Worlds of Fun Increases 2011 Capital Investment to Over $8 Million

KANSAS CITY, Mo. − Worlds of Fun, the Midwest’s premier amusement park, announces additional capital projects for the 2011 season, highlighted by a complete restoration and installation of one of the world's most famous carousels, a new catering pavilion, and the previously announced Planet Snoopy.

In 1926, M.C. Illions meticulously carved 64 jumping horses and two chariots to create the Illions Supreme carousel, the most famous and reproduced carousel in the world. Known for their all wood horses with high swept manes adorned with jewels, only five original Supreme models were ever built by Illions. When installed at Worlds of Fun this spring, the carousel will be one of only two operating in the world.

Illions built the ride in 1926 for the Sesqui-Centennial Celebration held in Philadelphia. In 1927, it was moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and in the 1930's moved to Coney Island be restored. The carousel operated at Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio, from 1937 to 2007, and now has been painstakingly detailed to its original condition by Carousel Works, Inc, Mansfield, Ohio, the largest manufacturer of carousels in the world. Guests will be able to watch the full restoration and installation of this beautiful ride in its entirety on 'Ultimate Restorations" (www.urtvshow.com).

To make way for the new carousel, Festhaus, the park's largest catering facility, will be removed and rebuilt as a brand new permanent structure in 2011. This new group outing pavilion will be able to handle groups into the thousands as well as multiple events simultaneously.

The new carousel and Festhaus areas are a $2 million capital investment, and join the $6 million Planet Snoopy investment for 2011. As previously announced, the world’s most popular beagle's new home will boast six new rides all themed around the PEANUTS characters. Little ones and their families can take a trip around Planet Snoopy on new car and truck rides, a giant balloon tower ride, teacups, or hop in a new spinning tug-boat. Over 20 rides, shows, and attractions will great the whole family in 2011 inside the all new Planet Snoopy.

Construction for Planet Snoopy, the carousel, and Festhaus will be documented on worldsoffun.com in anticipation of their 2011 debut. Guests wanting to experience these new attractions in 2011 can purchase a 2011 Season Pass, now available at the lowest price of the season.

Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun are owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN”.  In addition to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, Cedar Fair owns and operates 10 other amusement parks, five other waterparks, one indoor waterpark resort, and five hotels.  Cedar Fair also operates Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, California, under a management contract.