Way off topic ~ sort of, kinda ~ Wonderland Ques?

[SandraC]

Hi, I know this is WAY off topic, but it's still THEME PARK related ~

I really had my heart set on going to Canada's Wonderland this Sunday (we'll be going to a funeral on Saturday, the kids first one ~ and we've been back from WDW for almost a week so I'd think Wonderland might serve as a fast fix and PICK ME UP).

However, I just learned that Sunday is Wonderlands FIRST day opened! YIKES! So I'm thinking it'll be a ZOO! We are buying seasons tickets in person too ~ AM I NUTS! Please help me decided to do Wonderland now or wait a week or two?

THANKS!

 

[my3princesses]

Oh my, please wait!! Our friend is the grounds supervisor and he says the first day is nuts (especially if the weather is nice - which is it suppose to be Sunday). It would be like WDW on a bad day in July!! Opt for a movie and dinner instead for the pick me up - Spy kids is great!

 

[SandraC]

THANKS! I think I will wait until next week Sunday (Mother's Day). We've done lots of FAMILY stuff on Mother's Day and things are usually pretty empty (Ontario Science Centre, Zoo etc.,.). I wonder why? I guess we moms like to be pampered on Mother's Day and not walking around a kids attraction LOL! I just did some gardening ~ felt great ~ reminded me of all the lovely flowers we saw last week during the Epcot Flower Show!

 

[MikeJ]

For anyone who's interested, you can access the calendar for Canada's Wonderland on their web site.

My son's soccer coach just returned from a week in central Florida (they did USF and IoA exclusively) and we were commenting last week that one of the big differences between the Florida parks and Wonderland is that most of the queues for attractions at Wonderland are outdoors, no sun protection, standing on concrete. We haven't been to Wonderland in a couple of years, maybe it's time to head up for a day.

- Mike

 

[SandraC]

I wish I was in the marketing dept. of Canada's Wonderland because I would PUSH to be more DISNEY-LIKE if I were Wonderland. They certainly have the property for DISNEY-LIKE and frankly I think the THRILL RIDES at Wonderland are better (sorry) than Disney. When you walk into Wonderland they have music and their main street, I think, is called INTERNATIONAL DRIVE. They are doing some Disney things, but it seems smaller than Disney. Wonderland's music isn't as good or as loud. The main street could really use a DISNEY tone, in a Paramount way. I think Wonderland should send a crew to Florida and check out how to REALLY run a theme park. I am getting Wonderland season passes for daughter and myself only as a DISNEY BANDAID, we miss it so much!

 

[SandraC]

We went to Wonderland yesterday for Mother's Day ~ IT WAS DEAD! dd ended up on 22 rides! dh and I did a ton too! We got season's passes yesterday, I'll bet we go 10 times this summer!

I found that Wonderland is starting to get that Disney feel (not really) but it eas better than last year.

I think their target is the 12- 30 year olds that would go anyway so why bother making in better. They should really improve on the PARAMOUNT side of Wonderland.

It's no WDW ~ but it's my next best thing!

 

[SandraC]

It's not even June yet and we've been to Wonderland three times already!

We seem to compare all the Wonderland rides to the WDW rides. It's a fun way of keeping last month's WDW trip ALIVE.

I'm starting to save my pennies for next year!

 

[Toni]

Hey Sandra C - I was directed to this forum form the community board. I'm looking for info - detailed info - on Canada's Wonderland. So I read this thread and see that you've been there 3x already. I'm hoping you get help with my trip planning.

Here's the deal - DH says we can't go to WDW because 3 trips in 15 months is borderline addiction. So we're heading north from Boston to Toronto (actually its west but when you say Canada you just have to think "north"). We're going to a Red Sox game (I think they're playing the Blue Jays), the zoo, the Toronto islands, ROM and Wonderland. I've been on the Wonderland website but its seems lacking down and dirty detail (see what DIS does to you).

So can you tell what characters are at Wonderland, what rides are good for brave 5 and 8 yr olds (both love TOT)? Is the water park sanitary? (we've never been to a water park) I remember Wonderland from 15 years ago and it was clean and fun. Is it still the same? Whatever detail you or anyone else would like to provide would be appreciated? Thanks in advance.

 

[SandraC]

Hi Toni, thanks for writing. I'd love to help you with Wonderland! I love it there. As far as thrill rides go, I'd have to say that I think Wonderland blows the doors off of WDW. (sorry DISer's ~ I love WDW, but the rides are better at Wonderland).

