11/17/1998 Cedar Fair's de-theming of Worlds of Fun

November 17, 1998 -- Worlds Of Fun opened in 1973 as a theme park based on Around the World in Eighty Days and was developed into five culturally themed worlds. Lets say we skip ahead 27 years to 1999. We take another look at Worlds Of Fun, outwardly nothing has changed. There is still the five worlds of Scandinavia, Africa, Europa, Americana and the Orient, themed Internationally. But lets take a closer look, is it really holding on to the theme or has it slowly been slipping through the cracks due to neglect and maybe even willful distruction? The International theme is what makes Worlds Of Fun unique and a completely different experience. It used to be that you would come to Worlds Of Fun and be swept away into the five different cultures Now, we have sort of different areas that are just there.

First, lets look at what parts of the theme have survived. We can look at all the Worlds and see that everything is still named somewhat according to its themed world but I can only see two worlds that are still clinging desperately to the complete atmosphere of a different culture. First I believe is Africa, when you take the passage between Scandinavia to Africa you feel the change right away. The Atmosphere of the World has survived thanks to the basic dark layout of Africa, the stability of its theme in every realm of Africa, all the way to the merchandising. The other world is Americana. Thatís not too hard we live in America. It feels like you have walked into turn of the century America.

What has changed in Worlds Of Fun to cause the deterioration of Worlds Of Fun? We can see this going all the way back to 1993. 1993 was when Hunt Midwest made the decision to rid themselves of the different uniforms for every world. Not a big change but very noticeable and it was the first step taken to unify the park. There I just outlined the basic problem. Worlds Of Fun was at that time trying to hard to unify the whole park and hurt the theme of each world. The problem has now escalated thanks to Cedar Fair. Now donít get me wrong, Cedar Fair has really cleaned up the park and given it a second re-birth with new state of the art rides. But, in the quest to make Worlds Of Fun like all the other parks it has made the same error as Hunt Midwest did only a few years earlier. Sometimes the differences in a park are what make it unique and interesting. Sure a 205 foot roller coaster is cool, and we wouldnít change it for the world but any park can have a roller coaster and call itself a fun park not every park can claim that and still call itself a traditional theme park. In the quest to be bigger and better and to conform Worlds Of Fun is losing its Theme and its whole identity.

Now that I have expressed my views I am in need to back the views up with hard fact. First, in Hunt Midwestís and now Cedar Fairs mainstream idea is to unify the park. First, was the removal of the identifying uniforms, now its gone up to the fact that the names of establishments must be conforming, non-biased and worse non-cultural as possible. An example: Nordic Nook is now the Chicken Patio, The International CafÈ in Europa is now the Pizza Patio. Do you see the similarities? What do these names have to do with Scandinavia and Europa respectively? Absolutely nothing. Also, lets look at ride names. The Detonator? The Ripcord? How do these names fit into American culture? The biggest blunder occurred during Boo Blast this fall, they sold German food in Americana. Is this insignificant to the theme? Every part of Worlds Of Fun from the flags to the food to the rides contributes to each worlds theme. And if any part is compromised then so is the theme.

Okay, so now we are up to present day and Cedar Fair steps in, and unwilling to learn from the past or really even caring they make the same mistakes Hunt Midwest did. They try to conform. Rule number one in the amusement park business: NEVER ever try to conform to another park. First, came the all-stars Grill in Scandinavia, we are left bewildered at the idea of an american sports themed restaurant right in the middle of Scandinavia. Then we find out that Cedar Point has a restaurant similar. Its easy to see the point, Cedar Fair cares little about the theme there more interested in how they can create a similar or photocopied Cedar Point. Donít get me wrong Cedar Point is a great park, one of the best. But, we donít want another Cedar Point in Kansas City we want a International World Of Fun. Of course we let that one slide. Next, went the Cotton Blossom, Zambezi Zinger and the Americana Entrance. In two years, Cedar Fair has obliterated three of the most highest standing symbols of Worlds Of Funs ideals. Third, They are now planning a Coaster Grill near the Mamba. Not a bad idea, until you look at the themeing. It is to be a 50ís themed restaurant. In Africa? Thatís the BIGGEST contradiction I have ever seen. Yet, it doesnít even bother them to just outright reject the theme of Worlds Of Fun. Cedar Fair, you might be able to run amusement parks wonderful and well but honestly, actually TRY to learn how to run a Theme Park! We do not want another Six Flags or Cedar Fair clone.

One final question before I leave you for awhile, is the theme really important? Does it matter whether a park is just a conglomerate of rides or is a well themed theme park? I say yes, like I said earlier anybody can build a few multi-million dollar roller coasters and call themselves a Six Flags or whatever, but once we loss the magic and the uniqueness of stepping out of our ordinary usually boring lives into a completely different world. We loss half the point of even having a theme park, its not just a scattering of rides everywhere but a completely different experience that goes beyond the rides and shows to what makes a theme park different from an amusement park and that is the whole experience. ------