Valleyfair (VF) Discussion Thread

[grsupercity]

Has the permits to build the new parking lot been approved?

[AirMBTB]

Hard to believe they're getting rid of Excalibur, what a bummer! It's my favorite ride in the park; wild and unique! I've heard people complain that it's rough, but to me - it's doing what a coaster should do! I never found it painful. But if the ridership isn't there, I understand. Still sucks, it's a real loss. We're running out of unique coasters, unfortunately. Sorry I can't get up there before it's gone.

 

I cant tell if your being serious or not...

 

Shows how steeped in sarcasm our society is... I was being serious. I love that ride.

 

 

I was talking about how you said I cant believe there getting rid of Excalibur. That has in no way been confirmed. Hasn't even really been hinted at by the park

 

Gotcha. I thought the park said they were removing Excalibur for a waterpark or parking lot? Perhaps I heard wrong. I hope so!

[ACES]

Just arrived at Valleyfair. I'm going to be here till close on my last day off vacation before I go back to work on Thursday. The main lot looks 2/3 full again seems like our attendance has been up this season. For school busses saw District of River Falls and Sleepy Eye schools are here few more busses in the back. For season pass holders early ride times for the month of August Steel Venom, Route 76, Northern Lights and Enterprise will be back open again was in May.

[RCjunkie]

Gotcha. I thought the park said they were removing Excalibur for a waterpark or parking lot? Perhaps I heard wrong. I hope so!

 

The park has said nothing official about removing Excalibur. But,the park has filed for a permit to move the service road between the water park and Excalibur further back along with building a new parking lot in the back of the park. In the proposal is a picture with the proposed new parking lot and it covers half of the space currently occupied by Excalibur. So if the proposal is approved Excalibur will be gone. As of now though it looks like Excalibur will be around at least another year. But one approval and one announcement could change that.

[ACES]

If anyone is interested in this. I was talking with one of the Renegade ride operators who I know. He told me this past off season with the re tracking of Renegade. Valleyfair spent some big bucks about $300,000 just to re track certain areas not the whole ride. Imagine how much it would cost them to re track the whole Renegade?

[Fidelity]

Courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

 

Yes, Excalibur would be demolished for the new parking lot (outlined in yellow). The new parking lot would occupy everything except for the station, part of the lift hill, and the brake run.

 

The permitting process for an approximately 4.5 acre redevelopment can take up to a year, so word isn't likely to come before the end of the autumn. What remains to be seen is if Excalibur is destroyed in the offseason without giving people the option to ride it one last time. I, personally, think that it will be demolished without much fanfare, provided the permit is approved.

 

It should be noted that I do not work for the Saint Paul District, nor do I work for Cedar Fair, so this is all pure speculation. I only point this out, because I seem to get the feeling that people read one thing in one post and within a day or two, reiterate the speculation as fact. The reason for my speculation has to do with there being no real purpose in keeping Excalibur around due to its low ridership, as well as the park's investment in the Soak City area. It is an economic decision, and a sound one at that.

[Mdcastle]

There's speculation and then there's speculation. Valleyfairs actually filed a permit for the new parking lot. That's speculation. There's not been the least bit of evidence that we'll be getting a Larson Flyers or multiple B&M coasters. That's a different type of speculation.

 

Aren't the restrooms by Riptide and Monster original to the park, with the ones by Wild Thing being built shortly afterwords? I agree they need rebuilding, my WAG would be at least $500,000 a set.

[garyman6]

Just remember that Valleyfair waited till September 11th the last two years to make an announcement. I cant confirm this but i hope im right, my gut tells me we will have a very significant announcement. I dont know what but i think it will not only include some sort of attraction but also the near future growth plans. There are several things that are leading me to this thought.

[C.P.A.Guy]

It should be noted that I do not work for the Saint Paul District, nor do I work for Cedar Fair, so this is all pure speculation. I only point this out, because I seem to get the feeling that people read one thing in one post and within a day or two, reiterate the speculation as fact.

 

Hit the nail on the head there.

 

This is a huge project IF everything gets approved and rolling. IF the project does get rolling, I hope they get rid of that ugly tunnel you walk through to get to Thunder Canyon. I hope we do get this huge project instead of a coaster in 2017-2018. In my opinion, tying together the whole water park with another expansion and finishing up the area with a new parking lot and second entrance would improve the park more than a new coaster at this point and time. Plus this would set up Valleyfair with more options for future additions.

