Valleyfair (VF) Discussion Thread

[VF15]

Valleyfair just posted it's operating schedule for 2014. Opening Day is on a Friday (May 16th), so that's interesting. Also, opening weekend is one weekend later than usual, but so is closing weekend. I like this idea because ValleyScare will be open on Halloween, and into November.

 

https://www.valleyfair.com/hours-directions/valleyfair

 

Also, I take back what I said earlier about Matt Ouimet and Cedar Fair. All of you were right about needing to build more family attractions, since the whole chain had been lacking in them until a few years ago. Still, Valleyfair needs a new coaster after the Soak City expansion is finished.

[RCjunkie]

Valleyfair just posted it's operating schedule for 2014. Opening Day is on a Friday (May 16th), so that's interesting. Also, opening weekend is one weekend later than usual, but so is closing weekend. I like this idea because ValleyScare will be open on Halloween, and into November.

 

https://www.valleyfair.com/hours-directions/valleyfair

 

Still, Valleyfair needs a new coaster after the Soak City expansion is finished.

 

They shifted the usual schedule one week so they could be open for Halloween and added the opening day Friday as a 'bonus' which works for me. Being open on Halloween should be big if the weather holds. The last day this year it was 57 F and sunny on October 28th. It will be interesting to see if we can get weather like that in November. The schedule also shows they will be open from 10 am to 10 pm for the first two weekends when the last few years it was noon to 8 pm. Below is a shot that VF posted today of Renegade. Something about snow and coasters.

Think GCI has a 'snow mode' operation feature?

[DanTheBooker]

Valleyfair needs a new coaster after the Soak City expansion is finished.

 

Whatever will we discuss in five years?! New water park. Check. New coaster. Check. LOL

[VF15]

They shifted the usual schedule one week so they could be open for Halloween and added the opening day Friday as a 'bonus' which works for me.

 

I think a possible reason for opening day being on a Friday is to make up for being closed on Sunday, June 8th for a private event. Personally, I don't think it's a great idea to have the park closed on a weekend day in the summer because I feel that a lot of people will go on June 8th and get turned away (most people seem to assume that the park is open every day in-between Memorial Day and Labor Day).

[StLCPfan]

I just read npn's summary of Brian Witherow's speech to the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference about the future of Cedar Fair. Carowinds, CGA, and VALLEYFAIR were the three parks that they see have substantial room for SIGNIFICANT growth. That makes me a little sad for WOF's future, but THRILLED for Valleyfair's potential to expand. They really do deserve a large waterpark investment.

[DanTheBooker]

I just read npn's summary of Brian Witherow's speech to the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference about the future of Cedar Fair. Carowinds, CGA, and VALLEYFAIR were the three parks that they see have substantial room for SIGNIFICANT growth. That makes me a little sad for WOF's future, but THRILLED for Valleyfair's potential to expand. They really do deserve a large waterpark investment.

 

 

I can't wait. That little bit of news is promising, to say the least.

 

At this point, our three major needs are:

 

1. Water park expansion

2. Major steel coaster

3. Park redesign with better flow.

 

The water park expansion is coming. It's crazy t think it hasn't happen yet. However, IMAX is gone and Hydro Blaster is rumored to be going. Clearly they are making room for the water park expansion.

 

A major steel coaster. I believe we were meant to get a B&M invert in 2007. I think the Paramount buy out scaled our. Project back and we got a (wonderful) GCI instead.

 

I'm the guy who goes to parks because I'm fascinated with the logistics of park operations. I'll sit and study traffic patterns, layouts etc. for hours. Valleyfair could use some work in this department and I think it will receive it in the next five to ten years.

[RCjunkie]

I just read npn's summary of Brian Witherow's speech to the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference about the future of Cedar Fair. Carowinds, CGA, and VALLEYFAIR were the three parks that they see have substantial room for SIGNIFICANT growth. That makes me a little sad for WOF's future, but THRILLED for Valleyfair's potential to expand. They really do deserve a large waterpark investment.

 

Thanks for letting us know. That summary almost makes me want to register at SeekingAlpha to read the whole thing. If you find the entire transcript somewhere online please let me know.

 

Some other interesting comments from the summary that play in Valleyfair's favor.

 

"The two sold water parks were not because they weren't making money, instead they realize that spending capital on new rides at water parks pays off much less than using that capital at even the smaller amusement parks. In that idea they had the chance to sell those two, and jumped on it."

 

"After really studying the capital spent at parks over the past seven years, they've learned that while it is nice to really spread out capital and put something in new at each park each year, that method really doesn't pay off. Instead, having a couple rather large additions, some smaller, and some parks sitting 'out a year' makes the most financial sense."

