Mamba has been the skyline landmark of Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri since 1998. This steel hypercoaster was built by D.H. Morgan Manufacturing and designed by Steve Okamoto. It stands 205 feet tall in the park’s Africa section and has no inversions.
This guide answers the questions riders ask most: how tall and fast Mamba is, how tall you have to be to ride, what the layout is like, which Missouri records it holds, and what has changed lately, including a 2024 repaint and the park’s 2026 change in ownership and operator.
Quick Answer
Mamba is a 205-foot-tall steel hypercoaster that reaches 75 mph over about 5,600 feet of track with no inversions. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall. It opened April 18, 1998, and is Missouri’s tallest, fastest and longest continuous-circuit coaster.
Mamba Stats at a Glance
Park: Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, Missouri (Africa section). Manufacturer: D.H. Morgan Manufacturing. Designer: Steve Okamoto. Opened: April 18, 1998, after a September 11, 1997 announcement. Cost: more than $10 million.
Height and first drop: 205 feet. Second hill: 184 feet. Top speed: 75 mph. Track length: about 5,600 feet. Maximum drop angle: 66 degrees. Inversions: 0. Ride time: about 3 minutes (the park lists 180 seconds). Minimum height: 48 inches. Thrill level: 5, the park’s highest intensity rating.
Trains: three trains of six cars each, seating 36 riders per train, two across in three rows. Restraints: a lap bar as the primary restraint, with a seat belt as a backup.
Mamba Height Requirement and Who Can Ride
Mamba’s minimum height is 48 inches (4 feet), as listed on the official Mamba page. Riders shorter than that cannot ride, even with an adult. The park also rates Mamba a level 5 on its thrill scale, the top category.
Meeting the height limit doesn’t mean the ride suits everyone. The steep first drop, sustained speed and helix g-forces make Mamba a better fit for riders who already enjoy big, fast coasters. Younger riders working up to larger rides may prefer a smaller coaster first. Guests with health concerns or mobility needs should read the park’s attraction accessibility guide, which is linked from the ride page, before queuing.
The Ride Experience: Layout and Elements
The chain lift takes the train to 205 feet, then releases it into a 66-degree first drop. That is very steep for a hypercoaster from the late 1990s. A 184-foot second hill follows, then a 580-degree helix that produces roughly 3.5 G’s and presses riders into their seats.
The back half of the layout is where Mamba earns its reputation. Five consecutive camelback hills deliver repeated bursts of airtime, not one big moment. With no loops or corkscrews, the whole ride is built on speed, terrain-hugging track and sustained forces. The roughly three-minute run is longer than many steel hypercoasters.
Mamba Records and Rankings
Mamba is Missouri’s tallest, fastest and longest continuous-circuit coaster. The qualifier matters. Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast at Six Flags St. Louis is taller at 218 feet, but it is a shuttle coaster that launches up a vertical spike instead of running a full circuit.
Mamba is also listed as the ninth-longest steel coaster in the world by track length, tied with Steel Force at Dorney Park. It debuted as one of the tallest and fastest coasters anywhere. It ranked as high as No. 7 in the 1998 Golden Ticket Awards but has since slipped in enthusiast polls as newer, more extreme coasters have arrived.
Best Seat: Front Row or Back Row?
The front row offers the clearest view of the 205-foot drop and the Africa section, with nothing ahead of you. Riders chasing airtime on the five camelback hills often pick the back of the train, since rear cars typically crest each rise with more force. This is general coaster behavior and personal preference, not an official ranking.
Every seat gets the same 580-degree helix and speed. Choose the front for the view or the back for extra hangtime, and ride both if the line allows.
Recent Changes: Repaint, Buckle Repairs and New Ownership
Mamba’s track was repainted from its original red to green in late 2024. The layout and stats did not change.
In October 2025 the ride was closed for inspection after guests reported seat belt problems. Crews replaced 18 worn buckles, and Mamba reopened on October 30, 2025.
In 2026, Six Flags sold Worlds of Fun and several other parks to EPR Properties. The sale was finalized in April 2026, and the parks are operated by Enchanted Parks. The park’s official site now lives on an Enchanted Parks domain. Nothing in the sale changes Mamba’s stats or its 48-inch requirement.
Planning Your Visit
Worlds of Fun follows a seasonal pattern. It is generally open on weekends in spring and fall and most days in summer, with extra fall dates for events such as Halloween Haunt. Hours change by date, so check the calendar before you drive in. Mamba is in the Africa section, so it pairs easily with nearby rides like Zambezi Zinger and Fury of the Nile.
Ticket pricing works in tiers. One-day tickets are cheapest when bought online ahead of time, and season passes and multi-visit options cost more up front but pay off after a few visits. Parking and ride-priority upgrades are usually sold as add-ons. Prices, promotions and hours change often, so use the official Worlds of Fun site for current tickets, hours, parking and ride status. Its address is 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave, Kansas City, MO 64161.
Riding tip: wait times usually build as the day goes on, so head to Mamba early or later in the evening. Loose items generally have to be stored before you board, so check the park’s current policy on lockers and bags.
A fan and a mist in one, rechargeable. Very popular in queue lines once the afternoon sun hits.
Build a working coaster on the kitchen table and learn why the first drop has to be the tallest. A good gift for young coaster fans.
Over 3,700 pieces, a real vertical loop and a working chain lift. Display it on a shelf in the coaster room.
Mamba at Worlds of Fun FAQs
How tall is Mamba at Worlds of Fun?
Mamba is 205 feet tall, and its first drop is also 205 feet. The second hill is 184 feet.
How fast does Mamba go?
Mamba reaches a top speed of 75 mph.
What is the height requirement for Mamba?
Riders must be at least 48 inches (4 feet) tall. The park rates Mamba a level 5 thrill ride, its highest intensity category.
How long is the Mamba roller coaster?
The track is about 5,600 feet long, and the ride lasts roughly three minutes.
Does Mamba have any inversions?
No. Mamba is a hypercoaster with zero inversions. Its thrills come from the 66-degree first drop, a 580-degree helix and five consecutive camelback hills.
Is Mamba the tallest coaster in Missouri?
Not overall. Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast at Six Flags St. Louis is taller at 218 feet, but it is a shuttle coaster. Mamba is Missouri’s tallest, fastest and longest continuous-circuit coaster.
Who built Mamba and when did it open?
D.H. Morgan Manufacturing built it and Steve Okamoto designed it. It opened on April 18, 1998, at a cost of more than $10 million.
Is Mamba scary for first-time hypercoaster riders?
It can be. Mamba is rated level 5, with a steep drop, high speed and strong helix forces. It has no inversions, but it is best for riders who already like big coasters.
What color is Mamba now?
The track was repainted from red to green in late 2024.
Who owns Worlds of Fun now?
Six Flags sold Worlds of Fun to EPR Properties in a deal finalized in April 2026. The park is now operated by Enchanted Parks.
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