America

Where Shopping Meets Roller Coasters

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Nickelodeon Universe

Nickelodeon Universe sits at the center of Mall of America and is the largest indoor amusement park in North America. Unlike a traditional amusement park, admission is completely free, allowing visitors to wander through the park and simply pay for the rides they want to experience. The result is a lively atmosphere that lasts all day.

The park opened in 1992 as Knott’s Camp Snoopy, developed by Knott’s Berry Farm. Fans of the original Camp Snoopy in California will quickly recognize a few familiar details. In 2008, the park was reimagined as Nickelodeon Universe and today features attractions inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol and many other well-known Nickelodeon characters.

Our tour begins with one of the park’s oldest roller coasters.

Pepsi Orange Streak

Pepsi Orange Streak is a Zierer Tivoli coaster and one of the park’s original attractions. Much like the very similar Jaguar! at the former sister park Knott’s Berry Farm, it features an unusually long layout for a Tivoli coaster.

The ride winds its way through the middle of Nickelodeon Universe, weaving between many of the park’s attractions. It isn’t until the train reaches the large log flume that the pace begins to slow slightly before gently returning to the station. Even by today’s standards, Pepsi Orange Streak remains one of the better Tivoli coasters I’ve ridden.

Log Chute

Log Chute is another original attraction dating back to the park’s days as Knott’s Camp Snoopy. Built by Hopkins Rides, this classic log flume takes guests into the world of Paul Bunyan and has become one of Nickelodeon Universe’s signature attractions thanks to its charming theming and surprisingly long ride.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to experience it during my visit, so Log Chute has earned a spot at the very top of my to-do list for my next trip to Mall of America.

Fairly Odd Coaster

Fairly Odd Coaster is a Gerstlauer spinning coaster with a fun layout that gets off to a promising start. Unfortunately, the ride is surprisingly rough, which takes away much of the enjoyment. That’s a shame, because the coaster itself has plenty of potential.

Shredder’s Mutant Masher

Shredder’s Mutant Masher is a KMG Afterburner that combines powerful G-forces with moments of surprisingly strong airtime as the gondola swings high above the midway.

By the time the ride reaches its finale, the gondola is spinning like crazy, turning the whole thing into an absolute puke machine. I loved every second of it, but anyone with a weak stomach has been warned.

Back at the Barnyard Hayride

Back at the Barnyard Hayride is a small Zamperla powered coaster aimed primarily at families with young children. While it’s a perfectly pleasant ride for its target audience, there’s simply not much to remember once it’s over.

Brain Surge

Brain Surge combines the familiar feeling of a classic Musik Express with the ability to flip your gondola upside down whenever you feel like it. Since every rider controls their own flips, no two rides are ever quite the same.

If you really want an unpredictable experience, let a child take control. Chances are you’ll spend the next few minutes upside down far more often than you expected.

Ghost Blasters

Ghost Blasters is a classic Sally interactive dark ride where guests use laser guns to blast ghosts, skeletons and other spooky creatures. Its light-hearted haunted house theme makes it a fun attraction for the whole family.

While Ghost Blasters is an enjoyable ride, it never really stands out from other interactive dark rides. It’s fun while it lasts, but once it’s over, there’s very little that sticks with you.

SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge

After climbing the vertical lift, the train dives straight down a 97-degree first drop and charges through a fast-paced opening sequence featuring a loop, a small airtime hill, an overbanked turn and a heartline roll. It’s an intense and thoroughly enjoyable start that showcases just how much Gerstlauer managed to pack into such a compact layout.

Unfortunately, the ride loses some of its momentum after the mid-course brake run. While the second half is still enjoyable, it never quite matches the intensity of the opening sequence. Even so, SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge remains a very good coaster that simply deserved a stronger finish.

TMNT Shell Shock

TMNT Shell Shock is a Gerstlauer Sky Fly, a ride type I’ve always been a big fan of. Unfortunately, this newer generation comes with redesigned restraints that offer noticeably less upper-body support. As a result, pulling off flips is far less comfortable than on the original Sky Flys at Nigloland and Legoland Germany.

