KC’s Worlds of Fun will look a bit different for 2025, including a closed ride
Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun announced changes to some of its roller coasters ahead of the 2025 season, including the closure of one of the theme park’s most popular attractions.
The Timber Wolf, the first wooden roller coaster at Worlds of Fun that opened in 1989, will be closed for the 2025 season, the theme park’s website says. Chad Showalter, Worlds of Fun’s spokesperson, said more information on the Timber Wolf’s closure will be shared at a later date.
But some rides — the Mamba, Zulu, Prowler and the newest roller coaster, the Zambezi Zinger — have already undergone changes for the 2025 season, Showalter said. Here’s what park guests can seek out when they visit this year.
What’s new at Worlds of Fun for 2025?
The Mamba and Zulu both received a new paint job for 2025, while the Prowler and Zambezi Zinger had parts replaced and added to their roller coasters.
The Mamba’s red tracks that people see when they drop 205 feet after the first hill are now Mamba Green. Showalter said it took approximately 56 days to repaint the coaster’s entire 5,600 feet of track and 720 gallons of Mamba Green paint
The paint job for the Zulu, a high-speed circular ride that rises to a 90-degree angle and turns guests upside down before the ride finishes, is still underway. The color scheme changes adds green, orange and redwood to the mix along with the ride’s signature yellow paint.
“With the recent investment made in Zambezi Zinger and its surrounding area, the colors were chosen to better fit with the rest of the area and theme,” Showalter said.
The Prowler, a wooden roller coaster that debuted in 2009, has replaced 400 feet of its track, while the Zambezi Zinger’s signature spiral lift is going from open air to fully enclosed, a move that creates a new experience for riders and improves the ride’s operations.
“With the original design, the coaster’s trains were having some difficulty scaling the spiral lift during less than ideal weather conditions, and this update will help address that,” Showalter said.
Guests can also find new shaded areas at lines for water ride Fury of the Nile, looping ride Boomerang and 360-degree rotating coaster Spinning Dragons.
When does Worlds of Fun open?
Worlds of Fun opens its gates for 2025 on Saturday, May 3, to the general public. Silver and gold season passholders will get an exclusive day at the park Sunday, April 27. Worlds of Fun will be open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Saturday, May 24, when Oceans of Fun opens from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Worlds of Fun opens on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Monday, May 26, and Oceans of Fun opens on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Monday, June 2. Hours will vary throughout the season, so check the Worlds of Fun website to learn when the park is open on the day you want to visit.
Oceans of Fun closes from Aug. 11 to 29, before returning for the park’s last weekend of the season around Labor Day. Worlds of Fun closes Monday, Sept. 1. Halloween Haunt dates have not been announced.
Daily tickets cost $37 online, and a gold season pass costs $107, which gives you unlimited visits to the amusement park in 2025.
