Valleyfair's Coaster Line-Up Charged With Excitement

Shakopee, MN -- For thrill seekers, there's not much that can beat the powerful surge of adrenaline than a ride on a roller coaster. And Valleyfair Family Amusement Park delivers the power better than any park in a multiple-state area.

Located in Shakopee, Minnesota, Valleyfair's line-up of roller coasters spans the towering, nerve-jangling Wild Thing at 207 feet in height down to the not-so-tiny 50-foot high Mad Mouse - all charged to provide passengers with one adrenaline rush after another.

Wild Thing, introduced in 1996, is one of the world's few "hyper coasters" delivering a three-minute ride unlike any other. Wild Thing reaches speeds up to 74 mph on a steel track stretching over one mile which dives over a series of four, gravity-defying hills, the last ending in a sweeping "S" curve. But before the ride is over, Wild Thing transports riders through a number of smaller "G" hills and then slides on into a surprise tunnel.

Only 1-year-old but already a favorite is Mad Mouse, a new generation steel roller coaster with special appeal to families with smaller children (42 inches and taller). A cousin to the Wild Mouse coaster popular in the '50s and '60s, Mad Mouse's individual, 4-person "mouse" cars reach speeds up to 30 mph while traveling along a 1,257-foot track interrupted by sudden dips, zigzag curves and hairpin turns.

Another Valleyfair favorite is Excalibur, which debuted in 1989. Boasting one of the steepest grades of any coaster in the world, Excalibur rises 10 stories above ground, then plummets riders 60 degrees before snapping riders through a series of spaghetti curves.

Corkscrew holds true to its quirky name as it takes riders to a height of 85 feet and then drops them into a 360 degree vertical loop, followed by two giant "coil like" spirals and ending in another 360 degree horizontal loop. Introduced in 1980, Corkscrew, built from steel, reaches speeds up to 50 mph.

And last but certainly not least in delivering a powerful surge of excitement is High Roller. Built from wood, High roller was one of the first attractions to open at Valleyfair in 1976. With speeds reaching 60 mph, High Roller transports riders over one challenging hill after another along its half-mile track.

The 2000 summer season Preview Weekends begin on Saturday, May 6, and continues on May 7, 13-14 and 20-21. The Grand Opening Weekend is slated for Saturday, May 27 through Monday, May 29. Valleyfair is open daily from May 18 through Labor Day, plus September 9-10 and 16-17. For more information visit Valleyfair's Web site at www.valleyfair.com.