Valleyfair (VF) Discussion Thread

[Snowyowl1028]

Alright guys, i'll be at the park tomorrow trying out the new slides for the first time. What should I expect? Are the breakers plunge slides really painful? I won't be there til early afternoon so I'm really hoping the rain will hold out and the sun will stay out at least til 5 or 6!

The slides with the helixes are not painful at all. The trap door slides that go straight down are the most painful, they left my back sore for a day or two, but it wan't too bad. The blue ones are slightly painful, but not too bad.

[ACES]

RCJunkie nice riding with you and meeting up with you at Valleyfair this morning.

[dboor129]

The new slides were exactly what I expected them to be. The orange and yellow slides were a bit painful but I also noticed those ones aren't very popular. It wasn't a very busy day, but the lifeguards stated those don't get a lot of guests probably because they are so steep. On another note, why isn't the lazy river or the panic falls speed slots in operation?

[MN55skycoaster]

The new slides were exactly what I expected them to be. The orange and yellow slides were a bit painful but I also noticed those ones aren't very popular. It wasn't a very busy day, but the lifeguards stated those don't get a lot of guests probably because they are so steep. On another note, why isn't the lazy river or the panic falls speed slots in operation?

 

They are not open due to staffing try would rather have the new slides and wave pool open

[ACES]

What happens if we were to get a capacity or busy crowd for the water park on a hot weekend in July are we going to have the water park open in full operation by July with the staff? Is this the first season the staff has been low?

[dboor129]

I agree with ACES, on a hot weekend in July, they will need everything at the waterpark open. I can see them not having the panic falls speed slides closed, but the lazy river? The lazy river can be a popular attraction for families so I can't see them closing that on a busy day. I know the park is short staffed, but I thought Dave Frazier said they need more ride operators than anything else.

[ACES]

With the new rumor from screamscape on a very large soak city water park expansion there going to need more lifeguards they can't be short staff and have parts of the water park closed on a busy hot day. Make for some upset guests specially with the rumor larger water park expansion they should plan on adding more staff maybe double along with the possible inverted coaster and dark ride coming I don't think it will be good for the park having attractions closed because they don't have the park staff. I wish I was there this morning weather is nice my day off I'll be at the park mon tues hopeing Rip Tide will be open Tuesday do some rides on it going to be 90.

 

I personally don't think closing down rides attractions specially on a busy weekends like on a hot Saturday in the summer because of short staff will make for some upset guests who want a full days worth I don't think that's a good idea? I don't remember then park being this low of staff before. I'm also kind of curious about the short staff if there going to have the ride operators work longer hours open/close? I know that when the water park closes at the end of the season the lifeguards will come out to help the ride operators.

Edited June 7, 2015 by ACES

[APunx176]

The midwest can get extremely hot. 85 and humid in the midwest can seem hotter then 100 in the deserts of Arizona and Nevada. Waterparks are the main draw of most parks with a free waterpark.

 

The humidity does suck but it 85 and humid doesn't really feel "hotter" than 100 IMO. I went to Nashville last year and I couldn't bare the heat, it was super aggressive.

 

On another note, I didn't get to go down Saturday because my friend's car was having troubles, but I'll be there Tuesday or something maybe. Also, if they were short on staff do you think they would close down a ride to have all of the water rides open? Hopefully not but I could possibly see it happening.

[VFhauntblog]

At the waterpark preview night I talked to Dave Frazier about the project and I asked him about haunt and he said they are currently in the construction project of a permanent haunt structure that Haunt name removed will occupy and in it's old location there will be a this text has been removed and friends at school are saying there will be a new rollercoaster next year that is blue and loops I asked "Where'd you hear that" and they said youtube. And look at this picture;

It's pretty self explanitory

 

So this looks true! What else do you know?

 

Not to dissapoint But he told me the new structure is for Chateau du Damne (I think I spelled it right)

Here's a picture, it it a rough Idea of where i remember seeing the dirt (I do not remember it being near Mr. Cleavers) but if you ever go there and you see a small lot of dirt with cones that should be it. the construction of the structure should begin after seeing that permit. FYI the picture on google was taken when haunt happened last year.

[VFVSGirl16]

^^ Ahh, that actually really excites me- Chateau is probably my favorite maze at Haunt! Hopefully that means it's returning. Is it bad I'm already looking forward to Haunt..? Because I am. If that is true, does that mean the Hi-Test Arcade will be demolished for something new?

