Worlds of Fun

Worlds of Fun is the Kansas City metro's major regional theme park — a 235-acre park that has been the backdrop for Kansas City family summers since it opened in 1973. For generations of KC families, getting tall enough for the big coasters has been a childhood milestone, and the park has evolved significantly over the decades while maintaining its place as the region's premier theme park experience.

The park covers the full family age range. Planet Snoopy is the dedicated children's area with Peanuts-themed rides perfectly calibrated for toddlers through early elementary kids — the rides are genuinely fun without being overwhelming, and the Peanuts character theming delights kids who know the gang. For bigger kids and teens, the coaster lineup includes the Mamba (one of the tallest steel coasters in the Midwest), the Patriot, and multiple other high-thrill options that earn genuine screams.

Oceans of Fun is the adjacent water park — typically a separate ticket but bundled into some combo packages. For families with older kids who want to maximize a summer day, combining both parks makes logistical sense and the combo pricing is usually meaningfully better than two separate admissions.

Ticket strategy matters here. Online tickets are consistently cheaper than gate pricing. Season passes offer the best per-visit value for families who will return 2-3+ times in the summer, and many include parking (which is otherwise an additional cost).

September weekday visits offer the best combination of open rides, minimal waits, and cooler temperatures — if you have schedule flexibility, late-summer weekday visits are the insider move.

Food inside is expensive in the typical theme park way. Bringing a sealed snack bag, large water bottles, and a small cooler with lunch items significantly reduces costs for a full-day visit.