Fun-Plex

Fun-Plex is an amusement and water park located in the Ralston neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska. It serves as a regional leisure destination combining traditional amusement-park rides, family attractions, go-karts, miniature golf, and a substantial water-park area. The park is described as Nebraska's largest amusement park and operates primarily as a seasonal, experience-based entertainment venue for families, children, and groups. The attraction traces its origins to 1979, when it began as The Kart Ranch with a single go-kart track. Over time, the business expanded beyond karting into a broader amusement operation. A significant modernization phase took place in 2007, when the park introduced new go-karts, a larger track, and an 18-hole miniature-golf course. That year it also added The Big Ohhhhhh!!!, a relocated Zyklon roller coaster manufactured by Italian company Pinfari. The ride was promoted as Nebraska's only major roller coaster for much of its operating life, before being removed in 2018. Fun-Plex has also developed a water-park identity. Its attractions include a wave pool, a lazy river, five-story water slides, children's aquatic areas, and the Motion Ocean. In 2015, the park added Makana Splash, a water-play structure incorporating a large tipping bucket capable of releasing approximately 317 gallons of water. In 2016, it introduced Breakers Bay Bar, described in reference material as Nebraska's only swim-up bar, adding an adult-oriented amenity to the water-park environment. The 2018 launch of Rockin' Rapids, a pair of tube slides for single or double riders, was characterized as the park's largest addition in four decades. The broader ride portfolio includes a slick track, bumper boats, the Go-Gator children's coaster, Rock-O-Ride, a Tilt-A-Whirl, a classic carousel, and the Balloon Ferris wheel. This mix allows Fun-Plex to appeal to different age groups while maintaining a destination model centered on day visits rather than a single signature ride. The park continued expanding its water attractions with Pirate's Chutes, which opened in 2025. The attraction consists of two body slides ending in a substantial drop into an 11-foot-deep splash pool. Reference material also reports that Fun-Plex acquired a new steel roller coaster called Mammoth for 2026. The coaster is identified as an Anaconda 2.0 model made by Italian manufacturer Preston & Barbieri and is intended to restore a major roller-coaster offering to the park. Fun-Plex's positioning is local and regional rather than international. Its brand is built around an accessible combination of amusement rides and water recreation, with attractions spanning young children, families, thrill seekers, and casual summer visitors. Publicly available reference material does not identify a parent company, founder, corporate group, listed entity, or named executive leadership team.

Fun-Plex began in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1979 under the name The Kart Ranch. Its initial format was centered on a go-kart track, making motorized recreation the foundation of the business. The venue subsequently broadened its offer into a larger amusement operation serving families and seasonal visitors in the Omaha area. A notable expansion came in 2007. The park added new go-karts, enlarged its track, and introduced an 18-hole miniature-golf course. It also installed The Big Ohhhhhh!!!, a relocated Zyklon roller coaster manufactured by the Italian firm Pinfari. The ride became the state's only major roller coaster for a period and gave Fun-Plex a more prominent thrill-ride component. It was removed in 2018. Water attractions became increasingly central to the park's identity. In 2015, Fun-Plex opened Makana Splash, a large interactive water-play structure with a tipping bucket holding approximately 317 gallons. The following year it added Breakers Bay Bar, described in reference material as Nebraska's only swim-up bar. These additions expanded the venue beyond conventional rides and helped establish a combined amusement-park and water-park model. In 2018, Fun-Plex introduced Rockin' Rapids, featuring two tube slides designed for single or double riders. The addition was described as the largest expansion at the park in 40 years. The park's documented attraction mix also includes a wave pool, lazy river, five-story water slides, a children's pool, Motion Ocean, bumper boats, a slick track, the Go-Gator kiddie coaster, Rock-O-Ride, a Tilt-A-Whirl, a carousel, and the Balloon Ferris wheel. Fun-Plex continued its water-park development with Pirate's Chutes in 2025. The attraction consists of two body slides ending in a drop into an 11-foot-deep splash pool. Reference material further reports a 2026 opening for Mammoth, a new steel roller coaster of the Anaconda 2.0 model made by Preston & Barbieri. If opened as described, Mammoth would again give Fun-Plex Nebraska's only major roller coaster. The park also faced a serious safety incident on June 25, 2023, when a six-year-old boy was reported to have struck his head and nearly drowned in Motion Ocean. He was taken to Bergen Mercy Hospital and then to Children's Hospital and Medical Center, where he died two days later. The available reference material does not provide further information about regulatory findings, litigation, or operational changes resulting from the incident. Public reference material does not identify Fun-Plex's founder, parent company, owner, executives, financial performance, or corporate listing status. The available information presents it as an active, locally based amusement and water park whose business is focused on seasonal, in-person entertainment.

