Cyclone Sam's
{{Short description|Ride at Worlds of Fun}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox attraction
| name = Cyclone Sam's Cloudpoofer 2000
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image = Cyclone Sams exterior.jpg
| imagedimensions =
| caption = Exterior of Cyclone Sam's in 2015
| location = Worlds of Fun
| section = Wild West
| status = Operating
| cost =
| opened = {{Start date|1995|04|01}}
| closed =
| previousattraction = Wobble Wheel
| replacement =
| coordinates = {{Coord|39.1730|-94.488|type:landmark_region:US-MO|display=inline,title}}
| type = Wipeout
| manufacturer = Chance Rides
| designer =
| model =
| theme = Tornado
| music =
| height_ft =
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| capacity =
| vehicle_type =
| vehicles = 1
| riders_per_vehicle = 40
| rows = 20
| riders_per_row = 2
| participants_per_group=
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| duration = 2:30
| restriction_in = 48
| virtual_queue_name =
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}}
Cyclone Sam's Cloudpoofer 2000 is an indoor Wipeout attraction at Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Cyclone Sam's officially opened to the public on April 1, 1995.{{cite web |title=Cyclone Sams |website=Worlds of Fun |url=https://www.worldsoffun.com/rides-experiences/cyclone-sams |access-date=September 3, 2024}}{{cite news |title=Travel Notes |work=Hutchinson News |date=March 26, 1995 |page=14}}{{cite web |title=Worlds of Fun Tour of the Park 2024 Edition: Americana/Wild West |website=worldsoffun.org |url=http://www.worldsoffun.org/totp/TOTP_americana.html |access-date=September 3, 2024}}{{cite news |title=Worlds of Fun |work=The Salina Journal |date=May 7, 1995 |page=79}}
History
In 1977, the Wobble Wheel, a Trabant ride manufactured by Chance Rides, was introduced to the park. The outdoor attraction was themed to resemble an old-western style wagon wheel and featured seating arrangements of two-person passenger rows facing the same direction. The Wobble Wheel was similar in design and operation to Cyclone Sam's, as it was capable of spinning and elevating in the air. The Wobble Wheel was removed from operation in 1993 and was temporarily replaced by a Ford Manufacturing exhibit for one season. This exhibit was subsequently replaced in 1995 by Cyclone Sam's.{{cite web |title=Worlds of Fun Gone but Not Forgotten: The Defunct Rides & Attractions |website=worldsoffun.org |url=http://www.worldsoffun.org/history/defunctattractions.html |access-date=September 3, 2024}}
Ride experience
File:Cyclone Sam's Off-Ride Footage, Worlds of Fun Indoor Chance Wipeout - Non-Copyright.webm
Cyclone Sam's Cloudpoofer 2000 is located within a building that is themed as a barn that appears to have been struck by a tornado.{{cite news |title=Getting Out and About |work=Kansas City Star |date=June 25, 1995 |page=408|quote=World's of Fun's newest ride is Cyclone Sam's Cloudpoofer 2000, a thrill ride housing in a barn that appears to have been hit by a cyclone. Forty Riders whirl into the center of the "storm," thanks to special effects.}}{{cite news |last1=McTavish |first1=Brian |title=New rides, better rides, and more food |work=Kansas City Star |date=March 31, 1995 |page=69 |quote=Cyclone Sam's Cloudpoofer 2000 is a new thrill ride inside a barn that appears to have been struck by a cyclone. Up to 40 riders whirl into the center of the "storm" with accompanying video simulation.}} Guests enter an indoor queue area that previously included a video presentation featuring a 1930s-era scientist introducing the ride as his new invention.{{cite web |title=Cyclone Sam's Cloudpoofer 2000 |website=YouTube |publisher=World's of Fun |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcNSwtIX4mA |access-date=September 3, 2024}}
The ride is themed to the effects of a storm and features a circular Chance Wipeout ride that elevates guests to heights of up to 30 feet. Riders experience a series of strong accelerations and varying forces as the ride rotates and tilts, mimicking the chaotic nature of a tornado. The attraction utilizes various special effects, including wind, lighting, fog, and sound effects, as well as video, to enhance the overall experience.{{cite news |title=Worlds of Fun will start new ride in 1996 season |work=Kansas City Star |date=September 16, 1995 |page=21 |quote=The last major ride to open at Worlds of Fun was Cyclone Sam's Cloudpoofer 2000, which made its debut in April. With Video simulation and other special effects, the ride appears to take as many as 40 persons into the vertex of a sinister storm.}}
Cyclone Sam's Cloudpoofer 2000 accommodates up to 40 guests in 20 two-person passenger rows, with the rows facing each other. Each row is equipped with a shared lap bar and individual seat belts to secure riders during the experience.