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!
