Valleyfair (VF) Discussion Thread

[JonnyRCT3]

This has probably been mentioned numerous times before; D.H. Morgan supports are hideous!

[VF15]

^

I've never heard anyone say that before? What's so horrendous about Morgan supports?

[rcjp]

^I don't think they look bad by themselves but it's probably the fact that there are so many of them, I assume.

[JonnyRCT3]

They look messy.

[rcjp]

But I still like the look of those better than the scaffolding like ones.

[VF15]

A picture from Twitter of Corkscrew taking a test run. I know it's just the test dummies, but it sort of looks like the restraints are open.

[rcjp]

^I've only tried one arrow loop screw (Corkscrew at CP) and even though I'm not very tall, if I sat straight with my back right up I felt that the restraint wouldn't close much almost as if they had been designed for smaller people, so I kind of had to slouch for it to close properly (which was uncomfortable)

[Lareson]

The Arrow seats and restraints were designed for the average height person nearly 40 years ago (wow, realized that the former Knott's Corkscrew will be 40 in 2015) and they stuck with the same design until the end. Think the only time they changed it was for Drachen Fire and that was a one-off design, reverted back to the original design for their last looping coasters.

 

Being 6' 4" I can squeeze into an Arrow restraint if I'm in the front of a car because of the extra leg room. Doesn't pinch down on my shoulder too much, but if I don't slouch a bit, it can hurt. I'll ride them for the nostalgia factor, but won't do multiple rides in a row.

[RCjunkie]

Here are some pictures from the park's Facebook page of the AA roadway construction. Looking good.

 

Would anyone happen to know the purpose of the building in the top picture? I can't tell.

 

From what I understand the building will be themed as a gas station on the Antique Auto's route that you drive by normally but it will also be where operators can take a car off/on the line. I think that is what the little u shape drive way in front of the building off the main track is for, they can can get them in the garage door on the right of the building from here. I am assuming that it is where they could store backup cars and maybe do small repairs.

[valleyfairfanatic]

I'm not sure if you guys care about this but i contacted dave frazier via twitter and i asked him "have you guys considered posting ride wait times hourly on the mobile app?"

he replied "Yes we are also introducing in house TV which may have the wait times capability " I'm not sure if you guys care but in house tv sounds pretty dang cool, and wait times would be very helpful so i could decide if i wanted to go to the park that day

[VF15]

I'm not sure if you guys care about this but i contacted dave frazier via twitter and i asked him "have you guys considered posting ride wait times hourly on the mobile app?"

he replied "Yes we are also introducing in house TV which may have the wait times capability " I'm not sure if you guys care but in house tv sounds pretty dang cool, and wait times would be very helpful so i could decide if i wanted to go to the park that day

 

Yeah, I've heard about this. I believe it is called FunTV, and it is supposed to be chain wide. It would probably be used in the lines for the most popular attractions, such as Wild Thing, Renegade, Steel Venom, Power Tower, and probably some other rides. I guess we'll have to wait until opening weekend to find out exactly which ones. I'm glad we're getting this. I just hope it's not as annoying as the queue TVs at Six Flags parks.

[RCjunkie]

I'm not sure if you guys care about this but i contacted dave frazier via twitter and i asked him "have you guys considered posting ride wait times hourly on the mobile app?"

he replied "Yes we are also introducing in house TV which may have the wait times capability " I'm not sure if you guys care but in house tv sounds pretty dang cool, and wait times would be very helpful so i could decide if i wanted to go to the park that day

 

Thanks for the information. I am glad it is coming to VF so we get to see it instead of reading about it being tested at another park in the chain. I am curious to see how they use it, I like the idea of posted wait times. Like you, I would like to see it integrated with their mobile app too. But like VF15 stated , it will all depend on what else they put on it. Hopefully it is better than Six Flags.

[valleyfairfanatic]

yeah, I think it would be very useful, and I hope the Tv's aren't annoying, the ones at six flags repeat themselves over and over again. I think a web cam right on top of the clock tower that over looks the large stretch of sidewalk by the wave would be nice, because thats where the heaviest traffic is in the park, and you could see if it is crowded or not

[VF15]

From Dave Frazier's Twitter: Wild Thing testing. Opening weekend just can't come fast enough.

