Valleyfair PTR 9/11/16

[jslim39]

So after five years of living only four hours away, I FINALLY got myself out to Minneapolis.

 

First stop was Mall of America, and was pleasantly surprised by Nick Universe. I didn't do a whole lot of research, and expected a few coasters and an arcade maybe. But wow they packed a lot into that place!!! I was stoked to see all the flat rides that flew up and down and around in what seemed like not that large of an area. The biggest hidden gem to me was the log flume ride, which was a blast, and was themed incredibly well, and was a neat experience riding a water ride indoors.

 

Spongebob was of course hands down the best coaster there for me, of course cause it is the most intense. It was the first eurofighter I've rode, and it was intense, mostly smooth, and had some awesome quick elements. It did have a decent bit of vibration/rattling but nothing too bad.

 

Fairly Odd Coaster was second, has been about 7 years since I've ridden a spinning coaster like that (Tony Hawk at SFFT was the last time), and I forgot how awesome they were.

 

The Pepsi Orange Streak, ya know, it is what it is; a fun long cruise around the top of the place.

 

So on to Valleyfair - so stoked to finally get here!!! I haven't been to a new, unvisited park in forever. For years now, I have basically just gone to Kennywood, SFFT or Cedar Point on my visits to see family over the years, and the only new credit I have attained in the past five years (until Nick U) was the new Batman at SFFT. I was ecstatic to explore new grounds for myself (and my wife).

 

I loved the place, and so did my wife, had a real old school feel to it, with all the older kind of coasters like Corkscrew, High Roller, and even Wild Thing really aren't modern coasters anymore, and I really appreciated that atmosphere, midways weren't really giant, lots of nice trees and landscaping, small shops and food stands compared to VF's much bigger brother Cedar Point.

 

Excalibur was closed, so I got six new credits here, and loved all of em. I'll give my opinions on em' on a best to not best (I had fun on everything so I won't say worst) order.

 

1 - Steel Venom - I have rode Wicked Twister in the past, and I don't know why but I just fell in love with this one. Maybe because it has been awhile since I have ridden one of these, but man the launches were so intense, and the freefall on the non twisting spike was phenomenal. Plus we had a great ride op who would do false countdowns and launch on 2 or 3 or count down twice and throw his hands up in confusion as if something was broken, then would hit the button. Great employee!!!

 

2 - Renegade - As much as I like the name and theming, this thing maybe should be called the Wild Thing instead, because the only thing I could keep saying after I got off was, "that was the most wild coaster I have ever been on". That one took the cake from Lightning Racer by a mile for me for a GCI woodie. Non stop directional changes, all taken at high speeds, not one straight drop anywhere, and absolutely no letting up of pace. I never knew which way we would whip next, and I adored it.

 

3 - Wild Thing - It was about what I expected - height, fun big drops and floaty airtime. This was my first pure Morgan hyper (Phantom's Revenge of course doesn't count because of it being a hybrid) so I wasn't sure how smooth it would be. It wasn't bad at all (waaaaay smoother than Magnum XL), but there's a couple decent jerks along the figure 8 turns section. Great coaster nonetheless, anything 200 feet or taller I like as long as it doesn't break your neck or something.

 

4 - Corkscrew - I classify myself as an Arrow fanboy, and as I slowly see an Arrow disappear every couple of years, it's nice to see a park taking care of theirs; that color changing paint job is marvelous!!! Anyways I love vertical loops and tumbling over the walkway and pond through the corkscrews.

 

5 - High Roller - Classic out and back, pretty mellow overall, fun, but only rode once

 

6 - Mad Mouse - It's a mad mouse, what is there to say haha. Didn't smash my elbow or bruise my ribs or anything so it's all good.

 

I'm happy to say that this technically is my new home park, as it is the closest park to me (even though I live four hours away), I was very satisfied with all it had to offer. Kennywood will always be my OG home park, but for now this is my "local one", and I am fine with that. On to the pics!!!!!

A good way to start a trip!!!! My local town has a crappy fast food selection....

St. Paul is a pretty nice looking city

[jslim39]

The last few pictures....

CHEESE CURDS ARE AWESOME!!!! Another perk of living in WI, I never heard of these when I lived in PA

As you can see I love food

On ride photo bonus!!!

[coasternate]

Great report! They both look like fun parks.

[prozach626]

Nice report. I like how your pictures show off some of the really nice looking areas of the park. Makes me want to visit.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

They have the best Chickie's and Pete's of any Cedar Fair park I've been to (all of them in the Midwest and Knott's), but their beer policy is a bit wonky. Prepare for an interrogation about your personal data, and each person drinking must take the quiz. No carrying beer back to your wife. It's weird.

 

Fun park though. Renegade is worth it on its own, and Wild Thing is pretty good too. The park isn't highly themed but is well cared for. I'd say go.

[prozach626]

They have the best Chickie's and Pete's of any Cedar Fair park I've been to (all of them in the Midwest and Knott's), but their beer policy is a bit wonky. Prepare for an interrogation about your personal data, and each person drinking must take the quiz. No carrying beer back to your wife. It's weird.

Uhg. I'm sure this will be a peach when I eventually visit. I look very young for a 31 year old. A few years ago some complete C*** of a server at Great America actually accused me of presenting a false ID, when I handed her my Illinois DL. That didn't go over well.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

They have the best Chickie's and Pete's of any Cedar Fair park I've been to (all of them in the Midwest and Knott's), but their beer policy is a bit wonky. Prepare for an interrogation about your personal data, and each person drinking must take the quiz. No carrying beer back to your wife. It's weird.

Uhg. I'm sure this will be a peach when I eventually visit. I look very young for a 31 year old. A few years ago some complete C*** of a server at Great America actually accused me of presenting a false ID, when I handed her my Illinois DL. That didn't go over well.

Yeah, I've seen your pictures of pointing at stuff ( ), so I figured you'd need some fair warning. That sucks about the server. It's not really their place to make such an accusation. I've not served alcohol, but back in college I worked in a grocery store that sold package alcohol, and pretty much if you match the ID, and it wasn't obviously tampered with, you could buy it. What you did with it after you left the store wasn't our concern or responsibility; we had done our legal duty at that point. Some people just go on a power trip.

[xVicesAndVirtues]

Nice trip report. I agree completely about Renegade, totally out-of-control coaster and they're keeping it in great shape. The slightly-smaller Intamin impulse coasters like Steel Venom surely pack more of a punch than Wicked Twister, and the freaky holding brakes make the thrill that much more.

 

You didn't miss anything with Excalibur. I was excited, thinking it'd be a hidden Gemini, but instead it was just a whole lot of getting f*cked sideways by the Arrow coat hanger. Which hurts.