Valleyfair’s New Superior Shores Opens This Weekend

Minnesota's largest amusement park is making a big splash this Memorial Day Weekend as it opens its new waterpark as a part of its 50th anniversary season.

The North Star State's classic amusement 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's now set to make its Minnesota debut this holiday weekend.

New Superior Shores Waterpark Opens at Valleyfair

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.

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 which officially opens for the season this weekend.

Here’s What’s New at Valleyfair’s Waterpark in 2026

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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. In April, Enchanted Parks announced a massive upgrade to Valleyfair's water features, which are now known as Superior Shores Waterpark.

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 this Saturday, May 23, 2026.

Here are some of the highlights of the new features that are opening this weekend, 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.

Valleyfair’s 50th Anniversary Season Includes Major Changes

The release noted the park is also sporting 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 officially kicked off its 50th anniversary season when it opened just under two weeks ago on Sunday, May 10th.

Even if you aren't checking out the new Superior Shores rides and attractions, there are a lot of other classics still around at Valleyfair. Keep scrolling to check out some of the park's most popular rides and attractions!