Worlds of Fun (WOF) Discussion Thread

[edgeboy]

Thanks all for the advice! I assume school is out by then, but most people would be at the water park?

 

We actually have been on Steelhawk when it was still at Knott's... but it'd fun to ride it again in it's new location, lol

[PhantomPoster32]

Thanks all for the advice! I assume school is out by then, but most people would be at the water park?

 

We actually have been on Steelhawk when it was still at Knott's... but it'd fun to ride it again in it's new location, lol

 

It really does have a great view. Yes, most kids are out of school already or will be before next weekend. We rarely run into June in MO/KS unless we have a bad winter (which we did not)

[Vonni]

Has anyone noticed anything new regarding the 2017 addition?

[WOFanatic]

Has anyone noticed anything new regarding the 2017 addition?

Nothing new right now.

[PhantomPoster32]

Has anyone noticed anything new regarding the 2017 addition?

 

The only thing that has changed is they have done some more work on the buildings in Bicentennial Square

[InsiderMan]

I just hope next year has a great addition

[PhantomPoster32]

I just hope next year has a great addition

 

Well is a HUSS Condor and Troika a "great addition"? If yes, then "CHALLENGE COMPLETE"

[Vonni]

^ I still hope those are additions to come later this season.

[PhantomPoster32]

^ I still hope those are additions to come later this season.

 

Everyone I have talked to say that they are still being refurbished and are not on site yet. Doesn't sound promising that they will be added this year.

[prozach626]

I put together a short TR of our couple day trip to KC and WoF from about two weeks ago. Emily had a Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday off, so we decided to get our Cedar Fair Platnum passes processed at one of the only close parks that was actually open. Usually KI is our go-to park. Unfortunately, we were delayed when leaving, because our new car we ordered two months ago came in... and you're not going to NOT pick up your new road tripper, right?! As a result, we didn't leave St. Louis until after 9pm at night and we didn't get to our Hyatt Place until almost 2am.

 

For our first day, Emily's cousin lives in KC, so we kind of took a self guided tour via his recommendations and met up with him later on. I hadn't been to KC for several years and I forgot how nice and clean it is compared to STL. It felt much safer than my home city, where I'm not even comfortable enough to walk around without (legally) carrying a well concealed firearm. We ended up taking a coffee factory tour, exploring down town, and later visiting some of the local progressive bar/restaurant areas before meeting up with family. We like kind of the hipster bar vibe with signature coctails and craft beer, so the city had a lot to offer. I recommend exploring the area if you have an extra day in town, where I usually tell people just to move on if they're in the STL area.

 

As far as the park goes, it was a bit of a let down. Don't get me wrong, we had a lot of fun, but there were a couple factors which would have been kind of a let down no matter where we were. We thought we dodged a bullet with the empty parking lots and practically vacant entry way, but we were mistaken. Once inside the main gates there were kids everywhere, as expected this time of year. Keep in mind that I'm not the type of 30 year old who is anywhere near ready for having children. In fact, I mostly despise children, which made the trip an instant turn off. Most of the children I have to deal with in my profession are highly disrespectful combined with being very problematic. This means that although it seemed like I was surrounded by kids who were mostly good apples, I couldn't shake the feeling of almost constant discomfort. I have no problems on normal operation days when the park is also filled with adults and family to water down the hyper teens. Another problem which made our trip a bust is the absence of the availability of beer. Emily and I like to enjoy a few beers on the back half of our park days, but were unable to do so. This combined with the kids everywhere really killed the vibe for us.

 

Aside from that, my opinion of the park was kind of indifferent, as it was on my last trip several years ago. I'm not a fan of all of the themed areas, but most of the park really did look great. It has a small park charm to it with a few big attractions. I didn't remember nice subtle classy landscaping everywhere from our past visit. You can tell that WoF is trying to be appealing to a much wider age range than say for example a typical similarly sized six flags park. Visually, the park was pretty impressive and had it not been for teenagers everywhere it would have been relaxing. This park has a ton of trees without your large open blacktop heat zone areas. However, WoF is still missing a large signature attraction. As much potential as the park has, it offers nothing that makes us want to come back or spend a lot of time in the park. With SDC, KI, HW, and KK all within relatively the same driving time, WoF is not a park that we currently have any reason to go return to. I share the same criticism with my home park, SFSTL, as I have not visited in four years.

 

Here is my score card. We spent 4-5 hours in the park, arriving late and leaving early as we quickly got tired of the teens and there were no attractions we wanted to really spend time re-riding. We were hoping to kill a little time parking on a couple of benches with good views for people watching and modern art watching, while enjoying a delicious cold beer or three.

