Kansas City Zoo

Welcome to the Kansas City Zoo.

When you enter the zoo, you are greeted by river otters.

Polar Bear Passage is still one the of the most popular exhibits at the park

Unfortunately this was as close as the polar bear would get today.

Orangutans

Sumatran Tiger

Red Pandas

The entrance to the Australia section of the zoo

Straw Necked Ibis

Emu

Red Kangaroo

Tree Kangaroo

Sheep in the petting zoo

Camel

Burmese Python

 Billy Goats Gruff Yard.

Wild Ass

Squirrel Monkeys

Blue Poison Dart Frogs

Macaws

Radiated Tortoise

Lemurs

Probably my favorite exhibit here - the Helzberg Penguin Plaza.

That has to be one of the coolest jobs there is.

I always spend way too much time in this exhibit.

Moon jellies.

The elephants were actually out in their extended viewing area today.

It was nice to see them out and not have to make the trek down to their paddock.

First time I have ever seen a hippo being fed.  It was quite entertaining.

Slender-snouted crocodile

The Skyfari ride is always fun.

Black Rhinoceros

Lions.  They are all male.  The reason they do not have manes is because they were fixed before they grew in.

Heading over into the West Africa section

Amur Leopard.

Bongos

Red River Hogs

Lowland Gorilla

Lowland Gorillas.  The toddler isn't very old.

Cheetah.  This is seriously the closest I've ever been to one

Gold Lion Tamarin

White-faced Saki Monkeys

Crested Porcupine.

Mona Monkeys

California Sea Lion

I love going to the zoo.  It is awesome that we have two world class zoos in the state of Missouri to choose from.  If you are in KC, I definitely recommend a stop.  Just be sure to wear your walking shoes because the zoo is rather spread out.

America's Fun Park

The installation of Windstorm is nearing completion.

It won't be long before the train starts circling the track.

In other news, Groovy Train, the 2nd full-sized coaster at the park, has also been erected.  They still need to install the station area, but it shouldn't be long before it too begins testing.

New Fountain (WOF)

Progress on the new fountain near the Front Street Shops continues.

One big thing you'll notice is that they removed the large trees, but the entire area has been redone with pavers and concrete removing the nasty asphalt that was breaking up.  I'm sure smaller new trees will be planted to replace what was there.

Floral Clock (WOF)

The Floral Clock is now operational.  All that is left is to install the flowers and other landscaping elements.  Cannot wait to see the finished product this coming weekend.

Timber Wolf (WOF)

The new turn around on Timber Wolf is getting closer to being finished.

Festival of Wonder (SDC)

Welcome to the Festival of Wonder at Silver Dollar City

Some nice looking decorations on the way into the city from the Hospitality House

On the main square, there is a living statue that interacts with park guests.

Foods of Wonder cafe court is located in the Frisco Barn.  There you can purchase culinary adventures like sweet and savory crepes, hearty calzones, outrageous grilled cheese sandwiches and signature skillets.

In the Riverfront Playhouse, master illusionist Vitaly Beckman is performing.  Unfortunately there is no photography allowed during the show, so this is the most you will get.  The show is very well done and there are many illusions that we had never witnessed before.

At Dockside Theater, Ricardo Barrazza performs his Paint Jam show.

This speed painter can produces masterpieces in mere minutes.

Here is just one of the paintings he created during the show we watched.

On Main Street (behind the Gazebo Stage) X-Pogo is taking flight.

Two of the world's best extreme pogo athletes throw down stunts before your very eyes.

Pogo-Synchronization

They even throw down some flips

The finale is this flip over the high jump bar.  It's a great show.

On the Gazebo Stage, Radim Zenki, the US Mandolin Champion performs

He doesn't just perform on a mandolin though.  He showcases several different instruments during his show.

He is also a trick roper.  Fun show.

In the Opera House, CirqUnique is performing before packed crowds.

Adagio on pole was probably the best act.

Diablos was next.

She was decent, but nowhere near Cirque du Soleil level of talent.

Slack wire was next

He did a nice job.

He even rode a unicycle on the wire.

The finale was a guy balancing a large pole with a woman on a bike doing flips on the other end.  If it wasn't for the fact that the pole was tethered from above, it might have been more impressive.

In the Heritage Hall, the Earth Harp Collective has returned.

For me personally, I am underwhelmed by the show, but the size of the harp is pretty impressive.

The Festival of Wonder runs now through April 29th

Nordic Chaser (WOF)

Progress continues on Nordic Chaser at Worlds of Fun.  You will notice that cement has now been poured for the queue and exit areas of the ride.  In addition, supports for a shade structure have been added.

All of the boats now have their sails installed.

Here is a view of the control booth for the ride.

Looks like this ride will have seat belts in addition to the lap bar.

The ride is scheduled to open this weekend.