Park History and Timeline
A Minnesota tradition since 1976. A history of Valleyfair from the very beginning.
Valleyfair Family Amusement Park opened its gates over 45 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, Planet Snoopy, Soak City 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.
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, construction of Valleyfair began, it included extensive land development, rides, attractions, buildings and landscaping. High Roller--the sole roller coaster--was the main attraction.
Valleyfair opened it's gates to the public with 20 rides and attractions, including: Antique Autos, Bumper Cars, Ferris Wheel, High Roller, Scrambler, SuperCat and Wheel of Fortune. Most rides and attractions are still in the Park today.
Valleyfair expanded with the consturction two of it's classic rides Monster & Tilt-A-Whirl. Both of these rides are located in the same place that they were constructed and still remain a Valleyfair favorite.
Known as Ye Olde Log Flume until the early 1990s, the Flume was a log flume ride constructed during this year.
The Park continued to expand with the construction of the Enterprise, the Kiddie Ferris Wheel and the steel roller coaster Wild Rails.
Valleyfair began construction and opened it's second rollercoaster, Corkscrew. It became an instant classic with it's 1950 feet of track, large loop and spiraling steel track.
Expansion included Tot Town and Grandma’s Bake & Sweet Shop.
Expansion included the Pepsi IMAX® Theater, this larger-than-life screen gave a whole new dimension to movie watching. Other improvements including a multi-level outdoor dining patio, located next to the Flume. This outdoor area is convenietly located within the park and is able to accomidate up to 500 guest. Guest entering Valleyfair were able to check out the new entrance marquee.
The waterpark receive an upgrade with the addition of three waterslides, now named Panic Falls Body Slides. Each of the three slides includes tunnels and drops that any thrill seeker would like.
Expansion included two children’s activities that enhanced Valleyfair being an all-age amusement park for the entire family to enjoy. With this year, a beautification program was also added to keep Valleyfair one of the most visually appealing amusement parks in the Upper Midwest.
The Red Garter Saloon, an air-conditioned restaurant with entertainment, was a new addition this year. It allowed guests to take a break from the heat and enjoy some great eats. Of course, with the entertainment, it made it a stop for everyone visiting that year. Valleyfair also added The Looping Starship, a pirate ship that rocks back and forth until riders are upside down 80 feet in the air. Bayern Curve was brought in and some Park improvements including a waterpark expansion and 900 feet of walkways added.
Valleyfair added Northern Lights, a free-fall ride located in the center of the Park. Expansions also were included in the Ampitheater to allow for more guests during concerts and shows.
Thunder Canyon was added, a quarter-mile white water river rafting ride where riders got wet, very wet. The Park also had various improvements and expansions.
The waterpark expanded and recevied two speed slides, later to be named Panic Falls Speed Slides. Riders enjoy a steep drop from 34 feet above. Valleyfair added a new children’s area called Half Pint Park, which included rides, mini-rollercoaster and entertainment geared around the younger visiters.
A new steel roller coaster called Excalibur was added to the already extensive list of rides and attractions. Part steel and part wood, this rollercoaster quickly became a favorite for guests visting. Along with Excalibur, park improvements and expansions continued.
Valleyfair received it's own railroad track with the expansion of the Minnesota River Valley Train Ride. This 11-ton engine pulls riders throughout the Park with stops at the front gate and in Half Pint Park.
Expansion continued with phase one of Challenge Park. Once part of the Valleyfair parking lot, this area soon became part of a quarter-mile go-kart track and club house.
The Wave was the newest way to cool down on a hot summer day. This flume-style ride would bring riders down a steep hill to create a 60 foot by 30 foot wall of water. Guests could enjoy the action from an observation bridge and even there they will get soaked. Other park improvements included two 18 hole golf courses in Challenge Park and a new food concession. Improvements were also made on the administrative side with a new employee cafeteria.
The Whitewater Country Waterpark was expanded to include a variety of water rides, like: Hurricane Falls raft slide and Ripple Rapids inner tube ride. Little splish-splashers enjoy the addition of Giggle Run and Splash Station activities. Challenge park was added on with the addition of Bumper Boats.
