Not disagreeing with your experience, but it definitely sounds like you just had really back luck with your trip. As a semi-local, I visit at least once or twice a year but always have a good experience for the most part and a lot of your gripes aren't things that happen on an average day. For someone in Michigan or the region it's worth a trip just to get the credits. However, if you're from farther away I absolutely understand not wanting to run the risk of a bad day like this since you probably won't ever make it back. I do fully agree with the lack of investments and improvements from management and Cedar Fair, with just a little more love and care this place could stack up to Valleyfair or other small parks.
Also, I do find saying there are no good rides other than Shivering Timbers is a bit of a stretch. Mad Mouse is a great Wild Mouse even with the weird capacity limitations, and Thunderhawk and Wolverine Wildcat aren't consistent but usually deliver fine rides.
I know literally The one time he goes to Michigan adventures is the literally I think only time shivering timbers has been down to be honest I think that’s karma for saying this park is trash I I live in Grand Rapids and I wait every second of the year just to go to this park karma For saying this is the worst park in America karma
Michigan’s Adventure would have a bright future if it wasn’t part of Cedar Fair parks because I know at one point of time Michigan’s Adventure was planning to get a hyper coaster before Cedar Fair decided to buy Michigan Adventure.
That Arrow hyper that never got built probably explains how they ended up in Cedar Fair's clutches. They sank a ton of money into something that was never built.
@@andrewhanson1180 Just this park or all of Cedar Fair? Because if it's just this park, I wouldn't mind SeaWorld having it if they're going to make some investments in it. Even if it's just giving it that hyper coaster they never got around to building.
@@JCBro-yg8vd From what I read it's just this park. They offered $3.4 billion but I guess the park owners declined the offer 2 days ago. 6 Flags offered $4 billion a couple years ago and they obviously declined that too. It's like they purposely want this to be a crappy park.
I liked Michigan's Adventure. I only had 6 hours there, but I had a great time. It felt like a nice fun atmosphere, and the ride ops were great. There were so few people there, I got tons of rides. Wolverine Wildcat is very good if you're not on a wheel seat. Ideally, do the middle row of any 3-row car, and it's not too rough, and the airtime is great. Valleyfair was operating their wild mouse the same way when I went there, but not at Michigans Adventure (on my 2019 visit). I guess they decided to copy Valleyfair's way since then. You had a rough day at a good park. I've had that too. I hated Lake Compounce, thought it was the worst park ever and desperately wanted to leave, but I now see that I just simply went on one of the worst days possible. That's what happened for you with Michigan's Adventure. I also dread going back to Lake Compounce to get my missing Phobia credit, but I'm sure it'll be a better experience.
For Wolverine Wildcat, second car-center row is very good, but not Phoenix great. A Gravity group prefab track with timbeliner trains could make this a great coaster without going to RMC... if they RMC Shivering Timbers -hmmm. I was fortunate to ride Shivering Timbers on a warm day and some fresh rain... back of train was awesome. I disagree with Taylor on management and cast members, Camp Snoopy is new and fits target market for this park...which is summer families visiting from Chicago and Detroit. Chicago has SFGA and Detroit is not far from Cedar Point. So MAdv core is families with Tweens and younger. So Camp Snoopy and water park are most important.
I don't think I rode in row 5 on Wolverine Wildcat. I did very back (learned my lesson), and I think every other ride was either row 1, 2, or next to last. I'll remember to try row 5 next time. It had rained all morning the day I went, so that probably had both woodies running amazing for me in the afternoon. You make a great point about the target crowd for Michigan's Adventure.
Yep, I had a great experience at Lake Compounce and can‘t wait to go back. There‘s just so many variables to a theme park visit that it can turn out pretty much every way.
Cedar Fair bought MI Adventure 20 or so years ago because it was eating into their customer base for Cedar Point and expanding. Once family owned a clearly growing (Timbers would have never been built under Cedar Fair ownership), Cedar Fair bought it up and stalled the growth. In West Michigan Cedar Point is where you really go, MI Adventure is just a budget trip, exactly how Cedar Fair wants it to be.
Cedar Point has absolutely ZERO to do with Michigan's Adventure. CP is a DESTINATION park where people go for 2-3 if not several days. If it were near Detroit you'd have an argument. The problem with MA is it's location. It's not near any population centers aside from Grand Rapids. CF would like it to be a more popular destination, but it simply won't be. They really should sell it off to an independent owner like Gene Staples.
@@TheJustgetitdone330 I disagree. A lot of people from Michigan go to Cedar Point. I live in Michigan and it is somewhere people visit often. They only go to Michigan's Adventure if they want a water park. Because Michigan's Adventure water park is better than Cedar points. If you ever go to Cedar Point, look at the license plates and I bet a lot of them will say Michigan.
@@nicholasfield6127 The majority of Michigan people going to Cedar Point is Eastern, southern, and Detroit. There is no market demand to expand Michigan Adventures.
