Friday, August 12, 2022

Worlds of Fun to Celebrate 50th Anniversary in 2023 with New Zambezi Zinger Coaster


© Worlds of Fun
Worlds of Fun has announced some very exciting plans for the park's 50th anniversary celebration, taking place at the park in 2023.  To celebrate this awesome milestone in the park's history, World of Fun will make improvements throughout its themed lands, host a festive celebration and introduce a brand new wooden roller coaster.  


The 50th anniversary celebration will see "all new theming, storylines and entertainment throughout the park" for guests to explore on a passport to fun.  The park isn't giving all details on these changes at the park just yet, but promises more to come.  The larger 50th party includes new entertainment such as "50 Nights of Fire" which is a festive stage show with a pyrotechnic finale.  The park also plans more special events, unique anniversary merchandise and special food offerings in 2023.


© Worlds of Fun
What most visitors will be excited about is a brand new wooden coaster, Zambezi Zinger, opening at the park.  The new wooden roller coaster, from Great Coasters Internationals and Skyline Attractions, shares the name of the steel Schwarzkopf coaster that operated at the park from 1973 until 1997.  That coaster was popular until removed from the park, and this new version is sure to be a hit with families as well.


© Worlds of Fun
The new Zambezi Zinger is a unique hybrid ride in several senses.  The wooden coaster will feature a spiral lift hill that mimics the one on the original steel ride, and that lift hill (and the subsequent drop) looks to utilize Skyline Attractions' steel Titan Track system.  The rest of the ride is traditional wooden coaster track.  Zambezi Zinger also feature a mix of wooden and steel supports throughout the ride, notably the unique booster wheel driven spiral lift hill looks to use wooden supports.


© Worlds of Fun

© Worlds of Fun
The Zambezi Zinger will stand 74 feet at the maximum and hit a top speed of 45 miles per hour - just tall and fast enough to be thrilling for younger riders.  The ride's zippy looking layout features 2,482 feet of track that uses similar space as the original ride, and feature many ground hugging turns and hills and a surprise midcourse tunnel.  These features were also shared by the original ride, and were designed on purpose to mimic the experience to some degree.


© Worlds of Fun
The new coaster will utilize two Infinity Flyer trains that were designed for Great Coasters International by Skyline Attractions.  The new trains feature levels of articulation that allow them to take on tight turns, many of which will be found on the Zambezi Zinger.  They also allow for lower height requirements, though Worlds of Fun has not stated the planned height requirement for this coaster yet.


Zambezi Zinger is planned to open by summer 2023 - for now check out the announcement animation video below.




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