Comments on Lucubrations: The storied afterlife of the Zambezi Zinger

Growing up in K.C., I frequented W.O.F. as often a...

2011-07-08T17:08:26.348-05:00

Growing up in K.C., I frequented W.O.F. as often as my parents' incomes would allow. The Zinger--hands down--beats every coaster EVER made. Everyone seems to comment about how "intimate" the seating was. Does anyone ever give credit to the fact that the chaise-style lounges had absolutely NO safety harnesses?!? As a kid, that totally ROCKED! I can almost guarantee THAT is why the Zinger was decommisioned. No safety harnesses is radically forbidden by today's standards. The Zinger--to this day--represents the ultimate in freedom for me. In fact, in memorum, my favorite piece of furniture is my double-armed chaise lounge. Thank you W.O.F. and the Zambezi Zinger for the incredibly unforgettable memories! R.I.P.

I just visited the park for the first time in 28 y...

2009-09-07T20:10:29.494-05:00

I just visited the park for the first time in 28 years. I will always love the Zinger. Now all the coasters seem geared to extreme thrill experiences. The Zinger was fun enough for all--just enough to make your heart race, but not enough to cause arrest. I will miss it forever!

http://www.parquenacionaldelcafe.com/newpage/detal...

2009-09-02T15:50:20.104-05:00

http://www.parquenacionaldelcafe.com/newpage/detallesatraccion.php?codigoda=10&codigoa=7

Try this link and enjoy it. ajme04

2009-09-02T15:50:01.505-05:00

Try this link and enjoy it.

ajme04

Well, this roller coaster actually is operating in...

2009-09-02T15:36:42.462-05:00

Well, this roller coaster actually is operating in Parque Nacional del Cafe, in Montenegro (Quindio), Colombia, South America, not in Bogota. It is a beautiful temathic park about coffee, near from Armenia in center Colombia.

ajme04

The Zinger was the most awesome ride in the park! ...

2008-10-12T15:10:00.000-05:00

The Zinger was the most awesome ride in the park! I remember we went every fall on one of the Oktoberfest weekends and my sister, myself and two friends who always went along would run to the Zinger so it would be our first ride of the day and it would also be our last ride upon closing. So much fun and so many memories of years going to the original WOF. The park now is but a shadow of its original self and not really a fun place to go. I last went in 2004 and personally don't care to ever go again. Its simply changed too much and not for the better. The removal of great older rides, the original entry gate, the Cottonblossom, the shuttle to the gate, the loss of the flavor of the park as small patches of other countries as reflected in the names of rides and the uniforms the workers used to wear in different sections is all just too much. It has become just another generic amusement park and its truly sad to know its so changed and its glory gone. I know change is going to happen but sometimes it isn't always a good thing and can ruin what its trying to improve. I'll keep precious memories of what was once the best park in the midwest and wish wholeheartedly it could have remained so.

Glad to hear it's not buried in the river! Haven'...

2008-03-16T09:12:00.000-05:00

Glad to hear it's not buried in the river! Haven't been back to KC in years, but used to love the Zambezi Zinger, the Time Shaft, Whirligig, Screamroller, and Orient Express. I thought there was one other older roller coaster there as well, can't remember it. Also, are the sky cars still there. The cars that go on the wire across the park.

Hey! Darrell here, 44, from KC North. Love your ...

2007-10-07T18:36:00.000-05:00

Hey! Darrell here, 44, from KC North. Love your writing style.

I miss the Zinger too. It was not my VERY first coaster, but among the first.

Grew up in Colorado Springs, going to Elitch's in Denver, but at age 11, was still scared of coasters. (I know, a pathetic coaster virgin!)

At 16, we visited Kansas City. Watching my younger cousin Tina ride the Screamroller, my pride welled up, I took the plunge, and this former coaster virgin has never looked back.

But the Zambezi was a prize! I always put off riding it until dark, when the spiral climb, thru the up-lit trees, was more dramatic. But it was a bit "intimate," now that you mention it.

I guess it's in a better place.

Worlds of F...

2007-08-29T05:37:00.000-05:00

I guess it's in a better place.

Worlds of Fun isn't the cool place it was when I was a kid. I don't know if I got older or the park got colder with its corporate ownership.

I loved the Zinger. (sniff)

I loved the Zinger. My favorite coaster of them al...

2007-08-28T15:46:00.000-05:00

I loved the Zinger. My favorite coaster of them all. ~sniff~

Hey Luke- I found your blog through Liza's. Wow- ...

2007-01-03T16:14:00.000-06:00

Hey Luke- I found your blog through Liza's. Wow- I do remember the Zinger, and you've just made me feel really old! What are you up to these days? Love your blog!

The Zinger was my first coaster. I was but 9 years...

2006-12-20T13:54:00.000-06:00

The Zinger was my first coaster. I was but 9 years old. I remember standing in the 45-minute line that night listening to the screams, comforted only by the fact that everyone who left on the ride seemed to return. I don't remember much about the ride, save the man standing in front of me who was wearing a torn tanktop depicting the many, many sexual positions of the pig. I think the headline read, "Squeal Like a Pig." I also remember that the ascension was the most terrifying part of the ride. The best part was that I got to sit in the padded lap of an overweight Australian woman instead of that sweaty, creepy pig-sex guy.

I also remember the Zinger as sort of a starter Ro...

2006-12-19T09:07:00.000-06:00

I also remember the Zinger as sort of a starter Roller Coaster. A major step up from Pandamonium, but not quite yet to the level of The Orient Express (which I am also mourning the loss of).