michigan's adventure June 23, 2009

That'll teach Timber to post a trip report :)

All I wanted to know was if people weren't going because of prices or if the park was still packed despite the prices. :)

Anything after that is pure sport.

I'm not so sure that CF prices are all that unique. At Dollywood this past week, I recall seeing menu prices of $8 for a sausage sandwich with peppers and onions, $9 for a burger basket with fries, $3 and change for a soda, etc. Granted, I had a Gold pass which took 20% off those prices, but still....unless you're a frequent visitor, this is right there in the Cedar Fair ballpark.

Hmm.. I just started salivating to your menu description..

I'm bored right now, so I'll respond. Your points are a valid. However, I did not request a 15 visit tally. that is a number that you came up with. I would probably only visit the park 3 or 4 times in a season. Going there 15 times, I would be bored out of my mind.

I'm curious if you have ever been to the park? There really isn't that much to do there, that would justify 15 visits. granted, there are people who live close by who might go there once a week with their kids. I would not have the desire to do that.

Also, you may not know this, but, Michigan's Adventures season pass used to include admission to Cedar Point. Which I saw as a great value. For the same price as the current season pass. Well, i guess too many people took advantage of it...so now, Cedar Point is no longer included. Now you have to buy the max pass, if you want to gain admission to both parks. Which is like $70.00 more than the original pass.

If I traveled to all those parks, that might be a good deal. But, In my situation. it would not work for me...might be great for people who can afford to go to 6 or 7 different parks in a year...but, I can't.

As a note: I am not saying these passes are not of value to everyone, I am just saying that they would not work for me. And, wether or not you think you would be getting good value out paying Michigan's Adventures prices as a good value is up to you...As far as I am concerned it is priced to high for what they offer. (parking...ridiculous)

I think giving this information to people, and making conversation about it is good. because, maybe when they visit the park, they won't be so shocked by what they find there. I am not the first to complain about their policies. I won't be the last.

People allways complain about Six Flags prices, and there will allways be other park policies to complain about. So why be so surprised that I have a negative view about Michigan's Adventures policies?

So. have you ever been to Michigan's Adventure? and, if so what did you think of it? Anyone who reads this can answer.

Lord Gonchar said:
All I wanted to know was if people weren't going because of prices or if the park was still packed despite the prices. :)

Anything after that is pure sport.

Ok. The answer to your question is. Local people have stopped going because of the prices. They have not stopped going all together, they have just stopped going like they used to. I know a lot of people who used to go to the park frequently. Everyone I know says it is no longer worth it to go there. Some no longer go at all.

Like me, they see more value in going to Cedar Point or Great America, and saving their money for that, rather than going to michigan's Adventure. Keep in mind, that this is also a been there...done that, thing. Why pay twice as much to do the same thing you did last year, when you can save your money and go someplace better.

That's what I mean when i say it is priced too high. nothing in the park changes, yet the price keeps going up and up. 3 new rides in 9 years? No entertainment? Just paying double for the same-old...same old?

I think this is the reason why you don't understand my point of view. I have been to the park hundreds of times, yet, go less and less, because I just find myself disapointed, and kind of jipped more and more, when I go there. As do a lot of local people who have been going there for years. Might seem exciting to someone who has never been there, but, to those at have...it's not a big deal.

As for Saturdays being packed. it's true. But, most weekdays are dead. tell me how many parks you have been to, where you can go there on any day, and ride a rollercoaster over and over with no wait. And, see rides operating with only one or two people riding all day long.

And when I say packed, it's not like Cedar Point. You can still get on most of the coasters in less than an hour. Some of the slower loading rides might take longer, but, most of the other rides can still be ridden with little or no wait. But, on packed days most people are at the waterpark, which is too packed to enjoy. (Not fun at all!)

It is very rare that the park is packed, but, it sure makes this small park seem over-crowded. Trust me You do not want to be there when it is busy it is not fun at all.

Timber-Rider said:
I'm bored right now, so I'll respond. Your points are a valid. However, I did not request a 15 visit tally. that is a number that you came up with. I would probably only visit the park 3 or 4 times in a season. Going there 15 times, I would be bored out of my mind.

I'm curious if you have ever been to the park? There really isn't that much to do there, that would justify 15 visits. granted, there are people who live close by who might go there once a week with their kids. I would not have the desire to do that.

