Valleyfair!
(yes, the exclamation point is part of the name,) is a striking little amusement park residing in the Minnesota River Valley, in Shakopee (SHOCK-uh-pee,)Minnesota. Shakopee is a southwestern suburb in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro area.

Started in the mid-seventies, the park is now owned by Cedar Fair, L.P.
Cedar Fair also owns and operates Cedar Po!nt in Sandusky, Ohio, Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri, Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, and also manages Camp Snoopy in the Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota.

Valleyfair! has the typical run of thrill rides, flat rides (also know as spin-n-spews,) games, food, and of course coasters. There is a nightly lasershow/fireworks display, and bands at various stages. Valleyfair! also has a full waterpark included in admission, as well as go-karts and mini-golf.

Rides of Note

Wild Thing is the star of the park. One of the country's few Hypercoasters (over 200 feet tall,) it runs along the outside edge of the park, and caused massive traffic problems while being built. Rubbernecking was so bad that the Shakopee police finally posted a cop full time to keep people from stopping and gawking at it. A good solid coaster, although the trains are now braked before they go into the run home. (It was something else to ride when it was new, and before they turned the brakes on.)

Excalibur is a Steel hybrid Mine Train coaster built by Arrow. Fast, rough, fun. But many people dislike it for the roughness. I personally enjoy it a lot, but I always have bruised legs when I get off it.

Highroller is the original coaster in the park. A nice out and back woodie. It has received good marks from coaster enthusiasts, and is one of those treasured gems to still have big ol' brake levers.

The Power Tower is the newest ride. A three-legged S&S Space Shot/Power Drop tower, it tops out at 275 feet. They wanted to go to 300, but proximity to Flying Cloud Airport prohibited it.

Nice park. Pity that the Summer is so short in Minnesota.