Canada's Wonderland- May 15th, 2017

May 15th marked my third visit of the season to Canada's Wonderland. My brother Scott and our Mom had tagged along for the visit. It was a beautiful day as the weather was warm and sunny with hardly a cloud in the sky. As usual, we arrived at the park before opening time and rode everything we wanted to multiple times during our visit as the crowds were light as there were mostly school kids there on field trips. I had also experienced the all-new for 2017 Soaring Timbers three times during my visit. Be sure to check out photos of it below and a video of it in operation! Now, let's get on with those photos!

We arrived at Canada's Wonderland shortly before 9:30am and entered the park around 9:40am. Here is a beautiful Spring morning view of the Royal Fountains and Wonder Mountain.

While  we were waiting for the rides opening at 10am, we happened to notice to geese atop Wonder Mountain close to where the Victoria Falls High Divers dive. Here is one of the geese standing tall in the morning sun.

Here is Thunder Run completing a test run just minutes before opening for the day.

After riding many rides during our first hour and a half of of visit, we decided to head over to Action Zone and get a bite to eat. On our way over from Medieval Faire, I had captured this view of the Royal Fountains in mid rise.

A nice painted mural was put up above the Pizza Pizza location on International Street.

After eating lunch at the Chicken Shack, I decided to get my first of many photos of the pink blossoms which can be found around Canada's Wonderland in the Springtime.

Here is a train of passengers descending down the first hill on Behemoth.

Here is the great jumping machine, SledgeHammer in mid-jump!

Here is a view of Muskoka Plunge under construction. Since our last visit they have added a roof and many more slide pieces.

Here is a closer view of Muskoka Plunge under construction in Splash Works. Muskoka Plunge is a drop floor body slide manufactured by Splashtacular which operates out of the state of Kansas. Muskoka Plunge had replaced Body Blast, which had operated from 1992 until 2016.

While walking alongside Splash Works (which opens for the season on May 27th), I managed to capture this photo of one of Vortex's trains swooping over the water below! 

In White Water Canyon, we spotted some beautiful creeping myrtle sprawling alongside the path nearby TimberWolf Falls. 

Here are some afternoon exposure photos of the all-new for 2017 Soaring Timbers. Here is waiting for another load of passengers to board.

Here is a group of passengers getting restrained (and tightly squeezed!) on Soaring Timbers. Interestingly enough, Soaring Timbers was manufactured in 1995 by Mondial and is an Inferno ride model, which is a predecessor of the Top Scan (Shockwave). Prior to arriving at Canada's Wonderland, it had operated on the European fair circuit as 'Nightfly'. Cedar Fair (Canada's Wonderland's current owner) had acquired the Nightfly during a 2015 European ride search for classic amusement rides. Prior to arriving at Canada's Wonderland, it received a complete refurbishment in order to successfully operate for many years to come.

They're ready for take off! Below is a video I had captured of Soaring Timbers in operation.

Soaring Timbers definitely does have some amazing landscaping! Now, I will give my opinion of Soaring Timbers since I had rode it three times so far. During my first ride, my brother Scott and I had sat in the last row of the far gondola. Nearing the end of the ride, the gondola had dived towards the ground, giving the ultimate experience. During my second and third rides of the day, the gondolas had just turned and swayed throughout the ride, not going upside down. Soaring Timbers is a fun ride but, not intense as I had hoped.

Here is a beautiful shot of Vortex looking through a branch of pink blossoms.

Here are some more beautiful pink blossoms against the blue sky near the entrance to Planet Snoopy.

For all the White Water Canyon and TimberWolf Falls fans out there, both attraction open for another season on May 19th!

Here is another close-up shot of Muskoka Plunge under construction. They are definitely working hard in order to get it completed as Splash Works opens for the season on May 27th.

Here is Orbiter tilting high into the clear blue sky on this beautiful Spring day.

Here are some passengers catching the amazing amounts of airtime on Behemoth!

Here are some passengers enjoying the airtime on the wonderful Mighty Canadian Minebuster! I had my hands up during my morning ride on it as well, just like any coaster I ride that has airtime!

The carp were greatly enjoying a leisurely swim along the stream nearby Mighty Canadian Minebuster in Action Zone.

After taking a spin on Antique Carouse with my mom, I decided to capture this stunning photo of the Antique Carousel and these beautiful pink blossoms.

Here is Psyclone swinging higher and higher into the bright blue sky!