The water park is decent. Shivering Timbers is a great coaster, and it’s a decent park for taking a kid on their first coasters as they’re all not that big.
All that I saw from the video was just basic tube and body slides -- they probably all have 1+ hour waits. I get more excited for the watercoasters, lazy rivers, fast rivers, and other interactive stuff. If they just the basic waterpark fare (basic tube and body slides) then its not a great waterpark.
@@trackmaster152002 My home park. They have a *lot* of body slides that typically have short waits, quite a few tube slides that have a long-ish wait, though it's still well under an hour typically. a lazy river, including a tube slide that goes into said lazy river. really impressive kids areas too. But instead of a water coaster, or trap door slides, or even putting money in to automatically lift the tubes on the twin slides with heavy tubes... they apparently thought, "No, you know what we need? 3 wave pools." Let me repeat. For some reason, they gave 3 wave pools. None of which are all that special. they also have a splash down, river rapids, and log flume outside the water park, but eh. the log flume in particular seems pretty random as it's on the other side of the park, as opposed to the spash down and river rapids which are at least next to it.
@@etherealswordsman3214 The reason for that is, is because "the loggers run" was one of the first attractions at the park before there was the water park addition. This place started as a petting zoo (deer park), then slowly added amusement rides. The history goes back to the 70's, which is why it's in the middle of nowhere. Fun fact, Michael Jackson bought "the spider" from them for the neverland ranch.
Worst park in America? No. Not a good park? Yeah. That’s fair. It’s my little home park, and I love it to death. Thunderhawk is definitely the best SLC of the 4 I’ve ridden, and I think that Wolverine Wildcat is a solid ride, I never understood the hate. Mad Mouse is a very unique ride and I have a ton of nostalgia for it. Shivering Timbers is Shivering Timbers, probably my favorite woodie. I think the layout of the park is nonsensical, but it never REALLY bothered me. I think a full loop would make a lot more sense. A drop tower and a Windseeker would be great inclusions. RMC Wildcat would be a great decision, I would love to be able to marathon an RMC every summer. The water park is probably the best part of Michigan’s Adventure. There’s a couple of wave pools and a million kinds of water slides. I really hope that MiA gets some love soon. I seriously believe that this park could be one of the best Cedar Fair parks. Over all, I’d give it a 7/10. Probably looking at it with rose tinted glasses, but I still love it no matter what happens with it. For those who live in Michigan like I do, I would just spend the extra time and money and go to Cedar Point. But seriously. RMC wildcat. Please.
Great comment! I do love my home park and it has potential maybe one day we’ll see some more happen to it at least they improved the kiddy are a lot! That’s a good sign
I agree with you because I live in Michigan and we go every year for my mom’s work and we all have fun. Sure it’s not as great as the bigger parks that everyone else enjoys but if you live close to it you learn to love and enjoy it
I'm about 3 hours away in Detroit and I will go up there more often but some of the same reasons I went on opening weekend once just to say I finally went and use my season pass and it was very terrible experience. I was quite sad the wild mouse coaster wasn't open. Timbers was great! It's actually in my top 10 at the moment. I was mostly upset at the lack of food choices and snack choices only coasters dining was open so that was kind of annoying we couldn't even find popcorn. Wildcat beat us up that needs some help even with the little tiny bit of Titan track it either needs to be fully titan tracked or RMC'd. I don't understand why they won't put any more care into the park because some people just don't like driving so they're going to go to Cedar Point anyway because it's closer but for those people who don't want to go all the way to Cedar Point they can go to Michigan's adventure
Personally I think the only way Michigan’s Adventure can blossom to the fullest is if it becomes an independent park again. Holiday World has a similar position as it is in the middle of nowhere but they care so much about the place that people from all different states and even around the world do what they can to get to the park. They don’t let bad geographic location to limit their abilities. A chain isn’t going to invest to a park that is in the middle of nowhere. Only independent parks would and that is why this park needs a new owner.
@@JustinCoasters ^^^ That’s it right there. Cedar Fair is afraid that literally any major improvements to this park would draw business away from Cedar Point. I think the main reason they continue to hold onto this park is to make sure that it _doesn’t_ expand.
They definitely need to sell it for any growth to take place, but they won’t because at least it’s extra cash in their pockets, and who wouldn’t want more cash? Same case could be made about several parks, but of course each park has their own situations, and what might work with one won’t necessarily work with all.
As a former MA ride op I don’t understand why we can’t operate Mad Mouse better. The decision to run it that way came from Maintenance or Corporate. Regarding closed rides other than Shivering Timbers it was almost entirely staffing issues. We didn’t have enough staff to run our log flume until breaks were over and we lost our entire Skycoaster crew with a month left in the season. We frequently pulled people from other departments to run rides because we didn’t have enough staff. I think you have a lot of valid criticisms of the park but I also think you’re being unnecessarily negative. I’ve ridden Thunderhawk probably 50 times and gotten maybe 1 bad ride. Yes we don’t have as much as other parks but I still think it’s a cool place worth visiting even if just for Timbers.
