Canada's Wonderland Meet **Update Aug. 22**

[TimNDansMom]

Saturday, August 24 (raindate Sunday)

Meet in front of the mountain and fountain area ~ the Canadian Flag area ~ between 9:30am and 10am (park opens at 10:00am). Parking is $7.50.

Interactive Park map: http://www.canadas-wonderland.com/visit_map.jsp

Those planning to go or who hope to go, to date:

SandraC, dh, ds(2), dd(8) *
TimNDansMom, ds(15), ds(17*
Baboo, dh, dd(11), ds(14) *
disneyvacationmom *
tigger2on, dd(6)
epcotfan
disneykins, dw, ds(15), dd(13) *

(*= confirmed)

Please confirm or add your name to the list so we know to look for you! :D

PACKING LIST FOR WONDERLAND (thanks Sandra!):
Lunch
Water
Bathing Suit
Towel
Change for lockers
Camera
Good walking shoes
Sunscreen
ALL YOUR NERVE FOR THE ROLLER COASTERS!

[SandraC]

Anytime in August is great for us, no vacation scheduled.

It's nice that PCW let's us bring in lunches now!

As a season's pass holder, I can sometimes get cheap tickets and parking discounts. Once we firm up the date and I get my newsletter from PCW, I'll let you know the discounts.

Do you want to meet first thing in the morning for coffee, do some rides together, meet for lunch, water park? Or just meet for lunch? We are game for anything, any day!

I am looking forward to it! Sandra

[Baboo]

The weekend before Labour Day would probably be the best for us. That's August 24-25. That is the first weekend of our holidays, and other than the long weekend itself, is the only weekend that month I can be sure of getting off due to other peoples' holidays.

[TimNDansMom]

That weekend should be okay for me too, Kathy.

Maybe we could set up both morning coffee and lunch times/locations so that those who would prefer to meet and stay in a group can, and those who want to go off on their own will know where to catch up with everyone at various points during the day.

What does everyone think?

[SandraC]

Both Aug 24 and 25 work for us! I already marked my calendar for a possible DISmeet that weekend. I don't have a preference on the Saturday or Sunday ~ you all pick!

I think a morning and lunch meet is a great idea. The rides start up at 10am, they don't let you into the park a whole bunch earlier than that. We have arrived about 9:45am and were let into the park but only on the International Street (or whatever it's called ~ like Main Street USA ~ LOL). We usually get to the "rope drop" to the right of the mountain before 10am. There are nice greeny areas in front of the ticket booths, and off to the side too, with picnic tables if folks want to meet early ~ but many of you will be driving long distances and arriving for coffee at 9am might not be ideal for you. We can work this out. A couple years back, PCW took away their "no outside food in the par" rule and they welcome lunches. There are lockers at the entrance and in the water park (EXCELLENT WATER PARK!). A lunchtime meet would be great too!

The water park is very nice! Lots of good slides and the wave pool is fun! The water park opens at 11am, if you are there right at 11am, you can get onto all the BIG slides without a wait.

The parks hours for Aug 24 and 25 are 10am-10pm.

I have a Buy One Get One Free PIZZA PIZZA Coupon for the park's PIZZA PIZZA stand (always busy), it's a same size deal, so two larges for the price of one goes a long way! If I don't use that coupon before Aug 24/25 it's up for grabs. I didn't use it last year. No reason to think I might this year, who knows! LOL!

I have parking coupons for $3.00 off, but not for August, that's funny because I usually get several for August. Parking is $7.50 this year. I hope a newsletter comes soon with more coupons. I'll let you all know.

My TELUS Perks this month were for PCW discounted tickets for these dates:

Sat June 15 $27
Sat July 27 $29
Sat Aug 17 $29
Sat Sept 14 $20.50
Sat Sept 28 $20.50
OR CHOOSE ANY DAY TICKETS FOR $35

I need to give 10 business days in advance for the tickets.

Regular adult admission is $50.75 (includes all taxes).

Many companies and organizations have the $35 ticket deal too. $35 sure bets $50.75! The $15 you save can go into the DISNEY ACCT!

