Review of Grand Raids at Michigan's Adventure.

You may have read my previous trip report from Michigan's Adventure. And, even though I said a few things about Grand Rapids, I thought it would be nice to give you all a little detail.

I will start off with the scenery. Unlike other rides in the park, Grand Rapids is well themed, and very well landscaped. If you haven't been to the park before you would never know that the entire area that Grand Rapids sits on...was just an open field of grass sand and shrub trees.

One feature that stands out, is a large rock cliff with a few small waterfalls that flow from it. On top of the cliff, is a geiser that sprays water about ten feet in the air. Then directly under the cliff is the river rapids, and, an area of rushing water that is filled with different sized rocks. Just past this area is the entrance to Grand Rapids, and the large que.

You can watch the rafts as they make their way through the ride at several different locations. And, rapids wind right through the main que, so you can also watch people ride from several spots, while you are waiting in line. There is also a bridge over the rapids in the que, so you can watch the rafts around you, and underneath you.

I have yet to ride GR, but when I was there in June, I got a good look at the ride (it was too cold to get our clothes wet that day). They do have great theming elements set up, but the trough itself is way too much like a lazy river. It's just a plain concrete trough with no varying width or randomness to it. There is no rock facade on it to make it look like a natural river.

I was just there last Friday. I was impressed as I walked up to the ride. It is certainly a step above every other attraction as far as landscaping and scenery. I had to wait over an hour to ride. Then we didn't feel it was worth the wait after it all was over. It does look great though.

I just can't beleive that the park has been there 50 years and up until recently few trees had been planted. Now Cedar Fair is letting many of the wild trees grow also.

There used to be trees there. A storm knocked them all down, Timbers' opening year.

That first section with the waterfall appears to be the only spot you get wet on the ride unless you're the victim of a water blaster from a pesty onlooker. The rapids that I saw looked really tame. Is this an accurate assessment?

Yes, the rapids seemed tame. There are 2 waterfalls where you can get wet. One is toward the end of the ride.

It's funny that I never did get to finish my post. I had a lot more to say, But, I got another your log-in has expired message. So I gave up. I had no idea that my message was posted!!!

So to answer your questions. I don't know about others who have been on the ride, but the raft I was riding in came back to the station totally soaked! We had water in the raft above our ankles!

The first series of falls which are right after you leave the station, dumped on us big time. And, the rafts move along pretty quickly, and, bounce of the walls of the canyon and start spinning in several places.

The second series of falls is in the back half of the ride, in a rocky looking canyon. These falls are longer in length, and if the boat spins enough...every rider gets dumped on. But, when riding, we noticed that the raft ahead of us breezed through this area without so much as a drop of water...while we were all soaked.

I have been on several rapids rides, including thunder Canyon at Cedar Point, and, Roaring Rapids at Great America. I thing Grand Rapids is a much better ride than both of those.

So, although the wait in line is horrible. It's a really nice ride. And, A great addition to Michigan's Adventure. So I give it a thumbs up!!

In addition to your comment about the trees that were lost to the storm. I'm curious if you recall that storm also severely damaged the Muttley's Putt putt Antique car ride, and littered the whole park with uprooted trees....lucky there was not more damage.

But, with that said, more trees have been lost to careless bull-dozing. One area in particular that had a lot of big trees, is the area where the Be-bop car ride is located. A lot of trees were removed to put in this pointless ride. Which took almost 3 years to build, and, it was hardly touched for more than a year.

I remember when the Grand Carousel was built, and, it was so much more appealing when it was surrounded by the old trees that were there before they put in the car ride. Not many people know that the area that Be-bop sits on, used to be the parks main ride area...and that it was heavily wooded with pic-nic shelters. All trees bull-dozed...not from storm damage. It was a horrible eye sore for years.

Cedar Fair has cleaned up the park a lot. And, they have added more trees that they have removed. You would probably be sick to your stomach, if you saw the condition the park was in before Cedar Fair moved in. It's just a much better place. *** Edited 8/12/2006 1:24:43 AM UTC by Timber-Rider***

Is there anywhere where there are alot or decent pics of the ride? I haven't really seen it yet. I love these rides though. -Thanks