Sun burn, sore throats and tired feet, but we didn’t want to leave Canada’s Wonderland after a day of unimaginable fun. Our latest escapade saw us (entire family this time) at Canada’s Wonderland having a go at all the thrill rides… though one of us (Kieana) was too chicken to wander far from the tame rides and confines of the water park area. Myself, Caron, Tehya and Indy are all roller coaster and thrill ride junkies, so we were like kids in a candy store from the time we entered the main gates of the park.

The gates had just opened by the time we arrived and checked in at guest services, so there were huge lines to enter the park. But within a few minutes we went through security and were on our way to our first encounter with the new ride for 2011, Windseeker. With map in hand and an eagerness in our steps, we headed over to Windseeker expecting huge lines. There was a group of people in front of us, but within 10 minutes we were buckling into our seat getting ready to go up over 300 ft. On the way up the rotation started and at full speed we were doing about 25-30 mph (40-48 kmh) at a 45 degree angle. The view from the top is stunning as you can see miles around you and if you want to add a little more excitement to your ride, look down on the inside of the ride (to your left). You’ll truly appreciate how high up and fast you’re traveling.

We couldn’t decide if we were all hungry or not and due to some miscommunication we ended up at the The Marketplace – International Buffet where it seemed like only Caron and I were the only ones eating. Kieana, Tehya and Indy nibbled on some fruit, tacos and pasta dishes, while Caron and I had LUNCH! The options are plentiful at the International Buffet and we highly recommend the fried chicken, pizza, hamburgers which are grilled in front of you and I so wish I had gone back for some of that juicy looking roast beef. You can see some of the pics we took at the International Buffet on the Facebook Fan page. You’re free to pack a lunch picnic but I’m not sure if you’re allowed to bring it into the park (there’s a park-like area at the front where you could certainly picnic). The night before Caron made some delicious sandwiches so we went back to the car to change shoes and have dinner around 6 pm, plus we needed the short break.

There are many dining options throughout the park, from pizza to Chinese to some of the longest hot dogs I’ve ever seen, which are reasonably priced bearing in mind that you’ll pay park prices. There’s also a Starbucks on site for those needing a coffee rush or a gourmet drink! Don’t forget to get a funnel cake  at some point.. it’s a tradition for Caron going back many years now. A light batter deep fried then topped with icing sugar, strawberries, ice cream and whipped cream.

There’s something for every age group at Canada’s Wonderland so you can make it a true family day trip. There’s the largest assortment of thrill rides in Canada, the Splash Zone water park,  family rides and then there’s Planet Snoopy for the little ones, with all the fun of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts Gang! In between jumping from ride to ride we did have time for a couple of the live shows which runs at different times throughout the day (signs posted). We caught the diving and trampoline shows and they were amazing.

Some tips if you’re planning a trip to Canada’s Wonderland; pack sunblock, wear comfortable shoes, bring a change of clothing if you plan on doing any of the water rides (tons of fun), there are height requirements for many rides so get the little ones measured as you enter the park, be sure to get stamped on the way in especially if you plan on going out and coming back in and be prepared to have fun.

Parking was $10 I believe and this allows you to leave and return without having to pay each time (for that day). But remember to keep the receipt so you can display it on reentry. I’d try to arrive early as the parking lot is huge and all the prime spots close to the entry gates do fill up very fast. There’s a huge area dedicated to handicap parking at the very front as well.

Teenagers will love the water park, so encourage them to pack their swimsuits. While Kieana, Tehya and Indy were busy taking in the rays and splashing around in the water park, Caron and I were busy taming as much thrill rides as time would allow us. After the Sky Rider we recommend going on Behemoth which will have you on the edge of your seat as it takes you up 230 feet and then sends you speeding down at a 75 degree angle of descent with speeds reaching 125km/hour. Did I mention that it’s open air seating? Next up was the Fly which looks tame, but trust me it’s not. This is one of our favorite rides. We then went from Dragon Fire to Flight Deck to Psyclone and we then cooled things down at Riptide. After a short break we then headed over to Shockwave, then Sky Rider and we were disappointed when we saw that Sledge Hammer (Caron calls it the ‘claw’) was closed. All this while we were cooking in the open sun since we simply forgot to pack sun block and it never occurred to us to check the store within the park for some. It was a hot and humid day, so we took mini breaks between rides to hit the “cool zone” where you’re hit with a gentle mist of refreshing water. A full day of absolute fun at Canada’s wonderland and only on our way out did we realize that we didn’t go on Back Lot Stunt Coaster nor did we stay for the laser light show at the end.. FYI, you’ll need most part of an entire day to really appreciate all there is to do and see, so be prepared.

