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Valleyfair
Valleyfair
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Valleyfair is a 90-acre (36 ha) amusement park in Shakopee, Minnesota, United States. Owned by Six Flags, the park opened in 1976 and features over 75 rides and attractions including eight roller coasters. Valleyfair also has a water park called Soak City which is included with the price of admission. Cedar Point and Valleyfair were the first two parks in the Cedar Fair chain (although Cedar Point Amusement Park originally opened in 1870) and a combination of the park names – "cedar" and "fair" – were used to name the original company.

Key Information

History

[edit]
Former logo used until 2007

Valleyfair opened on May 25, 1976, featuring 20 rides and attractions[1] on 26 acres (110,000 m2), with the roller coaster High Roller being the main attraction. The carousel in the park came from Excelsior Amusement Park which was closed in 1973. It is the oldest ride in the park. In 1978 in an effort to increase investment capital for continued park expansion, Valleyfair was acquired by Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Five years later, Cedar Fair Limited Partnership was formed as the parent company for Cedar Point and Valleyfair (the name being derived from the names of both properties[2]). Since 1976, Valleyfair has invested over $96 million into the park, and today the park has over 75 attractions on 90 acres (36 ha) of land.[3]

A height restriction was imposed in 2000 with the building of the Power Tower. After negotiations with the FAA and the nearby Flying Cloud Airport, the FAA restricted the building height of the Power Tower at 275 feet (84 m) due to its proximity to the airport. Power Tower's original plan was to be a height of 300 feet (91 m) and to take riders to 275 feet (84 m).[4]

Valleyfair did not open for the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, although it was reopened for the 2021 season.[5][6]

On July 1, 2024, a merger of equals between Cedar Fair and Six Flags was completed, creating Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. This officially retired the Cedar Fair branding that was partially derived from Valleyfair.[7]

As the park is located on the banks of the Minnesota River, flooding can become an issue during the springtime months before the park usually opens (or when the park is open for the season), notably in 1988, 1993, 1997, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2024. Excalibur and Thunder Canyon are built outside of a pre-existing river dike, and were built with this flooding potential in mind.[8]

Attraction timeline

[edit]
1970s[1]
  • 1976: Valleyfair opens with Antique Cars, Bumper Cars, Carousel, Ferris Wheel, Flying Trapeze, High Roller, Scrambler, SuperCat, and Wheel of Fortune
  • 1977: Monster, Tilt-A-Whirl and Giant Tilt Ride (The only Super Tilt Model 14-car Tilt-A-Whirl ever built by Sellner Manufacturing) open
  • 1978: Ye Olde Log Flume opens
  • 1979: Enterprise, Kiddie Ferris Wheel and Wild Rails open
1980s[1]
  • 1980: Corkscrew opens
  • 1981: Tot Town opens
  • 1982: Pepsi IMAX theater opens, New entrance marquee
  • 1983: Three water slides (now known as Panic Falls Body Slides) open
  • 1985: The Looping Starship and Bayern Curve open
  • 1987: Thunder Canyon opens
  • 1988: Two water slides (now known as Panic Falls Speed Slides) and Half Pint Park open
  • 1989: Excalibur opens
1990s[1]
  • 1990: Minnesota River Valley Railroad opens
  • 1991: Phase one of Challenge Park opens
  • 1992: The Wave opens and two 18-hole golf courses added to Challenge Park
  • 1993: Whitewater Country water park expansion; Bumper Boats added to Challenge Park
  • 1994: Berenstain Bear Country opens
  • 1995: Hydroblaster opens
  • 1996: Wild Thing opens; RipCord added to Challenge Park
  • 1997: Chaos opens
  • 1998: Galaxy Theater opens
  • 1999: Mad Mouse opens
2000s[1]
  • 2000: Power Tower and Frog Hopper open
  • 2003: Steel Venom opens
  • 2004: Foam Ball Factory and The Rockin' Tug added to KidWorks
  • 2005: RipTide and Skyscraper open
  • 2006: Xtreme Swing opens and Halloween Haunt occurs for the first time.
  • 2007: Renegade opens
  • 2008: Halloween Haunt is renamed Halloween Haunt at ValleyScare
  • 2009: Re-theme of the water park to Soak City
2010s[1]
  • 2011: Planet Snoopy opens
  • 2012: Fast Lane; Antique Cars closes
  • 2013: Dinosaurs Alive!
  • 2014: Route 76: Northern Lights opens, Scrambler and Tilt-A-Whirl relocated and Antique Cars to be re-added as Antique Autos; Pepsi IMAX theater and hydroblaster closes
  • 2015: Soak City: New Slide Tower, New Children's Splash Pad; Subway relocated, Airbrush Tattoo stand closed
  • 2016: Flying Eagles, All Wheels Extreme (Upgraded Amphitheater), New High Roller Trains, Subway Takes Place of Ben and Jerrys, 40th Anniversary Events, Enterprise closes
  • 2017: North Star, a Funtime Starflyer swing ride, opens for 2017, New Caribou plaza
  • 2018: Delirious, Larson International super loop, RipTide closes, New light package for Route 76, Snoopy's bounce house is removed, Free WiFi throughout the park.
  • 2019: Superior Stage opens to host Peanuts Celebration, Updated Bathrooms, Variety of new food options, Dinosaurs Alive! and Looping Starship close.
2020s
  • 2021: Grand Carnivale, a new event, launches in the park. ValleyScare announces it is ending after the 2021 season.
  • 2022: TRICKS AND TREATS, a new event, launches in the park.
  • 2023: A Chaperone Policy is implemented at the park.
  • 2024: ValleySCARE's return is announced for the 2024 season.

Attractions

[edit]

Roller coasters

[edit]
Coaster Picture Year opened Manufacturer Description Thrill Rating[9]
Corkscrew 1980 Arrow Dynamics A Looping Corkscrew roller coaster. 5
Cosmic Coaster 2011 Zamperla A powered roller coaster. Previously located at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom as Dragon Coaster. 3
Excalibur 1989 Arrow Dynamics A mine train coaster with a wooden structure. 4
High Roller 1976 Opus Group A wooden roller coaster. It is currently the oldest coaster at Valleyfair. 4
Mad Mouse 1999 Arrow Dynamics A Mad Mouse coaster model. 4
Renegade 2007 Great Coasters International A Wooden roller coaster. 4
Steel Venom 2003 Intamin An Impulse roller coaster and the only one that still has a holding brake. 5
Wild Thing 1996 D. H. Morgan Manufacturing A steel hyper coaster. It is currently the tallest roller coaster at Valleyfair and the very first roller coaster manufactured by Morgan. 5

Thrill rides

[edit]
Ride Year opened Manufacturer Description Thrill Rating[9]
Delirious 2018 Larson International A Larson 22M Giant Loop Ride opening in the 2018 season. 4
Northern Lights 2014 Zamperla A Disk'O Coaster flat ride where a single car travels along a 302-foot (92 m) long, U-shaped track, reaching a height of 43 feet (13 m). 4
North Star 2017 Funtime A Star Flyer, in which riders, seated in two-person chair-linked swings, will reach a height of 230 feet (70 m), reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour (64 km/h). 4
Power Tower 2000 S&S Worldwide A 275 feet (84 m) combo Space Shot and Turbo Drop tower. 5
Xtreme Swing 2006 S&S Worldwide A Screamin' Swing ride. It is currently the second tallest of its kind. 5

Family rides

[edit]
Ride Year opened Manufacturer Description Thrill Rating[9]
Antique Autos 2014 Gould Manufacturing Guests operated Antique Autos are powered by a gas-powered engine and travel around 1,500 feet of track with a center guide rail to keep the auto on track. 3
Bumper Cars 1976 Rauenhorst Corporation A Bumper cars attraction. 4
Carousel 1925 (at Excelsior Park)
1976 (at Valleyfair)
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters An antique 48-horse Carousel. This ride previously was installed at Excelsior Park until its closing in 1973. An Artizan Band Organ provides the carousel's music, but the rolls have been converted to Wurlitzer 150 rolls. The carousel model number is PTC #76.[10] 1
Charlie Brown's Wind Up 1976 Chance Rides Yo-Yo The ride consists of 32 swings lift off the ground while travel in a circular motion and tilting at the top. It was originally called the Flying Trapeze, but received a facelift and renamed for Planet Snoopy. 3
Ferris Wheel 1975[11] Chance Rides A classic Ferris wheel ride reaching 85 feet in the air. 2
Flying Ace Balloon Ride 1988 Zamperla Samba Balloon Eight balloons that can accommodate up to 4 riders. It was originally called Hot Air Balloons. 2
Flying Eagles 2016 Larson International A flying eagles ride with eight carriages that each have a paddle, enabling guests to change the movement of their carriage. 3
Minnesota River Valley Railroad 1990 Crown Metal Products A 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge[12] train ride around the park. 2
Monster 1977 Eyerly Aircraft Company A classic Monster ride. 3
Scrambler 1976 Eli Bridge Company A classic Scrambler ride. 3
SuperCat 1976 Ramagosa A Caterpillar/Music Express style ride. 2
Tilter 1976 Sellner Manufacturing A classic Tilt-A-Whirl ride. 3
Wheel of Fortune 1976 Chance Rides A Trabant ride that holds 40 riders and raises to a tilted position while rotating backwards. 3

Water rides

[edit]

These are the water rides besides those in the Soak City.

