Friday, August 12, 2011

Michigan Adventure

Michigan's Adventure is a 250 acre amusement park in Muskegon County, Michigan, about halfway between Muskegon, Michigan and Whitehall, Michigan. It is the largest amusement park in the state and has been owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company since 2001. As Of 2010, Michigan's Adventure has 53 rides, more than any other park in the state.
The park also includes an outdoor water park (Wild Water Adventure), a Skycoaster attraction named Ripcord, go-karts, and a miniature golf course. The park is headlined by seven roller coasters, including the critically acclaimed Shivering Timbers (a high speed wooden out and back roller coaster), a very basic but historic Corkscrew coaster, and a suspended looping coaster, Thunderhawk. The Park on average opens at 11 A.M. and closes at 9 P.M. The park also includes a number of "flat rides" such as the "Scrambler" and "Flying Trapeze". New for the 2011 season is Beach Party, an addition to the water park.

Rides and Attractions

 Water Rides

  • Adventure Falls -A "shoot-the-chute" style water ride in which riders ascend the lift and take a plunge getting soaked. Spectators on a bridge over the splash zone also get soaked by the wall of water. (Located in the back of the park next to Ripcord) (Riders must be 46 inches (1,200 mm) or taller)
  • Bumper Boats-The newest ride in 2010,this is a bumper boat ride where riders get wet. it is located in the middle of the park,and was relocated from Valleyfair.
  • Logger's Run-A classic flume ride. Riders sit in a log during this adventure that culminates in a splasdown ending.(36 inches to ride accompanied. 46 inches to ride alone).
  • Grand Rapids-Opened in 2006, this river rapids ride features theming and a thrilling ride. Nine person rafts go through several sets of rapids and waterfalls. Good for families. (Riders must be 42 inches or taller. Riders under 46 inches must be accompanied).  You will get soaked on this ride!!!  Wear your bathing suit and flip flops and bring a towel.  Put the towel in the bucket before going on the ride!  If you wear your tennis shoes on this ride you will walk with soggy shoes all day!
  • HydroBlaster-One of the first major additions to the park under Cedar Fair management. This is a 2 person, 2 slide wet/dry waterslide. This enclosed, thrilling ride ends with a splashdown without getting soaking wet. (Riders must be 48 inches (1,200 mm) or taller)
  • Swan Boats-A calm ride on the lake on a pedal-powered swan. This ride was relocated from Cedar Point. (Riders under 54 inches (1,400 mm) must be accompanied by an adult)
  • Speed Splashers-A little kid/family ride. Little boats rotate around a circular pond.

