In a tough year for amusement parks, Worlds of Fun cuts days, dumps reservations
Worlds of Fun announced that it will be closed three days a week beginning July 13 in what’s become a tough year for amusement parks nationwide because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The park will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays only. The park’s calendar, posted on its website, shows the new schedule runs at least through August.
In addition, the park said it would no longer require patrons to make reservations online — a rule officials had instituted to keep crowds small.
“We implemented reservations to help with social distancing during arrival, but we’ve learned that we are still able to maintain all of our health and safety protocols without requiring them,” said park spokesman Chris Foshee in a statement.
He said park officials have “been encouraged with attendance thus far” and that the “new calendar will allow us to better serve our guests.” The park does not release attendance information.
Visitors to Worlds of Fun have commented on social media in recent days about the short lines to get on rides — which they like.
But they also have noted that some rides like Fury of the Nile and Viking Voyager weren’t open — the park has apologized on social media “for any inconvenience.”
Foshee said that the park opened “with the vast majority of our attractions with a few exceptions due to social distancing restrictions” and that the park has worked on opening some of its water-based attractions.
Many park fans are anxiously waiting to hear whether Oceans of Fun will open this season. The park has not announced those plans yet, Foshee said.
The news Wednesday of a shorter week isn’t sitting well with a few who posted on the park’s Facebook page.
“I’m not even sure why they bothered opening this year? If we’re going to be required to wear a mask, then at least give us some late hours after the sun is going down. It’s absolutely ridiculous and absurd!!!!” wrote one person.
But others said they would rather see the park cut its schedule than go out of business.
The park opened late for the season on June 22 with a host of safety measures put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To keep crowds small in compliance with local orders, the park opened to season ticket holders only, and guests were required to make reservations online.
“After 2 weeks of operation, we learned the reservations didn’t really contribute to our health and safety protocols,” park officials said in a tweet to someone who asked about the change.
“Please know, just because reservations are not being required, doesn’t mean that capacity, social distancing and the rest of our procedures won’t be in effect.”
These are tricky times for amusement parks in the United States, most of which began reopening in June or by mid-July.
Worlds of Fun, run by Cedar Fair Entertainment, adopted safety protocols used by amusement parks nationwide. Parks are reminding visitors of the inherent danger of being exposed to COVID-19 in public places, and telling them they voluntarily assume that risk.
At Worlds of Fun, as at other parks, guests must wear masks, even on the rides, though the park has designated “relax zones” where visitors can remove their masks and cool off.
Visitors have their temperatures taken at the entrance. And hand sanitizer dispensers, Plexiglas barriers and signs reminding visitors to stay a safe six feet away from other guests are reminders that this season is like no other.
“Safety was our primary position,” Worlds of Fun general manager Tony Carovillano told The Star in June. “And you’ll see that across the amusement park industry. Universal, Disney. Six Flags. All of us are using the same protocol requirements.”
This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 1:28 PM.
.jpg)