Valleyfair (VF) Discussion Thread

[RCjunkie]

^ Thanks for the info, now I can go to the park today.

[RCjunkie]

I would love to see VF get a winged coaster. I've ridden gatekeeper, and in my book they are very fun and thrilling. I think 2016 brings either a B&M invert, winged, or giga. At this point I'll take any new coaster VF adds!!

Do you find Gatekeeper more thrilling than Raptor?

[GigaG]

I would love to see VF get a winged coaster. I've ridden gatekeeper, and in my book they are very fun and thrilling. I think 2016 brings either a B&M invert, winged, or giga. At this point I'll take any new coaster VF adds!!

Do you find Gatekeeper more thrilling than Raptor?

 

I'm not Danderson, but even if GK is a bit forceless and has some weird restraints, it has a unique layout. Hopefully, whatever Valleyfair gets, it isn't a typical cookie-cutter repeat of B&M elements a la Raptor.

[VF15]

When I rode Renegade today, I noticed a loud screeching noise on the ride, particularly closer to the end. It didn't take away from the ride experience, but it was loud. Anyone have any idea might be causing it? Whatever it is, I hope it's nothing serious.

 

Also, here's a picture of the red marking near the waterpark I've been hearing about...

[BurgoAndM]

^ Like near which ride or area was the photo taken?

[rcjp]

I would love to see VF get a winged coaster. I've ridden gatekeeper, and in my book they are very fun and thrilling. I think 2016 brings either a B&M invert, winged, or giga. At this point I'll take any new coaster VF adds!!

Do you find Gatekeeper more thrilling than Raptor?

 

I'm not Danderson, but even if GK is a bit forceless and has some weird restraints, it has a unique layout. Hopefully, whatever Valleyfair gets, it isn't a typical cookie-cutter repeat of B&M elements a la Raptor.

Fair enough. But some people (like me) honestly don't care that the layout may be bit cookie-cutter if it is as intense and good as raptor (when compared to Gatekeeper).

For example, dragon khan has a layout which is a bit like kumba (except for the extra loop and a few obvious differences) and it's still my favourite ride as it is intense, has a nice pacing and length. Not to say you're wrong, you definitely have a point, just to show that it may not be so simple.

[madsecar]

I personally would like a wing coaster similar to GateKeeper. It would be something that not a lot of parks have. It would have to be forceful though, and it would be cool if it went over the front gate like GateKeeper.

[VF15]

^ Like near which ride or area was the photo taken?

 

Near the old dining patio and volleyball courts.

[GCI Wooden]

Hey guys, I did a little research on the marking, they have coded this marking very well and I am unsure about it's meaning. Next time I am at the park I will look for this marking to see if this might actually be a possibility. Well, I think it is a lamppost. In the construction world, red means electrical, and I found a marking very similar to it in the article below. I know it was from the BBC news site, but maybe there markings are similar to ours. I would be surprised if this was actually it, but maybe.

 

Article: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-25915468

 

Any feedback or ideas?

[RCjunkie]

When I rode Renegade today, I noticed a loud screeching noise on the ride, particularly closer to the end. It didn't take away from the ride experience, but it was loud. Anyone have any idea might be causing it? Whatever it is, I hope it's nothing serious.

 

I heard it today too. And like you said the screeching noise was very loud. It happened all along the track, hopefully it is just a bad wheel or something. It doesn't sound good at all though.

 

On another note, I got stuck on Wild Thing's lift hill today for about 7-8 minutes at the top. When we got back and stopped on the other side of the loading dock everyone there and in line cheered for us. They were running all three trains today and since we were stuck on the lift hill the train stacked just outside the loading station was also stuck and the other train was unloaded in the loading area. To make it up to us they took us over to Renegade and ran us up the exit ramp and allowed us to skip the line. That was pretty cool of the park to do, good customer service there. I was stuck on Raptor at CP during ERT one morning for 20 minutes and they did nothing for us except say they were 'sorry' which didn't bother me at all but what VF did today was a nice touch.

[RCjunkie]

I personally would like a wing coaster similar to GateKeeper. It would be something that not a lot of parks have. It would have to be forceful though, and it would be cool if it went over the front gate like GateKeeper.

 

But that is the thing with Wing coasters, they are not very forceful rides. Gatekeepers does look nice over the entrance though. I have only been on Gatekeeper and X-Flight and neither are that forceful of rides. I was hoping the size of Gatekeeper was going to change that after I rode X-Flight but it didn't. They are fun though, the seats are a cool experience, I have no problems with the restraints and they are very smooth rides. I am just personally hoping VF's next coaster is more thrilling than a Winged coaster. The new launched Winged coaster Thunderbird at Holiday World looks interesting though. With them only making the train 5 cars long instead of the usual 8 they may be able take tighter turns and have quicker directional changes which may provide some more powerful G forces for that type of ride.

[RCjunkie]

Fair enough. But some people (like me) honestly don't care that the layout may be bit cookie-cutter if it is as intense and good as raptor (when compared to Gatekeeper).