 

Like I have indicated before I would prefer to sit out a couple extra years if it means a bigger investment down the road. It's great news for VF that CF sees the park as one that can provide revenue growth for the company. This should bring some nice investments behind it.

[RCjunkie]

3. Park redesign with better flow.

 

Valleyfair could use some work in this department and I think it will receive it in the next five to ten years.

 

I agree that it will happen in the next five to ten years as they add/move attractions. And VF does have one funky layout which really affects the traffic flow of people so it is welcomed. They fixed the kiddy area with the Snoopy expansion and it will be interesting to see how Route 76 turns out. The water park expansion has the ability to change the walking path from Mad Mouse all the way to the entrance of Soak City and that is the biggest bottle neck in the park so I am looking forward to that.

[DanTheBooker]

The back end needs some redoing for sure. I wonder if they plan on saving the next major coaster for the addition?

[RCjunkie]

^ If VF gets a new coaster in the back of the park that would allow them to address that area of traffic flow with a needed redesign. My guess is that if VF adds a coaster they will also remove one. If they remove Excalibur the back of the park could be redone to add a new coaster and change the walking path. Almost any change back there would be an improvement, it's just not a well designed area of the park.

[VF15]

Interesting video about someone's predictions for a new Valleyfair coaster:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5BzfYfbQM

[XYZ]

Interesting video about someone's predictions for a new Valleyfair coaster:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5BzfYfbQM

 

[VF15]

Interesting video about someone's predictions for a new Valleyfair coaster:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5BzfYfbQM

 

 

I said "interesting" because I don't really think that some of those ideas in the video are reasonable (ex. Wing rider, tallest invert, giga coaster, etc.).

[DanTheBooker]

Interesting video about someone's predictions for a new Valleyfair coaster:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5BzfYfbQM

 

 

Has this person ever even been to Valleyfair? Clearly, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

Let's recap:

 

RMC Coaster: Obviously unlikely. However, I can see CF testing the waters with RMC on an Excalibur redo.

B&M Flyer: Again unlikely.

FLOORLESS: To date, CF has only ever bought one Floorless (hydra). Unlikely, but I wouldn't say impossible by any stretch of the imagination.

STAND UP: No. Just....NO!

GIGA: 275ft height limit.

LAUNCHED: Possibly, but I think the next thing will be a multi-looper.

Wing rider: if Six Flags in Chicago didn't have one, I'd say perhaps. Also if we already had an invert, we'd have a better chance.

INVERT: this is where I put my money. Only CF park other than MiA not to have one.

[VF15]

Interesting video about someone's predictions for a new Valleyfair coaster:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5BzfYfbQM

 

 

Has this person ever even been to Valleyfair? Clearly, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

Let's recap:

 

RMC Coaster: Obviously unlikely. However, I can see CF testing the waters with RMC on an Excalibur redo.

B&M Flyer: Again unlikely.

FLOORLESS: To date, CF has only ever bought one Floorless (hydra). Unlikely, but I wouldn't say impossible by any stretch of the imagination.

STAND UP: No. Just....NO!

GIGA: 275ft height limit.

LAUNCHED: Possibly, but I think the next thing will be a multi-looper.

Wing rider: if Six Flags in Chicago didn't have one, I'd say perhaps. Also if we already had an invert, we'd have a better chance.

INVERT: this is where I put my money. Only CF park other than MiA not to have one.

 

Yeah. I agree that most of those ideas aren't reasonable. I would be happy to see a B&M invert, but the "world's tallest invert" just doesn't sound like it would happen at a park like Valleyfair. A medium sized one would be just fine.

[DanTheBooker]

Interesting video about someone's predictions for a new Valleyfair coaster:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5BzfYfbQM

 

 

Has this person ever even been to Valleyfair? Clearly, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

Let's recap:

 

RMC Coaster: Obviously unlikely. However, I can see CF testing the waters with RMC on an Excalibur redo.

B&M Flyer: Again unlikely.

FLOORLESS: To date, CF has only ever bought one Floorless (hydra). Unlikely, but I wouldn't say impossible by any stretch of the imagination.

STAND UP: No. Just....NO!

GIGA: 275ft height limit.

LAUNCHED: Possibly, but I think the next thing will be a multi-looper.

Wing rider: if Six Flags in Chicago didn't have one, I'd say perhaps. Also if we already had an invert, we'd have a better chance.

INVERT: this is where I put my money. Only CF park other than MiA not to have one.