 

Prowler: This ride was better than I remembered. Our last visit to the park was during its first season. I was expecting it to be rough after reading some complaints, but it rode well. Normally good for a re-ride or two, but not with one train. (x1)

 

Mamba: This Hyper was also better than I remembered. The first drop through the large helix is the most enjoyable for me. The bunny hops were OK and they weren't uncomfortable like I remembered them being on my last visit. (x2)

 

Train: Decent train with nice views of the park. (x1)

 

Patriot: Again, much better than I remembered. If I had to pick one ride to get a few more laps on this would be it. We rode once in the front and once in the back with both rides being enjoyable. It didn't blow my socks off, but it was pleasurable. We might have ridden it a couple more times if there weren't a very slowly dying baby bird depressing the crap out of us on the brake run. People may irritate the me, but I have a soft spot for nature. (x2)

 

Timber Wolf: It was very much 'OK.' Then we hit the helix and I hated my life. Time for a bonfire. (x1)

 

Now, enjoy my terribly organized pictures of low quality.

 

Goodbye tired Honda. Hello new Subaru! She'll take us all over the country.

 

A late arrival and crappy sleep meant that we needed some go-go juice, so we stopped at this place.

 

Psychedelic coffee, anyone??

 

The coffee was great and we even took a tour of the factory.

 

 

After our much needed boost we kind of wandered around down town KC, "The city of fountains." This... was not a fountain. I have no idea what this is...

 

I believe this is a fountain.

 

We looked ate some more fountains and at some Tacos at Taco Republic, which was a nice modern Tex-Mex kind of place. The food was good, but the temptation for a margarita was strong!

 

More KC crap, but only a fool would pass up this deliciousness.

 

Since the rest of Day 1 consisted of meeting up with great family and more beer, the pictures kind of tapered off there.

DAY 2 started off with a quick 4 mile run to sweat out the toxins and of course, some more coffee!

 

Getting ready for the park!

 

Ready to ride the first coasters of the season!

 

An hour after park opening and where is everyone???

 

Seriously, where is everyone??? This is looking like it will be a great day.

 

I like the tucked away view of attractions when walking down the well manicured entry way.

 

Unfortunately, after we walked through the main gates there were kids EVERYWHERE. fml

 

Why wouldn't you start off the season with Prowler if you're at WOF? It was running great.

 

Love those curves.

 

We passed on this.

 

Mamba was much better than I remembered. Visually. It's also relatively easy on the eyes.

 

This little stretch of path was always awkward, but not nearly as awkward as the stretch of path at KD behind Dominator.

 

We decided to hop on the train since it was pulling into the station. This always means it's time to take a "train selfie" according to the Mrs. Hell, why not. We enjoyed the train ride and it provided some decent views of the park.

 

Random picture from the train, showing the abundance of green in this park.

 

Teenagers everywhere!!

 

The park has a lot of nice scenery with old school charm mixed with modern tech attractions.

 

I really enjoyed the subtle landscaping in this park. This park feels like summer camp mixed with an amusement park in some areas. (if that makes any sense)

 

The area around the lake/pond has a calming feeling to it. Nice vibe.

 

This area is set up very well. Patriot is very easy on the eyes. I love a good coaster that is as enjoyable to look at as it is to ride.

 

Just taking in the view.

 

This is where things just started to get silly... Retracked or not, this ride is terrible.

 

The random patch of Asian themeing didn't really seem to flow with the park.

 

I wasn't a fan of having to walk through the two most awkward areas (Asia and Congo/Africa) to get to more attractive areas.

 

Emily always likes to do the Dinosaurs and today they were free, so I figured why not. They could definitely use a little sprucing up.

 

NoLegs-A-Saurus??? This creature calls out awkwardly for PFC Gump...

 

WaspNes-A-Saurus says 'feel the sting of 10,000 teenagers walking the park with no beer stands available!

 

Some of the featured dinosaurs looked less run down than others.

 

If this were six flags, this would definitely be turned into a ploy to advertise generic fish sticks, marinated in hair gel, for only $15.

 

Take me away from these ghetto dinosaurs, Mr. Conductor...

 

I really feel like the whole Congo/African area needs to be re imagined. It doesn't look as run down as my past trip years ago, but it still feels vacant and poorly done. With the dark shaded area and tall trees I feel like a 'western' area would have served this park better for this space.

 

We hopped on one last ride for the day. Patriot was no Batman the Ride or Banshee, but it was much better and more fun than I remember.

[Password121]

^Ive never been to Worlds of Fun, but it looks like a pretty nice park to walk around. Thanks for the photos, nice job!

[michaellynn4]

Awesome trip report!

 

PS: Sorry about your Blues. I was rooting for them.

[Superbatboy]

Patriot has one of the best paint jobs ever on a coaster!

[The Yeti]

I always enjoy trip reports of my former home park. However, because you did not ride Cyclone Sam's, I will ring my shame bell. "Ding Ding!" - "SHAME!" (Game of Thrones reference to those who think I'm a nut).

 

When I visited last year, I also found Patriot to be better than I remembered. Though I'm typically a back seat rider, I definitely found it to be better and more forceful in the front.

