-feet in diameter. When one considers each dolphin was nine-feet long, and 400 pounds each, it doesn’t leave a whole lot of wiggle room.
1977
Throughout the ’70’s the park would play with a variety of themes with the show, in 1976 in honor of the country’s bicentennial they introduced the “Salute from the Sea ’76” where Skipper began the show by ringing a liberty bell, in 1978 a new show, “The South Seas Spectacular” introduced a new opening act the “Kahula Wahines” which offered a ten-minute traditional Polynesian dance show.
Linda Hutchings (1979-1981)
From 1975 until 1978 the training team was David and Donna Price, in 1979, Linda and Tamara Mulikin, and then in 1981 Linda and Steve Hutchings. By the early ’80’s a change was about to occur, one that would go virtually unnoticed by the average park guest. In late 1980, the Ralph Quinlan, owner of Quinlan Marine Attractions was quoted stating that it was too expensive to continue to operate his facilities any longer and for this reason I believe that by 1982 the dolphins were no longer provided by Quinlan but by Marine Animal Productions of Mississippi (MAP). 1981 would also be the last year that Skipper and Dolly would perform at the park, and 1982 they were replaced by Jimbo and Pepper, and In 1983 a new duel Cosmos and Leana. After 1983, there is no coverage regarding the actual dolphin names but MAP trainer Jeffrey Siegel advised me personally that the dolphins Clovis and Sandy were the only MAP dolphins the perform at the park. Jeffrey would be MAP trainer at Worlds of Fun from 1991 until 1995.
Fins & Flippers video from 1983
Another Jeff, Jeff Mast, recalls an experience hauling the dolphins back to the airport to be flown home for the winter, it wasn’t an easy task as the dolphins were each over 400 pounds in weight and had to be constantly kept wet, and like humans didn’t like dealing much with strangers, especially in what must have been a cramped, uncomfortable position.
Amber and Pepper, most likely in the mid to late '80s.
Probably one of the most interesting questions about Fins and Flippers is how it ended, and I think it no surprise to anyone as to the why today, but what is always more interesting is the why back in 1996.
An audience member has a close encounter with a dolphin (1990's)
The Kansas City Star began coverage of the protestors at the Fins & Flippers show starting in 1993, John Hudacek General Manager of Worlds of Fun argued that the dolphins provided not only entertainment but education for guests that live thousands of miles from the ocean. Protestors on the other hand saw it as an abuse of the living animals to make a profit. In a Star-Touch survey conducted by the Star most local readers wanted the show to stay by nearly a 2-to-1 ratio.
Protestors and discussion on the issue continued over the next two years, with a few protestors being arrested in 1994. JcPenney also removed its short-lived sponsorship of the show (it was previously sponsored by Commerce Bank for many years) to switch to a more visible advertisement at the main gate instead, but many opponents of the show saw this as JcPenney removing themselves from a contested issue. The show would continue into the 1996 when one of the dolphins, Nikki died of unknown reasons at the park in April 1996.
2001, Mermaid's and Mariner's High Dive Show
Worlds of Fun decided to continue to use their dolphin stadium and re-named it the Aquatic Arena and added a new show, The All-American High Dive Team for the 1997 season. In 1998 it was switched to the Acapulco Fiesta Dive Show, and in 2000 it was once again switched to Mermaids and Mariners High Dive show. In 2001, the Mermaids gave their last show. The Aquatic Arena was left empty for the 2002 and 2003 seasons and was “removed” following the 2003 season with Orient Express. However, as many know part of the stadium lives on, the original tank is now the Spinning Dragons fountain, and the elevated queue line for Spinning Dragons is held up by the curved original retaining wall of the original dolphin arena.
The Aquatic Arena in 2003.
Virtually the same vantage point only months later in 2004, you can see that the dolphin pool and retaining wall remain from the old stadium.
