Friday, June 14, 2013

Michigan's Adventure

Disclosure: We received a family 4-pk of tickets and lunch for Blogger's Day. No other form of compensation took place. All opinions stated are sincere and completely my own.

I admit it, I'm a creature of habit. There is one amusement park I like, no...love, and it's the one I go to every single year (and that was true even when I lived 1,200 miles away). Perhaps I like it so much because it's where I grew up? In any case, it's made me so happy that besides Disney World, it's the only amusement park I consider when the warm weather shows up.

This year, we decided to do something different. Oh, we'll still go to the other amusement park (are you kidding me, I wouldn't miss it!), but I can honestly say I have a new park that I love, and that's Michigan's Adventure. I posted about it not long ago, & said we would like to go. Well, we did go, and everyone loved it.

The rides were fun! And plentiful. And the best thing was NO LINES!!! Well, some had little lines, but nothing worth mentioning, really. You could ride as many times as you wanted with no worries at all. We rode Shivering Timbers several times. Look at this, I think it's the longest roller coaster I've ever seen, and it was awesome!!


Shivering Timbers was much longer than I thought it would be, & it was awesome!


There were other coasters there too, including one that rode under the track and went upside down.


One of the beauties of an amusement park is that they please all ages. Michigan's Adventure was no exception. There were rides for all ages to enjoy, and some that we could all enjoy together.







My daughter thought it would be a good idea to go on the Rip Cord. If you're not familiar with it, it's a ride that takes you high into the air and swings you on a cable.


That's her below, that little dot way up high on the left.


She thought it would be a good idea, even though it started to rain while she was in line. Nothing too hard, and no lightning, but a steady drizzle that got us all soaked.


Speaking of water, and this is unheard of to me, there is also a water park (WildWater Adventure) inside of Michigan's Adventure. It's huge and admission is included in the $29.00 admission price. That's right, you get unlimited access, all day long, to the amusement park and the water park.

It was raining so we didn't play in the water park, but I did take a couple of pictures.





We had our lunch in the park at the Family Grill, which is an outside all-you-can-eat place, where you sit under covered picnic tables. There was a lot of seating, so that wasn't a worry. The food was good (traditional BBQ menu options) but the line was slow, so make sure you get what you want the first time around (don't do salad first and expect to go back for your main course) because you're not going to want to wait in the line more than once. They also had ice cream for the kids (adults too if they wanted it), so that was a big hit.


After lunch we changed into dry clothes and since the rain had then stopped, we went out for more rides and amusement park fun.





If you noticed, she's laughing uproariously in this picture, and the bumper car pictures above too. I guess she just likes running into people, lol.

We had a great time, and I'm telling you it's changed my way of thinking. I fully intend to explore other parks now. We do have guests from time to time who we end up taking to the amusement park. I think instead of traveling to the next state over (like we've always done), we'll take them here instead.

Like I said, I still love the other park, and probably always will, but there's something to be said for being able to actually ride the rides!  At the other park you have to pick two or three coasters and stand in line for hours to get to ride them. It's fun, but the lines aren't (maybe that's my age talking). The other thing I noticed is Michigan's Adventure employees are all friendly and kind. No one's stressed out and grouchy from too many people making too many requests (big crowds will do that to you).


We ended up leaving a couple of hours before closing time just because the threat of rain was so imminent. It turned out to be a good choice too because it started pouring not too awful long after we got into the car.

If you're in the area, and looking for a fun place to visit, I highly recommend Michigan's Adventure.  You can learn more about the park by reading their website here: https://www.facebook.com/miadventure

You can also follow them on Facebook, and/or Twitter.

124 comments:

  1. wow, that seems like a superb day. I cannot dream of even 'thinking' about sitting on that costaer.
    I love all the snaps.
    xoxo

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    1. My second oldest didn't like to ride roller coasters for YEARS! He started riding a couple of years ago, and I think he likes them now. :)

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  2. Looks like such a fun day indeed, that rip cord is the first time I've heard of it, would be fun.

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    1. I'd have done it if it wasn't raining. :)

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    2. I agree Pat. The rip cord would be a blast to try. But then... it all looks like fun.

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  3. I want to go ... a theme park with no lines...yay!

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    www.raising-reagan.com

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    1. So my favorite point! A great park with no waiting, it was unheard of and a very welcome surprise. :)

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  4. No lines?! Never before seen! :o

    You guys look like you had a blast. The rip cord sounds like fun. :D

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    1. It was a great day!! I can't wait to go back. :)

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    2. This looks like so much fun! I will put this on my list of places to see when in the area.

