Year Two Day Forty Seven - Canada's Wonderland

Dear all, 

Today we all went to CANADA'S WONDERLAND!! http://www.canadaswonderland.com/

To describe me as excited about this event would be a MAJOR understatement. I LOVE roller coasters and/or any kind of thrill seeking activity - the scarier the better and I knew I would be in my element at Wonderland. 

Despite getting to the park before the gates officially opened at 10am there were HOARDS of people queuing up and waiting to get into the car park, into the park. 

 Despite early warnings of showers and even a thunder storm, the weather was fantastic! On Jim's request, we all headed straight for the 'Behemoth', Wonderland's iconic coaster that graces Toronto's skyline with it's impressive arches.

 We weren't sure whether Bella would be able to squeeze through ( they are really strict these days...) and sadly she didn't quite make it on the height station. Deidre, Vince and Bella went off in search of roller coasters that she would be able to jump on and luckily, it is very well sign posted with height restrictions documented on all the maps and rides.

So, Darren and I went on with Deneen, Jim, Nicole, Jorden and Ryan while Jo while Joyce looked on. 

 We only had to wait 20 minutes or so as we were there so early and before we knew it, we were in a cart, creeping up the (very) steep track of the Behemoth awaiting with nervous trepidation and (me) extreme excitement as to what was going to happen next...

I tell you, this ride is EPIC! I am ( and explained this to Darren while we were 300ft in the air about to embark on our first and critical descent) that I am a screamer when it comes to roller coasters and MY GOD, this one was intense!!!!!!! The drop was unbelievable, we were going so fast, I thought we would be catapulted over to Georgian Bay, it was amazing!!!!

After this amazing start to the day, we set off keen to go on every single ride available (** there are 60 major rides and over 200 attractions at Canada's Wonderland.....) 

Next stop was the Mine Buster.. one of the originals and (to the delight of Darren who couldn't help but comment on the 'rusty bolts' and 'rotten wood' when half way up the steep climb) even Bella could go on this one and I think was was pretty surprised as how fast it went, it was a big one! 

After this, everyone started to dissipate as people wanted to go on different rides. We were also waiting to Vince, Kerry and the kids to arrive as they were still battling with the other million cars who were trying to get through the parking lot. Darren, I, Nicole, Jordan, Jim and Ryan went on the majestic 'Wind Rider' (the highest point in the park and carousel that spins 150m above the ground.. I loved it!) and Deneen and I went on the 'Standing Up' Coaster [can't remember the name] which was pretty racy... looping the loop on ones feet is quite an experience... ! The Vortex was next on the list, a BRILLIANT coaster in floating cars that everyone loved. D, I, Jorden and Nicole then went on the terrifying 'Shock Wave', rated 5 for extreme danger/ thrill and was hilarious... not good for anyone with a sensitive stomach. 

After an ice cream, we managed to hook up with Vince and Kerry and the kids. Deidre and Deneen and the gang went off to the water park but we thought we would just go on 'one' more ride before we hit the flumes... 

10 rides later ( The Bat, Thunder Mountain, The Fly, The Wild Beast, The Dragon Fire and The Rip Tide) we thought we had better find everyone else and cool down in the [huge] water park. 

Here are Vince, Ben Olivia and Darren on 'The Fly' - Kerry and I had already gone around and were able to snap some pics from the lower track! 

And here is the Ominous 'Bat' - like the UK version, The Thunder Looper, it was probably our longest line up of the day at around 40 minutes. Me, D, Vince and Ben hit the Bat and Ben still professes that it is his favorite ( i.e. It's Sick!)

Another line up but it's always worth it.... and the prize for 'Coolest and most brave person at Wonderland' most certainly goes to Ben!

We spent ages trying to persuade lovely Livvy to go on 'The Wild Beast' another 'wooden' classic and relic from the coaster boom of the 80's... Kerry and I went around first ( and conformed some might describe this ride as 'horrific') only to see Livvy, Ben, Vince and Darren already climbing up the steep slope strapped very securely into their cars. 'Uh Oh' said Kerry, 'well she's on it now!'

Livvy was an amazingly brave girl, survived the Beast and went straight onto the Dragon Fire ( 2 loops and a double helix) which she loved so much she, Kerry and Ben turned around immediately and went on it again! 

More Wonderland Fun.....

The number of the day!!!! Yep, we loved those 5's!!!

We managed to find Vince, Ryan and Jim in front of the Wonderland Theatre but missed the girls as we wanted to grab our swim suits before we made our way to The Water Park.

Kerry and I with the kids managed to catch the pro diving display off Thunder Mountain while we grabbed a quick snack and the boys fetched the swim wear.. 

It was all so impressive - the rides, the activities, the park itself. Even while we were watching the diving we had two attendants literally 'brushing up the popcorn' as it fell on the ground. Quite an unusual sight but certainly very admirable and amusing for Kerry and I!

As soon as we had found the boys, we made our way to the water park where we realized, with alarm, that we only had 10 minutes before it closed at 7pm! We flew through the changing rooms and managed to grab a tube and whip around several of the fabulous flumes before the life guards told us to move along... As we were now rather wet, we thought what better opportunity than to sample the water rapids and the log flume in the jungle zone. Both rides were fabulous - guess who got the most drenched on the white water rafting? Oh yes, I got drenched, much to the delight of all, especially Ben. The log fume was possibly the best I have ever been on ( and this time we were wise to strip down to our swimmers again.... poor people that didn't, it was a full drenching!) and Ben, Livvy and I managed to run around and go again! The splash zone for this ride is literally amazing.... ( I'll leave you to imagine what happens in this zone). 

It was now getting dark and Deidre and co had already left to get dinner but we decided to try and catch a couple more rides so plumped for the 'Stunt Coaster' a very 'innocent' looking ride which was actually extreme, rated 5+ and had us all ( but most of all Ben) whopping for joy! And there were still SO many rides for us to try ( including the bungee swing!!!!!!) It was AMAZING! Wonderland is A W E S O M E! 

It was such a brilliant, brilliant day and amazing to see everyone. I wish we could have had the whole week. I was sad to see everyone go afterwards but adamant that we should organize something similar very very soon! I love family summer fun!!!!!!!