Okay, so anyone who truly knows me will know about the hate for Wild Beast I've had since my first and only ride back in August of 2010. I've avoided it during every visit ever since. It was rough, horrible, and completely painful. Since then I've been riding Mighty Canadian Minebuster, Ghoster Coaster, and other wooden roller coasters at other amusement parks I have visited. Well, this visit changed my opinion of Wild Beast. Before we get into details of  my new opinion for Wild Beast, let's go into a little bit of detail in regards of the work that has been done to Wild Beast over the past couple of years. During the 2014/2015 off-season, Wild Beast's first drop was retracked. During the 2015/2016 off-season,  a huge section of Wild Beast's track was retracked. I watch and listened for reviews to see how smooth and rideable it was during the 2016 season. After some good reviews, I decided it was time to re-ride the Wild Beast after six years and nine months since my last ride. I found it to be actually fun and enjoyable as it provided a relatively smooth experience. It was not the same Wild Beast I had experienced nearly seven years ago. I was completely amazed by the re-tracking so much so that I rode it three times in the second car of the purple train during my visit. During my second ride on Wild Beast of the day, Scott decided to ride to see what I was talking about. He also agreed that it was much smoother and enjoyable than what we had experienced six years and nine months ago! I am glad to see that the park had greatly improved Wild Beast and continue to do so as the years progress.

After my third and final ride on Wild Beast for the day, we had noticed this ground hog seeking refuge under the bridge that connects Medieval Faire to International Festival. At this time, he was looking at the children who had stopped to see what he was doing.

For Canada's 150th anniversary, Canada's Wonderland will be holding a Canada 150 event show throughout the month of July in Arthur's Baye located in Medieval Faire. They repainted the Arthur's Baye diving structure for the occasion.

After another fun and exciting day at Caanda's Wonderland we decided it was time to head home shortly after 4:20pm. Here is a photo of me, Scott, and our Mom standing in front of the Royal Fountains on International Street.

I thank you for taking the time to look at the photos and video of our third visit of the season to Canada's Wonderland! Be sure to stay tuned for more visits to Canada's Wonderland!

Canada's Wonderland- May 5th, 2017

We made our second trip to Canada's Wonderland on this cool rainy day! But, that didn't scare us away or dampen our day as we were well prepared. We managed to get on many rides, including the most intense rides that Canada's Wonderland has to offer! Going on a rainy day definitely creates for an interesting time! Take a look at the photos below of the great time we had!

We arrived at the park on this drizzly morning shortly before opening as usual. As you can tell, it sure was coming down! Once the rides opened at 10am, we made our way to Medieval Faire and ventured throughout the rest of the park throughout the day.

After a couple of hours of riding many rides in the rain and playing a few games in the arcade, we decided it as  time to eat. We stopped in at Coasters Diner in Action Zone. It was good food and service as usual. After eating, we began catching some rides again. Here is a view of Action Zone looking from Coasters Diner.

Here is a quick view of SWing of the Century giving some school kids a ride. The park was very empty today as it was just a few groups of school kids and us having fun in the rain!

My Mom and I decided to capture a ride on the beautiful Antique Carousel. We thought it would have been a must ride on a rainy day, but we were the only ones when this photo was taken.

Here is a lone passenger riding Backlot Stunt Coaster in the drizzle. I had taken a ride on it before I captured this photo. It was good and not as rough as usual. I guess the rain helped provide such a ride. All the coasters we rode during our visit were 'flying' due to the rain on the track!

Here is Mighty Canadian Minebuster's lift hill. Scott and and I rode it in the morning and then I rode it once again in the afternoon. It rode very well both times and the re-tracked helix definitely provides a better experience as we had discovered during Season Pass Sneak Preview Night.

After riding quite a few more rides, we decided to walk around the park a little more.

During our visit, Soaring Timbers was being extensively worked on despite the great amount of rainfall. Canada's Wonderland is working very hard to get this all-new for 2017 ride operating as soon as possible. While Scott and I were on Drop Tower earlier in the day, we saw Soaring Timbers testing. It looked awesome! I can't wait for it to open!

Here is another view of Soaring Timbers. You can see the lights that are located on each end of the gondolas. It will definitely be a sight to see at night!

Here is one of Vortex's trains speeding through the rain. Scott and I had rode it in the morning as it rained. We were getting pelted in the face as it traveled at speeds up to 90 km/h!

Here is another deserted view of the park in Action Zone, looking towards the Kingswood Music Theatre entrance.

Here are a few remaining park visitors capturing a ride on Swing of the Century. It gave a great ride as usual!  

Here is one of Flight Deck's trains completing the roll-over inversion. I had rode Flight Deck and Time Warp during my visit and found them to provide relatively tolerable ride experiences, unlike previous experiences. I guess the rain on the tracks and the cooler weather helped provide a good ride experience.

Here is one last look at the puddled International Street prior before we left for the day.

After six hours of fun in the rain, it was time to leave for the day as the park was closing at 4pm due to the inclement weather. Here is Scott, our mom, and I standing in front of the Royal Fountains just before the park closed for the day! Despite the rainy weather, we managed to have a wonderful time as you can never have a bad day at Canada's Wonderland!

