Michigan's Adventure,... Ticket price increase.

And as far as county fairs go, take it from a seasoned, frequent fair-goer and self-proclaimed qualified expert.

County (and state) fair midways are supplied by outdoor showmen, or, carnival companies. They are contracted for by the event and that contract typically covers a several year period. Don't ever expect that the carnival is going to show up each year with brand new, sparkling rides for you to enjoy. Those rides are what the carnival company owns. They travel with those same rides all season and from season to season. They do their best to maintain, paint, and refurbish those rides in the offseason, if they even have one. Many east coast companies are now based in Florida in the winter to keep their business alive. It's an extremely tough business, fraught with expenses like insurance, license, inspection, payroll, truck maintenance, fuel, and the like.

The outdoor amusement business is solely dependent on weather. Occasionally a date that is usually successful will completely tank because it rained every day of the run. And, if a show owner is lucky, he's made enough money in a season to purchase a new ride for the following season. Sometimes it's a major, less often a spectacular, more often a kiddie or two. Flat ride manufacturers are also following the lead and making new rides smaller so as to fit on one trailer to keep expenses down for everyone.

State fair midways are of a slightly different ilk, there's usually a main carnival provider that has the contract. For a large show they will combine all of their smaller traveling units and also book on additional carnival companies or independents to supply large pieces or spectaculars. Our Ohio State Fair has one of the best midways in the country, but I sit here as a local and watch the same rides come in and out every July, with an occasional new spectacular or two, and that largely depends on who's available to pick up the date.

The economy, fuel prices, insurance prices, (and did I mention the economy?) have come along to all but put many operators out of business. Many large companies have formed alliances and conglomerations in order to stay alive and on the road.

These are the things that you should probably already know, Timber-Rider, and I can't imagine, as an enthusiast and former vendor and carnival worker, that you don't. Your statement above is further testimony to what we've all noticed here. You think the amusement business in general has everything to do with you and your desires and nothing to do with what really matters in terms of running a successful business.

Really, everyone out there is trying as hard as they can to amuse the masses and keep themselves afloat in an extremely competitive entertainment industry.

A few things:

I actually understand (to a point) why people would be irritated with rising prices at a park that continually offers nothing or next to nothing new for years at a time. I think parking prices at Dorney go up every year, and I think the gate does as well (though I wouldn't know for sure as I haven't paid at the gate more than once in about a decade). They've really only added two relocated coasters, a relocated drop tower, and then three water slides to the side I could really care less about except on rare occasions. It is a bummer to not really receive anything new that much, and if we didn't get ANYTHING new, I'd probably be irritated as a non-pass holder that the gate is more money every year.

However, where the logic break occurs seems to be that you DO have to account for inflation, and you have to understand that as long as people are willing to pay the rising prices, they'll keep raising them.

Finally, I'd imagine that raising the gate prices would eventually pay for a shiny new coaster. Keep that in mind when you're complaining about the cost of admission.

...you have to understand that as long as people are willing to pay the rising prices, they'll keep raising them.

Exactly. I have trouble understanding those who complain that a park raises prices without adding whatever the person in question thinks the park needs. If a park can raise prices without making major additions -- why spend money on major additions?

What part of "I want an Oompa Loompa NOW!" do you not understand?

What I learn over and over is this-

Timber-Rider has access to a working computer about once a month, sometimes longer. He shows up here and hits as many old threads as he can with a big stir stick. Then he retreats again leaving the rest of us to post lengthy retorts, throw clever insults, and argue amongst ourselves about something we've been over countless number of times. I bet he's not even here to listen.

Well, 'til next time when it starts all over again...

Just wondering.... if my parents, who live in Shelby, Michigan, have convenient access to the Internet at the Shelby Public Library, a town so small it has no stop lights and so few stop signs they could be counted on the fingers of both hands with fingers left over, surely TR could access the Internet more often...

.

Now, you know once you google Tighty Whitey Twister at the library you get thrown out.

I was googling that purely for research purposes!

Putting the obvious staffing issues aside, does anyone else think that Michigan's Adventure would be an epic park to have HalloWeekends type events at?

If I recall correctly we discussed that some time ago. Actually, it may have been an angry mob reacting to something T-R said.

Anyway, I think generally speaking, yes. The grounds and facilities would be conducive to some sort of immersive event. In checking, I see that the park has already closed for the season and there has to be a reason for that. In addition to the staffing issue you mentioned, I'd think there's also a customer issue. That area is a Lake Michigan vacationland, and I'm sure once the season has ended everything is shuttered up til next year, and not many, if any, come around. Now, you'd think that given the popularity of Halloween there has to be succesful haunts patronized by locals, right? But maybe not enough patrons to keep a large scale event afloat. Plus, I wonder how soon it is before the area is inundated with cold and snow.

And having said that, we all know that Valleyfair has a successful haunt season, so maybe the cold in Muskegon isn't the hindrance, but more like staffing and patronage. The Twin Cities is a large metro area, after all.
But I wonder how many rides are actually available at VF if it turns really cold? Or is that event already more indoor-haunt intense with fewer rides? Or will the Minnesotans ride anything that operates regardless of the weather?

I'm surprised that there hasn't been a Topic on this yet on this site. If you click the 'What's New' button on the Michigan's Adventure website it takes you to the latest NEW ATTRACTION!!! WOOOOOOO! I guess I spoke too soon on being upset about the price increase! Way worth it!!

Can't wait for 2015!

Valleyfair keeps most of its major rides open during the Valleyscare events. Excalibur is pretty much located by itself at the far side of the park, and that is always closed after the regular season. This year it appears to have closed on Sept 14. Steel Venom is at the opposite side of the park and has been closed intermittently in the past. VF expanded that region of the park this year with its Route 76 addition - it appears Steel Venom will be open for the haunt season. Some of the buildings (e.g., bumper cars) are used for indoor haunts.

We Minnesotans are a crazy, hardy bunch, so weather doesn't bother us much. We'll attach a snowplow to the front of Renegade to keep it going. We're already putting up our ice-fishing houses on Valleyfair's wave pool.

Ya, you betcha!

slithernoggin said:

I was googling that purely for research purposes!

And you know we're winning when we appear in two of the top ten results.

Could proximity be a consideration for no MiA Halloween event? Minutes of online research found several haunted attractions in the area. Several seemed to be in or close to Muskegon. The Double JJ Resort has done a Halloween event in the past. It's near Rothbury, but right off 31, while MiA is a bit of a drive from 31.

Oh my. CBuzz is indeed in the top ten, right behind the tight whitey wet underwear car wash for charity hits, complete with pictures...

Excuse me. I have to do some additional research.

So I went looking, ya know, just outta curiosity, and lo and behold the C'Buzz Google result listed second is a quote made by ME! From Nov 19, 2013.

That's the first time I've ever made it to Google!
Well, unless you count criminal activity...

I could be wrong, but I was under the impression that they did not have nighttime lights and therefore could only operate during daylight hours.

"New at Michigan's Adventure for 2016! Night time lights!" lol

^ Better than nothing...

Since CF doesn't care at all about MIA, lets hope it doesn't turn out like Geauga Lake

Oh boy. *waiting for the fur to fly*