When Worlds of Fun was purchased by Cedar Fair--the management group that also owns Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio--the roller coaster-minded management invested millions of dollars in creating attractions that will continue to draw both locals and tourists to the park. Located just north of the city on I-435, Worlds of Fun is easy to get to and easy to navigate once you get into the park. An older amusement park that has undergone a major facelift over the last decade, the park is in a quasi-renaissance right now. With a new boomerrang roller coaster this year (2001) and the ever popular Mamba which features a 205 foot first drop at speeds of 70+ miles per hour, there are a variety of thrills and adventures to be had at Worlds of Fun. If the four coasters aren't your forte, the park also has several "old favorites" including an octopus, the Sea Dragon (a boat that swings back and forth), and a couple of water rides including a log flume and a river rapids type ride.
In addition to rides, Worlds of Fun has a variety of shows including music reviews and during the warmer summer months an interesting diving show that concludes with an 80-foot high dive into a relatively shallow pool. Also, you'll find a variety of concessions, of both sit down and fast food types. If you're planning on visiting during the summer months, you might be interested to know that cups of water are always free at the concession stands so you're not forced to pay $4 for a soda.
In addition, if you're a Kansas City local, it's considerably cheaper to buy a season pass for about $60 than to continually buy $30 tickets. However, if you visit Worlds of Fun after 4 PM, ticket prices are reduced to $17.50 until the park closes. In addition to the ticket, plan on spending about $5 for parking.
Overall, Worlds of Fun is a wonderful opportunity for a family outing and a nice detour for roller coaster or amusement park enthusiasts that are passing through Kansas City.