@@eccentricgamer4111 I couldn’t tell you when it happened I just know that it was like that this year. I also know that there were issues with the ride all year so it might have something to do with that
If you think he was negative, you need some thicker skin. He gave compliments and critiques. Not to mention he went out of his way to not only point out negatives, but to give suggestions which would help to fix/improve the park.
I'm originally from Muskegon, and grew up visiting this park. He missed the fact that this is "2 parks for the price of 1," with the water park for only $35. I've lived/visited Amusement Parks around the US- for the cost of Michigan's Adventure (only $35), its actually one of the best APs. Yes, its dated, but its definitely not as small as he describes, and there were about 8 rides he failed to mention, on top of the water park. Muskegon is only 35 minutes away from Grand Rapids (the 2nd largest city in Michigan). Additionally, its right on a beautiful beach (Lake Michigan- Pere Marquette). Yes, the park is in the middle of North Muskegon; to make the most of your trip, go to the campgrounds, go fishing, go to the wineries and breweries in "Skee Town." I've certainly experienced worse, but can't agree this is it.
I love this park. It use to be a big trip for me and my family every year when me and my brother were small. It was easier on my parents to carry us around a smaller park instead of cedar point. They loved camping to we would stay at the campgrounds and we would also do other stuff in the area. Even as an adult I find myself going back to visit once or twice a year. I don't need to be thrilled to the point of scared everytime I go to an amusement park. It's a nice chill place. Frankly there's only two things I'd change about the place. I would make the walking path a full circle. And I would add one more coaster. A family sized steel coaster.
I love this park it’s amazing i’m in Grand Rapids and I look forward every single day of the year just to go there that one day I love this place and honestly I’m not that big of a fan for this man just completely Trash Talk in this park to be honest I’ve never been to another park so I might have to buy my tung
Michigan Adventure was always the "field trip" park, which I would get pissed by because for most Michiganders, its a longer drive to Michigan Adventure to Cedar Point! The only thing it has going for it is the waterpark and Shivering Timbers, which is top tier. I would LOVE a major makeover of the park to make it a mini Cedar Point. RMC Wolverine Wildcat, fix Thunder Hawk, add a couple of flat rides and some actual good food. That's what the park needs.
This review is hilarious when contrasted against the description for yesterday's Coaster Studios video claiming "Michigan's Adventure is home to 7 roller coasters- 3 wood and 4 steel, all ranging in size that is sure to appeal to any member of the family!" Lol.
Water park is the best part. Your leaving out half the park in your review. This isn't a legitimate review if since you didn't do the main ride or participate in HALF THE PARK!
Fun fact: almost all Michiganders live closer to CP than Michigan’s adventure. Most people around me go to CP all the time but haven’t been to Michigan’s adventure in years
It’s funny because like 75 percent of the general public at CP are from Michigan, it seems. Like you’ll be talking to someone in line and mention you’re from Ohio, and they just give you a weird sideways look. Like bro, do you know where you are? Lol
One thing I'm quite interested in, even though it has to do with the past there, is I thought shortly after shivering timbers was built, they were supposed to build a large steel hyper coaster, perhaps say on the scale of Steel Force or Magnum... Unfortunately, it never came to be. I always thought a ride like that, perhaps built next to it or so, would perfectly compliment shivering timbers. I feel the place has much much more potential than what it has been given. I would just like to see something else big built sometime in my lifetime there.
In the 90s into the 2000s Six Flags St Louis was treated incredibly well by corporate. If you cheat back to 1989 for Ninja's opening and look at the next 20 years it received a roller coaster in 1989, 1995, 1998(97), 2000, 2007 & 2008. On top of that in 1999, between Boss and Freeze they built an entire waterpark. Beyond that the dark ride received regular updates and rethemes, a Chutes ride, go karts, a slingshot, an Evolution, a new kid area, a Skycoaster and a drop tower in that span. An additional two waterslides were added as well. That's an incredible 20 year span for a park this size.
@@ItsSiebay Six Flags St Louis has had more done in the last 5 years than most people know. Most of the buildings in the park have new roofs at this point and other refreshes to fix water damage from the original issue. The entire electrical grid was replaced over a couple of seasons which also lead to midway resurfacing to cover the trenches. Two restaurants have opened. And I'm sure the same has been true at many parks that had little maintenance in the late 00s into the 10s. Millions have been spent on renovation of things that were let go and the new front entrance.
@@Danrarbc I remember it feeling cooler as a kid. And being told that Six Flags respected the park as being the last OG Six Flags built. But that was what, 2 owners ago? I still miss Castaway Kids, lol.
Not enough for me. I have standard that a park must be at least as good or better than my home park kings island for me to spend my hard earned money to travel to. Kings Dominion was an exception because Intimidator 305 was ridiculous.
@@JJJJ-he8bz If a park has to be better than King's Island for you to travel to it then there's a scant few parks that reach that level. King's Island is an amazing theme park and there aren't really that many that reach that level.