This isn’t the place to argue why the park decided to remove Fins & Flippers, history does however shows us the writing was on the wall for the show, in the same few years that Fins & Flippers was discontinued, similar shows at parks across the country were doing the same. Today, the only aquatic shows that continue are located at marine-specific parks which can host and provide better support for their various marine life. Some may want to judge Worlds of Fun and other parks on their choices to have such shows that used wildlife in such a manner, but while it’s easy to judge the past, let us not forget the last Fins & Flippers show was performed now over 25 years ago. The world and the people in it have changed over those years, possibly changing not in spite on Fins & Flippers but partially because of it. In retrospect I would like to think Fins & Flippers did exactly what the park intended all those years ago, to entertain and educate. It without a doubt did both.
Lapham, Jim. “Making Friends with the Dolphins at Worlds of Fun.” Kansas City Star Magazine. 2 June 1974.
Calllahan, Hortense. "Theme Park to Open Season Tomorrow." Kansas City Star. 9 Apr. 1976. p. 20a.
"It's Show Time." Great Times. 1978.
“Inflation takes toll on dolphin trainer’s business”. The Index-Journal. (Greenwood, SC.) 23 Dec. 1980. p. 16.
Ball, Nancy. “Worlds of Fun Shows take you on a Razzle-Dazzle Ride.” Kansas City Star. 19 June 1980. p. 1B
"In the Spotlight." Great Times. 1982. p. 16
Kennedy, Mike. “New Arena for debate on dolphins.” Kansas City Star. 20 June 1993. p. A1:2
Kennedy, Mike. “Continue dolphin show most StarTouch callers say.” Kansas City Star. 25 June 1993. p. C3:2
Barr, Paula. “Protestors at Worlds of Fun call for freedom for dolphins.” Kansas City Star. 30 May 1993. p. B3:2
Kennedy, Mike. “J.C. Penney ends sponsorship of dolphin show.” Kansas City Star. 17 May 1994. p. B1:2
Barr, Paula. “Dolphin’s death is a puzzle.” Kansas City Star. 26 Apr. 1996. p. C3:1.
Garbus, Kelly. “Dolphins’ act is over in KC.” Kansas City Star. 15 Dec. 1996. p. B1:6.
15 years ago construction for a yet unannounced attraction began behind the old Beat Street shops, turned Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns. The year was 2005, Mamba was still relatively new at only seven years old, Spinning Dragons was only on it’s second season, and Orient Express had operated just two short years prior as well.
The attraction had been teased by concrete eagle statues around the area for awhile that season, and wouldn’t actually be announced, as seems to be park tradition, until September of 2005.It would be the park’s newest thrilling, looping coaster, or as the park states the longest, tallest, full circuit inverted coaster in the region. It would be Patriot.
Over the next few months we will be taking a look back at the construction of Patriot as it occurred exactly 15 years previous. Unfortunately, with a few exceptions, due to a server crash the only photos we have are the smaller files that were used in the photo gallery back at the time construction occurred.
A footer with rebar, you can see many of the old pines that once lined tram road in the background.
An opposite view to give viewers a better idea of positioning. You can see Beat Street in the background. An interesting tidbit, the original plan that we were advised of was to keep the opposite half of the shopping strip mall that was actually kept. So if you are looking at it from this point of view the section that was kept was on the far right, where the original plan was to keep the far left section.
Looking towards Skyliner.
We actually went out once right after it had rained and many of these holes were filled with rain water. We jokingly called them Worlds of Fun's hot tubs.
Looking up what would be the lift hill for Patriot.
That's one significant elevation change, which is why the lift hill is 149 feet in elevation change, but the first drop is only 123-feet.
Looking down tram road, Patriot is built directly over it. In this view, the basic details really haven't yet changed all that much from when it was last had trams riding down it.
The last few months have been full of emotion for me, in February we were all looking forward to a new season, a month later… we were all left wondering if there would be a 2020 season at all. All the parks across the country were closed, including Universal Orlando and Disney World. Everything was closed. Then finally, hope sprung anew, Worlds of Fun followed the trend of several other parks across the country and announced an opening date, June 22nd.