Nope. I'm using your figures. I've been using numbers you've posted all along.

How did I get the 15 visit thing? In this post where you said:

"I used to be able to afford to go to Michigan's Adventure once or twice a month, sometimes 3 times a month, without a season pass. Now that Cedarfair owns the park, I am lucky if I can afford to go once all summer."

3 times a month times 5 months of operation is 15 visits. You made it sound as if you used to (or at least wished you could) visit three times each month. Your number. Not mine.

So. have you ever been to Michigan's Adventure? and, if so what did you think of it? Anyone who reads this can answer.

Yep. The day we visited (in 2005), I wrote:

"We did find it to be an outstanding park though. Great atmosphere, exceptional employees (I dare say the best of any park we've been to) and a good time in general. Pulling that off with the lackluster coaster selection and average flat ride offering says a lot about the park. Go here for Shivering Timbers and to see how a small corporate park can excel regardless of what sits inside the gate. It's a shame the park is so far out of the way (for us, at least) because it's somewhere I'd like to visit regularly."

I think this is the reason why you don't understand my point of view.

But the park being overpriced (which I don't feel it is) and you being bored with the park are two totally different things. And never once before that last post did you mention you were bored with the park, so yeah, it may have been a little hard to understand that.

In the end, what I think you have to understand is that while you may find it overpriced and boring, the fact that it still draws a crowd as large as you're describing shows that the park is doing good business. It's not a failure. What you describe sounds to me like a rousing success for Cedar Fair.

I'll chime in and say that I like Michigan's Adventure for what it is. And with my first visit in 2001, and second visit in 2006, I will say that it has come a very long way since Cedar Fair bought it. With the SLC now, regardless of your opinion on such rides, I think that the gate is a steal, and they should raise it a bit.

Ok. So, you got me on some numbers. But, what you don't know is when i said I used to be able to go 3 times a month, I am not talking in recent years. I am talking going back to the 1980's early 90's. My visits became fewer and fewer as the prices went up. And, now cedarfair took over even fewer. now down to once a year.

And, I did not say i was bored with the park. I said, going there 15 times in one year would be boring. I get bored pretty easy. I drove 45 mintues to my favorite club, stayed for 2 hours and went home. I'm not a young kid anymore, and it takes a lot to keep my interest. But, when i was in my 20's...I had tons of energy, and going on the small selection of rides they had back then was a lot of fun...but it was a different place back then...no lines, reasonable prices, and no BS. it's not like that anymore.

So. I take it you have only been to the park in 2005? no other years? If that is the case, how could you have any idea of how it has progreesed? I know, because I live only 45 minutes from the park, and actually lived closer when I lived in Muskegon.

You know. My brother had not been to the park since 1979, so he was also impressed with it, because he doesn't remember what it was like before...or care. I guess my problem is, that I do care. And, I still think it is overpriced. If i had a family, i certainly would not be able to afford to take them there. I'm lucky if I can afford to go by myself.

Jeff said:
I'll chime in and say that I like Michigan's Adventure for what it is. And with my first visit in 2001, and second visit in 2006, I will say that it has come a very long way since Cedar Fair bought it. With the SLC now, regardless of your opinion on such rides, I think that the gate is a steal, and they should raise it a bit.

The gate admission is not the problem. I agree that the park is certainly worth the $25.00 admission. I do not agree with the $8.00 parking fee, nor do I think they justify charging as much as they do for food in the park. And, their new locker policy. Those are the only quarrels I have with the park. Besides the obvious lack of entertainment, and decent food. The park is certainly improving, but the overall value of the park, compared to it's prices is not balanced.

It bothers me that you guys are ok with paying whatever the park wants to charge you for it's business. I mean how high does it have to go before you say...allright. now that is too much? $30.00 admission? $15.00 to park the car? $20.00 for a cheeseburger meal? How high are you willing to pay? I'm sure they are listening, rubbing their hands together with greed. While nothing in the park changes for another 5 years while they rake in your money? what are you going to say then?

And this has nothing to do with someone who has a season pass. This is dealing with that person who wants to visit the park just once, maybe twice this year...and maybe not come back again til next year.

people who have season passes to parks, should try to see how it is to go at it one step at a time. Not everyone has one...or wants one.