We went to PCW last week after the DISmeet and ran into KATHY! Isn't that funny! I keep running into DISER'S at THEME PARKS! LOL! Chat soon! Sandra

[tigger2on]

depending on how many individuals you can all get, I'd call PCW and ask about groups rates of 20+. I think last year the were about $25 CDN

[disneyvacationmom]

August 24 or 25 is good for us. We are away from Aug 4-8 but other than that we are free. Looking forward t it. I'm willing to park myself anywhere all day since I don't do rides. The rest of my gang think nothing of deserting me to do the rides. Good to see you all again on Sat. and Sandra it was fun running into you on our way out. When do you do Kings Island?

[TownBear]

Uhmmmm gee... any chance of getting a 3 tickets to Wonderland with ya'll?

That'd be so kewl!:Pinkbounc :smooth:

[SandraC]

Thats the way Townbear! I'll try to make that call about group rates for PCW this week. I'll post their reply.

Kathy doesn't do rides, she she can hold the purses! LOL! We'll get you on DROP ZONE, it's like ToT meets the end of the world ~ scary stuff for me. I booked King's Island July 15 for 3 nights ~ looking forward to it! DH still hasn't rec'd confirmation of his summer vacation request so the dates MIGHT change, but I doubt it. Since we just got back from WDW, we aren't going to pushing to hard about summer vacation. Still, we like a couple weeks in the summer and hope they are in July.

We might go camping with the kids, I'll be getting all you campers to give me advice on camping with a 2 year old! Sandra

[mickey65]

I'd like to come. I'll have to see how my schedule is and where I am living...I may even be in toronto!

[tigger2on]

Ryleigh and I will try once again to meet up with you all....
We will probably be a bit jet lagged as will are coming home from England as of August 22.
Ryleigh's in a wheelchair so she can't do too much but it'll be a change anyhow.
Let us know...
Suzanne

[oldkicker]

I'd love to come up again! :)

Of the two days, Saturday would probably work better for us. Then we could stay late and drive back home on Sunday.

Sandra - is there a camping facility there or nearby? We'd consider that! :)

Looking forward to seeing all of you! :)

[SandraC]

I just emailed PCW for group ticket info for 25 people and over and 25 people and under. On their web site http://www.canadas-wonderland.com/ they mention group sales for over 25 people. I think these "any day" tickets will be $35. Same as TELUS tickets. I'll post the reply. Good to look into these now, lots of time before the meet.

As far as camping goes, I think there is a camp site near by. I'll look into it and post later. A new Courtyard hotel is being built very close to PCW, other than that there aren't any great accomodations in that area, still building it up.

PCW web site lists accomodations, but these hotels are far from PCW. We live in Mississauga and have a transponder, so our drive is only 25 minutes on the 407, about 35-45 minutes via 401/400 combo.

For those of you who drive from the west (west of Shell Info Centre, last DISmeet) the drive is about the same as I mentioned about since the Shell Info Centre is only 5-10 minutes from my house. So you can take 5-10 minutes off the above estimates.

Have we confirmed a day, Aug 24 or 25? Sat might be busier than Sun, but maybe not, just a guess really. What about Sat and rain day Sun? That doesn't work for long-distance travellers. Should we go, rain or shine? We have done PCW lots in the rain. Thing is, it's not like WDW ~ PCW is mostly all outside. They will keep the rides running in rain, but not lightening. What do you all think? We will go rain or shine, Sat or Sun!

Chat soon! Sandra

[SandraC]

Hi,

Closest camping to PCW is http://www.jellystonetoronto.com/ They have internet specials which can include PCW tickets.

The Courtyard Marriot is opening June 2002, web site http://www.courtyard.com/dpp/PropertyPage.asp?MarshaCode=YYZVN The rates start at $119 ~ it's the closest hotel to PCW.

There are hundreds of hotels in the Toronto area, but that's a drive to PCW. Courtyard is a couple minutes from PCW.

Looking forward to this! Sandra

[TimNDansMom]

Great info, Sandra! Thanks so much for posting it all for us. :)

As long as the weather is half-decent, either day is okay for me.

