MI's Adv. openning weekend 5-17,18.

Despite earlier forcasts for clouds and rain, Sat. morning turned out to be sunny and warm. Got in the park at 10:30 and headed for Thunderhawk.

For the fifth year now MI's Adv. has hosted "Rock the Coast" on it's openning weekend. "Rock the Coast" is a christian music fest and about 95% of the attendies are teenagers. Usually well mannered teens but lots of them.

The rides did not open until 11 and they had the crowd stopped at the entrance to Corkscrew. But Corkscrew was open early so I started with a couple of rides there. Now it is !! and the park is open and I head to Thunderhawk with the huddled masses.

I first rode Thunderhawk when it was still at GL last fall during GOCC's "Fall Freakout" event. Rode it 18 times then and thought it to be a little smoother than SFKK's T2. Now I had the unique oppertunity to ride the same coaster just after it was moved.

It looks like the trains have just been cleaned up and new wheels installed. But new wheels (and bearings) can make a big difference. The track itself looks great with the red/yellow paint job. All in all it looks like a new coaster.

My first ride was in the front left seat. The ride was fairly smooth. After a 10 min. wait I was riding the back seat. A little rogher than the front but still not bad. By now the line is 15 min. and I rode in row 6. Still a good ride. This coaster is a perfect addition to the park and will be a big hit this summer.

I could not stay too long so I headed to Shiveringtimbers but that line was at least 30 min. Looked like only one train was running. Long line for Wildcat also so I headed for home to get some yard work done. Had a feeling the lines would be a lot shorter Sun. anyway.

Sun. morning was sunny but a lot cooler and breezy. Rode Thunderhawk 10 times as it was only a one train wait or a walk on. Then hit Shiveringtimbers for a couple front seat rides. Understandably the lines for ST were still longer than TH. ST is by far the best coaster in MI and the best thing MI's Adv. ever did.

After a back seat ride on Wildcat I looked over the new merchandise at the corner store and ended the visit with a ride on Mad Mouse. Then it was back home to get some sleep before work.

Next stop: Holiwood Nights.

Forgot to mention the ride ops did not say "check" out loud as they were doing at Cedar Point.

So, how was Timbers running? Did the "back" leg deliver the goods or was it lackluster?

I'm not a yearly visitor of the park. The last time I was there was 2003. This was before I joined ACE or any other coaster club for that matter. Even being a novice coaster rider at the time, I felt Shivering Timbers was pretty rough. And the trick track was down right brutal. I just got home from this years ACE Spring Conference. It was at Michigan's Adventure and Indiana Beach. After riding Timbers during Friday nights ERT, I now understand why everyone loves it so much. Smooth, and tons of air. I believe there was only one train because it was still being refurbed. Does PTC handle MiA's maintenance? The Blue train looked like it got a lot of TLC in the off season. New padding, new belts, and much more I'm sure. Maybe the Red? train is getting the same treatment. IMO, being that ST is the star of the park, what better time to refurb it than when you have a new coaster that would likely be bringing guests to the park that either hadn't been there in years or even at all.

We were at MiA on Friday Night and Saturday morning. Thunderhawk was the smoothest I ever remembered it being. Last year I wouldn't think of a double ride, but Between Friday and Saturday I think I rode it about 10 times. It's still a Vekoma SLC, but it will be loved by the locals. The landscaping it great. Much better than the Green Slime at GL. All in all I think it's a good fit for the park.

Yes, I forgot to mention ST was as smooth as ever Sun. morning. The front seat provided air time on every hill. The new seat belts also are about 6" longer.

I consider myself most fortunate to be only 15 min. away from this park. I had ride number 500 on ST in 2005 and stopped counting at that point. I hear there is a gal that lives just down the road from the park and has close to 3,000 rides but have yet to confirm this or meet her.

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Jason Hammond said:
The Blue train looked like it got a lot of TLC in the off season. New padding, new belts, and much more I'm sure. Maybe the Red? train is getting the same treatment.

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The other train is green and was the only one onsite when the ride opened for the '98 ACE Spring Con. 10 years later and only the blue is onsite.

Interesting. Never knew that.

Glad to hear the good news about Timbers. Planning to visit with some friends in September. Looking forward to introducing them to that airtime machine.