Ride Year opened Manufacturer Description Thrill Rating[9]
The Wave 1992 Hopkins Rides A Shoot-the-Chutes water ride. There is a bridge at the bottom where visitors can get soaked. 4
Thunder Canyon 1987 Barr Engineering A six-person River rafting ride 4

Planet Snoopy

[edit]

Planet Snoopy is a kids area within the park created for the 2011 season as part of a $9 million expansion.

Ride Year opened Manufacturer Model/Type Description Thrill Rating[9]
Kite Eating Tree 2000 S&S Worldwide Frog Hopper A kiddie version of Power Tower. It was originally called the Frog Hopper. 2
Linus' Beetle Bugs 1976 Ramagosa A little spinning ride. It was originally called Bumble Bees. 1
Linus Launcher 2011 Zamperla Kite Flyer 3
Lucy's Tugboat 2004 Zamperla Rockin' Tug 2
PEANUTS 500 2011 Zamperla Speedway A kiddie Whip ride 2
PEANUTS Playhouse Play Place 1
PEANUTS Road Rally 2000 Zamperla Convoy 1
Sally's Swing Set 2011 Zamperla Happy Swing A kiddie swing. 2
Snoopy vs. Red Baron 1988 Chance Rides It was originally named Sea Planes. 2
Snoopy's Deep Sea Divers 2011 Zamperla Crazy Bus 2
Snoopy's Rocket Express 2011 Zamperla Aerial Ride A kiddie monorail around Planet Snoopy 2
Woodstock Whirlybirds 2011 Zamperla Mini Tea Cup A kiddie spinning ride 2

Route 76

[edit]

"The Route 76 area takes guests back into amusement park Americana" with the reopening of three classic rides that made their debut in the opening of Valleyfair in 1976. These rides include the Antique Autos, which was formerly deconstructed to make room for the construction of Dinosaurs Alive!, the Tilt-a-Whirl, and the Scrambler. A new ride titled 'Northern Lights' will be the main attraction of the area, featuring a ride track over 300 feet in length and 42 feet in height. This family-oriented ride reaches speeds upwards of 43 miles per hour and resembles the Aurora Borealis at night with colored lights in shades of greens, blues, and purples. The Route 76 area features a full-service catering and picnic area, titled Picnic Point. Route 76 is located in the front of the park near Steel Venom, and opened on May 16, 2014.[13] In 2017, North Star, a 230-foot swing ride, was opened near the front of Route 76 near Tilt-a-Whirl. Debuting in 2018, 'Delirious', a 70-foot-tall looping flat ride is the newest addition to Route 76.

Soak City

[edit]

Soak City is a water park included with the price of admission to Valleyfair. Rides include a lazy river, a wave pool, and water slides. Newly added slides such as "Breakers Plunge" were added as part of the 2015 Waterpark expansion. Other Six Flags parks have a water park with the same name.

Fast Lane

[edit]

Fast Lane is Valleyfair's virtual queue system. For an additional charge, visitors get a wrist band that enables them to get to the front of the line on twenty of Valleyfair's' most popular attractions without queuing including attractions like Wild Thing, Renegade, Steel Venom, Xtreme Swing, and some attractions in the Soak City water park.

Shows

[edit]
Power Tower, Xtreme Swing, and Corkscrew from Wild Thing

Valleyfair hosts several performance venues with a wide variety of live entertainment at no additional charge.

  • The Amphitheater is a large outdoor venue that has hosted country music tribute shows, battle of the bands competitions, acrobats, and even a dog show. In 2016, the Amphitheater was remodeled and began hosting a new show, All Wheel's Extreme.
  • The Galaxy Theater is an indoor theater. Originally, it was used to stage musical revues, but in recent years, The Galaxy has played host to various comedy and magic acts, such as Rudy Coby, Ed Alonzo, Chipper Lowell, and All-Star Stunt Dogs. Galaxy Theater has remained closed to the public since 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
  • The Gazebo Stage is an outdoor stage with a covered bandstand which presents a musical revue of classic and contemporary hits. The Gazebo features a 7-piece live band (keyboard, bass, guitar, drums, and vocals).
  • Benchwarmers is a roaming brass band that strolls throughout the park and plays many classic songs as well as some more contemporary music. Some songs from previous years have been, "Thriller" and "Sweet Caroline".[14]
  • PEANUTS Showplace is an outdoor venue that is next to the PEANUTS Playhouse in Planet Snoopy. It features stadium bench seating.
  • Superior Stage is an outdoor venue near the Ferris Wheel and Corkscrew rides. This outdoor stage opened in 2019 and is equipped with high-tech lighting and display screens. Superior Stage features Snoopy related shows like Peanuts Block Party as well as other entertainment during the summer such as Neon Nights and multiple shows for Tricks and Treats.
  • The Vocal Coasters are a 6-piece vocal group that performs mainly a cappella with a beat-boxing background.
  • The Squiggles were a kids' quintet that sang from 2004 to 2010.

Valleyfair also hosts Performance in the Park, which allows high school performance groups to showcase their abilities inside of the park[15] and receive tickets at a special group rate. Marching bands march on a predetermined loop throughout the park and the Midway and Superior Stages are utilized for other performances. Most performances are 30 minutes or less,[16] which allows students time to enjoy the park.[17]

