Walking to the admissions booth, I arrived at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch at 3:30 in the afternoon on a Sunday. The line to enter was empty besides the staff, but the parking lot was surprisingly full for a Sunday afternoon in September. Walking up to the admissions ticket booth, I paid along with some of my friends. Just to enter it cost me nearly $40 adding up to $120 for our group of three, that made it feel like a once-a-year trip with how costly it was. We also didn’t grab a map not knowing that it’d bite us on the back. So we were on our own in this labyrinth of attractions and food stands, it felt like a small town I was walking into.

What’s new

     Jans Carousel was a new addition to Vala’s recently but was difficult to find on their website, I thought that the carousel was the only new addition but I was so very wrong.

     The new Cider Mill, which I had completely missed, was a new massive building where they sell sweet cider. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic cider along with donuts on sticks, sandwiches and other snacks, gift shop’s, clothing and even toys. Eventually you’ll even be able to see the new pumps that make delicious cider.

      Also, they moved the apple cannons, which shoot apples with pressured air at targets, and apple picking near the new Cider Mill. On top of that they have a new ride called Stefan’s Country Drive, a car that you can drive around a track. With more new updates, the train that everyone loves used to cost money per person, but now it’s free for anyone to ride on.

Looking around

     I had noticed the contrast between the old frail wood of some buildings such as the haunted house and more, it really left the feeling of how old this pl

ace truly was and how a completely new generation was managing the park.

     Quickly, those thoughts were replaced with the sweet smell of cookies.

     So, I made my way over to the small building with a large sign saying Cookie Coop and walked in, noticing the old shop-like style of the building and the variety of choices, so we bought a bucket instead of a cone thinking we’d eat all of the cookies but we were wrong.

      We ended up splitting the cost due to it costing around $20, then heading down to the right near the Pig Races. We weren’t really interested in it though, because we couldn’t see anything because of the crowd watching.

      We continued walking and took a left and noticed the brand new carousel, Jans Carousel. It had a yellow body and bright blue and white top with beautiful horses and animals which all the kids were flocking to ride on, parents were taking pictures and it felt like everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves on this new fun ride.

     Some kids even made their parents go with them, making it a fun time for everyone.

Growing pains

     When I was looking for Vala’s new attractions on their website I was lucky to find out about the new Carousel. But the Cider Mill was nowhere to be found, or so I thought.

     Vala’s has a new YouTube channel which they use to talk about new things they plan to add. The only sort of information they provided was a six-minute YouTube video that showed off the new Cider Mill and cars but that was it.

     The issue with a YouTube video is that I would never expect it, they’ve never done YouTube and have always had the new attractions on the website allowing for quick and easy access to the new information. Making YouTube videos can lose interest quickly and that aren’t advertised enough can lead to people missing out.

      It wasn’t until nearly three days after my visit, that I was told the Cider Mill even had existed, I was shocked and surprised that we had missed a massive cider building, race track, apple shooting and picking. Well we didn’t get a map, because I thought I wouldn’t need one, thinking  website would have revealed it due to it being a new massive addition to the farm.

     Also people need to know that they don’t accept cash anymore, cash can only be used to enter. You can’t buy food, drinks or any sort of amenity with dollar bills, they only accept debit/credit cards and phone transactions.

     If you happen to bring cash not knowing about the new policy you can put as much money you want in cash and transfer it to a Vala’s gift card at the admissions booth, past the admissions booth you can only buy 20$ Vala’s cards.

     They only take card and phone payments, no longer is cash accepted but you can buy gift cards and put as much money you’d like on them up front in the admissions booth.

     Always grab a map, don’t make the mistake of thinking you know where everything is as the new Cider Mill is behind a thick grove of trees.

      With the prices of things this year costing my friends and I, $40 each to enter, so make sure to bring enough money. But most important have fun, Vala’s is a tradition to the Nebraskan community and more, so always enjoy yourself and have a great time this year at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch!