10 replies to this topic

[metrogrkid]

Just was wondering if any of the Cap City crew heard about the addition of the Vekoma-manufactured steel suspended rollercoaster THUNDERHAWK to Michigan's Adventure (MIA) next summer 2008?  This should make the "giant" 45-minute trip from Lansing over to the Metro Triplex (GR-Muskegon-Holland) a little more worthwhile.

This 2-min/20-sec ride, at 2,200 feet long and 105 feet in height and featuring five inversions and speeds nearing 55-mph, will hopefully initiate the image of MIA being a true "thrill ride" park and will hopefully also bring MIA's attendance to 700,000+ visitors this year.

We're hoping that because of downtown GR's position as the Muskegon-bound pass-through from eastern-, northern- and southern-originating traffic at US-131 and I-196 and its close proximity to US-131 and I-96, that it could become an ideal spot to "land" after a day out at MIA for a "night in the city".  

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Edited by metrogrkid, 28 October 2007 - 01:57 AM.

[hood]

I've been to Michigans Adventure a lot, but I don't think i'll be making any special trips for this coaster, it's less than an hour longer drive to get to Cedar Point.

[metrogrkid]

They're finally going vertical with steel    :
    

I wanna meet some Lansingite UPers for some beer before we ride!

Edited by metrogrkid, 21 February 2008 - 12:36 PM.

[hood]

I really am glad that Michigan's Adventure is building some more and better rides. Muskegon is my favorite lakefront city, besides Chicago. I like to go the Michigan's Adventure every other time that I visit Muskegon, which works out to once every 2-3 years. Hopefully with all that land they build at least a couple more coaster in the somewhat near future. Something over 200 ft would be awsome.

[metrogrkid]

hood, on Feb 21 2008, 02:52 PM, said:

. . . . Hopefully with all that land they build at least a couple more coaster in the somewhat near future. Something over 200 ft would be awsome.

EXACTLY!  Say that again but this time SCREAM IT loudly enough so that Camille will hear it in her office at MIA.  I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that MIA's attendance is going to go from its current 450,000 2007 attendance to around 800,000 or more this coming 2008 season.

Keep in mind several important things about MIA and its scale comparison to Cedar Point: 1] MIA currently sits on approximately 80 acres <inclusive of park & parking lot> and owns nearly 400 adjacent acres; 2] Cedar Point sits on 360 acres <inclusive of park & parking lot>; 3] in all likelihood, MIA will plan for the future by dedicating 100 acres of the 400 to parking; 4] the remaining acreage added to the current MIA would result in a 380 acre park upon full build-out; 5] the recently completed connection of MIA to Muskegon city water and sewer service makes MIA the cleanest slate with the most available land for Cedar Fair to lavish ride investment on; 6] pending a 50% or higher increase in 2008 visitor count <that will be able to be attributed SOLEY to Thunderhawk and its status as a "thrill ride">, MIA will be a perfect storm for Cedar Fair to focus investment on gradually larger thrill rides over the years to come <including custom "for-MIA-designed" coasters by Tier 1 designers including Arrow Dynamics, Intamin AG, Chance Morgan and Bolliger & Mabillard).

In many ways, I can see MIA - in the wake of Thunderhawk - becoming the regional element that silences many of the GR areas' naysayers about this region being able to support world-class entertainment or that this region "does not want" world-class entertainment. It will be difficult in the future to maintain such notions with the Russell Road Exit eventually being bypassed in lieu of a direct MIA-dedicated exit onto Riley Thompson Road or for US-31 in the vicinity of MIA having dedicated lane(s) for "MIA Traffic Only" added. I can smell MIA's surrounding future hotels, campgrounds, indoor waterparks, motels, eateries and retail coming.

[metrogrkid]

A Point-of-View (POV) Ride on ThunderHawk (while it was still at Geauga Lake):

[metrogrkid]

New Thunderhawk Construction Update Pics Courtesy of Michigan's Adventure and MIABlogOnline.com:

[hood]

Looks good! Do you know where this is going in at? It looks to be in the corner of the park by Shivering Timbers and The Wildcat.

[metrogrkid]

hood, on Mar 11 2008, 01:08 PM, said:

Looks good! Do you know where this is going in at? It looks to be in the corner of the park by Shivering Timbers and The Wildcat.

It's going right in between Wolverine Wildcat and the Grand Rapids river raft ride.  It actually jutts out into Lake Jourden and will anchor a new midway to be called "Mackinac Trail" that'll connect the Grand Rapids/Thunderhawk end of the midway to the Shivering Timbers end of the midway.

[metrogrkid]

THUNDERHAWK IS IN OPERATION!

Point of View Video from Muskegon Chronicle:
Thunderhawk First Ride POV Video

Point of View Video from WZZM TV's Take Five Show w/ Stephanie Webb:
Thunderhawk Media Day Rides POV Video

[metrogrkid]

Hood!!  I just spent this past Saturday out at Michigan's Adventure (MIA) and rode THUNDERHAWK!!  I met a WHOLE BUNCH of CAPITAL AREA PEOPLE (especially some VERY pretty pink- and green-wearing ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority from Lansing and MSU - they must have been on some sorority-bonding outing to MIA to continue their celebrating of their sorority's Centennial celebration).

I'll just say, about Thunderhawk, TAKE OFF YOUR DAMN SHOES if they are not tie-ups (sandals would be a joke).  That thing snatched my loafers right off my feet on the third upside down backflip element (sidewinder).  Bounce over and ride it - it is PHAT and there's still time left.  Let me know how you like it.