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  5. Disney is my ultimate favorite but not just for the rides..the whole experience!! We do go to other parks closer to home and they are fun too. It's nice to try new things..Michigan Adventure looks great!

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    1. It was great, and I agree with you that Disney does have a great experience!!!

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  6. Wow I'm surprised it wasn't you the one hanging on the rip cord defying gravity, lol...but that must be nothing to a person who jumps from planes right, LOL!!! and the roller coaster...well I loved them when I was wild and young...now the Merry go Round is excitement enough!, but it seems like a lot of fun! My hubs owes us a family vacation for 5 years now..I think it's time for him to pay up and take us there! Thanks for posting Rosey, I like that there is also plenty to do for little ones!

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    1. I'd have gone on it if it wasn't raining. :)

      This park is so reasonably priced, especially since you get to go to both the amusement and the water parks. I really, really liked that!!

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  7. This looks like so much fun! I wanna go! I miss bumper cars, those used to be so much fun. Awesome photos.

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    1. I didn't do the bumper boats because I wanted to get a drink, but the fam. had so much fun on them, I wish I wouldn've. :)

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  8. MOST of these sides look like fun. I only say "most" because I am terrified of roller coasters lol (don't judge).

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    1. I won't judge, my now-20-yr.-old wouldn't ride for years. He was the one who'd wait for an hour or so in a line and then chicken out at the end. ;)

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  9. That looks like a lot of fun! We're going to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri this summer. There aren't any amusement parks around here. We usually try to go to an amusement park of some kind every year or two anyway, though. My parents live less than an hour from Branson, so we plan on going several times in the nearly three weeks we are at their house this summer. :)

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    1. That's right, I remember you saying you lived by Branson. My mother-in-law loves it there!! I haven't been yet, hopefully some day. :)

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  10. When our kids were growing up, we'd take them out of school one day in springtime so we could take them to Six Flags Over Georgia when there'd be no lines, and (usually) no debilitating heat. We haven't been there in years, though, because the price has gotten outrageous. That and we're, um, a teensy bit old now. I used to love the roller coasters until my hubby oh-so-helpfully pointed out that they'd been built by the lowest bidder. (I know! Very reassuring, right?)

    The park you went to sounds great... very reasonable, PLUS an all-you-can-eat place. Wow. The cost of food at those kinds of places is usually over the top.

    We kinda lucked out. One of our sons works in Disney's corporate office, so we can get into all of their parks for free. (Life is good!) His kids have gone so often, it's like their second home.

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    1. Oh my gosh, Susan...please tell your son I need a job working for him, lol!! What a great perk!!! We used to live in Florida and went four times a year (FL. discount, four days for $99).

      Two of my kids are grown and they still love the parks. :)

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  11. Replies
    1. It was fun. We didn't even mind the rain (not cold and no lightning).

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  12. Wow! It looks like everyone had a blast! Loved that you had no lines....that to me would be the best part. (We waited in a line for a ride a Disney for about 1 hour. That was ridiculous!)

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    1. We've waited that long at Disney too. I love Disney, but it makes the day feel shorter when you only get to ride a few rides because you've spent so much time waiting.

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  13. That looks like so much fun! That roller coaster is crazy. I think I'll stick to the rides closer to the ground. :)

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  14. LOL... how fun!! Amusement parks are so fun for kids of all ages.

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  15. awesome. I use to love amusement parks. Been a while actually years since I've been to one and rode a roller coaster even. Lots of have changed with me since then so I may be one of those that cant handle roller coasters like I use to. wow meeting charlie brown and snoopy had to be fun.

    http://pinkowl07.blogspot.com/2013/06/night-owl-blog-hop-hop.html

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    1. Meeting Charlie Brown and Snoopy was very cool. :)

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  16. That looks like such fun! I absolutely love the photo of the ferris wheel.

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    1. The seats on there reminded me of ferris wheels from years ago!

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  17. Those rides and the ripcord look like a nightmare to me. I came into the world from broken rubber and don't plan to go out the same way.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2013/06/gbe2-what-if.html

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    1. Geez, and this from an innocent, sweet school teacher!! :D

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  18. You can tell everyone had a blast.


    http://favemom.com

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  19. Looks like you guys had an amazing time! I wish I could still ride rollercoasters - but for some reason after my first pregnancy, I just get so sick on them now!!

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    1. :(

      I spend more time in the small kiddy sections now than I do with the big coasters, but I still make sure to get a few of them in when we go. ;)

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  20. OMGee....I would love to be there right now. That roller coaster looks amazing! Great pics!