Despite the lack of wind inside the building, it’s still surprisingly easy to flip the gondola throughout the ride. TMNT Shell Shock is definitely a lot of fun, but for me it never quite recaptures the magic of those original installations.

Avatar Airbender

Avatar Airbender is an Intamin Half Pipe Coaster that holds a very special place in my coaster journey. It was here that I reached my 1,000th roller coaster—a fitting milestone for an Intaminion, considering I had already been working for Intamin for more than two years at the time.

Fortunately, the ride itself is every bit as memorable as the milestone. Avatar Airbender delivers an intense and surprisingly long ride experience, while the gondola rotates just enough to keep things interesting without ever feeling out of control. Personally, I would have loved a little more rotation, but that’s a minor complaint. Overall, it’s an excellent attraction and a worthy coaster to celebrate such a special milestone.

Pictures Nickelodeon Universe

Conclusion Nickelodeon Universe

Nickelodeon Universe probably isn’t a park worth traveling to Minneapolis for on its own. As part of Mall of America, however, it’s a completely different story. The combination of shopping, dining and a surprisingly diverse collection of rides creates an experience unlike any traditional amusement park.

My personal highlights were Avatar Airbender, Shredder’s Mutant Masher and SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge. While not every attraction was equally memorable, it’s the mix of classic rides and modern thrill attractions that gives the park its unique character.

If you’re visiting Mall of America and enjoy amusement parks, Nickelodeon Universe is an easy recommendation. My visit became even more memorable thanks to my 1,000th roller coaster on Avatar Airbender

Nickelodeon Universe

Riding the Legend

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Arnolds Park

Coming into Arnolds Park is just stunning. After passing a camelback-like gate arch which even features an old coaster train on top, guest can park their car on the big parking lot opposite the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum. From here, guest can take a walk on Lake St. towards the Queen II excursion boat passing a few nice restaurants and shops.

The amusement park is located to the left of Lake St. Here we enter the park at the turn around of the roller coaster The legend. At the back half of the park, guests can find most of the park’s major attractions, like a dodgem, a Scrambler, a Tilt-a-Whirl, a Round-Up and three classic rides by the Eyerly Aircraft Company.

Roll-o-Plane and Rock-o-Plane

One of the main reasons for visiting was to see a Roll-o-Plane in action. This compact ride, designed by Eyerly, would have been a blast if it had been open when I visited. The ride itself is an improvement on the Loop-o-Plane ride, where the gondolas take one loop after another; here, the gondolas can rock sideways and the cantilever is lifted during the ride, creating a unique Immelmann Turn-like ride sensation.

A little disappointed, I soon boarded the Rock-o-Plane, also by Eyerly. I had the chance to ride a similar ride at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, so I was eager to give the Ferris wheel-like ride a good rock. It took a while to get started, but I had a great time and ended up doing a few somersaults.

Octopus

The last ride in this great collection is the Octopus. Unlike the more common monster rides, there are only two gondolas per arm and the arm itself has no additional rotation. However, due to the design of the ride, there is always a pop of airtime at the top and the fast wave motion makes it easy for the cars to spin. A great ride!

Mad Mouse

Another great ride in the back of the park is the small family coaster Mad Mouse by the Allen Herschell Company, which unfortunately broke down a few minutes before I was able to try it. The compact design consists mainly of narrow hairpin bends and very gentle slopes.

Boji Falls Log Ride

The Boji Falls Log Ride is one of the park’s largest attractions. This very compact 1970 log flume ride by Arrow Dynamics was donated to the park in 1999 by the Morey family, owner of Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey. In Wildwood, the ride was part of the defunct Dinosaur Beach.  

After climbing the lift, the boat bob through a bunch of turns at high altitude making its way to the other side. After a final turn, the riders are confronted with the only downhill chute and a nice splash soon after.