Former rides and attractions

[edit]
  • Berenstain Bear Country (1994–2003) – A themed children's area with a variety of indoor and outdoor attractions covering one acre. According to a press release from Valleyfair, it "features several different theme areas, each from the storybooks. Included is a 32-foot-tall walk-in treehouse with three levels...there also will be the Spooky Old Tree.” Berenstain Bear Country also featured a miniature railroad, playground structures, and a large sandbox.[18]
  • KidWorks (2004–2010) – A re-themed children's area located on the same site as Berenstain Bear Country. It added the Foam Ball Factory and Rockin' Tug to the area, both of which still remain in the park today.[19] It also featured the addition of a small hedge maze and a Koi pond.[20] The park's former mascot, Colonel Ohoompapa, would make regular appearances in the area. KidWorks was revamped as a part of the Planet Snoopy expansion in 2011, which saw the removal of the hedge maze, Kidworks Railway, and other remnants of Berenstain Bear Country that still remained.
  • Half Pint Park (1988–2010)  – A children's area located near the entrance of High Roller. The area featured several attractions that have been removed, including the Lil' Guppy, Rub-a-Dub Tubs, Busy Boats, a climbing area, and the Kiddie Train.[18] The area was also home to an upcharge bungee trampoline attraction called Xtreme Trampoline in 2005.[20] Half Pint Park was revamped as a part of the Planet Snoopy expansion in 2011.
  • Corkscrew TotSpot (–2010) – A set of three rides for small children located between The Wave and the entrance to Corkscrew, including Kiddie U-Turn, Kiddie Carousel, and Moon Buggies.[18] The Corkscrew TotSpot was removed in 2010 as a part of the Planet Snoopy expansion in 2011.
  • Northern Lights (1986–2005) – A Chance Rides Falling Star ride with a space theme, removed in 2005 to make room for Xtreme Swing.
  • Bayern Curve (1985–1997) – A Schwarzkopf Bayern Kurve ride, located next to Northwoods Grill, replaced with numerous attractions over the years, with Wheel of Fortune currently residing on its former site.
  • Wild Rails (1979–1998) – Schwarzkopf WildCat coaster, replaced in 1999 with Mad Mouse. Moved to Jolly Roger Amusement Park in Maryland under the name Wildcat.[21][22]
  • SkyScraper (2005–2007) – A Gravity Works SkyScraper ride located near the front of the park within Wild Thing's figure-eight turnaround. It originally operated at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom from 2000 to 2004, and was eventually relocated to Cedar Point where it operated from 2008 to 2015.[23] SkyScraper was an upcharge attraction.
  • Tot Town (1981–1999) – A themed area featuring rides, a jungle gym and ball pit designed for small children. It was accessed via a suspension bridge that crossed over the park's central lagoon. Tot Town was removed in 1999 to make room for Power Tower, which reuses the suspension bridge for its ride entrance.
  • The Flume (1979–2008) – Known as Ye Olde Log Flume until the early 1990s, the Flume was a log flume ride. The Flume was permanently closed and dismantled at the end of the 2008 season.[24] Soak City waterpark (previously Whitewater Country waterpark) was extended in place of the Flume to accommodate the installation of Breakers Bay,[25] a wave pool attraction.
  • Bumper Boats (1993–2010) – An upcharge Bumper boats ride, a part of the Challenge Park located near the front of Valleyfair. The Bumper Boats closed in 2009 and were removed in 2010. This ride was relocated to Michigan's Adventure.
  • Mild Thing (1976–2010) – A children's roller coaster, originally called Mine Train and Kiddie Coaster prior to the park's addition of Wild Thing, located in Half Pint Park. Mild Thing closed in 2010 as part of Valleyfair's revamping of the children's area into Planet Snoopy, and was replaced by Cosmic Coaster.
  • Chaos (1997–2010) – A Chance Rides Chaos ride, which starts spinning in a horizontal position and gradually lifts into a vertical position. Each individual ride unit flips 360 degrees on its own axis. Chaos was removed prior to the 2011 season.
  • Skipper and Dolly Dolphin Show (1977? – late 1980s) – A dolphin show featuring two Bottlenose dolphins named Skipper and Dolly. Given that the dolphins could not be properly housed there during the frigid Minnesota winter months and that various other amusement parks had their own "Skipper and Dolly" dolphin shows (such as Pontchartrain Beach and Six Flags AstroWorld), it can be assumed the two animals were transferred from location to location, depending on whichever parks wanted to incorporate the dolphins into their summertime show schedules.
  • Adventure Golf (1992–2012) – Two upcharge 18-hole mini-golf courses, a part of the Challenge Park located near the front of Valleyfair. Its last operating season was 2011, and it was closed to the public during the 2012 season. The area was replaced with Valleyfair's catered event area, named Picnic Point.
  • Antique Cars (1976–2012) – A 1148 ft track featuring self-controlled, gas-powered replicas of 1910 Cadillac Touring Cars. It was removed to build Dinosaurs Alive! It has returned in a different format in the new Route 76 area.
  • Go-Karts (1991–2013) – A quarter mile go-kart race track located in the Challenge Park. The Go-Karts were an upcharge attraction. The area was replaced with the Antique Autos ride as a part of the Route 76 expansion in 2014.
  • Pepsi IMAX Theater (1982–2013) – An indoor theater building located near Mad Mouse which featured several daily showings of IMAX films. The film being shown in the theater changed from season to season. The theater was demolished to make way for Barefoot Beach in 2015.[26]
  • Hydroblaster (1995–2013) – Two dark dinghy slides near Planet Snoopy. The area was replaced with the addition of Breakers Plunge and Breakers Pipeline to Soak City in 2015.
  • Enterprise (1979–2016) – A HUSS Enterprise type ride. Closed in 2016 to make room for North Star.[27]
  • RipTide (2005–2017) – A HUSS Top Spin ride where riders get sprayed by a fountain during the ride. Closed prior to the 2018 season.[28]
  • Snoopy's Moon Bounce (2011–2017) – A bounce house attraction located in Planet Snoopy which featured a large inflatable Snoopy dressed as an astronaut. It was removed prior to the 2018 season.[28]
  • Dinosaurs Alive! (2013–2019) – An upcharge walkthrough attraction where you could see dinosaur animatronics along a trail. It closed at end of 2019 season.[29]
  • Looping Starship (1985–2019) – An Intamin Looping Starship ride where riders would gain momentum and spin upside down in a pirate themed ship. The ride closed at end of 2019 season.[30]
  • Snoopy's Junction (1994–2022) – A Dotto Trains Kiddie Trains. The ride closed at the end of the 2022 season. It closed unexpected in 2022 with no announcement from the park. The train has since been demolished.
  • RipCord (1996–2024)-An upcharge attraction known as a sky coaster, that drops riders in a swinging pendulum-like motion, originally it was a part of the Challenge Park section of Valleyfair, after most of the rest of what was known as Challenge Park was removed, it still stood, and was made a part of Route 76, it's since been dismantled.[31]

Halloween Haunt at ValleySCARE

[edit]

The Halloween Haunt is a Halloween event at Valleyfair that was originally known as HalloWeekends, which operated from 1998 to 2000 on weekends in September. The name was changed to Halloween Haunt when the event was brought back six years later in 2006. The Great Pumpkin Fest is a family-friendly Halloween event open during the day, while the park is under normal operation. At night, the Halloween Haunt would take over and featured haunted houses, outdoor mazes, scare zones, and live entertainment. Many rides remained in operation during the event, though some were closed to accommodate the transition.[32] Valleyfair announced that the Halloween Haunt would not return for the 2022 operating season on February 25, 2022.[33]

On April 2, 2024, Valleyfair announced the return of ValleySCARE for the 2024 operating season, with it now being a separate ticketed event in the evenings. The event will run on select weekends in September and October.[34]

Tricks and Treats

[edit]

Planet Spooky was added to the ValleySCARE lineup in 2011 with the park's addition of Planet Snoopy. However, daytime family-friendly activities were present prior to the Planet Spooky name. In 2015 it was renamed to The Great Pumpkin Fest. In 2022, the family-friendly Halloween event was renamed again to "Tricks and Treats". Tricks and Treats features a family oriented halloween event with multiple shows and performances from characters, trick or treating, four themed areas, and multiple events aimed at a younger audience. It was announced on March 14, 2024, that Tricks and Treats would be returning for the 2024 season.[35]

Former haunted attractions

[edit]
Attraction Type Opened Location
Abnormal Alley Scare Zone 2012-2016 Corkscrew alley
Beserkers Unleashed Maze 2017-2021 Near High Roller
Blood Creek Cemetery (Re-themed to Undertakers Maze in 2018) Scare Zone 2006-2017 Walkway between The Wave & Monster
Blood on the Boundary Waters Scare Zone 2019-2021 Walkway between Midway Games and Bumper Cars
Camp Wekilou Maze 2011-2014 Site formerly known as Picnic Cove
Carnage at Crimson Isle Maze (Scare Zone in 2006) 2006-2012 Plaza Patio near Pepsi IMAX Theatre
CarnEvil in 3D (Re-themed to CarnEvil: Ringmaster's Revenge Scare Zone in 2013) Maze 2006-2012 Midway Games
CarnEvil: Ringmaster's Revenge (Maze until replaced by Zombie High in 2013) Scare Zone 2013-2021 Planet Snoopy
The Chateau (Formerly Chateau du Damné) Maze 2006-2021 Behind Mad Mouse
Dark Harvest (Formerly Hellside Farm) Maze 2007-2019 Site formerly known as Picnic Cove
Darkness Awaits Scare Zone 2019-2019 Near Renegade
Demon Corps Sliders Scare Zone and Roaming 2017-2021 Park Wide and The Wave
Dinoslaughter Scare Zone 2015-2015 Dinosaurs Alive!
Festival of Freaks (Re-themed to Abnormal Alley in 2012) Scare Zone 2011-2011 Planet Snoopy
Human(e) Habitat Maze 2015-2017 Site formerly known as Picnic Cove
London Terror Maze 2013-2015 Soak City Waterpark
Mangler Asylum Maze 2006-2015 Bumper Cars
MaSCAREade Scare Zone 2018-2021 Walkway between The Wave & Monster
Mr. Cleavers Bloodshed Maze 2008-2021 Near Mad Mouse in games warehouse
Trails End Scare Zone 2015-2018 Near Renegade
Undertakers Maze 2018-2021 Site formerly known as Picnic Cove
Zombie High (Zombie High: In The Dark in 2018) Maze 2013-2021 Near Depot Refreshments

