Defunctland: The History of Worlds of Fun's Destroyed Classic, The Orient Express

[@OGXenos]

The first 20 minutes of Wizard of Oz are incredibly accurate, not only because a tornado hits within minutes of arriving there, Dorothy also spends her time (when not getting hit by tornados) wishing she wasn't in Kansas.

[@veggiet2009]

As someone living in Kansas, I don't wish to move anywhere else. I like the quiet, the lack of busyness.

[@ddjmfan]

@@veggiet2009 Yes and its cheap to live here.

[@NotNitehawk]

@@veggiet2009 Until your house gets yeeted by a tornado and lands on some woman, and now you gotta run away from the manslaughter charge after stealing her boots and look for a lying politician to help you find a way home.

[@SD-kx1se]

and she was an accessory to two murders because there’s no place like home…in KS.

[@OGXenos]

@@ddjmfan Because your house might get destroyed by a tornado on any random day of the week without warning

[@morganthomas4019]

Missed the opportunity to title this video “Murder of the Orient Express”

[@Coolsomeone234]

That would be misleading for some

[@definitely_notme4112]

I actually wrote a comedy story with that title, basically it was murder on the orient express but someone murdered the TRAIN instead of a person. (They removed the boiler somehow.)

[@NachoCheeseDorito-Kun]

Dude, I commented this exacte sentence, word for word. Then I scrolled down XD

[@veggiet2009]

@@definitely_notme4112 Bonus points if the solution is the same as Agatha Christie's novel... I won't mention who the killer is for anyone that has never read the book or seen the adaptations.

[@chompythebeast]

@@veggiet2009 Considerate literati best literati

[@SmittenKitten.]

I am not a theme park enthusiast, but I've been binge-watching the living hell out of your channel because your work is so good. I had no idea how interesting theme parks are.

[@zachariah78]

Same. Last 2 days watching them all lol.

[@emo-kk4mc]

*INHALES* I have never related to a comment as much as this one. GOoD jOb

[@fever1]

Reliable 😔👊

[@evankimori]

Same here. I live on an island where none of these kinda parks ever really existed. All of the ones that did were all international visiting tiny, fly-by-night shows. Not very great with safety nor with attractions and tended to be ridiculously expensive. I've been binge-watching this guy's channel for almost 3 days and I never even knew some of these theme parks existed, much less even closed down and have been lost to history. The history of these places is altogether spooky, eerie, wonderful, sad at the same time.

[@brettvv7475]

S A M E

[@hippocrypt3869]

As a KC native, this video was wonderful. Funnily enough, one of the last shots in this video before the credits roll is of my great grandmother's marionette show she did for years at WoF! Such a nice little detail for me personally. Thanks for what you do!

[@chompythebeast]

What an amazing connection. And here I am, a casual observer, able to indulge in your memories with you. Small golden moments that the internet has provided us

[@awdcatsubaru3755]

Was the marionette show once performed by the Legg family from Independence? If so, I know them quite well as I'm an Independence native currently in AZ. Thanks for the memories!

[@kansasgirl73]

DoLores Hadley and her Marionettes were some of my best memories from WOF! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kansasgirl73]

If you have videos of your grandmother's shows it would be awesome if you could upload them! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@BubblyOasis]

I also grew up watching your great grandmother's marionette show at Worlds of Fun! Please upload any videos if you have them. :) She definitely sparked my lifelong appreciation of puppets and marionettes.

[@goodolgranite8247]

Fun Fact: Worlds of Fun's founder, Lamar Hunt, was the person who originally coined the Super Bowl's iconic name.

[@KawaiiZenboOLD]

this man is actually god did you knwo

[@dragonfire101g]

"where do I sit?" "You don't" DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN

[@xri0tt]

(Mouthing) _I don’t?!_

[@ltunedkc]

@@xri0tt that looks like Dick Wilson the semi famous DJ last on oldies 95.

[@dullicecream]

That whole bit actually made me laugh tbh

[@tgarvis7120]

I hate having kids, so I just ride stand-up coasters so my crotch can die.

[@nattanflaggs]

This was a fun blast from my past. I was one of the riders that was on the derailed train in 1999. I think I only had a scratch on my cheek from a tree branch, and I definitely don't remember anyone jumping, but anxiety was CRAZY high since it felt like we were never going to get rescued. But it didn't bother me too much, I worked there for several seasons on the Nile.

[@awdcatsubaru3755]

Arrow Dynamics coasters don't age well, and the Orient Express was no exception. I rode it in 1980, the year it debuted and loved it. My last ride was in 1995, and I ended up with headache due to all the head banging. Despite this, the coaster still holds a place in my heart.

[@makserr5849]

I was there in 98 and went on it 7 times i ws shocked that that was the ride that derailed

[@TheGoodChap]

​@@awdcatsubaru3755I could only ride it one time when I first got to the park because I'd get a headache lol

[@dandelionbritt]

"There's nothing in Kansas." LOL My husband is from Kansas and every time we visit and I ask if we can mix in some fun activities between obligatory family visits, this is pretty much his response. Although, he did take me to see "Big Brutus" once.

[@ddjmfan]

There are things to do in Kansas, you just have to know where to go.

[@dandelionbritt]

@@ddjmfan That’s the problem. There doesn’t seem to be one centralized location with lots of places of interest. Kansas seems to have lots of little attractions, that wouldn’t take long to see, spread out all over the state…mostly too far from where his family are. Unfortunately.

[@TheGibbie]

@@ddjmfan yeah theres meth, theres fentynol, tons of things!

[@ddjmfan]

@@TheGibbie Well, I've never had to deal with any of it.

[@lilyfrappier602]

@@ddjmfan You're right! Just because you've never dealt with it must mean it's not real then!

[@emilybaugher7534]

I know you put this video up months ago, but I just have to leave a comment, I am literally in tears. I grew up in Kansas City too and would go to Worlds of Fun every summer. That park was a huge park of my growth, passion and continued love for Theme Parks that I have today. My dream growing up was to come down to Florida and go to school and work at WDW, and now I've been working for Disney for 3 years and going to Rosen College studying Theme Parks and Themed Entertainment everyday, but I will always remember going to World of Fun with my friends and family just starting to discover what I would eventually being doing for a living one day. Thank you for making this video, for most people this episode is just another interesting history lesson, but for me it meant everything. Keep up your amazing work!

[@TheSpiderPan]

I think your story might make for a good podcast episode. I'm KC based Disney podcast The Neverland Podcast.

[@salazarpayne3784]

I too was brought to tears. I grew up in Kansas City. The Orient Express was so fun. The Zambezi Zinger was my favorite. The EXT was so cool. I feel like I am a universe away from those days. This really brought it home for me. Just wow.

