This is a biased rating because I used to travel the country visiting amusement parks and riding rollercoasters. I'll try to be even and fair. I took my neighbor kids because I wanted to see what valleyfair! had morphed into since I hadn't been there in 10 years, I'll start with the positives: -They kids had fun, I did too -There weren't a lot of people there so that meant we didn't have to wait long to ride the rides. 10-15 minutes max. -they built up the park by adding more rides(mostly kiddy rides) and removing some of the less popular rides. -they improved some of the rollercoasters so that they ride better and lessened the braking to provide more speed. Ex: high roller used to be so so slow with so much braking(unless that's my perception after visiting other parks much larger than vf). I actually enjoyed riding the rides I hadn't wasted time on in the years of my rollercoaster days. As I said, we had fun.

The negatives: -I fully understand that the park has to pay for their rides and upgrades, but, C'mon!, $25 to park, but, $40 admission fee for 60% of the rides? However, They haven't upgraded the type of ride that all parks know they must have to get people in the door or to come back again again and again, rollercoasters!! They appear to be so focused on making this a kiddy/family park that they are pushing away the thrill seekers around the world who are willing to spend big money on airfare, road trips, hotels, souvenirs, food and drink etc. Those people are repeat visitors who love big rides. -They discontinued their share of the billion dollar Halloween business in "ValleyScare!" In favor of the kiddy/family park version. This is a huge waste of an opportunity that most other parks are taking advantage of. -There is not a cheap "game of chance"(what parent wants to spend big dollars for their kids to learn to play a game that the kids don't even stand a chance at winning?), -Every game is $5 or more to play. -Their food portions are small and the price is huge(that's why so many families bring coolers with food in their vehicles or have pizzas or door dash delivered to them). Pricing your food at more affordable levels gives customers a reason to buy your food). -Lack of aesthetic landscaping(colorful flowers and theming), this park is blah. More Kings Island please. There is Halloween theming all over, though.

Conclusion: Please let me be clear, I WANT a park that I can be proud to call my park, to be able to brag about and not make excuses for, and to scream from the rooftops how great their thrill rides are. I realize that I've been ruined by all the parks out there that actually "get it". It's surprising to me that Cedarfair doesn't get it since they have their flagship park, Cedarpoint, which has 18 world class rollercoasters and averages 3-4 million visitors per year. If building up Valleyfair causes them fear that they are leeching business from CP, they shouldn't be, Six Flags(Great America)is already doing it with their emphasis on adding more coasters over the last ten years to 16 or 17. Building up Valleyfair will actually leech business from Six Flags and provide a rectangle of CF parks to road trip; VF to Worlds of Fun to Kings Island to CP to Michigan s Adventure and then throw in any other parks along the way. That is a recipe for success as long as you build up every park with great coasters. I suggest an inverted first, then a bigger RMC like, El Toro, and then work your way up. Give thrill seekers a reason to come here. I warned you about my being biased.

For families with little kids, your kids will have fun and you will need lots of money. For thrill seekers, Renegade, WildThing, Steel Venom is all you got. My advice is to drive the 6 hours to Six Flags.

Decide for yourself, but you should give Valleyfair at least one chance to earn your next visit. For Valleyfair, don't we deserve better here in Minnesota? Please give us more coasters!