Incidents

[edit]
  • On June 28, 1994, an 11-year-old girl was injured while attempting to exit The Flume. She reportedly became frightened as the boat was about to climb the 45-foot-tall (14 m) lift hill and tried to get off the boat. A second boat pinned her underwater. Park staff performed first aid on the victim before paramedics arrived, and she was taken to a nearby hospital where she was reported to be in critical condition.[36]
  • On May 21, 2006, the rear car of a roller coaster train on Wild Thing detached from the middle car during the final brake run. 18 people were injured and 14 were taken to a local hospital, though most injuries were considered minor.[37] An investigation later determined that a mounting bracket in the brake system failed, and the ride resumed operation on June 1, 2006.[38]
  • On September 3, 2007, the ride Xtreme Swing experienced a fire in an electrical junction box. There were no injuries, and the ride reopened several days later after the problem was fixed and the ride successfully tested.[39]
  • On August 5, 2010, a chlorine leak from the Soak City Waterpark sent 26 people to the hospital.[40]
  • On June 16, 2011, the ride Minnesota River Valley Railroad derailed near the amphitheater at the front of the park and careened into the south train station platform. Two passenger cars left the tracks and were later placed back on the tracks by park maintenance. No injuries were reported.[citation needed]
  • On September 20, 2012, an employee became trapped under a carriage from Power Tower after it fell while he was performing maintenance on the ride. The 41-year-old operator sued the manufacturer, S&S - Sansei Technologies.[41]
  • On November 21, 2015, a fire was started at a storage building (haunt attraction London Terror). 25% of the structure was damaged, the cause of the fire is unknown. Fabric Ceiling needed replacing. No injuries reported.
  • On May 25, 2017, Numerous fights broke out during Valleyfair's first ever “Adult Night,” a kid-free event for adults. Fights took place mostly in the parking lot but some fights did occur in the park. Nobody was injured. One person was cited for disorderly conduct.
  • On the evening of September 22, 2018, police were forced to close the “ValleySCARE” event early after a large number of fights broke out. At least three people were cited for offences.[42] Multiple police departments along with a police helicopter assisted with evacuating the park along with Valleyfair security personnel.[43]
  • On May 29, 2023, a large altercation occurred in the parking lot of Valleyfair. Multiple police departments from the area responded to assist with crowds, and one juvenile was transported to the hospital.[44]
[edit]
  • Valleyfair appeared in a scene in the baseball film Little Big League, with rides such as Corkscrew, Enterprise, High Roller, and The Wave being visible in the scene.[citation needed]
  • Yam Haus, a Minneapolis pop band, filmed a music video for its song “The Thrill” in 2019 at Valleyfair. The video shows rides and attractions such as Wild Thing, Power Tower, Antique Autos, Corkscrew, North Star, High Roller, Extreme Extreme Swing, the Route 76 area at night, the Midway Games area, the Cotton Candy stand, and the three-point basketball challenge.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Valleyfair is a 90-acre located in , along the , offering over 75 rides and attractions including roller coasters, family-friendly areas, and the 7-acre Soak City water park. Opened on May 25, 1976, as Minnesota's largest amusement park at the time, it was developed by two local businessmen on an initial 26 acres with 20 rides, headlined by the wooden roller coaster . The park is owned and operated by Entertainment Corporation, following the July 1, 2024, merger of its previous owner, , with Six Flags. Originally acquired by the owners of —Cedar Fair's predecessor—in September 1978 for $18 million, Valleyfair has undergone significant expansions to become the Upper Midwest's premier family destination. Key additions include the Wild Thing in 1994, which reaches speeds of 74 mph, and the Renegade in 2007, enhancing its reputation for thrilling experiences. The park's area provides gentler rides and character meet-and-greets themed around the gang, catering to younger visitors, while Soak City features waterslides, a , and a for summer fun. Seasonal events such as food festivals, fireworks, and Halloween haunts further define its year-round appeal, drawing over one million visitors annually to the region.

History

Opening and early development

Valleyfair was developed in 1976 by two local businessmen, Walt Wittmer and David Sherman, in , who aimed to create a regional amusement destination. The park opened to the public on May 25, 1976, spanning 26 acres along the and featuring 20 initial rides and attractions, with admission priced at $6. Among these was the , a that served as the park's flagship attraction and the tallest in the at the time, standing 70 feet high and reaching speeds of up to 50 mph. Other early rides included a relocated from the former Excelsior Amusement Park and a kiddie coaster known as Mild Thing. The park's initial theming drew inspiration from Minnesota's scenic valleys and traditional county fairs, evoking a turn-of-the-century atmosphere to emphasize family-friendly entertainment and wholesome Midwestern values. This design focused on accessible, nostalgic experiences suitable for all ages, positioning Valleyfair as a gathering spot rather than a high-thrill destination. The layout incorporated whimsical elements and open green spaces, reflecting the region's agricultural and rural heritage while providing a contrast to urban attractions in nearby . In its first two seasons, Valleyfair quickly gained popularity, attracting growing crowds and establishing itself as a key entertainment venue in the area. By 1978, annual attendance exceeded 1 million visitors, demonstrating strong regional appeal. That September, the park was acquired by the owners of in for $18 million, initiating a that would later form the basis of the Entertainment Company in 1983. This ownership change provided financial stability and set the stage for future developments under professional management.

Expansions and investments

Since its opening in 1976 on 26 acres along the , Valleyfair has undergone significant physical expansion, growing to 90 acres by the 2020s through strategic land acquisitions and infrastructural developments. This growth has been supported by over $96 million in investments into rides, facilities, and amenities since inception, reflecting a commitment to enhancing visitor experiences amid the park's location in a flood-prone area. Key early expansions in the 1980s included the introduction of a dedicated children's area themed around characters, initially as in 1983, which provided family-oriented attractions and laid the foundation for future kid-focused developments. In 1983, the park added its water attractions with the debut of what would become Soak City, starting as the Liquid Lightning slide complex and expanding into a full area by the early . These additions diversified the park's offerings and contributed to increased attendance during the decade. The 1990s and 2000s saw major investments in thrill attractions, including the 1996 launch of the Wild Thing hypercoaster, a $10 million project that marked a pivotal upgrade in ride technology and helped boost the park's regional profile. Similarly, the 2007 introduction of the Renegade wooden coaster, designed as a to classic ravine-style rides, further expanded the thrill portfolio and underscored ongoing infrastructural commitments. Valleyfair's location in the floodplain has periodically disrupted operations, with significant flooding events in 1988 and 1993 causing temporary closures of low-lying areas and requiring recovery efforts such as drainage improvements and ride relocations. These incidents, which inundated parts of the including early water features, prompted resilient investments in mitigation while the park maintained its expansion trajectory. The 1978 acquisition by Cedar Point's ownership provided essential capital for such post-flood recoveries and subsequent growth.