[TimNDansMom]

"Bump" to continue planning and RSVPs :)

[SandraC]

I haven't heard back from PCW about group rates. I will re-send a message today or tomorrow.

For the date: is it okay to say Saturday, but if it rains, we'll go Sunday? What do you all think? Thanks! Sandra

[TownBear]

I've been reading Canada's Wonderland website... and I don't think they offer group rates for a forum type thing. I can't quite make out if you can just be a group of people, cuz they make it look like u have to be an organization.

i dunno!

[epcotfan]

I might be able to make it on the 24 or 25th. I get back from Disney on the 21st so those dates are perfect.

[TimNDansMom]

Bump

[SandraC]

Hi Julie! It's looking great! I think Aug 24 with raindate Aug 25 sounds great. I just got my PARK INSIDER coupon book and they don't have any great deals for those dates. Everyone should ask friends and family if their companies have those $35 advanced tickets. Telus will get you $35 tickets in advance on an ANY DAY deal too.

My kids are dd8 and ds2. THANKS! Sandra

PACKING LIST FOR WONDERLAND:
Lunch
Water
Bathing Suit
Towel
Change for lockers
Camera
Good walking shoes
Sunscreen
ALL YOUR NERVE FOR THE ROLLER COASTERS!

[Baboo]

The four of us are looking forward to it too! Our kids are DS (14) and DD(11).

[TimNDansMom]

Thanks Sandra and Kathy. I've copied your packing list to the front page Sandra ~ thanks for doing that! :)

Sandra has suggested that we all meet for coffee on arrival (early as possible) and then those who want to "do the theme park" together can and we'll all meet for a picnic lunch and then go to the water park in the afternoon. How does that sound to everyone?

[SandraC]

Sounds great! We can meet in front of the mountain and fountain area ~ the place everyone takes there pictures upon arriving (LOL I was going to say, we should meet in front of the castle!). There is a Starbucks in the area inside the park too. Does anyone else have a suggestion where to meet as we arrive? Thanks! S

[TimNDansMom]

The mountain/fountain area sounds like a great place to meet. We'll just have to pretend that it's in front of the Castle! What time does everyone think they'll be there at? I'm glad to hear that there's a Starbuck's there too ~ I can get my Chai Tea Latté!

[SandraC]

I'm fairly sure it's a Starbucks ~ but it doesn't have all the goodies that a regular Starbucks would have. It's not located directly at the entrance ~ it's on the left side of the mountain about half way up. Gary and I sometimes grab a coffee for the road before we leave. I think in August, we'll just get drive-thru Tim Hortons and meet everyone at the park.

The rides start up at 10am, but I think the park opens about 9:30am ~ I'll check that out. They never emailed me back about group rates yet.

Julie, you have to drive a great distance ~ what time do you want to get there. I will follow your lead ~ we live 25 minutes away from PCW, so we will be there at anytime.

THANKS! S

[mickey65]

I am still hoping to make it too :D It will be either just me or I might have a friend with me too.

[TownBear]

awwwwwww
i have to work!
i wanted to gooooo
would have been so fun !:(

[SandraC]

51 days until the Wonderland Meet!

I just posted to Debbie and Tony's DLP thread that we should get together at Shell Info Centre in Sept 2002 to see their pix!

What do you all think?

I hope to get to Wonderland next week! Hoping the crowds are less! S

[disneykins]

Hi all. Just getting back into the swing of things after our trip. I dont know if we RSVP'd or not but we'll be at Wonderland for the August 24 or 25th meet. Will bring DS15 (who is really only coming for the coasters) and DD13. We'll probably get there early so anytime would be good for us. See you all then.
Tony

[Baboo]

That's great news Tony and Debbie! Michael is very happy to hear that your son is only there for the coasters! Someone to ride with!

[TimNDansMom]

Tony what time are you planning on leaving London? Are you taking the 401 to 407 to 400 or driving straight to the 400 on the 401. We went to Mississauga today and I was asking Dh what the best way to get to Wonderland was plus avoid traffic, if there is any, early in the morning.

