Touring Plan for Canada's Wonderland?

[TorontoGirl]

I know people on here may disagree with me but you could go on to Wonderland on Monday, Aug 4th if that works best with your schedule - here's how!

Do you know anyone with a Season's Pass? I have one and would be willing to work things out with you - paypal, in person, etc.

Online Wonderland offers $19.99 tix per person (+ tax and service if purchased online - or at the front gate) for up to 4 guests per SP holder on MONDAYS only for 2014. Small print says "Must be accompanied by a valid 2014 Season Passholder" but they are pretty lacks on that but I could be there is needed.

Then you could afford to buy the premium FastLane when you get there & get Behemoth and Leviathon (MUST DO for coaster lovers!) and all the other rides and walk on rides all day!

It will be crowded but it might work! Also I would pay for VIP parking - it is so worth it!

If not here are a few tips and I would go on the Wednesday for a lower crowd day, it will be busy but not as bad as Monday :

- If you are only doing one day at WL the FastLane may be a good idea no matter what - you will spend A LOT of time in line otherwise with no times posted but it is amazingly expensive!

Guardian of the Mountain - As I mentioned Behemoth & Leviathon are must do for thrill seekers but I didn't like Guardian. I'm not a gamer, it's not much of coaster and although I did like the ending it's more like a cheap video version of Buzz Lightyear - dark, you can't see what you are shooting at and there is no indication of how to score and the end battle was too short. Unless you are gaming fans I would skip it unless you do it first or there is no line or you do the FastLane option.

- If you don't want to do SplashWorks at WL there are a few water rides that can get SOAKED on - Riptide (huge tumble ride) will soak you down to your shoes if they are doing it with water, Timberwolf Falls (log ride) gets you really wet no matter where you sit b/c of the splash and the bridge - like front of Splash Mountain wet & White Water Canyon is like Kali River Rapids - you may get wet, soaked or come out dry depending on where you sit! LOL

- Another reason I mentioned VIP parking (you can pre-purchase online for faster service when you get there) is that you could drive across the street for food instead of paying the ridiculous amounts in the park - there is literally everything there: Tim Horton's, Wendy's, Starbucks, The Keg and a Longo's supermarket and more! Unlike Disney - take the time to eat elsewhere!

They are relaxed on the no outside food depending on how busy the gate is and if you have kids...when they are busy they let people bring food in to clear the lines and get people in the park (no alcohol or cans still) but 1st thing in the morning they are more strict if there there are less lines. People with kids seem to be able to smuggle in LOTS of food
I don't have kids and "rope drop" so I usually get busted but my cousin got food in with her stoller and kid

For your whole trip:
- Transportation - the bus tour may be fun and informative but the TTC is a good deal and faster too and yes - mostly air conditioned Day Passes $11 on weekends and holidays for up to 2 adults and 4 children or one adult and 5 children or 2 adults
- it will be Caribanna so it the downtown will be crowded no matter what that weekend but avoid the lakefront (Sat) & the Island (Sun) if you want to stay out of the crowds - http://www.torontocaribbeancarnival.com/ if you want to join in the FUN!
- Skip Case Loma - I live down the street and yes it's beautiful but not a must do unless one of your party is a local/canadian history buff
- The Science Centre is in the north east part of the city so allow for an hour or so travel time but is educational and fun for all age groups - they have a true IMAX theatre there with films for an additional cost (don't know if that is included in the CityPass) - you really feeling like you are in the movie
- Ripley's Aquarium just opened beside the CN Tower but I doubt it's included in the CityPass and is $30 an adult for entrance with not much less for kids :-( Looks amazing but I haven't gone yet because of the price.

You seem to have a packed itinerary but I'm sure you guys will have an amazing holiday here in Toronto!

PS have fun at the Jays game!

 

[PinkMagnolia]

I just discovered this thread today!

We like to tour Wonderland "Disney Style" and have a bit of a plan before we get there. My boys are hard-core roller coaster/thrill riders. Here is what we did last time and it worked out really well (we didn't do the Guardian, though):

1. Arrive 30 min early, go through security, and belly up to the internal RD before it opens
2. Head to the RIGHT side of the park and ride Leviathan
3. Ride Drop Zone (slow loader)
4. Ride the BAT (slow loader)
5. Head to the LEFT side of the park and ride the Behemouth
6. Ride Psychone
7. Ride Sledge Hammer
8. Ride Minebuster

Once these are done, lines will start to build, but you will have done most of the headliners anyway. Ride Skyrider, the Fly, Dragon Fire, Wild Beast, Bumper Cars (Krakenwagen) -- the older coasters and rides. There will be lines, but nothing like the most popular rides.

The wet rides (Gangplank Falls, Whitewater Canyon) are a lot of fun but will get you SOAKED. Do these last - and be sure you have a change of clothes in the car.

The food is crazy expensive (like $15.75 for a burger meal !!!!) We always treat ourselves to a Funnel Cake, but I will often pack a lunch (keep in in a cooler in the car) and eat it in the picnic area in the parking lot (on the right side of ticket sales/entrance). I just can't justify > $60 for 4 burger meals! If you do head back to your car, consider changing into your swimsuits and then you can head into the waterpark which is quite nice too.

