A popular amusement park is under fire after a viral video exposed a woman being forced off a roller coaster in an act of “blatant racism.”
With unique, thrilling attractions, unique immersive lands, exclusive character interactions, world-class entertainment, and more, it’s not hard to see why millions of families visit theme parks worldwide every year.
Unfortunately, a visit to Worlds of Fun — a famous amusement park in Kansas City, Missouri — ended in a highly unpleasant scene for a family after a woman was forced off a wooden roller coaster, triggering a series of “blatant racism” accusations against the amusement park and its employees.
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X user @COFCoasters recently posted two videos exposing what he considered to be a “completely disrespectful and racist” interaction between a Muslim guest at Worlds of Fun and a couple of amusement park employees.
The user commented that the Worlds of Fun employees were asking the woman to remove her hajib, a traditional head covering worn by many Muslim women as an expression of their faith, in order to ride the roller coaster, to which the woman obviously refused. “This is completely disrespectful and racist,” the guest added.
In the second video, @COFCoasters commented that the Worlds of Fun employees ended up kicking the guest off Prowler, a wooden roller coaster at the amusement park, “for wearing a religious headscarf.” “This is blatant racism. She should be allowed to ride,” the user added.
So at @worldsoffun the ride ops at Prowler kicked off a Muslim woman because she wouldn’t take off her hijab
https://twitter.com/COFCoasters/status/1834783765844877410
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The videos have since gone viral, racking up over 28 thousand views and dozens of reactions.
X user @ThemeParkLore responded to the video addressing the lack of response from Worlds of Fun officials. “Hey @worldsoffun, we’re looking forward to getting news on this! Not asking for the team member to be disciplined – but an acknowledgment of this being incorrect would be very nice,” they commented.
User @enderrsb commented, “wtf those are literally allowed on the ride.” @AtoZThrills2 added, “Yeah…. This looks REALLY BAD @worldsoffun.”
@AllCentralFla shared the post and commented, “And today a lawyer who specializes in discrimination will be very happy to take a case.”
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User @DemonP0T commented, “So many women in my family WHO I RIDE ROLLER COASTERS WITH wear hijabs/niqabs and i can promise you that it is 110% not a safety hazard… like they do not come off, ive seen women wear hijabs on faster and more aggressive rides and they do not budge, this is just ignorance.”
@its_gp_angella joined the conversation by commenting, “i’ve seen hijabs worn on gigas 💀 it’ll be fine on prowler ok (or accommodate those with headwear by giving them a way to secure it !?).”
User @cupcake_coaster reposted the videos and commented:
Hey @worldsoffun the literal fastest coaster in the world operates in a predominantly Muslim country where many riders are hijabi.
This is disgraceful, I hope you’re looking after this woman & those she visited with & doing all you can to rectify the situation?
Hey @worldsoffun the literal fastest coaster in the world operates in a predominantly Muslim country where many riders are hijabi.
This is disgraceful, I hope you’re looking after this woman & those she visited with & doing all you can to rectify the situation? https://t.co/wTjIPfifAy
— Cupcakes & Snowsters ☃️ (@cupcake_coaster) September 15, 2024
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The adverse reactions to the video continue to flood X (formerly known as Twitter) following the viral incident.
However, some users applauded the employees’ decision. “Good on them. Has nothing to do with religion, it is safety. That hijab could fly off and cause an incident!” @CoasterPerson27 commented.
User @InfamousJameiss added, “This is how you sound- “my kid was tall enough for X roller coaster I don’t understand why you aren’t letting them on Y coaster!!!!!” Just a victim mentality buffoon. You’d think someone who cares about industry would be a little more respectful of people working in it.”
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