Have I got everyone on the RSVP list on page 1? Don't be shy, we'd love to meet you! :D

I've just updated it, I think there's still some kids/ages that need to be added. Sorry you can't make it Townbear, but there's always the next one! (I think Sandra's planning for September, already! ;) )

:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[SandraC]

I'd love a FALL DISMEET at Shell Indo Centre in Mississauga ~

Also a Niagara Falls Meet on November 23 ~ it's the opening ceremonies of the Niagara Falls Festival of Lights and MICKEY and friends are there! The opening ceremonies are at 5:15pm, 5:25pm Goofy turns on all the lights then FIREWORKS ~ very impressive fireworks too! There is a cute Disney Xmas Show about 30 minutes long with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Chip and Dale and SANTA CLAUS of course! AND IT IS FREE! We can meet at the Queen Victoria Cafeteria right across from the falls and the show! It's a nice little cafeteria, we like getting hot chocolate there. We could meet at 4pm and walk over to the show and ceremonies at 5pm ~ what do you think? S

[TimNDansMom]

Bump

[SandraC]

Looking forward to it!

So, it's a go for Sat, Aug 24 and rain date Sun, Aug 25, right? I guess we'll all figure that out Fri, Aug 23 in posts.

If the weather is bad both days, would you like to meet someplace else?

We've been to PCW in bad weather and it's still fun. With a little rain, the rides still go on and very little lines. Only lightening conditions will stop the rides.

Chat soon! S

[disneykins]

We'll probably go 401 to 400 since traffic should be light that early. We plan on leaving by 8 am and being there by 10. We'll probably stay till the park closes and drive home, but we're still thinking of overnight at DBIL in Georgetown. Looking forward to seeing everyone again
tony

[SandraC]

YIPPY! Look at this forecast for Saturday!http://www.accuweather.com/adcbin/inttenday_local?nav=int&metric=1

25ºC and SUNNY!

S

[mickey65]

:(

I have to work at the group home now. I tried to get the day off, but because I am new staff I can't get it. I was really looking forward to this too :( Maybe the meet at the falls will work out, by then I will be teaching and won't need to work at the group home.

Hope you all have a great time! Have a ride on Top Gun for me ok! (right at the front if you can ;) )

[Baboo]

Aw Mickey!!! I'm so sorry to hear that! I've been looking forward to finally getting to meet you!

[mickey65]

Me too Kath....but please let me know when you will be in the Thousand Islands...it is only an hour from me, so maybe we could work something out. I would love to meet you :D

[TimNDansMom]

So sorry you can't make the PCW meet, Mickey. :( Maybe you will be able to come at the end of September. We'd all love to meet you! :D

[SandraC]

WEDNESDAY WEATHER UPDATE

http://www.accuweather.com/adcbin/intlocal_index?nav=int


Might rain Saturday high 24ºC, Sunday high 18ºC maybe no rain. I think we won't be doing the waterpark this weekend, haven't ruled it out, but not likely.

Are we trying to stay together as a group? THANKS! S

[TimNDansMom]

Sandra, my kids probably won't want to stay with "us adults" and Dan is also meeting a friend there. I'll just arrange to meet up with them periodically, if that's the case. They didn't want to go into the waterpark anyway.

I've been checking these weather sites:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/local/CAXX0504?y=12&x=10

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/cities/can/toronto_ON.htm

http://www.intellicast.com/Local/IntlLocalStd.asp?loc=cyyz&seg=LocalWeather&prodgrp=Forecast&product=Forecast&prodnav=none&pid=none

http://www.accuweather.com/adcbin/intlocal_index?where=Toronto%2C+Ontario&lookup=canada&Select+city=Submit+Query

Keeping my fingers crossed! :sunny:

[SandraC]

Looking like Saturday all! Julie, I sent you a PM, but your mail box is full.

Questions:

How long is everyone planning to stay?
Who is bringing a picnic lunch?
Will we try to meet for lunch?
Anyone doing the water park?
Are we trying to travel together?
Are you all daredevils? LOL
What rides WON'T you ride? I have a problem with Drop Zone, but I will ride it if I absolutely HAVE TOO. I don't think I'll be doing Extreme Flyer either LOL.

I'd like to ditch ds and dh at home (LOL) so dd and I can do all the BIG rides with you all!

