| |
|
Welcome to Theme Park Review! Photos & Videos of Theme Parks, Roller Coasters, and FUN!
|
|
| Attractions |
Although it's tempting to hit VF's signature rides (Renegade and Wild Thing) right off, it might be best to get the lower-capacity coasters, Steel Venom (Intamin impulse) and Mad Mouse (a rare Arrow mouse), done first before the lines become too long. Then you can get some rides on Wild Thing, Renegade (get a ride after dark, as well), and Excalibur (an unusual "mine train" on steroids). High Roller is an OK old woodie, and Corkscrew is an old Arrow coaster that is still decent.
The flat ride that stands out the most is probably Power Tower, an S&S "shot-and-drop" ride. There's a pretty fair range of older and newer flats, too, including a Tilt-a-Whirl, Chaos, Chair Swings, Looping Starship, and Top Spin.
The park is down to two water rides, Thunder River rapids ride is OK, and The Wave splash boat is standard issue. |
| Food |
VF does offers some interesting local snack items: fried cheese curds (a staple of Minnesota and Wisconsin) and Bratwurst. Other than that, you'll find the usual assortment of park food, including mexican, pizza, burgers and hot dogs, ice cream, and funnel cakes.
There is a Cedar Fair "Coasters" Restaurant offering burgers and shakes. Chains Panda Express and Chickie and Pete's offer Chinese and cheesesteaks respectively.
The Teste of Valleyfair food truck offers a rotating menu of items |
| Operating Season |
| The park starts its season in mid-May and is open daily June-August (weekend operations after Labor Day and through October) and usually opens at 9:00 or 10:00 am. Check the park website for details: http://www.valleyfair.com/public/information/calendar/index.cfm. |
| Established Seasonal Events |
| Haunt is VF's big event in October. |
| Access & Location |
| VF is 25 minutes from Minneapolis-St. Paul in Shakopee, MN. It's located on County Road 101, which can be accessed via I-35 or I-494 (http://www.valleyfair.com/public/tripplanning/directions.cfm).
|
| Nearby Lodging |
| Shakopee offers plenty of hotels near the park, such as Best Western, Hampton Inn, Travelodge, and Super 8 (http://www.valleyfair.com/public/tripplanning/accommodations.cfm). |
| Virtual Queue Options |
| Valleyfair! offers one level of "Fast Lane" (skip the line) service. |
| Shows |
| Valleyfair musical offerings include a few music shows. |
|
| TPR Notes |
|
Valleyfair provides has a good selection of thrilling flat rides to go along with a diverse mix of coasters.
A couple of the coasters stand out, but the rest are mediocre. Their flat rides are generally not run at the fastest speeds nor for the longest cycles. However, the water rides will get you wet. With the exception of the larger coasters and more powerful thrill rides, the park does have quite a few rides that families can enjoy together.
Valleyfair doesn't claim to be a theme park, so don't expect themed rides or areas.
The park can be confusing to navigate for a first timer as there are a couple of dead ends leading to a few rides. | |
| Member Reviews |
|
| Results 1-8 of 8 for Valleyfair!
| |
|
(Log in to post / edit your review)
| |
|
|
|
Underrated Cedar Fair Park
| | 10-11-2016 | |
Montu357
|
|
Valleyfair! is overlooked by many because people have trouble going to Minnesota just to go to Valley Fair. However, it is totally worth it! Go to Mall of America, explore Minnesota which is a cool state and make a fun trip of it. Valleyfair! has steel venom, Wild Thing, and of course a top 15 of mine Renegade which is a phenominal coaster! The park itself has a weird long layout which may frustrate those not wanting to walk much but the friendly laid back charm of the park is better than most corporate parks. As a side not make sure Renegade is open (The are tends to flood a lot and if it isn't you are likely to run out of things to do quickly as half my day was spent marathoning that coaster)
|
|
|
|
Great Park
| | 08-22-2015 | |
miamiheat3121
|
|
Valleyfair is a great park for anyone. My friends and I have spent 11 straight hours at the park and we didn't get bored. It only has six coasters, but they sure pack a lot of thrill. However, beware of Corkscrew, if you're not careful the ride can be very painful, so if you're short on time and are trying to compromise on rides, that's one you can skip. The other flat rides (Power Tower, Xtreme Swing, Enterprise, Looping Starship, etc.) are also very fun and give a good balance with the coasters. If you're in the area looking for something fun to do, make sure not to miss out on Valleyfair. And if you're a local who loves thrills, make sure to get a Gold Pass (great deal btw) and make this a frequent summer stop.
|
|
|
|
Underrated
| | 05-12-2014 | |
VF15
|
|
In my opinion, Valleyfair is an underrated park. Even though it's far from being the best amusement park, it is definitely far from the worst. Even though it looks like a typical Cedar Fair park on the outside, it has this charm to it that's hard to find in other parks. Renegade and Steel Venom are definitely the best coasters. Most enthusiasts seem to give Wild Thing a lot of flack, but I like it. Excalibur and Corkscrew are both decent Arrows, and High Roller is a traditional old out-and-back wooden coaster. The Arrow Wild Mouse is okay. The best flat ride here is Xtreme Swing, an S&S Screamin' Swing. I'd definitely stop by Valleyfair if you're ever in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. You'll have a good time.
|
|
|
|
Kind of a Tasty Bland...
| | 01-08-2014 | |
Caleb
|
|
Valleyfair! a decent park that doesn't really seem to have a standout ride. Yes, Renegade is good, but not amazing. High Roller is pretty good. Their impulse, their hyper coaster, good. Their water park is decent, and if you go, don't skip out on their in house tube slide thing. It's crazy.
I did find their operations pretty solid however, and to me is their highlight. If you are tripping up north, it is one of the better parks in that area.
|
|
|
|
Awesome!
| | 05-19-2013 | |
chaseisawesome
|
|
This is one of my favorite theme parks. The coasters are fun.
|
|
|
|
Easily one of my favorite Cedar Fair parks
| | 04-04-2013 | |
Randomman295
|
|
Although there's not all that many rides, Valleyfair makes good use of them and has one of the most diverse selection of rides I've ever seen at an amusement park, meaning there's something for just about everyone. Fantastic kids area, great waterpark section (It even has one of those "artificial white water rapids" things), three water rides (including the most insane ride cycle I've ever seen put on a Huss Top Spin), and not to mention the three stars of the show: Wild Thing (the smooth, re-ridable airtime buffet), Steel Venom (the best Intamin Impulse I've ever been on), and Renegade (the fantastic GCI woodie). However, the reasons Valleyfair's not 5 stars to me is because of the below average food quality and the sparse theming.
|
|
|
|
| | 04-18-2012 | |
Coaster Curt
|
|
Home park, love taking the kids to the park because it is a great kids park. Renegade is by far the best coaster in the park.
|
|
|
|
Generic, But Nice
| | 02-23-2011 | |
cfc
|
|
Valleyfair is an "old-school" park with an excellent woodie (Renegade), a pretty good hyper coaster (Wild Thing), and one of the weirdest "mine trains" ever (Excalibur). Nothing else really stands out there, but the staff is very nice, and it makes for a pleasant stop as part of a Midwest park excursion.
|
|
|
| | | |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Admission Policy |
Pay One Price
| |
| Recent TPR Updates |
No Infomation.
|
|
|
Return to Park Index Home Page Link
Theme Park Review Home
Click here to contribute your trip report or ride photos to Theme Park Review
|
|
|
|
MY LATEST VIDEOS
|