I have a love/hate relationship with Wonderland. It's miserable when it's hot and crowded, but we have had luck touring at RD and getting a lot done. It makes me really appreciate Disney

We don't live in Toronto (we live about 400K north of the city) but do enjoy being a tourist in the city. My boys (both 10) really like the Science Centre, Zoo (they are not big animal fans, either) and Blue Jays games. They **LOVE** Wonderland. It's crowded, miserable, hot, overpriced ... but it's their favorite place on earth I hope your family has a wonderful time in Toronto and that 1D concert sounds fantastic!

 

[GillylovesDuffy]

I definitely agree with the folks here that say that the lines and "atmosphere" at CW will really make you appreciate Disney, but it can be really fun for thrill ride lovers. Your coaster fans will love Behemoth and Leviathan, and Stunt Coaster is great too! The funnel cake is for sure the best thing you can eat here, so if you have other options for lunch/dinner, explore them! As others have mentioned, the water park is also a lot of fun with a good mixture of tube and body slides.

I may be in the minority here, but I really find the CN Tower crazy boring. There's not much of anything to do up there, but if you want to do it I doubt it will take a huge chunk of your day, so I don't think it makes your itinerary too ambitious. Personally, I would take Casa Loma and the close-by Spadina House over the CN Tower any day, but I'm a big lover of historic houses, so I'm quite biased.

For the zoo, definitely bring your Disney shoes! This place is sprawling like nowhere else. There's a tram there, but I think it may be at an extra cost. So much to see though!

The ROM is amazing, and the Bata Shoe Museum which is quite close just opened a new exhibit. The ROM will have something for everyone. I haven't been to the new aquarium yet, but for what it's worth, virtually everyone I know who has been loved it and thought it was well worth the cost.

Have an awesome time in Toronto and Niagara!

 

[Muskrat191]

I haven't been to CW in years, but I was working in the area last week. If you want to save some money on food, walk east across the parking lot and cross Jane St. (This is a reasonable walk). On the northeast and southeast corners of Jane St and Major Mackenzie is a bunch of fast food, a couple grocery stores and I think there were a couple sit down restaurants.

 

[twokids0204]

My only concern is that Wednesday is our last day in TO and I'm not sure that my daughters will be able to wait that long to get their roller coaster fix !!!

We plan on getting the Toronto City Pass which will give us access to the CN Tower, ROM, Toronto Zoo, Casa Loma, and the Ontario Science Centre. We've already got tickets to a Blue Jays game and to the One Direction concert. Plus I am going to buy the three day City Sightseeing bus tour and Harbour Cruise. It's going to be a busy week before we head off for 4 days in Niagara Falls where I plan on getting the Clifton Hill pass in addition to Marineland, the Greg Frewin Magic Show, and of course the Falls themselves.

It's going to be a very busy 12 day trip! I'm tired just thinking about it....

There's been a lot of good suggestions in this thread...

I just thought I'd add, that the Toronto Citypass, while a great deal for the $$$, all the attractions are quite a distance from each other. Toronto is a very spread out city.

I would try to do the Toronto Zoo and Science Centre in the same day, from where you are staying you will pass the Science Centre on the way to the zoo when heading up the DVP to the 401.
Although the Toronto Zoo is HUGE, if you are there when it opens, you can be done seeing most of it by 2:00 or 3:00.
The Science Centre you can probably do the whole thing in about 2 or 3 hours.

I wouldn't do CW and the Jays game on the same day, although google maps said it is 35 minutes, I can't believe anyone can make it there in that time. Leave yourself minimum one hour.

As for CW, get there early, avoid the weekend. And maybe pick 3 or 4 must dos, and everything else is just bonus.
Leviathan is a world class roller coaster. The line is usually huge, but does seem to move quick.

As dumb is it sounds, the best day to do wonderland is on a weekday when it rains early on. It seems to keep the people out, and if the afternoon is sunny you can usually get on everything with very little wait. But try to plan that....

There are TONS of dining options right across the road, at either Vaughan Mills Mall, or even on Jane Street. In fact you can walk across the parking lot and cross at Jane, and find a lot of fast food options. I recommend LICKS Hamburgers...

Good Luck...

 

[anorman]

I would look at doing more things downtown, love the zoo (pass there too, get there for RD and go right to the Pandas then everything is golden) CN tower, and don't forget the new Aquarium. You can head down to the Distillery District for a half day and great food.The harbor tours are relaxing but not my thing.
Have a great time and welcome.

I am so looking forward to our trip. It's only two weeks away now. Thanks for the advice!

We have season passes every year for Canada's Wonderland. I would NEVER go to Wonderland in July or August. Wait times are ridiculous at Wonderland especially for the awesome coasters like Leviathan and Behemoth (both must dos).

