I've been to other apple orchards in SE Michigan, but Wiards is truly an original! I have never experienced such a finely tuned cash grab like this before, and I'm not sure if I was more amused or offended by the whole setup.
Upon arrival we inquired as to how/where we could walk the orchard or tour the cider mill. Things that are normally free when you go to a cider mill. The employee informed us we would have to buy admission to the "country fair" for $12.50 and then it would be an additional $7 to gain the honor of going into the orchard.
In case you're wondering the "Country Fair" is the Wiard's equivalent of Cedar Point at a quarter of the price, with only a sixteenth of the enjoyment. The whole thing is geared towards children and anything that is remotely interesting, such as the pony rides, has an additional charge.
After reviewing what the "country fair" offered we declined and asked the employee what our other options were. She informed us that we could go to the "store". At this point we were shown the side path to the "store" for the people too cheap (smart) to enter the "country fair".
After our walk of shame we arrived at the "store" which has all the normal stuff: Cider, donuts, and other apple based items. Unfortuately any charm you would get at a normal cider mill is not bothered with here at Wiards. Their "store" is basically a supermarket lacking any evidence the items are actually made there. I'm sure they are, but part of the cider mill experience is seeing the cider made and donuts deep fried and dipped in powdered sugar. If I wanted to buy cider out of a supermarket cooler I could have driven to the corner and saved the $8 bucks per gallon and 45 min. drive.
Overall, if you enjoy lighting your money on fire without receiving any value for it, then by all means please take the family to Wiards. Other than that do yourself a favor and go somewhere else!
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