We really wish we could comment on the area designated for younger children, but with our girls being teenagers we tend to overlook these areas. Howbeit from our experience when they were younger… they’ll have tons of fun with their own little thrill rides and fun activities.

We saw many people walking around proudly with huge stuffed animals they won at the many games scattered throughout the park and this was the first time in all my years coming to Canada’s wonderland that I failed to win something at the games (hurt my pride). This was great opportunity for us to spend the day as a family and with the huge area the park covers, it gave us the opportunity to separate from the girls when they started to complain (always happens). You’re getting your money’s worth and more when you pay the admission fee to get in and I would even argue that it’s the best bang for your entertainment buck in Ontario. Oh yea! We even lost our voices from all the screaming on those electrifying roller coasters.

Address and Contact Info:

Canada’s Wonderland
9580 Jane Street, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S7
(905) 832-7000

For updated prices on admission as well as how to get discounts and coupons, visit Canada’s Wonderland official website.

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from Canada’s Wonderland) and do tune in to our videos (escapades) on the youtube channel we’ve created.

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One of our yearly rituals (never get tired of it) is heading down the QEW and up the 400 to Canada’s Wonderland. Over the years we’ve seen the park change names (back to it’s original name now) and just when we were getting used to the names of the rides, they too have changed. As Caron puts it.. the ride names now sound lame! But tons of fun none the less. BTW, another tradition for us is at the end of the day when the sun goes down and it’s about time to head back home (sore feet and all) Caron and the girls gets a big plate of funnel cake with powdered sugar and topped with ice cream. Not my idea of good eating, but they love that stuff.

Canada’s Wonderland has over 200 attractions, including over 60 thrill rides. The park is tied for second place for the record of most roller coasters in one park with 15 in total, and North America’s greatest variety. The park features eight themed areas on 330 acres (1.3 km2) of land which includes a 20 acres (81,000 m2) waterpark called Splash Works. Splash Works has over 2 million gallons (7,570 m3) of heated water, Canada’s largest outdoor wave pool measuring 36,000 square feet (3,300 m2), a lazy river, and 16 water slides.

In 1983, Canada’s Wonderland added the Kingswood Music Theatre, a 15,000 seat amphitheatre that hosted many “big-name” concerts. After the Molson Amphitheatre opened on the grounds of Ontario Place in 1995, cultural festivals at the theatre became more prominent.

Coasters.

Backlot Stunt Coaster – Formerly: Italian Job: Stunt Track
The Bat
Behemoth (most recent coaster to open at the park)
Dragon Fire – Formerly: Dragon Fyre
Flight Deck – Formerly: Top Gun
The Fly (probably the NEST ride in the entire park)
Mighty Canadian Minebuster (a classic wooden coaster)
SkyRider
Thunder Run – Formerly: Blauer Enzian
Time Warp – Formerly: Tomb Raider: The Ride
Vortex
Wild Beast – Formerly: Wilde Beaste

Coasters for kids.
Scooby’s Gasping Ghoster Coaster – Often simply: Ghoster Coaster
Silver Streak (great little coaster)
Taxi Jam

Some of the other rides include:

