4/6/2006 How Far We Have Come

You know youíve a serious Worlds of Fun enthusiast when you start considering things like new concrete, new trees, theming stuff like that, and I have quite honestly been hard on the park for the past eight or nine years about those very things. Today we had a chance to celebrate Patriotís Media Day, with our first rides, and our first peak at what the park will look like for this season. While I am sure there are still things left undone and portions of the park that deserve attention it was staggering to me to compare today with a similar event six years ago.

Patriot of course was amazing, every coaster enthusiast dreams of having a B&M in their backyard, and well now we have one ourselves, and itís a good one. It started a little slow at 5:30AM, but by later in the morning it had really picked up and was seriously hauling. They say itís similar to Talon, but personally Iíll take Patriot any day. If I can say so, and I am sure there are those who will disagree, but compared to other Cedar Fair B&Mís, Raptor and Talon specifically, Patriot takes the cake. I guess you could say Worlds of Fun has a knack for producing the best of the chain!

Besides the great ride though, there are the details. As you all know its all about the details! Six years ago, many of us remember the park then, some do not. Be glad if you donít. If you need a reminder I humbly submit my 2000 Opening Day Review http://www.worldsoffun.org/community/new.asp?ID=18 .

It was bad; landscaping was practically non-existent, trees torn down all over the place, a slap of paint on the old ride, and a new ride that really needed a lot more then a coat of paint. Okay Boomerang itself is not a terrible coaster, but the lack of care that was taken in its placement, in its station, in everything, just spoke volumes. Not to dwell, it is still important to remember to past so you realize just how far you have gone.

Today was much different. First, the enthusiasts were invited. Again I will spare you the details of 2000. Second, the ride itself was great as mentioned above. Of importance in my mind though was not just the ride, but the details. I cannot describe how overjoyed I was to see honestly spectacular theming and landscaping. I went around with a huge smile on my face all day Iím sure, and not just because of the ride. I am the only person who can get really truly excited about lily turf and new trees. I could not even count the number of new trees, magnolias, pines, oaks, etc. Some were even fairly mature. There was new sod (Iíve got two words, Six Flags) flower beds and beautiful red azalea bushes. The theming was there too, lots of eagle statues, nice themed bronze-colored wharf lights lining the midway, red, white and blue banners billowing in the wind, shingled wood siding, and lots of frontier America hanging lanterns.

I know it seems odd for someone or anyone to get excited about the details, but whether the guests notice it or not consciously, the details always play a part. People remember when something looks good, and while it will take some time to rebuild the attendance base and revitalize the entire park I really think Worlds of Fun is on its way up, and what a nice breath of fresh air it is.