@@Danrarbc Cedar Point and Magic Mountain are better. Carowinds is close but they had Fury...... I also went to KD which isn’t as good but they had Intimidator 305. My next plan is Bush Gardens Tampa and great adventure which I think are better
@@JJJJ-he8bz And you've basically exhausted the about or better than KI thrill park list by naming those 6 parks. (Six Flags Great America belongs on there too IMO) I get it having a good home park can spoil you but there's a lot of fun to be had at places that maybe don't reach that level.
There are parks that exist outside of a major metro area and they can make it work. It takes time and commitment and a desire to make your park somewhat of a destination. Since they have staffing issues that predate the pandemic they would need to add something that doesn't require a large staff increase but would draw in guests from the region. And they would probably need to make consistent additions over several years in order for the word to get out. It would also require that the chain work with the local community to make the area a bit of a destination. I don't think Michigan's Adventure would easily become Silver Dollar City because Branson is a major destination. But they could use Holiday World or Silverwood as models to emulate. But that would require that the chain wants to invest some money slowly but consistently to put the park on the map. Unfortunately, I think they really just don't want to address this issue and they think every dollar spent at Michigan's Adventure would be better spent directing those same guests to Cedar Point. So they should really just sell the park if that is their attitude.
The city to the park is Muskegon and they're actually on the rise with new business and bringing in people. I totally agree they could be more successful if they partnered with Muskegon to draw people up and did fun stuff with the local summer festivals they have that draw people from Chicago.
@@willowbatnanayeah but Muskegon is known in west Michigan as sketchy place to be. It’s basically the Saginaw of the west if Kalamazoo was Detroit. While Muskegon may be on the rise, not many people move there. many times going there I would get out and hear gun shots
I live 40 minutes away from the park. While I do agree with many of the points you make, this park is an OK part for the area that it serves and the type of crowd it typically brings. Which are local families with small kids and people who want to visit the water park because again... this portion of Michigan is kind of in the "middle of nowhere" (although the 2nd largest city in Michigan is 30 minutes away from this park so I guess that's still the middle of nowhere) and they really don't care much about world class this or that. It's a fairly inexpensive park where families come for a few hours, do their thing, & go home. Shivering Timbers isn't even the highlight of the park to the majority of people that visit the park which is why most days that ride is a walk-on. Most of the locals in this area either travel to Cedar Point, or Six Flags Great America for thrills. Yes it has been neglected and I think the park deserves better. But it sounds like your review is only about thrill rides, operations, food, and landscaping. You even admitted that you didn't go to the water park, which IS the highlight of the park. Maybe water parks aren't your thing, but a water park IS ALSO part of the experience of attending an amusement park. I would personally think if you're going to make a review about a park, you would include the water park. Sorry that operations weren't the best and your primary reason for coming to the park wasn't available to you that day. But if you are someone who travels all across the country riding rides and are not native to this area, don't drive 3 hours or fly all the way out here expecting to be wowed. Nothing in this park makes it worth it. But to the locals with children looking to have fun for a few hours, it's an option for this area.
Exactly my experience. I'm from Grand Rapids and it's an awesome summer experience for families around here. Way too much negativity and hate surrounds this park online, and a lot of people haven't even been. People need to calm down and let families enjoy a fun wooden coaster or two and a water park.
I grew up in southwestern Michigan ( about 2 hours south of Muskegon) it was a nice day trip in the summer as a kid. Cedar point is 4 hours away me and Six Flags is about 2 and a half hours west( assuming you can get through Chicago traffic smoothly) also who goes to Michigan Adventure and DOESN'T GO To The WATERPARK, that's literally shutting half the park out of your review.
Personally, I enjoyed the park when I visited a few years back. But I definitely agree that it needs a MAJOR overhaul. I’d love to see a new front entrance, a new thrilling flat ride, and a lot of aesthetic improvements. It has the opportunity to be charming and popular, but definitely isn’t a top priority in the chain. Maybe Six Flags or Herschend could snatch it up.
I mean, there's a reason why MIA is called the "red-headed stepchild" of the Cedar Fair chain. This review covers a lot of issues this park has, and empathizes why it gets that title. Plus, the whole "preventing Six Flags" from buying it take, too.
At least Six Flags might have actually invested in the park and kept it fresh. Wolverine Wildcat would be a prime candidate for RMC to work their magic. And just imagine an Intamin Zac Spin.
Middle of no where? Its next to Lake Michigan! Hoffmaster, lake harbor, Beachwood, winter sports complex, and howling timbers. Honestly just being next to lake Michigan alone is amazing. Many midland areas you can't do anything you can do in Muskegon. I see places not being next to a body of water or in the mountains to be the middle of nowhere
When you were discussing how this park is in “an obscure location”. You could have also mentioned that it’s so far away from other theme parks that you have to always make an extreme detour to get to it. When Logan from Koaster Kids visited Michigan’s Adventure a few years back, it was its own separate trip with some friends which was a six-plus hour drive, and unlike you, he had a great time there.