 Kid's Rides

  • Airplanes -Little ones can take a spin on a biplane. This ride is a Barnstorming/Red Baron type ride. (Riders must be between 36 & 54 inches. Under 36 inches (910 mm) must be accompanied.)
  • Be-Bop Blvd -Located next to Zach's Zoomer, Be-Bop Blvd is a classic electric car ride in which the cars are guided by a rail. This ride is themed to the 1950s. Riders must be 42 inches (1,100 mm) or accompanied.
  • Carousel -The parks classic Grand Carousel. (Under 46 inches must be accompanied by a responsible person. Hand held infants must ride in chariots)
  • Dodgem -A classic bumper cars ride. This ride used to operate at Michigan's Adventure's sister park Cedar Point before being relocated to its current location. (48 inches taller to drive. Under 48 inches must be accompanied)
  • Drummer Boy - Riders sit in a rotating drum facing each other. Riders control the spin of the drum.
  • Elephants -A flying elephant type ride. (Riders must be between 36 & 54 inches. Riders under 36 inches must be accompanied)
  • Frog Hopper -A Frog Hopper type ride. Riders bounce up and down on a small tower. This ride is geared for kids and located near the Mad Mouse rollercoaster. (Riders must be between 36 & 54 inches)
  • Giant Gondola Wheel -The parks classic Ferris Wheel ride. Designed for a relaxing & sight-seeing experience. (Under 48 inches must be accompanied)
  • Jr Go-Karts-A kiddie version of the parks bigger Go-Karts.
  • Kiddie Cars-A younger kiddie ride where children can drive fun, colorful cars around a circle.(Must be under 54 inches)
  • Mini Enterprise-A kiddie spinning ride where kids can take a pick between a helicopter or an alien.(36 to 54 inches. Under 36 inches must be accompanied)
  • Motorcycles-A children's ride where children ride motorcycles around a circle and perform a "simulated jump". (Must be under 54 inches)
  • Timbertown Railway-A repilcated steam train ride. A nice, relaxing ride that also features a tunnel. This train also connects the Shivering Timbers area to the Thunderhawk/Grand Rapids area. (Under 46 inches (1,200 mm) must be accompanied)
  • Winky the Whale -A kiddie/family ride where riders sit in whales that splash around a pond in circular motion.
 Thrill Rides
  • Falling Star -A thrilling flat ride where riders sit on an elevated platform that remains parallel to the ground. The platform rotates leading up to 360 degrees around an arc while the platform remains parallel to the ground. (Riders must be 46 inches or taller)
  • Flying Trapeze -A chairswing ride. Riders are suspended on swings beneath a slanted, elevated & turning tower. (Riders must be 48 inches (1,200 mm) or taller)
  • Frog Hopper -A Frog Hopper type ride. Riders bounce up and down on a small tower. This ride is geared for kids and located near the Mad Mouse rollercoaster. (Riders must be between 36 & 54 inches)
  • Scrambler-A Classic Carnival Scrambler Ride. (36 inches or taller. Under 48 inches (1,200 mm) must be accompanied)
  • Sea Dragon-One of the most intense flat rides in the park. Built out over the water, this is a swinging ship type ride. Themed to Vikings, riders sit in Viking ship that swings back and forth. (Riders must be 48 inches (1,200 mm) or taller or accompanied by an adult.)
  • Tilt-A-Whirl-A classic Tilt-A-Whirl type ride. Riders twist and turn on rotating cars mounted on a rotating, uneven platform. (Under 46 inches (1,200 mm) must be accompanied)
  • Trabant-A classic Wipeout type ride. Riders sit on a rotating disc that rises on one side, while the entire ride rotates on its base. (Riders must be 42 inches (1,100 mm) or taller. Under 46 inches (1,200 mm) must be accompanied)
  • Thunderbolt-A Rock 'N' Roll themed ride where riders sit in rocking cars that race up and down in a circular motion. (A Classic Himalayan type ride)(Riders must be 42 inches (1,100 mm) or taller. Riders under 46 inches (1,200 mm) must be accompanied)

