We began the Halloween festivities early with a family outing to the local amusement park, Worlds of Fun. Mary, Tori and I joined Abby, Mike, Jason, Dawn, Haley, and Elijah to celebrate Haley’s 14th birthday with a day at the park that we began attending when Jason and I were just wee lads.
In late September/early October Worlds of Fun begins their HalloWeekends…the park is decorated with typical Halloween imagery from top to bottom and is a great deal of….well…fun! We started off the day with the newest ride, Spinning Dragons.
We made several trips down the Mamba.
The first drop on the Mamba is 205 feet and we rediscovered just how fun it is to go down this in the last car as the momentum of all the cars before you really pulls you down that hill. It is said to reach speeds of 75mph and I don’t doubt it. It is quite the thrill.
We rode several other rides, took in some spooky-themed shows, and made a trip through both of the haunted houses, Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns
and Lore of the Vampire.
Both were walk-through haunted houses with live actors. The Carnival of Carnivorous Clowns was a more colorful haunted house filled with halls of mirrors and several jump-out moments. The Lore of the Vampire was a split-level haunted house much more typical of what you might expect. Very dark, more good jump-out moments, lots of smoke, lots of blood. It was entertaining, especially with the screams from my sister-in-law Dawn.
We ended up the day with the rides that get you soaked because we knew from past experience how miserable it was to walk around all day in wet clothes. The most enjoyable of these was a newer ride, the ThunderHawk.
From the official website description “After being lifted to a height of nearly 60 feet, ThunderHawk’s gondola will invert, passing riders through a shooting fountain, while rotating in a circular motion both forwards and backwards.” The biggest portion of the ride finds you doing 5 complete somersaults as you get closer and closer to the spraying fountains until, on the last flip, you are drenched with water. We did this a few times in a row to close the night off and had a long wet ride home. It was so very much worth it, however!
What a wonderful way to celebrate both Haley’s birthday (a few weeks late) and the beginning of October!
If I had known this was Haley’s birthday weekend, I would’ve paid her more!
I wish I wasn’t a weanie. I don’t really like roller coasters and such. I used to ride the roller coasters at WOF on dates because I didn’t want the guys to know how scared I was.
When I was a little girl, my parents took me to a haunted house and it terrified me! I haven’t been to a haunted house, since. I guess I need to get out and face my fears!
Neither Haley nor Elijah were real thrilled about the haunted houses…Tori may not have been either but I didn’t hear her say anything. I’m glad the kids went anyway and faced up to fears. Tori isn’t really big on most of the rides at WOF, especially roller coasters, so she probably had the least fun of everyone but for her part she didn’t complain and I was proud of her.
Hey Carl, did you happen to get the license plate number of that semi truck that ran me over yesterday?!? Just a glimpse into how bad I actually feel today.
Yesterday was lots of fun. Jason, Mike and I decided to go on the ThunderHawk (TH) right after lunch. Therefore, we had to walk around the rest of the afternoon drenched. I ended up buying a really dorky T-shirt/boxer peanuts gang combo to wear. I looked like a real big geek but I was much more comfortable. However, I ended up going on the TH two more times before we left – it was a very wet ride home. TH is definitely my favorite ride followed closely by the Spinning Dragons.
I am so glad that Jason, Dawn, Haley & Elijah were able to come for an overnight trip. We had a lot of fun BBQing with everyone (Carl’s, Jason’s and James & Julie). Hopefully no one had too big of stomach aches after supper from all the spicy food!
It was really yummy Abby. Thanks so much for having us over. You have a sweet home. We enjoyed it immensely.
The food and company were both great on Saturday night, thanks again Abby and Mike!
You neglected to mention, Abby, that the Peanuts shirt you bought had a picture of Pig Pen on it that said “Too Dirty For You”! and that your boxer shorts said “Flying Ace” on the bottom…hope the color didn’t bleed onto the car seats on the way home.
I’m feeling tired, but not sore, and have a nice sunburned face and neck from yesterday.
I took my trip to WOF for the first time in around 7 years this Friday night. It was a spur of the moment deal and I had a blast! The Clown Haunted house was fun but by far the Vampire one was great. I LOVED the spinning dragons ride; we rode that multiple times as well as the Mamba. The first time I rode I was a little scared since I have not been on a rollercoaster in years. After the first time, it was around and around for another three times making a total of 4 times in a row.
Friday night was a beautiful night and hardly anyone was at the park. The longest wait was 5 minutes. The Thunder hawk was ridden a couple times as well except they did not have the water going, I am not sure why. I prefer not go get wet while at amusement parks but I think I will give this one a try next time. However, after only 4 hours out there I too felt like I was repeatedly getting hit by a semi. I think I crawled out of the car and into the house.
I love your new banner thing. Am eagerly awaiting The Corpse bride.
Glad to hear you had a great time. I remember going many times growing up but I haven’t been to Worlds of Fun in over 10 years. All the coasters I used to ride I hear are all gone. Keri and I are planning to wait until the kids get older before we take them out there though. It’s just too expensive for my little ones since they are too small for the big rides. I can’t wait until to take them out there though in about five more years.
Thanks Fence! There are some really fun posters for the movie out there. Go to this site and then click on the various smaller pics on the bottom see the others. You can also click on the Movie Goods link to see even more interesting ones.
I’ve been watching Nightmare Before Christmas again, just savoring it in small chunks in the morning before I go to work.
It is more fun, Jeff, when the kids are older and can actually enjoy some of the rides, shows, etc. You have to get them past that age where all they want to do is play the stupid carnival games that cost a fortune.
Hey now. Mike still likes to play the carnival games!
I’d like to play them too, just hate that they cost so much and have a high probability of losing.