Michigan's Adventure: 6/20/01
Associated parks:
None
I was in Grand Rapids on business and had the chance to check out Michigan's Adventure solo for a couple of hours. In free with the Cedar Point pass.
I got there around 5:40 or so in the afternoon, and was pleased to see that there wasn't much of a crowd outside of the water park. And this was in perfect weather. Good news for me. I immediately went to Shivering Timbers, ignoring that fact that I had to use the little programmers room like you wouldn't believe.
First lap: Front seat. Saw a solo rider and jumped in that blank space. Not a social guy at all. Bastard. No matter, I enjoyed the ride, but wasn't sure what the big deal was. Sure, nice floater air over every hill, but I guess I was expecting more.
I hit all of the other coasters in about 20 minutes. The Arrow Mad Mouse was somewhat bland, not nearly as good as the Mack and Reverchon rides I've been on. The ride op yelled at me for riding solo, saying it wasn't allowed (how I would know this is beyond me). Not sure why he didn't pair me with any number of couples that had loaded before and after me.
Back to Timbers, right after a little snack. The grilled chicken was actually a real live chicken breast. That was different! $5.75 for the chicken, fries and a beverage. Not bad for an amusement park.
This time I waited for the back seat on Timbers. It was a little irritating that they were only running one train, meaning 15 minute waits for what would be a walk on. If I was able to get there earlier, I guess I wouldn't have cared, but I really wanted to get a few laps in. I was surprised to see a line longer for the back than the front. Hmmm... you know something is up when the general public is forming a long line for the back.
Holy crap! Stand-up ejector air on every hill. Kidney busting drops off of the turn around and into the helix. Make no mistake, this thing would kick your butt if you rode it in the back seat repeatedly.
I did two more laps in the middle of the train, and found it to be a great medium between the two. Overall the ride is fabulous, but a part of me was a little bored with the out-and-back layout. I guess Raven and Legend forever changed my definition of a perfect wood coaster! Still, it's a must ride, though I don't know that I'd drive more than five hours to ride it again.
The park in general isn't dirty or anything, but it's just so bland. No landscaping, few trees and a few really nasty looking buildings, like the above ground "basement" station for Corkscrew. The whole entrance area, as well as the Mad Mouse, have had some nice attention. Now it's time to spread that around a bit to the rest of the park. That's where I hope the Cedar Point influence rubs off.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
I got there around 5:40 or so in the afternoon, and was pleased to see that there wasn't much of a crowd outside of the water park. And this was in perfect weather. Good news for me. I immediately went to Shivering Timbers, ignoring that fact that I had to use the little programmers room like you wouldn't believe.
First lap: Front seat. Saw a solo rider and jumped in that blank space. Not a social guy at all. Bastard. No matter, I enjoyed the ride, but wasn't sure what the big deal was. Sure, nice floater air over every hill, but I guess I was expecting more.
I hit all of the other coasters in about 20 minutes. The Arrow Mad Mouse was somewhat bland, not nearly as good as the Mack and Reverchon rides I've been on. The ride op yelled at me for riding solo, saying it wasn't allowed (how I would know this is beyond me). Not sure why he didn't pair me with any number of couples that had loaded before and after me.
Back to Timbers, right after a little snack. The grilled chicken was actually a real live chicken breast. That was different! $5.75 for the chicken, fries and a beverage. Not bad for an amusement park.
This time I waited for the back seat on Timbers. It was a little irritating that they were only running one train, meaning 15 minute waits for what would be a walk on. If I was able to get there earlier, I guess I wouldn't have cared, but I really wanted to get a few laps in. I was surprised to see a line longer for the back than the front. Hmmm... you know something is up when the general public is forming a long line for the back.
Holy crap! Stand-up ejector air on every hill. Kidney busting drops off of the turn around and into the helix. Make no mistake, this thing would kick your butt if you rode it in the back seat repeatedly.
I did two more laps in the middle of the train, and found it to be a great medium between the two. Overall the ride is fabulous, but a part of me was a little bored with the out-and-back layout. I guess Raven and Legend forever changed my definition of a perfect wood coaster! Still, it's a must ride, though I don't know that I'd drive more than five hours to ride it again.
The park in general isn't dirty or anything, but it's just so bland. No landscaping, few trees and a few really nasty looking buildings, like the above ground "basement" station for Corkscrew. The whole entrance area, as well as the Mad Mouse, have had some nice attention. Now it's time to spread that around a bit to the rest of the park. That's where I hope the Cedar Point influence rubs off.
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Until Phoenix, Shivering Timbers was my favorite wooden coaster. I disagree with the front/back thing, though. I just loved the front, but the back was a little too rough for my liking.