 Roller coasters

(The park's signature ride) Shivering Timbers is a wooden roller coaster developed by Custom Coasters International with trains by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters. It opened in 1998 and cost $4.5 million to build. It towers 125 feet (38 m) in the air (a 122-foot (37 m) drop), reaches a top speed around 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) and the first drop is at a 55.5° angle. The rides 2nd & 3rd drops are 100 feet (30 m) & 95 feet (29 m) tall. The ride lasts for over 2½ minutes and is an out and back design featuring loads of airtime. Shivering Timbers is 5,383 feet (1,641 m) long. The ride is critically acclaimed within the industry; every year following the ride's debut, the Golden Ticket Awards have named Shivering Timbers one of the ten best wooden coasters in the world, with a five year stretch (2000–2004) at #2, and a #3 ranking in 2005.[3] Shivering Timbers still remains one of the longest wooden rollercoasters in the world today and also one of the best (as ranked by Amusement Today). Shivering Timbers is known for its airtime & trick-track. Shivering Timbers is the only coaster in the world to feature a trick track where the track is crooked and riders are thrown from the left to the right. Riders must be 48 inches tall to ride Shivering Timbers.
The first suspended looping coaster in the state. This ride is 105 feet tall, has a drop of 86 feet, and will send riders upside down 5 times at a speed of 49.7 miles per hour. Riders must be between 52 inches & 80 inches to ride Thunderhawk. The ride was built by Vekoma B.V.(Netherlands). It is a 689m Standard SLC model built by Vekoma (meaning there are several clones). This ride previously operated at Cedar Fair's "Geauga Lake" amusement park prior to it closing. During the 2007–2008 off-season, it was relocated to Michigan's Adventure, reassembled and repainted. It opened on May 17th, 2008.
The Wolverine Wildcat is a wooden roller coaster designed by Curtis D. Summers and built in 1988 by the Dinn Corporation. The ride opens up with a pass through a dark tunnel and a turn before climbing the lift hill. It is 85 feet high and reaches a top speed close to 55 mph. Wolverine Wildcat was the original wooden coaster built at the park. When Wolverine Wildcat opened, the name of the park was changed to "Michigan's Adventure". Riders must be 48 inches tall to ride Wolverine Wildcat.
Zach's Zoomer is a family oriented wooden roller coaster that opened on July 22nd, 1994. It was named after the owner's grandson, Zach Mark (the son of current park general manager). It was designed by Custom Coasters International (the same company that designed Shivering Timbers). It's targeted to a younger audience and allows them to experience the sensation of a wooden roller coaster without the extreme drops, air time, and sharp turns inherent on a full-size wooden roller coaster like Shivering Timbers. It features milder drops and milder turns. Zach's Zoomer is an ACE Coaster Classic & a Family rollercoaster. The trains for Zach's Zoomer were designed by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters Inc. Riders must be 40 inches tall to ride. Riders under 46 inches must be accompanied by a responsible person. The layout is also based on the John Allen kiddie coaster design, just like at the former Paramount Parks, which is also owned by Cedar Fair (Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Carowinds, Canada's Wonderland), and is a mirror image copy of Sea Dragon at the Columbus Zoo.
The Corkscrew from the Wolverine Wildcat station
The Corkscrew is a steel sit-down roller coaster (portable with some effort) developed by Arrow Dynamics. It has been operating at the park since 1979. It tops out at a height of 70 feet, reaches a top speed of 45 mph and has two corkscrew inversions. Corkscrew was the first rollercoaster built at the park. It opened when being flipped upside down on rollercoasters was still a new sensation and it is one of the original Corkscrews built by Arrow Dynamics. Riders must be 48 inches or taller to ride this classic coaster.
The Mad Mouse is a steel sit-down roller coaster developed by Arrow Dynamics. Operating since 1999, the minute and a half ride consists of sharp turns and sudden drops, characteristic of any wild mouse style roller coaster. The ride stands 69 feet tall. Riders ride in colorful mouse shaped cars which feature 2 rows and stadium seating (the back row is raised). Each row can fit 2 people for a total of 4 riders per car. Mad Mouse cost $2 million to build. Riders must be 44 inches to ride. Riders under 48 inches must be accompanied by a responsible person.
The Big Dipper is a family oriented steel sit-down roller coaster designed by Chance Rides. It is a Chance Big Dipper model (meaning there are several clones). The ride stands 16 feet and 1 inch tall. It is for younger audiences and families. Seeing as the ride is so short, several laps are taken on the ride. Big Dipper opened in 1999 along with Mad Mouse. Riders must be 36 inches to ride. Riders under 42 inches must be accompanied by a responsible person.

NameDesignerTypeOpened
Shivering TimbersCustom Coasters InternationalWooden1998
Wolverine WildcatDinn CorporationWooden1988
Zach's ZoomerCustom Coasters InternationalWooden1994
Mad MouseArrow DynamicsSteel1999
Big DipperChance RidesSteel1999
CorskscrewArrow DynamicsSteel1979
ThunderHawkVekomaInverted2008

Wild Water Adventure

WildWater Adventure seen from the Wolverine Wildcat station
The water park, WildWater Adventure, opened in 1991. After the addition of the WildWater Adventure, the slogan for the park became "2 parks for the price of 1" since the regular gate admission of $26 allows full day usage of both the amusement and the water park, rather than a separate fee for both. The park carried out phase two in 1997 and added the Snake Pit slide complex, two wave pools, and a children's play area. When Cedar Fair purchased the park from Roger Jourden they added cabanas to two of the wave pools and in 2005 added the Funnel of Fear tornado slide. Today the water park is one of the biggest draws to Michigan's Adventure and many people go solely for WildWater Adventure.[citation needed]in 2010, Michigan's Adventure announced over Facebook that a new attraction will be added to WildWater Adventure called Beach Party. Photos immediately released over the internet show the Splash Zone at Soak City, but Beach Party is just a similar design. The attraction will be manufactured by WhiteWater West Industries Ltd. of British Columbia. The attraction also features a first of its kind giant geyser, which blasts water over 90 feet in the air in a 20" column before raining down on customers. The attraction is said to include over 150 water features, including 8 water slides, water jets and more. It will be replacing the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship and Treehouse Harbor play areas. The attraction is expected to open along with WildWater Adventure in 2011.