[@CMDR.Gonzo.von.Richthofen]

@@salazarpayne3784 Same here. I miss the Orient Express, but the Zambezi Zinger was always my favorite. We all went to Wof for senior skip day in 97. That was the last time I rode the Zambezi before they tore it out. It was the best ride to take your girlfriend on😉

[@sethstartix]

dang

[@genericusername702]

WE LOVE TO SEE IT GET UR DREAMS KC QUEEN

[@thorcadail5812]

"I'm from Kansas City" Woo, me too "Kansas" Oh

[@SAMBONE78]

A Shell me too good to here about Kc on the tube

[@jessicadolan734]

Ditto. XD

[@allisonanders1716]

@@SAMBONE78 exactly

[@JRanaeReads]

Ahh yes!!! The infamous debate of KCMO & KCK.

[@gingersnap6004]

He must be killed. A shame,

[@BWest6]

Kevin, you are a damn master of writing and voice production. The level of quality you can produce with each episode of this series could easily be put into a television production. I love how far this channel has come and I cannot wait to see what you have in store for the future

[@GruhHimself]

I agree

[@rysyndrome6823]

For amusement park fans and children who grew up going to amusment parks this is an amazing channel!! 30yrs ago my parents took us to Kings Island for "GE Day". General Electric was such a huge part of my home town, their factories back then employeed so many. Now all we can do is try to hang on to those memories and hope Cedar Fair can keep the Mid-West relevant when it comes to amusment parks...;-)

[@DeadAutumnLeaves]

WoF is finally getting a new coaster! A wooden throwback to the Zambezi Zinger, complete with spiral lift.

[@UmWhat862]

my mom always told me about how she loved the ride when she was a kid and i always wished to ride it, but i was obviously never alive when it was here, so i’m so glad i get to ride it now. even though the orient express probably won’t come back (i never had a a chance to ride it either, too young again) it’s great that wof is back in the limelight with the new ride

[@bigalrlz]

Have ridden it, very fun!

[@lindsilightner7841]

@@UmWhat862if you ever get a chance to visit six flags in the Chicago area, the whizzer is close to the same coaster as the zinger. Both coasters used/use speed racer cars and the spiral lift hill. They tried to remove it a number of years ago, but fan protests managed to save it.

[@ChuckE.CheesesIllinois]

​@@UmWhat862come to Illinois for Whizzer

[@BellaSmith-rc2cs]

The redo was fun while it lasted but currently the park's considering closing it again since it is almost constantly down for repairs. Plus the bad lap bars have been known to hurt people since it was pretty much a bare sharp metal collumn that if you wore shorts would actually cut you. (from experience)

[@Crazy56U]

So, basically, this was "Murder of the Orient Express".

[@Rebel_Friend]

Crazy56U Murder of the World Of Fun

[@HandmadeGoose97]

Would that make Kevin the "greatest theme park detective in the world"?

[@33mrEli]

The orient Express wasn't just killed...it was murdered!

[@missybarbour6885]

I don't know how he missed this

[@mattmorelli9833]

Your channel is hands down the classiest youtube documentary series I've come across so far. Classy, well paced, thoughtfully written and narrated, engaging subject matters, the works. I think other content creators should watch your channel and take notes. Because shows like yours are, in my opinion, what this whole platform we call KZbin should be like.

[@gfreddo90]

Well said. Totally agree. The biggest disappointment with KZbin is sifting through the non original content or poorly put together videos to find a gem like these.

[@trumphatesyou]

Expedition Theme Park is on par.

[@SeanFlaharty]

How do you folks keep outdoing yourselves? Brilliant video!

[@Defunctland]

Thank you as always for your great footage! Also, thanks for finding that Arrow press release of Orient Express! That was extremely helpful!

[@SeanFlaharty]

You are always welcome! Last year I digitized and backed up over 500 of my old VHS tapes and found that press release on one of them among other neat coaster promo stuff. I am just happy you guys find a use for that stuff.

[@RobsRides]

right, the music was on point in this one

[@Rexdrinksredbull]

"For an unlucky few of us, your home park was Astroworld" @ ME NEXT TIME

[@blondie55559]

As a former Wichitan, I’d love to see documentaries on both Joyland and Wild West World as they both have a crazy story and mythos to them

[@andrewjenkins1343]

And Fantasea! Miss that place

[@FangledAnglem]

YES Joyland would be magnificent. Grew up going there and to WoF and OoF!

[@lwebster7100]

and cow town too. lots of memories as a young child there

[@emilyoswin3830]

Kamikaze Curve would be a great band name

[@comettamer]

Yes it would.

[@JesamyPorter]

THANK YOU!! No one ever does a video on Worlds of Fun! WOF is my home park as I am from just south of Kansas City so I went to WOF a lot. My very first coaster was Orient Express. When I was a 5th grader I went to WOF with my dad, he said he'd pay me $5 to ride it with him and I'd just about anything for money. lol I cried so much and was so scared that when we got off he handed me a $20 and said "don't tell your mom" I'll never forget that. I never road it again as it was removed shortly after. In high school I had a boyfriend who worked on Mamba and his stories of operating the coaster eventually lead me to packing up my car and moving to Florida to work at Disney World. I still live by Disney but I am dying to take my husband to WOF and Silver Dollar City because those two hold a very special place in my heart. I eventually got over my fear of coasters by riding the Mamba like a dozen times in one day. So many good memories at WOF. Thanks again for an amazing video. I plan to share it to my Missouri friends.

[@buttholebzerker]

🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏾👍🏽❤

[@burnpygmalion39]

Omg I LOVE silver dollar city. I’m so thankful I only live 2 hours away.

[@jmanthackdaddy]

Silver Dollar is amazing, WOF has so many memories for me. Last year they closed the Finnish Fling that was one of my favorite...

[@torakokoneko]

that is one hell of a way to get over a fear of roller coasters!

[@mikrohoseok9751]

Worlds of Fun has been a childhood memory for literally anyone growing up in Kansas. Like I feel like everyone has been at least once.

[@mrsalvy2251]

Cuz Kansas is dry 😆. Missouri better 💯

[@TonyBullard]

I'm just sad there was no mention of the unnaturally blue water all over the park. We would always joke that if you fell in it would eat your skin off.

[@joebone3151]

Born and raised in Kansas, not once been their

[@NoobTheBeginner]

i am a part of the more than 1,000 miles away from worlds of fun :)

[@anevenevenmoreuncreativena8852]

@@mrsalvy2251 man Missouri ghetto as hell

[@ItsNerfOrNathan]

I'm A senior at Chrisman High in Independence, MO and so many of my friends work at Worlds it's almost comical. Very glad to see a full breakdown of the original concept behind my home park, even more so because you're from around here too. Much love, good stuff.

[@DrewShark11]

I remember the summer of 1982 when WOF allowed continous rides and gave out pins that read "I survived the Orient Express" with a seperate dangle of the number of times we rode. We were 12 years old and rode 12 consecutive trips. Good times. Thank you for the memories.