Do you think it matters what day we go if we have the Fast Lane Passes? Can we go on the weekend and still have the short lines with these? I've decided to spring for the extra $$$ to make sure we have a good day and get everything done that we want to.

- If you are only doing one day at WL the FastLane may be a good idea no matter what - you will spend A LOT of time in line otherwise with no times posted but it is amazingly expensive!

Guardian of the Mountain - As I mentioned Behemoth & Leviathon are must do for thrill seekers but I didn't like Guardian. Unless you are gaming fans I would skip it unless you do it first or there is no line or you do the FastLane option.

- If you don't want to do SplashWorks at WL there are a few water rides that can get SOAKED on - Riptide (huge tumble ride) will soak you down to your shoes if they are doing it with water, Timberwolf Falls (log ride) gets you really wet no matter where you sit b/c of the splash and the bridge - like front of Splash Mountain wet & White Water Canyon is like Kali River Rapids - you may get wet, soaked or come out dry depending on where you sit! LOL

They are relaxed on the no outside food depending on how busy the gate is and if you have kids...when they are busy they let people bring food in to clear the lines and get people in the park. People with kids seem to be able to smuggle in LOTS of food

For your whole trip:
- Transportation - the bus tour may be fun and informative but the TTC is a good deal and faster too and yes - mostly air conditioned
- it will be Caribanna so it the downtown will be crowded no matter what that weekend but avoid the lakefront (Sat) & the Island (Sun) if you want to stay out of the crowds
- Skip Case Loma
- The Science Centre is in the north east part of the city so allow for an hour or so travel time but is educational and fun for all age groups

PS have fun at the Jays game!

I think we will do the bus tour just because we did them in NYC last year and it really added to the experience. We will likely use the TTC for further out attractions like CW and TZoo.

Regards to bringing food into CW.....we actually HAVE to since my 11 yo DD is a type 1 diabetic. We always have snacks on hand for those lows.

I just discovered this thread today!

We like to tour Wonderland "Disney Style" and have a bit of a plan before we get there. My boys are hard-core roller coaster/thrill riders. Here is what we did last time and it worked out really well (we didn't do the Guardian, though):

1. Arrive 30 min early, go through security, and belly up to the internal RD before it opens
2. Head to the RIGHT side of the park and ride Leviathan
3. Ride Drop Zone (slow loader)
4. Ride the BAT (slow loader)
5. Head to the LEFT side of the park and ride the Behemouth
6. Ride Psychone
7. Ride Sledge Hammer
8. Ride Minebuster

Once these are done, lines will start to build, but you will have done most of the headliners anyway. Ride Skyrider, the Fly, Dragon Fire, Wild Beast, Bumper Cars (Krakenwagen) -- the older coasters and rides. There will be lines, but nothing like the most popular rides.

The wet rides (Gangplank Falls, Whitewater Canyon) are a lot of fun but will get you SOAKED. Do these last - and be sure you have a change of clothes in the car.

My boys (both 10) really like the Science Centre, Zoo and Blue Jays games. They **LOVE** Wonderland. It's crowded, miserable, hot, overpriced ... but it's their favorite place on earth I hope your family has a wonderful time in Toronto and that 1D concert sounds fantastic!

I'm sure my DDs will love the concert and I will love the baseball game! I have told my DH that he has to sit between me and them at the game just so I don't have to listen to them whine.

Regards to CW we are going to get the Fast Lane passes just to ensure we have a good day!

Your coaster fans will love Behemoth and Leviathan, and Stunt Coaster is great too! The funnel cake is for sure the best thing you can eat here, so if you have other options for lunch/dinner, explore them!

For the zoo, definitely bring your Disney shoes! This place is sprawling like nowhere else. There's a tram there, but I think it may be at an extra cost. So much to see though!

The ROM is amazing. The ROM will have something for everyone. I haven't been to the new aquarium yet, but for what it's worth, virtually everyone I know who has been loved it and thought it was well worth the cost.

Have an awesome time in Toronto and Niagara!

Thanks. We will definitely check out the funnel cake!

There's been a lot of good suggestions in this thread...

I just thought I'd add, that the Toronto Citypass, while a great deal for the $$$, all the attractions are quite a distance from each other. Toronto is a very spread out city.

I would try to do the Toronto Zoo and Science Centre in the same day, from where you are staying you will pass the Science Centre on the way to the zoo when heading up the DVP to the 401.

I wouldn't do CW and the Jays game on the same day, although google maps said it is 35 minutes, I can't believe anyone can make it there in that time. Leave yourself minimum one hour.

As for CW, get there early, avoid the weekend. And maybe pick 3 or 4 must dos, and everything else is just bonus.

Good Luck...

Do you think you can do CW on Friday or the weekend if we get the Fastlane Passes?

We are going to use public transit to get around for the most part instead of renting a car in the city. I can't believe the prices of car rental in Canada! We go to the US and rent a car for $300 for 14 days.....12 days in TO is running us $750 at the cheapest! I have a rental booked for 5 days to NF and is $250 so I think that is the one we will go with.

Thanks everyone for all the great advice!