Valleyfair Marks 50 Years With New Waterpark Experience

Minnesota's largest amusement park is making a big change-- and a bigger splash-- as it opens for its 50th anniversary season this May.

The classic park is now under new ownership, and the new team hasn't wasted any time putting its own stamp on the amusement park that's been in business since 1976, adding a brand new waterpark that will make its debut in less than a month.

Valleyfair has been the biggest amusement park in the Land of 10,000 Lakes for the past five decades. It's been an iconic part of the North Star State, standing tall on its 125-acre site along Highway 169 near the Minnesota River in Shakopee.

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Valleyfair features more than 75 rides, including eight roller coasters, Planet Snoopy featuring 15 children’s rides, and a large entertainment and event lineup, including popular events like ValleyScare, Corn Fest, and Tricks and Treats.

Valleyfair’s New Ownership and the Move to Superior Shores

Previously, Valleyfair had also been home to Soak City, a seven-acre water park filled with slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and children’s water features. But earlier this year, I wrote a story about how Valleyfair would have new owners for its 50th anniversary season-- and they've made some changes to the site's waterpark.

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Enchanted Parks purchased Valleyfair from Six Flags back in March, as part of a massive deal that included six other amusement parks. And now, the Enchanted Parks just announced a massive upgrade to Valleyfair's water features, which will now be known as Superior Shores Waterpark.

What’s New at Superior Shores Waterpark? Highlights and Rides

A Valleyfair release stated that the park has added 13 new slides and attractions, bringing the total number of water experiences to 24 that Superior Shores Waterpark will showcase when it opens for the season on May 23, 2026.

A rendering of Lighthouse Landing at Superior Shores Waterpark (Courtesy of Valleyfair)

Here are some of the highlights of the new features, according to a Valleyfair release:

Lighthouse Landing: A multi‑slide tower featuring three exhilarating tube slides and a dual‑mat racing slide, delivering speed, competition, and splash‑down excitement.
Minnow Bay: Families and junior swimmers can cool off and play in a newly designed lagoon featuring eight kid‑friendly slides, interactive water elements, and plenty of space to splash and explore together.
Superior Shores Waterpark also features the Breakers Bay Wave Pool, Great Lake Launchers and Superior Plunge drop and speed slides, Ripple Rapids lazy river, and several dining and retail locations.

A rendering of Minnow Bay at Superior Shores Waterpark (Courtesy of Valleyfair)

New Guest Experiences and 50th Anniversary Opening Dates

The release noted the park will also feature a 'refreshed arrival experience that transforms entry into Superior Shores Waterpark, enhancing guest flow, immersion, and first impressions from the moment guests arrive,' it said.

Admission to Superior Shores Waterpark is included with Valleyfair admission,
providing a 'two‑parks‑in‑one experience all in a single visit,' the release said. Valleyfair will officially open for its 50th anniversary season on Sunday, May 10th, 2026.

Even though opening day isn't too far away, you can still head to Valleyfair right now-- with a look at some of Valleyfair classics. Keep scrolling to check out a gallery of some of Valleyfair's popular rides and attractions!