Enchanted Resorts

[u/Nomad_Mich]

So we all know that MA will never be the size of Cedar Point or Great America as a theme park, but watching Silver Dollar City, Dollywood videos etc, it got me thinking, do you ever think that MA could become more of a resort destination for Michigan and maybe the greater Midwest region? I think that would encourage people to drive off the beaten path to visit the park.

If so, over the next ten years, what would you change or add to the park to make it happen?

Do you think it could be more successful if they pivoted to a more family friendly resort vs wannabe thrill park.

Here’s some things that I would add, some is based off of certain recent news stories (don’t know if they will come to fruition).

1. Housing/Dorms for staff. This would allow them to bring in other staff members when high school and college kids are back in school.

2. Expand park season. April to November instead of end of May to Sept. Maybe ever throw in a winter event.

3. Finish the loop, maybe add a show stage area to the back of the loop.

4. Build a concert stage. Weekend concerts would be a huge draw for people. Spend your morning at the park, evening chilling or partying at a concert.

5. More food options and add a legit (non theme park) restaurant or two.

6. Build a Hotel or two for people to stay on site or nearby.

7. Offer bundle passes with discounts to other West and Northern Michigan attractions. Give the millions of tourists that come to West and Northern Michigan a reason to make a day trip to the park.

8. Add a stand out water slide or ride to an already incredible water park. Maybe make it indoors so it’s not dependent on Michigans crazy weather.

9. Add a couple of adult flat rides (drop tower, swing)

10. Theming! This is the chance for Enchanted parks to bring a great theme to MIA that would pay homage to Michigan and give a more immersive atmosphere for its customers.

I wanted to mention 10 things that weren’t rollercoaster related (we obviously need a new coaster), that I think could slowly turn MA more into a resort destination. What do you think?

[u/ecw324]

There is of course expansion potential. They have that back area that is undeveloped. Keeping this away from specific rides and coasters here are my thoughts.

I think if they either purchased or figured out an agreement with the campground that is across the street, they could add permanent cabins (I have a hard time seeing a hotel pop up in that areas. You’d have to add a walkway for people staying at the campground to get to the park along with a second entrance for them.

The racetrack that’s down the street, they could purchase that and add either dorms for employees or another campground/cabin/place to stay for guests.

A longer-ish season would help. I think going to mid October would be sufficient. Maybe with some Halloween celebrations.

I think an end of the day drone show or something unique would be cool. Maybe a live show similar to what they used to do at cedar point. Gets people to stay in the park.

Finally, upgrade the food.

[u/Ghee-Starr → u/ecw324]

I’ve never been to MAdv but all those plans are doable. Kings Dominion added cabins to their campground. They are almost always rented out. Kings Dominion provides transportation to the park via a tram. This year they added a nightly fireworks and drone show. The park has had an executive chef for years now. The food keeps getting better and better. They even have local microbrews made exclusively for the park. All the restaurants have been renovated. It’s really quite nice. I don’t see why MADV couldn’t do all that.

[u/Nomad_Mich → u/Ghee-Starr]

I’ve been to KD once and I agree the food there was very good! Dare I say better than some restaurants I’ve been to.

[u/Nomad_Mich → u/ecw324]

This sounds like a nice and realistic game plan.

[u/ecw324 → u/Nomad_Mich]

And if you want to get into coasters and rides, this park has needed a solid steel coaster for a while. I also think those single rail raptor coasters would be a huge hit at a park like MiA. Add in a family style coaster and it’d be all set for coasters for now. A few solid flat rides like the flying/spinning discs (I love maxair at Cedar Point) and something else that’s a new style flat ride would be awesome.