 

Yeah. I agree that most of those ideas aren't reasonable. I would be happy to see a B&M invert, but the "world's tallest invert" just doesn't sound like it would happen at a park like Valleyfair. A medium sized one would be just fine.

 

 

Who said anything about the Worlds tallest? Besides, it's CF. It would only have to be 169ft tall. LOL

[VF15]

Who said anything about the Worlds tallest? Besides, it's CF. It would only have to be 169ft tall. LOL

 

He said in the video that he predicts Valleyfair could get the world's tallest B&M invert. I don't see that happening.

[XYZ]

TheCoasterGuy14's videos are dumb. I always joke about that channel with the other enthusiasts I know.

 

Interesting video about someone's predictions for a new Valleyfair coaster:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5BzfYfbQM

 

 

Has this person ever even been to Valleyfair? Clearly, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRdtJut1WWw&feature=youtu.be&t=7m3s

 

Proof that he's never been to Valleyfair.

Edited December 19, 2013 by XYZ

[IronWolfman]

Only CF park other than MiA not to have one.

 

MiA has Thunderhawk, even though it's an SLC.

[Rollercoaster Rider]

Interesting video about someone's predictions for a new Valleyfair coaster:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5BzfYfbQM

 

 

Has this person ever even been to Valleyfair? Clearly, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

Let's recap:

 

RMC Coaster: Obviously unlikely. However, I can see CF testing the waters with RMC on an Excalibur redo.

B&M Flyer: Again unlikely.

FLOORLESS: To date, CF has only ever bought one Floorless (hydra). Unlikely, but I wouldn't say impossible by any stretch of the imagination.

STAND UP: No. Just....NO!

GIGA: 275ft height limit.

LAUNCHED: Possibly, but I think the next thing will be a multi-looper.

Wing rider: if Six Flags in Chicago didn't have one, I'd say perhaps. Also if we already had an invert, we'd have a better chance.

INVERT: this is where I put my money. Only CF park other than MiA not to have one.

 

 

 

 

RMC- Why Not?

 

B&M Flyer- More Intense than a Wing Rider and probably more creativity overall. The current rides may be "Glass naps" but B&M has to dip their toes to rides. Compare Oblivion to Griffon, Or Air to Tatsu.

 

Floorless- Why Not?

 

Stand Up- Not likely as they have fallen out of public favor

 

Giga- 275ft Height Limit, Wild Thing, and I doubt the park gets the attendance to justify that.

 

Launched- Would work with the small size of the park

 

Wing Rider- I wish no but given the "success" of Gate Keeper getting over 1 million riders, I can see Cedar Fair spreading these ride types. Also SFGAm is not in the same territory as VF. V2 and Steel Venom? Corkscrew and Demon? King Chaos and Rip Tide? Giant Drop and Power Tower?

 

Invert- We'll see if Banshee works out well, and Fun Fact: Steel Venom at Valleyfair and Thunder Hawk at Michigan's Adventure are Inverted Coasters. Clones, But still inverted.

[Vonni]

I don't think the CoasterGuy14 is dumb, nor do I think his videos are dumb. He is just a kid sharing his passion. I don't think we as enthusiasts should be so harsh on him, and rather embrace him! Geez guys....

[DanTheBooker]

Interesting video about someone's predictions for a new Valleyfair coaster:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5BzfYfbQM

 

 

Has this person ever even been to Valleyfair? Clearly, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

Let's recap:

 

RMC Coaster: Obviously unlikely. However, I can see CF testing the waters with RMC on an Excalibur redo.

B&M Flyer: Again unlikely.

FLOORLESS: To date, CF has only ever bought one Floorless (hydra). Unlikely, but I wouldn't say impossible by any stretch of the imagination.

STAND UP: No. Just....NO!

GIGA: 275ft height limit.

LAUNCHED: Possibly, but I think the next thing will be a multi-looper.

Wing rider: if Six Flags in Chicago didn't have one, I'd say perhaps. Also if we already had an invert, we'd have a better chance.

INVERT: this is where I put my money. Only CF park other than MiA not to have one.

 

 

 

 

RMC- Why Not?

 

>>>Because CF has yet to do business with them. They are booked for the foreseeable future. To be fair, it could be with CF, but my money's on a few more years of SF business. like I said though, Excalibur would be a perfect starter project.

 

B&M Flyer- More Intense than a Wing Rider and probably more creativity overall. The current rides may be "Glass naps" but B&M has to dip their toes to rides. Compare Oblivion to Griffon, Or Air to Tatsu.

 

>>>Perhaps possible, however it wouldn't expect it.

 

Floorless- Why Not?