At the rate their prices are going up, it won't be long before those amounts come true. I say raise hell! before they do it!!

As for Parking...do you really think $8.00 is ok in Muskegon? I mean come on...the place is in the middle of no-where. What is the point of the fee, other than to gouge cash? Did you know the former owners used to have transport in the lot to take people to the gate when admission was free? I mean. if you are going to charge $8.00 do something out there. At least mark the rows so people can find their cars when the lot is full. paint the parking spaces...do something.

I like cedar points lot, because the rows are marked, so it is very easy to find your car when you leave. not at MA. If you can't remember where you parked, and the lot is full, you might as well sit, and wait for everyone else to leave...or spend a half hour trying to find it. No markings, no staff to help...you're on your own.

Timber-Rider said:
So. I take it you have only been to the park in 2005? no other years? If that is the case, how could you have any idea of how it has progreesed? I know, because I live only 45 minutes from the park, and actually lived closer when I lived in Muskegon.

Who cares how it's progressed. If not a damn thing had changed since 2005, I'd say $25 is worth it, and $8 isn't out of line for theme park parking.

You know. My brother had not been to the park since 1979, so he was also impressed with it, because he doesn't remember what it was like before...or care. I guess my problem is, that I do care. And, I still think it is overpriced. If i had a family, i certainly would not be able to afford to take them there. I'm lucky if I can afford to go by myself.

Well, all I can tell you is it's not the 70's anymore.

Talk about a circular argument. I can't figure out if you visited 6 times a week in 1972 or if that was 2 times the entire year of 2000. Seems like the story is constantly evolving.

Yeah, I think food pricing is too high all over the chain, and I don't buy much food at the parks. Doesn't change that I think Michigan's Adventure is still a good value.

MiA could have charged me $10 more to get in, run two trains on Timbers, and I'd have felt "valued". Or, they could charge me $10 less, continue with the same story of "we only run two trains on that during weekends", and the hour-long waits still would make me wonder if they gave a rat's arse that I showed up. Granted, that was a LONG time ago, but the moral of the story goes like this: "If you value my money as much as I value my time, we can all get along profitably."

Charge me an extra buck for food if you have to, but do NOT make me wait 20 minutes to pay for overpriced food. I guess when I was younger (and poorer still), my time wasn't worth as much. Sure is now.

Let it be my turn now!!! I am a local and realize this park is a Steal at the gate price of $25.oo. On top of that Monday - Thursday there are Coupons that allow you to get in for ....wait for it..... $20 or $23 depending on which coupon you find. Meijer sells the Ticket for $23.95. When my job was paying well enough I did buy the season pass that was $80 that also got me into Cedar Point. I would like to say the chain lost money on me when I had that pass when in reality that year with 7 trips to MI ADV and 5 Trips to Cedar Point, they made some good cash on me when I bought the food and hotel rooms at Cedar Point. Now I am poor, not proud of it, but working to make it better, but would not blink twice about spending $25.00 to go the MI ADV, and have reduced my trips to once a year, because it is a GREAT value, and a great way to relieve some stress and relax. The park is getting some great love from Cedar Fair. Moving Thunderhawk here from GL was a major draw and still is this year. Duck Creek RV park is finally giving a place close to the park for people to park their RV's that is literally at the main gate. They have a decent amount of land to expand on. Don't pass up the value of this park!!!!

No more comments from me. If you guys are ok with what you are paying to get into the park, that is up to you. I still think it is priced to high, and I am glad I do not have a family, because I would never be able to afford to take them there. But, I would save my money and take them somewhere else. Like Indiana Beach wich would be a lot better deal, or Cedar Point, where I know I will get my money's worth.

I probably will not go back to the park this year.

Wow. I thought Michigan's Adventure was bad with it's new owners. I just looked at the Indiana beach website, and holy ****! $39.00 for a combo pass! OMG! The last time I went, you could get a wristband for $18.00. And that was when Cornball Express was added.

I'm sorry, but fresh paint, and two new rides. doesn't justify that high of a price hike. I was thinking of going there this year, but, certainly can't afford that. What are these corporate jerks thinking?

So, did ya slap a coat of fresh paint on this thread when you resurrected it? It looks the same to me, and I wouldn't pay $39 for it, either.