I don't get that DISNEY MAGIC feeling at Wonderland.

The Wonderland website sucks. So I am happy to help.

There are numberous roller coasters that you and your kids will like.

There are height restrictions on most. Basically, your 5 yo might be too small for the upside-down rides. My 7 yo dd is alomost 52 inches and gets on everything except 3 thrill rides where you might be at least 54 inches.

If your kids like ToT, they will love DROP ZONE. It's a ride that you sit on and the chairs are attached to a pole and then the chairs are zoomed up the pole and DROPPED like ToT.

Here is a list of rollercoasters and a brief decription. I'll type a number in (brackets) () to indicate the minimum height.


Wild Beast (48) wooden old fashion roller coaster.

Dragon Fire (48) one of our favs, 2 double loops and a giant drop.

The Bat (48) very steep forward THEN backwards roller coaster.

VORTEX (48) probably my fav roller coaster, it's suspended from the track (above). VERY FAST, up to 90 kph.

Thunder Run (44) a train that goes into the mountain and goes in two circles. The ride goes around twice. It's the closest ride to Space Mountain in the park.

The Fly (44) I hate this one. It's a "tweeny" type roller coaster. Not that bad, but it does that S-curve thing that makes me think I'm going to die.

Sky Rider (?) Stand-up, looping roller coaster.

TOP GUN (54) Never been on it, but I am DYING TO TRY IT! It is a FAST suspending, looping roller coaster.

Mighty Canadian Mindbuster (48) a bigger WILD BEAST, wooden roller coaster. A thrilling blast from the past.

Ghoster Coaster (40) a great roller coaster for first-timers. It's a BIG kiddie coaster. I love it!

Taxi Jam (?) my baby rides it with me. One of those very little kiddie coasters.

Silver Streak (44) NEW! Suspended "tweeny" coaster. I like this NEW one a lot!

There are lots more thrill rides. I just touched on the coasters, cause there are sooooo many great ones! They have EVERY ride you can think of!

The water park is very nice. One could do one whole day just there! I don't love water parks (but I REALLY liked TL).

Things a like:
Funnel Cakes
The walking around
Old Fashion Carousel (like Cinderellas)

Things I don't like:
No great restaurants (they really need a nice sit down)
Hours: open at 10am, I like to get going early!
We know where we are going, but I don't think the highway is marked well. Once you get on the 400, exit Rutherford and stay in the centre. You'll go straight to the parking lot. I bought a parking pass for $27.00 (tax included) I think one day parking is $7.00.

I can help you with your other attractions too. We are zoo members and go there often too!

 

[Toni]

Sandra C - thanks so much for the info. This is great. Any info on characters? We've got directions, prices for tickets. Any idea if a weekday during the week of June 30 thrugh July 6 will be busy there? That week is a big vacation week here in the US because of the Independence Day holiday. I know Canada Day is July 1, so we'll avoid the park that day but any recommendations for the rest of the week. Any discount promotions we should be aware of?

Also - I vaguely remember a monorail at the zoo. Is this right? I don't see any mention of it in my guidebooks or on the web.

Any recommendations for restaurants would be helpful too. Again thank you. I knew a fellow DISer would come through.

 

[SandraC]

Hi Toni,

You are right to stay away from Wonderland July 1 and even July 2. Since most folks will likely get Monday, July 2 off work too. That's the first week our school's are on summer break too.

I would try to arrive at 9:45 am. The park is open, but the rides won't start until 10 am. You will get PRIME parking at 9:45 am too! We live west of Toronto, it takes about 35 minutes for us to drive to Wonderland. Where are you staying, I might be able to help figure out what time you should leave your accommodations.

As far as characters go; you'll find MANY MANY characters in the HANNA BARBARA section of the park. The characters are from cartoon from when I was a kid, Flintstone characters, Scooby-Doo characters, Jetsons, Caveman, Jabber Jaw, Yogi Bear, Boo-boo Bear, Cindy Bear, Snaggle Puss etc.,. They aren't the greatest characters if you compare them to Disney. But my 16 month old son LOVES them all! Even my 7 yo dd thinks it's pretty cool. There always seems to be several characters in Hanna Barbara Land. OH YEAH, there is a SCOOBY DOO ride that is sorta similar the the BUZZ LIGHTYEAR ride at MK.