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    1. It wasn't the tallest or fasted I've been on, but it was every bit as fun. I think it was def. the longest coaster I've seen or been on!

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  21. That looks like such an awesome place! And practically no lines?!?!?!?! Wow!

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    1. It (no or small lines) made the day relaxing instead of frantic.

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  22. love it!!! id love to visit there

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    1. I saw just saw your happy birthday post to your friend, Terri. Aww!

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  23. I've been there a few times and you're right. It's really fun and underrated. We did the waterpark for part of the day and the rides for the rest. We were happily exhausted by day's end!

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    1. We didn't even get to the waterpark and we went home (delightfully) exhausted. :)

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  24. What is it with going to Michigan's Adventure and it rains? Happened to us too lol. We actually stayed in the water park most of the time because of the rain!

    Glad you had a great time Rosey! I need to find out when bloggers day is! I didn't know they had a special day for bloggers. Hope you got to meet some others!

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    1. Smart! We briefly considered the same, but hubby nixed it in favor of the roller coasters. ;) The price is so good we'll definitely be going back.

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  25. Oh my goodness! I'm in California and we have Magic Mountain. The pictures alone look like Magic Mountain on steroids!

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    1. Ah, Cali. There's so many things I want to do there (I've never been!).

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  26. I LOVE amusement parks! This one look fantastic. Im in Ohio so Michigan isnt too far from me. Hmmmmmm may have to make a road trip . thanks for sharing

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    1. Cedar Fair owns Michigan's Adventure, the rides are the same top quality as Cedar Point! The lines were a lot shorter though. ;)

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  27. I love amusement parks and that first roller coaster looks so monstrous! Its been so long since I've been to one. The last time I was at one, I was six months pregnant and couldn't ride any rides. Hopefully next summer!

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    1. I grew up in a city w/a huge amusement park and when we were older (teens) we practically lived there in the summertime. :)

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  28. This looks like so much fun! I really miss riding roller coasters. If I find myself in Michigan, I am going here! Thanks for the great photos and review :)

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    1. It's def. one worth going to, it's now on my list of fave summer destinations. :) Thanks for visiting!

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  29. Looks like fun! It always seems to rain every time we go to an amusement park too :)

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    1. As long as there's no lighting, and it's not raining too hard, I don't mind. :)

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  30. My kids would have love it! Me, I'm a chicken!

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  31. How cool is that! Looks like you had a great time.

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    1. They know how to throw a party, that's for sure. :)

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  32. Okay I totally want to visit there.
    I know the kids would go insane with the fun!

    I notice little man is definitely toting his sun protection for the eyes. You go baby!

    Glad you had such a fun time with the family.

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    1. Thanks, Colette! It was a fun trip, and we're lucky w/the sunglasses because he likes to wear them (and that's half the battle). ;)



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  33. This place sounds amazing. You hardly ever see the ride side with the water park side. And $29??? Are you kidding me?? We paid that much for concessions at the movie recently. If I lived closer, I'd invite you to meet us there for a day trip. :)

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    1. And if you lived closer we'd go. :)

      The price is amazing, isn't it?? One of my favorite things. And no kidding on the price of movie concessions (they always cost as much as the movie!).

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  34. That rollercoaster looks terrifying Rosey - can't believe you were able to go on that thing LOL
    Looks like a blast though - and that cable your daughter was on?
    I wouldn't even be able to look - let alone take photos LMHO...............
    XOX

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    1. My husband asked me when she was at the top, 'What responsible parent lets their child go on such a thing?' Buwhahahaha He's a card (and a big chicken). If it wasn't raining, I'd have gone on it too. Maybe next time. :)

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  35. Wow, what a fun day you guys had. I do have to admit that the sight of that roller coaster gives me major anxiety, though.

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    1. That rollercoaster was fun start to end with no slow down time like most coasters have. We loved it. :)

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  36. that looks like yall had a great time :)
    we need to do more trips like that soon

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  37. Sounds like you had a good time. I love amusement parks and was even married at one (Six Flags St. Louis during Fright Fest). However, it's been years since I've been to one. I'd be tickled pink to ride a roller coaster like the big one pictured.

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    1. How fun that you were married at an amusement park!

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  38. We recently visited Michigan's Adventure too and loved the lack of crowds! So much easier for the kids to get on the rides they want to ride.

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    1. I know, such an odd concept to me, and completely wonderful!!! That visit was our first, it def. won't be our last.