[valleyfairfanatic]

I have a question for you guys, I've been thinking about this for a while actually, I noticed that excalibur drinks were taken out. Do you think this means excalibur will be taken out in the near future? I know this is a shot in the dark guess so the off season might be making me go insane. What I'm saying is, since the themed drink stop is gone, will the coaster meet the same fate in the near future? 19 days left until opening day, hang in there guys

[dippindotsguy8]

There's always rumors of things being gone, and people have always though Excalibur is on the chopping block, though no legitimate information has come out to support that. People just figure it's old Arrow coaster that's (generally) not as busy as other rides in the park. Does it make it more likely to be removed than something like Renegade or Wildthing? I suppose, but nothing solid has led people to believe it's going anywhere as of now.

 

It could be on the way out, but something like the removal of an old, dilapidated drink stand from the area doesn't strike me as a sure sign of anything.

 

As a fan of Excalibur, I always have an "enjoy it while we still have it" mindset, but nothing about the drink stand makes me particularly worried.

[VF15]

I have a question for you guys, I've been thinking about this for a while actually, I noticed that excalibur drinks were taken out. Do you think this means excalibur will be taken out in the near future? I know this is a shot in the dark guess so the off season might be making me go insane. What I'm saying is, since the themed drink stop is gone, will the coaster meet the same fate in the near future? 19 days left until opening day, hang in there guys

 

Well, I think the main reason Excalibur Cold Drinks is gone is because it was rarely ever used due to the low volume of visitor traffic in that area. It was only open one or two of the times I went last year. You do bring up a point though. Regardless of whether or not the removal of the drink stand means anything, Excalibur will likely be the first coaster to leave due to reasons listed several pages back. While I personally don't think that this is Excalibur's final year, you could still be right. Only time will tell.

[valleyfairfanatic]

If Excalibur does get removed, what do you think would go there? My guess would be a cheap invert or a maverick style coaster. I know its a long shot but I'm up for anything really, except a vekoma SLC I would not like to see that coming to the park. Do you guys think there is a possibility of a slingshot ride at valley fair? Cedar point is receiving one this year. Has anyone thought of the possibility of a floor less? Its kinda slipped under my predictions because i've been mainly focusing on the possibility of an invert. Im up for suggestions

[VF15]

^

I'm thinking a small B&M invert would be the best choice (something along the lines the lines of Patriot, Talon, or Batman: The Ride). I highly doubt that it would be a Vekoma SLC for reasons I've stated before. While a Maverick style coaster would definitely be awesome, Maverick cost $21 million, and while Valleyfair was noted as one of the fastest growing CF parks, it will be a while before Valleyfair is ready for that kind of capital expenditure. A slingshot would be cool, but Valleyfair needs other things before a slingshot. I'd be all for a B&M floorless, but it's been a while since one was built, so probably not the most likely option.

[RCjunkie]

I have a question for you guys, I've been thinking about this for a while actually, I noticed that excalibur drinks were taken out. Do you think this means excalibur will be taken out in the near future? I know this is a shot in the dark guess so the off season might be making me go insane. What I'm saying is, since the themed drink stop is gone, will the coaster meet the same fate in the near future? 19 days left until opening day, hang in there guys

 

I believe it is just the first sign Excalibur's eventual removal. If the drink stand made money it would still be there. Excalibur and Thunder Canyon just don't draw enough people back there to make it work and with Excalibur's reduced operating time than the rest of the park that did not help it. And why not remove it and get it under budget in a year when you are also removing IMAX and Hydroblaster. The question is how many years until VF gets a new coaster to replace it? Probably not next year with the expected water park expansion but the year after that and beyond we can only speculate. I think it will be sooner rather than later with the removal of the drink station now but that is just opinion.

[RCjunkie]

^

I'm thinking a small B&M invert would be the best choice (something along the lines the lines of Patriot, Talon, or Batman: The Ride). I highly doubt that it would be a Vekoma SLC for reasons I've stated before. While a Maverick style coaster would definitely be awesome, Maverick cost $21 million, and while Valleyfair was noted as one of the fastest growing CF parks, it will be a while before Valleyfair is ready for that kind of capital expenditure. A slingshot would be cool, but Valleyfair needs other things before a slingshot. I'd be all for a B&M floorless, but it's been a while since one was built, so probably not the most likely option.

 

Everything you said plus that VF is only one of two parks in the CF chain that do not have a B&M ride yet. I would prefer and Invert or a floorless. A Sling Shot would be cool. Too bad they didn't move Ripcord to another park and bring a new Sling Shot in and put it in Ripcord's space in Route 76 this year. If/when they finally remove the amphitheater that would be a nice space for it. Of course that would be a nice place for all different kinds of flat rides.

