Valleyfair (VF) Discussion Thread

[Meghna]

Meghna: I'm trustfully assuming that you've seen the final build--seat cushions, obligatory/overly redundant seatbelts and all. Believe me, I truly wish to be wrong.

 

Have you? They look the same height to me, if not a little taller. It's not like they suddenly have headrests, you can turn around still it looks like.

[FKA 'Playa]

*facepalm* I wasn't challenging you. I was hoping to cue a reply of 'As a matter of fact, I was just at the park for (training or whatever other reason you mighta been there) and personally saw them testing' and then there'd be much Monty-Python-and-the-Holy-Grail style rejoicing.

 

But otherwise? We're both looking at bolt holes for seatbacks. Not the seatbacks themselves. On a train chassis that strongly resembles Thunderhawk's old PTCs with a new paint job.

 

I don't want to be right about that. In fact, I was wishing for definitive, hard evidence I'm wrong. To which I'd reply 'Whew, thanks.'

[n1ch0las]

It's sad to hear that High Roller is losing the old trains. While they were cramped, buzzbars and big cushions really gave it the old school woodie feel that the individual lapbar PTCs will take away somewhat.

 

That being said, it's probably a hell of a lot easier to maintain a 3 bench modern PTC where parts are plentiful and there is a full time assembly shop awaiting orders to do your offseason maintenance for you. Maybe this will give High Roller a chance at more two train ops?

[Meghna]

*facepalm* I wasn't challenging you. I was hoping to cue a reply of 'As a matter of fact, I was just at the park for (training or whatever other reason you mighta been there) and personally saw them testing' and then there'd be much Monty-Python-and-the-Holy-Grail style rejoicing.

 

But otherwise? We're both looking at bolt holes for seatbacks. Not the seatbacks themselves. On a train chassis that strongly resembles Thunderhawk's old PTCs with a new paint job.

 

I don't want to be right about that. In fact, I was wishing for definitive, hard evidence I'm wrong. To which I'd reply 'Whew, thanks.'

 

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

 

Haha no, I like to respond to snark with snark. Sorry about that. You and I both are hoping these new trains aren't any taller. Let's cross our fingers!

[garyman6]

This may be a bit off topic but not really. The Twin Cities just topped 3 million residents for the first time ever. They are ranked 2nd in growth in the Midwest region. Columbus was first at 6%, Twin Cities 5%. The population is expected to grow by 750,000 by 2040.

Why am I mentioning this? Simple, Cedar Fair has, multiple times, mentioned Valleyfair as one of three parks slated for significant growth. Carowinds and California's Great America are the other two. We have seen, with envious eyes, what Cedar Fair is doing to Carowinds. I don't expect that level of growth at Valleyfair but I do see growth beyond anything we have seen before. The Charlotte metro area, according to Wikipedia, has a population of about 2.5 million. The Twin Cities metro area already exceeds that. This area is ripe for entertainment venues that local residents want. In addition to Valleyfair we have a very popular Nick U. and Sony corp. is going to build another indoor theme park just north of the cities. Cedar Fair sees the potential and that is why big things are coming to Valleyfair. The Twin Cities is already a major tourist destination. Cedar Fair sees a potential to grab a bigger piece of the tourism pie. We need to keep supporting our home park and buy season passes. See you at the park that keeps getting better and better, Vallyfair!!

P.S. No, I was not paid to say that, I'm just a passionate fan of our home park!

[CaptainUnknown]

Riffing off of ^ said about Carowinds' expansion for a bit while looking at their 2017 plans: the relocated rides from Europe. I'd love to see an old Troika where the tilter used to be or in Wild Thing's Helix.

 

And now for a couple of my trademark stupid ideas that come from me being drunk on Vanilla Mountain Dew:

Red outline: Possible location for triotech dark ride? I am aware that is currently Zombie High/Storage and games area. But the two could somehow be combined into one building for it. If there's enough space.

Blue outline: Possible small family coaster? Presumably Vekoma make.

 

And now after those insanely stupid ideas, I'm probably gonna have a bit of a hangover.

crazy ideas

[garyman6]

Actually the area outlined in blue is being looked at as an expansion area. The northern games area does not see a lot of traffic. Mr. Frazier is the source of this information. He told me this during one of our walks through the park. Ya never know!

[VF15]

That blue area does look like it might be a decent spot for a Mondial Frisbee (Delirium clone).

[BuffaloWingRider]

 

And now for a couple of my trademark stupid ideas that come from me being drunk on Vanilla Mountain Dew:

 

And now after those insanely stupid ideas, I'm probably gonna have a bit of a hangover.

