Michigan's Adventure

It's about time. I'd hoped that CF "pulling out" was more of a threat than anything. I'd like to see MA become a good regional park like ValleyFair or Dorney. They've got a LONG way to go and I think the park needs another (2 or 3 even) premier ride(s) before they go adding a hotel. There's no point in putting in a hotel next to a park that can be completely enjoyed in less than a day. Heck, we go after work, and the 2-3 hours is more than enough with what's there right now.

That's why a campground is more likely, Jugga. From what I hear, there may be a couple of other campgrounds coming to that area (non-CF owned). Camping takes more time than checking into a room and a campground on site makes sense--if you've got the infrastructure to support it.

The park has a TON of potential, given that egos and stupiditiy are set aside for the good of the community.

MrScott

http://www.mlive.com/business/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/business-0/1107963944188450.xml

Thought you guys might find this a little... ironic by chance. I think that Camille's trying to tell us something.

Yeah, I just got hit upside the head with it. Brilliant Move for all involved! Pay attention, kids. The foundation is being laid...

Wow, i did'nt realize all the changes going on. I just wanted for me and the wife to ride ST.

I would like to thank everyone for the input, thanks Froshy for the RCDB site. By the way, that is the mouse ride i was talking about. If it is anything like the ones i remember, it will slam you into the side of the cart around those corners! I will love it, my wife will only ride it once then hate it and I will be on my own on the mouse.

Are you kidding? The PKI racers on steroids? They have always been my favorite airtime wooden coaster(fav fun wood coaster is Gemini, because you can slap each others hands and it is really a race).

OK i thank everyone for the answers, but i have a couple more questions:

1. ShiveringTim what do you mean it takes 2-3 hours to warm up?

2. Mr. Scott you said staying on lighthouse point was nice? So you are saying it is very quiet the whole night?

3. Froshy the Comfort Inn on Milan is very quiet in your opinion?

Yes, Lighthouse Point is very quiet at night! Much more quiet than a hotel. Much more private, too.

I would recomend a cottage over a cabin, if you really value quiet. The cottages are located right on the lake, while the cabins are around a man-made pond. While you don't have the surf noise in the cabins, you may hear some partying in the cabin area if you have your windows open (I like the open windows better than the A/C). Both cottages & cabins are MUCH quieter than any of the hotel resorts. Food's cheaper, too! :)

MrScott

Gemini isn't wooden gregdawg, it's steel. ;)

Comfort Inn is quiet, as long as you don't want to sleep in anytime past 9:00. That's when all the little kiddies and their parents usually start getting up to head to Cedar Point. Other than that it's a very quiet place and located RIGHT off the highway on the main shopping/dining drag. I love it, but then again I usually stay at the Breakers nowadays.

I'll answer Shivering Tim's question too. What he means by 2-3 hours to warm up is that for the first few hours Timbers doesn't have as much airtime or intensity as it does around 2:00 in the afternoon. Last ride of the night is always a wild one too!

Ok people, Michigan's Adventure's 50th anniversary is next year 2006) so you can bet on something BIG. And well I bet everyone has heard about their new Tornado slide, Funnel of Fear. It will be a great addition as well as the re-doing the waterpark bathrooms, finally. But you can count on the park expanding starting next year.

So pay a visit to Muskegon, Michigan and the #2 (Amusement Today) and #1(Internet tracked poll) Wooden coaster in the world, Shivering Timbers. Also make sure you ride Zach' Zoomer, which is an American Coaster Enthusiast Coaster Classic, so check it out.

But to make a long story short, if you live in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, or Wisconsin(You can take the Milwaukee-Muskegon High Speed Ferry), defenitly make a visit to ride the Unchallenged King of Airtime, Shivering Timbers.

The something big will only happen if the infrastructure (city water and sewer) is in place. Until then you won't see MA do any kind of major expansion.