[@georgeturmail7289]

If this show has taught me anything, it's that Cedar Fair has a very expansive Halloween program.

[@Azvee]

I think they really hope to rake in the Halloween cash since the only commercials I ever see for Valleyfair (my nearby park) is in October when Cedar Fair decides to put a ton of ads for 'Valleyscare' on the local channels.

[@kc3d777]

Halloween is actually pretty massive at Worlds of Fun they do a lot of theming pumping fog machines in and have a big cast of costumed actors hide in it to scare people and they also added a ton of haunted houses that always have very long queues so its become a big thing around here at least. as a fun note they also redecorate all the haunted houses and make them christmas themed for winterfest when the park opens in december as a christmas bazaar

[@AgentFrootLoop]

@@Azvee when I went to valleyscare it was actually pretty disappointing. I love valley fair though

[@JeffreyPiatt]

Every park does The Halloween Haunt event some still use the older branding like Valleyfair and Cedar Point. CP still uses the Holloweekends name

[@Kitykitycoco]

A story about kings island halloweekends. My bf has a tumor condition that affects his face, so the entire time we were there, people confused him for one of the costumed actors.

[@mrbraindead12]

Oh my god. Each and every episode has gotten better, and better. I still loved the older videos of '17: lots of subtitled remarks and quips against Eisner, Disney traditions, film references, etc. Now that it's gone into a theme every episode, where the style and editing have conjoined with the theme, I get even more elated. I love your videos, thank you Kevin. I guess the next step after the KZbin docuseries would be perhaps a feature length film of sorts someday. Forever Appreciative, A fan.

[@jonw4743]

Watching this two years after it was uploaded, in the midst of the pandemic, 10 months after moving overseas after having been raised in KC and mate...you got me near tears

[@ElenaSanchez910]

This man can write. I am so looking forward to reading that book.

[@Defunctland]

CORRECTION: The Loch Ness Monster is located at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, not Tampa as stated in the video. Apologies. Also, go check out www.worldsoffun.org for great info and an entire list of defunct Worlds of Fun rides!

[@Chaogod1233]

I live in Tampa and was like "wait wut?". You are only human! Fantastic video as always my friend

[@nathanmoore6948]

Defunctland I live near there and it is a fun ride

[@bagofgroceries]

I live in Tampa, and was really confused.

[@ryanmitchelcyr]

i live in CT right next to Lake compunce I work there scaring people in October, love ur vids and would be siked to see a video about it!!

[@gracesiewert3817]

I live in Tampa as well and I was super confused lol. I looked up to see Busch gardens rides

[@AirborneSurfer]

I love how this episode has a lot of heart considering it's Kevin's home park (not that other episodes don't, mind you). I can see the sort of personal touch Kevin has put into this story, as I'm sure it's a subject we've all encountered before. For me, it's the closure of the Myrtle Beach Pavilion after years of mismanagement and a bid from Hard Rock International to open the immediate flop Hard Rock Park in Conway. I spent many of my formative summers at the Pavilion and its closure marked the "End of Innocence" for me. I can still hear the sounds of the midway and see the Atlantic from the top of the Corkscrew's lift hill, and it always brings a wistful smile to my face. Thanks for these journeys, Kevin. Your work is a treasure.

[@AirborneSurfer]

@WaddleBuff Thank you for your kind words! Theme parks and attractions have always been a object of curiosity for me (I used to memorize vital stats for many rides and fancied myself becoming a roller coaster engineer), so I have a strong admiration for this channel and Kevin's work. I only wish I could contribute to this research, but I'm quite inundated with my own work 🙂

[@c0ld1zzy]

when did the pavilion close??

[@AirborneSurfer]

@@c0ld1zzy 2006

[@claytonpaisley9721]

I was SO SAD when the pavilion closed.

[@jimmy3people0]

The Lowcountry needs a new park. Swamp Fox just isn't cutting it anymore.

[@normangunn8389]

End of this video my eyes are full of tears. I am a kid from Kansas City. Growing up in the 90s and early 00s WoF felt like the greatest place on Earth. To ride the Orient Express was like a graduation ceremony from kid to young adult. At 15 years old I worked there for a summer and it was truly one of the best years of my life. Thank you for this video.

[@adaveo8396]

If you’re thinking of doing another KC video, I’d recommend talking about the infamous Verrückt water slide at Schlitterbahn.

[@mollykat1660]

I was there when caleb was killed! Poor sweet boy. (I wasn't on the ride) he will be missed forevor

[@stephenbalogh1724]

Really! I beg your pardon!

[@steamdragon8550]

Yes!

[@asbestosfibers1325]

@@mollykat1660 no one cares about your story. That isn't something to brag about.

[@mollykat1660]

@@asbestosfibers1325 and I'm bragging how?

[@MacForaday]

I'm from Kansas City too. You gotta love Worlds of Fun if you are from here. I never rode the Orient Express as a kid because I was afraid of going upside-down, but I loved the Zambeezee Zinger.

[@edtheman12]

I'm from the KC area, I loved the Zinger as well. I rode the Express once when I was about 10 it got suck on top of the lift hill because the track was still cold from the low over night temps. My mom said I was white as a ghost after the ride and they had to pry my hands off the grip, guess I wasn't a fan of inversion loops.

[@PINTO2O2O]

duuuude same here, never rode it but the zinger was awesome

[@DrewberTravels]

I really loved the Zinger too. I was more upset when I found out it was removed than the Orient Express.

[@TheTrout9000]

I remember going up there the launch weekend of the Mamba. Good memories with my dad.

[@depizan]

The Zinger is the coaster I remember most fondly, too. It may not have been unique, but it was a damn fun coaster.

[@BCKammen]

Kevin, I remember riding the Orient Express for years as a kid. I was also working at the park that day of the derailment, as a "volunteer", where we would work for free and the money would get donated to a school program as a fund raiser. No one jumped from the ride as I recall that day, just the prolonged time of the riders waiting to be unloaded from it.

[@mazder360]

I would already call his videos art with how deep he goes in, but this being his personal park makes it that much more personal, I love it

[@ThunderKnightSilver2]

I remember my parents being really upset about the closure of the Orient Express. I never got to ride it but the Spinning Dragons ended up being first coaster. I also got to ride the Prowler when it was new and I remember it being my favorite... when it was smoother. It makes me happy to see a video about the park in my home.

[@AkadiiaMeg]

The operater jokes about how rough the prowler is when waiting in line on the mamba.

[@tamris3188]

I worked at WOF in the 90's on the Viking voyager and test rode the orient express every morning. I loved that ride and hate they tore it down

[@wxnavy1832]

Same, worked at the Dolphin arena in 95. Favorite coaster, by far.