I live in Muskegon, Michigan's Adventure was cool when Roger owned it. Improvements every year. Still had a lot of carnival rides (the tilt a whirl and scrambler are the last 2 left of the original park) Since being purchased by Cedar Fair, she's been pretty much ignored. It's sad seeing as it's my park in my city, but she's tired and neglected. And the locals still refer to her as "Deer Park Funland" lol
I went there as a kid when it was just "Deer Park." (Maybe it was Deer Park Funland, but I always called it Deer Park.) And even though I was born and raised in Muskegon, I didn't get out there very much since it was called Deer Park. Went there about 4 years ago with my family and it is WAY bigger now obviously. Today I live in the Twin Cities, and the big "park" around here is Valley Fair in Shakopee, MN (also owned by Ceder Fair) and it's only a little bigger than Michigan's Adventure.
The Sample license plate isn't random. It's the last name of the original owner of the park, John Sample. After his passing in 2004, they wanted to commemorate his name and his love for classic cars. The car is the same one he had back in his youth, and I made all this up. I have no idea why it says Sample
I feel like there are clearer ways to pay homage than this. The car could be incorporated still of course but it really does just look like a sample DMV plate.
The crap that is happening on Michigan’s Adventure’s wild mouse is actually happening on all the other Arrow Mice. (including Valleyfair and California’s Great America)
Worked at this park for a contracted company for nearly a decade’s worth of summers and I can tell you what you saw on your trip is actually an IMPROVEMENT over the park I worked in in many ways. It is/has been worse than you even saw. To your point about the park needing to be a circle, I can tell you that there is a dirt path between Thunder Hawk and Shivering Timbers that runs parallel to Wolverine Wildcat. I think the reason they don’t finish and open it is they’d have to fence off Wolverine Wildcat to keep guests from accessing its infrastructure or reaching the lake and presumably they don’t want to pay for that.
My first job was at that park. The owners consistently invest even less in their employees than they do for the overall park itself. I have multiple friends worked there as well that suffered heat stroke due to lack of shade and not allowing water breaks. If the employees aren't enthused, it is warranted on their part. There are rides that I still love there (like Shivering Timbers) but I would love to see that spot get the TLC that it deserves on all levels, from attractions to staff care.
I love and respect this guy's views BUT! I am not one who can travel and compare. So I would say Michigan Adventure fits my family perfect. Yes is cool to watch your adventures. But you have to put into thought the area. We live a peaceful life near this area and the thrill of family time can be just as CRAZY/COOL as lake Michigan afterwards
This was my home park for years and I’m sad that this was your experience. Your Mad Mouse experience is definitely new because they used to run them all; for years it was my favorite coaster when I was too scared to ride the big wooden coasters there and before ThunderHawk. I still remember Wolverine Wildcat being smooth just a tad underwhelming compared to Shivering Timber’s next to it. I love how they have the swan boats near the slingshot because it made for some awesome photos. The water park is also nice. But the problem with Michigan’s Adventure is that it gets no attention; Camp Snoopy was the first new investment in the park in over a decade. They a little TLC, but Cedar Fair won’t do anything.
Hey lay off Muskegon my guy lbs. You couldve easily said its an half hour west of Grand Rapids just like Six Flags is like 45 minutes from Chicago. As A kid born and raised from Muskegon and been to Michigan Adventure more times than I can count, I have to admit this is mostly true. The Waterpark is great but the roller coasters are very outdated. I appreciate that you brought this to light. Cedar Fair needs to do better
Holiday World does not have a bad location. It isn't the best location, but it's so much better than Michigan's Adventure's location. Holiday World is only an hour away from Louisville, KY. And Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Nashville, and St. Louis all can reach Holiday World within a 3 hour drive. Holiday World can be accessed by major markets from all sides. Meanwhile, the entire state of Michigan is basically an enormous peninsula surrounded by the Great Lakes on sides except the south. For Wisconsin, they can't just drive straight to Michigan's Adventure. They'd have to make a loop through Illinois and Indiana to even get to the state of Michigan. Chicago is about 3 hours from Michigan's Adventure, but they already have one the country's biggest parks right there with Six Flags Great America, so most people there would never consider driving that distance for such an insignificant park by comparison. What's worse, is that there is really only one big city in the entire state of Michigan, and that is Detroit, and Detroit is also basically a 3 hour drive from Michigan's Adventure. Meanwhile, as others have said, Detroit is capable of reaching Cedar Point in closer to 2 hours. Most in Detroit wouldn't even consider traveling further to get to Michigan's Adventure than to get to Cedar Point. Most major parks are either built within or beside a major city, or they are located within roughly an hour drive of at least one major city. That especially goes for nearly every Cedar Fair park and Six Flags park. Michigan's Adventure, instead, has to basically rely on the locals, Grand Rapids, MI, and other nearby small towns and small cities like Lansing or Kalamazoo. Their audience is enough to keep them profitable, but they are so far behind Six Flags Great America and Cedar Point in terms of quantity and quality of major rides, and lacking access to major markets, it would likely be financial suicide for them try to try to compete on a bigger level with those parks at this point. With that said, these days with as many manufacturers are now capable of build smooth, decent quality rides and roller coasters, I think it's pitiful that since 2008 the only roller coaster they have put in is a used SLC, and before that, you have you to go back to 1999 for their Wild Mouse that they like to run one car at a time. That's really pitiful, especially when so many small parks have gotten quite decent rides from such a variety of manufacturers, especially during the past decade or so. Twenty years ago, getting a budget coaster often meant you were stuck with something like a garbage Vekoma boomerang, SLC, or a rough and boring wooden coaster. Now even if you don't get a B&M or Intamin, you can still get quality rides from RMC, S&S, Premier Rides, Vekoma, Gerstlaurer, Mack, Zierer, Maurer, etc and even some wooden options from the Gravity Group or GCI. Even the clones available today are often quite decent rides. Michigan's Adventure deserves something after all these years.