You don't have to say something like this literally everytime you share an idea. It's not like we are going to tear you down unless you say something like that. We respect your ideas.

[BuffaloWingRider]

That blue area does look like it might be a decent spot for a Mondial Frisbee (Delirium clone).

Yes! And if Kings Dominions goes well! We could get one!

[millertpr]

2 Things in Reply:

 

- You have literally the same ride at Nickelodeon Universe and a very similar ride in Extreme Swingz.

- Mondial supposedly has a contract with Adventureland in Iowa that promises that they won't build up to 250 miles away.

[Geauga Dog]

2 Things in Reply:

 

- You have literally the same ride at Nickelodeon Universe and a very similar ride in Extreme Swingz.

 

it doesn't matter. If CP and Kennywood can have both a Giant Frisbee and a Screamin' Swing I can't see why Valleyfair couldn't. They are two very different ride experiences. Plus whether it's a Mondial, Zamperla, or Huss model they swing much, much higher than the ones you mentioned.

[grsupercity]

2 Things in Reply:

 

- You have literally the same ride at Nickelodeon Universe and a very similar ride in Extreme Swingz.

- Mondial supposedly has a contract with Adventureland in Iowa that promises that they won't build up to 250 miles away.

 

Screaming swings are frisbees are completely different ride experiences. But there some of the best flat rides around. A giant frisbee would complement the park well

[FKA 'Playa]

You don't have to say something like this literally everytime you share an idea. It's not like we are going to tear you down unless you say something like that. We respect your ideas.

 

Yes you do. In fact, you must! We all know you'll only hurt yourself this way! (only half-kidding)

 

My Inner Valleyfair Cynic says this:

 

- A Triotech dark ride can be as/more expensive than a midrange looper--say, a 4D Free Spin or Adventureland's Monster

- Cedar Fair's admitted Valleyfair's underutilized--but when first mentioned, it was mentioned last and preceded with the word 'perhaps,' almost begrudgingly

- Not a word about Valleyfair in the last quarterly conference call. Not attendance increases, CapEx ROI or jack-diddly squat

 

I'll admit to hoping against hope to some degree. I've lowered my sights from a world-class amusement park to a competitive waterpark. Of the late 90s. From second-hand slides. Every summer I dream to myself Yup, this Labor Day it's gonna happen. They'll shut down Geauga Lake and we'll inherit their Tornado, slide tower and Splash Landing until the Missus says SNAP OUT OF IT you say that every summer! Then I sit in a corner to sulk.

 

I know your pain. Believe me.

[Meghna]

Extreme Swingz.

 

Oh my god. Why. WHY. It's Xtreme Swing. GET IT RIGHT. I can tolerate Extreme Swing, but not Extreme SwingZ.

 

Blargh

[BuffaloWingRider]

You don't have to say something like this literally everytime you share an idea. It's not like we are going to tear you down unless you say something like that. We respect your ideas.

 

Yes you do. In fact, you must! We all know you'll only hurt yourself this way! (only half-kidding)

 

What?! Why? Elaborate.

[FKA 'Playa]

Because your wishes, dreams and fantasies will end in tears September after September...?

 

Or was that a rhetorical question?

I'm not sure I was actually s'posed to answer that.

[BuffaloWingRider]

But they aren't fantasies! They are realistic.

[FKA 'Playa]

So was a '16 Cap Ex budget involving 'Flyers and...(at least one additional flat ride).'

You know--like every other CF park who got Flyers for '16.

 

But we all know that didn't happen here.

I'd call VF the RedHeaded Stepchild of Cedar Fair--except that might insult actual red-headed stepchildren.

 

Meanwhile down the road, MOA is finishing another $20 million addition. Its second in less than a decade.

Precisely why we quit buying Platinum Passes. We'll spend that money where they spend money on us.

[millertpr]

So was a '16 Cap Ex budget involving 'Flyers and...(at least one additional flat ride).'

You know--like every other CF park who got Flyers for '16.

 

But we all know that didn't happen here.

I'd call VF the RedHeaded Stepchild of Cedar Fair--except that might insult actual red-headed stepchildren.

 

Meanwhile down the road, MOA is finishing another $20 million addition. Its second in less than a decade.

Precisely why we quit buying Platinum Passes. We'll spend that money where they spend money on us.

