Deer Park Funland merchandise, before Michigan's Adventure

I know everyone just loves my posts about Michigan's Adventure, well here is something a little different that has to do with the Deer Park Funland days. This probably dates back to the days of the corkscrew.

My mother and I were going through some of her old nick nacks, and since she can't reach some of the higher shelves on her nick nack case, she was having me get down various items for her to clean. Well, in among the other antiques was a small cedar chest that said Mom on it, with "Deer Park Funland" written on top of the chest in black ink.

This is something that I purchased for my mother at Deer Park funland for a mother's day present, going back many years. It's been so long, I'm not even sure what year this little chest is from. So, now I am trying to figure out exactly what year the park changed it's name from Deer Park Funland to Michigan's Advenutre. I'm thinking that it was in 1988, but I am not sure. At any rate, that little chest is in mint condition, like it just came out of the store. The price of the chest is written in pen on the bottom side of the chest, at only $4.96 cents.

Years ago, I used to love to get park mementos. I have all kinds of park mugs, maps, and t-shirts. I also still have some of the toys I won while playing the games, back when you only had to pay a $1.00 to play, and got a really nice toy, and not todays cheap crap. My very first park t-shirt was of Muttley's Putt Putts at Deer Park. I have a couple Shivering Timbers T-shirts, and other MA stuff.

So, if you found this at all annoying as my other posts let me know.

How about if one doesn't find it annoying?

People speak up when they are annoyed... or disagree, but remember - there are plenty of people who read these forums that just don't speak up. And they probably enjoy your stuff.

I like old park nic-nacs. And odd stuff. I have a sticky pad BRICK (still in shrink wrap) from when Iron Wolf opened. I don't think it was sold at the park - I got it at an ACE no coaster con back then.

1988?

http://www.rcdb.com/4578.htm

I just looked at your link Jason, and it does say 1988 for the name change to Michigan's Adventure. I think the name change from Deer Park, to Deer Park Funland, was in 1978 or 1979, right around the time the corkscrew was added to the park. My family actually started going to the park in the early 70's, when they still had the deer. That's why I comment on it so much, as it has been part of my family, and one of the good places to visit in Michigan for over 40 years.

Not many people know this, but the park had more animals than just Deer. They also had goats, and lots of ducks, geese, and various other feathered creatures like Chickens wondering around. Most of the rides were fenced in back then, so the animals couldn't wander into them and get hurt. But, I remember being right in with the deer and feeding them, just like at Deer Forest in Coloma. But, once the corkscrew was built, they penned in the deer, and you had to go into a special area and feed them through the fence. Was kind of sad when they were removed, but, the park grew very nicely after that. And you could get into the park back then for around $6.00, and there was no charge for parking, they even had trams to take people to their cars.

I like old park nic-nacs. And odd stuff. I have a sticky pad BRICK (still in shrink wrap) from when Iron Wolf opened. I don't think it was sold at the park - I got it at an ACE no coaster con back then.

Cool.

I also have some Iron Wolf stuff from it's first year of operation. I have a very old Iron Wolf t-shirt that doesn't fit me like it used to, and I think I have an Iron Wolf mug. I also have a few Batman the Ride t-shirts, and a Batman The ride Mug. I think if I were to get my entire collection together, I would probably have over 30 items from various parks. I still have my Vortex and Beast t-shirts from 1991. Along with a Mean Streak mug from Cedar Point. And, lots of other things. Like a Vortex t-shirt from Canada's wonderland, and a cool t-shirt from Indiana Beach. I also have lots of ball-caps from various parks. And I think I have maps going back to the 1990's as well. And, I have a huge collection of park photos from almost every visit to each park going back 20 years.

I must admit...I found this story heart-warming rather than annoying. The imagery of Timber-Rider towering over his mother, helping her reach amusement park nick nacks for dusting, while finding and reminiscing over a Mother's Day chest gift: adorable, loving, considerate, helpful, and nostalgic.

It's nice to see the side of Timber-Rider that does not complain about Michigan's Adventure. I think people generally like reading positive things and are drawn to positive people. Remember that. :)

I like the annoying Timber-Rider. It's more entertaining.

Thanks for the nice comments about my posts. I'm not the park monster everyone seems to think I am. Like Positive comments draw Positive people, guest friendly parks also draw positive people. Ones that are only out to get every dollar from your pocket don't.

Look at Walt Disney World. A majority of the rides are nothing more than enclosed carnival rides, that are so well themed, the fact that you can ride cheaper versions anywhere else doesn't even cross your mind. Because they take the time to think things through, and offer the best entertainment value for their guests. Not just throw a bunch of rides in a field or a parking lot, and charge you top dollar to ride.