What an absolute downer video. Middle of nowhere Michigan? Well from growing up in this area I know you have missed out on the best part of Michigan but besides that, what is now Michigan’s Adventure has grown so much in my lifetime greatly and it’s nice to have an amusement park of its caliber in mid Michigan. We’re quite pleased with it here and recommend it highly.
I absolutely agree with EVERYTHING you said in this video. I also went earlier this summer, and Shivering Timbers and Thunderhawk were both closed. Your experience sounded almost exactly the same as mine. That being said, you have to be careful saying bad things about it because I go so much hate for my video lmao. But overall, completely accurate review.
“You should go literally anywhere else” Note taken, I bought a Beech Bend season pass. In all seriousness, I personally try to have fun at any park I’m at, and haven’t been to a truly bad park yet. Always unfortunate to hear when anyone has a really bad experience somewhere
I live next door to this park. Its not as bad as he describes! Honestly, it is a bit smaller than other places and a bit dated, but its cheaper than most parks and you don't have to stand in line for 3 hours to ride a 1 minute coaster! He is neglecting the entire water park which is honestly one of the best features of this place! And yes, many rides are closed on certain days. It does suck, but they have a hard time keeping staff and having the park fully staffed. Grand Rapids is one of the best rides there and it wasn't even highlighted. The park is a full circle. The train connects the finishing circle and runs back and forth all day. If you don't want to walk around, you hop on the train! And yes, it is literally in the middle of nowhere. Whitehall is a small little city with woods all around! That is what makes it charming! But if you're in town for the Electric Forrest or camping and fishing... Michigan's Adventure is a nice little add on to a family trip. Every year, I get a season pass for myself and my kiddos. Its nice to go there on a hot day and enjoy the water park anytime we want. The lazy river, the wave pools, the kid area, the massive water slides and snake pit.... WORTH EVERY PENNY! :) I do agree that the park needs a different owner, though. Honestly the owner is the worst! (I also used to work there as a teenager)
I’ve never been to this place, but I feel like Cedar Fair is about to pull a Geauga Lake on this park. If they can’t even do so much as plant trees and flowers around the walkways to make the atmosphere seem more inviting, I don’t know how much longer they’re willing to operate it. They need to call b&m and have them build a hypercoaster there!
I will say, I grew up in Muskegon, I used to always ask for the season passes with the free refills and what not, It was okay. Not the best especially in the rollercoaster department, but the Water park is definitely a step above. However I will say that's about the only thing they have going for them including shivering timbers, which is fun but more than half the people I go with avoid shivering timbers because it gives them massive headaches. And I will 110% say that the staff do not want to be there, the management are mostly very greedy with their money and only want to get the most money and put the least amount back in. I can't say that about all the management and ownership, but that's how it was when I worked there. And let me reiterate, I worked there, and almost everyone hated it there. It's constant fear of being fired over nothing and there's not a lot of care put into the employees. I can say that for a fact, I got fired and screwed out of my end of season bonus just because I went home early "without permission" when I asked a team lead to go home early. Most of my friends who work there pretty much have the same opinion. It's very hard to be bright and happy working there. Michigan's Adventure 100% does not get the love and care that it needs and needs a ton of improvement, but it needs to start with ownership. I did hear rumors that it's Cedar Fair themselves limiting what can and can be done there but I'm not 100% sure on that
This is my home park and it’s weird that I have been to Plenty of other park’s more than Michigans Adventure. I think I have like 5 trips to Islands of Adventure and only 1 trip to Michigans Adventure.
I disagree dude. The park looks nice, the rides look pretty decent, the new kids area looks great, staff were friendly. The only downside was the food options.