Ownership changes

Valleyfair opened in 1976 under independent ownership by its original developers, who invested approximately $7.5 million in the park's construction and initial operations. The park remained under this independent management until September 1978, when it was acquired by Cedar Point Inc., the operators of the amusement park in . This acquisition, Cedar Point's first expansion beyond its flagship property, provided Valleyfair with additional capital for growth and marked the start of its incorporation into a broader regional network. In 1983, following a , Cedar Point Inc. and Valleyfair were restructured under the newly formed Cedar Fair , combining the names of the two parks to create the parent company. Cedar Fair managed Valleyfair from 1978 through 2024, integrating it fully into its portfolio of amusement parks across and leveraging shared operational expertise, marketing strategies, and investment funds to support ongoing developments at the location. During this period, Valleyfair benefited from Cedar Fair's emphasis on regional family entertainment, with expansions such as new rides and the addition of the Soak City water park funded through the company's resources. On July 1, 2024, completed a merger of equals with Entertainment Corporation, establishing the new Entertainment Corporation as the combined entity. The merger retired the branding, transitioning all 27 properties—including Valleyfair—to operation under the name and ticker symbol (NYSE: FUN), with unitholders owning about 51% of the new company. This corporate shift aimed to enhance guest experiences through greater scale, including cross-promotions and shared innovations across the larger network. Following the merger, operational adjustments at Valleyfair included updates to ticketing and loyalty programs to align with ' systems, enabling season passholders to access benefits at parks from both legacy companies without immediate disruptions to existing memberships. These changes facilitate unified digital platforms for reservations, rewards, and multi-park reciprocity, improving convenience for visitors while maintaining core operations at the Shakopee site. As of late 2025, Valleyfair continues to operate seasonally under , with no major structural alterations announced beyond these integrated services.

Attractions

Roller coasters

Valleyfair operates eight , ranging from classic wooden designs to modern thrill rides, catering to a variety of rider preferences from families to extreme enthusiasts. These are distributed across the park's themed areas, including the nostalgic Route 76 section and the family-oriented , providing diverse experiences amid the park's 90-acre layout. The oldest coaster, , is a manufactured by the Rauerhorst Corporation that opened in as one of the park's inaugural attractions. It stands 70 feet tall, reaches speeds of 50 mph over a 2,982-foot track, and features no inversions with a ride duration of approximately 2 minutes. Built on a unique 36-inch narrow gauge track, it offers a traditional out-and-back layout through wooded terrain, evoking classic coaster nostalgia without intense forces. Corkscrew, an Arrow Dynamics steel sit-down coaster introduced in 1980, was the park's first to incorporate inversions. Rising to 85 feet, it achieves 50 mph along 1,950 feet of track, completing three inversions—a vertical loop and two —in about 1 minute 30 seconds. Its compact design and historic significance as an early multi-element looper make it a staple near the park entrance. Excalibur, another Arrow Dynamics creation from 1989, is a hybrid coaster with steel track on a wooden support structure. It climbs 105 feet, hits 54 mph over 2,490 feet, and runs for 2 minutes 13 seconds without inversions. Known for its smooth mine train-style trains and elevated turns, it provides accessible thrills suitable for a broad audience in the park's central area. Wild Thing, a steel hypercoaster built by Morgan Manufacturing in 1996, anchors the park's extreme offerings. At 207 feet tall, it drops at a 60-degree angle to reach 74 mph across 5,460 feet of track, delivering airtime hills for 2 minutes 30 seconds with no inversions. Its massive scale and weightless sensations position it as a signature ride in the thrill zone, drawing comparisons to out-of-park hypers. Mad Mouse, an Arrow Dynamics steel wild mouse coaster that debuted in 1999, emphasizes sharp, unpredictable maneuvers. The 50-foot structure propels riders at 30 mph through 1,257 feet of tight turns and sudden drops in roughly 1 minute 30 seconds, featuring no inversions. Located in the arcade-heavy Game Zone, its jerky, brake-heavy profile suits those seeking compact excitement over height. Steel Venom, manufactured by and opened in 2000, is an inverted impulse coaster that launches riders twice per cycle. It towers 185 feet, accelerates to 68 mph on a 656-foot track, and holds for 25 seconds without traditional inversions, though the inverted seating and 360-degree provide disorienting twists. Positioned in the thrill district, its vertical spikes and magnetic launch system offer intense, vertical thrills in a short burst. Renegade, a wooden coaster originally built by Custom Coasters International in and relocated to Valleyfair by Great Coasters International in 2007, reopened in 2008. Reaching 108 feet and 51 mph over 3,113 feet, it twists through 3,828 degrees of turns in 1 minute 40 seconds with no inversions. Themed to an Old West adventure in the Route 76 area, its terrain-hugging layout and rhythmic pacing deliver sustained wooden coaster intensity. Cosmic Coaster, a Zamperla steel family coaster added in 2007, serves as the park's primary kiddie option in Planet Snoopy. The 20-foot lift hill leads to 15-20 mph speeds along 213 feet of gentle curves for about 1 minute, with no inversions. Its space-themed vehicles and mild undulations make it ideal for young riders building coaster confidence.
Coaster NameManufacturerTypeYear OpenedHeight (ft)Top Speed (mph)Length (ft)InversionsDuration (min:sec)
High RollerRauerhorst Corp.Wooden197670502,98202:00
CorkscrewArrow DynamicsSteel - Sitdown198085501,95031:30
ExcaliburArrow DynamicsHybrid1989105542,49002:13
Wild ThingMorganSteel - Hyper1996207745,46002:30
Mad MouseArrow DynamicsSteel - Wild Mouse199950301,25701:30
Steel VenomIntaminSteel - Inverted Impulse20001856865600:25
RenegadeGCI (relocated)Wooden2008108513,11301:40
Cosmic CoasterZamperlaSteel - Family20072015-2021301:00

Thrill rides

Valleyfair's thrill rides offer intense experiences through towering drops, high-speed swings, and freefalls, designed for adrenaline enthusiasts typically requiring a minimum height of 48 inches. These stationary attractions, located primarily along the park's main midway in the thrill zone near the entrance, provide sensations of and without the track-based motion of roller coasters. Key examples include drop towers, pendulums, and skycoasters that emphasize vertical thrills and rapid descents. Power Tower, the park's tallest attraction at 275 feet, is a combo ride manufactured by S&S Worldwide and opened in May 2000. It features three towers offering two experiences: the Space Shot, which accelerates riders upward to 240 feet before a bouncing freefall, and the Turbo Drop, which lifts passengers to 250 feet for a controlled high-speed descent using pneumatic braking. With a capacity to handle multiple cycles efficiently, the ride ensures through individual restraints and restrictions, delivering repeated up-and-down motions for prolonged excitement. Its central location enhances for thrill seekers transitioning from nearby coasters. RipCord, a skycoaster introduced in 1996, simulates hang-gliding with a freefall from 180 feet, reaching speeds up to 65 mph as riders pull a rip cord to release. Manufactured by Sky Fun 1 Inc., it accommodates up to three participants in a full-body harness, emphasizing controlled flight and recovery for a unique aerial perspective over the park. Safety features include thorough inspections and a 48-inch minimum height, positioning it as an upcharge attraction in the thrill area for those seeking personalized intensity. Xtreme Swing, added in 2006 and also by S&S Worldwide, is a 125-foot-tall that swings riders at 60 mph across two 84-foot arms using air-launch technology. Seating 40 passengers (20 per side) in over-the-shoulder restraints, it generates forceful rocking motions for disorienting thrills, with operations limited to winds under 15 mph for safety. Positioned between and diner on the main midway, it serves as a gateway to the zone's high-adrenaline lineup.

Family rides

Valleyfair's family rides provide moderate, repeatable attractions designed for mixed-age groups, emphasizing gentle motion, scenic views, and classic experiences that appeal to parents, teens, and younger children alike. These rides are typically located in the park's central midway areas, offering a nostalgic contrast to more intense thrill options and integrating seamlessly with adjacent children's zones for family-oriented outings. Operating seasonally from late May through early September, with extended hours into October for events, these attractions run during standard park hours of approximately 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., accommodating high guest volumes through efficient queuing and capacities that support groups of varying sizes. A highlight among these is the Antique Carousel, a historic Philadelphia Toboggan Company model (#76) built in 1925 and originally operated at Excelsior Amusement Park on until its closure in 1973. Relocated to Valleyfair upon the park's opening, it features a 50-foot diameter platform with 48 hand-carved, antique jumping horses and two chariots, evoking early 20th-century midway charm under a colorful canopy. The ride lasts about two minutes at a leisurely pace, with height requirements of 46 inches to ride alone or accompanied by a supervising companion; handheld infants are permitted only in chariots. Its shaded seating and low-impact spinning make it accessible for multi-generational families, including those using wheelchairs at the ground level for transfers. The , installed in by , stands 85 feet tall and offers serene, 360-degree vistas of the park's landscapes and the nearby Valley during its 10- to 12-minute cycles. Equipped with 18 enclosed s each seating up to three passengers (maximum 1,050 pounds per ), it provides a calming elevation experience at a top height of 85 feet, suitable for relaxation amid busier attractions. Minimum height is 48 inches alone or with a companion, ensuring inclusivity for school-age children and adults; the ride's stationary loading platform facilitates easy access for guests with mobility aids, who may transfer with assistance from park staff. Other classic family rides include the , a 1976 Eli Bridge Company installation that spins riders in counter-rotating arms for a dizzying yet controlled of near-misses, appealing to families seeking mild excitement without extreme forces. With a 48-inch minimum alone or 36 inches accompanied (maximum 510 pounds per car), it embodies midway traditions and operates in short, two-minute bursts. Similarly, the Antique Autos allow guests to steer vintage cars along a quarter-mile guided track mimicking scenery, requiring 48 inches minimum and promoting interactive family navigation. These rides, along with options like the Balloon Race—which lifts balloon gondolas up to 40 feet in themed designs—feature companion policies that enable smaller children to participate with adults, enhancing group cohesion while adhering to ADA guidelines for transfers and accommodations.

