KCMO resident and real estate developer here. A lot of us real estate guys are very optimistic that Kansas City is on the edge of breaking out into a true secondary city, similar to what Nashville is currently doing now and Denver did the past decade. We are about to wrap up our new $1.5B airport and are reviewing proposals for building both a soccer and a baseball stadium near the city center. As a lifelong coaster fanatic who has taken vacations just to go to coaster parks I am very excited about this as well.

Also a brand new airport in close proximity and one of the fastest growing metros in the Midwest. People forget Cedar Fair installed Mamba, Boomerang, Spinning Dragons, Patriot, and Prowler all in a span on 11 years. Plus SDC, Adventure Land, and Lost Island are all adding pressure to improve the park (SFSTL good luck)

For those who may not know: The garden/fountain area of Spinning Dragons used to be the pool for the dolphins back in the 70s/80s/90s. It was then used a a pool for a dive show. Timber Wolf's 'Chicken Exit' sign was the one used for the Orient Express chicken exit when it was in operation. Mamba is definitely the superior coaster Morgan Hyper coaster out of the three that exist.

As one of my home parks it's really nice to see it finally getting some positive attention and reviews from the community. Can't wait for the day its no longer considered a credit run by enthusiasts.

The future of this park is in the hands of the local people. If they want continued investments, they must show up when the company invests in the park. Fans can't wait on the large coasters either, but must show up for the new flats, the new kiddie additions, the new slides, and the new events. Carowinds and Canada's Wonderland are the best two examples of this in the chain. On the other hand Kings Dominion is an example of what happens when the response is lackluster.

ZZ: gets rebirthed. Me: *waits for Orient Express rebirth*

I was just in Kansas City on a big trip around the Midwest which included parks like worlds of fun and silver dollar city. I’ve gotta say out of all the cedar fair parks I’ve been (which inherently is not many) this looks to be a prime spot for cedar fair to staple themselves in Missouri against six flags and herschend.

Also, since Mamba is the coaster that inspired Steel Dragon 2000, it'd be incredibly fitting for Worlds of Fun to get a giga in the Orient section exceeding Steel Dragon's speed, with a 200-foot wave turn overlooking Mamba's helix.

Kansas City enthusiasts could be in for a real treat here

if you have little kids, this park has one of the best kid's sections I've ever seen. Very nice.

I've always wanted to go to Worlds of Fun. I'm going next year

I’d love to see a B&M Giga come to Worlds of Fun. WoF has a shit-ton of open space for a Giga to fit in, and plus, I just think it’d be interesting to see both a Morgan Hyper AND a B&M Giga in one park. It’ll also be the tallest and fastest coaster in the state of Missouri (obviously), and the state’s first Giga.

I'm certain that Kc will provide a massive turnout for the new Zambezi Zinger. As a native Kansas Citian who last rode ZZ on senior skip day in 97-the last year it was in service, I can say that it's removal was a very sad time for the city. For those of us old enough to remember that wonderful, unique coaster, we've never really gotten over it. I think that the new Zinger is a brilliant move to reinvigorate an already wonderful park that many locals have put on the back burner for quite a while now. The only downside I see is the return of long lines🤷🏻‍♂️

💜I grew up going to WoF and the Zambezi Zinger was my first “real” roller coaster and then Timberwolf the following year. I’m going to buy a season pass even though I’ll probably only make it back to KC once - I’m just happy CF is finally showing some love.

This is my home park I love it here

Since they announced the new Zambezi Zinger for next season I decided to make plans with some of my relatives to rent a cabin for a few days at the Worlds Of Fun Village so we can spend a day at the park and get a chance to ride the new coaster.

as this is my home park, Im happy to see this video, I've been waiting forever for another rollercoaster, Because sometimes you get bored of the 6 rollercoasters they have

I’m happy for everyone that calls this their home park. Cedar Fair has clearly thought that it was worth the experiment. Really glad I held off my Missouri trip for next year

Kansas City fucking rules 🍻

After watching this- I'm beginning to let my mind wander and think that the cancelled giga coaster "planned" for Knott's may find an eventual home here

That little garden in the middle of Spinning Dragons? That used to be the Dolphin Show. The fountain? The old Dolphin pool. ;)

Trimless Mamba is here to stay. Mamba got a new computer and they got rid of train 3. No longer will have a 3 train operation setting. Which is why B block trims you as you are falling I think to maintain the speed for the back car, so the airtime isn't to aggressive.

