Excalibur Review, Valleyfair Arrow Hybrid Coaster | Is 2022 its Final Year (Likely Not!)
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2022
- Excalibur is a unique Arrow hybrid coaster at Valleyfair. This ride uses the track and trains of a mine train, but the layout has more power and speed. Should this ride stick around? Find out in this review!
This has been rumored to be on the chopping block for years. As noted in the video, there was an expansion plan slated to this ride's plot of land. A Valleyfair employee reached out to me after this video was released. The expansion plan for Excalibur's site was rejected by the town since it's a flood plain. Since the park is unlikely to get permission for anything else to be built on this land, they are instead planning on operating Excalibur until the ride reaches the end of its service life. The ride just received a new control panel for the 2021 season, so it should last for several more years.
Video Credits
Excalibur 1990 (Prime Time Live)
Excalibur Commercial (Valleyfair)
Excalibur POV, 1999 (psyclonesteve)- • Excalibur, Valley Fair...
Excalibur POV, 2018 (Valleyfair)- • Excalibur POV
Background Music
Medieval Song Village Consort
Always No Copyright Music | Free Music for Everyone
Title: Village Consort
Genre: Country & Folk
Mood: Dramatic
Link- • Medieval Song Village ...
A Valleyfair staff member reached out to me and had an update on Excalibur's status. The expansion plan for Excalibur's site was rejected by the town since it's a flood plain. Since the park is unlikely to get permission for anything else to be built on this land, they are instead planning on operating Excalibur until the ride reaches the end of its service life. The ride just received a new control panel for the 2022 season.
good to hear!!
What are the chances for an RMC conversion of it?
Excalibur had the brand new control panel on it when I visited in June 2021, unless it got yet another one. I know it was still giving them some issues when we were there, it locked up and we got the last ride the day I was there.
@@JMANWiSS I was just there the other day, and of course it was closed :/ glad to hear it’s staying for now.
I messaged valley fair and they are not getting rid of any rides
Very educational history portion. I also didn't know you could see it so well from the road. Makes me really wish i went back there now
Nice seeing you here! Glad you guys got to meet up!
I remembered seeing the road when I rode it in 2019, so I was glad there was a walkable bike path there.
As good as coasters are today you’re right they almost have become too perfect, sometimes those random moments and imperfections on older coasters like this can be amazing, and wow that speed hill they removed looked downright insane
I agree. The random imperfections can catch you off-guard.
Went to this park for the first time last summer, Excalibur is truly a hidden gem. Reminds me of what an RMC would be like if it was built in the 80s. Strong positives and laterals, exceptionally powerful ejector airtime (especially on the s hill), and some crazy headchoppers. The ride is so bizarre and I absolutely love it.
I agree with the comp.
This looks like one of those classic rides that's really underrated. It's nice that it's usually a station wait or walk on.
True!
I would love to see the trims get removed, the first airtime hill get added back, and the entire ride get a retrack by Chance Rides.
I don't know chance rides to work on coasters. But I suppose they do. I know chance best for their C.P Huntington trains
That would be awesome.
that is an INCREDIBLE idea.
This seems like Vallyfair's equivalent of The Bat (KI).
An old family-thrill Arrow located at the edge of the park, that you have to pass through a tunnel to get to, doesn't have a fast lane option (as it doesn't really need it), and is a dead end.
I agree they have similarities.
@@CanobieCoaster true cedars iron dragon is fun, heading to KI in a couple weeks, bat current one train but at least it's open again.
Noon-7 sounds like what I had on my 2019 visit. I got 4 rides on my one trek out there, and I loved it, my 2nd favorite at the park. I agree about how the elements have character to them. That's probably why I enjoy these Arrow coasters so much. It's the imperfections that make them so great.
It rides so differently than modern rides.
Lemme guess, your favorite was renegade?
Minnesota is quite a trek for me but it might be worth it to get some rides on Excalibur before it's gone. I made the 3000 mile trek to get my rides on Viper at Magic Mountain this past spring, but even with the constant rumors of Viper going down, I fear far more for this weird little hybrid.
I fear for this one too.
Magic Mountain's Viper was worth the trek! They did a big refurbishment in late 2018, so I hope that means they plan to keep it around for many more years. I love having 2 of the best Arrows ever right next to each other. Excalibur may not be in the league of the elite Arrows, but it is a fun quirky ride.
it's not worth it for that distance. This is my home park and Excalibur is very shaky to me. I'll usually ride it 2 or 3 times in a row and not come back to it because of how far back it is. Now, is a trip to VF plus the coasters at MOA worth the long trip.... eh... if you toss in swinging by Great America near Chicago then sure.
