History of Valleyfair

Valleyfair Family Amusement Park opened its gates 32 years ago with 20 rides and attractions on 26 acres in Shakopee, Minnesota. The initial park investment was $7.5 million.

The park was created and built by two local businessmen whose dream it was to build an amusement park that would provide entertainment for the entire family. In August of 1974, construction of Valleyfair began. When the park opened in 1976, it included extensive land development, rides, attractions, buildings and landscaping. High Roller--the sole roller coaster--was the main attraction.

The first two years of operation were successful. Wanting to capitalize on this success and continue with an accelerated expansion plan, Valleyfair’s management determined they needed additional investors.

In 1978, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio acquired Valleyfair, under the management of Cedar Fair Limited Partnership. The acquisition allowed Valleyfair to keep its accelerated expansion plan and also gave the park the expertise of one of the largest amusement parks in the world.

The park continues to grow every year with new rides and attractions. Since 1976, Valleyfair has invested over $96 million into the park. Today, Valleyfair is the largest amusement park in the upper Midwest with eight thrilling roller coasters, Whitewater Country Waterpark and more than 75 rides and attractions on 90 acres of land.

When the park debuted in 1976, there were 900 seasonal employees and 63 full-time staff.  Today, there about 70 year-round employees. This season, about 1,600 seasonal employees will be hired.

Capital Expenditures – 1976 to present

• 1976 - $7.5 million dollar turn-of-the-century theme park opens.
• 1977 - $.75 million dollar expansion included the Monster & Tilt-A-Whirl. 
• 1978 - $2.3 million dollar expansion included the Log Flume ride.
• 1979 - $1.5 million dollar expansion included the Enterprise, the Kiddie Ferris Wheel and the steel roller coaster Wild Rails.
• 1980 - $3 million dollar expansion included Corkscrew, a new roller coaster.
• 1981 - $1.4 million dollar expansion included Tot Town and Grandma’s Bake & Sweet Shop.
• 1982 - $1.5 million dollar expansion included the Pepsi IMAX® Theater, a multi-level outdoor dining patio and a new entrance marquee.
• 1983 - $1.6 million dollar expansion included three waterslides.
• 1984 - $.5 million dollar expansion included two children’s activities and a beautification program.
• 1985 - $2.5 million dollar expansion included the Red Garter Saloon, an air-conditioned restaurant with entertainment. The Looping Starship and Bayern Curve were brought in.  The waterpark was expanded, and 900 feet of walkways were added.
• 1986 - $1.25 million dollar expansion included Northern Lights and the enlargement of the Amphitheater.
• 1987 - $3 million dollar expansion included Thunder Canyon, a quarter-mile white water river rafting ride.
• 1988 - $1 million dollar expansion included two speed slides in the waterpark and a new children’s area called Half Pint Park.
• 1989 - $3 million dollar expansion included a new steel roller coaster called Excalibur.
• 1990 - $1.2 million dollar expansion included the Minnesota River Valley Train Ride.
• 1991 - $2.5 million dollar expansion included phase one of Challenge Park with the opening of a quarter-mile go-kart track and club house.
• 1992 - $3.1 million dollar expansion included the a new water ride called The Wave, two 18 hole golf courses in Challenge Park, a new food concession and an employee cafeteria.
• 1993 - $2.5 million dollar expansion included four new attractions to Whitewater Country Waterpark: Hurricane Falls raft slide, Ripple Rapids inner tube ride, Giggle Run and Splash Station activities for children.  Bumper Boats was a new addition in Challenge Park.
• 1994 - $1.9 million dollar expansion included Berenstain Bear Country, a one acre interactive play area for children under 54” tall.  A new food concession was also added.
• 1995 - $1 million dollar expansion included Hydroblaster, a black enclosed water coaster in which guests ride down black chutes on a two-person raft.
• 1996 - $12 million dollar expansion included the addition of the world-class hypercoaster called Wild Thing and RipCord, a Skycoaster experience, to Challenge Park.
• 1997 - $3.2 million dollar expansion included the new ride Chaos, the new restaurant Coasters and the remodeling of the front gate area.
• 1998 - $2.8 million dollar expansion included the new indoor, air-conditioned Galaxy Theater, a new arcade and a new merchandise building.
• 1999 - $3.5 million dollar expansion included the replacement of Wild Rails with a new family coaster named Mad Mouse.
• 2000 - $10.1 million dollar expansion included a 275 foot Space Shot/Turbo Drop ride called Power Tower and a new children’s area featuring Frog Hopper.
• 2001 - $.72 million dollar infrastructure upgrade.
• 2002 - $1.10 million dollar infrastructure upgrade 
  
• 2003 - $8.9 million dollar expansion included Steel Venom, a new impulse coaster.
  
• 2004 - $2.6 million dollar expansion included KidWorks, a rebranding of the kids' area, with the Foam Ball Factory indoor attraction and family ride called The Rockin' Tug.
  
• 2005 - $4.0 million dollar expansion included RipTide, a top spin thrill ride; Skyscraper, an extreme thrill ride and re-theming of the midway games area.
  
• 2006 - $6.0 million dollar expansion included Xtreme Swing, an air-launched thrill ride.
  
• 2007 - $7.0 million dollar expansion included Renegade, a world-class wooden roller coaster.

• 2008 - General improvements to the park and its infrastructure, including an upgrade of the park’s ticketing system and a new Halloween Haunt attraction for ValleySCARE, will enhance the overall guest experience.