Cannas out in the parking lot island.
For 22 years I have written opening day reviews, not every year, but most of them. Of course, I had to write an opening weekend review for this year too, but this year it’s for different reasons.
Walking through the health screening.
There is a line in a movie I love that goes something like, one day we will wake up and be like every other team where winning is everything and nothing else matters, So someday, I will probably get back to writing and complaining about paint, flowers, and capacity but this opening weekend review won’t be it.
Instead, I am going focus on our experience and hopefully, in 10 to 20 years we will all look back and will have the memory written down and preserved of what 2020 at Worlds of Fun was like. And maybe, just maybe, this will help someone today have an idea what a visit to Worlds of Fun is like these days so that they can decide to visit the park.
Jeff and I headed off to WOF Friday afternoon arriving around 2:15 pm. I had read that WOF was not doing temporal temperature checks as most parks are (forehead), but is scanning people remotely for temperatures instead. This type of measurement is the same style as what Disney is doing at Shanghai Disney, it was much faster that way, and both days it took only a few moments and we were on our way to the gate. Throughout the park, touch points are greatly reduced so at the gate you scan your own pass, and at retail locations, you scan your own credit cards.
A couple of overall points, there are hand sanitizer stations all over the place, I counted them on the app which doesn’t even list those in the ride stations, and it's over 40 different spots, there are also hand sanitizers at each ride entrance and exit. Every bathroom has a bathroom attendant to clean the bathroom and control the flow of guests in and out of the bathrooms. There are disinfection crews that go around cleaning tabletops and benches throughout the park, and I almost felt bad for the park service employees they were looking for things to sweep up.
Chickie and Pete's is all closed up.
Overall rides that are closed as of June 27, 2020, include Detonator, Cyclone Sam’s, Steelhawk, Fury of the Nile, Viking Voyager, Falcon’s Flight, Skyliner, Boomerang, Worlds of Fun Railroad and Ripcord. Every single ride at Planet Snoopy had a ride attendant, except for the small children’s boat ride (Peanut’s Yacht Club).
The europa bathroom but they all have bathroom attendants like this.
Since the weather was still up in the air regarding possible thunderstorms I wanted to get the coasters out of the way first so we headed towards Prowler. I was very much impressed with overall landscaping, if you have seen my video I did at Busch Gardens Tampa about two weeks ago I noted that the landscaping looked like it had been left to its own devices for the last three months. Worlds of Fun’s most definitely did not. It overall looked like it's been cared for and has expanded on previous years' number of topiaries. Of course, the big addition to landscaping this year doesn’t seem to have been noticed by many and that is the fact that the Scandinavia entrance/International Plaza trees have all been replaced. Previously, the six trees in a circle were all the original Silver Maples, (except one that had been replaced about a decade ago due to storm damage). This offseason they were not only replaced but replaced with mature specimens, so we don’t have to wait around 4-5 seasons for the trees to provide shade again.
Viking Voyager with the trees planted in 2016.
We found both Grand Carrousel and Fjord Fjarlene operational both days right at 11 am, Norma’s Funnel Cakes is also currently the only place to get funnel cakes in the park. A big change is that the park has finally and appears permanently closed up Chickie and Pete’s, or the restaurant that has been known as Smorbord, Inn of Four Winds, and All-Stars over the years.
Funnel Cakes on display at Norma's
Lucy at Tivoli Music Hall for social distancing photos.
Though there are no shows, there are several character photo stops around the park, allowing guests to take selfies with Peanut’s characters that are separated by 6-feet. We saw them in three locations, one on the small stage by the candy shop in Scandinavia (by Voyager), in front of Tivoli and the last one is in Americana by the old Skeeball Hall.
No more chipping wood or pealing paint on Voyager.
Moving onto Voyager, the trees that were replaced in 2016 have grown considerably and are now to the point of actually providing serious shade. In regards to Voyager, it appears the entire queue house has been re-painted and wood replaced, some of it was looking rather ragged the last few years, and while its the same color, it looks overall much nicer.