[@englishatheart]

'90s*

[@chasclark9119]

Same best coaster they ever had

[@KN-ko8ez]

I’m from Kansas City and love Worlds of Fun, but I wish Cedar Fair would invest more in it. The Orient Express was actually one of my first roller coasters I ever rode, I still remember the “chicken exit”. But WOF is one of the most neglected CF parks IMO. We want new coasters here!!! Side Note: everyone who’s not from Kansas seems to have this idea that Kansas consists of giant, endless farmlands. While that is mostly true, they’ve never even heard of Kansas City, which is one of the nicest metropolitan areas within the Midwest. So much interesting culture here, it’s an amazing place.

[@Bo0g_Bo0g]

PREACH!!!

[@ashtonhawkins2854]

only timber wolf still has the chicken exit but isnt in use anymore

[@alphamone]

I visited Kansas City for a few days last year. It seems like a nice enough place (from the perspective of a visiting Australian.). Didn't get to see Worlds of Fun though, as it wasn't open on any of the days I was there.

[@tristaturley5448]

Missouri parks seem to always get the short end of the stick. Worlds of Fun is the red-headed stepchild of the Cedar Fair family, and Six Flags St. Louis is the red-headed stepchild of the Six Flags family.

[@ashtonhawkins2854]

true

[@TheCoasterViews]

Update: 14 years after Prowler's dayview, a new, wooden version of Zambezi Zinger opened in 2023. Looks like that coaster hiatus is over.😁

[@hermaiamoira1064]

This was my first theme park. I rode the Zambezi Zinger the final year it was open. I remember I was with two friends and each car was meant to hold two people, chest to back. Since we were an odd number the usher tried to convince me, a 12-year-old girl, to sit in the lap of an adult man I'd never met. They then realized that was probably a bad idea (the man looked mortified) and I rode in the car alone, sliding around without a restraint, and certain I would die. Fun memories! I loved The Orient Express and rode it twice.

[@wendyokoopa7048]

I shouldn't be laughing at the mortified look of the man but I am and I don't know why.

[@ZachAttackIsBack]

I'm a fellow native of Kansas, and as a kid we took many summer family vacations to World's of Fun. Always loved the Orient Express and was sad when I heard they removed it. Anyway, interesting video and well produced as always. Fun fact: the Zambezi Zinger was sold to an amusement park in Colombia and is still operating there to this day.

[@YaBoyNick1]

Being from Kansas City myself I loved this episode. Worlds of fun is a fine park. Gotta love the Mamba and the Timberwolf. The patriot is a good coaster as well.

[@levagoo1318]

Visited down there 10 or so years ago. Patriot was certainly my favorite.

[@disoriented1]

ARRRGH..another video stating everything in KC is in KS!!!!!!!

[@RancidGravy]

Best coasters ever.

[@bartscanland9415]

Hate the Timberwolf. Fast, but not very exciting, I got out of it feeling like I had exited a washing machine where I was beaten on with baseball bats.

[@gingersnap6004]

Bart Scanland that’s the fun of a wooden coaster, getting the everloving shit beat out of you while you ride.

[@martinbatalla3650]

They’ve finally added a new coaster in 2023, Zambezi Zinger, which is similar to the original Zambezi Zinger that was in the park when it first opened (4:01).

[@codydavenport8429]

Highest quality youtube docs I've ever watched. Keep up the good work my dude.

[@theexchipmunk]

"Momma I want to go to Disney Land!" "We have Disney Land at home son" Disney Land at home:

[@morgancloutier5908]

Facts. As a citizen of Kansas this is very much true.

[@LumosPM]

Facts. As a former citizen of KC, Missouri this is very true

[@Makaponpon]

yeah pretty much we want to be disney but we'll always be that weird distant cousin who might not even be related to the family

[@Sashazur]

This meme needs to go away.

[@theexchipmunk]

@@Sashazur Never

[@armchairrocketscientist4934]

My home park is Lagoon, in Farmington Utah, "where fun is no longer affordable."

[@MT-or7lv]

Is Lagoon still open? I lived in Utah in the 80's and we went to Lagoon each summer.

[@englishatheart]

@@MT-or7lv '80s* :-P

[@armchairrocketscientist4934]

@@MT-or7lv Lagoon is not only still open, but it has thrived! It has become a great regional park. In the 80s, it had the white roller coaster, wild mouse, colossus, and Jet Star 2 - Now it has the Spider, Wicked, Cannibal, and a new coaster coming in the next few years. Added onto that is rattlesnake rapids, the rocket, and just countless more. It has become an awesome park - But gosh it can be expensive. It has some great coasters and rides, but entry is like $60 now.

[@MT-or7lv]

@@armchairrocketscientist4934 I'm so happy to hear that! I remember the wooden roller coaster at Lagoon! What a wonderful time I and my family had there.

[@armchairrocketscientist4934]

@@MT-or7lv Yeah, it's popular enough that Lagoon is known around the world by coaster fans, mostly because of Cannibal. You'll have to look up some pictures, I can't really do it justice.

[@markcouch4235]

The Orient Express was my first coaster as a young child - it was terrifying and I got sick and I swore I'd never ride any again - until a middle school trip years later where I gave into peer pressure despite my fears. After facing my fears I was hooked on coasters for life.

[@mr.meloetta1939]

This was probably the least likely coaster I expected, and I'm happy for it. Nice to see Worlds of Fun get some love. EDIT: OK, I can say that this in one of my favorite episodes. I just lost the Cannonball Run at Waterville USA (one of my homeparks) and to see another man talk about another lost legend of theirs makes me happy. Let's hope both of our parks get new coasters next year.

[@huskerscrazy4]

WoF isn't sadly, we're getting a restaurant. Woot.

[@KaySakura1988]

Oh man, I didn't know they were taking down Cannonball Run! Should have went to ride it one last time =(. I live in the area too. Really cool to see a comment from someone near me.

[@gman102formyspace]

as someone who used to work for the kodak shack right when you came in the entrance to the park, you did an excellent job at making worlds of fun look as fun as it was to be there most of the time! spot on with many of the points and what you focused on within the park, super interesting history

[@HallowIsSmol]

Me: Hears "Arrow" in relation to roller coasters Me: *oh no*

[@MrsW0f0rd]

As a fellow KC native, I have lots of fond childhood memories of WoF. I saw Ray Charles play there, performed there once myself (tap dance thing). I got the worst sunburn of my life at Oceans of Fun, and once tried to climb out of the Octopus while it was moving (terrified as a child, not trying to be a turd) My father worked at WoF before I was born. Family friends still worked there as I was growing up and I got to hear stories of stuff guests would lose on rides. They kept it for the required amount of time then whoever found it got to take it home. Dad's buddies got their wives all sorts of jewelry that way! I rode the Orient Express a year or 2 before it was taken out. It was still a blast! I can't smell hot asphalt without thinking of WoF. Thanks for this video, it was a fantastic trip back in time!

[@thetroopgirl]

A KZbinr from....Kansas? Now I've seen everything, awesome to know they're out there.

[@ProgSnob14]

Gaming Historian currently lives in KC

[@ryannl.4678]

Vsauce is also a kansas native!