Berenstain Bear Country, a one acre interactive play area for children under 54” tall was added. Park expansion and improvements included a new food concession.
Hydroblaster, a black enclosed water coaster in which guests ride down black chutes on a two-person raft was included in the Park's expansion.
The Valleyfair skyline changed drastically with the addition of the world-class hypercoaster called Wild Thing. Over 5460 feet of lime green steel track on teal-colored supports make up this ride reaching speeds of 74 mph and with a drop of over 200 feet. Challenge park expanded with the addition of RipCord, a Skycoaster experience.
Expansion continued with a new ride called Chaos. Other park improvements included the new restaurant Coasters and the remodeling of the front gate area.
A new indoor, air-conditioned Galaxy Theater was added for guests to enjoy a variety of shows and live entertainment. New additions also included a brand new arcade. Administration also received a new merchandise building.
Mad Mouse, a family rollercoaster, was added in replacement of the Wild Rails. Valleyfair continues to improve and expand with various programs.
The Valleyfair skyline changed again with the addition of the 275 foot Space Shot/Turbo Drop ride called Power Tower. This thrill ride was meant to be higher but had to be kept at it's already notable 275 feet due to the Flying Cloud Airport flight path. Young guests were not neglected with the a new children’s area featuring Frog Hopper, a mini-version of the Power Tower.
Steel Venom, an impulse rollercoaster, became the newest addition to Valleyfair sharing space near Challenge Park. 2,600 feet of track with the highest point at 185 feet and a drop of 175 feet has riders spinning in 360 degrees.
Already appealing to the younger guests, Valleyfair expanded KidWorks, a rebranding of the kids' area, with the Foam Ball Factory indoor attraction and family ride called The Rockin' Tug. Guests of all-ages enjoyed these improvements and expansions.
Valleyfair added two new thrill rides including, a new top spin thrill ride named RipTide and Skyscraper, an extreme thrill ride. The Midway Games received a facelift and re-theming.
Valleyfair appealed to playground enthusiasts with the addition of Xtreme Swing. This air-launched thrill ride swings riders up to 125 feet in the air at over 60 mph.
The eighth rollercoaster made its place at Valleyfair with the addition of Renegade. This world-class wooden rollercoaster lets riders experience a two minute adventurous ride including a never-before-experienced twisting first drop, a low-to-the-ground high-speed S-turn and a high-speed station fly-by.
General improvements to the park and its infrastructure, including an upgrade of the park’s ticketing system. ValleySCARE, the Upper-Midwest's largest Halloween attraction debuted with the Halloween Haunt. Guests enjoyed a world of terrifying mazes and scare zones, creepy entertainment and, of course, Valleyfair's signature thrill rides.
Expansion and improvement of the re-themed waterpark called, Soak City Waterpark. Some highlighted improvements included Breakers Bay, a 350,000 gallon wave pool that guests enjoy on a hot summer day. Other additions were 24 rental cabanas, a new changing facility, merchandise stand and food location.
Snoopy is back with a whole new planet to explore! Expansion and renovation converting KidWorks and Half Pint Park into Planet Snoopy. The 3.5 acre Planet Snoopy features over 17 PEANUTS-themed rides and attractions; including PEANUTS Playhouse, Snoopy Boutique, Planet Snoopy Grill and daily meet-and-greet opportunities with PEANUTS characters like Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Sally and the world’s most popular beagle, Snoopy.
Valleyfair welcomed North Star in 2017! Adding to the park skyline as the second tallest ride (second only to the 275-foot Power Tower), North Star is a 230-foot-tall tower that spins riders more than 20 stories above the ground.
Valleyfair turned things upside down with Delirious, a 70-foot looping thrill ride for its 2018 season. Delirious coils riders upside-down on a seven-story, 360-degree freestanding structure with a high capacity, high-speed train. Completing ten revolutions in less than a minute, Delirious leaves guests craving more hang time. The ride is a prominent feature in the park’s Route 76 nostalgia-themed area. Delirious joined other improvements in the picturesque Route 76 area, including new shade structures, improved lighting, and enhanced seating and gathering locations.