The early 1970s was an exciting time for destination development in Kansas City. The Harry S. Truman Sports Complex, a new international airport, and Crown Center all had opened recently. That period also marked the founding of the city’s quintessential summertime attraction — Worlds of Fun. 

The idea for the theme park originated with Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Jack Steadman after a family trip to Disneyland. Inspired by the experience, he shared the concept of building a similar amusement park in Kansas City with the team’s owner, Lamar Hunt, who approved. They selected a site in Clay County.

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