Wish I could've gone to Valley Fair when I was in Minnesota to go to the Mayo Clinic. Still regret not going, but unfortunately got some bad news and had to deal with that. Would really love to go someday.
Hope you're ok!
@@CanobieCoaster Thank you so much! I was at the Mayo Clinic because I kept getting sick and they thought it was an autoimmune thing, but after the first round of tests they found it was actually thyroid cancer. I'm doing better now, and ready to ride coasters again ☺️
Excalibur is on my bucket list because it is so weird!!
It is.
Valleyfair is my home park, the best way to ride Excalibur is to marathon it (super easy as it almost never has a line) wait for an untrimmed ride or lightly trimmed ride. This happens at least once everything I go. If you get this the ejector air time is insane on the first and second hill. That bunny hill after the low to the ground turn is even crazier literally getting thrown out your seat and with the old arrow mine train restraint you feel every bit of airtime.
Does it seem more likely to happen with less people onboard?
Doesn't matter if it's old and rough. I'd ride it. I think it looks like a lot of fun. Also like the way it goes around the trees. Neat.
I do like the location.
Really enjoyed this coaster, definitely agree it's a back row ride. It's my second favorite ride at Valleyfair, hopefully it sticks around by the time I make it back to Valleyfair to get a couple more rides on it!
I hope it stays.
I really like this ride, but for everything beyond the ride itself. I like talking about how unique it is. I like how hidden away it is. I like its little bits of theming, etc. I still like the ride itself, but between its length and jerkiness, it doesn't usually warrant more than a few rides per visit for me unless the rest of the park is really busy. Not that the park ever will, but I feel like if they wanted to reinvigorate the ride, it would be really cool if they added a bunch of tunnels to the low to the ground sections to add some variety and disorientation to the ride.
The location is nice for the minimal lines.
I really like this ride just because it's so weird, there really is nothing else like it. The hike back there is always worth it.
I agree.
I haven’t been to Valleyfair but I predict this would be my second favorite ride in the park. I just love the classic Arrow jankiness and airtime. 🗡
It's so much different than new coasters.
Excalibur got a whole new control panel last season and that second train was never on the transfer track until this season.
Interesting!
it will probably extend its life a bit
Yeah, was about to say that. Also some of the support pieces on the turnaround were replaced during the offseason
When the coaster first opened, the minimum height limit was 48", but those under 54" (like me, who was in elementary school at the time) were required by staff to ride in one of the front two cars (first 6 rows). The High Roller, Corkscrew, Looping Starship, and Wild Rails didn't phase me one bit, but Excalibur actually left me with a headache. Even today, when I visit, which is often because I have a season pass, the furthest back I typically go is for Renegade.
Interesting!
Ride it while you can. Old Arrow mine trains are a lot of fun! This one is particularly unique. I'm a "sucker" for the tubular rails atop a wooden structure.
It sounds like this ride may be around longer than most thought based on some info from an employee after this came out.
I like that this coaster is set so out of the way in the back in the woods. Makes for short lines and a different vibe.
The lines are nice.
Definitely a rough ride, but it’s my favorite in the park! The sense of speed is incredible, and it feels like the least trimmed coaster in the park (besides maybe Renegade.)
I agree the speed is good even when trimmed.
Cool ride
Sure is!
Valley fair is such a unique park with a lot of charm, with having 5 rollercoasters (6 if you count steel venom) and half of those being woodies, it’s such a different environment than what you would think for a theme park in 2022
Valleyfair is a good park.
Valleyfair actually has 8 coasters:
Corkscrew- 1980 Arrow Custom Looper
Cosmic Coaster- 1988 Zamperla Powered coaster
Excalibur- 1989 Arrow Hybrid coaster
High Roller- 1976 Wooden coaster
Mad Mouse- 1999 Arrow Wild Mouse
Renegade- 2007 GCI Wooden coaster
Steel Venom- 2003 Intamin Impulse coaster
Wild Thing- 1996 Morgan Hyper coaster
@@mackenziefritz8169 I hate counting family and child focused coasters as “real” coasters as they’re just not the same as the bigger coasters targeted to adults as a thrill ride
@@vvvprince9487 family and children coasters are still "real" coasters. And wild mice are still enjoyed by many thrill seekers (hell I even enjoyed this wild mouse more than the corkscrew).
