Worlds of Fun

About Worlds of Fun

Location: Worlds of Fun is located off Interstate 435 in Kansas City, Missouri.

History: Worlds of Fun opened on May 26, 1973, at a cost of 25 million dollars. Loosely themed around the Jules Verne book, Around the World in Eighty Days, the park was founded by Kansas City visionaries Lamar Hunt and Jack Steadman of Hunt Midwest Enterprises, Inc., and designed by Randall Duell.

In 1982, Hunt Midwest introduced an adjacent waterpark, Oceans of Fun.

In 1995 Hunt Midwest sold Worlds of Fun to Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., who currently owns the park.

Hours: http://www.worldsoffun.com. Worlds of Fun is open from April through Halloween.

Tickets: Buy and print online. Always try to buy your tickets in advance, to save time when you get to the park.

Reservations: Worlds of Fun does not offer any type of Fastpass or ride reservation system. However, for $250 per person, you can buy a VIP Package, which allows you and your group of at least four people to skip all the lines.

Strategy: As with any amusement park, arrive early (at least :30 minutes before opening) and hit the headliner attractions first (usually roller coasters). With the addition of the Prowler in 2009, WOF has its first new coaster in three years. Plan on making tracks to the Africa section at the back of the park to ride the Prowler first. From the Prowler, head out in a somewhat clockwise-fashion hitting each coaster along the way: Boomerang (if you must), Mamba, Timber Wolf (if you don't mind the chiropractor bills), Patriot (front row if at all possible), and Spinning Dragons. Once your circuit is complete you can back track hitting the midway attractions you like most. Some rides that stand out a little bit are Cyclone Sams (just because it is in an air conditioned building), Fury of the Nile, Thunderhawk, and Zulu. Plan on re-riding your favorite coasters again after dark as several of them (Prowler, Spinning Dragons, and Mamba in particular) offer excellent night rides.

There is a section of the park set aside for families with very young children (Camp Snoopy), but the rides contained therein are very similar to those found at your local mall or a county fair. Like most iron ride parks, Worlds of Fun does not offer a lot of thrills for those under 48" tall.

Discussion: TPI discussion threads containing 2009 updates and general Worlds of Fun info and touring tips are posted here, here, and here. -- Last edited by James Rao

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