garyman6

Breaking News: Well at least for me anyway! I will be working at ValleyScare this year in Dark Harvest! I'm making a prediction, the Dark Harvest crew will put all other mazes to shame! There you have it! I think the Dark Harvest Maze will be over where the new record breaking B&M invert will be!

With 2018's addition of Delirious and the decorative lighting package in the midway, I think it's safe to say that they are done with improvements to Route 76 for now. I'm going out on a limb and predicting that they will finally begin the expansion project in the back of the park. We all know that the scope of work back there can't be done over a winter off season. They will be working on it all next year. So, here it is. Removal of Excalibur but not till mid season. Extension of the flood berm. New access roadway to admin area. Other flood mitigation projects that were part of the approved permit. By the end of next season the new parking lot will be completed. The old roadway and berm will be removed (No more tunnel). A new entrance in the back. This all pretty much has to happen within the same project scope. I personally think that will will also see new footers for either a waterpark expansion for 2020 or a new roller coaster for 2020. And, to get people really excited! Removal of Looping starship at close of the this season and a new slide complex added for 2019. Possibly a matt racer or tornado! We have to remember, Delirious and the lighting package didn't cost all that much. In fact, most of the improvements to Route 76 were not very costly. North Star was probably the biggest investment but could'd have been more then 3 million. Valleyfair and Cedar Fair aren't going to take 3 plus years to gain a very difficult permit and then not use it. So, that's my predictions for the next two years actually. Time to focus on the back of the park for awhile now!

OK, I answered my own question. There are a few scattered small coasters or Mad Mouse type coasters built by Mack but nothing major. But if the rumors are true Carowinds new coaster is said to be a Mack double launch, multiple inversion coaster similar to "Icon" I really hope so! A coaster like that will cost CedarFair about $22,000,000. Maybe a bit high for Valleyfair but maybe????

Does anybody know if CedarFair has bought any Mack coasters? I recently came back from Silver Dollar City. I rode Time Traveler and it was fabulous. But more importantly, I loved how the coaster ran, the seats were unbelievably comfortable and looking at their website they have a lot of options that would fit very well with Valleyfair. On another note; that post that bzurn posted about is curious. Screamscape is reporting it as a teaser for Hangtime at KBF. That doesn't make any sense because the coaster has been open for months. CGA maybe but it seems to me the wording fits in with Minnesota almost perfectly especially when they mention it getting very cold and very hot. And when it said across the Mississippi, that can only mean KBF, CGA or Valleyfair. I don't think WOF is west of the Mississippi. So.......who knows! Didn't our current GM come from Carowinds, a park that loves to tease well before any announcements?

I just returned from my first trip to SDC and I have to say that I absolutely loved the park!! The ride ops were great, the food was great, the scenery, the rides, the staff, everything I experienced was top notch. I've read some of the comments made recently about flooded mine and fire in the hole. Yes, they need some TLC! but as a first time rider I really enjoyed them alot. I was there for a day and a half and we didn't even see one show but we never waited in line for more than 30 min and that was on the river rapids ride. It was very hot! I appreciated the water misters around the park and the heavily wooded terrain. Very few times did we have to walk in direct sunlight. I came from Minnesota just to ride Time Traveler and it did not disappoint. The station was air conditioned, the train cars were beautiful and very comfortable to sit on and the ride itself was so unique. It was down once while we were there but it's a new ride, all new rides have bugs that need to be worked out. My biggest surprise was Outlaw Run. I wondered why the leg restraints but after riding it I now understand! So much force and speed and super smooth. The rest of the coaster line up was also pretty great. Wildfire has such an amazing view from the top! Powder Keg has a great launch and even Thunderation was really a fun mine train coaster. I thought the park had a pretty descent line up of flat ride although they could use one or two more. Branson should be thanking their lucky stars for SDC!! The town itself was O.K. if you like sitting in traffic and looking at all the attractions. I was really surprised to see several old closed down attractions and hotels. I came back to Minnesota and have been raving about SDC and telling everyone that they should go! I'm telling you local folks that you have a gem of a park. Yes, it needs some TLC but its a winner. My home park is a Cedar Fair park, Valleyfair! It's a nice park but pales in comparison to the charm that SDC has.

I believe, like what is happening at CGA, that Valleyfair is in line for two new coasters. Excalibur is going away at some point in the near future - we already know that because the waterpark needs more space to grow. I could see a new raptor RMC or intamen coaster going to the back of the park as part a revitalization and as something to start making use of all the new expansion area that will come with moving the flood berm west. Remember, the access road will be gone so I can see a whole new area themed to the wild west that will include many rides, shops and eateries! Then, when Dinos leaves, our long awaited B&M ________, fill in the blank. I'm hoping for a record tall invert. This will happen along with a new entrance and new toll booth parking entrance.

Now that's interesting. I was under the impression they couldn't build at all there. Honestly VF is good on a lot of the stuff you'd put in buildings, like shops and restaurants. They really just need more waterpark. Although I wouldn't turn down a giga along the river. Who am I kidding? I would plan a trip around a giga along the river. Well, a giga unfortunately probably wont happen unless they get a special permit. Because of flying cloud airport across the river the park has a height limit of 275'. Now, that is within the current park limits as far as I know. If you get off to the far east or west then "maybe". Power tower was originally planned for 300' but when permits were obtained they were given a 275' limit. That's also why NorthStar is not taller either. That still leaves room for a record tall invert though. I can't imagine what a 225' twisting inverted first drop would be like but I'm will to ride it. As the saying goes, "If they build it, the people will come!"

