Valleyfair
4.3(14K)google
3.0(213)yelp
KidsYouth-FriendlySwimmingOutdoorThrillingMust-SeeCarnival
Overview
Valleyfair is a 90-acre (36 ha) amusement park in Shakopee, Minnesota, United States. Operated by Enchanted Parks, the park opened in 1976 and features over 40 rides including eight roller coasters and an included water park named Superior Shores. EPR Properties, a real estate investment trust, owns the park.
Practical Info
Mon10:30 AM – 9:00PM
Tue10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Wed10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Thu10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Suggested Duration6-12 hours
Best TimeStrictly seasonal, operating open-air gates from mid-May through late October. Midweek days (Tuesday through Thursday) in June or September are ideal to bypass severe weekend line stagnation. Arrive at the gates at 9:30 AM (30 minutes before opening) to sprint directly to record-breaking wooden coasters like Renegade first thing in the morning.
Getting ThereSituated in Shakopee along the Minnesota River Valley at 1 Valleyfair Dr. Driving a car is highly recommended: cruise southwest out of the Twin Cities along the MN-169 S expressway and follow the direct stadium-style signs to Valleyfair Drive. The amusement resort features a monumental toll surface parking plaza built for high capacity.
Travel Tips
- The expansive entrance lot charges premium flat rates and rejects all physical cash; additionally, its low-lying coordinates next to the Minnesota River make portions of the lot prone to sudden spring flood closures.
- The Soak City water park zone terminates daily operations 2 hours earlier than the dry amusement coasters; water slide queue lines cut off entry 45 minutes prior, necessitating a midday schedule shift.
- The historic High Roller wooden coaster undergoes safety shutdowns when night temperatures drop below 55°F due to shifting track friction tolerances; complete this asset early during warmer daylight hours.
Reviews
Positive
- As the largest amusement park in the Upper Midwest, it perfectly blends thrilling steel coasters with a massive water park; the skyline is spectacular and fully lives up to the hype.
- The park layout flow is smooth, and abundant restrooms/trash bins are continuously kept clean by staff; clear signage and accessible ramps dot every ride entry.
- Purchasing early-bird packages and all-day drink bottles online offers explosive value; riding just a few roller coasters and hitting the wave pools easily justifies the cost.
- The staff are mostly energetic youths, running lines with textbook precision; queue paths feature electronic wait-time displays, and the ride safety measures are highly reassuring.
Heads up
- During midsummer weekend spikes, the crowd density is extreme; waiting times for marquee coasters regularly climb past 1 to 2 hours, wasting most of the day in lines.
- Food, soda, and snacks inside carry exorbitant premium prices—a water bottle costs several times its retail price—marking a typical commercial tourist trap.
- Guests are hit with steep mandatory parking fees for the open-air lot, and the single exit highway faces absolute gridlock during the post-fireworks closing rush.
- Being an open-air park, brief thunderstorms instantly shutter all major thrill rides, while covered indoor storm shelters or shaded pavilions are seriously lacking.