Okay it’s official you have the best into of all time ITS SO SICK

The amusement park landscape in the region is changing and Cedar Fair knows it better keep up.

Still seems like a huge longshot, but Spinning Dragons could be relocated behind Patriot and rethemed to open up a massive entry plaza for a giga. And if Worlds of Fun is going to award a new coaster the *Orient Express* moniker, it'll either have to be launched or extremely long and fast.

Maybe “NEW” Orient Express in original Station House like how “NEW” Zambezi Zinger is using the original’s entrance building from 1977 (which is currently in the process of having all the Halloween decorations ripped out)

I hope Worlds of Fun does get a giga coaster

I actually like the idea of WOF maybe getting a giga coaster in the near future. I honestly believe a coaster of that magnitude would help push WOF into the big leagues.

WofF is a great park. As a kid in the 70's and 80's I went there a lot. I need to get back there soon.

They are not getting a giga. WOF attendance is noticeably less than KD & Carowinds, the lowest attendance CF parks to get gigas. And they certainly are not building a 30m giga coaster to pull in tourists from a once in a park lifetime sport event. I feel WOF was just the lucky lower tier park to go first (probably related to their upcoming anniversary) in what is an ongoing effort to refresh the lower tier parks. Those parks are do for a refresh that likely would have started in 2021 if not for the pandemic (RIP Dorney wooden shuttle). The lower tier parks don't get as much attention as enthusiasts want as their attendance and potential for growth just isn't there, but CF still will maintain them. And part of that maintaining is a new big ride every 10 years or so. So I suspect in the next five years Valley and Dorney will get new coasters (Michigan's is a harder maybe) and in the next 10 the 4 bottom tier parks will also get CGA hand me downs.

I live 15 minutes away from Silver Dollar City and I still prefer Worlds of Fun. The layout, landscaping and selection of flats is better.

Prowler was my first ever coaster except for the snoopy one and I did not know what was coming cause it kept going and going lol

I know whatcha mean, I grew up in Nebraska so Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun was my home park I've been there an astonishing 15 times from a span of 3 years old to 8 years, and I plan on going back to ride Zambezi Zinger II and yes I did use the Chicken Exit several times when it came to Timber Wolf

I think because there is so much happening to Kansas City recently I think they will get a new coaster right then maybe not a giga but something big. Or without CGA on their hands with that park getting a new coaster every 4-7 years those rides could go to VF Dorney or WOF and Michigan’s adventure probably won’t get anything

Last Christmas my family got a season pass to world's of fun, and this year has been a blast! I'm super excited to see cedar fair finally add something new to this underrated park, and can't wait to see more. Also the mamba is scary AF I love it

Cedar Fairs investments over the past 15 have been driven straight up by demographics. Carowinds was fastest growing market in the country, getting it the most investment and a lot of corporate jobs moved over there because young professionals would rather live in Charlotte than Sandusky. Buying 2 water parks in Texas, the other fastest growing market in the country. Canada's Wonderland is that country's biggest market for a theme park by far and was underperforming before CF bought it. Cedar Point is their flagship park and as a destination park needs constant investment. CGA, even in a rich area the park was handicapped by its neighboring business (some of the most powerful companies in the world), low height limit, limited parking, and lack of room for expansion, so the real estate was more valuable than the business. Knotts needed investment in the experience because locals had believed it went downhill under Kinzel ownership and the business lagged because of it, before that it had always been the "other" park people went to for a day when visiting Disneyland and they were trying to restore it back to that. KI and KD needed investment because they are in more competitive markets as well and the parks were lagging under Kinzel. The rest of the parks didn't get crap because they had no financial incentive to. Its as simple as that.

I'm from the Kansas city area and love worlds of fun.