[MN55skycoaster]

the main issue with staffing is they can't get the people since everywhere is currently hiring. Las year in August they did have days they closed just the lazy river I remember them saying they have a list of attractions they will close first based on staffing/popularity ratio and stuff

[ACES]

Would there be room for a dark ride by the Wild Thing que line were the Tilt A Whirl use to sit? You could easily move the Wild Thing que line move it to the right by the station and were the exit photos are to make room for a dark ride building and have the track go on top of the train bridge and go down were the arcade sits remove the arcade to make room for a dark ride. Or one other thought would the Galaxy Theatre be big enough building for a dark ride and move the live shows two locations referbush the amphitheater for live shows or use the Red Garder saloon I think at one time there were live shows in there.

Location for a new Dark Ride move the Wild Thing que line towards the right by the station and Wild Thing photos have the enterance over by the Wild Thing photo booth

Edited June 8, 2015 by ACES

[Snowyowl1028]

C.P.A.Guy said: Good things those who wait 5 more years for a new coaster.

 

 

C.P.A. Guy: We already on a waiting period 2007 Renegade was our last one were already going on eight years add five more years on top of that? I don't think people want to wait 13 years for a new roller coaster it's going to be my guess I'm hopeing for our 40th anniversary. I'm excited to here what's possibly coming to Valleyfair. Will there be another public hearing and what did the people say at the public hearing were they excited? I'm going to visit the park a lot this summer to see if there's anything going on.

 

It's not like Cedar Fair is going to add a roller coaster to a park just because a certain amount of time period has gone by. From your train of thinking 2011 should have been a new coaster year.

 

It's kind of funny because we did get a new coaster in 2011.

[APunx176]

C.P.A.Guy said: Good things those who wait 5 more years for a new coaster.

 

 

C.P.A. Guy: We already on a waiting period 2007 Renegade was our last one were already going on eight years add five more years on top of that? I don't think people want to wait 13 years for a new roller coaster it's going to be my guess I'm hopeing for our 40th anniversary. I'm excited to here what's possibly coming to Valleyfair. Will there be another public hearing and what did the people say at the public hearing were they excited? I'm going to visit the park a lot this summer to see if there's anything going on.

 

It's not like Cedar Fair is going to add a roller coaster to a park just because a certain amount of time period has gone by. From your train of thinking 2011 should have been a new coaster year.

 

It's kind of funny because we did get a new coaster in 2011.

 

What, the cosmic coaster?

[ACES]

Anyone ever been on Rip Cord? I would like to know what the feeling is like the first time like sky diving? I want to try a flight sometime but to nervous. I like The Extreme Swing it's one of my favorite rides is it the same feeling? I have ridden almost anything expect a Rip Cord. I'd rather take a 300 foot sling shot then a Rip Cord because I feel more secure then on a mat? I'd like to see a sling shot at Valleyfair maybe under the Wild Thing turn around or replace the Rip Cord for a sling shot bet you will get more riders to ride?

[dboor129]

I highly doubt they would replace Ripcord with a slingshot, you get more of a freefall feeling on the Ripcord which I think attracts thrill seekers more. It does fairly well for itself financially.

[C.P.A.Guy]

It's kind of funny because we did get a new coaster in 2011.

 

IALTO!

[Mdcastle]

Is there some reason for permanent haunt structures? Want to put something else where Hi-Test is? Tired of moving all the games and setting up and taking down the haunt every year? Want better props that aren't easily moved?

 

What about moving The Asylum to a permanent structure next to Wild Thing's queue?

 

As for staffing, that can always be solved if you pay people more. Right now they've decided closing rides early and late in the season > paying staff more. Lazy river seems to take a lot of staff compared to say the body slides. The pool takes a lot of staff too, but that's really the core of the waterpark.

[ACES]

I got my new trunks going to Soak City Tuesday 90 degrees. Can't ask for perfect weather for water rides. I'm going to try The Wave first for a early ride entry been along time since I've been on it ride Rip Tide a few times along with Thunder Canyon before the water park opens few rides on High Roller and Renegade I'm excited to ride Raging Rapids been a while along with the new slide tower.

 

I did meet Garyman6 today.

Edited June 9, 2015 by ACES

[garyman6]

So i spent the day at the park with my daughter. We had a great time! The park looked fabulous!

A few things to report. I now dont think the panic falls slide tower is going anywhere soon. The fencing is ether new or painted and was quite popular today. With the possibility of expansion it may not be necessary to remove it.