Water rides

Valleyfair's water rides provide refreshing thrills integrated into the main park area, emphasizing splashy drops and rapids theming distinct from the adjacent Soak City . These attractions, designed for family enjoyment, feature elements like steep plunges and unpredictable water flows that ensure riders get soaked while navigating themed waterways. The Wave, a classic log flume ride, opened in 1992 as a replacement for the park's earlier flume attraction. Riders board 20-passenger boats that ascend 50 feet before plummeting down a 50-degree drop at 40 mph, generating a massive 30-foot wave upon impact with the pool below for an intense splash effect. The ride's theming evokes a river journey culminating in a dramatic watery finale, with an observation deck allowing onlookers to witness the splash; it has a minimum height requirement of 46 inches and operates seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Located at the front of the park, it offers a convenient entry-point thrill that ties into the broader water-themed experiences nearby. Thunder Canyon, a manufactured by Barr Engineering, debuted in 1987 and simulates the excitement of white-water through a rugged canyon landscape. Groups of up to six climb into large, round rafts for a 1,600-foot journey filled with twisting currents, rocky outcrops, and cascading waterfalls that deliver variable splashes depending on the ride's natural flow variations. Theming highlights adventurous exploration with unpredictable rapids ensuring no two trips are identical, and it requires a minimum height of 46 inches while running from weekend through . Positioned at the back of the park near , it complements the splash elements of nearby attractions like Soak City for extended water play.

Children's areas

Valleyfair's children's areas are designed specifically for young visitors, emphasizing safe, engaging experiences that promote family interaction through -themed attractions and gentle rides. The flagship zone, , opened in 2011 as a 3.5-acre expansion dedicated to children and families, featuring over 20 rides, interactive play spaces, and character encounters inspired by the beloved comic strip characters like and Woodstock. This area highlights family bonding by offering low-intensity adventures that allow parents and kids to ride together, fostering shared excitement in a whimsical environment. Key attractions in include the Woodstock Express, a that provides mild drops and turns for an introduction to thrill rides, suitable for children 36 inches tall with an adult or 48 inches alone. Other highlights encompass 's Rocket Express, an elevated offering panoramic views of the area from up to 19 feet high, accessible to riders 42 inches or taller with a companion. The Playhouse serves as an air-conditioned indoor playground where kids under 60 inches can launch foam balls via cannons and navigate slides and targets, encouraging imaginative play. Character meet-and-greets with and friends occur regularly, enhancing the immersive theming and creating memorable family moments. Most rides in enforce height restrictions under 48 inches, typically requiring adult supervision for children 36 to 42 inches tall to ensure safety while maximizing accessibility for toddlers and preschoolers. Complementing this, Route 76, introduced in 2014 as a Americana-themed midway, provides additional gentle options for young children, including the Antique Autos—a ride simulating a leisurely drive—and the Flying Eagles, a spinning attraction for kids 36 inches and up with supervision. These areas focus exclusively on child-centric fun, distinct from broader family rides that accommodate older siblings.

Soak City water park

Soak City is a seven-acre outdoor adjacent to the Valleyfair in , offering a range of aquatic attractions including slides, a , , and play areas designed for family entertainment. The park features a beach-themed environment with elements like Barefoot Beach, a dedicated kids' zone with slides, geysers, and fountains, evoking a relaxed tropical vibe suitable for cooling off during summers. Access to Soak City is included with Valleyfair admission tickets and season passes, eliminating the need for separate entry, though it operates seasonally from late May to early September. In 2024, despite significant flooding from the impacting parts of the main park in late June, Soak City maintained its standard seasonal operations without reported closures, opening on May 25 and running through ; it continued fully operational through the 2025 season ending November 1. As of November 2025, Soak City is set for a 2026 rebranding to Superior Shores Waterpark, including a new large replacing The Wave and other expansions. Key attractions include the Ripple Rapids lazy river, a 1,280-foot circuit where guests float on tubes amid gentle currents and occasional water sprays for a leisurely experience. The Blast Off slides consist of high-speed body slides that deliver thrilling drops and twists, catering to adventure-seekers. Hurricane Falls stands out as a 70-foot-tall tube ride using multi-person rafts that navigate steep drops and banked turns for groups of up to four. These expansions, added over the years to enhance variety, have solidified Soak City's role as Minnesota's premier outdoor water destination. Safety is prioritized with mandatory life vests provided free of charge for children under 48 inches tall or inexperienced non-swimmers in areas like the and , ensuring supervised access and reducing risks in deeper waters up to six feet. The park's capacity supports large crowds during peak summer weekends, with features like cabanas and shaded lounging areas to manage flow and comfort. While the main park's , such as log flumes, serve as precursors to Soak City's dedicated facilities, the stands as a distinct expansion focused on immersive aquatic play.

Entertainment and shows

Live performances

Valleyfair features a diverse array of live performances that complement its and , providing family-oriented throughout the operating season. These shows, included with general admission, range from musical and productions to interactive experiences and character appearances, typically scheduled multiple times daily, especially during peak summer months. Key venues host these performances, with the Superior Stage serving as the primary outdoor location for larger-scale shows near the park's Route 76 area. The Galaxy Theatre provides an indoor space for variety acts, while the Stage accommodates smaller street-style performances in the midway. Additionally, the Showplace offers dedicated outdoor seating for Peanuts-themed productions adjacent to . Show types emphasize high-energy dance revues, such as Summer Smash-Up, which combines family-friendly song mashups to encourage audience participation. Live music and DJ sets feature prominently in productions like the 75th anniversary show Space Beagle, where and help reach the moon. Interactive formats include SoundCycle, a pedal-powered show blending live musicians with audience involvement for a rhythmic, fitness-oriented experience. Character parades and revues, exemplified by -themed productions at the Showplace, bring , , and friends to life through routines. Other examples encompass live bands like , promoting a beachy vibe. These ongoing performances operate on seasonal schedules, with increased frequency on summer evenings to align with park hours, and occasional tie-ins to broader events for special guest appearances.

Seasonal events

Valleyfair hosts a variety of seasonal events throughout the summer months, celebrating local culture, cuisine, and holidays with themed food, live music, and family-friendly activities integrated into the park experience. These events draw increased attendance during peak weekends, contributing to higher crowds and extended operating hours compared to regular days. One of the park's celebrations is Star-Spangled Night on , featuring a premier display synchronized to patriotic music, along with all-American festivities such as barbecues and frisbee dog shows from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This event highlights Minnesota's Independence Day traditions and is included in standard park admission, attracting families for a full day of rides and evening entertainment. In July 2025, the inaugural Juicy Lucy Festival ran over two weekends (July 12-13 and 19-20), honoring Minnesota's iconic cheese-stuffed burger with creative variations from local vendors, paired with local beers, ciders, cocktails, and live bands performing throughout the day. This new addition, introduced following the July 2024 merger of and into Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, enhances the park's food festival offerings with a focus on regional flavors. August brings Latin Days on August 2-3, a vibrant festival partnering with local organizations to showcase genres like , bachata, and pop, alongside authentic dishes from area restaurants and traditional dance performances. Corn Fest follows on weekends from August 16 to September 1, emphasizing Minnesota's corn harvest with shucking games, corn-inspired eats, local bands, and midway activities, all accessible with regular tickets. These events overlap briefly with live performances but emphasize limited-time cultural themes. All non-premium seasonal events at Valleyfair are included in daily admission or season pass prices, with no additional fees required for entry, though food and beverage purchases incur separate costs that boost per-capita spending during festivals. Post-merger enhancements under have expanded these events' culinary and entertainment elements, aiming to increase visitor engagement and attendance in subsequent seasons.

