ariznglori

I could see that stretch of pavement from Monster to The Wave being redone as part of a Planet Snoopy expansion or a coaster addition.

Nice view of Planet Snoopy from up there! Maybe they'll post a picture looking the other way.

Well, that explains it! The splash pad is coming along. Not sure what the purpose of those large white tubes is, but they're taller than the artwork led me to believe the splash pad structure would be.

Is it me or are they digging up a lot more than expected for just installing a path and some kiosks?

This may seem like a weird question, but what are some non-ride additions or changes you'd like to see in Valleyfair? For me, I guess I'd like to see some more midway beautification, with more vivid paint on buildings outside of Planet Snoopy, as they feel kind of washed out by comparison. Popcorn lighting in high traffic areas, it's such a nice summery touch. Jumping fountains on select paths for the sheer awesomeness (assuming winter doesn't ruin them). I'd also want to see a large arbor covered in vines on a stretch of path somewhere. I love it when a park has one, it creates a real sense of a gateway from one area to the next. It could make that little stretch going toward Wild Thing feel more wild, or tack it onto the path leading to the tunnel under the access road, and really embrace how it makes the back of the park feel like a different place. On Valleyfair's YouTube channel, only 3 coasters have POVs posted: Steel Venom, Corkscrew, and Renegade. Could the lack of other POVs mean something? You'd expect one up for Wild Thing for sure. Perhaps indicative of potential modifications to the ride (why film it if it's going to get changed?). Excalibur lacking a POV might also indicate it being on the way out...or this could all be nothing. Probably nothing.

If it gets particularly bad then they might paint it, but the graffiti that Valleyfair has is negligible at this point, probably due to great operations keeping lines moving. It's certainly not Six Flags.

I'm hoping we'll see some site prep during the season. Cannot wait to see what Valleyfair will be like in 5 years.

Any noticeable ground disturbances?

Maybe they'll build a footbridge from Route 76 over the entrance drive leading to an expansion on the other side?

Excalibur is an Arrow, right? If Excalibur goes soon, I would want to see a full circuit steel launcher back there to keep the park's launchers on opposite ends. The park could use an inverting woodie to diversify, but I would not want it in the back of the park because it would seem like the wood coasters are piled up on each other. I think a compact RMC on the site of the amphitheater would be awesome, especially if Wild Thing's helices pass through the supports several times. It would make both rides that much more thrilling without having to do modification to Wild Thing's track (since it is a contentious idea, but I still want better trains). I still feel like invert will be on the site of Dinos Alive...orrr Corkscrew's site and use the same station and go around the pond and possibly even to the amphitheater site, but that is really unlikely I think as it would be a very similar set-up to Batman in Great America.

I really doubt it. I feel like no park is complete without a classic white wood coaster. High Roller is just intense enough to satisfy the big kids while being accessible to the little kids...I don't know what else they'd put over in Planet Snoopy that could be any more appropriate. High Roller is a perfect backdrop.

Do you suppose we'll be without a Subway for 2015 after all, or is David Frazier's tweet wrong? I can't imagine that Subway would be happy being left off the map.

I spy two new Rita's Ice locations and no Subway...Oh! A new leather-engraving shop! Weird! Very good locations for all of those. And isn't it also weird how small they make the new waterpark addition look on the map. You would think they'd want to draw more attention to it.

Finally! I was wondering for awhile if it would be done on time lol. Does anybody know if that new path by Mad Mouse is going to be pavers, brick or asphalt? I feel like if it's asphalt that leaves the possibility of Mad Mouse getting moved in a few years for waterpark expansion open, since asphalt is cheaper and ripping it up after a year or two wouldn't be a big deal. But if it's brick or pavers that would nix it because those are more expensive and you don't generally see parks do that.

Looks like they're mixing cement for the splash pad now.

I want to say that the freefall body slides are going to be more exciting, just because of the height. But to be honest, it's going to be close

Those aren't even the tall ones yet. Cannot wait to see what the 90-foot slides look like!

Darn. There goes that theory...

Which building(s) is/are that/those? Can someone outline it/them on a map?

Hmm, first cones on one side of the parking lot, then bulldozer by dorms... Is it possible the park is considering relocating its backstage functions closer to the dorms to allow for more expansion? Would be a lot of work to shift all of that, so that is probably unrealistic. Cannot. Stop. Speculation.

With the size of the amphitheater space, that would be cool, as long as they get some more flats in that area as well. I still think that the Mad Mouse would be perfect to replace the games behind The Wave, and use the amphitheater space for either a flume, new wood coaster, or dark ride.

Good point, and thank you for bringing me back to reality . I hope each department will do one entry per month at least. Don't know if that will happen, but it would quickly generate a great archive for fans to read through. It would be nice to see it updated once a week even. I'm looking forward to seeing entries covering setting up the park for opening day, maybe a post on groundskeeping and landscape, general maintenance, when we can expect the amphitheater to finally be removed...This is most likely right on track.

Uh oh, I hadn't thought of that... and you're right, that's very possible. Scattered food entries wouldn't be bad, but the park development, events and attractions are more what I'd like to see. Shouldn't the blog be maintained by the marketing or PR department? That is who I'd delegate it to. They could act like an enthusiast with insider connections, make it fun. I hope we don't have a lazy PR person passing off what should be their responsibility on the culinary staff

The In the Loop blog on the park website has been updated, an entry covering their head chef. I hope they update it more than once a month.

What a jolt of color! So pumped for summer