[Coldjensens]

I am supposed to take my 12 y.o. son for Daddy Day this weekend. We were planning on Cedar Point, but it is awfully expensive. I have not been there for a very long time. I have never been to Michigan Adventure. All else being equal, I would prefer to keep our money in Michigan, but I do nto know whther Michigan Adventure is anywhere near as fun a place for a 12 y.o. boy as Cedar Point. He is a little nervous about going on rollercoasters. The water parks at both places are closed. Does anyone who has been to both places have any helpful insight?

Michigan Adventure is an hour further drive for us than Cedar point as well, but we enjoy travelling together, so it should be a nice time either way.

[Michigansnowflake]

MA has decent roller coasters, its a much smaller park...but its also less crowded, less waiting in line....my family and I have been a few time ( with a 12,13 yr old boy) we had a good time and would/will go back

[JGatti]

I've been to both and if Michigan Adventure's water park is closed ( makes sense they close on labor day if I remember right) I would not even bother driving there. If he is uneasy about rollercoasters and your looking for the waterpark fun I'd strongly suggest the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky. Never been there but it looks like a total riot and would be paradise for a 12 year old. They have the worlds only indoor water rollercoaster, simulated surf, a wave pool if I remember right and a whole lot more. I'd suggest looking into it.

If that does not sound like what your looking for I'd pick Cedar Point over Michigan Adventure. I've been to both and Cedar Point is much better just for rides. Start em small like the Iron Dragon, then the Blue Streak, next up I'd say cork screw move em up to the Gemini and then on to the biggies because bye this time he should be hooked. Have fun. Let us know where ya go.

[tjay]

if he's nervous about coasters you should do m.a., cedar point's are pretty scary if someone is gunshy. plus m.a. is cheaper and you don't have to wait 2 hours to ride things.

[Bydand]

My son who will be 12 very soon, LOVES Michigan Adventure. The coasters are not huge, but big to a 12 year old. Plus there is quite a bit to do actually there. I've been to Cedar Point a number of times and prefer MA actually. The rides are bigger, faster, and overall better at Cedar Point, but you also pay through the nose there. MA is a nice place. It really is a hard one to chose really. Cedar Point is for sure the "Big Brother", but MA packs a lot of bang for the buck. I have never been to either of them in the "Off-season" though.

[Tehspilly]

Honestly I cannot stand MA. There's only one REAL rollercoaster Shivering Timbers. It always seems to be in disrepair. You drive there pay to get in, only to get bored of park in an hour.

Go to Cedar Point. The money is going to Cedar Fair, the company that owns both Cedar Point and MA so it really doesn't matter either way.

[ImaMichigander]

We've not been to Michigan Adventure... So I can't speak to that.

But we went to Cedar Point last weekend. My kids are younger and whimpy, so we did all of the NON roller coaster rides at CP. The problem was that the bulk of the staff (college kids) left to go to school, so there are very few employees. So for say, the Himilaya, the same employee lets people on, secures the lap belts and doors, operates the ride and then let's everyone out. It makes rides take awhile. But, on the upside, there were much shorter rides for the non-coasters, so we covered a lot of ground.

The food was RIDICULOUSLY priced. For 5 hot dogs, bags of chip, 3 pops (without lids-- so they were hard to not spill) and 2 waters, the price tag was $48. We could all eat a nice meal at Max and Erma's or Red Lobster for that price.

And the other things that really bugged us that the employees were not friendly at all and the park was dirty. Like bugs crusted everything. Looked the the place needed a good cleaning.

Admittedly, we are theme park snobs-- as my mom lives in Orlando and we do 2-3 days at Disney 2-3 times a year. But Cedar Point just disappointed us a lot.

BUT, if you want some CRAZY roller coaster action, the place is second to none! (Even if you wait an hour+ for the 17 second ride on the Dragster.)

[beadster]

I have worked at Cedar point, and visited it several times. I have also been to Michigan Adventure. MA is a nice day trip to make, but there's not a lot of rides, and can get really boring quicky. There is a whole lot more at cedar point, but there are other things to do around cedar point

[jeanniepep]

What did you wind up deciding to do?

Personally, I hate rollercoasters and consequently Cedar Pt has always been a big waste of money. It's a neat park, really big, but I spend 99% of my time sitting on the bench waiting for everyone who likes rollercoasters. I'm not sure what Michigan's Adventure has to offer that would be different.

Someone else mentioned the indoor water park called Kalahari in Sandusky; my friends have gone there a few times and they LOVE it! That might be an option for a future weekend! They also have one of those Great Wolf Lodge or whatever you call it, another indoor waterpark.

[teejuris]

My family absolutely loves Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky, OH. It's great fun for everyone! In addtion to the water parks, they have other activities, including an awesome arcade, arts & crafts, etc. You should Google-search Kalahari, and search its website. You'll be very impressed. It's a tad pricey if you plan to rent a room and stay overnight, and it seems expense is an issue. If you plan to just go to the water park, it's well worth the admission fee!

If your son overcomes his fear of roller coasters, Cedar Point is the place to be, hands down!