Valleyscare transforms Valleyfair amusement park in Shakopee, Minnesota into one of the Midwest’s largest Halloween attractions each fall, drawing visitors from across the region for haunted houses, scare zones, and seasonal entertainment. Planning your ticket purchase requires understanding the different pricing tiers, add-on options, and strategies for avoiding long lines during peak nights.
This guide covers how to buy tickets, what each ticket type includes, how pricing varies by date, and practical tips for maximizing your visit to this seasonal horror event.
What Are Valleyscare Tickets and How Much Do They Cost?
Valleyscare tickets grant admission to Valleyfair during special Halloween event nights, typically running Friday through Sunday evenings from late September through October. Pricing varies significantly based on the date you visit, with weekend tickets in late October generally costing more than early-season weekday nights, though exact prices change annually and should be verified on the official Valleyfair website before purchase.
Understanding Ticket Types and Access Levels
Valleyscare offers several ticket options that determine both your admission and your experience throughout the evening. The differences between these options can significantly affect how much you see and how long you wait.
General Admission Tickets
Standard admission tickets provide entry to the park on your selected date and access to all haunted attractions, scare zones, and select rides. You’ll wait in regular standby lines for haunted houses, which can exceed 60 minutes during peak hours on Saturday nights.
General admission does not include preferred parking, priority attraction access, or special viewing areas for shows. Most visitors choose this option and plan their evening strategically to minimize wait times.
Fast Lane and Fast Lane Plus Add-Ons
Fast Lane passes function as skip-the-line upgrades that work in addition to your admission ticket. Fast Lane typically covers most haunted attractions with shortened wait times, while Fast Lane Plus extends access to additional houses or premium experiences.
These upgrades cost a significant percentage of your base ticket price and sell out on popular nights. The investment makes sense if you want to experience all haunts in a single visit or can only attend on a crowded Saturday evening, but verify which specific attractions each Fast Lane level covers before purchasing.
Season-Long Passes and Bundles
Valleyfair sometimes offers multi-visit packages or allows certain season pass holders to attend Valleyscare nights at a discount or with included admission. These options work best for local visitors who plan to attend multiple weekends or who already visit Valleyfair during the regular summer season.
Check whether your existing Valleyfair pass includes Valleyscare access or requires an additional purchase, as policies vary by pass level and change between seasons.
Where to Purchase Valleyscare Tickets
You can buy tickets online through the official Valleyfair website, at the park entrance on event nights, or sometimes through authorized third-party resellers. Each purchase method has different advantages depending on your planning timeline and flexibility.
Buying Online in Advance
Online tickets purchased ahead of your visit typically cost less than gate prices and guarantee admission on nights that might sell out. You select your specific visit date during checkout, and most tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable to different dates.
Print your ticket or save it to your mobile device before arriving. Online purchasers often access dedicated entry lanes that move faster than the main ticket windows during peak arrival times.
Gate Purchases on Event Nights
Buying tickets at the park entrance on the day of your visit usually costs more and risks sellouts on popular Halloween weekend nights. This option works if your schedule remains uncertain or if you’re visiting on a less crowded early-season Friday when advance sellouts are unlikely.
Arrive early in the evening to avoid both ticket lines and the initial rush into haunted attractions when the event begins.
How Pricing Changes Throughout the Season
Valleyscare uses dynamic pricing similar to airline tickets, adjusting costs based on expected demand for each specific date. Understanding this pattern helps you find better value and potentially avoid the most crowded nights.
Friday nights in late September typically offer the lowest prices and smallest crowds, while the final two Saturdays before Halloween command premium pricing and draw the largest attendance. Sunday evenings fall between these extremes, offering moderate pricing with crowds that thin out significantly after 9 PM as families with younger visitors depart.
What Your Ticket Includes
All Valleyscare admission tickets provide access to the same base experience, though the speed and comfort of that experience varies based on add-ons. Knowing exactly what comes with admission helps you budget for additional purchases and plan your evening.