• 2026

  Mammoth planned

  [1]Fun-Plexen.wikipedia.org

  Reference material reports the planned opening of Mammoth, an Anaconda 2.0 steel roller coaster by Preston & Barbieri.

• 2025

  Pirate's Chutes opens

  [1]Fun-Plexen.wikipedia.org

  Fun-Plex opens two body slides ending in a deep splash-pool drop.

• 2023

  Fatal Motion Ocean incident

  [1]Fun-Plexen.wikipedia.org

  A six-year-old visitor dies two days after a reported head injury and near-drowning incident in Motion Ocean.

• 2018

  Rockin' Rapids opens and The Big Ohhhhhh!!! is removed

  [1]Fun-Plexen.wikipedia.org

  The park adds Rockin' Rapids, its largest addition in four decades according to reference material, while removing its Pinfari Zyklon roller coaster.

• 2016

  Breakers Bay Bar opens

  [1]Fun-Plexen.wikipedia.org

  Fun-Plex adds Breakers Bay Bar, identified in reference material as Nebraska's only swim-up bar.

• 2015

  Makana Splash opens

  [1]Fun-Plexen.wikipedia.org

  The park introduces Makana Splash, an interactive water-play structure with a large tipping bucket.

• 2007

  Major family-entertainment expansion

  [1]Fun-Plexen.wikipedia.org

  Fun-Plex adds new go-karts, a larger track, an 18-hole miniature-golf course, and the relocated Big Ohhhhhh!!! roller coaster.

• 1979

  The Kart Ranch opens

  [1]Fun-Plexen.wikipedia.org

  The venue begins operations as The Kart Ranch with a go-kart track.

A regional family-entertainment destination combining a traditional amusement park with a water park, karting, miniature golf, and attractions for multiple age groups.

• Water-play attraction · 2015

  Makana Splash

  An interactive water-play structure introduced in 2015. Its principal feature is a large tipping bucket reported to release approximately 317 gallons of water over visitors below.

• Water slides · 2018

  Rockin' Rapids

  A two-slide tube-ride complex added in 2018. The slides accommodate single or double riders and represented a major expansion of Fun-Plex's water-park offering.

• Body slides · 2025

  Pirate's Chutes

  A pair of body slides opened in 2025. Riders finish with a large drop into an 11-foot-deep splash pool.

• Roller coaster · 2026

  Mammoth

  A steel roller coaster reported for a 2026 opening. Reference material identifies it as an Anaconda 2.0 model manufactured by Preston & Barbieri.

• Water attraction

  Motion Ocean

  A water attraction within Fun-Plex's aquatic area. It was the location of a fatal visitor incident reported in June 2023.

• Amusement rides

  Amusement and family attractions

  The park's ride portfolio includes a slick track, bumper boats, the Go-Gator kiddie coaster, Rock-O-Ride, a Tilt-A-Whirl, a classic carousel, and the Balloon Ferris wheel.

• 2026

  Acquire and introduce MammothProduct launch

  Background

  Following the removal of The Big Ohhhhhh!!! in 2018, the park was reported to be adding a new major roller coaster.

  Action taken

  Reference material states that Fun-Plex acquired Mammoth, an Anaconda 2.0 steel coaster made by Preston & Barbieri, for a planned 2026 opening.

  Aftermath

  The reported project is intended to make Mammoth Nebraska's only major roller coaster.

  Source

• 2025

  Open Pirate's ChutesProduct launch

  Background

  Fun-Plex continued developing its water-park portfolio with a new high-intensity slide attraction.

  Action taken

  The park opened two body slides that end in a drop into an 11-foot-deep splash pool.

  Aftermath

  The attraction became part of the park's continuing water-focused expansion.

  Source

• 2018

  Add Rockin' RapidsProduct launch

  Background

  Fun-Plex sought to expand its water-park offer after years of developing rides and aquatic attractions.

  Action taken

  The park opened Rockin' Rapids, a two-slide tube-ride attraction for single or double riders.

  Aftermath

  Reference material describes the project as the park's largest addition in 40 years.

  Source

1. 1Fun-Plexen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Fun-Plex official websitefun-plex.com