I just think that the parks can, and should do better. Lord knows they are making enough money. Wasn't Cedar Fairs earnings last year over a billion dollars? Then, they only invest 90 million of it? What happens to the other 910 million? Just a thought.

Timber-Rider said:
guest friendly parks also draw positive people. Ones that are only out to get every dollar from your pocket don't.

lol

Come on man. All amusement and theme parks are only out to get every dollar from ones pocket. It's called business.

The parks know that people have a certain amount of money that they plan to spend for their visit. If a customer leaves at the end of the day not having spent all that money, the park loses. If the customer goes to a ATM or uses his credit card to spend more, the park wins. An amusement park is a business. Their goal is to make as much profit as possible.

Selling on eBay, being in a rock band, writing a book, owning a framing store, are all examples of something that might be a fun hobby, just like running an amusement park, but the end goal is to make money.

(Hurray for the most commas in a paragraph in this topic so far!)

Even CoasterBuzz is about making money. Are you shocked?

LostKause said:

Come on man.

Timber-Rider, be grateful you didn't get a response that starts with "Dude..." That's when you know you are really in the hot seat.

A question to ask yourself LostKause.

You have 3 parks to choose from:

Disney World, Cedar Point, and Great America. Each one charges you around the same price for admission, and so on. Which one do you feel is offering you the best entertainment value for your money? I'm guessing you would probably say that each ones has a different appeal, because each one offers diverse entertainment, and value.

Now, do the same thing with three parks similar to Michigan's Adventure, which has no entertainment at all, and only a handful of decent rides, and the difference in admission is just under $15.00 of what the parks I mentioned above charge. Still feel the value?

But it doesn't have to bee these parks choose any 6 parks, and see which one comes out on top. For example. I used to think Indiana Beach was a greater value than MA because of it's unique setting, and now this new owner comes along and takes away all the charm, and nearly tripples what it once cost for a visit just a few years ago. MA started looking pretty good then. Now, I have no interest in going back to IB, as it lost everything that I liked about it. Even when people complained about what the new management of IB was doing, (including employees) it fell on deaf ears. As does everything that is being done at MA.

If you are going to be in a buisness dealing with people, I think you should be more considerate to their needs. Disney spends billions to make their guests happy. I say if you are making Billions you should be willing to invest more than 10 percent of your profit to meet your guests growing needs.

One more comment. I was once in a meeting reguarding a certain chairty, and they were talking about their annual spending. Here's what they said. last year our company paid out 15% of our intake to the tune of 250 million dollars. I immiately raised my hand, and said what happens to the other 85 percent? The man replied well, we have our costs. Which in translation means they kept over 750 million dollars of donated money for themselves, and each rep who came to present the meeting drove away in a brand new lexus. And another thing they gave us was a huge list of trickle down orginizations that each take their own 85 percent of that 250 million leaving the people who need the money with a handful of change. Do you think that is a fair business?

That is exactly what Cedar Fair is doing, is lumping all of their profits from their parks into one place, and only giving a percentage back to each park. And, you can see what percentage MA received after being one of the most successful parks in the chain. A big nothing! I'm all for business, if it is run equally for everyone involved.

So, yes, everything you said about company greed, is exacly my complaint. If your are going to make huge amounts of money, at least prove to me that you are worthy of receiving it. Just like Mr. Bush giving 800 billion dollars of tax payer money to the banks, thinking they would lower their interest rates and allow more people to borrow money. But did they do that? NO! they gave their CEO's huge pay increases and bonuses with tax payer money, and partied with the rest, until Obama came along, and said, you guys are going to pay every cent of this money back with interest. Glad to see that someone cares!

Sorry for ranting. But, when you say it's just business. There are some truly good ones out there, that go out of their way to take care of their guests, like the good things I have heard about Holiday World, and other that run rides that feel like they might burst at the seems at any moment (AKA Mean Streak) Thanks for reading.

The parks know that people have a certain amount of money that they plan to spend for their visit. If a customer leaves at the end of the day not having spent all that money, the park loses. If the customer goes to a ATM or uses his credit card to spend more, the park wins. An amusement park is a business. Their goal is to make as much profit as possible.

My short answer to your comment. In my view the park wins as soon as the guest walks through the front gate, and it would be keeping that guest coming back and spending their money, by offering them a good reason to come back and spend their that money you mention. I am a park customer, and I always have hope that some day they will see the value in keeping their guests entertained, rather than giving them the same crap year after year, while continuing to raise prices through the roof. It's not getting customers to want to return, or having them leave the park unhappy, is when they lose.