Haunted Attractions and Scare Zones
Your ticket covers entry to all haunted houses, outdoor scare zones, and themed walkthrough attractions operating that evening. The specific number and themes of haunts change each year, but recent seasons have featured between five and eight major indoor haunted houses plus several outdoor scare zones scattered throughout the park.
Some attractions may close temporarily due to weather or technical issues. Valleyscare operates in light rain, but severe weather can pause outdoor attractions without refunds.
Rides and Entertainment
Select Valleyfair roller coasters and thrill rides operate during Valleyscare with atmospheric lighting and Halloween theming. Not all daytime rides run during evening events, so check current operating schedules if riding specific coasters is essential to your visit.
Live entertainment including scare actors, DJs, and occasionally stage shows are included with admission. These performances occur throughout the evening and don’t require separate tickets or reservations.
What Costs Extra
Food, beverages, games, retail merchandise, preferred parking, locker rentals, and Fast Lane upgrades all require separate payment beyond your admission ticket. The park does not allow outside food or drinks except for specific dietary needs or infant formula.
Some visitors budget an additional amount per person for meals and snacks, though bringing a refillable water bottle can reduce beverage costs if free water fountains are accessible.
Strategies for Choosing Your Visit Date
The date you select affects your ticket cost, crowd levels, and overall experience more than any other single decision. Balancing these factors requires understanding your priorities and constraints.
If you want the most intense Halloween atmosphere with maximum energy and don’t mind crowds or premium pricing, attend the final Saturday before Halloween. For lower costs and shorter lines with a similar experience, choose a Friday in early October or a Sunday evening mid-season.
- Early season weekdays: Lowest prices and crowds, but fewer scare actors and less intense atmosphere as staff ramps up
- Mid-season Fridays: Moderate pricing with manageable lines and full staffing across all attractions
- Sunday evenings: Smaller crowds after 9 PM, though some guests leave before experiencing all haunts
- Peak Saturdays: Highest energy and fullest experience, but expect premium prices and waits exceeding an hour per haunt without Fast Lane
Age Restrictions and Content Warnings
Valleyscare features intense scares, strobe lights, fog effects, loud noises, and adult themes not suitable for young children. The event does not have a minimum age requirement, but parental discretion is strongly advised for anyone under 13.
All guests regardless of age require their own admission ticket. The park does not offer “lights-on” tours or reduced-scare experiences, and scare actors cannot be asked to avoid specific guests or groups.
Accessibility Considerations
Haunted attractions include uneven surfaces, stairs, tight spaces, and periods of low visibility or complete darkness. Guests using wheelchairs or mobility devices can access most haunts, though some attractions may require transferring or have modified routes that skip certain elements.
Contact Valleyfair guest services before your visit to discuss specific accessibility needs and available accommodations. Guests with conditions affected by strobe lights, fog, or sudden scares should review attraction warnings before entering each haunt.
Planning Your Visit Timeline
Valleyscare typically begins at dusk (around 6 or 7 PM depending on the season) and runs until midnight or later on weekends. The park often opens limited areas an hour before haunts begin, allowing early arrivals to grab food and position themselves near popular attractions.
Budget at least four to five hours to experience all major haunted houses on a moderately crowded night without Fast Lane. On peak Saturdays, seeing everything may require the full event duration or strategic use of skip-the-line passes.
Arrival and Parking
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the official start time to navigate parking, walk to the entrance, and enter before the initial rush. Standard parking is included in some ticket packages but requires a separate fee for most guests, while preferred parking closer to the entrance costs more.
The parking lot fills on popular nights, and traffic on nearby roads can delay arrival. Allow extra time if traveling from Minneapolis or St. Paul during weekend evening rush hours.
Maximizing Your Time Inside
Most experienced visitors recommend hitting the haunted house at the back of the park first, as crowds naturally cluster near the entrance. Work your way forward through the park as the evening progresses, saving the most popular haunt for late in the night when lines begin to thin.
Check wait times posted at attraction entrances or on the park’s mobile app if available. Some houses maintain shorter queues throughout the night due to higher capacity or less mainstream appeal.