 

I would be cautious to call Flyover America an investment to Nickelodeon Universe, while it enhances the space in it by providing a quality attraction, it is a separate attraction not run by the mall. They had an open area, and it was leased to Flyover for a certain amount of money. Flyover isn't owned by the mall -- the mall owns Nickelodeon Universe and Moose Mountain though. If you look at what MOA has installed in the past several years, it isn't much better than Valleyfair (Shredder, TMNTurtles, Zipline, Brain Surge). I think the next investment that NU will make is going to be major though (roller coaster). It would be a shame if Valleyfair didn't beat them in the coaster race.

[FKA 'Playa]

If you look at what MOA has installed in the past several years, it isn't much better than Valleyfair (Shredder, TMNTurtles, Zipline, Brain Surge)

 

Maybe I'm mistaken, but is there another Sky Fly in North America besides MOA's? Their Unicoaster was a world-first installation. You can at least call Shredder's Mutant Masher an adult thrill ride. 'Not much better' than a gaggle of repainted, reshuffled, occasionally toned-down (Tilt-a-Whirl's manual clutch vanished) family attractions? Sorry-with an occasional new family ride or pay-per-view dinosaur dropped in the mix...? Ask that same question to any 8-to-12 year old. They'll tell you differently and won't be nice about it.

 

Paying guests don't care who owns or leases FlyOver America. If they see it in Nick U, they consider it Nick U.

 

Valleyfair remains a great value at $70 per Gold Pass. At the early-purchase rates, they're still worth buying. But I'd rather pay more for a superior park. I'm not a Local Park Apologist. I'll spend more money somewhere else instead. In fact, that's exactly what I've been doing for several seasons. And most certainly NOT at a Cedar Fair park. I can't be the only person feeling that way.

[Meghna]

The only other FlyOver is in Vancouver.

 

Unless you are thinking of Soarin' and etc.

[Fingers]

So was a '16 Cap Ex budget involving 'Flyers and...(at least one additional flat ride).'

You know--like every other CF park who got Flyers for '16.

 

But we all know that didn't happen here.

I'd call VF the RedHeaded Stepchild of Cedar Fair--except that might insult actual red-headed stepchildren.

 

Meanwhile down the road, MOA is finishing another $20 million addition. Its second in less than a decade.

Precisely why we quit buying Platinum Passes. We'll spend that money where they spend money on us.

 

Man Valleyfair fans love to complain. Remember that is a $20 Million up charge attraction. I am sure that you and most people on this forum would be seething mad if this was their new attraction this year, because it costs an extra $16 to ride.

 

Now onto the oh so often used red headed step child reference.

 

If you look at Cedar Fair over the past several years you will see that Valleyfair is being treated like most other parks in the chain.

Top Tier Investment Parks

Cedar Point

Canada's Wonderland

Carowinds(just for the time being, it will fall back to tier 2 in a few years)

 

Tier 2 Investment Parks

Knotts Berry Farm(Maybe a Top Tier)

Kings Island

 

 

Kings Dominion(another slow year or 2 and it will drop to tier 3, not much added in the last 6 years)

 

Tier 3 Investment Parks

Valleyfair

Dorney Park

Worlds of Fun

California's Great America

 

Michigan's Adventure Tier

Michigan's Adventure(Basically gets nothing, but up keeping to keep things running smooth)

 

You may not like how Cedar Fair runs their chain and that's fine, go spend your money elsewhere, but by no means is Valleyfair the poor redheaded step child of Cedar Fair. Valleyfair is getting the same or more invested into the park than 4 other parks.

[BuffaloWingRider]

^You have the right idea. Also I don't get why people (it's one person) are now praising NU and treating VF like garbage. Things NU has going for them: A lame new thrill ride and an up-charge attraction. Valleyfair is at least triple the park NU will ever be because they have almost no restrictions, a handful of GREAT rides, and they take things more seriously; keep the cartoons contained to one section of the park guys XD, more people have been to NU because of their location it seems. NU is a good time, but VF rides are world class compared to NU's. On the other side of opinions though I do think CF should be doing more with VF, but apparently VF is a growth park and we will see big things with time. Can't wait to hear everyone's fantastic responses to this post Also I liked how you described CF with tiers, it painted the picture you were trying to show well.

[PhantomPoster32]

Tier 1 Investment Parks

Cedar Point

Canada's Wonderland

 

Tier 1.5 Investment Parks

Carowinds

 

Tier 2 Investment Parks

Knotts Berry Farm

Kings Island

 

Tier 3 Investment Parks

Kings Dominion

Worlds of Fun

 

Tier 4 Investment Parks

Valleyfair

Dorney Park

California's Great America

 

Tier 5 Investment Parks

Michigan's Adventure

 

FTFY