I used to work there as a lifeguard and by far it was my favorite job . The atmosphere in the water park is by far better than the atmosphere in the dry park. The employees seem a lot happier in the water park than the dry park. It is very understaffed that the lifeguards have to help do food and games in the dry park after the water park closes
"It feels like the owners did the absolute bare minimum that they could.. and figured that people will show up anyways because it's an amusement park." That is exactly how Cedar Fair operates this park. It is quite profitable for what it is...but that is literally only because of Shivering Timbers and the water park. It is the only attraction of its kind in that area. They are milking it for everything they can without cutting into Cedar Points market.
First of as someone who worked there most rides were closed bc people didn’t want to work and we were so short staffed and second we are bringing stuff back this year
I think this place is still worth visiting at least once if you're a fan of amusement parks. I'll definitely be paying a visit within the next couple years at least.
This park, when it was independent, was growing steadily. Cedar Faire bought it and seems interested in keeping the doors open but making sure it doesn't expand for whatever reason. They splash paint on it and put money into the kids area. But no key investments. My ultimate fear is one day it'll close and we all lose Shivering Timbers. A coaster I love a whole heck of a lot. There is nothing stopping this place from growing continuously except it's ownership.
I grew up on the west side of Michigan in Silver Lake. And during high school I worked as a lifeguard in the water park on summer vacations. From the humble beginnings of Deer park FunLand. To what Roger Jourden turned it into. I am very happy with this amusement park. Now Cedar Fair owns it. And I happen to agree with a lot of comments in this thread. But make no mistake it is and has been an amusement park on a budget.... Back then and now. "Two parks for the price of one, twice the fun!" Roger's daughter Camille Jourden -Mark was my boss and she always treated us very well. Saving nine people in one summer as a lifeguard will stick with me forever. Twenty years plus later still one of the best jobs I've ever had. Love that place!
I went there in 2017 on my day off on a business trip, and yeah, the rest of the park is basically an entryway to Shivering Timbers (which is my 2nd favorite coaster behind GhostRider). I have heard that MA earns the highest percentage profit of any of CF's parks, which may explain why they don't put much into it.
I've heard that no matter what they do, attendance stays the same so they haven't had much incentive to add stuff to the park when people still come. I think it's just because of the water park honestly. And because you get "two parks for the price of one" if they ever got rid of that deal, I don't think that park would make it.
For anybody who has said they think Taylor’s entitled and not grateful just leave, I would much much rather get an honest genuine review about his visit experience considering how many parks around the world he’s visited. I would love to eventually making the 6 hour drive up to Michigan’s adventure from Columbus but I would only do so if I knew for sure Shivering timber’s would be running.
For starters, you not going into the water park means that you only got half of the value of going to this amusement park. There are quite a few tall/fast water slides/rides to go on and some spots for kids to hang out in ect. ect. Second off, you didn't get to ride the main attraction of the park, Shivering Timbers. That sucks that it was closed the day you went because it is a helluva ride......seems like you are giving the park an unfair review as you only experienced half of the park.
Michigan's Adventure is my home park, and I do agree that Cedar Fair has neglected this park for too long. Sometimes I wonder if other companies like Herschend could do a better job at running it.
Looks like a pretty trashy crowd too. A crowd that I wouldn't want to wait in line with, or be around all day😂 And before someone calls me rude, the other park guests play a huge role in the enjoyment of a visit!
I think good things are coming to this park soon, since Cedar Fair did some renovations to the snoopy area, I think they are planning to do more renovations and add some more things to the park. I just feel like something big is coming soon to the park, but that could just be wishful thinking lol
I live about equal distance between Michigan's Adventure and Cedar Point. I've been to Cedar Point hundreds of times, Michigan's Adventure once (back when you could go to any Cedar Fair Park with one season pass). Shivering Timbers is definitely worth a go.
Completely agree. It’s one thing if it was still a small business owner struggling to make ends meet. NOPE. It’s freakin Cedar Fair with millions of dollars and nothing to show with it at MI. Everyone thinks it’s just a joke when we say that Cedar Fair’s newest additions every year to MI are “repainted/ brand new trash cans!” It’s really not a joke. It’s reality.
The water park was where we had the most fun.Rode shivering timbers twice. It was quite rough. Went out of our way to get here. Left and went to the Henry Ford to ride the steam train and a few rides. Ended our vacation at Cedar Point.
3:58 Most genuine smile I've seen in a while in a video/photo. Don't know why I noticed that. I'm truly baffled at their Wild Mouse operations. Maybe because it's an Arrow? I'd imagine Cedar Fair ignores the park simply due to location and weather.
I finally got the chance to visit Michigan's Adventure in 2023 and I have to be honest, I really enjoyed it. Shivering Timbers was a fantastic ride albeit a little rough. Thunderhawk was surprisingly enjoyable, and Corkscrew wasn't bad for being an old Arrow Looper. I also spent time in WildWater Adventure and enjoyed that as well. I love the setting with the lake in the middle, and the fact that Timbertown Railroad actually transports you from one side to the other. I think the park has an identity of being family friendly fun, not really trying to cater toward the adrenaline junkies or coaster enthusiasts. If you're expecting a Cedar Point, you are gonna be let wayyy down. But if you're hoping for a nice and relaxing park visit, you'll enjoy your time.