Nordic Chaser was not only running but received some work over the off season.
Voyager was not in operation as mentioned previously (and the boats are all AWOL), however Nordic Chaser, Scrambler, and Sea Dragon were all in operation on both Friday and Saturday. I noticed that the central boat for Nordic Chaser which had been appearing weathered last year received a great deal of work and the flags had been replaced around the ride.
The RelaxZone by Sea Dragon.
Across from Scrambler and next to Sea Dragon was the first RelaxZone, or mask-free zone in the park, on the small dock area that used to have the remote control boats. I believe it also used to be a smoking area. Let me also add just in case people are wondering the RelaxZones are free to use, and there are a total of four including the one previously mentioned in Scandinavia, the second is the side patio by Moulin Rouge, the third is at Country Junction by Depot and the fourth is in Pigpen’s Petting Farm in Planet Snoopy.
Zulu was also running as we passed by heading to Prowler and when we turned the corner we saw that Prowler had a small line down the steps, lines appear longer due to the social distancing in effect for all the rides. I believe we ended up waiting about 10-15 minutes, they were running two trains but only loading every other row and we ended up waiting for the front row. There has been some talk about re-tracking on Prowler over the offseason, and there has been some track work that has had an overall positive impact on the ride experience.
Moroccan Merchant.
We next headed towards Mamba. We passed Gorilla Grill (I still call it Congo Clearing!) Which we noted was closed, and then stopped by Moroccan Merchant, in the past few seasons this has been the default clearance store. Moroccan Merchant isn’t the clearance store anymore, it's received a whole new African theme, complete with a giant black panther (in case you didn’t know that is the cat portrayed in Prowler’s logo), Prowler merchandise, a nice area devoted to Egyptian merchandise and a retro Fury of the Nile shirt. Overall, I love what they did with the shop. A couple of points regarding shops in general, all registers have plexiglass separating the employee from the guest and have separate doors for entrance and exit.
Social Distancing in Prowler's line.
So normally at this point to get to Mamba we would turn left, head by Boomerang and Nile up the hill to Mamba. Only at this point, you can’t, the whole Casbah Game area, walkway past Boomerang and Nile is completely closed off. So to get to Mamba you have to head up to Europa and cross the train tracks to Forum road. We passed the floral clock which looks nice once again, and up the hill to Europa.
The second RelaxZone (mask-free) area is right up the hill next to Moulin Rouge, again nice and shade covered. With Moroccan Merchant giving up its discount store merchandise it looks like that distinction now belongs to Deja Vu which was advertising buy one shirt get one free and 50% off all cups/shot glasses etc. They have some of the older retro merchandise there and lots of good options when I checked.
Buy one Get one free at Deja Vu.
Second RelaxZone by Moulin Rouge.
On Saturday we came back and rode Le Taxi Tour, but it was operating both days. Pretty much same reliable ride, very minimal wait. (five minutes?) I did also ride Flying Dutchman, another of WOF’s original rides on Friday too. They were assigning boats when I got on, one change I noticed is that there are two separate seat belts in each boat, I remember when they added seatbelts years ago (when I originally rode it it didn’t have seatbelts at all), but I thought those were just one belt for each boat. Looks like they changed it sometime recently.
There were lots of new little topiaries throughout Europa, a bull in front of Taxi’s, which also appeared in a re-built center garden area. The park had also removed the bushes in front of “Le Them Eat Cake” (aka Paisano’s Pizza/Pizza Patio/International Cafe) and planted a few flower topiaries in front of it now. It opens up the area a bit.
Social Distancing at Le Taxi Tour's queue line.
Falcon’s Flight was another ride that is listed on the non-operational list at this point, but Autobahn across from it was operational running eight cars. There was one time we passed on Friday afternoon when the ambassador for Autobahn was just standing there waiting for riders! That was a first.
