(The Viking Voyager and Victorix Firing Range in 1981)
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RIDES
The most missed of all worlds of funs rides. In case you don't know this is the ride that took you across the park in the air in sort of cable cars. It had two pick ups one in Americana (the red barn by Berenstein Bear Country is still there) and Scandinavia, in what is now known as the Tivoli East. It was taken out because Hunt Midwest didn't want to spend the money to keep up on its maintence. This ride has an interesting story behind it. On Memorial day 1977 an aerial stunt performer tight rope walked across the 70 foot high cable of this ride.
THE SAFARI: 1973-1978
The Safari was located in Africa about were the Python Plunge is today. It was basically a safari in jeeps somewhat similar to the Le Taxi Tour only better and much more interesting.
A picture of the shussboomer on opening day, 1973.
THE SHUSSBOOMER 1973-?
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THE EXTREME ROLLER (EXT) or SCREAMROLLER 1976-1988
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A PICTURE OF THE EXTREMEROLLER!
This image is copyrighted to Kevin Gress
THE WOBBLE WHEEL 1977-1994
The Wobble Wheel which was located in the same place as Cyclone Sam's was somewhat similar to Cyclone Sams. It was located in Americana and was a Chance Trabant type ride.
THE AERODROME 1978-1986
THE BARNSTORMER BIPLANE RIDE 1978-1983
PANDEMONIUM! 1987-1996
Lead by P.J. the panda this was Worlds Of Fun for my generation of the eighties. It included several childrens rides. Some of which were moved from other parts of the park. It also contained P.J.'s Club house which became Launchpad (a souvinear shop) and a restarant just for kids which has now became the Ambassadors break area. This grand scheme of Worlds Of Fun only lasted nine years, and was replaced by Bearenstein Bear Country in 1997.
All thats left of where the Zambezi Zinger once stood. This is a picture of the tunnel.
THE ZAMBEZI ZINGER 1973-1997
Sadly, the newest addition to this page see above for picture
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THE SHOWS
In case you don't know, Worlds of fun is host to several shows, all of which will be missed.
FINS AND FLIPPERS (The Dolphin Show)1973-1996
Located in the Aquatic Arena in The Orient this show was an original to the park. It featured two performing dolphins named Skipper and Dolly. It was discontinued in 1996.
THE MARIONETTE SHOW/GYPSY WAGON/FLYING CIRCUS 1973-1994
This show originally started out life as the Gypsy Wagon from 1973 to 1977. In 1978 it was developed as a bird show and moved to the Flying Circus in the Aerodrome. In 1983 it was moved to the Moulin Rouge. After the development of "Stax Of Wax" it was again named the Gypsy Wagon and stayed that way until its end in 1994.
THE INCREDI DOME 1981-1997
Located in Americana, this was more well known as a Cinema 180. These were developed when an IMAX theatre was to large or to expensive to build, as in the case of Worlds Of Fun. It used a 180 degree quarospherical screen to show many shows. "Fantastic Flights" the longest running show, treated the viewer to a riders view of such experiences as roller coasters, flying and race cars.
OTHERS
HALF PINT'S PEAK 1977-1986/HUMPTY'S HAVEN 1978-1987
This childrens area was located in Scandinavia where the Tivoli Terrace is now. It was a childrens playground including cargo nets, a giant foam mountain and a cable slide. Humpty's Haven was added the following year to Half Pint's Peak and included the Ball Crawl Pavilion and a puppet show named Humpty's Show Chateau. The development and opening of Pandemonium led to the demise of both Half Pint's Peak and Humpty's Haven. When the Sky Heis was taken out of the now Tivoli East in 1987 the area was developed as picnic grounds.
NAIROBI NIGEL'S PYGMY PLAYHOUSE 1977-1980
This was another small childrens puppet theatre located in Africa were Morrocan Merchants is now.
The Cotton Blossom on opening day in 1973.
THE COTTON BLOSSOM 1973-1995
Why would I include a great big boat? Well, to some people the Cotton Blossom is what they remember most about World's of Fun and now, thanks to the Rip Cord it is gone. It is interesting to note that it was of historic significance, it was in ShowBoat (the musical for those movie illiterate). It was also in its early days at Worlds of Fun much more than another eye sore. It was home to the Paddle Wheel Cafe, a gift shop and even a live show ( a sort of barbershop quartet thing). The truth is that when Cedar Fair bought up Worlds Of Fun in 1995 it was falling apart and Cedar Fair decided to take it out.
THE NINTH STREET INCLINE: 1973-1993
This one was not really a ride or show, but an optical illusionary trick that made you think that you were walking on the ceiling and stuff like that. It was located in Americana,about were Cyclone Sadie's Saloon is now.
THE VICTRIX FIRING RANGE: 1973-1993 (see the top of the page for picture)
The Victrix Firing range was located in Scandinavia where the Sea Dragon is now. The Victrix has an interesting history even before its days at Worlds Of Fun. The Victrix was originally constructed in 1950 for the movie "The Running Of The Tide" which was cancelled during production. In 1952 is was converted to a whaling ship and re-christened as the Nathan Ross for the 1953 movie "All The Brothers Were Valient". The art director of this film, Randall Duell was to become the architect and the designer of Worlds Of Fun. After being in several movies the Victrix was moved to Worlds Of Fun and became an actual firing range with working replicas of Man-O-War cannons that could be fired at floating targets. Sadly, the Victrix was removed for the addition of the Sea Dragon at the end of the 1993 season.
THE TRAMS 1973-1995
Nows here is something people are going to miss. The trams served Worlds Of Fun for its first 24 years open. It drove people to the front gate which was then located in Americana. Because of the discontinuation of the trams the American gate was closed and the Scandinavian gate took over as the main gate. When I first came to Worlds Of Fun when I was a little kid I was absolutly convinced that it was a roller coaster (I was a kid, give me a break). The reason they were discontinued has two answers. One, Cedar Fair had no trams at any of there other parks (we forgive you Cedar Fair). And Two, They were probably just getting tired of people jumping off while it was still moving.
THE AMERICANA GATE 1973-1995
Another boring part of the past? Not Quite. The Americana gate was the entrance to a place of magic to a child (to some adults too, me). It fit the whole carnival like gateway theme. Sorry Worlds Of Fun the Scandinavian gate is nice, but the American gate was cool.
Well, Thats about it, One last thing though..... Do you remember the flowers? Alright I'll give you that it sounds stupid. If you have one of those tissue paper flowers though you better hang on to it, they don't make them any more. Its sad too. Well If you have been to Worlds Of Fun come back again if you haven't come and have fun. Buy a passport, enter the world through the main gateway, and let the Ambassadors to Kansas City's world of fun make sure you come back to the real world happy.
This page would not be complete without thanks to several people, including, Jeff Merritt, Brett Francis and Leslie Lovesee. Thank You for your contributions.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Most of the information on this page has come from past World's Of Fun guests. If you have EVER visited World's Of Fun any information would be helpful. Because, most of the information on this page has been collaberated from seperate pieces of information put together from old souvenir maps, my very limited memory,old Kansas City Stars and most important, from people like you. ANY information or memories of World's Of Fun would be greatly appreciated.
Jennifer Lovesee
Thank You for your time and attention
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