We will leave home about 9am, so should be there about 9:30am and meet you all in front of the fountains/mountain, the Canadian Flag in the PCW map http://www.canadas-wonderland.com/visit_map.jsp ~ the coffee shop is located to the left of the Canadian Flag (flag on the map) about half way up the left side of International Drive. Chat soon! S

[Baboo]

We're hoping to be there about 9.30 and we'll probably close the park. We'll be bringing a picnic since the prices there are crazy. DS is the daredevil in our family. He'll ride anything and everything. We probably won't do the water park.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

[SandraC]

The latest temp prediction for Saturday is 23ºC ~ that might be too cold for me to swim. I really like the new water slides thou! They have one that is EXACTLY like one at BB.

So I guess we all meet at the fountain about 9:30-9:45am-ish ~ how about lunch? Shall we try to meet up again?

Don't fill up too much ~ you'll NEED a Funnel Cake for dessert! HEY! Did you know that the word STRESSED is the word DESSERTS spelled backwards ~ hummmmmm that's something to think about! S

[disneykins]

Hi all. DD lost her soccer game last night so the season is over--if they had won they would have played Saturday so this DIS meet will be her consolation prize. We'll try to be there by 9:45 but that means leaving by 7:30, so we're not sure what the kids will think about that. We'll probably stay until the park closes, too. We will be bringing a picnic lunch. Meeting for lunch sounds good. I'm not much for rides so I hope to do the waterpark but it depends on the weather and the kids. DS 14 and Deb are the daredevils. DD 12 and I are total chickens. We walk around and check out all the snack bars and the shows. 2 questions: what time does the park actually open? Are there cheaper tickets for those who dont go on the rides?
See you all Saturday
Tony

[TimNDansMom]

We plan to leave around 7:30am and I think it will take about 2 hrs to get to PCW. We'll meet everyone at the Canadian Flag area between 9:30-10:00. The park opens at 10 o'clock, Tony. We'll look for you if you get there later.

I may just buy our lunches there, haven't really decided yet, but we'll plan to meet for lunch with everyone else who wants to.

My kids will probably want to tour around on their own, so I'd like to stick with the group, if that's the case.

I have only been on the coasters at Disney, IOA and the new "Kraken" at Sea World, and I enjoyed all those, so I plan to go on anything similar at Wonderland.

I'm bringing our bathing suits "just in case" but my kids probably won't go in the waterpark, I will though. Toronto Temp shows 26ºC for Saturday with variable cloudiness and 30% pop.

Sandra says that parking is around $7.50 and locker rental is $5.00 with $5.00 deposit.

At this point I don't know how late we'll stay. We'll see how the day goes, I guess. The park is open 10am ~ 10pm, so bring a sweater if you plan to stay late!

Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday! :D

[TimNDansMom]

Sandra, I'm just wondering if I do decide to pack a lunch, where is the best place to keep it until lunchtime? In the cooler in the car? What do you do? Is it easy to get back to the parking lot? Where will we eat?

You know, I'm actually starting to feel as if we are all arranging to meet for a day at Disneyworld! Maybe if we all close our eyes and "click our heels"..........:teeth:

[SandraC]

LOL Julie, we usually bring pizza buns, or pbj's or other sandwiches that keep well with only a small ice pack. We freeze juice boxes and that really helps keep things cool. I bring fruit, veggies and cookies as snacks. I usually carry around my lunch in a back pack, but we have a stroller to push things around in. I would say getting to the parking lot at PCW would be like getting to a really great parking space at MGM. Last time we went to PCW, we left our lunch in the cooler in the car and went back to the car for a picnic. It was nice getting away from the crowds. Maybe meeting for lunch on a grassy area just outside the entrance might be nice.