Long Lines Limited Train

Probably the sweetest attraction in the front section of the park is the Long Lines Limited Train. This small train ride gives you brilliant views onto the park’s wooden coaster, the small Kiddie Coaster and the park’s Ferris Wheel.

Legend

The ride on the small wooden coaster Legend starts with a dip out of the station. After the lift hill it goes straight into the first drop of the ride. This is done by a gentle curve to the left, which gives a nice lateral sensation. After an uphill, we make a turn to the left. Now we go down and race over a series of camelbacks, which offer some good airtime. After a turn to the right, we make our way parallel to the Okoboji Lake promenade, hitting a few more camelbacks on our way to the station. Soon after, our great ride on this nearly 100-year-old roller coaster comes to an end. The Legend is a great ride and a great reason to stop in Iowa.

Pictures Arnolds Park

Conclusion Arnolds Park

Little Arnolds Park is a hidden gem and not to be missed when travelling through Iowa. Not only is the location on Lake Okoboji stunning and absolutely beautiful, but the park also boasts a large selection of America’s finest rides. The Legend roller coaster is certainly a blast and the main reason for a visit.

 

What is your opinion about the amusement park Arnolds Park?  Just write it in the comment field below the report!

 

Arnolds Park / The great Mid-Western Road Trip Day 4 - 5

One Day, Seven Worlds, One Destination

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Worlds of Fun

Worlds of Fun is located right in the heart of the Kansas City metropolitan area, just a few minutes from the border with the state of Kansas. Opened in 1973, the amusement park is inspired by the novel *Around the World in 80 Days* and is divided into various themed areas representing different regions of the world.

In addition to a diverse selection of roller coasters and family attractions, Worlds of Fun stands out above all for its well-maintained gardens and lovingly designed themed areas. Among its most famous attractions are the wooden roller coaster Prowler, the hypercoaster Mamba, and the inverted coaster Patriot.

Together with the adjacent water park, Oceans of Fun, Worlds of Fun is now one of the most popular amusement parks in the Midwestern United States.

Gateway Gardens

Gateway Gardens serves as the welcoming entrance to Worlds of Fun. Spacious green spaces, colorful flower beds, and the Grand Carousel create a wonderful first impression as soon as you enter the park and set the stage for a relaxing day.

Scandinavia

Scandinavia stands out above all for its peaceful atmosphere and numerous classic rides. Nestled among Nordic-style buildings and lush greenery, attractions like Sea Dragon, Nordic Chaser, and Fjord Fjarlane invite visitors to take a short break between the big roller coasters.

Viking Voyager

Viking Voyager is one of the park’s original attractions, having opened alongside Worlds of Fun in 1973. Built by Arrow Development, this classic log flume takes riders on a gentle journey through the channel before finishing with a 40-foot (12 m) drop that provides the ride’s biggest thrill.

Compared to many modern log flumes, Viking Voyager offers a more relaxed experience, with only a modest chance of getting wet. It is this nostalgic charm, however, that makes the attraction so enjoyable and serves as a reminder of a time when no amusement park was complete without a classic log flume.

Africa

Africa is the heart of Worlds of Fun and brings together some of the park’s most popular attractions. Nestled among lush vegetation and African-style buildings, visitors can look forward to several highlights, including the Prowler, the Mamba, and the Zambezi Zinger. The lush landscaping and harmonious design give this themed area a very distinct atmosphere.

Prowler

In 2009, Worlds of Fun opened Prowler, one of the most popular wooden roller coasters from manufacturer Great Coasters International (GCI). The track mostly runs close to the ground through the forest, thrilling riders with rapid changes in direction, tight turns and numerous moments of airtime.

While the ride seems somewhat tame in the morning, it noticeably picks up speed as the day goes on. The layout is strongly reminiscent of Mystic Timbers at Kings Island. The two roller coasters have similar track layouts and ride experiences, though Mystic Timbers ultimately offers a slightly more varied and intense ride thanks to its larger scale and longer ride time. Nevertheless, Prowler is widely regarded as one of GCI’s best wooden roller coasters and a highlight of Worlds of Fun.