 

I also agree that the park needs a new, top-notch addition. I don't know if I see the park building a coaster in excess of 200 feet, so at least in the GP's eyes that would likely remain Worlds of Fun's signature attraction, but they need a ride that will shake things up a bit in a non-literal sense - looking at you, Timberwolf!

[Vonni]

I enjoyed your TR Prozach! I'm glad you and your Wife had a good time. I really hope to get back to WOF this year. Its been ten years.

[prozach626]

I always enjoy trip reports of my former home park. However, because you did not ride Cyclone Sam's, I will ring my shame bell. "Ding Ding!" - "SHAME!" (Game of Thrones reference to those who think I'm a nut).

 

haha. We rode it during our previous trips, but wipeouts make me sick.

[Jaykethekid]

I'm sure most of the teens there where more than likely on an end of the school year field trip. Most of the time, even during the school year, the park is really "infested" with really obnoxious teens. I mean, I'm a teen myself, but I'll never act like the Kc kids around there. The clientele of the park seems to be slightly going downhill. I mean hasn't there been like two gang fights at the park? Anyways, on a better note. I do like the visual appearance of the park. Landscaping is one of worlds of fun's strong points. They have been trying to restore some older theming in the park lately, but they keep getting destroyed by vandalism.

[JordyC]

Great report! Gives a perspective of the park I've never seen.

[coasterbill]

Very nice report. The "ghetto dinosaur" like made me (literally) laugh out loud.

[PhantomPoster32]

Park did a full evac today due to weather. They also had everyone go into storm shelters around the park for about an hour while the area was in a tornado warning. Our group got to go hang out in the old Orient Express station (now the lower level of Lore of the Vampire)

[The Yeti]

I always enjoy trip reports of my former home park. However, because you did not ride Cyclone Sam's, I will ring my shame bell. "Ding Ding!" - "SHAME!" (Game of Thrones reference to those who think I'm a nut).

 

haha. We rode it during our previous trips, but wipeouts make me sick.

 

Now that is the real shame, although any regular Wipeout is nothing special to me. I'll consider myself lucky!

[redfoot12]

So I'm moving back across the country from Colorado to Virginia and I plan to stop off at Worlds of Fun for my first visit. Because of time restraints and traveling with a pet, I'll only be able to do the park this Saturday evening. Park calendar says that the park closes at midnight. If I get to the park at 6pm will I have to get a Fast Lane to do all the coasters?

Thanks!

[Swede]

Is WoF a "dry park"? I'm getting mixed reports. I know for a fact they had a BBQ and Brew festival with a lot of craft beer. Sounds strange if they normally don't serve beer. On my U.S. trip next week I just don't expect to raise my coaster count by over 100 - I expect to do the same with my Untappd account as well. I need my beer dammit!

[ytterbiumanalyst]

So I'm moving back across the country from Colorado to Virginia and I plan to stop off at Worlds of Fun for my first visit. Because of time restraints and traveling with a pet, I'll only be able to do the park this Saturday evening. Park calendar says that the park closes at midnight. If I get to the park at 6pm will I have to get a Fast Lane to do all the coasters?

Thanks!

Only if you want re-rides or if you want to ride some of the flats as well. If you don't get the Fast Lane, I'd recommend doing this order: Patriot, Prowler, Boomerang if you want to, Mamba, Timberwolf, then Cosmic Coaster if you gotta catch 'em all, and Spinning Dragons last. The closer to midnight, the shorter the lines for the kids' coasters will be.

 

Is WoF a "dry park"? I'm getting mixed reports. I know for a fact they had a BBQ and Brew festival with a lot of craft beer. Sounds strange if they normally don't serve beer. On my U.S. trip next week I just don't expect to raise my coaster count by over 100 - I expect to do the same with my Untappd account as well. I need my beer dammit!

They do serve beer, you just can't leave the bar with it. It's available at Chickie's and Pete's, and at Battle Creek Barbecue. Boulevard Brewing Co. is KC's local mezzobrewery, and they make a huge number of seasonal and year-round varieties. They're most known for their unfiltered wheat, which is quite good and I believe on tap at both locations, if I'm not mistaken.

[Swede]

Is WoF a "dry park"? I'm getting mixed reports. I know for a fact they had a BBQ and Brew festival with a lot of craft beer. Sounds strange if they normally don't serve beer. On my U.S. trip next week I just don't expect to raise my coaster count by over 100 - I expect to do the same with my Untappd account as well. I need my beer dammit!

They do serve beer, you just can't leave the bar with it. It's available at Chickie's and Pete's, and at Battle Creek Barbecue. Boulevard Brewing Co. is KC's local mezzobrewery, and they make a huge number of seasonal and year-round varieties. They're most known for their unfiltered wheat, which is quite good and I believe on tap at both locations, if I'm not mistaken.

 

Pehw, and that sounds awesome. I'm a huge fan of hefe-weiss. Thank's for the info.