Oceans of Fun prepares for a huge expansion

Oceans of Fun will undergo its largest expansion for its 40th anniversary in 2013. In addition, the parks will be combined under single admission and feature a new 6 slide complex.

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/08/31/3790606/expansion-set-at-oceans-of-fun.html

http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/

The 3 drop box slides, 2 tub slides, and constrictor will make for a nice addition. wouldn't call it huge but I guess it's the biggest in their history.

Adding it to the park under one admission will be a nice change. though I wonder if the water park had low attendance.

There are several scenarios that led to this. The most obvious is that its an older park, some would consider 'tired', and under the radar. However, with Schlitterbahn now in town, its a whole new ballgame.

Cedar Fair is a theme park company, and now Schlitterbahn is all waterparks. CF has great waterparks, but maybe they are choosing to avoid an arms race, and together, maybe visits to Kansas City increase.

This now leads to the 'value' guest, getting both in one package. Kings Island basically did this and eventually The Beach gave up. I do not see Schlitterbahn leaving, but KC could become the next San Antonio with several decent parks to pick from.

WofF has a good park, a nice waterpark, and an incredible Halloween event. I am thinking WofF and Schlitterbahn will co-exist just fine.

With a single gate, OoF becomes a really nice draw for the property. With Schlitterbahn expanding, this is the best result for CF, and gives WoF some attraction diversity that Schlitterbahn cannot match. If WoF/OoF had remained separate gates, OoF would eventually see a decline in attendance.