Michigan's Adventure - 8/15/09

I was in Grand Haven again and I made my way to MiAdventure to get that elusive night ride on Shivering Timbers.

I arrived at the park around 7:45pm and the park was packed! The entire lot was full. The cars were parked up to the toll booths, along the fences around the entire park, and even out on the road by the golf course across from the park! I was happy to see that they finally had a huge crowd. The good news was that most people were leaving after a long day at the water park. It also turns out that this was the first truly hot day in west Michigan all summer.

I managed four rides in the 2hrs and 15minutes. I took a trip on Thunderhawk. About a thirty minute wait. For some reason I like this ride better at MiAdventure. It seems a little different here. I am not sure why. But its nice to have two "must ride" coasters in the park. I give it a 4 out of 5. After the ride I took the train over to Shivering Timbers.

I was in line at 8:50. Waited about 25 minutes. Got a ride in the second row. A nice air time filled ride. Bumpy as hell but a fun ride. I was able to get back in line by 9:30. Shortly after that the ride line was closed. The second ride was also a 30 minute wait. I was happy with this because I finally got a true night ride on Shivering Timbers. I waited for the front seat. The ride in front was very smooth, fast, and had a lot of pop. The ride is not nearly as bumpy in the front seat. I would give that night ride 5 out of 5!

I was just happy that I finally got my night ride after failing to get one two weeks ago. It was defintely worth the return trip.

I'm glad you were able to get back to enjoy that night ride!

I was just checking to see if there was any news about Michigan's Adventure, besides my last trip report, which ended up being a price debate. But, I am not going to go there.

I just wanted to comment on the crowd. I have been there when the lot is full like that. You are very lucky to be able to ride the rides you did, because when the lot is full, you might as well plan on standing in line for everything. And, forget about the water park. You would be spending all day standing in line there.

I waited 45 minutes in line for Shivering Timbers, which had 2 trains running. The mad Mouse was about an hour. The Wildcat was at about 2 hours plus, so I skipped that. The Corkscrew had a full que at 40 minutes. (Which is like Wow! considering it usually cycles with just a handfull of passengers, and no line.)

But, the worst lines of the day were for Grand Rapids, which was 2 hours and 45 minute wait, funnel of fear at 2 hours, and Adventure falls that was around 45 minutes. Thunderhawk was added to the park the following year. But, man, when the park is packed like that, it's not fun at all. I think my friends and I only did about 10 rides, and we were there all day, and we didn't go to the waterpark.

Happily, I found something I enjoy more than Michigan's Adventure. Going camping with my friends, and hanging out at the beach, and going to my favorite clubs. No parking fees, or high priced food, or, rotten kids stepping on my heels, just quality time spent with friends.

I can spend a whole week camping, for the same price as only one visit to Michigan's Adventure. So, needless to say, it's the only park I have been to this year. Too busy camping to do the rest.