[@jennietsai1260]

Ryann L. You mean Michael. The audience that watches Vsause videos is Vsause. That’s why Michael opens up every video with “Hey, Vsause! Michael here”

[@ryannl.4678]

Carter Pliler I am aware. he talked about that while he was here.

[@ellievillafane]

I loved how you seamlessly incorporated your personal history with the historical details. This was so well made.

[@ZoraaroZ7Q]

This video had such a sweet message to it, about loving our home parks! Shoutout to Michigan’s Adventure, it’s been ten years since we’ve gotten a coaster and my fingers are crossed hard.

[@chayden153]

As a fellow Michigan's Adventure park guest, I agree!

[@TheBlueMordecai]

As soon as he said home state parks I thought right to Michigan Adventures

[@spinningpeanut]

He mentioned lagoon, my home park, in his UK park video, when talking about jet star 2. I loved that coaster. It felt bigger than the looping coaster despite being smaller, you needed to be taller to ride jet star 2 due to how rough it was. I hope he does a lagoon video someday, but not for defunct reasons.

[@KingsDominionNetwork]

I Feel Bad For You :(

[@dragonfire101g]

@@spinningpeanut lagoons also my home park!!! Also, I'm so sorry to you both for having mistreated adventure as your home park

[@ntheflesh5687]

I never had a home park, both Louisiana parks (Pontchartrain Beach and Six Flags over New Orleans) have been closed many years before i was born. The closest i ever got were my visits to Disney World in Orlando. Thank you for sharing stories from your home park, from one theme park fan to another!

[@misscaution704]

So basically Kevin is Dorothy wanting more in Kansas

[@Defunctland]

You caught the character arc. Here's a heart.

[@CaitCher]

"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up hiiiiiiiiiiigh, there's a park that I heard of once in a lullaby!"

[@MattMcIrvin]

"Where chain lifts lead to massive drops, away above the chimneytops, that's wheeeere you'll fiiiiiiind meeee..."

[@HandmadeGoose97]

So what your saying is the only way Kansas is going to receive something interesting is by a tornado

[@brettvv7475]

@Ryan Andrews Uh.. which park? The Kansas Worlds of Fun that Kevin (from Kansas) clearly states is located in Kansas, because that's the point of this video about a park in Kansas? Is that the park you're talking about?

[@guygambone5754]

Brother Kev is killin' it.

[@ColorOfSakura]

Seeing this I’m hoping Defunctland will be returning to Missouri to discuss the failure and closure of the sister park to Silver Dollar City - Celebration City (and more specifically the Ozark Mountain Wildcat coaster). SDC has always been my hometown theme park and I remember being stunned at how quickly Celebration City closed.

[@gumbusmcbumbus2087]

DJ Sakura OH MY GOD. I never thought I’d see someone else who knew about celebration city. It was before my time to remember it, but I heard stories. Hello fellow Missourian.

[@GhostGhosterson]

Silver Dollar City was my home theme park as well.

[@BlueDragonknight375]

He could colab with Sir Willow!

[@breeg1684]

I'm from here too, and I was also surprised at how quickly Celebration City closed down. I never got a chance to go myself. But I still occasionally go to SDC 🤗

[@bigsistruck]

Yes, that park was odd and it really wasn't surprising it closed down. They wanted almost the same ticket price as SDC for much less attractions! We walked up to the gate and said...ummm yeah we're not paying that for this tiny park!

[@BourgeoisB]

The Zulu was my first ever upside down ride, with my dad, it was 1984, and I was a mere 4 year old, the next summer (85), I was able to ride the Zambezi zinger. That orange lap bar wasn’t enough for my mom though, she clutched hard. Then when I was. About 7 I went with my older sister and her boyfriend and I legit almost took the chicken exit, I loved it, it was such a fun place and I remember it very fondly

[@David-hr8mq]

Zambezi was my favorite ride at WOF. I was crushed when they tore it down. At least they still have Zulu.

[@alberthernandez193]

"Where fun is still affordable" Damn! That's like my parents' _marriage_ level of petty-ness! Fairyworld vs WorldsOfFun. Katzenburg vs Eisner. Mom vs Dad. It's a small world after all.

[@thatsexyskaterasmr1580]

Underrated comment

[@lonnihelm3936]

SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDWEST! MISSOURI! People can finally realize we’re a state!

[@ajmoretina2109]

you’re not wrong

[@midluci]

But Missouri has other theme parks like SDC and a 6 Flags in St. Louis

[@Awesomeasumpta13]

At least Missouri is more relevant than Nebraska.

[@Hornheart22]

@@Awesomeasumpta13 Hey Nebraska has that zoo in Omaha that's pretty rad

[@lilliancarothers3429]

Agreed

[@corn6723]

So happy to see this! As someone that has lived on the Missouri side of Kansas City for my entire life, and that has grown up going to Worlds of Fun, I am always excited to see some history of it. Very nice video! I never got to ride the Orient Express, I was only 2 when it closed, but my parents talk about it a decent bit.

[@dnkypnch7442]

I used to go to worlds of fun with my dad all the time when I would come visit him. Had so much fun. I remember the orient express was one of my favorite rides. Glad to see someone talking about worlds of fun.

[@sailorbears]

Have you ever thought about looking into the park at the Mall of America? I used to go there growing up and it has certainly changed a lot from the camp snoopy days.

[@bananabread112]

camp snoopy use to be my shit back in the day

[@percypape]

VF wasnt a bad regional park to grow up with, but the lack of theme always made it seem inferior.

[@RynDummer]

I miss the original rides from nick universe

[@BlueDragonknight375]

Camp Snoopy was my childhood. My dad would take me and my sister there all the time. I threw a small tantrum when I heard it was being changed in Nickelodeon Universe.

[@aismakessounds]

I had no idea about Camp Snoopy being in MOA, but they actually installed one of those in Worlds of Fun. Now it's called Planet Snoopy, though.

[@ashs.8418]

Havent even started watching and I know I'm in for a beautiful video. Thank you so much Kevin!

[@kc3d777]

as a kansas city resident ive been really looking forward to seeing some love for worlds of fun! its kinda shabby but its got some charm! As another Kansas City suggestion for Defunctland that may be a bit morbid considering what happened maybe you could cover the failure that was Schlitterbahns Verrückt the worlds tallest waterslide that was built in 2014 and closed only 2 years later because it was so dangerous a child was decapitated. I pass it everyday on my way to work the massive slide stands out as one of the biggest landmarks in the area and is still standing to this day totally unused and rusting. Its a bit of a sensitive subject considering the fatallity but its a bit of an interesting history around it and everyone in the area knows about the case and slide as probably the most infamous amusement park attraction in the area. it is a towering testament to how safety precautions and measures should never be ignored when building an attraction.

