Missouri’s Retro Rides Inspire Nostalgic Park Vision

As we embrace a new year thinking of new ways to inspire our old selves, perhaps we can apply this to things from our past…With amusement park rides..!!!...???

Nostalgia is bankable. There is money in things we loved from the past, whether it’s a continuation of stories featuring characters we loved from years ago, to retro styles being applied to cars, clothes or music. Various industries have tapped into nostalgia to draw your attention.

One area this really hasn’t been applied in a large way is Amusement parks. There have been plenty of rides that we enjoyed growing up, spending summer days standing in line for a long time to experience a few minutes of thrill.

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Many of these rides from years ago no longer exist. Some aged out. Some were removed for newer rides of bigger thrills and screams.

But, is there a place for these old rides from our memories? Would you go to an Amusement park that featured old rides? I don’t mean unsafe, not updated and decrepit. I mean those rides – like they were then- now.

Would you visit a park so you and your family could ride these rides again?

Mo-Mo the Monster – versions of this ride still exist, being used for carnivals and fairs. It was introduced at Six Flags St. Louis in 1973 and was moved out in 1994.

Hannibarrels – One of the first Six Flags (St. Louis) rides, it lasted from 1971-1995.

Tom’s Twister   - SCIENCE! Centrifugal force vs. Gravity – applied to your body..!!!  1972-2005

Highland Fling  - One of the old school rides that intimidated you at first, then became a pal. 1977 – 2017.

The Moon Antique Cars – Many Missouri kids first “driving” experience was on this ride. 1971-2020

Tiltmore Hotel – The Crooked fun house that challenged your sense of balance. 1971-1982

The Grand Carousel  - How many of us have pics of ourselves with our parents and/or pics of use with our kids riding on this ride? 1972-2022.

The Mule Go-Round -  Yes, this was a thing. Mules are VERY Missouri. It lasted for two years 1971-1972.

There are others. Injun Joe’s Cave/Time Tunnel, Mississippi River Adventure, Bumper Cars, etc. To complete the experience, you could include a Ferris wheel, a log flume, a petting zoo, wooden roller coaster and a train ride can take you from part of the park to the other. Of course, plenty of places for ice cream, cotton candy, bar-b-que and lemonade.

You are there in your mind. Would you go again?...in person.  I focused on old Six Flags Rides. There are certainly others from Silver Dollar City or World’s of Fun that could be incorporated. Vintage/Retro Amusement Parks are a thing in a few places across the country. Where in Missouri would you want this located? Mid Missouri? Southern Missouri? As an extension of current Six Flags? Or in Northeast Missouri as some rides have a Hannibal/Twain theme.