Park services

Fast Lane

Fast Lane is a paid queue-skipping service introduced at Valleyfair in 2012 as part of Entertainment Company's rollout across its parks, allowing guests to access dedicated lines for select attractions to reduce wait times. Following the 2024 merger of and into Entertainment Corporation, the program continues under the unified branding, with integration updates including updated online purchasing and pass compatibility across former properties. The system operates via a provided upon purchase, which grants access to express queues on approximately 20 popular rides, such as the Wild Thing , without requiring app-based reservations or time slots. Daily pricing typically ranges from $30 to $60 per person, varying by date and demand, while season pass add-ons like Fast Lane Plus—covering additional high-demand rides such as Renegade and —start at around $199 for unlimited use throughout the season. Fast Lane Plus offers expanded coverage for thrill rides, enabling more efficient navigation of the park's attractions compared to the standard Fast Lane option. By bypassing standard queues, Fast Lane provides significant time savings, often allowing guests to experience up to four times more rides per visit during peak periods, enhancing overall park efficiency post-merger through streamlined operations and cross-park reciprocity for pass holders. This service remains limited in availability to maintain balance between express and regular lines, and it can be bundled briefly with other amenities like preferred parking for added convenience.

Accessibility and amenities

Valleyfair offers a variety of amenities to enhance guest comfort and convenience throughout the park. Dining options include 28 eateries featuring classic fare such as burgers at Coasters Diner, pretzels from , and frozen treats at 21° & Colder, with seasonal events highlighting -themed foods like those during Minnesota Eats weekends that showcase local specialties. is available for a fee of $26 per standard vehicle in 2025, with preferred at $36, and reentry permitted upon presentation of the parking stub; the park also partners with nearby hotels such as the Hampton Inn /Shakopee for convenient lodging options close to the entrance. Accessibility features at Valleyfair are designed to ensure inclusivity for guests with disabilities, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as outlined on the park's official accessibility resources following the company's merger. rentals, including electric models with a 400-pound capacity, are available on-site. ASL interpretation services can be requested in advance via the park's form and arranged upon arrival at Guest Services for shows and presentations. The park provides sensory accommodations such as a at the Family Care Center in and another multi-sensory quiet space next to Guest Services, offering a calm environment to reduce overstimulation; additionally, the Attraction Accessibility Program, facilitated through the IBCCES Accessibility Card, allows eligible guests to utilize alternative queuing methods without immediate boarding, and the park holds Certified Autism Center designation with features like ear protection availability and quiet outdoor areas. The operates seasonally from May to October, with the 2025 season opening on and including daily hours typically from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. during peak periods. Valleyfair can accommodate up to approximately 25,000 visitors per day, supporting its role as a major regional attraction. In response to the significant flooding in June 2024, which inundated the main and temporarily closed three under up to 14 feet of , the park implemented recovery measures including structural inspections, cleanup, and phased reopenings, with all affected rides operational by mid-July and the parking area restored for continued operations; the Fast Lane upgrade remains an optional add-on for expedited access to select attractions.

Halloween events

ValleySCARE

ValleySCARE is an annual Halloween-themed event at Valleyfair, designed for thrill-seeking teenagers and adults with intense scares, haunted attractions, and atmospheric entertainment. Launched in following an earlier iteration known as HalloWeekends from 1998 to 2000, the event transforms the park into a nighttime haunt experience on select weekends in September and October. It was paused after the 2019 season due to the , with the park closed entirely in 2020, operated in 2021, and suspended in 2022–2023 as the operators focused on daytime operations and family-friendly alternatives. The event resumed in 2024, operating on Fridays and Saturdays from September 21 through October 26, marking its return after a two-year absence. The core attractions include six immersive haunted mazes featuring elaborate sets, actors in makeup and costumes, and jump scares themed around horror tropes such as and wilderness terrors; examples from the 2024 lineup include Berserkers: Valkyries' Vengeance, Blood on the , and Cryptid Land. Complementing the mazes are three scare zones—outdoor areas patrolled by roaming monsters and enhanced with fog, lighting, and sound effects—along with select nighttime rides operating in the dark for added adrenaline. Live shows, such as spooky performances and monster meet-and-greets, contribute to the immersive atmosphere, while seasonal food and drink options like themed cocktails are available. ValleySCARE requires a separate ticket from regular park admission, priced starting at $39.99 and up to around $60 depending on date and add-ons like fast passes, with season passes providing access. Following the July 2024 merger of Valleyfair's parent company with Entertainment Corporation, the 2024 ValleySCARE iteration introduced enhancements including three new haunted mazes, revamped scare zones, and expanded nighttime ride operations to elevate the event's production value. These updates positioned the haunt as a premium, stand-alone experience distinct from the park's family-oriented Tricks and Treats event. Safety measures, such as no-touch interactions and capacity limits in mazes, were maintained from pre-pause years to ensure guest comfort amid the horrors. The event continued in 2025, running on select nights from September 20 to October 25, featuring five haunted mazes, seven scare zones, live entertainment, and nighttime rides.

Tricks and Treats

Tricks and Treats is a family-friendly daytime Halloween event at , introduced in 2022 to provide a gentle alternative to the more intense evening ValleySCARE. Unlike the thrill-oriented nighttime programming, it focuses on wholesome autumn celebrations suitable for children and families. The event debuted with a trick-or-treat trail, themed games, live entertainment, and seasonal treats, all integrated into the park's Peanuts-themed environment. The 2024 edition of Tricks and Treats was announced on March 20 and ran on select weekends from September 28 through October 27, operating from midday to early evening. Included with standard park admission or season passes, it encouraged guests to arrive in costumes for immersive fun. Key attractions encompassed multiple candy stations for , interactions with costumed characters, a pumpkin patch for decorating activities, and parades featuring and the gang. Aimed primarily at families seeking safe Halloween experiences, the 2024 event incorporated post-flood safety measures following severe flooding in June that had temporarily closed rides like , Renegade, and Thunder Canyon. By October, most attractions were operational, though portions of the park's back area remained restricted to ensure visitor safety, allowing the event to proceed with adjusted layouts while maintaining its focus on mild, engaging activities. The event returned in 2025, held on select dates from September 27 to October 26, with similar family-oriented activities including , character meet-and-greets, and seasonal entertainment, included with park admission.

Former attractions

Removed rides and coasters

Valleyfair has discontinued several roller coasters and rides over its history, often to accommodate expansions, new attractions, or due to the age of the equipment. These removals have allowed the park to refresh its offerings and prioritize family-friendly and thrill experiences aligned with evolving guest preferences. The Mild Thing, a kiddie manufactured by , operated from 1976 to 2010 as one of the park's original attractions. Originally named Mine Train and later Kiddie Coaster, it was renamed Mild Thing in 1996 to contrast with the new Wild Thing . It was removed as part of a $9 million revamp of the children's area into , where it was replaced by an aerial ride and other Peanuts-themed attractions. Another early coaster, Rails—a sit-down built by Schwarzkopf—ran from 1979 to 1998 before being relocated to Jolly Roger Amusement Park in , where it operated as until further relocation. Its removal made space for the Mad Mouse coaster, which debuted in 1999. Among flat rides, the Enterprise, a Schwarzkopf Enterprise model that spun riders in 21 gondolas while tilting to a near-vertical position, served from 1979 to 2016, carrying over 15 million guests. The park retired it due to its age as one of the oldest attractions, with no direct replacement announced. The Flume, a Barr Engineering log flume with multiple drops, operated from 1979 to 2008 and was a staple water ride known as Ye Olde Log Flume until the early 1990s. It was dismantled to expand the adjacent Soak City water park, including the addition of a 350,000-gallon wave pool. Looping Starship, an Intamin Ranger pendulum ride that rotated riders through a full loop, ran from 1985 to 2019 after serving 34 years. The park retired it at the end of the 2019 season without specifying a reason, though its location suggested potential ties to water park growth; it was dismantled following retirement. More recently, Ripcord—a free-fall ride installed in 1996—was removed during the 2024-2025 off-season amid chain-wide cuts to similar high-maintenance attractions, reflecting broader operational shifts following the Cedar Fair-Six Flags merger.