As a local who lives 1:15 away from the park. Spot on. They give no love to the park and continue to raise the price. It’s not worth the price they ask for admission.
I grew up in Michigan and we went to Michigan Adventure often. My favorite roller coaster was the Wolverine. I have many great memories of going there.
You are not exaggerating.... They need a full circle walk way... and an RMC a GCI a B&M, a few Launch coasters and they got the land too. All behind the Wildcat, stretching from Shivering Timbers all the way to the Grand Rapids is enough space to literally build another M.A. (the way it is now). They could even squeeze a new giga back there if they Really wanted to with ease.
We drove 3.5 hours yesterday for timbers fest and it was a blast. While your guys' park isn't the biggest the Opps were nice and the park was clean! The only complaint I'd really have was 1 train on the rides and maybe a few more food options but even Cedar Point (was there last weekend) had its issues!
This was my home park. I've been to others in other states and I'll say this park is fun but Cedar Fair really forgets they own this. They renovated Camp Snoopy and that's really it. Shivering Timbers is one of my favorite rides and Cedar Fair acts like that is really the only thing that they care about. It has so much potential but Cedar Fair again forgets and refuses to do much with this park. For me it's a good day trip coming from a trip in Silver Lake Sand Dunes. So sad this park doesn't get the love it deserves.
So as a local, I view this park as not really for tourists but for locals that can't afford to go on vacation that summer. It's a decent small park that has fairly cheap tickets so families can afford to go. The park offers a lot of summer jobs for residents. The hotels nearby are pretty cheap and you can always go to the drive-in and see a double feature when you leave. It's a nice place to cool off in the summer heat because you have the added benefit of not having to pay extra for the water park. You definitely don't want to go on a busy day unless you just want to wade in the lazy river most of your time, because going up and down the stairs to go down the water slides takes forever. You always want to make sure you call and ask if there are any fields trips booked those days so you make sure you at least don't have to deal with that because in the month of June there will be so many 8th grade field trips. October is kind of fun because it's not as hot and there's a ton of haunted attractions, but the water park likely won't be open. If you're from west Michigan then Muskegon really isn't the middle of nowhere, it's kind of a ghetto rural city that we all know very well. It probably is one of the worst parks, but I'm still gonna go if I want to have a quick vacation on the cheap or just waste a day goofing off.
Shivering timbers is amazing and it’s a shame you missed it, but it will be worth it when you return. The mouse coaster operations are a disaster, yes. I couldn’t agree more. The park feels very barren. What’s there is well kept in my experience. I just returned to it for the first time in 2021 since 2006. After 15 years the landscaping was far more mature and scenic, but it’s still a very barren park for shade and trees. The railroad is just a tour through the brush and weeds. Nothing to see. That’s a shame because it’s a nice little ride as far as length and location. The coaster lineup is very under supported but the lack of flats. I do enjoy the SLC there actually. It’s no Morey’s but it’s the best of the original SLCs by far. I’ve never heard you come down negative on a park before and I can’t fault anything you had to say about this one. I have annoyed the park at face value though. I know it’s nothing remarkable but I didn’t find it depressing at all. I just would encourage you to return because ST is not a disappointment.
I went for the first time in August 2021. I honestly didn't have an issue with the park. I went in, not expecting great things, but still had a fun time. Mad Mouse is the best wild mouse I've riden and Thunderhawk is a solid ride. Zach's Zoomer was honestly the worst ride. It was running so slowly on a hot summer day that we though we were going to valley on the last hills coming to the station. We thankfully got to ride Shivering Timbers(one train ops though) and it was amazing. Even ignoring Shivering Timbers, we had a fun time. Wolverine Wildcat is not a good ride, but it's honestly like a B-movie, so bad that my sister and I were laughing everytime we got off it. To think Charles Dinn moved Phoenix and then cloned Wildcat off it and failed so badly. Even the covered prelift section is worse than Phoenix because the light bleeds into it too soon and you know when the turn comes.
I grew up in the Lansing area. Cedar Point was a go to park every summer! I have the best memories with family and friends from there. When I got married and had my own children, my husband and I would take a weekend getaway and just ride coasters all day! Michigan’s Adventure was at one time a perfect park to take kids to. We camped every year in the Ludington area and we would take a day and go to Michigan’s Adventure during our week long camping. I truly hope that someone gets their 💩 together and gets things fixed up and tuned up at MA! My Grandlittles come up here from Tennessee every summer. Going to MA has become a day trip for them too now. 🥰
Im someone who never wants to leave any amusement park early...when I went to this park I got so bored midday that I truly just wanted to go back to the hotel room and play games on my phone. That would've been more entertaining than reriding the 5 dull rides for the 3rd time that day.
Going there tomorrow for the first time. It’s supposed to rain all day, but as long as the park is open I don’t care because that means no one will be there
