Wild West World
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Wild West World was a Wild West theme park in Park City, Kansas that opened on May 5, 2007 and closed on July 9, 2007. It was located on 130 acres along Interstate 135 near Wichita. It will reopen in 2009 under new management with a new name.
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[edit] History
Wild West World was owned, developed and operated by Thomas and Cheryl Etheredge doing business as Wild West World, LLC. and Restoration Farms, Inc.. The couple also owned the Prairie Rose Chuck Wagon entertainment venue in Butler County, Kansas.
The announcement for the theme park appeared in the Wichita Eagle on December 19, 2004. Groundbreaking for the development began on August 15, 2005.[1] The park was billed as the only all-western theme park in the world, and the first major theme park in Kansas.[2] The claim to being the only all-western theme park is a mere technicality because Frontier City[3] in Oklahoma City, OK, has one non-western-themed ride ("Mindbender") in an otherwise western-themed park. According to the Hutchinson News Wild West World's rides were off-the-shelf carnival attractions dressed up in a western facade.[citation needed]
[edit] Closure
On July 9, 2007 -- less than two months after the park opened -- the owners filed for bankruptcy and closed the park. They cited lagging attendance and bad weather as the main factors for the decision, but experts also point to an inadequate business plan and a poor theming choice.[4] The Etheredge's were also forced to close and sell the Prairie Rose Chuck Wagon. The theme park is for sale, but the owners publicly stated they hope to reopen it in the future.[5] The park fixtures, equipment, and materials will be auctioned by Bud Palmer Auctions, with pre-bidding online at the auction house website.[6]
[edit] Park Sold!
Jerry Murphy bought the park on May 8th 2008. Murphy said he will change the name, and go away from the western theme. He plans to add two, maybe three roller coasters. He believes he will have much more success then its founders, and plans to open the park Easter Sunday of 2009. Admission will be $15, $10 less than it was before closing.
[edit] External links
- Wild West World Web site (down for maintenance)
- Wichita Eagle coverage of the Wild West World bankruptcy
- Bud Palmer Auctions Web site (Bankruptcy auctioneer)
