Valleyfair

Opening hours

Valleyfair’s schedule changes by date and season, from 11 am to 6 pm during peak season. The regular park and the Soak City waterpark run on different hours.

Always check the calendar before you go; on many operating days, the park opens mid-morning and closes early evening, while Soak City typically starts a little later and ends earlier than the dry park.

Best times to visit

For the lightest crowds, target weekdays in June–July outside school breaks, and mid-to-late September after Labor Day.

July–September is quieter than May and August, as well as fall event nights. Sundays are often calmer than Saturdays.

Morning vs. evening

Rope-drop mornings: Experience the shortest waits during the first 90 minutes. You can tick off 2–4 big coasters before lines build.

Evenings: As families with little kids head out, waits for the big rides often drop during the final two hours.

Either way, plan a midday break (or switch to Soak City on hot days) and return for a second wind.

Season Pass perks & early entry

Season Passes bundle money-savers like season-long admission, in-park discounts, and occasional Bring-a-Friend offers. Select pass tiers may include upgrades such as All-Season Fast Lane when available.

Benefits can vary by year—verify what’s included for your season and date, and note that any early-entry windows are limited and subject to change.

Fast Lane at Valleyfair

Fast Lane is a paid, limited-quantity wristband that lets you use special queues on about 20 rides & attractions (park admission not included). It’s the simplest way to turn a packed day into a low-stress visit, especially on Saturdays, event days, or during peak summer.

If you only need to trim a few big lines, buy Fast Lane after lunch once you’ve sampled actual waits.

Low-wait rides

While wait times fluctuate, flats and family attractions stay shorter than the big coasters. You’ll often find quicker queues on rides like Corkscrew, Xtreme Swing, Delirious, Excalibur, and a range of family flats on non-holiday weekdays.

Family strategy

• Stagger the thrills: Start with one or two major coasters at opening, then rotate to nearby family rides so kids aren’t stuck in back-to-back long queues.
• Use height checks early: Measure once at the front gate so you can zero-in on rides that fit everyone.
• Beat the heat: Do outdoor queues early. Save shaded shows, indoor attractions, and Planet Snoopy for the midday hours.
• Plan a water window: If Soak City is open, slot it between late morning and mid-afternoon when coaster lines are longest; return to rides in the evening.
• Bring a buddy system: For must-do coasters, one adult rides while the other handles snacks/restrooms, then swaps.

How long does it take

Do “the big rides” without add-ons: ~6–8 hours on a moderate weekday; a full day on a Saturday.

With Fast Lane: ~4–5 hours for the same slate, leaving bonus time for rerides, Soak City, or shows.

Tips to avoid the crowd

• Check the calendar: Pick non-holiday weekdays and avoid special events that spike attendance.
• Arrive 30–45 minutes early: Clear security, walk to your first ride, and be in the early wave.
• Backtrack smartly: Do popular rides at the edges of the park early; save centrally located family attractions for later.
• Eat off-peak: 10:45–11:30 am or 3–4 pm keeps food lines short and ride time high.
• Use live data: Keep a wait-time site or crowd calendar handy to pivot quickly.
• Consider Fast Lane on busy dates: It’s cheaper than losing half your day in queues.