This walkway was opened up about half through last season, and had been closed off for decades. Its open again while the train isn't in operation as it crosses the train tracks.
So we headed up the train crossing road that crosses directly between Flying Dutchman and Falcon’s Flight and leads to Forum Road.
A quick comment on the train before anyone asks… no, we don’t know when the train will be back. From what I have heard the plans are still for this season. What I can tell you is that I know for a fact work is progressing on Levi right now.
Trellis over the patio by Oasis (old Mummy's Yummy's)
You can see the work occurring on the turntable of Nile.
To clear up the confusion I use old terminology for the walkway between Africa and Americana and call it Forum Road, named for the theater’s original name, the Forum Amphitheater. So we took Forum road back towards Africa. The blocked off walkway starts right on the hillside up from Nile’s entrance, the patio up on the hill is also closed off. You can however see Nile’s loading area across from Coasters like normal. There has been a bit of work to Nile that hasn’t been noted by anyone. It appears all the boards on the vertical conveyor belt have all been replaced, as well as there has been some work replacing boards on the turntable itself. An interesting factoid is that Nile was the first rapids ride ever to use the turntable loading system. A big difference that I noted between Nile and Voyager was that Nile had 16 boats in its holding area, like it was about ready to go, while Voyager didn’t have any of its boats visible.
We checked out Coasters since it is one of only five full-service restaurants open at the park this weekend (the others include Subway, Cotton Blossom BBQ, Gold Rush Pizza and Just Pizza in Scandinavia). There have been two changes I noticed to its menu this year, they added a Beyond Burger (non-meat) to its menu, and yes its included in the dining plan! Two, they added a new shake the Coasters Rockin’ Shake, served in a plastic Worlds of Fun mug, its available in strawberry or chocolate, comes with whipped cream, cookie, candy straw, and cherry. Yes, it tasted VERY good. Yes, I bought it specifically for the collectible cup.
Someone asked if there were any current roller coasters were you walk under the track in the queue line, like you did with Orient Express.
So we make it to Mamba. I believe all in all we waited maybe five minutes for Mamba and again that was for row 3 car 1, it would have been a walk-on had we just picked any seat. I do think that it's an overall different experience with a half-full train, and reminds me a lot of test riding it, in that it feels more like its direct ancestor, the Arrow Mine Train. I still love you Mamba. It DOES need a paint job though.
Third RelaxZone at Country Junction Theater in Americana.
After Mamba we headed back to Americana, the third RelaxZone is at Country Junction theater, again a nice shaded spot, and probably the largest spot, easy to spread out. Detonator was another one of the rides on the non-operational list, one thing I noticed on it though was it and Steelhawk too had stickers designating seats that are unavailable due to social distancing. It makes me think that there are certain rides, like Detonator that they are planning on having open sooner rather than later. Sam’s on the other hand right around the corner had a fence in front of its doorway, and though the park hasn’t made any official statement I do believe of all the rides down right now it, by the very nature that it’s an indoor ride, will probably be one of the last to open.
You can just barely see the Social Distancing stickers on Detonator's seats.
We didn’t head up into Planet Snoopy until later on Saturday but when we did I noticed almost all rides up there in operation. The drink stand also in Planet Snoopy and the one in front of Detonator were staffed and open. The only ride in Planet Snoopy that was not in operation was Peanut’s Yacht Club the old circular boat ride. What I half expected was that the park would do a Six Flags, and have one ride operator cycle around various rides, but instead, they still have one ride operator to each ride, allowing them all the to operate at once. The Snoopy Boutique store and theater were the only major attractions that were closed, and I also noticed fences around the various Snoopy figures around the area to prevent touching of surfaces and prevent spread. Many of the kids' rides did have social distancing stickers on them with seats closed off to allow for distance between riders just like the bigger rides.
The third RelaxZone is in Planet Snoopy and is in the old Peanut’s Playhouse/PigPens Petting Farm structure. There are benches that surround the interior walls, allowing places for people to sit down but still social distance themselves.