There are really no great restaurants at all in Wonderland. A few counter restaurants with hot dogs, subs, pizza etc.,. There is one restaurant called Mrs. Vanelli's, it's located on INTERNATIONAL DRIVE (like Main Street USA) I always though it was an Italian restaurant, but I stopped by last week and it looks like fast food Italian. I thought you could sit down and eat on the second floor, but I could not see how to get up there. Now there might be a way ~ I was in a hurry, started to rain. If we go tomorrow, I'll look again for you and report back. The entrees are very reasonable, under $7.00 Canadian (that's about $4.50 US). Whatever Canadian prices you come across, divide them by around 1.54 to get the US money).

THE ZOO: The monorail has been closed for about 3 or 4 years. There was an accident where one train backed into another. NO ONE WAS HURT, thank God! But they never re-opened it. Funny, we were at the zoo the day of the accident and I asked dh if he wanted to go on the monorail, he said NO, good thing, because we would have BEEN IN THE ACCIDENT!

I love the zoo. It opens around 9 am. They built a new section about 2 years ago and it's great! It AFRICA! I find the zoo very interactive. Because there are so many pavillions, even if it rains, it's a great place to be! The GORILLA RAINFOREST just opened a month ago! Say hi to CHARLES ~ he's the oldest and most wonderful gorilla in the WORLD! LOTS of walking at the Metro Toronto Zoo! Only a couple restaurants, hurgers, subs, pizza stuff. BUT, near the entrance there is a coffee shop that has yummy coffee and a few pastries. We like grabbing a coffee and walking around on cold winter days. It's great in the winter when the animals aren't too hot the roam around. There is even CAMPING at the zoo, but it's almost impossible to book. AND VERY $$$$$$$. You can take a camel ride and pony rides too! There are two playground to the right of the entrance. Hardly anyone knows about them. It's a nice place to sit and relax while the kids jump around the playground.

Are you staying right in Toronto, I think you said you are staying in the west end? Do you like buffet? There are two nice buffets in Mississauga (west of Toronto). One is TUCKERS MARKETPLACE, about $14.00 weekday nights per adult and $16.00 on weekdays (Canadian funds.) The other is called TOWN AND COUNTRY, same price, both have WONDERLAND food. Very hardy, healthy and YUMMY! Kids are about half the price of adults. There is also a CHUCK E. CHEESE on Dixie Road in Mississauga, pizza, subs, salad bar ~ free admission. I'll let you know more restaurants once I know the area you are staying. OH YEAH, there is a RAIN FOREST CAFE in north Toronto. We had a DIS meeting there in April. We are having a DIS meeting at the RAIN FOREST CAFE in Niagara Falls at the end of July! Are you going to Niagara Falls. I can give you lots of info about the FALLS too! We love it there. Stayed in many hotels and know all the resturants too!

Do you like the outdoors? We have FABULOUS nature things to do here too!

I think you mentioned Toronto Island ~ great choice! Nice little amusement park for small kids and a petting zoo. Lake Ontario is cold and dirty ~ I wouldn't swim in it.

Funny, just this morning, I was having coffee with a friend and we were talking about our trips to Boston and Cape Cod! Chat soon! Sandra

 

[Toni]

Sandra - we are staying downtown at the Delta Chelsea Inn. We'll stop at Niagara on the way up. Take the Maid of the MIst and all that. Then its the Red Sox on Monday, zoo on Tuesday, Wonderland on Wed, islands on Thursday, ROM on Fri and home on Sat. I lived in Mississuaga for 2 years so I have a fairly good idea where I'm going. Just couldn't get a feel for Wonderland from the website. Thanks again very much for all the details. Its been very generous of you. If I can ever help with trip planning to the Cape or Boston let me know. I lurk on the community board for the most part.

 

[Taryn]

Hi Tony,

I'm glad you made it over here! I just knew Sandra could help you!

Hi Sandra!*waves*

Also Tony, I have a whole ton of coupons you could have if you want. I can't use them this year. E-mail me if you want them, the address is in my profile.

-Two for One Blue Jays admission on Game day Only
-Two for one admission to the ROM
-Two for one all day ride pass at Centreville at the Toronto Islands
-Six Dollars each off Wonderland admission for up to four people

 

[Toni]

Hi Taryn - thanks for the offer. Very generous of you. Can't access your email address but that's ok. Are there any publications that you received the coupons from that I could pick up once I'm in Ontario. Some parks work a promotion with Coke and the coupons for reduced admission are on a Coke can. Is this available?

Also does anyone know how much it costs to rent bike at the Toronto Islands? Can't find any info on the web. Just need a rough idea.

Thanks again.