If you enjoy roller coasters, and you're in the Midwest, odds are you've ridden the oldest roller coaster in Minnesota. This coaster has been around so long that I remember it being the first fast roller coaster that I rode when I was a kid. It was a thrill and still is today after being around for its upcoming 47th season.

Valleyfair has some great, fast coasters including the Wild Thing, Renegade, Excalibur, Corkscrew, Mad Mouse, and the Cosmic Coaster.

Valleyfair has the most coasters, and only Mall of America's Nickelodeon Univers has any others. What Valleyfair also does have is a number of wooden roller coasters, like Excalibur.

There is one wooden roller coaster that has been there since the beginning. It's also Minnesota's oldest roller coaster at 47 years old. How can something make out of wood last that long?

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We of course are talking about the famous High Roller. Valleyfair's first roller coaster. The classic coaster was there on day one when Valley Fair opened its gates. It's also considered the staple coaster as it still draws crowds for its height and speed.

Valleyfair YouTube
Valleyfair YouTube
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The High Roller was built in 1976. It's 70 feet at its tallest and reaches speeds up to 47 mph. That's pretty fast, especially if you consider when it was built. The ride lasts 2 minutes and 14 seconds. It's a pretty thrilling ride, and also a good "real" rollercoaster to bring your kids on for their first thrilling ride.

The ride features a big first drop from 70 feet, then some more vertical humps before a fast turnaround at the halfway point, bringing you back with speed for more vertical drops on the way back.

Valleyfair via YouTube
Valleyfair via YouTube
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What are your memories of the High Roller? My first time was with my dad when I was probably 10 years old. It was the first real coaster for me to try because I was too chicken to go on the corkscrew because it went upside down. It's funny how upside-down coasters scare kids. My daughter loves roller coasters but is still afraid of going upside-down.

Valleyfair opens May 14th for the 2023 season. They've got some specials going on ahead of the opening day you may want to check out.

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