Psyclone – A Mondial Revolution, swinging and spinning reaching heights of over 110 feet (34 m)
Shockwave – A Mondial Top Scan that twist and turns on every possible axis.
Riptide (formerly Cliffhanger) – A Mondial Splashover with twin gondolas that flip and go around in the air, but you might get wet.
Jet Scream – A looping starship type of ride
Antique Carousel A classic carousel loacted in Action Zone
Orbiter Rotates around one axle, which eventually turns to almost 90°
Spinovator A classic spinning tea-cups ride, but slightly tilted
The Rage Another classic, a Pirate Ship ride
Klockwerks – An old classic that rotates and with the centrifugal force pushes you outward.
Sledgehammer – Spins riders on two axes and blasts you up and down distances of 85 feet (26 m).
Action Theatre (formerly Action F/X Theatre) – Motion based seating ride in two large theatres featuring Sponge Bob Squarepants in 3D) Well worth the wait in line.
Drop Tower: Scream Zone (formerly Drop Zone Stunt Tower) – A vertical tower-like ride that begins by slowly taking its passengers up the towards the peak of the tower and then immediately drops the passenger down until he/she reaches the ground.

For the kids, there’s Hanna-Barbera Land, Nickelodeon Central and Kidzville. our girls (even when they were smaller) were never into the “baby” rides as they would put it. So I have no pics to share with you. Next trip I’ll purposely go there and update this post with some pics and relating comments.

Height Restrictions.

Children may be “officially” measured and receive a wristband if they meet height requirements at the Height Check Stations on International Street or at any ride of the appropriate height level. For the safety of your child, a standard play shoe which does not contribute excessively to the child’s height will be permitted. Platform shoes that increase the child’s height are not permitted. Canada’s Wonderland reserves the right to ask that shoes be removed to ensure that a child’s height is not being artificially enhanced or manipulated.

Splash Works Information:

* Guests under 48″ tall must wear a lifejacket while swimming in the White Water Bay and Lazy River
* Guests under 48″ tall are not required to wear a lifejacket in the Splash Island Pool Area
* Guests under 42″ tall on the Lazy River must be accompanied by a responsible person

GENERAL DIRECTIONS

Canada’s Wonderland is located just minutes north of Toronto off Highway 400, just 10 minutes north of Highway 401. Exit Rutherford Rd. if heading north or south on Highway 400.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

By Public Transit the Wonderland Express “GO” Buses run regularly from Yorkdale and York Mills subway stations. Schedule operates throughout the day and evening through closing.

York Region Transit offers several routes to Canada’s Wonderland. YRT Routes 4 and  20, as well as TTC Route 165A operate directly into the park. For more YRT route and schedule information, please visit the YRT/Viva website.

Tickets prices and info (including discounts and other offers)

Canada’s Wonderland
9580 Jane Street
Vaughan, Ontario  L6A 1S6

To contact by phone, call:
Guest Inquiries     (905) 832-8131
Group Sales     (905) 832-7400
Press/Media Inquiries     (905) 832-7000 x8000
Employment Opportunities     (905) 832-7401

About the Canada’s Wonderland (courtesy of Wikipedia)
Canada’s Wonderland is a 330-acre (1.3 km2) theme park in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, 30 kilometres north of downtown Toronto. The park is open seasonally from May to October and contains more than 200 attractions. It opened in 1981 and was Canada’s first major theme park. While under Paramount Pictures (later purchased by Viacom) ownership from 1994 until 2006, the park was known as Paramount Canada’s Wonderland until it was sold to Cedar Fair and reverted to its original name in 2007. The park was the most attended seasonal theme park in North America two years in a row (2005 and 2006). It was designed by Landscape Architects Richard Strong and Associates and structurally engineered by O.T. Baggio and Associates Professional Engineers. In 2006, attendance was just over 3.2 million.

Some closing points. Food prices can almost double what it would normally be outside the park, so we normally pack a lunch. There are several green areas (park like) with benches etc so you can picnic outside. Do take extra clothing with you as it can get cool at night and if you’ll be testing any of the water rides or using the water park area. Wear very comfortable shoes as the park is really spread out and you will be walking a lot and standing in lines on busy days. If you have younger children I would suggest you bring along a wagon if you have one or at least a baby stroller. As I mentioned the park is pretty big and most of the time you’ll be in the sun… use a strong sun block and a hat when you can (take off during rides or risk losing it).

Even if you pack a picnic, still bring some cash along. You will get thirsty, you will want ice cream and you won’t be able to pass by the games without wanting to give them a try. We all love to walk around with those huge stuffed animals you get as prizes. almost as if we’re telling the world that we conquered that game and this is the spoils of our triumph!

Have fun!