Water Park attractions

  • Beach Party-Beach Party is a water play area, featuring the first-of-its-kind Giant Geyser, which launches water 90 feet in the air in a 20" column. It replaced the older Jolly Roger Pirate Ship and Treehouse Harbor.
  • Boogie Beach-Boogie Beach is one of the 3 wavepools located in WildWater Adventure. It is 7 feet (2.1 m) deep and features aggressive waves. It is the most intense wavepool located at the park.
  • Commotion Ocean - 5 feet (1.5 m) deep and mild waves. It is the least intense of the wavepools.
  • Cyclone Zone -A trio of thrilling slides where riders ride on innertubes. 1 of the slides is enclosed while 2 are open. (42 inches or taller)
  • Funnel of Fear -A tornado type slide added in 2005 and is one of the most intense water slides in the park. Riders (4 to a tube, Max weight limit 700 lbs) head through a 300-foot (91 m) dark/enclosed tube before heading into a near vertical drop ending them in a giant funnel where they splash back and forth up the slides getting sopped before ending in the pool. (Riders must be 48 inches (1,200 mm) or taller).
  • Half-Pint Paradise-A family/children's area in the water park. The area features a kids play area, a wading pool, fountains and 2 small water slides. (Must be under 48 inches (1,200 mm) or accompanied)
  • Lazy River-Relax on this Lazy River that circles part of the waterpark. A nice, relaxing float when you need a break.
  • Mammoth River-A giant, outdoor raft slide for 2 to 3 (max weight limit 600 lbs) riders. The slide twists and turns several times before ending in a pool. (48 inches or taller)(Located adjacent to "Mine Shaft")
  • Mine Shaft-An enclosed, pitch black raft slide for 2 to 3 (max weight limit 600 lbs) riders. The slide twists and turns several times in total darkness before ending in a pool. (48 inches or taller)(Located adjacent to "Mammoth River")
  • Ridge Rider-A single rider, body/speed slide. Following your exit from the elevated platform, the rider goes into a high speed vertical drop before hitting a little "hump"/"ridge" midway through before entering a vertical drop once again before a splashdown ending. (Must be 48 inches (1,200 mm) or taller)(Located adjacent to Wild Slide)
  • Slidewinders-A set of 3 waterslides all intertwined with each other. Part of one of the slides is enclosed.(Riders must be 48 inches (1,200 mm) or taller)
  • Snake Pit-Another intense waterslide complex. 3 pitch-black/enclosed slides intertwined with each other. All 3 with different experiences that end in a themed pool. Prior to entering the slide, riders are drenched in water by a waterfall. Single tubes only(Riders must be 42 inches (1,100 mm) or taller)
  • Tidal Wave-The parks original wavepool. 6 feet (1.8 m) deep and medium waves.
  • Wild Slide-A single rider body/speed slide where riders reach amazing speeds on a vertical drop into a splashdown ending. (Must be 48 inches (1,200 mm) or taller)(Located adjacent to Ridge Rider)

 Up-Charge Attractions

  • Ripcord -A SkyCoaster Experience. For 1 to 3 riders, RipCord takes riders 183 feet (56 m) in the air before plunging them in a pendulum motion after pulling the RipCord. This thrilling flying experience can be related to skydiving. (Riders must be 48 inches (1,200 mm) or taller)
  • Go-Karts -An extra charge Go-Kart attraction. (Gas-Powered. Themed to NASCAR)
  • Rocky Point Mini Golf -A mini golf course along the lake. This course is designed for families, but also features many difficult water hazards and sand pits.
*This information was taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deer_Park_Funland and has a few of my own tips in it as well.

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