When I heard you say that worlds of Fun is a really pretty Park I thought nowhere compared to Silver Dollar City or Busch Gardens! Worlds of Fun was a gift from Lamar Hunt to Kansas City. Cedar Fair treats it like a stepchild

I think 2023 will be the single best year to go to Worlds of Fun. I’m going to possibly work there this summer as a piano performer with my friend who lives there despite being from Michigan. I can’t wait to ride the Zambezi Zinger. I enjoy coasters, music, and the plains of the central U.S. so Worlds of Fun is perfect and up my alley. I’ve been to Adventureland and the Iowa state fair in 2021 and it’s fun riding roller coasters next to the cornfields while looking at the Des Moines skyline and eating pure, Iowa beef.

Ken Parks stated in his announcement that WOF is being rethemed and propped throughout the entire park, ans will focus more on its original concept and story of world travel. WOF needs a couple of solid dairies, and some detailed theming added to many of it's rides.

We went all the time when I was a kid in the 70s and 80s. Glad to hear that things are looking up.

Was skeptical of the idea that WOF will become the next Cedar Fair favorite but you did a good job explaining why and convincing me a little bit. There have been rumors of WOF getting another coaster in the next few years. With the World Cup having games at Arrowhead in 2026 this definitely makes a lot of sense and we have seen parks try to add or refurb things before major events come to town so it wouldn’t surprise me if Cedar Fair tries to capitalize on this opportunity.

I don't see Worlds of Fun becoming a Top 5 Cedar Fair park. I visited the park this year and I enjoyed it, and it has a lot of room for growth, but the Kansas City market, while hosting the World Cup is not growing like the Charlotte market. Also Carowinds could be a year round park, while in Kansas City you will be limited with the weather. I see the potential for Worlds of Fun to be similar to a Kings Dominion type park in the chain. IT won't crack the Top 5 of Cedar Point, Carowinds, Kings Island, Knott's, and Canada's Wonderland, but it could join Kings Dominion in the next tier down. That would leave ValleyFair, Dorney, and Michigan's Adventure in the bottom tier. I can honestly see Carowinds as either 1 or 1A in Cedar Fair 25 years down the line. The area has that much potential.

We went to this park for the first time in 2022. Can't wait to get back this summer. We were surprisingly pleased. Prowler was awesome and Mamba was an amazing hyper. The biggest issue with the park was how much time the ops for Mamba goofed around while they should have been loading people. Especially since the line was long and they had a huge amount of time while the one train was gone.

I've been thinking the same thing! It's not just the Zambezi Zinger that they're adding, they mentioned in a press release that they're also going to be putting plenty of capital into WoF's theming in 2023 as well. Plus, in general the amusement park industry in Iowa and Missouri is really kicking into high gear lately, (SFSTL maybe not so much, looking at you Selim) and CF probably wants to make sure that WoF isn't overshadowed. Will it ever truly compete with SDC? Idk, but I know that SDC can't build a giga.

I could see it taking CGA's role of being a mid-tier CF park that receives consistent investments throughout the years

I have been thinking for the last couple years that Worlds of Fun should be the next logical park that Cedar Fair invests in. Unlike many of the other small parks like ValleyFair, WoF has so much space around it for them to expand as well as a lot of open space in the park that isn't currently in use. If they would do a gradual build up of this park, it could become one of the top tier parks in the chain as well. And this park really is lacking that true standout coaster

Gigas sell, more so than any other ride type. As long as you don’t go all I305, it will have the longest line in the park usually.

I love that Chicken Exit sign, originally from Orient Express

I wanna see them re-create the Orient express it was such a good arrow dynamic roller coaster. At its time there was only 3 Interlocking Loop roller coasters around the world it would be so cool to see B&M Re-create that masterpiece

The wasps came back lol. This was like a month ago but I didn’t get stung. Also don’t you think prowler is also running faster? It hauls SO much more then last year

Why did Worlds of Fun get rid of all of its original coasters when other parks kept them? Imagine if WoF still had Orient Express, ZBZ, Screamroller etc and then had one or two more new modern coasters. It would have 12-13 coasters today.

