Valleyfair!
Valleyfair! opened on May 25, 1976, in Shakopee, just southwest of Minneapolis, as a joint venture between entrepreneurs Walt Wittmer and David Sherman. The park originally covered just 26 acres and featured around 20 attractions. Even then, the wooden coaster High Roller served as the park’s signature attraction and continues to operate to this day. The only older attraction is the historic carousel, which originally came from Excelsior Amusement Park following its closure in 1973.
Just two years after opening, the young park was acquired by Cedar Point. When the joint operating company was formed in 1983, its name combined Cedar Point and Valleyfair!, giving rise to the now well-known Cedar Fair name. Over the following decades, Valleyfair! continued to grow and eventually became Minnesota’s largest amusement park.
Like many former Cedar Fair parks, Valleyfair! is exceptionally clean and well maintained. Unlike most of its sister parks, however, it does not feature a traditional loop layout. Instead, guests enter roughly in the middle of the park and immediately have to decide whether to explore the left or right side first.
We begin by heading left, following the path beneath and behind Wild Thing. It quickly becomes clear just how much Valleyfair! captures the charm of a classic American amusement park. Flying Eagles, Tilter and Scrambler are all located just a few steps from one another, creating the kind of traditional midway that has become increasingly rare in modern parks. They are joined by North Star, a Funtime StarFlyer offering spectacular views across the entire park.
While Antique Autos invites guests on a relaxing drive, Steel Venom is waiting just a few steps away to provide the park’s first major adrenaline rush.
Steel Venom
Like every Intamin Impulse Coaster, Steel Venom kicks off with a powerful launch. Unfortunately, it also features the characteristic jolt these coasters are known for, slightly detracting from an otherwise enjoyable ride. The spiral is especially enjoyable in the front of the train, while it is barely noticeable in the back. It is also taken rather roughly, making it one of the less comfortable moments of the ride.
The real highlight, however, comes at the rear spike. Here, a holding brake brings the train to an abrupt stop and keeps it suspended for several seconds. The sudden braking throws riders noticeably forward into their restraints before the train rolls back towards the station. It is a simple but surprisingly effective moment that still makes me smile every time.
Despite a few shortcomings, Steel Venom is one of the stronger attractions in the park. The holding brake on the rear spike creates a memorable moment that never loses its appeal.
Delirium
Located right next to Steel Venom is Delirium, a Larson Giant Loop. I have always really enjoyed this type of ride, and Delirium is no exception. The only downside is the excessive noise during the ride, which slightly detracts from an otherwise very enjoyable experience.
Northern Lights
Northern Lights is a Zamperla Skater Coaster. At first glance, the attraction looks very similar to the manufacturer’s popular Disk’O Coaster, but there is one key difference. While riders on a Disk’O face outwards and are primarily pushed into their lap bars, the Skater Coaster has riders facing inwards, with most of the forces pressing them back into their seats. I find this riding position noticeably more comfortable and, over time, even more enjoyable.
The Wave
Located near the front of the park is The Wave, a Shoot-the-Chutes ride built by Hopkins Rides. After a leisurely climb, the boat plunges down the steep drop before slamming into the water at full speed. The enormous splash that follows makes it virtually impossible to stay dry.
I have always really enjoyed this type of attraction and think it is a shame that Shoot-the-Chutes rides have gradually disappeared from so many amusement parks. Even though Soak City is located some distance away, it is not unusual to see guests around The Wave wearing swimsuits or walking around shirtless – something that is rather uncommon in an American amusement park.
Corkscrew
Next up is Corkscrew, another classic from Arrow Dynamics. While the ride itself is certainly not among the park’s best coasters, it offers a surprisingly smooth experience through its vertical loop and corkscrews. Its greatest strength, however, is its setting. The track follows the shoreline of a picturesque lake and, together with the park railroad passing beneath the corkscrews, creates one of the park’s best photo opportunities. Combined with its attractive colour scheme, Corkscrew is one of Valleyfair!’s true visual highlights.
Monster
Located right next door is Monster, an American classic built by Eyerly Aircraft. To this day, it remains one of my favourite flat rides. If you are riding alone, a little body movement before the ride starts is enough to get your car spinning at a surprising speed – much to the amazement of the American riders. Once the ride is underway, the car continues to spin freely, creating a wonderfully chaotic ride experience. As so often, I had a great time riding it once again.
