Snoopy's Hot Summer Lights at Worlds of Fun turns up the heat

Daylight is dimming, and more than two million LED lights are poised to shine, blink, and glow in the night at Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun theme park. As the Midway starts sparkling, sounds of “ooh” and “aah” fill the night air, along with Peanuts-themed music.

Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights made its debut on Friday, June 4, 2010, to universal acclaim from park guests. Not only was the intensive light and sound experience a huge hit, but adults and kids alike were grinning at the sight of Peanuts characters—Linus, Lucy, Charlie Brown, Sally, and of course, Snoopy—and clamoring for photos with them.

The cutting-edge special effects include fantasy, glow-in-the-dark characters—like giant fireflies, swimming sea creatures, and colorful caterpillars. All of these creatures walk around the entire attraction, bringing it to life, and making the experience totally interactive.

Custom-designed for Worlds of Fun by New York-based, Emmy Award-winning RWS and Associates (known for some of the most elaborate productions in Vegas and on Broadway), Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights is a one million dollar investment. Frank Milburn, Vice President and General Manager at Worlds of Fun says that “Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights will be a perfect way for our guests to end their day in the park.”

My favorite aspect of this attraction is the giant wall of fireflies, constantly moving and swarming towards guests when they get close to the wall. The effect seems so magical that it’s hard to believe that you’re still in Kansas City, Dorothy, and not in some other theme park—well, specifically, one that’s ruled by a Mouse.

In fact, Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights is reminiscent of Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade, except it’s much more interactive and immersive. Instead of standing in a crowd of people, straining to see brightly lit floats and characters, you can actually interact with them, walking through the brightly lit Wonderland, and stopping to take pictures whenever the mood strikes you.

So, if the state of the economy dictates that no one in your family will be wearing mouse ears this summer, you can still enjoy a Kansas City Getaway close to home--Worlds of Fun. Be sure to bring your camera and camcorder. After spending the day conquering acres of thrilling rides, you can watch Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights come alive. Be prepared to be dazzled.

THE FINE PRINT
For more information, go to worldsoffun.com. Other articles in this Staycation series profile Worlds of Fun’s rides and entertainment, Worlds of Fun’s affordable fun, and Worlds of Fun's Halloween Haunt.

Keep up with travel writer Nancy Pistorius’ exploits by clicking “Like” at the top of her Facebook Page, or email her at kansascitygetaways@gmail.com