For example, dragon khan has a layout which is a bit like kumba (except for the extra loop and a few obvious differences) and it's still my favourite ride as it is intense, has a nice pacing and length. Not to say you're wrong, you definitely have a point, just to show that it may not be so simple.

 

There is no right or wrong of course but I am on your side too when it comes to thrilling vs. a unique layout for a coaster.

[garyman6]

I was able to get confirmation from Mr. Frazier that Richard Zimmerman was at the park Thursday. We had heard that Matt Ouimet was going to be there. Nevertheless, Mr. Frazier gave me this statement about the visit. "We are working through budgeting issues for the 2015 capital and had a good discussion with the long term plan for VF." He went on to say that he still cannot discuss any details yet. Keep your ears and eyes open, never know what we may stumble across!

[danderson83]

I would love to see VF get a winged coaster. I've ridden gatekeeper, and in my book they are very fun and thrilling. I think 2016 brings either a B&M invert, winged, or giga. At this point I'll take any new coaster VF adds!!

Do you find Gatekeeper more thrilling than Raptor?

 

I think gatekeeper and raptor are thrilling in different ways. Yes, raptor was more forceful, but the ride on both is so different. The keyhole element and difference in left and right side make gatekeeper and excellent ride in by book.

[valleyfairfanatic]

I got a chance to ride High Roller after my shift today to check up on the haunt building progress, I was shocked to see that it is more of a tent then a building

[GCI Wooden]

Is there anywhere that you can take a picture of the construction? The only place I know to see it is High Roller's lift hill, where cameras aren't allowed. If anyone finds a spot could you post a picture?

[valleyfairfanatic]

I can try, There is a small path for associates behind high roller but I've never used it. Ill have to see if park services can go back there because I know a lot of other departments can go back there. Unfortuneatly associates can't use phones, iPods,cameras etc. on the clock.

Here's a pic of the tent like haunt building

[VF15]

According to a tweet from Dave Frazier, demolition of some sort will begin in September. It sounds like it might hint at some current waterpark attractions getting removed to make way for the new ones since the waterpark will be closed in September (except for Labor Day).

[Bmckenzieee]

New maze/scare zone with the Dino's. Enough said.

[RCjunkie]

^^ We can only assume the demolition involves the water park due to all the other signs indicating an expansion. That means there will be an announcement before demolition/construction in the next 20 days with all the details. It will be interesting to see what is coming/going and any redesign of the area.

[garyman6]

^^ We can only assume the demolition involves the water park due to all the other signs indicating an expansion. That means there will be an announcement before demolition/construction in the next 20 days with all the details. It will be interesting to see what is coming/going and any redesign of the area.

 

What's the possibility that the demolition could include the amphitheater?

[GCI Wooden]

Maybe VF could add flyers near the Route 76 area. If next year is waterpark (which I am sure it is), it would give the people that like to be dry something new. I think that VF opened with flyers, and if that is the case it would fit in perfectly to the theme of Route 76. I guess it depends on how much money Cedar Fair is going to put into the park.

[RCjunkie]

^^ We can only assume the demolition involves the water park due to all the other signs indicating an expansion. That means there will be an announcement before demolition/construction in the next 20 days with all the details. It will be interesting to see what is coming/going and any redesign of the area.

 

What's the possibility that the demolition could include the amphitheater?

 

It easily could be included. Get the expense of demolishing it and hauled away under this years budget and then add something in the coming years. That is why I say the announcement will be interesting, so many possibilities. My biggest curiosity is what happens to Looping Starship after we find out how much money they are putting into the expansion and what gets removed and/or added.

[RCjunkie]

Maybe VF could add flyers near the Route 76 area. If next year is waterpark (which I am sure it is), it would give the people that like to be dry something new. I think that VF opened with flyers, and if that is the case it would fit in perfectly to the theme of Route 76. I guess it depends on how much money Cedar Fair is going to put into the park.

 

Valleyfair did not open up with Flyers in the park but they would be a perfect fit up in the Route 76 area. With CF adding these at CP, MiA and Knott's over the last 2 years it is a very real possibility in the next couple years. VF can always use more flat rides of all types.

[RCjunkie]

I was able to get confirmation from Mr. Frazier that Richard Zimmerman was at the park Thursday. We had heard that Matt Ouimet was going to be there. Nevertheless, Mr. Frazier gave me this statement about the visit. "We are working through budgeting issues for the 2015 capital and had a good discussion with the long term plan for VF." He went on to say that he still cannot discuss any details yet. Keep your ears and eyes open, never know what we may stumble across!

 

Too bad we couldn't have been in on this meeting, it probably would have answered all of our questions. But then we would have nothing to speculate about in this thread. When the Chief Operating Officer of Cedar Fair pays a visit this time of year they are probably going over the last details before the announcement. Depending on how big the expansion will be VF has a chance to be the 2nd largest dollar value investment next year for a Cedar Fair park after Carowinds.