When Peanuts Land on the Planet Snoopy
Snoopy arrived at his new home in grand style — by helicopter on Saturday. The Minnesota-born beagle flew in to unveil Valleyfair Amusement Park’s newest attraction, Planet Snoopy.
The $9 million, 3.5 acre Planet Snoopy features over 20 PEANUTS-themed rides and attractions, including the PEANUTS Playhouse, Snoopy Boutique and Planet Grill.
Immediately before the doors opened to the public, Snoopy and Larry MacKenzie, Valleyfair’s vice president and general manager, accepted the Key to the City of Shakopee from Mayor John. J. Schmitt as well as a proclamation declaring it Valleyfair and Planet Snoopy Day.
[ Also Read: Mr. Peanut Opens Peanut-Shaped Urban Park ]The arrival of Planet Snoopy to the park is fitting because it was Minnesota native, Charles Schulz, who introduced the PEANUTS characters to the country in 1950.
Recently, PEANUTS fans celebrated the 60th anniversary of their favorite comic strip via the “Countdown to the Great Pumpkin” game. This online social media game invited Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Foursquare and YouTube users to join the Anniversary fun by completing a series of daily PEANUTS-themed “to-dos.” (Read: Peanuts Celebrates 60 Years with Great Pumpkin)
“We consider it an honor to welcome Snoopy and his friends to Valleyfair,” says Larry MacKenzie, VP, Valleyfair.
[ Also Read: Peanut is Your New Friend on Facebook ]Guests will be able to meet the PEANUTS characters daily, with Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and Sally, as wandering around their new park. The PEANUTS gang will entertain kids of all ages with “Charlie Brown’s HOEDOWN” each day in the PEANUTS Showplace and catch a bite before the park opens with the Gang at the character breakfasts beginning June 4.
Valleyfair opened to the public in 1976. Today, with 90 acres of land, it is claimed to be the largest amusement park in the Upper Midwest, employing 70 full-time and 1,600 season employees.
It is located 25 minutes southwest of the Twin Cities on County Road 101, just east of Shakopee, Minn. Guests can enjoy rides, shows and Soak City Waterpark with daily admission or a season pass.
Valleyfair is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.
