Our travels this summer have included a day at Michigan's Adventure amusement park, located just north of Muskegon. This year marks the third year in a row that we've visited. Our 5-year old has been asking to return ever since last summer- so we know that the place has had a fun impact on him.
The highlights of the park are numerous - every time we've visited the lines for the biggest attractions have been relatively short, they've got lots of things to keep little kids happy, and having both a waterpark and regular ride park in one place (and for one admission price) are all driving factors in our return visits.
It's easy to spend an entire day hitting all the rides, and because of the short lines (compared to other big amusement parks) you can hit your favorites more than once. This year's newest attraction, the water ride 'funnel of fear' had long lines - but that is expected anytime something new is added.
The positives far outweigh the negatives -- but there are some things to be aware of before you go:
1. The food options and prices stink. It's not a big surprise to pay extra in an amusement park, but the wallet really takes a beating when you want to eat. The park doesn't allow you to bring any food or beverages in - so unless you want to go back and forth to your car, you're stuck with what the park offers. If you want to take your car out of the parking lot, you'll have to pay to park again, which explains why there are no food options nearby outside of the park. Add all that to the very limited menu items and poor quality (we had the worse chicken sandwiches ever at the family grill) and you get what we think is the biggest weakness of the Michigan's Adventure experience.
2. Discounted tickets -- you're not going to save much, only $1.50 off the $23 admission. They are available at Meijer stores on the west side of the state, at Family Credit Union Service Centers, and at many other places like city parks and recreation departments etc. The tickets are good for the entire season - so buy 'em in advance. One gotcha we found this year: the first Meijer we went to was sold out (call first).
3. The water park is closed if the temp is below 65. Make sure it's going to be a nice warm day before you go -- without the waterpark the place isn't nearly as much fun. Also, the lockers in the waterpark are pretty small ($4 for the day, with an extra $6 deposit that you get back). They encourage you to not wear your swim stuff (required in the water park) on the dry rides, but it doesn't seem to be enforced all that well.
If you're looking for an alternative to the long lines at Cedar Point, Michigan's Adventure is a good distraction if you can do without all those extreme rides of the much larger Cedar Point. BTW - the Cedar Point now own Michigan's Adventure.
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