Refund and Exchange Policies
Valleyscare tickets are typically non-refundable once purchased and cannot be exchanged for different dates. The park does not issue refunds for weather-related closures unless the entire event is cancelled before opening, though policies vary and should be verified at purchase.
If you cannot attend on your selected date, reselling your ticket privately may violate terms of service and could result in the ticket being voided at entry. Review the specific terms associated with your ticket type before attempting any transfer.
What to Bring and Wear
October evenings in Minnesota range from cool to cold, with temperatures often dropping into the 40s Fahrenheit (4-9°C) as the season progresses. Layer your clothing and bring a jacket you can tie around your waist if you warm up while walking.
Wear closed-toe shoes with good traction for navigating dark pathways, fog-obscured surfaces, and potential mud if rain has occurred. Costumes are allowed but cannot include masks that cover the entire face, weapons (real or replica), or excessive props that might slow movement through attractions.
- Mobile phone for tickets, photos, and coordination with your group
- Small bag or pockets for storing essentials (large bags may not be allowed in some attractions)
- Payment method for food, merchandise, and any unplanned add-ons
- Light jacket or sweatshirt for outdoor queues and scare zones
Common Mistakes to Avoid
First-time visitors often underestimate crowd sizes on Halloween weekend or assume weeknight tickets will be available at the gate. Purchasing tickets well in advance for your preferred date prevents disappointment and usually saves money.
Don’t skip meals before arriving, as hunger and low blood sugar reduce your enjoyment during a four-plus hour evening of walking and standing. The park offers food, but eating a substantial meal beforehand or shortly after arrival helps you focus on attractions rather than discomfort.
Avoid bringing young children unless you’re certain they can handle intense scares, as the event offers no opt-out areas once you’re inside attractions. Unlike daytime Valleyfair, Valleyscare is specifically designed for teens and adults seeking frightening experiences.
Nearby Lodging and Extended Visits
Shakopee offers chain hotels within a short drive of Valleyfair, making overnight stays practical if you’re traveling from outside the Twin Cities metro area or want to avoid late-night driving after the event. Booking accommodation in advance is essential for Halloween weekend when regional hotel inventory fills quickly.
Some visitors combine Valleyscare with daytime activities at Valleyfair if the park is open earlier that day, or explore nearby attractions in the southern Twin Cities area. This approach works best with multi-day park tickets or when visiting early in October while daytime weather remains pleasant.
Alternative and Nearby Halloween Attractions
The Twin Cities region hosts numerous other Halloween events during October, from smaller haunted houses to farm-based attractions. If Valleyscare tickets for your preferred date are sold out or priced beyond your budget, regional alternatives provide different experiences at various price points.
Some nearby attractions focus on family-friendly fall festivals rather than intense scares, offering pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and hayrides without horror elements. These options suit visitors who want autumn atmosphere without the Valleyscare intensity level.
Verifying Current Information Before You Go
Event dates, operating hours, ticket prices, Fast Lane availability, haunt lineups, COVID-related policies, parking fees, and safety requirements change annually and sometimes mid-season. Always check the official Valleyfair website or contact guest services directly within a few days of your planned visit.
Weather policies, ride availability, and special event nights (like industry nights or charity benefits with different rules) are announced closer to event dates. Following Valleyfair’s social media or signing up for email updates ensures you have current information before making the drive.
Making the Most of Your Valleyscare Experience
Valleyscare delivers a comprehensive Halloween event combining professional haunted houses, atmospheric entertainment, and the unique setting of a major amusement park. Your ticket represents the foundation of the experience, but strategic planning around visit dates, arrival times, and optional upgrades determines whether you’ll see everything you want or spend the evening in frustration.
Start by purchasing tickets for a specific date that balances your schedule, budget, and crowd tolerance, then build your evening plan around realistic expectations for wait times and walking distances. Verify all current details with official sources, dress for changeable October weather, and prepare for an intense, memorable Halloween attraction that draws thousands of visitors each season.
We hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable visit to one of the Midwest’s premier Halloween events. Check out our other helpful Tourist Destination articles for more planning advice on seasonal attractions and special events across the region.