@@vvvprince9487I somewhat agree but I also don’t
macguffin: the ride
a macguffin is an object that drives the plot of a story, like excalibur in the sword in the stone
Never seen it.
Let’s SAVE this Coster we can do it
It sounds like it's safe now per an employee.
Hey Friends 😀
I Remember Riding Excalibur During Debut Season Of 1989 I Was 15 .
My Cousin Renae & I Sat In The Front & The Back
So Much Fun . I Also Remember Riding CorkScrew During The Debut Season 1980 I Was 6
My Uncle Don Took Me On The Ride So Awesome .
I Miss VF & Riding All The Rides . I Can No Longer Ride Due To Severe Spinal Injuries From A Car Accident .
Enjoy ValleyFair & The Rides
Have A Great Day 😀
Sincerely
Gabby Gustafsson
Minnesota
Cool!
Excalibur ain’t going nowhere for a long time!
I hope!
Do you like the trim brakes on the first drop on this coaster?
The original version had a bunny hill after the drop
I do not like the trim.
That airtime hill after the helix is WICKED AF
Yes!
Glad to hear it will stay in the park for a while longer, because at the end of the day it’s another coaster. Just wish they would add a new coaster with all that empty room at the front of the park where the dinosaur area used to be.
Me too.
Which type of roughness is "shimmying"?
"Unless you count", what does that mean?
Unless you count means if you classify.
I don't know if you like trim brakes on the drop from all roller coasters that use them in the world?
I'd prefer there to be no trims.
Does anyone have a link to the Prime Time Live video? I cannot find it anywhere
Links don't usually work when I post them in the comments. But the video is on Olsor54. It is called "Prime Time Live segment on roller coasters". The hill can be seen in the background at 0:57. It also has a slow mo shot at 4:09.
@@CanobieCoaster Thank you so much! I’ve been researching a lot about Valleyfair the past few years and this helps a lot!
Didn't they add a new control panel this year? If that's the case it's not going anywhere for quite awhile I wouldnt be surprised if those waterpark plans got cancelled due to environmental reasons
That would bode well for its future.
Since Project Exodus has run into some trouble due to its planned location being potentially a similar environment to Excalibur's (London's environmental agency wants Thorpe Park to either prove this isn't the case, or relocate otherwise it will push for the project to be disapproved), wouldn't be surprised if environmental concerns canned the planned water park expansion, which would be a good thing since that would be a downgrade.
Gene staples should buy this for either fantasy island or the park with hell cat. The. Just have new steel supports made for it to avoid having to move all the wooden structure.
It seems safe now based off what I've heard.
@@CanobieCoaster if they scrap it I'll go load it piece by piece in my truck and take it 😆
What type of airtime is "delayed airtime"?
Airtime that doesn't kick in immediately.
I thought you would make Valleyfair videos after seeing you in airtime thrills video
I'll have a few over the next week.
And do you know coasters in Europe with trim brakes on the first drop?
Yes, Stampida.
So....are we *ever* going to receive a Gemini review..?
I plan to do one eventually.
I love roller coasters, but I’m not a “coaster-head”, or whatever you’d call it. What’s the difference between ejector airtime and floater airtime?
Ejector airtime is when you are forcefully thrown upwards out of your seat. Floafer airtime is when it's gentler and it's more like you're hovering.
Honestly if they remove Excalibur I will never visit that park again. It would seriously need to be replaced with an epic coaster for me to do so. Water park expansions where that classic coaster sit would only serve to irritate me. That said, High Roller was closed on my one visit so I don't know if it's good or not and worth a visit. I mean Valleyfair have an older rougher Arrow than exclaibur and they have no plans to ditch that, so why would they get rid of a better coaster? That park will do anything to avoid spending money for a new ride, so all kidding aside I think they will stretch it out to its very last minute of service life. Quickly though Mike, is High Roller worth going back to valleyfair for, ,even if Excalibur is gone?
High Roller has some fun spots of airtime, but Renegade is the clear star at this park.
@@CanobieCoaster Oh yeah I went before that existed ROFL. I can't believe I forgot about that. That's a GCI though isn't it? I've never liked any of them really.