[@14stockfan]

Not sure they want to do it because of the gruesome nature of its closing. Ever since I saw the announcement of that ride I thought it was a bad idea, and that thought turned out to not be unfounded.

[@karlybrown4418]

Someone died on the Timberwolf at Worlds of fun too. I’m surprised he didn’t mention it

[@TheMaddness22]

@@karlybrown4418 He's probably waiting for it to formally close down. It's getting to that time. Hardly anyone rides it any more because it's so shaky and rough these days.

[@torakokoneko]

he stated on twitter that he is waiting for the legal drama to end

[@ibrown3KC]

I miss the old days of Worlds of Fun. The Orient Express, The Timberwolf, The Zambezi Zinger, etc.

[@jady6180]

The Timberwolf is still there, I rode on it yesterday, Something happened to it a few hours after I went on it though. It stopped as it started going up the first hill, and the people on it had to walk off of it. We asked what happened, and all they said was that there was an error

[@Silvermoon424]

I'm so happy you made this video!! I too grew up and still live in the Kansas City area and Worlds of Fun is one of my favorite places. I have so many fond memories of going there during the summer and having a blast. I have been to other amusement parks but none of them will ever take the place Worlds of Fun has in my heart.

[@reclusiveperson9409]

The park sucks now in my opinion. They don’t add anything good anymore and they focus on the haunted park crap. Outside of the coasters it isn’t enjoyable. I wish the Timberwolf would have been taken down and replaced. I’m also mad nothing was built in the empty land The Orient Express existed. I loved the place for years. Now it’s lame.

[@Silvermoon424]

Strongly disagree with you there. I was just there in May and I found all of the rides to be fun. I DO definitely agree that more coasters are needed, though. Another coaster like the Patriot would be amazing.

[@reclusiveperson9409]

It seems like all the good rides are old. They haven’t added anything substantial in almost ten years. A couple of new coasters, replacing The Timberwolf, and a couple of other good new rides would help. Cedar Fair doesn’t seem to give a darn about the park. It’s clean, has lots of food, etc, but it’s missing stronger rides. Too much land sits empty where they could add some great rides to improve the park. I found this park much better as a kid, teenager, and in my 20’s.

[@NOOOOOOO0OOOOO]

Ever been to Silver Dollar City?

[@chippydippy1530]

@@NOOOOOOO0OOOOO Silver Dollar City is pretty fun. Went there as a kid, but I was too chicken shit to go on any of the coasters. Kinda regret not taking the chance to now.

[@mj_harv]

I just want to thank you for doing this video on WOF. I unlike many haven’t had a chance to visit other theme parks. I’m a ks local and was fortunate enough to ride the orient express. Road it several times. I’m 26 now. Went on the opening day of the patriot as well. I feel the same way about the stagnant vibe the park has now. Hoping they show some love to this great park. Really nice to see some attention to this park thank you so much.

[@mollykat1660]

One of my shoes flew off on the patriot :') (i got it back)

[@austinhooper9467]

The last big thing they added was the Falcon Flight, which...is a bit underwhelming. You're just kinda spinning high up. Though they did just open up the park for Winter, which is a nice addition. It's pretty cool to see the whole place transform throughout the seasons. It's actually really fun to go during their Halloween event as most of the rides are open, it's not as hot outside, and as a big horror entusiast, I like getting scared :P It could definitely use with a big upgrade though. A big and crazy rollercoaster would bring a lot of people to the park, as it sucks to have to go so far out to get to any huge major amusement parks like Cedar Point or Six Flags in St. Louis.

[@mollykat1660]

@@austinhooper9467 im going thursday for dance camp! I'm excited i love worlds of fun

[@utterdisaster603]

Never thought I’d hear “arrow” and “stand up” in the same sentence. Good lord the pain

[@memecentral10]

And I though BnM standups were awful

[@madburgers5415]

They tried it on the Mine Train at Sixflags St. Louis in 1984. Called it TrailBlazer, it also lasted one year. I think a lady fell out.

[@florida995]

It was awesome

[@staringcorgi6475]

At least it's better than togo

[@kryw10]

My grandfather helped build WoF. I got to go to the site during construction and there are still landmarks I recognize. Time is weird. Nostalgia is powerful.

[@keitarokun]

This was an incredibly touching episode. Great job!

[@lorddenti]

All these episodes are awesome. The storytelling, the information, the intros, all amazing!

[@bradnewsbear]

This was my first ever roller coaster ride! I'm from Lincoln, and like a lot of Nebraskans, Worlds of Fun was a huge part of my family and I's summers in my childhood

[@awdcatsubaru3755]

Which HS did you attend? I'm an '84 graduate of LSE. I, too, have many fond memories of the park.

[@Downisar]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! For doing the orient! I was born and raised in Kansas! I have since moved around a lot as an adult, but settled into central Florida. Although Florida has great amusement parks, Worlds of Fun will always have a huge piece of my heart. It’s my childhood, and where I shoved cut foam noodles in my shoes so I could ride my first roller coaster (the timber wolf because Zambezi doesn’t count). This is by far my favorite post of yours! Thank you! I really want to go up to Virginia and ride The Orient’s sister, Loch Ness Monster.

[@chdreturns]

Downisar She's a little rough but she's actually smoother than their B&M hypercoaster Apollo's Chariot surprisingly. BGW has taken good care of Nessie as she is nicknamed by fans.... Same can't be said about Apollo's Chariot.

[@LongviewPistol]

I grew up in Branson. Worlds of Fun used to be just that, a world of fun. Silver Dollar City was fun too. But, taking that long trip to get up there, made it even more fun.

[@darkghor6372]

Aaawwww sick, another Kansas City native! Of course, I'm from Missouri, but STILL. Didn't expect to hear you were from here while listening to you in the exact same city. Even worked at Worlds of Fun for a summer, Fury of the Nile. Fondest memory was strapping kids into the ride and they were all talking about how Missouri was a shitty state, I leaned down and whispered in their ears "but look where you have to go for fun" at the EXACT moment their boat floated off the rotating carousel.

[@gingersnap6004]

darkghor Kansas can eat my entire ass. We have amusements parks and zoo, that we share. All we get from them is the Westboro Baptist Church members screaming slurs at concerts and high schools.

[@carmen9432]

Fury of the Nile, Orient Express, Zambezi Zinger, Timberwolf - Man was it wonderful to be a kid at Worlds of Fun in the early 90’s! Some of the best memories 💜

[@denaturner8871]

Ginger Snap that's all you know of from Kansas? All the musicians, actors, movies, sports legends or even free state status for the underground railroad or historical lawmen and outlaws of "the wild west" era and all you acknowledge is that small group of inbred hate mongers, that pretty much their entire home state's residents also disapprove of and are ashamed that they are connected to by default of location?

[@Asburyz]

Welcome to the Salty Spatoon how tough are ya? My home park was Action Park

[@Syntania]

Holy crap, how are you still alive?!

[@Bpabrown148]

Mine too.

