Canada's Wonderland

Canada’s Wonderland is really "two parks in one"

Photo courtesy of Canada's Wonderland

Canada’s Wonderland is one of North America's biggest amusement parks and the largest in Canada. It's a huge draw for local families and a big Toronto tourist attraction as well. A friend of mine goes there every summer and she says that one thing that makes it special is that it’s actually two parks in one: a 20-acre waterpark with wave pool and water rides, plus a sprawling, traditional amusement park with rides, live shows and other entertainment…altogether over 300 acres of thrills.

The park is located 30 km north of Toronto (about a half-hour drive from downtown). It opened in May 1981. About 3 million visitors a year pour through the gates, even though Wonderland is only open from June to October. In other words, this place is busy! You’ll find it a little quieter before the school year ends or after school begins in September. Weekdays are naturally less busy than weekends. And early in the day and late at night the lines for the rides are shorter too.

Rides

At Canada’s Wonderland you’ll find more than 65 rides including 15 roller coasters. The biggest rollercoaster is the Behemoth Roller Coaster which features a 3 minute ride at up to 77 miles an hour with 85 degree inclines. There’s also the Top Gun (a hanging roller coaster), a kiddie roller coast called Scoobi Doo and the Haunted roller coaster for those who enjoy mixing different types of terror at the same time.

You’ll also find gentler rides like carousels, train rides and Swan Lake – what the park calls “milder thrills”.

Live Shows & other entertainment

When everyone’s pooped by the rides, you can all sit and watch some shows for a bit. Kids will enjoy shows geared to them. Families can enjoy stunt shows featuring high divers. And adults can relax with short concerts that take place on a daily basis. Of course there are plenty of souvenir shops to browse through too.

Other entertainment includes kiddie characters like Scooby-Doo who wander the park (similar to what you’ll find at Walt Disney park) and special kid-areas like Nickelodeon Central, Kidzville and Hanna-Barbera Land.

The park also hosts special events (big name concerts, for example). These events have separate ticket prices.

For Practical info: Costs, transportation, etc. see Page 2

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