Zambezi Zinger

In 2023, Worlds of Fun unveiled Zambezi Zinger, a modern tribute to the original roller coaster of the same name which opened with the park in 1973. Designed by Schwarzkopf, the original ride featured a spiral lift hill, bobsled-style cars and a high-speed track, and quickly became one of the park’s most popular attractions. After closing in 1997, the ride was sold to Colombia, where it operated for many years as ‘Montaña Rusa’ at Parque del Café.

GCI’s new family roller coaster incorporates numerous elements from its legendary predecessor, reinterpreting them in a modern way. Unfortunately, the ride was closed all day during my visit. Even from the outside, the Zambezi Zinger makes an excellent impression. This modern ride blends harmoniously into the themed area, building anticipation for a possible future visit.

Boomerang

The Boomerang is one of Vekoma’s most famous shuttle roller coasters. On this compact track, the train first passes through a cobra roll and a loop before completing the entire ride backwards. This way, riders experience a total of six inversions.

Compared to similar rides, the Boomerang at Worlds of Fun runs surprisingly smoothly. It is one of the best examples of this type of roller coaster, which can be found all over the world.

Fury of the Nile

Fury of the Nile is a classic rapids ride from Intamin. The round boats drift through a varied river landscape before rapids, waterfalls, and several splashy sections provide the necessary thrills.
The African-themed area provides the perfect backdrop and gives the ride a cohesive atmosphere. Compared to many other American rapids rides, however, the extent of getting wet is surprisingly moderate. European amusement park fans will therefore quickly feel right at home.

Mamba

Built by Morgan, Mamba has been one of the highlights of Worlds of Fun since 1998. Following a 205 ft (62.5 m) first drop, the coaster tears through a fast and flowing layout packed with airtime hills and sweeping turns.

The first camelbacks deliver incredible ejector airtime, even stronger than what I experienced on Steel Eel at SeaWorld San Antonio. What makes Mamba truly special, though, is its relentless pace. The train keeps its speed right to the final brake run, making the ride feel just as exciting at the end as it does at the beginning.

Mamba is easily one of my favourite hyper coasters. I could spend an entire day riding it and never get bored.

Planet Snoopy

Planet Snoopy is the park’s charming children’s area, where Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang welcome younger visitors. The area features a wide variety of family-friendly rides, playgrounds and attractions designed especially for children.

Its main attraction is Cosmic Coaster, a family roller coaster built by Preston & Barbieri. Together with the area’s many other rides, Planet Snoopy offers plenty of fun for younger guests and their families.

Wild West

Wild West is one of the park’s most atmospheric themed areas. Surrounded by wooden buildings and classic Western architecture, attractions such as Timber Wolf and Detonator blend perfectly into the setting, creating an authentic Old West atmosphere.

Timberwolf

Timber Wolf opened in 1989 and is a classic wooden roller coaster built by the Dinn Corporation. Right from the first drop, the coaster picks up speed quickly, with the opening section featuring fast transitions and a surprisingly dynamic layout.

The first drop and the following turn are taken at an impressive pace, creating a strong start to the ride. After passing the trim brake, the second half of the layout becomes a little more relaxed. The long, sweeping turn that replaced the former double helix strongly reminded me of the final turn on Colossos at Heide Park—a worthy replacement for the original element. The remainder of the layout is fairly straightforward before the ride finishes with a series of small lateral hops, providing a surprisingly unconventional finale.

Although Timber Wolf loses some of its momentum after the trim brake, its excellent opening section still makes it one of the better classic wooden coasters of its era.

Cyclone Sam’s

Cyclone Sam’s is an indoor Wipeout built by Chance Rides and is an attraction that should not be missed during a visit to Worlds of Fun. Its signature wave-like motion, combined with dynamic lighting effects and a well-matched soundtrack, creates a fun and surprisingly immersive ride experience.