Take the Cedar Point Subway for example. Any other Subway charges $5.00 for a sandwich. $7.00 if you get a combo meal. Not at CP, it's $22.00 for the same meal. The profit margin on that must be staggering. People say, if you don't like it don't eat at the park. But, wouldn't it be nice for the park to see the error in what they are doing and lower that price to make the guest feel good about their whole park experience?

Luckily at Cedar point there are lots of price options. Not at Ma it's all pretty much the same price no matter what you get. Even something as simple as an ice cream cone cost near $5.00. I was shocked when I saw that the Dippin Dots had gone up to $7.50. Everyone I talked to at the park was saying, this place is a huge rip off! Is that how you would want your guests to feel if you owned a park? I would feel terrible if I was asked to be the one in charge of that kind of logic.

Ranting again I know. But, If I owned the park, things would be different. I know I could make it a hell of a lot nicer than the way it is now, and you couldn't keep people away.

But, a charity isn't a business... and...

I'm not sure if this is overthinking or underthinking the problem....

Actually, never mind. I'm just going to pretend to have those moments back. TL;DR.

lol! I think this thread may have been a disguised MA rant. I blame kpjb! ;)

Timber-Rider: First off, get your facts straight before ranting. You claimed that Cedar Fair made $1 billion last year and only invested $90 billion this year. Then, you followed with posts about greed, assuming that Cedar Fair hoarded $910 million in profits. False. Cedar Fair had a 2011 profit of $72.2 million. That's right...they're investing more money ($90 million) in their parks this year than they made last year. Oh and for reference, Cedar Fair lost $31.6 million in 2010.

For the record, Mean Streak has been given much love lately by Cedar Fair. There was extensive maintenance on the roughest part (the first turn) the past season, and the trains were refurbished, allowing the ride to run pretty smoothly.

Guests were taking notice, and there were lots of cheers and lifted spirits over the ride last year (just ask the ride crew). Over this off season, the only remaining rough area is also getting heavy maintenance, and I'm betting Mean Streak will be running smoothly and better than ever. While it may never be an amazing wooden coaster, I'm certainly looking forward to riding the improved version this year!

My point being...I think you cast an overly negative view about Cedar Fair. In general, they're actually running their rides and parks pretty well, with an excellent safety record and minimal downtime. Sure in-park food prices can be a bit ridiculous, but with new leadership, things might change in the coming years.

Deer Park Funland changed its name to Michigan's Adventure in 1988 when they added the Wolverine Wildcat. I have a Pennant from Deer Park Funland that I purchased from them in 1984. As for Michigan's Adventure not having any "Entertainment Value", IMO RUBBISH! They have seven Roller Coasters one of which (Shivering Timbers) consistantly ranks in many Enthusiasts "Top Ten" Lists. They also have a wonderful Waterslide Complex. We need to stop "Knocking" parks because people feel let down after being "Spoiled" by the Big Leaguers. So it isn't Disney World or Cedar Point or Schlitterbahn. Big Deal, it isn't what you got, it's what you do with what you got!

kpjb said:
I like the annoying Timber-Rider. It's more entertaining.

Didn't take long for him to return. Seriously, did BATWING FAN move to Michigan?

If people will pay money and keep coming back for a crappy experience, why go out of your way to make a good experience?

Timber-Rider, maybe you need to start writing long letters to MA's managers. I'm sure they would love to hear from you. You can be the hero and save the park from being lame.

Go at it!

Look who's joined the bully crowd ;)

Regulus said:
Deer Park Funland changed its name to Michigan's Adventure in 1988 when they added the Wolverine Wildcat. I have a Pennant from Deer Park Funland that I purchased from them in 1984. As for Michigan's Adventure not having any "Entertainment Value", IMO RUBBISH! They have seven Roller Coasters one of which (Shivering Timbers) consistantly ranks in many Enthusiasts "Top Ten" Lists. They also have a wonderful Waterslide Complex. We need to stop "Knocking" parks because people feel let down after being "Spoiled" by the Big Leaguers. So it isn't Disney World or Cedar Point or Schlitterbahn. Big Deal, it isn't what you got, it's what you do with what you got!

[/quote

When I said zero entertainment value, I wasn't talking about rides. That's all the park has. You can say any park with rides has entertainment value. I'm talking about lack of shows, and other forms of entertainment, of which MA has none. Unless you want to call a bunch of people walking around dressed as Peanuts charactors entertainment.

The park actually had better entertainment before Cedar fair. They had a water ski show, which was performed in the lake. They also had a circus for a season, and they also had a musical revue at one time. But, no other form of entertainment since Cedar fair took over, just Peanuts, and that's it. Not sure if they still have the christian rock concerts there anymore. But, that's only a one time deal, and costs extra.