World Update (WOF)

 

Let's take a look at the progress of Gateway Pizza now that the fence is down.  Really liking the new logo marquee above the door

Here's the dining plaza.  It looks really open right now

Looking at the building from the far side of the plaza

The plaza gives great views of the Viking Voyager

Really like the new views of the ride from the plaza

Looking back at International Plaza from the far corner of the plaza

Looking inside they still have some work to do

Not a big surprise, but Falcon's Flight is still down

Some weird markings on the concrete in Europa near Dutchman

The Mamba steps have been repaired and are back open

We're happy to report that the cowcatcher has returned on Eli

Zambezi Zinger - New for 2023 (WOF)

 

August 11, 2022

Worlds of Fun Announces the Return of the Zinger

Kansas City, Missouri -- The new Zambezi Zinger roller coaster will take guests on a thrilling journey above its galvanized steel and wood hybrid frame, dropping guests from an iconic spiral lift hill into a low-to-the-ground track that races through the trees and terrain of the African Serengeti.

Packed with several moments of airtime, banked turns and quick transitions, riders are connected to the feeling of an epic safari chase and fast-paced adventure!

As guests travel through Africa, south of the Serengeti, they arrive at a smalltime safari company offering exciting tours to adventurers and thrill seekers who have traveled from near and far to experience the Zinger. 

Zambezi Adventure Safaris went out of business just before the turn of the century when the Zinger was thought to have gone extinct. They recently reopened their doors after new evidence suggested the Zinger had returned to the area.

The company now takes guests on thrilling excursions to explore these famously hallowed woodlands so travelers may once again experience the legend of the Zinger!

The new Zambezi Zinger is designed by Great Coasters International and Skyline attractions.  It will feature 2,428 feet of track.  Top speed for the coaster will be 45 mph, a height of 74 feet and the entire ride duration will be 2 minutes.

The new Zambezi Zinger will feature the all new Infinity Flyers trains that will seat 16 passengers at a time (2 people per cart, 8 total carts per train).  In addition, this new coaster will feature hybrid Titan Track which will allow for a much smoother ride experience

The new Zambezi Zinger will share many similarities with its predecessor.  Guests will enter the same queue building as the old Zambezi Zinger.  As the train leaves the station, it will begin its adventure with an iconic spiral lift hill.  There's a mid course tunnel.  The ride will stay low to the ground with many quick turns.  Finally, it is located in the heart of Africa in the same area that the original was located  

The new Zambezi Zinger will have several differences from the original too.  The first is that this version will feature side by side seating.  The coaster features new Titan track which will sit on a hybrid of wooden and galvanized steel frames.  The coaster is 74 feet tall whereas the original was 57 feet tall.

The new Zambezi Zinger will open at Worlds of Fun in Spring 2023 as part of the 50th Celebration for the park.

Flying Viking & Draken Falls - New for 2023 (Adventureland)

 

August 8, 2022

Adventureland Announces Two New Family Rides - FLYING VIKING and DRAKEN FALLS

Altoona, Iowa -- Adventureland Park is excited to announce two all-new rides... intertwined! Hop on the new FLYING VIKING roller coaster and soar over, under and around the new log flume DRAKEN FALLS. Double down on family-sized thrills with two unique rides that are even better woven together.

BY LAND - Join the Viking raid on FLYING VIKING.  Soar above the new DRAKEN FALLS of speeds of up to 26 mph over 1300 feet of twisting, turning and exhilarating track.  Let the world hear your roar as you dive and soar with bill hills and one-of-a-kind thrills

BY SEA - Hop aboard your 6 passenger Viking ship and race through the rapids on DRAKEN FALLS, a new family-sized log flume.  Your Viking voyage sends you twisting and turning with the rushing river, then over two towering plunges into multiple soaking splashdowns.

The all new FLYING VIKING and DRAKEN FALLS are scheduled to open Spring 2023 at Adventureland Resort.  

Fire in the Hole (SDC)

 

Since our last visit, the gravity building for the new attraction seems to have been closed up

The gravity building towers over 76.  It does appear that they will be using the storage boxes again this year for Pumpkins as they are still present in the Pumpkin Plaza area

Here is a look at the plaza for the new ride.  You can see the large gravity building in the back with the brown and white pattern.  The load / queue area can be seen in front and is the shorter building

Hopefully some type of berm will be constructed to hide 76 from the new plaza area

I'm guessing some sort of access road will need to be built on this side of the building to allow for access to Red Gold from the maintenance parking lot

This is taken inside the Fire Station.  Here you can see the load / queue area

The new reddish brown steel structure will be the new entrance for the attraction

Since there are no lights on inside and the windows on the Fire Station are rather dirty it is hard to see, but they do appear to be installing HVAC systems for the building now

I want to point one last thing before moving on, there is a pit here that is fenced off.  I would imagine that this is where the track will run in the loading area

Looking over the fence near the Little Swings (thank goodness I'm tall) you can see where the entrance will be in relation to the rest of the building.  The pathway to the new ride will run right through where the Little Swings are currently and have a new manned crossing over the train tracks

There wasn't much to see from the train that we haven't already shown.  Again the new entrance steel peeking over the fence

The abyss of the gravity building with not much to see right now.  

Contrary to some reports around the internet, there is currently no track on site (or any of the staging parking lots that SDC owns) as of today.

Moonlight Madness (SDC)

 

Welcome to Moonlight Madness at SDC

In the Red Gold, Perondi's Stunt Dog Experience

They feature many of the famous stunts that have made the Perondi family famous for 30 years

Their most popular part of the show is always the obstacle course race

Some fun new additions include a tight rope walker

and a fun hand stand

Boatworks Theatre is home to Chris Stanley's magic and comedy show

Dockside Theatre is home to Down By the Riverside

This show earned a Golden Ticket last year from Amusement Today

The night ends with fireworks which really look amazing from all over the City

BUT, the best part of the festival is the night rides.