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  39. No lines? How is that possible? That's the one thing I hate about fairs, amusement parks, theme parks, etc....all the time spent waiting on line, usually with a child (or husband) whining, "Are we almost at the front?" This looks like a wonderful spot for a family getaway! scain54 (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. It was great for no lines!! We would go back for many reasons, but that one is one of the biggest.

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  40. Looks like fun! I want to go lol we have not been to a theme park in a few years.

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    1. Summer and theme parks go together like peanut butter & jelly! :)

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  41. That looks like a really fun place! Aside from Universal Studios, we go to parks near us. There's one I'll make a trip for, though!

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  42. my kids love amusement rides. you won't catch any of them on a ferris wheel of any kind though

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    1. Me too, Melinda...and my daughter! We both love rollercoasters, but don't like Ferris Wheels at all!

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  43. We love theme parks and thrill rides! I cant seem to get enough of them!

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  44. That park looks like a blast! It's been so long since I've even seen bumper boats!!!

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  45. That looks like a great day of fun! The coasters look wayyyyyyy too big, though. :)

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  46. We haven't been to an amusement park in several years. This looks like a lot of fun!

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  47. I am a sucker for a wooden rollercoaster! This place looks like my sort of place to visit with my kids.

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  48. How fun you got to participate in Blogger Day! Now that Rip Cord thingy doesnt seem like a good idea I am a big scaredy cat lol.

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  49. Blogger day? I need to get in on some of that action! I would be walking around with my feet firmly on the ground taking pictures with Snoopy!

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  50. Amusement parks are so fun. We live near Dollywood, so that is the big amusement park we go to here! I especially love ferris wheels. So classic.

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  51. I love going to the amusement park we only have on here in Oklahoma. It looks like you all had a great time.

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  52. That looks like a really fun park! I need to take the kiddos to more - we've really only been to the ones around our area.

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  53. Snoopy!!!!! What a fun family day!

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  54. That looks super fun! I love the peanuts characters for meet and greets.

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  55. What an exciting place. Looks like so much fun!

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  56. Looks so fun!! I definitely couldn't go on that first coaster - looks WAY too scary.

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  57. Looks like a lot of fun! I wish I could have been there too although I would stay away from the big roller coaster

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  58. Your daughter is so brave to ride the Rip Cord, I rode something similar and it is terrifying! I know just what you mean about actually being able to ride the rides. Looks like a super fun day!

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  59. This looks like a great family day! I'm scared of roller coasters….so I think I'll be an observer in these kind of days in the future!

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  60. Oooh what fun! My husband and daughter would love that roller coaster.

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  61. That looks like so much fun. I love roller coasters and the rip cord looks like a blast.

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  62. Amusement parks are such a great way for families to bond and have fun. It is nice you go the opportunity to check this place out.

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  63. What a fun family day! I actually have never heard of this park, but love wooden roller coasters

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  64. I'm thinking it's owned by the same company that our owns the park near us (King's Island). Amusement parks are awesome, I can't wait to go when all of the kids are old enough to really enjoy!

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  65. What fun! NO lines must have made the day even more sweet!!

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  66. I love when you can hit up a place with no lines! That is funny that you said you didn't go to the water park because it was raining. ;) I love amusement parks though I have never been brave enough to get on the rip cord type rides.

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    1. haha, it is funny. We wouldn't want to get wet at the water park or anything. ;) :)

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  67. That looks like a lot of fun! It reminds me of a place we would go when I was growing up; lots of rides and a fun water park portion, too.

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  68. Visiting Michigan Adventure was the ultimate summertime staple growing up! I cant wait to go back with my kids.

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  69. The waterboats and roller coasters look so fun! I love vintage wooden coasters!

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  70. looks like a fun way to spend the day!! we'd be in the water park, ourselves :)

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  71. Absolutely right BrettBMartin! It looks like a fun and enjoyable place in the world. It is so interesting and amazing place. I really like this blog and wish to go there and enjoy the holidays. Now I am going to grand canyon tours from Scottsdale with my wife to enjoy the summer season. What your plan in this summer season?

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  72. Wow, this place looks like a blast! So many rides even Chicken Little me would go on, you can keep those roller coasters and the ferris wheel. good eats, lots of laughs! I never saw anything like that rip cord before. A good time had by all!

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  73. I would like to go back to Muskegon as it is sort of close to my favorite Michigan adventure Holland. I always love the old windmills and so forth. The whole trip to the whole area can make for a great week or better vacation.

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  74. It does look like a really impressive park. That water park looks interesting, too.

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