[@abbygiroux9097]

nice spongebob reference

[@Hey_yeah]

Fellow New Jersian Im sure that’s a word

[@sussus3974]

Class action park, the kid killer, murder pool's home, it goes by many names

[@lear1980]

The Zambezi Zinger lives on as Montaña Rusa at Parque del Café outside Montenegro, Colombia. Always had to ride the Zinger before the Orient Express. Had to get warmed up.

[@NoobTheBeginner]

PARQUE DEL CAFE IS MY HOME PARK LIKE HOW

[@lear1980]

@@NoobTheBeginner I hope Montaña Rusa is still doing well. I have a lot of fond memories of that ride before it was moved.

[@NoobTheBeginner]

@@lear1980 Yes, it’s still good! Been there a couple of times this year and it’s running extremely well! Smooth and very intense, so I can say that it’s running better than ever!

[@johnkelso3252]

And now it lives on again under the same name as a GCI Titan Track coaster.

[@brianschulz7833]

So crazy that GCI is building a wooden homage to Zambezi Zinger for 2023! Its history really stretches back.

[@andrewsavoy1881]

@@irh_real they could fit a new coaster behind spinning dragons and patriot without having to remove either one

[@andrewsavoy1881]

@@irh_real neither of those coasters affect the area where orient express was

[@reeveling]

When I was wee, the sheer force of The Orient Express ripped my earrings from my ears. They were still in the seat when the ride stopped. It was horrifying, but I still loved it. I miss the Zambezi Zinger even more. The Boomerang and the Spinning Dragons can suck it.

[@amygreen9662]

Spinning dragons does suck.

[@gingersnap6004]

Spinning dragons blows, but the boomerang is fun. It’s also great at clearing your sinuses naturally.

[@VictoryAviation]

I remember my ears getting battered around pretty dang good when I was barely tall enough to ride.

[@kimashmore9941]

The Timberwolf sucked, rode it once, walked away with bruises on my arms👎

[@jacksonlange9521]

Totally didn't know that you were from KC too??! I've been watching your channel for a little over a year and now the world doesn't seem so small! Keep up the good work U rock!

[@fettster279]

We used to go there when I was a kid, and I would always remember it was the first thing you'd see when driving up to the park. My parents rode it, but I never did as I was too little. I did get to ride the Zambizi Zinger though.

[@dreww8941]

I live on a farm in Kansas. Worlds of Fun was my family’s yearly amusement park. We’d go to Orlando occasionally, but KC was so much easier to plan and afford.

[@timwilsin6816]

Born and raised KCMO. Nice to see a good WOF video

[@cobras35]

As a Missourian, I must agree with your premise that NOTHING is in Kansas.

[@dekutree64]

Have you ever been to the natural history museum in Lawrence? Another of my favorite places growing up, and largely unchanged in the past 30 years.

[@SCIFIguy64]

Lawrence is a cute town, but that's about it.

[@tinsote7176]

Schlitterbahn Kansas City. Too soon?

[@adaveo8396]

Wichita says hi

[@TJlolbagger]

As a Kansan, I must say that Missouri is one of the worst places to drive through.

[@MegaZillaStrikesAgain]

I would love to see a history of the abandoned Six Flags park, Six Flags New Orleans in Louisianna. That is my only suggestion.

[@Bebo-uo1ik]

there redoing that park

[@Bibitybopitybacon]

When I went there it was called jazz land.. Man I'm old! Lol

[@augustoliver715]

Louisiana*

[@spic9h592]

@@Bebo-uo1ik Having grown up in the area and knowing how backroom-good-old-boy constructin projects tend to be here, I'll believe a renovation is happening when I see it.

[@sydneyhamilton2575]

It Got Flood by Hurricane Katrina

[@morlunknight884]

As a native of the area, Mamba is still my favorite of all time! So fast and so fun!

[@gaaraswife32]

Worlds of Fun was the first amusement park that I remember going to. My first visit was back in '06, when the Patriot was new, and I went again, year after year until spring of 2010. I got to ride not only the Patriot, but also the Prowler when they were first introduced, two rides I was very eager to try. I hadn't even known about the Orient Express! I just recently went back to Worlds of Fun for my birthday with my younger sister, and while things had changed, it was still the same park. The rides were just as awesome as they were the first time around, and the park never lost its charm. Though the did add a new ending to the Timberwolf, it's not the same as adding a new ride. Thank you for shining a light on our beautiful park, maybe this video will bring people it's way.

[@VxlvetCece]

It’s a good day when defunctland uploads a vid.

[@Panda5ace]

I requested this, thank you so much!

[@ricucci-hillmusic]

I live in Kansas City, MO. Came here in 2014 for the Conservatory at UMKC. I've fell in love with the city, fell in love with my husband, went back to UMKC for a masters, started building a life here... have still never been to Worlds of Fun. I am afraid that it will not live up to my expectations set by Six Flags St. Louis. I don't know if I can live with that betrayal.

[@7deadlyhexes]

I grew up near Carowinds, even working there for a number of years. I got my coaster enthusiasm from my dad, that used to take us on family trips to ride coasters. When my dad died back in 2017, I was searching for some sort of connection to his memory and I found your channel. I just want to say thank you for this video! And if you ever want some Carowinds insight I have a little. As my parents worked there as teens under paramount and I worked there later under Cedarfair. I was a ride attendant for the Cobra (a ride I actually got to ride in its pervious location and get stuck on, lol!) and the goldrusher, and skyflyer (the sky coaster now renamed ripcord). I also got to work on a few of the other classic coasters there but those were my main rides.

[@Hippiethecat124]

Carowinds is my home park too - I was able to go quite a few times while it was still owned by Paramount (the section of the park that's Peanuts themed used to be Nickelodeon themed, right?), and I still love to go. Did you ever get to work with Thunder Road before it closed down? Lots of folks claimed that it was the oldest functioning wooden coaster, but I think they were probably mistaken, lol

[@7deadlyhexes]

Aubrey Hallman I trained on thunder road but never got to run it, it was one of the older rides in the park and had seen a lot of changes. It’s sad they tore it down, I think part of the reason for it’s ultimate demise was Paramount was great at themeing but sucked at park maintenance. But as a kid I would just ride it backwards continuously.

[@DoctorNumber10]

Lived five minutes from there and I'm pretty sure we actually went to the park together when we were in middle school. Didn't know you actually got to work there though ;D

[@coreylineberry8557]

@@DoctorNumber10 I still do.... And I love it there.

[@madbengalsfan85]

I would love to see you tackle Kentucky Kingdom. The original failure, the original Ed Hart years, the sell to Six Flags, the slow and steady deterioration of the park, the Six Flags shut down, the years it sat dormant, and the return of Ed Hart...Kentucky Kingdon has a hell of a story to tell

[@randalljohnson3152]

madbengalsfan85 there’s not a lot at Kentucky Kingdom that’s that interesting or different honestly. Went there just this past spring when I visited Louisville and just wasn’t all that entertained.