What I would *ASSUME* would happen is your friend would ask for a bring-a-friend ticket, and the guy in the kiosk would say "YOU SHALL NOT PASS... unless you have a passholder with you." It would here where you would hand him the pass. (That's how it usually works). However, I'm not sure it they even offer the Bring-a-friend ticket at the park. Also why even do it at the park? It's so much more convenient to do it online. EDIT: The website specifically says, "Price available online only. Must be accompanied by a valid 2018 Gold or Platinum season pass holder. Up to six (6) tickets per pass per day. Validity dates may vary." You can bring a friend on any day and get them in for like $33 plus tax when you show the ticket office your season pass. I'm not sure how it works on the special "bring a friend" days but the price drops to I think $20. I had a discussion about this very topic with the former GM of Valleyfair. He told me that when the original owners of Valleyfair first opened the park in 1976 there were almost no regulations to filling in wetlands. He said they could have and should have just had the whole thing filled in at the time. Now, there is so much government regulations to filling in wetlands that it's unlikely that they will ever fill in all of the wetlands. However, He did say that they could, without much problem place footers in wetland areas for things such as roller coasters. They just cant build buildings in the wetland! So, sarcastically speaking, most of Valleyfair's future new rides have to be roller coasters!

Screamscape is reporting today that they have confirmed the removal of Riptide! It was removed last year at the close of the season! So that spot opening up along with the arcade area on the north side, that Mr. Frazier told me they wanted to demo, opens up a pretty large area for something! Any ideas??? Mr. Frazier has not worked at the park in over a year. Whatever he said before may not be relevant to the park today because it is a completely different management. Not entirely true! Yes, local management at Valleyfair is different. But Mr. Frazier told me many times that he only had so much say in what happened at the park. It was and I'm sure still is corporate management that makes most of the decisions!

The Water Park of America is now owned by Great Wold Lodge and only open for hotel guests. It is about a 75000 square foot park. The new water park that MOA wants to build is going to be about 225000 square feet! One of the largest in the world. I'm curious as to how they will attach it to the mall itself!

Screamscape is reporting today that they have confirmed the removal of Riptide! It was removed last year at the close of the season! So that spot opening up along with the arcade area on the north side, that Mr. Frazier told me they wanted to demo, opens up a pretty large area for something! Any ideas???

I haven't done it at Valleyfair but I've used Uber for several other parks and all the drivers knew where to drop off and pick up. Worst case scenario if they can't find you they will call you to figure out where you are, which I've had happen before using their service. When you first sign up there's usually a promo for a large discount./first free ride too. I almost always rent a car too but Uber is perfect for the food and drink festivals in Florida and Williamsburg lol In my experience, Lyft is a much better option then Uber! Hands down!! Similar approach to business but Lyft just delivers a much better product!

Looks like Sunday June 3 will be closed for a private event.

I see construction for Delirious has begun with the removal of tilter. They are wasting no time!

On Saturday's everything is open before 7 p.m. except for the water park.

What does everyone think about the raptor coasters? Do you think Valleyfair will get one? Personally I sure hope not! While they may be fun the fact that there is only one passenger per car really turns me off. Half the fun is riding with friends! Plus the capacity is so low! If they come up with trains that can sit two per car maybe, but I really don't see this being a good fit for Valleyfair at all! Opinions??

Looking forward to it Mark! A doll huh? Kinda like Chuckie I hope. I got a friend who is terrified of Chuckie!! Muhahahah!!

I totally agree with this. Tilter doesn't take up much space but it would make a great entrance point for something that is going to take parking lot space. We do know that they are going to build another parking lot so losing parking space here is going at affect them at all. In fact, it makes sense to continue expansion along highway 101 for curb appeal!! I really have no idea at this point what is going here. Is it possible that a new coaster is going here but won't open till late 2018?

O.K. Why move tilter to a new spot just to make room for enterprise? They could put enterprise anyplace that tilter would fit! I think it's something new! a slingshot is a good bet but it doesn't go with the theme of the area but it would be an upcharge and be right next to ripcord! I hope it's something unique! Not a larson loop, those things are a dime a dozen! Anybody know what time they will announce tomorrow? The new home refers to moving tilter to a new spot i'm pretty sure!

That's great news, sounds like they are getting down to business! Can you get some pics?

Just to mess with us i'm sure!

Just saw a report on Screamscape of heavy equipment showing up in the employee parking lot. Can anyone confirm that and maybe send a pic? Also, CGA submitted a permit for a 100' coaster. Any guesses as to what it may be?

Wow, Valleyfair is getting fried on social media for the handling of Adult Night. Sounds like it was a total disaster and PR nightmare. While it's a good idea it has be planned much better. Valleyfair was scheduled to be fully open on that night anyway, why did they only have a handful of rides? I can see, shut down the kiddie rides but Renegade? High Roller? etc. Ah, well, better luck next time!

I rode Excalibur once on opening day. Normally I've liked Excalibur but the ride I took was the roughest I've ever ridden. It felt like no TLC went into it all over the off season. Honestly that will probably be my last ride cause I really don't want to get on it again with it being that rough!

I was unsure if the ticket building was new or not. I assumed it was new because they moved the T-REX north from where it was.