As many of you who read my weekly articles may have noticed, I often attach strange places or things with nostalgic feelings. I know for a fact I’m not alone on this subject though, and that is rides and theme/amusement parks. This time around I will be specifically talking about The Orient Express roller coaster, which was located at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, MO. Maybe by the end of this reading, you may better understand my nostalgic attachment.
The Orient Express debuted in 1980, made by the now famous Arrow Dynamics company. The Express was the first coaster to introduce a “Kamikaze Curve.” It was also one of only two coaster to feature interlocking loops.
The Orient Express debuted in 1980, made by the now famous Arrow Dynamics company. The Express was the first coaster to introduce a “Kamikaze Curve.” It was also one of only two coaster to feature interlocking loops.
Now that a couple of the basic facts are out of the way, let's get on to my experience. The year was approximately 1990. I know this because I remember while in Kansas City for vacation Bo Jackson still played for the Royals, but was injured. Also at this time The Simpsons were one of the hottest things going. In fact as a side note, one of the midway games at Worlds of Fun that I spent who knows how much money on playing, had a Bart Simpson stuffed toy wearing a ninja costume(remember the ninja costume for later a reference). Upon pulling into the parking lot of Worlds of Fun for the first time that bright early morning, there stood the lift hill and drop of the Orient Express. It was the biggest most intimidating ride I had ever seen! Of course the only rides I had experienced even close to that big to this point was The American Plunge and Wilderness Waterboggan at Silver Dollar City. Yea talk about a BIG contrast there.
So anyway, Orient Express was located in the “Orient” section of the park which was one of the first areas you would walk into just past the entrance. Only second to Silver Dollar City at the time for me, this area is what made me fall in love with the “theme” aspect of rides. If the ride is themed well it can really sell you of what you are getting ready to ride, almost suspending disbelief. The Orient area of Worlds of Fun surrounding the Orient Express, had distinct colors and architecture to fit the theme. At the age of six or seven years old I truly felt I was in the orient. Also at this time for me, there was a major fascination with ninjas and martial arts. This only made the theming even more prevalent to me.
Then I saw it….the frightening, intimidating face hanging above the entrance way to the Orient Express. If memory serves correct, I had to be talked into getting on this thing, as I was scared to death! As I made my way to the ride things got even worse, walking over a small bridge, and seeing blue water underneath that, as well as portions of the track, which was greatly hidden with trees. I was sure this thing was going to derail and I would drown in this blue water! Music of the orient played lightly throughout your walk to certain death adding to the madness.
Once I was in the station I knew I was in for some trouble, as I noticed this ride had something I had never seen on any other ride in my life….A CHICKEN EXIT!
My mind was racing because if this ride has a chicken exit (the sign currently resides on the Timber Wolf), it must have killed people in the past. I was also enamored with all the artwork on the inside of the station.
Once on the ride, it was a blast and surprisingly the train didn’t derail, and I didn’t die by drowning in blue water. After immediately exiting the ride, I went straight to the gift shop to purchase an Orient Express shirt. They even had one with a ninja on it! Sadly they didn’t have my size, and I have never seen another one since, even online.
I would return to Worlds of Fun several more times growing up, and the Orient Express was always there, and always a blast. The theming also remained, and was just as awesome to me as it had been the first time I saw it. As I continued through school, life got busy with all sorts of things such as sports, jobs, etc. I haven’t been back to Worlds of Fun since 1998. Sadly I find out not long after graduating high school that the Orient Express took its final ride on its orangish-red track in 2003. Apparently my fears of the train derailing actually happened. That wasn't the only factor leading to its closing though. It is also a well known fact that steel coasters seem to have a shelf life and deteriorate over time, resulting in higher maintenance costs and a rougher ride experience. The ride was scrapped for it steel, never to be seen again.
I would return to Worlds of Fun several more times growing up, and the Orient Express was always there, and always a blast. The theming also remained, and was just as awesome to me as it had been the first time I saw it. As I continued through school, life got busy with all sorts of things such as sports, jobs, etc. I haven’t been back to Worlds of Fun since 1998. Sadly I find out not long after graduating high school that the Orient Express took its final ride on its orangish-red track in 2003. Apparently my fears of the train derailing actually happened. That wasn't the only factor leading to its closing though. It is also a well known fact that steel coasters seem to have a shelf life and deteriorate over time, resulting in higher maintenance costs and a rougher ride experience. The ride was scrapped for it steel, never to be seen again.
Years went by and nostalgia started kicking in. I started finding old videos, pictures and history of the Orient Express, taking me back to the early 90’s and what a fun time I had. I also found out, to my surprise, that some remnents of the ride is still there! You can see some of the buildings near Spinning Dragons ride.
The original station and the first tunnel of the ride are also still there and being used for Worlds of Fun’s Halloween Haunt.
This was not only my first major coaster experience, but it opened the flood gate to my theme park obsession for the rest of my life, as well as conquering fear. I even went so far as to have that frightening, intimidating face that hung over the entrance, tattooed on the front of my leg. I will never forget my rides, anxiety, fear and memories of the Orient Express!
Please check out the videos below. The first one takes you through the entranceway, perfectly narrating what I felt as a kid walking into the ride. The video then features on ride clips, with some totally awesome music! The second video has some of the ACTUAL music used at Worlds of fun. Skip to the 11:20 mark where the orient music plays. This was the music playing in the general area, but at the 20:40 mark starts the Orient Express music played as you made your way into the ride, as well as some more great pictures. I hope you guys can enjoy this these as much as i did!
Please check out the videos below. The first one takes you through the entranceway, perfectly narrating what I felt as a kid walking into the ride. The video then features on ride clips, with some totally awesome music! The second video has some of the ACTUAL music used at Worlds of fun. Skip to the 11:20 mark where the orient music plays. This was the music playing in the general area, but at the 20:40 mark starts the Orient Express music played as you made your way into the ride, as well as some more great pictures. I hope you guys can enjoy this these as much as i did!
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. What memories do you have of the Orient Express or Worlds of Fun in general? Let me know in the comments below. Also if you enjoyed this article, please consider Showing Your Support.