Any Michigan's Adventure news?

Those would be the Bistro Gourmet McDonalds, and I believe they're only here in Orlando. They are definitely very odd (the one on Sand Lake past the Turkey Lake Rd. intersection is decorated like a fancy home and has automatic trash can compactors), although I haven't had anything off of their Gourmet menu yet.

kpjb said:McDonalds there that sold Philly cheesesteaks.

Did you try it? I'm curious to hear how McD's would pull off a Philly Cheesesteak!

I remember in the last 80s/early 90s when Taco Bell started to grow, McDonald's started selling tacos, fajitas and nachos. I think they still have the fajitas in some markets today.

When I was young some markets had McPizza. It looked like a hashbrown, but was sort-of a thin hot pocket type of thing.

I keep comparing Holiday World to Michigans Adventure. two park with similar histories, both in the middle of nowhere, both with similar attendance figures until recently. Why are they different now? Holiday World figured out that if we build it, they will come. For a whole there, Michigan's Adventure shared that same model spurred by Shivering Timbers. Sure they continue to add new things, but they haven't added anything truly unique since Shivering Timbers. Holiday World, on the other hand, has strived to offer unique attractions you can't find anywhere else like Mammoth, Pilgrims Plunge, The Voyage and that turkey themed dark ride to name a few.

So that's the difference between these two parks, and it is clearly reflected in the most recent attendance figures. Both parks began with similar attendance, but Holofay Wolld now pulls in over a million a year due thier truly unique product. I think Cedar Fair could learn a thing or two frame Koch family about business.

It's like f I ask my 10-year old to explain how business works...

...except sadder.

I inserted the word "local" in my previous post for a reason. I suspected that some McDonald's, somewhere, at some time, would have had Philly Cheesesteaks*. Now I want one.

When I was young, some McDonald's locations had amazing pizza. I never encountered the hash brown / hot pocket-like McPizza, but it doesn't sound very appetizing.

*(...or eggrolls, or tacos).

This is the 2nd time I've seen you describe McD's food as amazing, Krause. That's 2 times too many.

CPcyclone said:

So that's the difference between these two parks, and it is clearly reflected in the most recent attendance figures. Both parks began with similar attendance, but Holofay Wolld now pulls in over a million a year due thier truly unique product.

It goes both ways; if you add an attraction, and attendance has a huge boost, then you know it's a good investment. If, however, you add a new attraction and attendance does not change significantly, then why keep adding?

Not every park works the same; you need to adapt to the market demand. Both parks are doing that

Seriously, I am trying to derail this goofy topic into a debate about how delicious McDonald's food is. I honestly love it sooooo much. YUMMY! I eat there about four times a week. I hate Wendy's and BK lounge. They suck. Give me a pick of places to eat, any place to eat, and I'd pick McDonald's every time. It's like my taste buds have a million tiny orgasm every time I chew on a double cheeseburger or chicken nugget. xD

Their fries are okay, but lately I have been substituting them for apple slices.

Wendy's lost me at their last big menu change. When they changed the fries, it wasn't that big of a deal. But when they started messing with the burgers they lost me. Went once and hated it. Vowed to never go back. Had a change of heart and gave them a second chance. Nope, burgers still sucked. They lost me. Such a shame. I really liked Wendy's.

Funny that you don't necessarily care for McD's fries. That's mostly what draws me back. If I could only have one kind of fries the rest of my life, it'd probably be McDonald's salt-laden grease fest. Mmmm.

I used to love the fries, but maybe now I am just a little burned out on them. ˆ take it back. They are better than okay. I like them.

That's exactly my observation with Wendy's too, Gonch. In my experience with Wendy's, I also have a problem with their setup (how they take only one order at a time, making the line way longer than they have to be), and their employees. I have encountered terrible, lethargic, uncaring, low IQ employees who can't seem to get my order right on a regular basis no matter which Wendy's I visit. Oh the Wendy's employees stories that I could tell.

I feel about Burger King's food the same way some of you are talking about McDonald's. Yuck. How can anyone eat that stuff?

LostKause said:

In my experience with Wendy's, I also have a problem with their setup (how they take only one order at a time, making the line way longer than they have to be), and their employees.

It's actually not the fault of the Wendy's employees. It's all of the Wendy's customers who are using fast passes. It makes for a bad experience for all of the other patrons. :)

And here I thought that you were going to make a joke about fast pa- Wait, you did exactly that. lol

I can't wait for fast pass at McDonald's. Then I can pay extra to skip past all those broke, uncaring parents of screaming, happy meal-eating children.

I'm glad to see that Gonch has finally convinced you to switch over to the dark side. You'll find it's much more fun to be evil.

Lord Gonchar said:

Wendy's lost me at their last big menu change. When they changed the fries, it wasn't that big of a deal. But when they started messing with the burgers they lost me.

Strange, I didn't know Wendy's changed their burgers until you mentioned it. I've had a few since the change and I don't recall noticing any difference other than how they're wrapped now (they're wrapped in paper then placed in a little cardboard half-box for some reason).

I guess I didn't notice because I've been eating fast food far less than I used to. Like Krause, I used to eat McD's a few times a week. I'm now at a point where the thought of it makes me feel ill most of the time, although I can eat there once in a blue moon (and then I feel ill for real). The fries are definitely the best of the burger joints. The best overall are Chick-Fil-A waffle fries.

I'm hoping my Chipotle is open today. I'm gonna get a veggie bowl with brown rice, hot salsa and chips. :)

I do Wendy's when I want chicken. Their chicken is unrivaled by any other fast food chain as far as I'm concerned. If I need a quick burger, McDonald's will do. If I've got time to wait, and extra cash for the Cajun fries, it's Five Guys all the way.

Five Guys makes some delicious burgers and fries, but I wouldn't be surprised if a study came out with proof that each bite caused minor cardiac arrest.

I am not a big fan of McDonalds, considering that I worked there when I was in my 20's, and now how cheap and wasteful they are. As far as I know, some of the McDonalds at the service plazas on the way to Great America on the 294 have Pizza, while the some of the ones in Chicago don't. They also have pizza at some of the McDonalds in Canada. Some also sell tacos and burritos, but they are probably the worst tacos on the planet.

Also, there is a huge difference between business success between running a restaurant, and amusement park attractions. When was the last time you went OMG! they just opened an ridiculously expensive restaurant at my favorite park, and I am going to go there just to eat there, and for no other reason. Compared to...OMG!! They just opened a brand new wing coaster at Great America, and I am going to go there just for that!

Shivering Timbers was the one reason why Michigan's Adventure became so popular. Imagine what the park would be like today, if the original owners were like Cedar Fair, and said...NA we're not going to build that, we are just going to stay open as we are, and hope people keep coming.

As for food, this is the main reason why the food court in the Meijer I worked at for 15 years failed. Because the corporate jerks didn't want to put any money into it. The service was horrible, and people stopped coming. But, do you think they cared? No, they just closed everything up, re-arranged a few things, and hoped the people who liked it wouldn't miss it. A lot like what Cedar Fair did with Geauga Lake. Took a park with a lot of potential, and ruined it.

Timber-Rider said:
A lot like what Cedar Fair did with Geauga Lake. Took a park with a lot of potential, and ruined it.

Sorry but you're wrong. Geauga Lake ran successfully for years by slowly growing but then Premier overbuilt it into a park that couldn't pay for itself.