@@teddym2808 ....Renegade is widely considered to be one of the greatest wooden coasters ever built & is the only reason the vast majority of coaster riders visit that park
@@bustersales6921 I am not into twisters, sorry I saw your comment so late. I have only liked one GCI so far and I have ridden almost all of them now in Europe and the US including Renegade on my 3 month massive coaster trip June to September 2023, not too long after my comment. The only ones I haven't ridden are in China and one in Dubai (was closed). Renegade was fast and "furious", sure, i.e. very well paced but it indeed wasn't my type of coaster, as I predicted. I am all about a lot of big drops which is why I love El Toro, Shivering Timbers and Voyage. Even some huge steel coasters bore me. For example, Mike and the general coaster community love Millennium Force which to me was so boring that I nearly fell asleep, because after the first drop it was a nothing coaster and I got zero airtime on the first drop. I rode it in opening year 2001 and then 22 years later last year and my opinion did not improve at all. I literally call it a nothing coaster. "Just speed" and turns doesn't do it for me. We all have differences and can't agree on everything. And on the other hand, there's coasters I love that Mike doesn't. We all agree on RMC though hehe, I finally experienced so many of them and loved every single one, Iron Gwazi being my favourite and in my top 3. Another one that does zero for me is Formula Rossa. The launch is great, so I love maybe 10% of the coaster, as soon as the launch is over, I am bored to TEARS on that ride.
If Excalibur is removed, I hope a new coaster is added to a different part of the park as well.
Sounds like it's safe per an employee who reached out.
@@CanobieCoaster It'd be ironic if the Gemini ends up getting scrapped so its parts can be used for Excalibur when more people think the opposite will happen.
I rode Excalibur a month ago and it ran untrimmed, i have ridden steel vengeance and iron gwazi and that one twisted ejector hill felt like gwazis outer bank after the first drop.
That ride sounds epic untrimmed.
If this ride still had or could get back the bunny hill somehow it would go from irrelevant to one of the most loved coasters out there for that violent pop and the insane s hill
It's still a fun ride as is.
A) no it wouldn’t. It’s revered as it is
B) this coaster is widely regarded as the precursor to RMC. How is it irrelevant?
Rode earlier this year.. it isnt bad but it is a nice option ride.
It's certainly unique.
@CanobieCoaster a giant wild mine ride? Ha
But yes on unique..I presume the only model of this?
i went on this yesterday it hurt really bad lol
Sorry to hear that.
A mine train on drugs. This honestly looks like it could beat Renegade. The drop has that extra kick that will ejector you in the back, mix that with some moderate laterals and a triangle hill, and you have a fantastic brother of Gemini. May be a bit short buy hopefully that doesn't affect it to much.
It can't beat Renegade for me, but it is fun.
Better Excalibur, this one or Funtown/Splashtown's? I think Funtown is better.
Funtown's
Excalibur recently got a new computer system, so I think it's safe for a little bit.
That would be nice!
I’ve been to this park twice and this section has been closed off both times
Sorry to hear that. I've had good luck on summer weekends.
It's impossible to film Excalibur inside the park since it's enclosed by a forest.
Pretty much.
Looks like a mini arrow hyper with the first drop
Pretty much!
@@CanobieCoaster It’s the single version of Cedar Points Gemini.
I Can Understand Why This Ride Is Not Popular But
In The Off Ride POV It Looks Amazing
It's short but fun.
I have to go ride it before it goes extinct!
I recommend it!
I've got my eyes on the Twin Cities as a place I might visit in the future. I hope they keep Excalibur around as long as possible, as I don't see Valleyfair getting much in the way of replacement. It may not be a great coaster but weird goes a long way with me.
A propos of nothing, in what theme park did I hear that medieval background music play? Pretty sure it was Energylandia. Some of these parks are such cheapskates. You spend millions on ride hardware but can't fork over a couple thousand to a decent composer. (yes, I am a disgruntled composer, how could you tell)
The music is non-copyright music for the background of my videos. It sounds like Excalibur should be safe for a while now. See the top comment.
@@CanobieCoaster That means some of these parks use non-copyright music to go with their multi-million dollar themed attractions. Tell me that's right.
“I’ve got my eyes on Twin Cities as a place I might visit in the future”
@@marcbasil I mean, you're not wrong.
cool
Yes
Quirkiness, what means?
Weirdness
Valley fair does whatever they can to not spend money so I could see it there for a long time.
Based on what I learned about Wild Thing, makes sense.
in messenger i spoke to valley fair about this going and they got denfensive and asked why would i even wonder about them getting of rides.
I believe it's safe from what I've heard.
This poor ride doesn't get much attention. I certainly would not want to lose it. Maybe they could figure out a way to attract people to ride the ride.
They need to put more back there.
They need to advertise it for what it is: a proto-RMC
First!
Nice!