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Valleyfair is a seasonal outdoor amusement park located just south of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Shakopee, Minnesota. Spread out over 75 attractions are options for family fun, for thrill-seekers pursuing their next adventure, for lovers of the classic rides, and for youngsters alike. Included with admission is Soak City waterpark (more information below) which gives much more bang for your buck if you visit during the summer.

Special Events & Halloween:

Numerous special events are held in the theme park throughout the season. Celebrations have included the Peanuts Celebration, a fun tribute to Minnesota’s own Charles Schulz and his lovable collection of comic characters. Meet Charlie Brown’s gang and even learn to draw characters from pro artist. In the fall the park transforms into absolute fun of the Halloween kind for the whole family.

Continued in 2023: Valleyfair will not be offering ValleyScare Halloween Haunt and the milder Great Pumpkin Festival. Instead they will offer a single “Tricks and Treats” event with all the fun and no frights. Learn more here.

Pre-K Pass at Valleyfair

Continued in 2023, the park will offers free Pre-K Passes for children ages 3 to 5. The child must be accompanied by an adult who is not free. Parking is not included with the Pre-K Pass. However, it is included with other season passes and your Pre-K can’t go alone. Note that season passes will auto renew unless you remember to cancel. Find more information here.

Pre-K Fun at Planet Snoopy

Planet Snoopy is the area of the park where you can find kids’ rides. Kids will find rides like a mini train, swings and spinning rides geared toward the smaller set. Many of the rides do not have a height restriction or have the shorter height levels.

Soak City Waterpark at Valley Fair

Advertised as the area’s premier waterpark, Soak City Water Park is included in all Valleyfair admissions when it is open. Cool off in the wave pool, experience ocean-like waves, float down the lazy river and try out the gamut of tube slides. Like the rest of the park, some rides are not appropriate for smaller children. Please check the height requirements for details.

6 Tips for Visiting Valleyfair

1. There are many ways for guests to score discounted tickets. These are our favorites:
   • Purchase online via Valleyfair’s website. Gate tickets can be double the price of the online tickets.
   • Keep an eye on Groupon or Living Social. Both sites are known to have occasional discounts.
   • Consider springing for an Season Pass if you’ll visit the park more than once during the year. It covers admission for unlimited visits and free parking for the whole season. It will pay for itself in two visits. (There is also a pass that allows you to cut to the front of the lines, but this will cost you more and take more visits to pay for itself.)
   • Season pass holders can bring a friend for a discount as well.
   • Follow our favorite local discount sites – Thrifty Minnesota and Twin Cities Frugal Mom, who often feature discounted tickets. 
   • Get the Pre-K pass if you have a qualifying child.
2. Map out your ride plan ahead of time online. Discuss whether or not you plan to include Soak City Waterpark during your visit and how much time to budget for it.
3. Get the Valleyfair App. Use it to check wait times for rides, store your passes, verify park hours, and more.
4. Safety First. While you are downloading the app, Valleyfair recommends keeping a photo of your child (in today’s outfit) on your mobile device in case you get separated.
5. Don’t shy away from bringing your very youngest kids. There’s truly something for every age, including plenty of rides for the younger set, an air-conditioned Family Center with rooms to feed and change babies and space simply to take a break from the action.
6. When in doubt, ask Guest Services in the front of the park to measure your child as you enter the park, but be aware that some operators may choose to do their own measurements.
7. Bring a water bottle. Visitors are each allowed to bring in one sealed water bottle, which they can re-fill at the park.
8. Bring snacks in a cooler to keep in the car. Food can drive up the price of your day. Entrees like a slice of pizza or a hamburger can start at $12. It’s relatively easy to visit the car during your day to refuel, just grab a hand stamp on the way out.
9. Phones are not allowed out while onboard the rides – no exceptions.
10. Don’t forget your credit cards. Valleyfair does not take cash.
11. Families can rent a stroller and/or locker at guest services.

Your turn:

Have you had a recent trip to Valleyfair? Leave us a comment. Tell us your tips, your favorite rides and your disappointments, so we can share constructive information with other parents considering a visit to this Twin Cities’ amusement park and maybe help someone find a new favorite thrill ride.