 

>>>Like I stated, not impossible. Just not a ride type CF seems to favor. They have only installed one to date and that was added to a park that had a B&M invert already.

 

Stand Up- Not likely as they have fallen out of public favor

 

>>>> No. Just...NO!

 

Giga- 275ft Height Limit, Wild Thing, and I doubt the park gets the attendance to justify that.

 

>>>My thoughts exactly

 

Launched- Would work with the small size of the park

 

>>>Agreed

 

Wing Rider- I wish no but given the "success" of Gate Keeper getting over 1 million riders, I can see Cedar Fair spreading these ride types. Also SFGAm is not in the same territory as VF. V2 and Steel Venom? Corkscrew and Demon? King Chaos and Rip Tide? Giant Drop and Power Tower?

 

>>> Valid points

 

Invert- We'll see if Banshee works out well, and Fun Fact: Steel Venom at Valleyfair and Thunder Hawk at Michigan's Adventure are Inverted Coasters. Clones, But still inverted.

 

>>>I'm sorry. I meant B&M invert. Fun Fact: I realize that both coasters are inverts. Thanks for insinuating I know nothing about roller coasters, though.

[Koasterking48]

I don't think the CoasterGuy14 is dumb, nor do I think his videos are dumb. He is just a kid sharing his passion. I don't think we as enthusiasts should be so harsh on him, and rather embrace him! Geez guys....

But he's also a kid who bases his coaster rankings purely on ride stats and not the overall experience. His opinions aren't invalid just because he's a kid, but they aren't exactly reliable. His ride and park showdowns are also based purely on facts and not experience. I don't hate him or his videos, but I don't agree with most of the content he publishes. It would clearly be better for him to actually step foot in the park, but since he's probably 13 or 14 and most likely doesn't live in that area, that's unlikely for him.

[Rollercoaster Rider]

Interesting video about someone's predictions for a new Valleyfair coaster:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC5BzfYfbQM

 

 

Has this person ever even been to Valleyfair? Clearly, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

Let's recap:

 

RMC Coaster: Obviously unlikely. However, I can see CF testing the waters with RMC on an Excalibur redo.

B&M Flyer: Again unlikely.

FLOORLESS: To date, CF has only ever bought one Floorless (hydra). Unlikely, but I wouldn't say impossible by any stretch of the imagination.

STAND UP: No. Just....NO!

GIGA: 275ft height limit.

LAUNCHED: Possibly, but I think the next thing will be a multi-looper.

Wing rider: if Six Flags in Chicago didn't have one, I'd say perhaps. Also if we already had an invert, we'd have a better chance.

INVERT: this is where I put my money. Only CF park other than MiA not to have one.

 

 

 

 

RMC- Why Not?

 

>>>Because CF has yet to do business with them. They are booked for the foreseeable future. To be fair, it could be with CF, but my money's on a few more years of SF business. like I said though, Excalibur would be a perfect starter project.

 

B&M Flyer- More Intense than a Wing Rider and probably more creativity overall. The current rides may be "Glass naps" but B&M has to dip their toes to rides. Compare Oblivion to Griffon, Or Air to Tatsu.

 

>>>Perhaps possible, however it wouldn't expect it.

 

Floorless- Why Not?

 

>>>Like I stated, not impossible. Just not a ride type CF seems to favor. They have only installed one to date and that was added to a park that had a B&M invert already.

 

Stand Up- Not likely as they have fallen out of public favor

 

>>>> No. Just...NO!

 

Giga- 275ft Height Limit, Wild Thing, and I doubt the park gets the attendance to justify that.

 

>>>My thoughts exactly

 

Launched- Would work with the small size of the park

 

>>>Agreed

 

Wing Rider- I wish no but given the "success" of Gate Keeper getting over 1 million riders, I can see Cedar Fair spreading these ride types. Also SFGAm is not in the same territory as VF. V2 and Steel Venom? Corkscrew and Demon? King Chaos and Rip Tide? Giant Drop and Power Tower?

 

>>> Valid points

 

Invert- We'll see if Banshee works out well, and Fun Fact: Steel Venom at Valleyfair and Thunder Hawk at Michigan's Adventure are Inverted Coasters. Clones, But still inverted.

 

>>>I'm sorry. I meant B&M invert. Fun Fact: I realize that both coasters are inverts. Thanks for insinuating I know nothing about roller coasters, though.

 

 

Sorry, I wasn't trying to make you feel bad.

[VF15]

Haven't been seeing much progress on Route 76 lately. Probably the frigid weather has been slowing things down. I guess it'll still be ready by opening day. I'm looking forward to visiting it this May.