4th RelazZone at Planet Snoopy.
Heading back to Americana we found Mustang Runner which was also in operation both days. Across from it, Blue Bronco/Prospectors’s was closed but Gold Rush Pizza (Old Vittle Griddle) was open. It appears that both it and Gorilla Grill either kept their enclosed exteriors from Winterfest (my thought) or had new enclosures added (Jeff’s thought). Either way, the ordering counter is now enclosed, but seating is still outside, yet covered as it has always been.
This is one of those things I am not entirely sure of when it changed, but I know the last time the train operated those chains weren't covered. I don't know if its added so they can easily clean them or what but it's a small change I noticed. I still think its hilarious how the bar sign still points at the train!
We next headed over to Timber Wolf, which was the only coaster operating only one train both Friday and Saturday. Like all the coasters it was only loading every other row for social distancing, the good news here is that the open rows are the good rows anyway. We decided to ride in the front row of the second car. Before being able to board though the crew disinfected the train while we waited, a process that took about five minutes from spraying everything down to running it once around empty to dry it out. During the time waiting I spent thinking how much history that one little station has, it has been home to two different coasters, (three if you count EXT stand up as a separate coaster experience), plus it has the Orient Express chicken exit sign. Though the old “futuristic” lights are gone, the loading gates still don’t line up to the Timber Wolf train. That’s not a negative, to me it’s frickin’ awesome.
Old Orient Express Chicken Exit sign
So onto the ride. First, the trains have received new foot pedals for unlocking restraints manually, a nice addition as many can remember sitting stuck in the seat while the ambassador had to jimmy it open the old fashioned way. Onto the ride, overall the sections of the coaster that have been re-tracked are so far holding up well, I had some good airtime after the first drop. What struck me though was that the final 180-degree turn, the turn I have not so affectionately termed in the past as the “jackhammer turn”. Well, it is no longer the jackhammer turn. While not a long piece of track it makes a definite difference in the ride experience. Now if only we can turn down the trim brakes amiright?
No surprise that bicentennial square has now been completely fenced off (that happened last year), the entrance to the old Skeeball Hall is now a character meet-and-greet, social distancing style, in that you can get a selfie with Charlie Brown, Sally, etc. The topiary liberty bell is also out once again for the season, yet another pleasant surprise.
Steelhawk with the evacuation system partially in place.
You can see the "this seat closed" Social Isolation stickers on various seats.
Steelhawk is another ride that is not currently operational, interesting enough it had its ride evacuation system partially set up, something I had heard about but never actually seen. What makes me think though that Steelhawk might be in line for operational status is that like Detonator, every other seat had its “this seat is closed for social distancing” sticker applied.
Patriot looks FRICKIN' AWESOME with its new paint.
On Friday we stopped at Cotton Blossom BBQ for lunch, it still offers some of the best food options located in the park. Most of the options remain the same from last year, however, it appears they have switched out the Brussel sprouts for fresh green beans. I stuck with the macaroni and cheese. I also learned something new, you can get bread with each meal but you have to ask for it.
The line for Patriot on Saturday made it down to the lower queue.
Patriot was next door and though I used to ride it, looping coasters have started bothering me recently so I don’t ride loopers anymore, Jeff also didn’t feel like riding it (weird). However, it was running two trains both days, and of course, the ride was re-painted in the offseason and looks AMAZING. I still can’t get over that Tik Tok video of the guy painting that perfect white line freehand… seriously that is talent. Patriot was really in need of a paint job, and it looks just as good as it did when it opened fourteen years ago. Crazy.
Another update I haven’t seen mentioned much is that the wood plank trim around the Ripcord lake appears to have been all replaced. Judging by the fact that the Ripcord dock still has a pile of wood next to it I would imagine it might still be a work in progress.
Timber Wolf merch at Front Street Emporium.
