Michigan's Adventure, 06/23/06

OK, I know this is a CP board. But MiAdv is a Cedar Fair Park. If it helps keep this thread around, I will say that if you have never visited MiAdv, but have visited CP, please don't even try to compare the two. MiAdv can't even be called "a little Cedar Point", because it is not.

Sure, there are some thrills, but most of the attractions are geared to little ones, say, ages 5-12.

None the less, I had a great time. This report will be honest (and not exactly in fanboy fashion, at times). MiAdv is my home park, even though I'd like to think CP is, even though it's 5 times as far away from me.

Started the day off with a stop to visit a friend who is an employee. She was doing other things within the park, so I headed over to the new restaurant, Coasters. It was about what I expected. Dried out cheeseburger (they forgot the cheese and I brought it back) and you get your choice of fries or onion rings. I chose the rings. You get about 8 of them. Price (no beverage) $7.45. The atmosphere in the place is nice, but they were so busy I had to eat at an outside table. They also offer chicken strips, and I think a veggie thing. Oh, and you do NOT have to buy a basket. Prices were from $4.50-$8.00.

Next it was off to Timbers. ROUGH! Still a great ride, but sheesh! Somebody needs to tweek something.

Took the joke known as the train (gasoline powered, not coal/steam) over to the new ride, Grand Rapids. I could not believe the "driver" (she was no engineer) got on the mic and said, "If you look off to your right you'll see Shivering Timbers, our tallest coaster at Michigan's Adventure." Hello? I saw that when I pulled in the damn parking lot.

Grand Rapids: I did not ride it, but watched it for quite some time. More rapids than Thunder Canyon and it looks like more fun, too. I'm just not into getting soaked in 70 degree weather without a swimsuit. And chance are that you WILL get soaked!

The waterpark was packed, as usual. I give credit to those who are...how should I put it? Rather large, walking around in swimsuit trunks and bikinis. At least they are not letting there size limit their fun.

I met up with my friend at the end of my trip. It was good to see her again! The last time we met was at CP when she was an Op on MF. Someday she will be running a CF park, mark my words.

On a negative note. Cigarette butts EVERYWHERE. I never saw even one sweep. What's up with that? I smoke and either find an ash can or tear off the hot box and through the filter in a trash can. The hot box burns to ash, so there is nothing to pick up.

Logger's Run was down for the day. I don't know why.

That's it. Two parks for the price of one!

MrScott

MrScott... glad to hear about your whoooooooooole summer of fun at MiAdv ;)

Yes, I agree... your (and my) friend will definitely go far with Cedar Fair... I think its her destiny... haha...

Anyway, my TR for MiAdv from a few weekends ago is similar to yours, and I shared your thoughts on Timbers... its over at Coasterbuzz if anyone wants to read it...

http://www.coasterbuzz.com/forum.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=44905

*** Edited 6/24/2006 8:45:29 PM UTC by Josh M.***

I have to ask you guys, is ShiveringTimbers a good ride? :)

I go for the Water Park!

Timbers has been rated in the top 5 woodies since it was built. It's worth the trip.

MrScott

We went there today (6/24/06) for our first time, rode ST twice, MM once, and the train. Second ride on ST in the blue car rattled me so bad, I had to sit down for 15 minutes to get rid of my headache, which still is with me. It was a sweet ride the first time however. Short waits too.

Nice little park, glad we got to see it just to see it, but we will never come back to it. Just not worth the 3 hour ride from Waterford out there for us.

Shivering Timbers is my favorite wooden coaster.

I'm excited! I'm headed up to Michigan's Adventure next weekend and can't wait! I'm really looking forward to Shivering Timbers!

My recommendation.... If you really want to enjoy Timbers... Ride in the very front seat. If you can't, ride in 2-1.... If you can't ride there, ride in the first row of any of the cars.... preferably in the front.

With as rough as the ride is getting, riding in the back of the cars, or ESPECIALLY in the back of the train is less than comfortable, and the airtime is more painful than fun...

The only rough spot is after the turnaround. The rest of the ride is fine.

Yeah... that drop out of the turnaround was quite...er... unexpected...

Even someone who has rode Timbers over 1000 times ::coughkaracough:: said she could feel a noticeable difference in that ramp off the turn... It definitely gives you a good jarring...

Don't know if you've seen that on ride photo of #1000, but I happen to be in it :)

MrScott

PS: I forgot to mention one of the most pleasent things that has ever happened to me entering an amusement park. There was an SUV trying to merge into line and no one would let him in. I could see the thing was full of kids and I imagine they were about going wild, seeing the park but being "left out to dry" in traffic. I thought, "What the heck, I'm in no hurry" and let them in ahead of me. The dad waved.

I got up to the parking booth to pay my 7 bucks. Guess what? The guy I let in ahead of me had paid it for me! He had Michigan plates, BTW. ;)

Thats awesome to hear Mr. Scott. I'm shocked you even got a wave though, or he just didnt cut you off thinking that i'm the bigger vehicle you will stop. Thats what usually happens to me.

Looks like you are $7 dollars closer to another LHP CP trip! :)

lol! I'm still in shock of what he did. I looked for him as I entered, but with all 4 lanes open, he lost me. I just wanted to say thanks.

Oh, and I drive a Toyota. He was WAY bigger than me!

MrScott

I still haven't gotten up there this year. I'm thinking about going next Monday though.

I was thinking about going too. My question is, is it really worth driving from 2/3 of the state to get there? I go to CP 2-3 times a month, but its great every time. I'm not looking for a mini CP from MA, but I dont want to be pissed off when I leave too. Not really big on water parks either, so that even futher makes me want to make sure that I'm going to enjoy myself in the park. Is it possible?

Yes, with an open mind.

MrScott

lol! I understand that. but would it be somthing that I just need to go for twilight? or is there enough to keep busy for the whole day, or a good portion of the day?

If you bring a swimsuit, you can fill a full day.

MrScott

My wife and i went for the first time last year, and if i remember correctly, the water park opened an hour later than the park. I didnt understand that, it was this time of the year, it was already hot outside and it seemed like everyone was headed to the water park. We headed for Timbers, such a great ride.

Just don't go there with high expectations, we were bored after a while. The scenery that the train went around was breath taking ;).

We were also shocked that there wasn't an air conditioned store or restaurant there to cool off in, in case you didnt want to do the water park. But, at least this year Coasters is there with the A/C.