A big hurdle was crossed in the last few weeks with the townships finally not disagreeing on the whole system so hopefully that will be installed this summer so that next winter expansion can begin. However I doubt a new ride is part of the first phase. I believe a hotel/campground is up first and then a new ride will (hopefully) be put in place.

New for 2006: Campground the ride. It's the one thing the park is VERY serious about right now, and one of the major reasons they're throwing a fit over the disagreement. If water and sewer can be given to them before 2006, you will see the campground. More than likely it will be like what WOF is adding this year just with campsites as well as cabins.

I would love to see cabins ala Lighthouse Point at MiA.

Well as of right now, the campground has been removed from the future plans for the park. I would be shocked if it isnt added back once everything is settled but as of now, it is not.

I would definatly expect something big next year for the 50th. Shivering Timbers was a anniversary present the jordans baught to celebrate 30 years of owning the park. I know they don't own the park anymore but their daughter still runs the park, and as far as CF parks go MIA is very independatly run, considering most of the managers were all there pre CF. Yeah they want a campground thats public, but I would be extremly suprised if they didn't add some nice additions to the park to support that campground. Right now the park can be visited in one day getting plenty of rides on everything.

It is definatly a great litle park that still has the feel of a family owned park. As far as Timbers go I think MichigansRollerCoast said it well enough.

MichiganRollerCoast said: Unchallenged King of Airtime, Shivering Timbers.

The additions they are adding to the park are excellent, and what the park needs. Management knows what they are doing, and if you ask me are doing a pretty good job of it.

I definatly suggest everyone paying a visit this year, especially those that will be attending CoasterCon in June. Timbers Fest is the 17th and 18th and you can catch a ride on the Ferry from Muskegon to Millawukee which is only about an hour from Great America. There is also nothing better than a ride at night on Shivering Timbers if you ask me, especially durring ERT.

Actually, they only threatened to drop the plans, but after contacting the park the other day, they said that they are reconsidering the issue due to recent developments in the issue.

99% of the year, yes, the park can be hit in one day. However, the weekends in July/August is when a campground would prove to be successful. Also, the demand for camping in that area of the state is quite high, and even people that aren't planning on visiting the park would consider staying at the campground. Plus, like I said, overnight accomedations are the top things visitors want at the park, and its definately something the park has been looking at we all know. I highly doubt that things won't continue the way they're headed right now.

And yes, you cannot miss night-time ERT on Timbers. That's heavenly... for coaster nerds, that is... ;)

They never threatened to remove them, they did remove them. http://www.mlive.com/news/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1105384502218190.xml

My guess is that it was a way for CF to try and get things finnaly moving, but they did say they have ended the plans and it wasn't a threat. Acording to other articles in local papaers it has said that they are hopping to maybe be able to add them back to the parks future plan, but as of right now they are OFF.

All I can say is, visit the park, enjoy Shivering Timbers, enjoy Funnel of Fear, enjoy the whole park. 2006 will be a big year so if you are not that close to MIA, just wait a year and you will want to pay a visit.

I haven't been to Michigans Adventure since 2002. It is a pretty good little park to goto. Unfortunetly it doesn't have the customer base to grow large. Maybe that is a good thing. Shivering timbers is the among the best rollercoasters. It's my favorite wooden coaster that I have rode.

As for Wolverine Wildcat, in 2002 there was sections of complete track and ledger replacements. That was very smoot at the time. The older track was in decent condition. There were a couple sections of track that had every other ledger replaced. The old ledgers sagged and the new ledgers were sturdy. It was incredibly rough in those sections. I hope that those sections has been fixed.

The Wolverine Wildcat was amazingly smooth last year. CF has taken very good care of those woodies.

I wonder if they will ever add a second train to ww.

I don't see them adding a second train to WW ever. sorry.

MichiganRollerCoast said:
I don't see them adding a second train to WW ever. sorry.

It would be a great move to increase capacity, and would also allow them to redesign the station (Cedar Fair has stated they don't like the station due to the lack of technology and the slant that it's built on). I could actually see the g-trains coming from Geauga Lake off those rides if and when they get PTCs...