Renegade is a wooden roller coaster at Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minnesota, that opened to riders on May 12, 2007. Built by Great Coasters International, it blends an out-and-back layout with twisting turns through the park’s tree line, giving it a different rhythm than a typical straight-shot wooden coaster.
The ride is best known for its first-drop trick: the opening hill sends the train down in one direction before twisting midway into an S-shaped curve that reverses course. From there, Renegade winds through a series of banked turns and a high-speed fly-by past its own station before coasting back to the loading platform.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Valleyfair
- Manufacturer: Great Coasters International
- Opened: May 12, 2007
- Height: 97.5 feet
- Top speed: 51.3 mph
- Length: 3,113 feet
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Renegade’s defining moment comes almost immediately after launch, when its 91.4-foot first drop twists from one direction into the opposite halfway down, a maneuver that sets it apart from more conventional wooden coasters of its era. The rest of the 3,113-foot circuit mixes out-and-back straightaways with twister-style turns, keeping riders guessing about which direction the track will lean next.
At a height of about 97.5 feet and top speeds around 51.3 mph, Renegade isn’t the tallest or fastest coaster in the region, but its layout is built for lateral motion rather than sheer drop height. The ride also includes a high-speed pass by its own station before the train completes the roughly two-minute circuit.
Millennium Flyer Trains
Renegade was among the earlier installations to use Great Coasters International’s Millennium Flyer trains, a lighter train design intended to reduce the roughness common on older wooden coasters while preserving the airtime and lateral forces fans expect from wood track. Each of Renegade’s two trains carries 12 cars seating riders two across in a single row, for 24 riders per train.
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Renegade FAQs
How tall is Renegade at Valleyfair?
Renegade stands about 97.5 feet tall, with a first drop of about 91.4 feet.
How fast does Renegade go?
Renegade reaches a top speed of approximately 51.3 mph.
Does Renegade have any inversions?
No, Renegade has zero inversions; it’s a traditional wooden out-and-back/twister coaster.
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