Valleyfair’s Wild Thing Turns 30 And Invites Your Stories
I was doing some spring cleaning yesterday when I stumbled on this blast from the past. It was a photo of my dad and me on the Wild Thing in the year it opened at Valleyfair, 30 years ago.
My dad and I went on a road trip and were going to go to Six Flags in Chicago, Valleyfair, and some other places in our used camper. To make a long story short, the camper didn't make it to Chicago, and it was clear it would be a miracle if we even made it back from the Twin Cities. Who would have thought that a 1976 Winnebago wouldn't be cut out for the interstate?
We still had a fun summer road trip, and the highlight was definitely riding the brand-new "Wild Thing" rollercoaster at Valleyfair. At the time, the Wild Thing was one of the first hypercoasters. Those are rollercoasters that exceed 200 feet in height. The Wild Thing's first drop is 60 degrees down from a peak of 207 feet. It reaches 74 MPH and then goes into a hyperbolic turn, which is still one of the longest stretches of low gravity of all roller coasters worldwide.
The Wild Thing may be 30 years old, but it can still deliver a thrill.
Read More: Valleyfair Opens New Revamped 'Superior Shores' Waterpark
Do you remember your first time through the tunnel on the way back? I thought for sure we were going to clip our heads on the roof, and then it went black and flashes of lights went off. When you exited the ride, you could go see your photo on the screen and get your hard copy picture.
The line was so long back when it opened. Everybody wanted to try the Wild Thing. If you were lucky enough to get there right when the park opened, you'd sprint with your friends. You just might be lucky to get two rides in before the line fills up. The highlight for us in the 1990s was our trips to Valleyfair.
Do you have memories of Valleyfair? They are celebrating 50 years, and have a place where you can submit memories and photos to celebrate the amusement park.
Valleyfair opens for its 50th Season on May 10th, 2026!
LOOK: Oldest Disneyland Rides From 1955 to Today
Gallery Credit: Angela Brown