The Story of Worlds of Fun: How a Kansas City Amusement Park Came to Be
Worlds of Fun was the brainchild of Lamar Hunt and Jack Steadman, two prominent Kansas City businessmen. Hunt, well-known for bringing the Dallas Texans NFL team to Kansas City and renaming them the Kansas City Chiefs, saw an opportunity to create a landmark that would provide entertainment and joy to the residents of Kansas City.
Inspired by the Jules Verne novel "Around the World in Eighty Days," Worlds of Fun was designed to take visitors on a global adventure, featuring themed areas representing different parts of the world, such as Scandinavia, Africa, Europa, East Asia, and Americana.
This ambitious project began construction in November 1971, led by the Kansas City-based JE Dunn as the general contractor and Burns & McDonnell handling architecture and engineering. Randall Duell, a former MGM Studio art director turned theme park designer, was responsible for the park's design. The park opened with an initial investment of $20 million, encompassing 60 buildings and 20 rides.
Early Years and Expansion
In its first year, Worlds of Fun quickly became a beloved destination. Notable features included the iconic Henrietta, a steamboat from the movie "Around the World in Eighty Days," and the Cotton Blossom, a sternwheel riverboat from the film "Showboat," which graced the Americana section.
The park's vibrant atmosphere was enhanced by the hot air balloon symbol, representing fun, adventure, and travel, perfectly aligning with the park's theme.
The park's first major expansion came in 1974 with the addition of the 4,000-seat Forum Amphitheater in the Europa section. Two years later, in celebration of the United States Bicentennial, the Bicentennial Square was introduced, featuring the Screamroller, a looping roller coaster from Arrow Dynamics, which replicated the first modern looping coaster at Knott's Berry Farm.
Oceans of Fun and Further Developments
In 1982, Worlds of Fun expanded its offerings with the opening of Oceans of Fun, the world's largest water park at the time. This new attraction significantly boosted the park's appeal, providing a comprehensive entertainment experience for visitors. That same year, the Americana section saw the introduction of River City, enhancing the park's thematic diversity.
The 1980s also brought significant ride innovations. The Screamroller was transformed into the Extremeroller, North America's first stand-up looping roller coaster, and in 1989, the Timber Wolf wooden roller coaster debuted, quickly gaining national acclaim.
Cedar Fair Acquisition and Modern Era
In 1995, Cedar Fair LP acquired Worlds of Fun for $40 million, marking a new era of investment and growth. Cedar Fair's ownership saw the addition of several major attractions, including the Mamba, a D.H. Morgan Manufacturing steel hypercoaster, in 1998, and the Patriot, the longest, tallest, and fastest full-circuit inverted roller coaster in the region, in 2006.
In 2011, the park introduced Planet Snoopy, an $8 million children's area featuring over 20 rides and attractions. This development continued the park's tradition of providing family-friendly entertainment while keeping up with modern amusement park trends.
Recent Additions and Celebrations
In 2013, Oceans of Fun was fully integrated with Worlds of Fun, allowing visitors to access both parks with a single admission ticket. Other notable additions include the SteelHawk, a 301-foot swing ride relocated from Knott's Berry Farm in 2014, and the Riptide Raceway, the world's longest mat racing slide, introduced in 2021.
As Worlds of Fun approached its 50th anniversary, the park celebrated by bringing back a reimagined version of the Zambezi Zinger, an iconic roller coaster from its early years. This new version, a state-of-the-art wooden and steel hybrid, opened in 2023, thrilling a new generation of visitors while honoring the park's rich history.
A Kansas City Landmark
Worlds of Fun has become an treasured part of Kansas City's cultural landscape, evolving with the times while staying true to its roots.
From its beginnings as a vision of adventure and travel to its current status as a premier entertainment destination, Worlds of Fun continues to captivate and delight visitors of all ages, ensuring its place in Kansas City's illustrious history for years to come.
Notable Rides
1973-1984: Schussboomer
1973-1997: Zambezi Zinger
1973-2017: Finnish Fling
1980-2003: Orient Express
1973: Viking Voyager
1989: Timber Wolf
1998: Mamba
2000: Boomerang
2006: The Patriot
2009: The Prowler
2023: Zambezi Zinger
What are your favorite memories from Worlds of Fun?