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Worlds of Fun
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
8 reviews for Worlds of Fun
Pros: Fun
Cons: Not up to Six Flags or Disney standards, can be painful on a humid Midwestern day
Back when I was growing up, a road trip to K.C. from Omaha was considered an escape to the big city. I mean, you had pro sports, a theme park and world class shopping and eating at the Plaza. Growing up now and living in many other places, I laugh at this as K.C. isn't that spectacular of a place in and of itself. However, a friend's bachelor party brought me back to K.C. and we took a trip to World's of Fun.
You know you've been around when you go to WOF and you keep comparing it to Disneyland and Six Flags. WOF just doesn't compare to either one. WOF has thrill rides, but not of the quantity and quality of Six Flags. WOF has a cool environment, but none of the magic of Disneyland. I mean, don't get me wrong, there are some good rides, but not enough to spend an entire day and pay the high price of admission for. By 3, we did everything and we're ready to leave.
I can see if you are from Nebraska, Kansas or anywhere from the Midwest you would think this place is awesome, but after going to other theme parks, it has dropped a bit in my mind. Not only that, with the Midwest climate, you never know when you'll be able to go. So I'd pass this place and spend the money to go to Disneyland or if you like thrill rides, one of the Six Flags parks might be a place you'd enjoy more.
OK... 2 stars is meh... seen better. And it is true.
THE standard of theme parks is Disney. End of story.
Let me clarify.
Everyone makes a right turn to park at WOF. You are met with 6 parking pay lanes plus a bus lane to the far right. There is mass confusion. Signage is piss poor. The fast lanes are to the left for those lucky enough to make their way there. The delivery drivers have only one sign to point the way for them and get caught in the chaos. There are no signs to really drive home "have your money ready" so things go really slow.
THEN, when it is time to leave there are no exit signs at the end of most rows and no right of way markings... so again it is a scramble. Good GOD people, this is just the parking! Get it together!!!
Food stands? Try your luck. Poor queues lead to Italy-like mass hysteria. When you finally get to the counter, you will likely get people like we did, who didn't want to be there and treated you accordingly. Bad attitude and 3 minutes to pour 4 sodas. Ridiculous.
Gaming. Those folks, even when slow, were having fun. Kudos to those associates.
Rides. Pretty good. Prowler is really a wham-bam wooden thrill. Patriot is the suspended coaster standard stuff... which are all pretty good in my book. The Mamba is the big drop and zero gravity coaster... very well done. The other coasters beat the crap out of you. I am not much on other types of rides, but the collection is pretty standard. If you like riding, it will be fine for most of you. There are no express passes/lanes, no AC and fans in the queues. So you ROAST. Disney has this down. Nobody else has a clue.
Bottom line? It ain't Disney and they want the same money. Same story for most other places, though. It is just a shame competition has not made the theme park experience better everywhere.
Perhaps we can call Worlds of Fun a chain. I'm not sure if "chains" exist in the amusement park world so I'm yelping on this because I have a great story to tell.
Before I get into it, World of Fun KC is an alright outing. It's not stellar and of course the midwest climate makes for a hellacious day most of the time. Go on an overcast and mild day. That's a window of about 10 days out of the year here. Make sure your day is in the middle of the week and the investment will yield a return.
My adventure begins and ends with roller coasters. I love them. And they love me. I actually dig the old wooden coasters and remember when the Timberwolf was a new ride at WOFKC. Despite the new steel contraptions, I proceeded with my friend Lindsay to the coaster of my youth. And the rest is left to coaster heaven.
Timberwolf = 10 times in a row. That's the story and I was nearly unable to move my neck afterwards. The staff was behind us and let us keep jumping seats and cars to continue our trek to 10 in a row. I'd never done such a thing or ever even able to, so this turned out to be pretty special. As we left the main house everytime, the fella checking the safety belts would smile and say this is number 6. . . number 7. . . well, get the point.
So basically WOF for me is about celebrating some youth and jerking my body into oblivion via coasters. The rest of the place isn't too exciting for thrills so figure out a way to make it worthwile and you just might have helluva time.
P.S. Bumper cars are still as fun as ever. I think I'd like to have my own arena in my basement one day.
still have my season pass from 1984! (I am old). Fun amusement park. If the midwest weather was a little more forgiving, it would be a great experience, but, thats not WOFs fault. For the most bang for your buck go at sunset, you get the added light show!
Some places seem like time capsules. Worlds of Fun is one of those....It has barely changed since I first started going 25 years ago! (With the exception of new roller-coasters).
We went this August with our 2 little tikes in tow. They had a complete blast at Camp Snoopy. But for about $100 for a family of 4 (at twilight prices), it is a MAYBE-once-a-year outing for us.
When you're a kid, you think Worlds of Fun is the greatest place on earth. Then you grow up and see the way other amusement parks are set up and you realize that WoF is actually kind of lackluster.
Six Flags in St. Louis, MO is so great that coming back and visiting Worlds of Fun makes it seem more like a church carnival than an amusement park. We gave Worlds of Fun one last try before leaving Kansas City, and it's definitely not a full-day place anymore. There's only a couple good roller coasters, and so of course everyone is in line for those. Also all of the smaller rides just aren't that interesting.
The price just isn't worth it, and I think we have finally spent our last day at Worlds of Fun. Here's hoping that someday it will be restored to its former glory.
I started to give it 4 stars, but just can't. I can't imagine going on a really HOT day when it gets really busy. The rides are fun. My son, 10, absolutely loved the place. We went during the week and it was a warm, overcast day with hints of rain. They told us no refunds if they close for rain, so gladly it didn't.
Expect super high prices!!! Make sure you have a discount. We didn't. :( so for my son and myself it was $70 just to get in the door!!! 10 of that just for parking! Come on now. I'm already willing to come to your waterpark, don't make me pay just to park.
So really, it's smaller than I expected. But the slides are pretty good and the wave pool was fun. But the prices just killed me. I think if you get a season pass it pays for itself by just going twice.
I had fun at Worlds of Fun. I went in the pouring rain on a Sunday afternoon and there were no lines. We even go to stay on most rides multiple times. The roller coasters were just OK compared to Six Flags Great Adventure, which is what I'm used to. I loved all the Halloween decorations, but was disappointed that none of the Halloween activities were happening on a Sunday.