Looping starship is not going anywhere either. It was very popular today. Most cycles i saw it was running 90 - 100% full. It may be moved but its staying.

The park was the busiest I've ever seen it for an early June weekday. Even without the school groups. The parking lot was 2/3rds full. Good news for the park.

I saw Mr. Frazier today and talked with him for a few min. What a great example of a leader. He was sweeping the midway. Here is what i learned.

He said that so far the new Soak City expansion is showing a good return for the money. Thats great news for the park!

He confirmed a new permanent haunt structure is being built behind mad mouse. I dont remember the maze but he said they are moving to more permanent structures for ValleyScare.

He also confirmed the grading plan submitted by the army corp of engineers for the back of the park. He said they are looking at what the can potentially do before they decide what to do. The permit has not been approved but they are seeing if the submitted plan is a possibility.

 

 

Then maybe the most telling news. I mentioned to him that these plans have a ton of people very excited and a lot of speculation is going on. I ask a pretty direct question. I ask if he could tell me what are chances were of getting a new coaster, such as a b&m invert, in the next two years. He laughed, thought carefully about his answer then said that he could not give me an answer.He followed that up by looking around and then said you'll know we are within two years when you see footings going in. We were standing in the shaded area next to breakers plunge.

that's what i know!

[garyman6]

I was also able to meet up with ACES today.

[MN55skycoaster]

 

As for staffing, that can always be solved if you pay people more. Right now they've decided closing rides early and late in the season > paying staff more. Lazy river seems to take a lot of staff compared to say the body slides. The pool takes a lot of staff too, but that's really the core of the waterpark.

They are paying more, last year starting for ride ops was 8.25 this year it's 10.25 but everywhere else is hiring

[ACES]

One thing I would like to see is the Enterprise get a new paint job this upcoming off season maybe with red wheel and white gondolas with red white and blue new LED lights. Update the que line. I think they might relocate the looping star ship and move the soak city enterance some were else in the water park and perhaps taking out the volleyball court to make room for the next water park expansion. Move the looping star ship in front of the park scramblers spot ideal spot could the star ship also get a new paint job?

New paint job for Enterprise.

[danderson83]

you'll know we are within two years when you see footings going in.

 

Not sure how to interpret that. Does it mean that once we see footings, we know it's on the way? or does it mean that being there are no new footings, there is nothing coming within the next two years.

[RCjunkie]

Looping starship is not going anywhere either. It was very popular today. Most cycles i saw it was running 90 - 100% full. It may be moved but its staying.

 

Once we saw the new queue line for it this year I assumed it was staying put for a while.

 

I saw Mr. Frazier today and talked with him for a few min. What a great example of a leader. He was sweeping the midway. Here is what i learned.

 

Saw him doing the same thing Saturday. Either a great leader or maybe they are that short on staff. He even had that broom in hand when I also saw him while riding Mad Mouse. He was checking out the new construction area for Haunt behind Mad Mouse.

 

He said that so far the new Soak City expansion is showing a good return for the money. Thats great news for the park!He confirmed a new permanent haunt structure is being built behind mad mouse. I don't remember the maze but he said they are moving to more permanent structures for ValleyScare.

 

Thanks for the update and information.

 

He also confirmed the grading plan submitted by the army corp of engineers for the back of the park. He said they are looking at what the can potentially do before they decide what to do. The permit has not been approved but they are seeing if the submitted plan is a possibility.

 

So your saying Excalibur may have some more operating time after this year if this plan is not approved? Bummer. Rode it again Saturday and it reminded me how I would not miss it at all. Next time ask him if he knows when they will receive an answer of whether they can proceed or not with their plan for the extra parking lot.

 

Then maybe the most telling news. I mentioned to him that these plans have a ton of people very excited and a lot of speculation is going on. I ask a pretty direct question. I ask if he could tell me what are chances were of getting a new coaster, such as a b&m invert, in the next two years. He laughed, thought carefully about his answer then said that he could not give me an answer.He followed that up by looking around and then said you'll know we are within two years when you see footings going in. We were standing in the shaded area next to breakers plunge.

that's what i know!

 

It is expected he can't tell you. But then he says we will know once we see footings in place and then within two years a new coaster will be built. So there is hope is sounds like. But it also sounds like they are waiting to hear on their proposed plan for a new parking lot before proceeding or making any final decisions on something new. Thanks again for keeping us updated garyman6. And to all VF park goers this year make sure to look for any markings that look like they are spaced apart enough to be footings for supports.