I've been to Carowinds 9 times this year. Rode the furry 103 times. Best coaster in the park. Quick load times and holds 40 people.

the Cosmic Coaster is pretty good for a kiddie coaster. my friends and I have fond memories of being allowed to ride it as teenagers when the park was having its slower days. the Chicken Exit is from the Oriental Express, a locally famous roller coaster for having broken down and the riders had to crawl over the ride cars to get back to the ride house. a lot of us '90s babies heard stories about how it was the best coaster in the park. I didn't know they were running different ride cycles on the Mamba and I'm pumped to hear it. glad to hear you liked the Timberworlf. it was my first roller coaster ever and I adore it. thanks for covering Worlds of Fun. nobody really talks about us. can't wait for the 50th anniversary and the Zambizi Zinger~

I think if they really wanted to do it big make the biggest single rail coaster in the world make it as a tribute to Orient Express with the same layout in the same area where the coaster once stood that would be awesome

We could expect a coaster for valleyfair next year as a test too. Minnesota will be hosting the world expo in 2027 very close to the park.

Exciting. BGT is my original home park, used to go there all the time growing up. Been living in KC for several years but haven't visited WoF yet. I'm excited to try this Zinger ride when it opens and finally visit. Also want to compare OoF to Adventure Island. Hopefully I can get back to Tampa and ride Iron Gwazi eventually too,

great video, excited for the future of Worlds of Fun and your channel!

They do have two trains running on mamba with little to no trims at the mid course. I’m actually at the park right now and visited a month ago and same experience. Awesome ride

NFL Draft is coming to KC in 2023...

Im so glad you coverd this i also live in Kansas city i have been to worlds of fun tree with my friends and i have been there when they did there howllween huant my favorite ride is the timber wolf and the spinning dragon and i can not wait for this new coster it looks so cool P.S. sorry that this looks like a essay

I hate to be tha Debby downer, just because cedar fair adds a small barely hybrid roller coaster, doesn’t mean they instantly become the fav park, the favorite children are Carowinds at # 1, Cedar point, canadas wonderland, kings island, kings dominion. I hate when people say eveybody is gonna get a new giga, because the tough truth is, they aren’t. I know everybody wants to give love to the smaller parks, and I do too, but it’s just the chances of these things you claim are so unlikely.

Another good follow-up to consider would be a Vekoma tilt coaster, preferably with interlocking loops - an updated version of Orient Express.

Even when the trims hit hard on steel force it still hauls over the last 4 bunny hills, imagine it without trims

Not going to lie… the 3 Cedar Fair Morgan Hypers have been great this year! Wild Thing was giving amazing flojector throughly the whole layout! I’ve heard Steel Force is running amazing, and same thing with Mamba!

So basically the Knotts giga is going to World's of Fun.

First video i saw from you. Enjoyed it.

I’m a ride op at WoF and I can confirm, trimless mamba is here to stay for now, and they’re using 2 trains as much as possible for most rides. Sometimes it’s hard with staffing, but that seems to be improving

Cheers🍻 Here’s to you (hopefully) being accurate!

I have lived here all my life and the Mamba has changed in those last slopes. The prowler is definitely a ride. This video gives me hope for a new coaster tho.. a lot of projects in KC. Airport just finished possible new downtown area over i-70. Sure is getting interesting out here

I’ve been saying this for a while now! ZZ is a cheap coaster that tests the waters in KC to pave the way for future investment. WOF was a favorite child before the paramount parks purchase. We got 5 coasters in 10 years and a multitude of other investment. Dick Kinzel seemed to really love this park lol. WOF hasn’t been completely forgotten in the time afterwards either. They just kept getting flat ride and water park investment every year until the pandemic. They became lower priority, but still a priority. Now that the paramount parks have been pretty well invested in, WOFs status may be coming back. Plus with the continued growth of the KC area and more competition in the region, CF could really be getting ready to make WOF a marquee park in the Midwest.

I've been on every roller coaster within a 12 hour drive from Iowa. And of course I've been to Worlds of fun More times than I can remember. The Patriot is my favorite coaster of all time. It is so smooth and that 1st drop from the front row is amazing..

I enjoyed my trip to cedar fair this past june...I really enjoyed mamba and patriot..I actually had so much fun here..

