Valleyfair shuts down rides, parking areas due to flooding

Significant flooding caused by the rising Minnesota River is forcing Valleyfair to shut down three rides and close parking areas for the foreseeable future as projections show that the Minnesota River will crest on Saturday, June 29.

Valleyfair announced Tuesday that Excalibur, Thunder Canyon, and Renegade would all close due to their location in the flood zone, with the vast majority of the park being above the current projected crest.

"We do have more rain in the forecast, but even if the river rises even more, the rest of the park won't be impacted," said Melissa Ferlaak, Valleyfair's PR and Communications Manager. "We're definitely not expecting any impacts to any rides. We're not expecting to shut down."

Ferlaak told WCCO Radio's Vineeta Sawkar on Wednesday morning that guests should give themselves about 30 minutes of extra time when arriving in order to find the temporary parking options that include the Canterbury Park overflow lot and MVTA's Southbridge Crossing Park and Ride Eagle Creek Park and Ride Stations.

MVTA buses will be provided from 9 a.m. until park close.

"This level of flooding pretty unusual, but it has happened in the past," added Ferlaak. "When it comes to the rides, we've had questions about if they'll get damaged. The three closed rides were built with flooding in-mind because that is a frequent flooding area. They're built with bridge technology, essentially. So they're not going anywhere."

Park restrictions begin Wednesday.