We had an interesting day. Today was Emily's Sick Kids appt with her cardiologist and tests. Last year she did great! So I had no reason to think this year would be different. WRONG! Emily's heart is having some trouble. She is wearing a holter monitor right now. Pretty common stuff, but this is like her 6th one. The dr and techny said it's okay for her to go PCW tomorrow, but no water park. I can just imagine the holter reading during THE BAT! LOL! I'm a little freaked out right now. I'll be better tomorrow! I think we'll only stay 3 or 4 hours tomorrow. Emily and all of us are REALLY looking forward to seeing you all again! S

[TimNDansMom]

Thanks for the info Sandra! I forgot about freezing juice boxes, I used to do that all the time, that's a great idea. Maybe that's what I'll do and pick up some pizza buns. Thanks! :D

So sorry to hear that Emily's test results were not as expected. I know that is very worrying for you {{hugs}}. I'm sure she is excited about tomorrow and I'm glad that she is still able to go, holter moniter and all! It will be great to see you all for as long as you can stay tomorrow! :D

[disneyvacationmom]

We unfortunately can't make it tomorrow. Both kids advanced to the semi finals in their tennis tournament and play tomorrow AGAINST EACH OTHER. This will not be a fun match. They're playing doubles as well and not together so it could turn out to be against each other as well.
I am planning to be at the Sept meet. Please remember the pictures so I can see them and I'd love to see the DLP pictures as well. See you in September. Have fun at Wonderland. Kathy

[Baboo]

Sorry to hear you can't make it Kathy! We'll look forward to seeing you in September.

{{{HUGS}}} Sandra. It must be really hard for you not to worry too much about Emily. Ginny is really looking forward to seeing her again tomorrw.

We usually leave our lunch in the car and take a break outside the park.

See you all tomorrow! Kathy

[mickey65]

Take lots of pictures Kath...so you can bring them to the mini meet! Have a great time all!

[disneykins]

We got three passes today and Tony will be along to watch us daredevils!!!!! Sandra: try not to worry but I know that is easier said than done. I'm glad that you will be able to come even for a few hours. We also eat our lunch on the grass out near the car since it saves from lugging it around the park. It also gives us a chance to pick up our bathing suits and towels too. See you soon. Tony and Debbie

[SandraC]

Thanks a bunch. We are aiming to leave our house about 9am ~ which means 9:15am in Sandra World, so we'll be there about 9:30am-9:45am.

Emily will wear the monitor in a fanny pack for comfort. Sick Kids says she can ride all the rides at PCW, except water rides, I'm just wondering if PCW staff will notice the monitor and stop her. Her fav ride these days is THE BAT! I love that one too! We hope to join everyone for lunch too! We'll have too see how the morning goes. Emily is really looking forward to seeing Ginny too!

See you in the morning! I soooooo hope not to be late!

Get you in the mood:

SPLASH MOUNTAIN = Timberwolf Falls
KALI RIVER RAPIDS = White Water Canyon
TOWER OF TERROR = Drop Zone
BIG THUNDER RAILROAD = Thunder Run
PRIMEVAL WHIRL = The Fly
BUZZ LIGHTYEAR = Scoopy Doo's Haunted Mansion

S

[Snowwark]

Have a great time tomorrow everyone!! :) :)

Sandra, I hope you and Emily have a happy, stress-free day! :)

Mickey's right, lots of pics please!! :)

[disneykins]

Here we goooooo. Just gotta stop for a Tim Hortons coffee and we'll be on our way. See you all soon.
Tony

[epcotfan]

Sorry I couldn't make it guys. I got home from WDW late Wednesday after a flight delay (mechanical problems...which scared the %^&* out of me) Anyways now I'm either having a severe allergy attack or have a bad cold. I can't tell which. I really wish I could have made it :( I was hoping the symptoms would have cleared up by today. Anyhow my apologies and hope all of you who attended had a great time :)

[disneyvacationmom]

Hope you all had a great day. The weather held up anyway. Well our tournament is over-went to a tie-breaker but DS beat DD 7-5 in the tie-breaker. They actually were quite civil to each other but as DS said if the match had gone to my DD everyone would have known who won.LOL Hard to believe another summer is almost over. One more week and back to work for me. See you all in Sept. Kathy

[disneykins]

Just got back from Wonderland. Great day. Thanks Julie for setting it up and Sandra for her "fastpass" and Kathy for bringing Michael and Ginny to ride with Anthony and Megan. The kids had a great time too. Gotta get some sleep. Chat soon.
Tony and Debbie