In the Spotlight: Canada's Wonderland

It’s really no wonder that Canada’s Wonderland is one of the country’s premier amusement parks.

The place has 17 bona fide roller coasters—third-most in the world—and more than 200 attractions, 70 rides and a 20-acre water park. Located in Vaughan, conveniently close to Toronto, this thrilling amusement park is the perfect place to spend a hot summer day or a relaxing fall afternoon. 

With mind-boggling coasters, joyful rides for kids and tons of games to play, there’s fun for the whole family at Canada’s Wonderland. The attached waterpark is perfect for toasty afternoons and it’s an attraction in its own right. But it’s after dark that Wonderland really shines, with fireworks displays lighting up over Wonder Mountain.

Places to eat in Canada’s Wonderland

Whether you crave a classic amusement park hot dog or a slew of sweets, there is no shortage of food at Canada’s Wonderland. Visitors can purchase dining plans with tickets to save some cash.

Apres Poutinerie

It’s simply classic Canadian poutine, dressed to the nines with delicious gravy and some Quebec cheese curds. You can also quench your thirst with a soda or bottle of ice-cold water here.

Coasters

This 50s-themed diner is a great place to stop on a hot summer day, as the restaurant is air-conditioned with plenty of seating. Also, the fries and burgers are to die for!

Hot Dog

Now with vegetarian hot dogs to satisfy every park-goer, this simple hot dog stand is exactly what it promises. Don’t forget to load up on toppings!

Sugar and Spice Pastry Shop

From waffles and ice cream to cheesecake dipped in chocolate, your sweet tooth will be well satisfied after a trip to the Sugar and Spice Pastry Shop.

Things to do at Canada’s Wonderland

Before you set foot in the park, you can take a virtual tour of this vast entertainment wonderland. Take a seat on the tallest, scariest roller coaster at Canada’s Wonderland with an ultra-realistic video of their newest and wildest coaster, the Yukon Striker. Adjust to full-screen, press play and get ready for some screaming.

Only Canada’s premier amusement park has Yukon Striker, the fastest, longest and tallest dive roller coaster in the world. Thrill-seekers can experience a journey high above the theme park’s skyline, pausing at a 90-degree drop, staring 245 ft down into an underwater tunnel, then plunging down at the speed of 130 km/h. The newest ride to the park is indeed exhilarating.

In the summer months, beat the heat with Splash Works, a 20-acre water park featuring the Plunge, Super Soaker, Rip Tide Racer and lazy river. The water park also has enough rides to leave you and your family cooled off and ready to head back to the main section of the park to dry off.

In addition to the brand new Yukon Striker, there are tons of world-class roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland. With the Fast Lane wristband, enjoy unlimited rides and bypass the lines on 21 rides and attractions. Fast Lane Plus lets you bypass the lines on three of the most popular roller coasters: Yukon Striker, Leviathan and Behemoth.

More cutting-edge attractions include the Mountain Bay Cliffs, where kids can climb to various heights to jump into the water below. At Beagle Brigade Airfield, the young ones will love the ride that takes them into the sky in an old-fashioned aeroplane.

Kids of all ages can have fun with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts Gang in Planet Snoopy. They can also take part in a leisurely boat ride at Swan Lake or take a spin on the Character Carousel. 

Take part in interactive rides such as Skyhawk, where riders can test their flying abilities as they take command of the cockpit and control the movement of the wings and Flying Canoes where riders control the two-person canoes to fly higher or lower over the water.

Cool off at Timberwolf Falls, a water ride where you’ll plunge 50 ft down and get absolutely soaked from the giant splash. If you’re not big on coasters, you can still get soaked on the observation deck right by the flume.

A day at the theme park can work up an appetite. The food at Canada’s Wonderland will help satisfy your taste buds and provide more energy for you to hit up the rest of the rides. Funnel cakes are a theme park must!

The fun and thrills at Canada’s Wonderland don’t end with the rides. The live entertainment is amazing too, with acts such as the Victoria Falls High Divers, who leap off the falls on Wonder Mountain, and Starlight Spectacular, a phenomenal evening display of lighting, music, lasers and water effects.

There are also several different events all season long with special programming on Canada Day and Labour Day long weekends. Don’t miss out!

Fun facts about Canada’s Wonderland

• Yukon Striker is the world’s fastest, longest and tallest dive coaster
• Canada’s Wonderland is home to 17 coasters, ranking third in the world for most roller coasters at an amusement park
• The cold water from Wonder Mountain serves as the park’s air conditioning, flowing through pipes that travel throughout the park
• Canada’s Wonderland sends absolutely zero waste to landfills, instead using recycling, compost and outsourced thermal treatment facilities
• The fireworks displays at Canada’s Wonderland exceed 6,000 explosions, with some of them reaching as high as 183 m
• Canada’s Wonderland opened in 1981 with just five roller coasters

How to get to Canada’s Wonderland

By car: Take Highway 400 North or South to Rutherford Road in Vaughan (Exit 33). Proceed north on Canada’s Wonderland Drive and follow signs to the Park entrance. A Passenger Pick-Up and Drop-Off area is located on Jane Street, south of Major Mackenzie Drive, between Norwood Avenue and Avro Avenue.

By TTC: Take the subway to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Station located at Highway 7 and Millway Avenue. Hop on the 20 Jane St. North bus. Exit at Avro Road/Jane Street.

By YRT: At Vaughan Mills YRT Terminal there are four routes you can take:

Via Route 4: Major Mackenzie between Vaughan Mills and Woodbine Avenue.

Via Route 4A: Major Mackenzie branch offers service between Pine Valley and Woodbine. Passengers may walk into the Park from the bus stops located on Major Mackenzie at Jane Street.

Via Route 20: Jane travels between York University and Teston Road.

Via Route 760: The frequency and span of service vary depending on the date of service.