Defunct shows and areas

Over the years, Valleyfair has discontinued several live entertainment offerings to evolve its focus toward ride-centric experiences. and Dolly Dolphin Show, a prominent early attraction featuring live with bottlenose dolphins, operated from the park's 1976 opening until the late 1980s, drawing crowds with aquatic displays before being phased out amid shifting priorities for and operational costs. Various stage productions and musical shows, common in the pre-2010 era, included family-oriented at venues like the park's amphitheater, but these were gradually retired as the emphasis moved to thrill rides and seasonal events, reducing the need for year-round live theater. The Dinosaurs Alive! walkthrough exhibit, an animatronic dinosaur-themed area introduced in 2013, provided an educational and immersive experience spanning several acres with over 40 life-sized figures until its closure in October 2019, after which the dinosaurs were relocated to the nearby to repurpose the space for future park developments. Several themed areas have also been removed or repurposed to modernize the park's layout. The original children's expansions, dating back to the and featuring Peanuts-themed play zones like KidWorks and Half Pint Park, were fully repurposed in 2011 with the $9 million overhaul, which expanded the kid-friendly section to 3.5 acres while integrating new rides and eliminating outdated elements for enhanced theming and accessibility. Haunted attractions tied to the ValleySCARE Halloween event, including clown-infested scare zones like with its sinister clown mazes, were paused following the 2020 COVID-19 operational pause and the event's 2021 return, as Valleyfair shifted temporarily to the more family-oriented Tricks and Treats format for the 2022 and 2023 seasons to broaden appeal and address safety concerns from intense crowd interactions. ValleySCARE returned in 2024 with its haunted elements.

Incidents

Accidents and injuries

Over the park's nearly 50-year history, Valleyfair has experienced several ride malfunctions resulting in minor injuries, though no fatalities have been recorded. One notable incident occurred on May 21, 2006, when the rear of the Wild Thing roller coaster separated from the train during operation, causing it to tip sideways and injure 18 riders with sprains and strains; all were treated and released from hospitals without serious harm. A similar malfunction on the same ride took place on December 21, 2007, when a derailed, sending 14 riders to the hospital with minor injuries including sprains. Other incidents include a June 28, 1994, injury to an 11-year-old girl on The Flume ride, and an August 5, 2010, exposure at Soak City that hospitalized 16 visitors with respiratory symptoms. Amusement ride safety in is regulated under state law requiring annual inspections by certified inspectors and reporting of serious injuries to the DLI and local ; the DLI serves as a repository for inspection affidavits. These protocols have contributed to Valleyfair's record of no ride-related fatalities since its opening in 1976. More routine issues, such as loose articles on rides, have occasionally led to temporary evacuations or stops for , though no major injuries have resulted from these. In recent years, broader challenges like have tested park operations; for instance, historic flooding in June 2024 submerged parts of the park, including three rides (, Renegade, and Thunder Canyon), but post-recovery inspections revealed no major ride incidents, with Renegade and reopening in early July 2024 and Thunder Canyon later in the season, without reported injuries.

Crowd disturbances and evacuations

On May 29, 2023, several guests engaged in unruly behavior and altercations in the Valleyfair , prompting park officials and Shakopee police to remove multiple individuals from the premises. One juvenile was transported to a with non-life-threatening injuries, though no arrests were made. The incident occurred after the park's operating hours and did not result in a full closure of the facility. On November 2, 2025, the park closed early on the final night of ValleySCARE due to two altercations, leading to a police response and guest removals; no serious injuries were reported. Valleyfair has faced evacuations and partial closures due to environmental factors, particularly flooding from the adjacent , which has historically impacted the park's low-lying areas. In June 2024, heavy rainfall caused the river to overflow, submerging the main parking lot under up to 14 feet of water and necessitating the temporary shutdown of three attractions in the flood zone: the and Renegade roller coasters and the Thunder Canyon river raft ride. Guests were directed to overflow parking at nearby with complimentary shuttle service, and the park canceled its July 4 fireworks display while remaining open for operations in unaffected areas. The flooding crested at 719.4 feet, slightly surpassing the 1993 event's peak of 719.29 feet, which similarly inundated parts of the property and required comparable safety measures. In response to crowd-related incidents, Valleyfair, now under ownership following the 2024 merger, has enhanced security protocols to mitigate disturbances. A chaperone policy was introduced in May 2023, mandating that guests aged 15 and younger be accompanied by an adult chaperone (21 or older) after 4 p.m., with the chaperone required to present valid ID and supervise up to 10 minors; this measure aims to reduce unsupervised youth behavior and was expanded in 2025 to apply during all operating hours on select high-attendance dates. Additionally, the park enforces a strict bag policy, permitting only clear bags up to 12" x 12" x 6" or small clutches up to 5" x 8" x 2", with all bags subject to inspection at entry points to prevent prohibited items and improve crowd flow. These policies, combined with increased on-site security patrols and coordination with local , reflect ongoing efforts to maintain a safe environment amid growing attendance.

Media appearances

Valleyfair has served as a filming location for several motion pictures and television productions. In the 1994 baseball comedy Little Big League, directed by Andrew Scheinman, key scenes were shot at the park, including sequences featuring the amusement rides and grounds as a backdrop for the film's youthful protagonists. The 2010 family film Wildfire: The Arabian Heart, a drama about a girl's equestrian dreams, also utilized Valleyfair's outdoor spaces for exterior shots, capturing the park's scenic layout during production. Additionally, the 2013 reality television series Off Pitch, which follows a competitive choir group, filmed episodes at Valleyfair, incorporating the park's attractions into segments highlighting group outings and performances. Local news outlets in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area have frequently covered Valleyfair's seasonal openings with on-site segments. For instance, KARE 11 broadcast live reports from the park on May 5, 2025, previewing new attractions and events ahead of the May 11 opening day. Similarly, Bring Me The News aired coverage of the 2025 season launch, focusing on the inaugural Juicy Lucy Festival and ride updates. Following the 2024 merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags, Valleyfair has appeared in promotional media produced by the unified Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. Six Flags YouTube videos showcase the park's rides and events to promote season passes across the chain. The Six Flags website also features Valleyfair in post-merger advertising campaigns, including highlight reels emphasizing integrated benefits like the MVP Pass for multi-park access.

Cultural references

Valleyfair has been referenced in regional literature on amusement park history, particularly in accounts of Minnesota's entertainment landscape. For instance, in Greg Van Gompel's book Excelsior Amusement Park: Playground of the Twin Cities, Valleyfair's 1976 opening is noted in connection to the closure of the earlier Excelsior Amusement Park, including the reuse of rides from Excelsior. The park has also influenced local music scenes through its hosting of notable performances during the , a period overlapping with Minnesota's vibrant Prince-era cultural boom in nearby . Concerts by artists such as on August 21, 1986, featuring hits like "I Want You to Want Me," and Roy Orbison on July 4, 1986, with classics including "," positioned Valleyfair as a key venue for rock and pop acts in the . Similarly, "Weird Al" Yankovic performed multiple times, including in 1985 with parodies like "," contributing to the park's role in blending humor and music for regional audiences. On , Valleyfair gained widespread attention in 2023 following a large altercation in the park's on , with videos of the incident circulating widely and sparking discussions on crowd management at amusement venues. The 2024 merger of its parent company, , with was a frequent topic in industry podcasts, such as The Theme Park Stan Podcast, where episodes analyzed potential impacts on operations at parks like Valleyfair, including branding and investment strategies. The Scott County Historical Society's 2016 exhibit "Valleyfair: Celebrating 40 Years of Fun" highlighted the park's cultural significance in the region.

References

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