The Story of Worlds of Fun: How a Kansas City Amusement Park Came to Be
Worlds of Fun was created by Kansas City businessmen Lamar Hunt and Jack Steadman. Hunt, known for moving the Dallas Texans NFL team to Kansas City and renaming them the Chiefs, wanted to establish a major entertainment venue for the region.
The park’s concept was inspired by the novel Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne. It featured themed areas representing different global regions, including Scandinavia, Africa, Europa, East Asia, and Americana. Construction began in November 1971 with JE Dunn as general contractor and Burns & McDonnell handling architecture and engineering. The design was led by Randall Duell, a former MGM art director turned theme park designer. Worlds of Fun opened in 1973 with a $20 million investment, 60 buildings, and 20 rides.
Early Years and Expansion
In its first season, Worlds of Fun became a popular attraction. Key features included the Henrietta steamboat, modeled after the vessel in Around the World in Eighty Days, and the Cotton Blossom riverboat from the film Showboat, located in the Americana section. A hot air balloon logo symbolized the park’s theme of travel and adventure.
In 1974, the park added the Forum Amphitheater in the Europa section, seating 4,000 guests. In 1976, Bicentennial Square was introduced to mark the U.S. Bicentennial, featuring the Screamroller, a steel looping coaster from Arrow Dynamics.
In 1982, Worlds of Fun opened Oceans of Fun, which was the world’s largest water park at the time. That same year, the Americana section expanded with the River City area. The Screamroller was later converted into the Extremeroller, North America's first stand-up looping coaster. In 1989, the Timber Wolf wooden coaster was introduced and gained national recognition.
Acquisition by Cedar Fair and Continued Growth
In 1995, Cedar Fair LP purchased Worlds of Fun for $40 million. The new ownership brought significant investment and new attractions. In 1998, the park added the Mamba, a steel hypercoaster built by D.H. Morgan Manufacturing. In 2006, it introduced the Patriot, an inverted roller coaster that set regional records for height, speed, and length.
The park expanded again in 2011 with the debut of Planet Snoopy, an $8 million children’s area with over 20 rides and attractions.
In 2013, Oceans of Fun and Worlds of Fun were fully integrated into one admission. The SteelHawk, a 301-foot swing ride relocated from Knott’s Berry Farm, was added in 2014. In 2021, the Riptide Raceway—billed as the world’s longest mat racing slide—was introduced.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023, the park reintroduced the Zambezi Zinger as a modern wooden-steel hybrid roller coaster, honoring one of its original rides.
Today, Worlds of Fun remains a significant part of Kansas City’s entertainment landscape. From its origins as a themed journey around the globe to its current role as a regional amusement destination, the park has continued to evolve while maintaining its original spirit of adventure.
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?