I thank you for reading about our second visit of the season to Canada's Wonderland! In the near future, I will have off-ride footage and photos of Soaring Timbers in action once it does open! So, be on the lookout for them!

Season Pass Sneak Preview Night at Canada's Wonderland- April 28th, 2017

Another April has come to an end. This time of year has us finding ourselves at a place of thrill and excitement after a long winter! This place happens to be Canada's Wonderland for their Season Pass Sneak Preview Night. Below are photos of the evening as I spent it with my brother Scott and our Mom. It was a great evening and possibly the best Season Pass Sneak Preview Night I had attended. Now, enough talking and let's get on with those photos!

After six months of Winter, we finally arrived at Canada's Wonderland for Season Pass Sneak Preview Night around 5:15pm!

Here's the large Canadian flag flying high over the front entrance.

The lines have began to form for the evening as anticipation and excitement begins to rise.

Here's Leviathan testing with three dummies in the front car.

Shortly after, we were finally let in for our first visit of the season!

After capturing many rides on our favourite attractions, we decided to venture over to Planet Snoopy to meet up with Steve, a fellow amusement park enthusiast. But, on our way over, I managed to capture a few photos. Here is Shockwave in action.

Here is the all-new for 2017 Soaring Timbers. Unfortunately, it wasn't operating just yet. But, here is its sign!

Here is a view of Soaring Timbers which was still under construction. Take note of the the beautiful waterfall feature in front of the ride!

Here is the classic Klockwerks in action!

After 8 years of The Bat sporting orange supports, the supports were repainted black for the 30th anniversary of The Bat! Now it looks just like it had prior to the 2008 season and 30 years ago!

Here are a few passengers on Drop Tower waiting for the 227 foot plunge! Drop Tower is celebrating 20 years of operation this season! Scott and I rode it earlier in the evening.

Just before we met up with Steve in Planet Snoopy, we came across this goose while crossing the bridge.

Here is fellow amusement park enthusiast Steve Kuhnle posing with me for a quick photo.

After quickly meeting up with Steve, we then ventured off back to Medieval Faire to take in the sights and sounds as well as play a few games in the arcade.

Here is The Bat's train going backwards through the loop! The Bat sure was running great that evening!

Here is Riptide sending passengers head-over heels.

Here are some passengers getting airtime on Leviathan!

Leviathan's sign as seen from The Rage's queue line.

Here is the all-mighty Vortex in operation as the train goes through the over-banked turn! Scott and I greatly enjoyed our ride on Vortex earlier that evening.

Here is Skyhawk as the sun begins to set. I had managed to flip 34 times upside down during my ride on Skyhawk! I still haven't lost my touch!

Here is Scott and our Mom sitting on a bench taking a break from all the excitement.

Here is a beautiful sunset over looking Vortex!

Here is Windseeker operating 300 feet high in the sky.

Here is one of Behemoth's trains plunging down the first drop! Behemoth was great but a little rattly. But, it still provided loads of airtime!

Here is Skyhawk in a little less light. Take a look at those beautiful LED lights! Skyhawk was new for 2016.

Here is the great jumpin' machine, SledgeHammer. Scott and I captured an amazing night ride later that night!

During the last hour of operation for the night, we decided to venture around the park to see it at night. Here is Flying Eagles in Kidzville at night with its beautiful LED light display.

Here is the Character Carousel lit up in Planet Snoopy.

Here is one of the fountains lit up at night nearby the entrance to Planet Snoopy.

Here is Shockwave giving its last rides of the night!

Here is Klockwerks beautifully displayed in red in the darkness of the night!

Here is The Bat thrilling riders in the cool night air!

Here is Nightmares in its natural surroundings! It looked like one large ring!

Here is Dragon Fire awaiting for its next train of thrill seekers!

Here is the Medieval Faire Fountain eerily lit up in front of Wonderland Theatre.

International Street sure is beautiful all lit up at night!

Here is a close up of one of the trees lining International Street shining with lights at night!

Here are the Royal Fountains glowing blue!

Here is a view of the pansies in place of the floral Canadian Flag for now.

After an night of thrills and excitement we decided to head out just before closing time! Here is our Mom, Scott, and I standing in front of the Royal Fountains on International Street.

Here is one last look at the Royal Fountains for the night before we left the park.

Here is the beautiful Canada's Wonderland sign above the front entrance! It almost appears as if it is floating!

Here is Leviathan giving one of its last rides for the night as we were headed out.

Here is Behemoth glowing red up its lift hill as seen from the parking lot.

I thank you for taking a look at my visit to another great Season Pass Sneak Preview Night! I would like to greatly thank Canada's Wonderland for all the effort they put into making it such a great evening!