News: New waterslide for Michigan's Adventure

Posted at 6:15 PM EDT (2215 GMT)

Oct. 26th, 2004 -- In the first big improvement since 2002, Michigan's Adventure will add a Tornado Class waterslide for next year. In this type of ride, guests start off riding an inner tube down a dark, 300 foot-long tunnel before being dumped into a swirling 60 foot funnel. The ride is to be named "Funnel of Fear".

In 2003, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) named the Tornado Class slides, built by Canadian manufacturer ProSlide Technology, that year's best new product. Similar rides have been built at several other waterparks, including Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Los Angeles and Splashin' Safari, part of Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.

Funnel of Fear is part of a $2.4 million improvement package for the amusement park. The rest of the money will go to adding an ice cream stall, renovating restrooms, and building more "Surfside Cabanas" in Michigan's Adventure's waterpark.

See The Muskegon Chronicle for more.