[@BlueHero112]

Yeah and how the superman tower which mauled the one girl

[@drummercali]

I live less than 2 hours from Kentucky Kingdom and went there many times, including its opening season. When it originally opened, it was great. In fact, it was good even after expanding across the road (Vekoma wheel, Thunder Run, Quake, etc), but when Six Flag took ownership, the place went downhill and fast. Not to knock Six Flags, as they have some great parks, but I think KK just was not a top priority. I'm glad Ed's back in the drivers seat.

[@92JazzQueen]

You know I am surprised they don't have a Wizard Of OZ themed park in Kansas.

[@lbcntx9169]

There was talk at one point about just that... but it never came to be

[@melatoninqueen6914]

There was one in North Carolina but it’s currently only open for certain events. I don’t know why they didn’t build it in Kansas but eh 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@hankterreros223]

In the early 1970s outside of Ft. Riley, KS. Off of "9th street in Junction City" there was one "amusement park", kind of. I remember "dating" Dorothy most paydays. Yep, she called me, "Uncle Henry".

[@ruckus8378]

I'm born and raised Wichita, Ks went to Worlds of fun quite a few times I remember the Orient Express, There was once a Wizard of Oz themed park in Wichita it had no rides besides a miniature train ride. Just a bunch of wooden statues of the characters. I think it was in O.J. Watson park. The Dorothy statue was decapitated by someone and thrown in the near by creek, and after awhile the few remaining statues rotted away, and all that was left was the fading yellow bricks that once made the yellow brick road.

[@kathyboxx3678]

Because we hate being thought of as Wizarding Oz-land. There is so much more to Kansas which is actually a beautiful state.

[@levelheaded6288]

I'm from Missouri and this video brought back fond memories of the park. Would ride The Mamba 20 times in a row.

[@lightningboat]

An amazing hyper with phenomenal airtime!

[@tinkerbell1129mew]

My home amusement park was Lagoon in Utah! I lived in Rock Springs, Wyoming and Lagoon was only 3 hours away. Loved that park!

[@rustymolla]

Been binge-watching all of these. As a kid from Nebraska growing up in the 90's, so glad to see a Worlds of Fun video!

[@majoraswrath8316]

Suddenly I realize how privileged I am for my childhood park (Hershey Park in Hershey, PA) to still be going strong. It's only gotten better over the years, with fast, exciting coasters strewn about all over. I suppose it has hit kind of a period of stagnation (the last coaster there was a kiddie one about three or four years ago), but the classics like Great Bear, the Comet, Farenheit, Stormrunner, and others still bring joy and fear to the hearts of thousands. Because we've all been there and done that, but we can't all say we survived the Sooperdooperlooper.

[@MattMcIrvin]

Hersheypark just announced a massive expansion of the front-gate area for 2020, including what appears to be a B&M hypercoaster! That's always been one of my favorite parks. As stated above, I loved it when I was a kid, though they took out a couple of my favorite rides (the old Giant Wheel was my absolute favorite--now they just have a regular Ferris wheel). The only coaster back then I dared to ride was the little Trailblazer. I've only been there once in adulthood, and it was a short visit in which I didn't get to do a lot, but I finally got to ride the sooperdooperLooper, and also Fahrenheit.

[@majoraswrath8316]

@@MattMcIrvin Congratulations, my good man, you've just made my day. Also, I recommend Skyrush, Stormrunner, and Great Bear (in that order) for things to ride next time you go.

[@MattMcIrvin]

My coastering last time was significantly curtailed by the need to accommodate my then 5-year-old daughter--and by the weird coincidence that it was the day of the big earthquake in Virginia, so once I heard about that I blew a lot of time making sure my relatives were OK. (It's really hard to make a cell phone call over a clogged network when you're standing next to the Great Bear.) I got my daughter on the Trailblazer, though, and she loved it. Lightning Racer looks like another must-ride--I like a good modern woodie. Hersheypark has so much stuff now that it's easily a multi-day park; you could blow a whole day just at the waterpark area.

[@Leah-yh5sj]

HersheyPark is one of the only theme parks I've ever been to, and I love it so much. Unfortunately most of the times I've gone were when I was much younger so I've only ever been on Trailblazer and Comet. The last time I was there, maybe two or three years ago (I'm 14 now) I planned on tackling SooperDooperLooper but it rained and our day was cut short. Next time, whenever it may be, I'm determined to go out of my comfort zone and ride more of the coasters.

[@MichaelGarton74]

As a person who was born in raised in Kansas and Missouri worlds of fun was just that my world.

[@just-a-silly-goofy-guy]

I’ve only ever been to Disneyland once, and it was my favorite summer of all time by far

[@kateiselate9685]

If you're doing Kansas, you have to do my hometown! Joyland and (the less famous) Wild West World! Kansas had a theme park once upon a time...

[@mikea1714]

Kate Thompson or the theme park that was on the Arkansas Wonderland

[@jamesgordon1804]

Wild West World gotta be one of the shortest lived amusement parks

[@That0neKid145]

yeeaaahhhh from the 316

[@AlyssaBobcat]

Ha! I vaguely remember Joyland. That wooden coaster was terrifying.

[@kvltizt]

@@jamesgordon1804 Celebration City in Branson. I enjoyed it, was away a few years, then it was just dead. :[

[@CoasterScouts]

Worlds of Fun was the park that got me into becoming a coaster enthusiast and it's one of three parks that I consider to be a home park. During the time that Orient Express was open, I was a very different person than who I am today and looking back at it now, I wish that I had a chance to ride Orient Express. The interlocking loops would be a main reason for me to ride it now since I haven't been on a coaster with that element yet, but I'm glad that Worlds of Fun used to have this coaster. Now I know why there is a chicken sign at the entrance of Timber Wolf's station. While Worlds of Fun is not the biggest or best park I've experienced with Cedar Fair, it's still my home Cedar Fair park and it will continue to hold a special place in my heart and soul.

[@NOOOOOOO0OOOOO]

What are your home parks? I claim Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, and Worlds of Fun. I've lived my entire life just a little southeast of Jopin.

[@CoasterScouts]

To me, all three Missouri parks are my home parks. Six Flags St. Louis, Worlds of Fun, and Silver Dollar City are always fun to visit and I do my best to visit them in equal amounts since the distance between me and these three parks are roughly the same distance. Living in the center of Missouri at Columbia gives me the ability to do day trips to all three parks and I enjoy all three of them equally. Trying to choose one of these parks as my official home park is like trying to choose your favorite child, one isn't more important than the others.

[@TC-nn7xk]

I remember working at WoF and after my shift going into the park on a slow day and riding the Orent Express back to back to back... I lost count how many times. I was tired after a long day and at one point fell asleep on the accent and woke up right as the train made the turn into the drop! It was a very disORIENTing experience!