Planet Snoopy
Before reaching High Roller, we pass through Planet Snoopy. Like many former Cedar Fair parks, Valleyfair! features a charming Peanuts-themed children’s area. In addition to a wide variety of family and children’s rides, plenty of greenery, shaded walkways and thoughtful landscaping make Planet Snoopy feel noticeably different from the rest of the park. The area’s standout attraction is Cosmic Coaster, a Zamperla Powered Coaster.
High Roller
High Roller is the park’s oldest roller coaster. After the first drop, the train climbs a large hill before entering a long turnaround. A series of unusually shaped hills then delivers several moments of airtime, although much of it is taken away by a trim brake. Another trim brake before the next turn scrubs off even more speed, causing the final hills and the closing turn to be taken at a much gentler pace. It’s a shame, because the two trim brakes take away much of the ride’s potential.
Mad Mouse
Located opposite the entrance to Soak City is Mad Mouse, an Arrow Dynamics wild mouse coaster. I have always really enjoyed the manufacturer’s wild mouse coasters. Unlike their European counterparts, Arrow’s designs combine tight hairpin turns with surprisingly steep drops and some rather unusual banking. As a result, the ride feels much more dynamic and unpredictable than a typical wild mouse coaster. Mad Mouse is no exception and makes excellent use of these characteristics.
Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune gave me the opportunity to experience a classic Chance Trabant for the very first time. The ride later served as the inspiration for Mack Rides’ Hully Gully, which I had already ridden on several occasions. Although I slightly prefer the Mack version overall, I was delighted to finally experience the original. Both rides have become increasingly rare and, in my opinion, are attractions that every amusement park enthusiast should ride at least once.
Renegade
Renegade is home to one of Valleyfair!’s true gems. Built by Great Coasters International (GCI), the coaster immediately stands out with its compact, twisted wooden structure.
The ride begins with an exceptional S-shaped first drop that provides a fantastic start and is one of the best elements of the entire layout. A small airtime hill follows before the train races through a perfectly balanced sequence of fast direction changes, low-to-the-ground turns and well-timed bursts of airtime without giving riders a moment to catch their breath. The result is an almost relentless sense of pace, with the train carrying its speed all the way to the final brake run.
Renegade impressed me from start to finish and is, without question, one of the best wooden coasters GCI has ever built. As the day went on, the coaster became noticeably faster and by the afternoon it was absolutely flying.
Excalibur
Excalibur is one of Valleyfair!’s most distinctive roller coasters. Built by Arrow Dynamics, it combines the characteristics of a mine train with much larger drops and a highly unusual layout.
The ride begins with a long first drop before making its way through the terrain with sweeping turns, rapid changes of direction and a layout unlike anything else Arrow created at the time. One of my favourite moments is a hill that transitions directly into a change of direction. While this may seem commonplace on modern roller coasters, it was a remarkably innovative element when Excalibur opened in 1989.
Although the ride never completely won me over and can feel rather rough in places, Excalibur has a character all of its own. Its unusual layout and creative use of the terrain make it one of Valleyfair!’s most memorable attractions and one that should not be missed.
Thunder Canyon
Thunder Canyon is located in the same corner of the park. I would have loved to experience the rapids ride, but unfortunately it remained closed throughout my visit.
Power Tower
Next up is Power Tower, an S&S tower ride. Interestingly, it features three different experiences – two Power Drop towers and one Space Shot tower. What impressed me most, however, is the ride’s location. Built on an island and completely surrounded by Corkscrew, it is a real eye-catcher and a great addition to the park’s skyline.
Wild Thing
Wild Thing is Morgan’s hyper coaster and has dominated the Valleyfair! skyline since opening in 1996.
The ride begins with a long first drop before racing over two camelbacks. A twisting drop off the second hill leads into a large figure-eight element before the train enters the return journey after the mid-course brake run. Several smaller hills follow on the way back to the station. The sweeping turns are taken at impressive speed and create an exceptionally smooth ride experience. Surprisingly, however, the airtime on the numerous hills is rather weak.
Having ridden Mamba at Worlds of Fun just two days earlier, I found this particularly surprising. Despite their nearly identical layouts, Wild Thing feels noticeably tamer and never delivers the same level of airtime as its sister coaster. Nevertheless, Wild Thing remains an enjoyable ride, thanks to its flowing layout and beautifully sweeping turns.
Pictures Valleyfair!
Conclusion Valleyfair!
Valleyfair! may not be one of the best-known amusement parks in the United States, but it certainly deserves more attention than it usually receives. The combination of modern thrill rides, historic classics and a relaxed atmosphere gives the park a character all its own. Anyone visiting Minneapolis or travelling through the American Midwest should make time for a visit to Valleyfair!.
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