[ariznglori]

IF the project does get rolling, I hope they get rid of that ugly tunnel you walk through to get to Thunder Canyon. I hope we do get this huge project instead of a coaster in 2017-2018. In my opinion, tying together the whole water park with another expansion and finishing up the area with a new parking lot and second entrance would improve the park more than a new coaster at this point and time. Plus this would set up Valleyfair with more options for future additions.

 

[Mdcastle]

It should be noted that I do not work for the Saint Paul District, nor do I work for Cedar Fair, so this is all pure speculation. I only point this out, because I seem to get the feeling that people read one thing in one post and within a day or two, reiterate the speculation as fact.

 

Hit the nail on the head there.

 

This is a huge project IF everything gets approved and rolling. IF the project does get rolling, I hope they get rid of that ugly tunnel you walk through to get to Thunder Canyon. I hope we do get this huge project instead of a coaster in 2017-2018. In my opinion, tying together the whole water park with another expansion and finishing up the area with a new parking lot and second entrance would improve the park more than a new coaster at this point and time. Plus this would set up Valleyfair with more options for future additions.

 

Bottom line is, despite some wild suggestions for relocating half the rides in the park, there's only two places a huge new coaster could go

1) The very front of the park

2) The very back of the park

#1 is not happening next year because the Dino franchise hasn't expired. #2 is not happening because the infrastructure doesn't exist yet and will be expensive when and if they're allowed to build it.

[C.P.A.Guy]

Hit the nail on the head there.

 

This is a huge project IF everything gets approved and rolling. IF the project does get rolling, I hope they get rid of that ugly tunnel you walk through to get to Thunder Canyon. I hope we do get this huge project instead of a coaster in 2017-2018. In my opinion, tying together the whole water park with another expansion and finishing up the area with a new parking lot and second entrance would improve the park more than a new coaster at this point and time. Plus this would set up Valleyfair with more options for future additions.

 

Bottom line is, despite some wild suggestions for relocating half the rides in the park, there's only two places a huge new coaster could go

1) The very front of the park

2) The very back of the park

#1 is not happening next year because the Dino franchise hasn't expired. #2 is not happening because the infrastructure doesn't exist yet and will be expensive when and if they're allowed to build it.

 

There is hope for this thread afterall!

 

Seriously though, couldn't agree with you more! By completing this PROPOSED project, it should open up the possibility to put a quality coaster in the back of the park and have it actually be protected from floods. Having a $15 million dollar investment under water every 5 years isn't very ideal. It would also let Valleyfair use part of the current parking lot for coaster near the entrance. Between the current dinos spot and some of the existing parking lot, you should be able to build a quality B&M to show off to visitors as they enter the park. Cedar Fair loves to show off their B&M inverts near the entrance (ex: Talon, Patriot, Raptor) so I can't imagine an invert fitting in better at any other location than the dinos. A lift hill with a 180 degree swooping drop over the entrance plaza would look pretty sweet. Sort of like Talon, but closer to plaza! But first, lets get this water park/new parking lot addition done!

[grsupercity]

I think flight deck from CW would look nice in front by the entrance. Give it a nice paint job and some new trains. Bam, call it blizzard or something. A coaster similar in size to Talon would prly also fit in the dino spot. Im hoping that if they do remove exkiller from the back that the waterpark goes through a huge expansion making it on par if not better then the other cedar fair water parks.

[JonnyRCT3]

^Interesting. I did a NL project for VF about a year ago that had an Invert in the current Dino's spot that interacted with the front gate. I personally wish for either an Invert or LSM coaster.

[VF15]

I think flight deck from CW would look nice in front by the entrance. Give it a nice paint job and some new trains. Bam, call it blizzard or something.

No thank you. Valleyfair already has plenty of mediocre coasters and we don't need another one.

[ariznglori]

I think we'll eventually see a full-circuit launcher in the very back of the park (I've got no timeframe in mind). As others have said, an invert up front is a perfect replacement for Dinos when that attraction goes. It's a no-brainer.

[C.P.A.Guy]

I think flight deck from CW would look nice in front by the entrance. Give it a nice paint job and some new trains. Bam, call it blizzard or something. A coaster similar in size to Talon would prly also fit in the dino spot. Im hoping that if they do remove exkiller from the back that the waterpark goes through a huge expansion making it on par if not better then the other cedar fair water parks.