I live in the Dallas area and just went to Six Flags over Texas for the first time in the 7 years that I've been here and I must say I was disappointed. I haven't been to a Six Flags property since 2010 and I remember being amazed at how man different coasters they had compared to WoF. That was not the case this time. Several of their coasters were closed including Titan which was the one I was most excited about. Overall my experience was meh. I'm moving back to KC this month and I'm super excited to visit WoF this year after not having gone for almost 8 years. Can't wait to ride the new Zambezi Zinger!

Hope your right. I’ve grown up with WOF and had season passes for my family going on 3 years. I’d love to see a world class coaster to really put it in the map.

Oh, I wasn't crazy then! About a month ago I got to go to Worlds of Fun for the first time since before the pandemic. I was so confused and pleasantly surprised when those airtime hills were way more intense - and way more fun - than I remembered!

Carrowinds kinda got its starting addition, intimidator before stuff like fury, and what if they made timber wolf a hyper RMC lol.

Thank you Worlds of Fun I was a princess in a short musical Alie:)!

They actually added to the backbreaker (the Boomerang, sorry). There is now a simple loop in the middle. I can't tell if it makes it better for it or just gives it the name my family gave it! Gets them every time but it's fun to ride for sure.

Totally forgot about the World Cup, that’s a good point! Let’s hope this happens, if not, give Dorney the stupid GG shuttle already lmao.

I never even thought of that but now that I do it seems so likely!

I had my first ride on mamba this summer and it absolutely blew me out of the water, I didn’t get trimmed at all on the midcourse and those final hills sent me to the moon. Wild thing is still mad disappointing though.

I got to try a preview of Zambezi Zinger and it's opening this weekend. I have to say it's a GREAT addition to WoF that will likely inspire me to get a season pass next year too.

Love wof! Excited for the new zinger!

I just hope that some other parks are going to get some stuff on par with a coaster equivalent to Zambezi zinger. I think dorney, michigains adventure, valley fair all need some new, modern family thrills in their lineup

I think Zambezi Zinger is phase two, phase one was the new entrance in 2017! I would like to add that I am beyond thrilled someone is making a video suggesting my home park might get a giga! That would be a dream come true!

The Cosmic Coaster is your run of the mill Wacky Worm with a small bunny hop before the final turn.

God i hope you are right. My home park has been neglected for so long but now we are actually getting something :)

Great video!

This may give six flags st louis a incentive to add more coasters. When the competition is drawing the guests away.

I'd like to see a mine train a la adventure express / thunder mountain for the kiddies who need help easing into the bigger coasters. The new Zambezi is actually pretty intense!!! Great new addition, but would like to see something that allows the kiddos to build up some confidence!

A Mack launch coaster would indeed be perfect for this park. Seeing how they have a new Zambezi Zinger around the corner, this new Mack launch should be a new Orient Express with a very similar layout but with a launch instead of a lift.

The prowler has no lines is because these wooden coasters beat the crap out of you! The last time I road timberwolf was about 10 years ago I was so beat up I couldn't walk for two days because my back hurt so bad. I have hit up multiple wooden coasters over the years and they are all the same! Steel coasters are the best and should be the gold standard! ✨️ Changing the Zabezee Zinger to a wooden coaster is a SIN! That was the very first coaster I ever rode and got me hooked! Everyone needs to protest and bring it back to its old glory!!!

After a year of the zinger being open it has done really well and to complete that success add one like fury 325 or Patriot

I’m not 100% sold on a Giga Coaster with inflation (for now), but I agree with the general idea that it has a legit shot of becoming the next Cedar Fair favorite child

I hope you’re right. This would be great! I know I’m going this summer. Just for zinger. I can’t be the only one.

As season pass holder, I'll be checking it out. Opens this Thursday for pass holders and on Friday for everyone.

A giga going in would have a hard time competing with Mamba's absolute dominance of the park's skyline. Simply because of where Mamba was built in the park literally sitting on the highest ground elevation there. With it being on the highest elevation it makes seem at least 50 feet higher off the ground than she really is. If you are riding the Mamba, when you get to the top you are almost equal in height with the flying saucer on top of Steel Hawk which is 301 feet tall.

How about a B&M dive coaster

We can dream right. A giga or RMC would change everything