[Lightning9SX]

OK, this is just an idea since everyone is talking about removing Excalibur. If they remove it and as expected next year is a water park expansion, make it a large enough expansion to justify making it separate admission. Use Excalibur's and maybe Thunder Canyon's area for parking and a gate. I've been going to the park for over 20 years and probably have been in the water park twice, it doesn't interest me. However, I know people that would love to just go to the water park and skip the ride side. Since they don't have that option, they will skip the whole place.

 

I've heard different stories about the land between the parking lot and the dorms. Does anyone know who owns that, can it be developed or turned into parking lot if they were to expand the park by moving the gate to the east? Probably have to build/extend the flood barrier. In an ideal situation, that is where the water park should have been built.

[valleyfairfanatic]

I have a question for you guys, I've been thinking about this for a while actually, I noticed that excalibur drinks were taken out. Do you think this means excalibur will be taken out in the near future? I know this is a shot in the dark guess so the off season might be making me go insane. What I'm saying is, since the themed drink stop is gone, will the coaster meet the same fate in the near future? 19 days left until opening day, hang in there guys

 

I believe it is just the first sign Excalibur's eventual removal. If the drink stand made money it would still be there. Excalibur and Thunder Canyon just don't draw enough people back there to make it work and with Excalibur's reduced operating time than the rest of the park that did not help it. And why not remove it and get it under budget in a year when you are also removing IMAX and Hydroblaster. The question is how many years until VF gets a new coaster to replace it? Probably not next year with the expected water park expansion but the year after that and beyond we can only speculate. I think it will be sooner rather than later with the removal of the drink station now but that is just opinion.

 

 

I think it will be removed the 2015 season, but i think the roller coaster that replaces it will be around 2016 or 2017. 2016 is the parks 40th anniversary but that is not a stable reason to bet on. My personal opinion is it will come in 2017 because the water park expansion will be very spendy and I think they will use the 2016 to save up for the coaster because they spent a lot of money on the water park expansion

[rcjp]

^

I'm thinking a small B&M invert would be the best choice (something along the lines the lines of Patriot, Talon, or Batman: The Ride). I highly doubt that it would be a Vekoma SLC for reasons I've stated before. While a Maverick style coaster would definitely be awesome, Maverick cost $21 million, and while Valleyfair was noted as one of the fastest growing CF parks, it will be a while before Valleyfair is ready for that kind of capital expenditure. A slingshot would be cool, but Valleyfair needs other things before a slingshot. I'd be all for a B&M floorless, but it's been a while since one was built, so probably not the most likely option.

A floorless would also be interesting. Even though inverts usually are the type of ride B&M may make more forceful there are some (rather infamous ones) like Silver Bullet that are more on the forceless side while I've never heard anyone saying a floorless was completely forceless as they usually are quite solid rides. So it would be interesting to see what one of those would be like now that they haven't build one for a while.

[VF15]

OK, this is just an idea since everyone is talking about removing Excalibur. If they remove it and as expected next year is a water park expansion, make it a large enough expansion to justify making it separate admission. Use Excalibur's and maybe Thunder Canyon's area for parking and a gate. I've been going to the park for over 20 years and probably have been in the water park twice, it doesn't interest me. However, I know people that would love to just go to the water park and skip the ride side. Since they don't have that option, they will skip the whole place.

 

I've heard different stories about the land between the parking lot and the dorms. Does anyone know who owns that, can it be developed or turned into parking lot if they were to expand the park by moving the gate to the east? Probably have to build/extend the flood barrier. In an ideal situation, that is where the water park should have been built.

 

I would rather have Excalibur stay for a while than have it be replaced by a parking lot because replacing a roller coaster with a parking lot is not a smart move in my opinion. Besides, if Soak City became a separate admission attraction, I'm sure there would be a lot of complaining. Even though I rarely visit Soak City, I wouldn't be happy about a fee to get in there because even if the waterpark expansion ends up being something really awesome, it would still be far from being one of the chain's best waterparks. I don't know who owns the land behind those park offices, but even if VF does own it, I don't think that they would choose to place a coaster there because I think it would probably be hard for them to get a walkway built to get over there. Speaking of walkways, if Valleyfair's next roller coaster ends up in Excalibur's spot, they'd probably need to find another way to get people over there because currently, the only way to get to the Excalibur/Thunder Canyon area is through a very small tunnel, and since a new coaster would mean higher visitor traffic back there, that little tunnel would make getting in and out of that area pretty hectic. Just my thoughts.