Oceans of Fun is a tropically themed water park in Kansas City, Missouri, that opened on May 22, 1982, as a celebration of the adjacent Worlds of Fun amusement park’s tenth anniversary. Spanning more than 60 acres, it was the largest water park in Missouri when it debuted with 16 original attractions, and it has grown to encompass about 40 water rides and slides today.
Located at 4545 Worlds of Fun Avenue, Oceans of Fun is accessible with a standard Worlds of Fun admission ticket and operates seasonally from late May through mid-September. The park’s tropical layout includes a wave pool, an 800-foot lazy river, thrill slides, and dedicated children’s areas, making it a go-to destination for Midwest families throughout the summer.
Stats at a Glance
- Opened: May 22, 1982
- Location: Kansas City, Missouri
- Park Size: Over 60 acres
- Water Attractions: About 40 waterslides and rides
- Wave Pool: Surf City Wave Pool (6-foot maximum depth)
- Lazy River: Caribbean Cooler (over 800 feet)
- Record Slide: Riptide Raceway — world’s longest mat-racing slide (486 ft, added 2021)
- Operator: Enchanted Parks (from April 2026)
Rides and Attractions
The park’s standout attraction is Riptide Raceway, added in 2021, which stretches 486 feet and holds the title of the world’s longest mat-racing waterslide. Thrill-seekers can also ride Hurricane Falls, a 72-foot super slide on a 680-foot flume, and Sharks’ Revenge, a set of enclosed tube slides featuring high-speed drops. The Surf City Wave Pool generates waves up to six feet deep, offering a beach-like atmosphere at the heart of the park.
Families with young children have dedicated areas including Captain Kidd’s pirate-themed play zone, Crocodile Isle sprayground, and Coconut Cove children’s pool. The Caribbean Cooler lazy river winds more than 800 feet through the grounds, providing a relaxed alternative to the park’s faster slides and serving as a popular cool-down spot on hot Kansas City summer days.
History and Ownership
Oceans of Fun was conceived by Lee Derrough, then General Manager of Worlds of Fun, in 1977. After groundbreaking in June 1981, the park opened the following May at a cost of $7.25 million under Hunt Midwest ownership. Cedar Fair L.P. acquired it in 1995, and the park later came under the Six Flags umbrella following Cedar Fair’s 2024 corporate merger.
In April 2026, EPR Properties purchased the park from Six Flags, with Enchanted Parks stepping in as the operating company. The property continues to welcome guests seasonally, with admission bundled alongside access to the neighboring Worlds of Fun amusement park, preserving a partnership that has defined Kansas City summer entertainment for over four decades.
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Oceans of Fun FAQs
When did Oceans of Fun open?
Oceans of Fun opened on May 22, 1982, as part of the celebration of Worlds of Fun’s tenth anniversary in Kansas City, Missouri.
Is Oceans of Fun included with Worlds of Fun admission?
Yes. Admission to Oceans of Fun is included with a standard Worlds of Fun park ticket or season pass — no separate waterpark ticket is required.
What is Riptide Raceway at Oceans of Fun?
Riptide Raceway is a mat-racing waterslide added in 2021 that stretches 486 feet, recognized as the world’s longest slide of its kind.
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Photo: formulanone / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.