Genius Valleyfair Hacks, Tips, and Tricks!

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Planning a visit to Valleyfair? Here are some GENIUS Hacks! 

Syoni Revollo Photo Syoni Revollo |
August 24, 2023

Stay Hydrated 

Get a Drink plan! Choose between a Drink Wristband and add on a Souvenir Bottle or a get a Season Pass Drink Plan. Either way, these cups pay for themselves in no time. If you purchase them beforehand online they are less expensive than purchasing in the park! The Drink Wristband is only $18.99 online and you can add the Souvenir Bottle for only $6 (plus taxes and fees). This low price means it pays for itself in less than 4 refills. There is a waiting period of 15 minutes in between each refill but you get unlimited drinks all day long! This is by far one of the best investments of the year. 

You can also bring a sealed water bottle! Valleyfair allows guests to bring in one factory sealed water bottle OR an empty water bottle per person. No one wants to leave the park early due to dehydration. So, make sure to stay hydrated throughout your visit and bring a water bottle! 

Take Advantage of the Free Mobile App 

The Valleyfair app is available on the Apple App store or Google Play. There are so many helpful features on the app that can help you plan your visit to the park, navigate, and keep you up to date with the latest events. Use the park map to plan the best route, check ride wait times, order your food ahead of time, check height requirements, mark your parking spot, and purchase dining deals or souvenir drink bottles. Plus, so much more! To learn more, check out our blog about the app here. The app provides an all-in-one-experience making your Valleyfair visit perfect!  

Check out the Special Events and Entertainment 

Throughout the summer we have fun events and various live entertainment! When you need a break from the rides, you can watch a live show! The Peanuts characters perform throughout the park at various times. There are even times you can meet the characters! Check out our website for times of live performances. We’ve also got some great events throughout the season like Latin Days or Tricks and Treats! During these events, there are spectacular food, dances, and live performances! Make sure to check out our events page to see the most up-to-date events. All entertainment is included in the price of your ticket! Whether you plan your visit specifically for an event or it just so happens to be during one, you’ll want to check out the awesome activities we have planned for the summer. 

 

Bring Ziploc Bags 

Whether it be Soak City, Thunder Canyon, or The Wave, there’s no shortage of water rides at Valleyfair. A day at the park can quickly end if your cell phone falls into the water. So, take precautions by bringing Ziploc bags to put your phone in while you're at a water ride! Have peace of mind during your entire stay at Valleyfair! 

Arrive Early to Avoid Lines 

The lines are the shortest right when the park opens, so take advantage of that! Hit all the rides that will have the longest lines at the beginning of the day to avoid the longest lines at peak times. You could even ride your favorite rides two or three times in a row! The middle of the day most of the time is the busiest so you could go home nap and come right back to beat the crowd!  

Start in the Back of the Park 

When most people get into the park their first instinct is to walk left towards Wild Thing. The front of the park fills us much faster than the back! Head in the direction of Planet Snoopy and hit High Roller, Renegade, and Excalibur before going to the front of the park! Don’t follow the crowd.  

Don’t Let the Rain Ruin Your Visit 

Some attractions may close in bad weather until conditions permit safe operation, but more often than not if there’s no lightning, there’s no stopping the rides! Attendance is light when there’s a chance of rain and a lot of visitors leave when it begins to sprinkle. Any Minnesota native knows the sun will probably be back within an hour! Most rides continue to operate in light rain. I recommend keeping a poncho handy, so you’re not soaked! If you don’t want to ride a coaster in the rain you can enjoy a show, meal, or shop until the rainy weather passes!  

Pack Your Lunch 

Valleyfair offers various dining plans that can be bought prior or during your visit! These meal plans can save you some money and get you that bang for your buck! If you are a Season Pass holder you can add an All-Season Dining Pass or a Premium All-Day Dining. If you aren’t you can get an All-Day Dining or a Single Meal Deal! Depending on which meal plan you purchase you’ll get one or two meals per day! If you’re feeling something specific for lunch or dinner, you can always pack a lunch! Although you can’t bring food into the park you CAN leave the park or parking lot and re-enter if you have your receipt from parking. There are several nearby parks like Homeward Hills (2 miles from Valleyfair), Staring Lake Park (about 2.5 miles), and Memorial Park (about 2 miles) where you can have a picnic or grill. So, don’t forget to keep your receipt from parking for re-entry!