We left the house just as soon as the girls got home from school on Friday afternoon. We spent the night in Portage WI which is just east of the Dells. The next morning we left at 6:45 AM and headed for Valley Fair. We got there just shortly after the park opened.

Love the Valley Fair Sign. I bet it looked great at night.

The first thing we saw was Wild Thing. We headed there and rode with just a 2 train wait.

Their slingshot dominates the skyline.

Wild Thing is by far the best of the 3 Morgan Hypers that I have ridden.

Next up was High Roller. It had a few pops of air but was nothing special. With just a 1 train op the line crawled.

Elizabeth & I rode looping starship since we both loved Berserker at KD. This one unfortunately was much slower and more painfull. The single op here also made for a very slow operation even though there was no line.

We then rode Renegade. I was looking forward to this GCI but have to say I was disappointed with it. I would put it at or near the bottom of the list of the 8 GCIs I have ridden.

We next headed back to Excalibur for a walk on. This was a one and done type of coaster. OUCH

Green Giant was having a sweet corn festival at the park this weekend. They were giving out as much corn on the cob as you wanted. We each had close to 12 pieces which would be about 4 full ears of corn. It was some of the best corn I have ever had. MMMMM

When we passed the Mouse earlier it was not opened. When it did open the line got long in a hurry. We waited it out and were rewarded with one of the best non-spinning mouse rides we have had.

Love me some Ferris Wheel.

I enjoyed their Corkscrew quite a bit.

We next walked over to the other side of the park and all by itself sits Steel Venom. It was a fun ride with a nice catch on the back spike.

Since we were only doing one day in the Minneapolis area we left the park around 4 PM and headed to Mall of America and Nick Universe.

Part 2 coming in a bit.

Excellent trip report, Dave. I hope to one day make it out to Valleyfair. I look forward to seeing part two!

Cannot wait to see NU pics. I am going around Christmas. I am very curious to see how the park has transformed since I was last there.

The picture of Steel Venom is amazing! Great pics all around.

Thanks, the skies were perfect for taking pictures.

Great TR as always!

I have one question for you though. About how many parks do and your family go to a year?

Great TR as always!

I have one question for you though. About how many parks do and your family go to a year?

Just look at my signature.

OH my

Nice report, and it sounds like you had an enjoyable day there! I'm surprised that you didn't like Renegade more. I thought it was a very fun ride, but I will agree with your assessment that it's not one of GCI's top shelf efforts ala Thunderhead, Evel Knievel or Prowler. I'm looking forward to seeing what you think of Hades and Hellcat/Avalanche/whatever they're calling it now

OH my

Half those parks on that list I was with Him. You can say I have been adoppted .