 

I could see them removing the the Panic Falls slide complex, the old splash station, and the old changing area to open up more area for newer attractions and to connect to a new entrance plaza. I see them keeping Hurricane Falls and reconfiguring the lazy river to accommodate new attractions and pathways. Depending how far the entrance would be back from the current water park, there should be enough room for one or two new slide complexes, a newer changing building/food or drink place, and possible another kid's interactive play area. I don't think the water park will be as large as Oceans of Fun or Dorney's Wildwater Kingdom, but the quality of attractions should be just as great as they will all be built in the last 10 years (starting with the Wave Pool - '09), minus Hurricane Falls. The new water park attractions would have to be pretty compact and possibly weave in, out, over, and under each other, but I think you could add quite a few different things.

 

As far as Flight Deck from Canada's Wonderland, if Valleyfair would inherit that, instead of putting in a used Vekoma suspended coaster ---> I would rather have them scrap it for a bunch of $100 bills, then use one of the $100 bills to go get some gas at the Super America across from Culvers by Canterbury Park, drive back to the park with a couple containers full of gas, throw the rest of the $100 bills in one of the millions of garbage cans that every Cedar Fair park has, pour the gas purchased at the Super America on the $100 bills inside the garbage can, light a match, throw it into the garbage can full of $100 bills, and then finally watch those $100 bills burn while chanting B & M!!! B & M!!! B & M!!!

[Coasterguy21]

^Super specific...I think we just witnessed a very subtle advertisement for Super America and the Culvers on Cantebury Drive.

 

I'd say it was advertising for Valleyfair and Cedar Fair as well (and possibly even B&M)...but everyone already knows that posting on this thread.

 

At any rate, if its something big, then we will be seeing "teasers" and such like from the other parks soon. But, as I always say, anything is anything and with the parks focusing on infrastructure upgrades, you cannot go wrong. The company is doing something right, revenue continues to climb and season pass sales are at an all-time high. Customer satisfaction is climbing too.

[madsencarson]

Valleyfair never teases their upcoming attractions. Route 76 came literally out of nowhere, the waterpark expansion this year was obvious, but it still wasn't teased.

[Coasterguy21]

^If its something of note, they'll want to tease it for marketing. I understand some being "surprises" that come out of nowhere or just statements saying "We'll announce something on this date". But if its a coaster, they'll want to. I believe they did tease Renegade if I am not mistaken.

 

Even Michigan's Adventure teased Lakeside Gliders. They even teased Beach Party.

[RCjunkie]

No thank you. Valleyfair already has plenty of mediocre coasters and we don't need another one.

 

So true! Mediocrity all over the place. If it wasn't for Renegade it would be one sorry coaster line up. Fighting for the #1 coaster slot then would be WT and SV.

 

I would like to see the Dino's removed and a coaster up in the front of the park like everyone else but until I see another CF park that had the Dino's before VF remove them then I am skeptical this would happen. I keep reading in theme park forums about that they are on 'contract' for a specified time but have never heard or read that from CF anywhere officially. Is this true or just another 'wishful thinking' rumor?

[madsencarson]

http://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-trb-cedar-fair-flat-rides-20150806-story.html#page=1

 

 

Found this article online. It seems that Cedar Fair will be bringing back old classic flat rides to all 11 of their parks. It also stated that Flying Scooters are at 8 of the 11 parks, and that Valleyfair along with other parks are next in line to receive them.

 

Check it out.

[Coasterguy21]

No thank you. Valleyfair already has plenty of mediocre coasters and we don't need another one.

 

So true! Mediocrity all over the place. If it wasn't for Renegade it would be one sorry coaster line up. Fighting for the #1 coaster slot then would be WT and SV.

 

I would like to see the Dino's removed and a coaster up in the front of the park like everyone else but until I see another CF park that had the Dino's before VF remove them then I am skeptical this would happen. I keep reading in theme park forums about that they are on 'contract' for a specified time but have never heard or read that from CF anywhere officially. Is this true or just another 'wishful thinking' rumor?

 

I was told there was a contract for a specified amount of years. The terms, I am not sure. I know the Dinos were making mad bank for the parks in their first years of operation. Not sure how they're doing now but I heard the condition is also deteriorating.

[DILinator]

^Regarding the Dinos Alive, I know my young kids have zero interest in them, at least once it was explained what they were. Now, if it was Jurassic Park themed, and there was a chance they would come alive...

[madsencarson]

New for 2016: Dinosaurs Dead!