Front Street area looks also pretty fabulous, trees are growing in very nicely I think and I believe that the area will provide some very nice shade in just a few more years. One aspect I don’t think they planned on doing permanently but I think looks good enough to keep permanent is the spacing of the umbrella tables. Several dozen tables were added last year as expanded seating for Cotton Blossom BBQ, these same tables, probably because they were too close together for social distancing were spread out this year both around the Front Street fountain and the walkway to Patriot. I like it spread out, it has a very park-like, sociable atmosphere to it.
Walkway closed at Skyliner.
I discussed earlier the walkway in Africa between Boomerang and Nile being closed, the other walkway closed off was the one from Skyliner to the Orient. Skyliner is also closed at this point.
So moving onto the Orient. I have to say I think the Orient section just keeps getting better and better, its the smallest section but I don’t think there is any doubt that it carries the theme the best of any of the five themed areas of the park. The bamboo which was cut back last year has grown back in abandon, It looks very nice. The pond area has new red and yellow lanterns and the pond itself has been stocked with koi fish, along with two new small bubbling fountains.
Panda Express was also not open, but has received a small update in the way of new queue line fencing, most likely a necessary attempt to control the line, it also adds a nice theming detail to the restaurant itself. A nice touch. Spinning Dragons continues to have its grass center island, an update added last year.
Bamboozler was also running, and it too has received some cosmetic updates specifically to its ride pad which has been downsized (since it was originally built for the larger footprint of the Oriental Octopus), the exit has been moved to the side near the bathrooms, and the old exit has been turned into a beautiful new topiary garden.
I love these, but I almost didn't notice them as they are above eye level at Richshaw Richard's.
Rickshaw Richard’s hasn’t changed a whole lot, maybe with a few subtle theming additions added (I almost missed the Chinese Dragons by the entranceway, those are far too cool to be stuck up above your head). The merchandise is still an eclectic mix of 80’s retro, Star Wars, and Harry Potter mix.
Plexiglass now separates the retail ambassador for guests.
Crossing the Scandi/Orient bridge that brings us back to the entrance. A quick note on the Torii gate, still totally awesome. Some may comment the paint is drastically pealing, it is, but not for the reasons you would think. I honestly believe its because the sanitizer spray is causing the paint to peel, this has happened on the train at Busch Gardens too. Something about the chemical similarities to paint remover.
A few days before the trip I read how Cedar Point had restored one of its old band organs, so it made me think about Worlds of Fun’s, the one that was restored in 2011. Let me tell you, it sounded great this weekend, for those not familiar with band organs, they truly prove the genius of early 20th century “technology”, accomplishing so much with so little.
So overall opinion? We had a great time. I think sometimes the world needs just a bit of bad news to make you realize and truly appreciate what you have, and how much you miss it when it’s gone. I know one of my highest priority points was getting to rides I hadn’t ridden in years, not because I was scared to ride them but I think I had just maybe gotten too familiar with them always being there. I haven’t ridden Scrambler since it was Americana, I haven’t ridden Fjord Fjarlene since Rockin’ Reeler was still around, I haven’t ridden more than one coaster a visit since I can’t remember when. I probably rode more rides in those two days then I had in the whole prior season combined. I will always remember riding Scrambler as a kid with its tube lights and Worlds of Fun rainbow color scheme, now I will always remember riding Scrambler as a err… much older kid, getting squished like a pancake, yes you know who you are.
One point is true, 2020 will never be looked back upon as a normal year. Sometimes it's easy to forget what happened what year, which will most definitely not be the case this year! It was the year the Chief’s won the Superbowl, it was the year Worlds of Fun’s season started the latest in its 47 years of existence, at the end of June, The year we got Ambassadors back, the year we all rode coasters with masks on… I have made so many trips to Worlds of Fun over the years, but for some reason, I don’t think I will ever forget this one, it was just so joyful to be back. And that’s the point. Out of everything that has happened so far this year… I want to remember going to Worlds of Fun, if that’s the highlight, then well at least its a highlight, a wonderful memory that I have that can never be erased. I can’t wait to see everyone at the park!