Detonator

Detonator is one of the first Space Shot towers built by S&S Power and still packs an incredible punch. Its classic pneumatic launch system catapults riders skyward with explosive acceleration, delivering an intense experience that has lost none of its appeal over the years. It’s a classic attraction that shouldn’t be missed.

Mustang Runner

Mustang Runner is a classic Troika built by HUSS. Its smooth combination of spinning, swinging and changing ride patterns has stood the test of time, making it just as enjoyable today as it was decades ago. It’s one of those timeless flat rides that I never pass up whenever I get the chance.

Worlds of Fun Railroad

The Worlds of Fun Railroad offers a relaxing journey through the park while providing unique perspectives on several themed areas. Passing through the African savannah and alongside Prowler are particular highlights, making this scenic train ride a welcome change of pace between the park’s major attractions.

Europa

Europa is one of the quieter corners of Worlds of Fun and is easily overlooked by many guests. However, those who venture into the area will find charming attractions such as Le Taxi, Flying Dutchman and Autobahn, giving this part of the park a relaxed and nostalgic feel.

Americana

Americana perfectly captures the charm of turn-of-the-century America with its beautifully maintained gardens and elegant architecture. It’s a peaceful area that invites you to slow down and simply enjoy the atmosphere.

What really made it special for me, though, was the soundtrack. The familiar ragtime music from RollerCoaster Tycoon and RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 immediately brought back countless childhood memories and made this one of my favourite themed areas in the park.

SteelHawk

SteelHawk is a WindSeeker built by Mondial, offering fantastic panoramic views over Worlds of Fun. While it may not be as tall as the Star Flyers built by Funtime, I actually enjoyed the ride much more. Its smooth, relaxing experience combined with the excellent views makes SteelHawk one of the park’s most enjoyable flat rides.

Patriot

Patriot is an inverted coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) and has been one of the park’s signature attractions since opening in 2006. Its striking red-and-white track immediately catches the eye, giving the coaster a distinctly American appearance.

After a short pre-drop, the train dives into a steep, twisting first drop before charging through the first valley and straight into the vertical loop. The nearby lift hill creates an excellent footchopper effect before the train races through a zero-g roll and an Immelmann. A sweeping helix followed by a classic drop alongside the Skyliner Ferris wheel leads into the corkscrew, while another helix and a small dip complete the layout.

The opening section features an excellent sequence of elements and maintains a smooth, flowing rhythm throughout. The middle part of the ride loses a little momentum, preventing Patriot from reaching the top tier of B&M inverted coasters. Nevertheless, it remains a highly enjoyable ride and a worthy addition to Worlds of Fun.

East Asia

East Asia may be one of the park’s smaller themed areas, but it is full of charm. Its Asian-inspired architecture creates a relaxing atmosphere, while Spinning Dragons and Bamboozler provide the area’s main attractions and round off a visit to Worlds of Fun perfectly.

Spinning Dragons

Spinning Dragons is a spinning coaster built by Gerstlauer and serves as the main attraction of the East Asia themed area. The coaster blends beautifully into its surroundings, while its layout is almost identical to Pandemonium at Six Flags St. Louis.

Unfortunately, the ride remained closed for most of my visit due to technical issues. Much to my delight, however, the maintenance team managed to fix the problem just before the end of the day, allowing Spinning Dragons to reopen for the park’s final guests. Thanks to the freely spinning cars, every ride offers a different experience, making it a perfect way to end an already fantastic day at Worlds of Fun.

Pictures Worlds of Fun

Conclusion Worlds of Fun

I’ve always loved classic American amusement parks, and Worlds of Fun is exactly the kind of park that reminds me why. It’s not just the rides that make this place special, but the beautifully maintained gardens, charming themed areas and the wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. It’s the kind of park where you naturally slow down and simply enjoy the day.

Mamba alone would be enough to bring me back to Worlds of Fun. Then there’s Zambezi Zinger, which unfortunately stayed closed throughout my visit. Sooner or later, I’ll just have to plan another road trip through the American Midwest.

Worlds of Fun