The park is bland. Good choice of words, one that I always looked for but never came up with. I think I likened it to "a county fair on steroids."
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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
The park is bland. Good choice of words, one that I always looked for but never came up with. I think I likened it to "a county fair on steroids."
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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
Wow! It's the first even *mildly* negative word I've heard about Shivering Timbers. Haven't ridden myself, but I cannot imagine how a simple out-n-back can be as exciting as the unpredictable tear through the woods that is the Raven.
Aw Come on! I think that just itself, Shivering Timbers isn't the best wooden coaster in the world. But the fact that you can ride it over, and over, and over again is what makes it my favorite wooden coaster. I have called it a carnival on steriods for a long time and I stick to that. It is still a GROWING park and wil take a while until people are going to be blown away by it. Hopefully Cedar Fair can get a hypercoaster and huge drop ride there. Still, MA will be my season pass cenral as I can get a 90$ season pass there and save big bucks. Funny that you liked the back seat better Jeff, the guy on thrillride(whats his name, I should know!) liked the front better. I like the front better only because it is easier to marathon it. Yes the park is bland, but the water park is actually decent. I think that the whole package is worth 20 bucks. I'm rambling, so I'll stop there.
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CDNSN
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CDNSN
I had roughly the same experience as Jeff had with Shivering Timbers. If you want air, it's #1. While still a world-class , top notch tide, I just thought something was missing after Raven, Ghostider, Legend, etc. Don't get me wrong, if I had a top 10 list it very well might be on there, but I missed the surprises that a slightly more twister-esque layout (like Ghostrider, for example) can give along with the airtime.
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- Peabody *** This post was edited by Peabody on 6/22/2001. ***
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- Peabody *** This post was edited by Peabody on 6/22/2001. ***
I guess it is all personal preference. ST is my personal #1, over Raven, Legend, Mega Zeph and Ghostrider. I think I am just addicted to "back seat airtime" and didn't know it until I rode ST. Which is what puts ST over the top for me.
No comments on ZZ or WW??
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!
No comments on ZZ or WW??
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"X" marks the spot in 2001!
I got a kick out of Wolverine Wildcat, myself, and Zach's Zoomer is really something else. I wish they had those things around here when I was just a Little Lynch.
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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com *** This post was edited by Lynch on 6/23/2001. ***
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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com *** This post was edited by Lynch on 6/23/2001. ***
Timbers is a great ride... don't misinterpret what I'm saying. I guess others have just worked it up to be something more than that. It is a great ride (and really cool to look at as well). I loved it, and had a good time. That back seat is pretty insane. Simple is good, but too simple pales against rides like Raven and Legend.
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Jeff (who even in a drunken stupor wouldn't mind having any of the three mentioned in his backyard)
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
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Jeff (who even in a drunken stupor wouldn't mind having any of the three mentioned in his backyard)
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Nothing like a drunk webmaster!!! LOL!!
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Chitown, who is now a slightly buzzing(off of beer) mod.
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""Coaster riding is a disease and SFGAm is the cure!!!!!!!""
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Chitown, who is now a slightly buzzing(off of beer) mod.
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""Coaster riding is a disease and SFGAm is the cure!!!!!!!""
Timbers has that type of air that I enjoy most, and though it is short and not the main focus of the ride, the final helix offers the famous out-of-control feel for twister lovers.
I've got to agree with the re-ride part. I think The Raven is a rarity - usually a coaster that aggressive is not so re-ridable. It strikes a delicate balance that may never be repeated. The Legend, on the other hand, steps slightly over the line for me - I can only ride about every 20 - 30 minutes.
ST you could ride forever. And the more you ride, the more you appreciate the air. The only other coaster I can think of in the same category is the Pheonix at Knoebels (in the front seat). And to think...it's not even a CCI!
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Without upstops, airtime would have a whole new meaning.
ST you could ride forever. And the more you ride, the more you appreciate the air. The only other coaster I can think of in the same category is the Pheonix at Knoebels (in the front seat). And to think...it's not even a CCI!
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Without upstops, airtime would have a whole new meaning.
I just got back from MA, and all I have to say is ST is now my #1 favorite wooden coaster. You cannot beat the airtime on that thing. I love it, but that's just my opinion.
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Don't fight it, Ride it, Raging Bull!
Webmaster:SFGAm 2001
http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/Coasterz *** This post was edited by Blink3020 on 6/24/2001. ***
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Don't fight it, Ride it, Raging Bull!
Webmaster:SFGAm 2001
http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/Coasterz *** This post was edited by Blink3020 on 6/24/2001. ***
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