The corps at this time was financially sound, having a strong parents' support group and corporate sponsorship from Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, and the Anaheim Angels.
Starting late, the corps spent six weeks of hard work to put their show together before departing on their national tour.
The corps won both the U.S. Open in Marion, Ohio and the CYO Nationals in Boston before arriving in Whitewater, Wisconsin for the inaugural DCI World Championships.
The Kingsmen placed third in the preliminary competition, behind Santa Clara Vanguard and Blue Stars, but vaulted past both corps in Finals to win the first-ever DCI title.
[3] The Kingsmen organization relocated to Stanton in 1989 and reorganized their bingo operation,[4] which continued to raise money for the group for at least another dozen years.