Johnlloyd

As for the track being spotted, the Intamin stand-up coaster that has been stored at Darien Lake since 2006 is still in the lot across the street as of June 2015. So, it's quite unlikely that there is any other track in the park's maintenance area unless new track has arrived more recently. I've never been to the park before so, I'm not too sure what's going on right now. Hopefully a new coaster does come to Darien Lake and this isn't some crazy rumour!

Yes, many people are quite surprised by that. It was the third park to be built by Taft Broadcasting as Kings Island (opened 1972) and Kings Dominion (opened 1975) came before. But also in 1975, Taft Broadcasting had acquired Carowinds making it their third park even though they hadn't built it as it had opened in 1975. After Canada's Wonderland opened in 1981, Taft Broadcasting went to Australia to open up Australia's Wonderland in late 1985. But, earlier that year, Taft Broadcasting had acquired California's Great America which had opened in 1976. Unfortunately, after Taft Broadcasting sold Australia's Wonderland in 1996 to Sunway Group (owners of Sunway Lagoon in Malaysia, they decided to close the park in April of 2004. But luckily, the Taft Broadcasting legacy still exists throughout the parks here in North America that they previously owned!

Fascinating, thankyou John Lloyd. Very interesting how the park AND the area round it has evolved in the time period. It shows Cedar Fair in a good light actually to see how much THEY have done with the park in a relatively short time period in relation to how long the park has been open. You're welcome! I enjoy sharing the history of Canada's Wonderland! I hope you'll enjoy more of what is to come as the 2016 season progresses! It's kind of hard to believe that this June marks 10 years since Cedar Fair acquired the Paramount Parks! Cedar Fair has done quite a bit in those 10 years! What I really like is how they have been adding historical features to the park over the past five years. I hope there's more of it in the future as it's a great touch!

here's another example from recently, magnum xl 200 (I think) and some boomerang clone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE-OpATkdXE I thought Canada's Wonderland has a Boomerang clone. The Bat? Yes, Canada's Wonderland does have a Vekoma Boomerang known as The Bat. But, it isn't green and purple, as it is red and orange.

Canada's Wonderland is celebrating their 35th anniversary today! Be sure to check out my post here.

I'm not too sure I would say 330 acres is small. I would consider that to be the size of a medium or large park. Anyways, that land was used for overflow parking in the 1980's when there used to be concerts held at Kingswood Music Theatre.

Canada's Wonderland did own that land but, they sold it to the city. I believe it was either for taxation or debt reasons.

The new hospital is being built across from the park on Major Mackenzie Drive.

Yes, that is an airfield. It was the Maple Airport that operated from 1955 until 1987 when it closed. You can read a little more about it here. On a side note, there was a beacon that sat atop Wonder Mountain for a few years so air planes wouldn't hit it. That beacon was removed once the airport closed. Looking at this postcard from 1981 below, you can see the red beacon shining atop Wonder Mountain to alert planes from coming too close.

As I had mentioned it in the "Say Something Random" Thread, I would like to announce it here! Visitors at Canada's Wonderland have now been feeling the grip of Vortex for 25 years now! Vortex is Canada's only Suspended Swinging coaster that was manufactured by Arrow Dynamics. Vortex opened in May of 1991 and has been thrilling riders ever since! This suspended swinging coaster features the highest drop than any other suspended swinging coaster at 85 feet. After the train climbs the lift hill, the train then descends down the 85 foot drop, and reaches speeds up to 90 km/h (56 mph) while it maneuvers 2,361 feet of track! Vortex's track design was quite popular, that Arrow Dynamics installed a clone at Canada's Wonderland's sister park, Kings Island for the 1993 season where it is known as The Bat since 2014(Previously Top Gun and Flight Deck). Vortex at Canada's Wonderland has always had the same/ similar track colour but, the train colours have changed a few times. Below are photos of Vortex's trains featuring different colour schemes that were used throughout the years. Vortex train colours from 1991-1999 (?) Photo Credit: Loopyguy Vortex train colours from 2000-2010: Photo Credit: Theme Park Insider Vortex train colours since 2011: Photo Credit: John Brooks (aka Johnlloyd) Now, since you've had a look at the different colour schemes Vortex's trains featured, why don't you have a look at the commercial that aired on TV in the GTA and surrounding area in 1991?

No problem, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I enjoy Canada's Wonderland history! Be sure to check back later for some more retro photos!

Today marks 35 years since Canada's Wonderland first opened its gates on Saturday, May 23rd, 1981. Below is the park's very first commercial that aired on TV stations across the GTA and Ontario. Although many things have changed, such as rides being removed and different owners over the years, one thing that has remained the same are visitors of all ages making long lasting memories from their day of fun-filled thrills and entertainment. Since the opening of the park by the original owners Taft Broadcasting (later KECO), to the acquisition of Paramount in 1992, to 2006 when Cedar Fair acquired the park, some thrills have stayed the same for the past 35 years. Let’s take a moment to recognize all the rides that exist at the park today that have been thrilling and entertaining millions of visitors over the past 35 years! -Dragon Fire (Dragon Fyre, 1981-1996) -Spinovator (Quixote’s Kettles, 1981-1996) -Wild Beast (Wilde Beast, 1981-1996) -Nightmares (Wilde Knight Mares, 1981-1996) -The Rage (Viking’s Rage, 1981-1996) -Krachenwagen -Klockwerks (Klockwurker, 1981-1991) -Orbiter (Sol Loco, 1981-2001) -Swing of the Century (Swing of Siam, 1981-1988) -Antique Carousel (Originally operated at Palisades Park in NJ from 1928-1971) -Mighty Canadian Minebuster -Character Carousel (Hanna-Barbera-Go-Round, 1981-2009) -Swan Lake (Happy Landing, 1981-1997) -Frequent Flyers (Balloon Race, 1981-1997) -Ghoster Coaster -Joe Cool’s Dodgem School (Boulder Bumpers, 1981-2002) -Jokey’s Jalopies (Wonder Tour, 1981-1997) -Kidzville Station (Scooby Choo, 1981-1997) -Snoopy’s Space Race (Scooby Ville Rocketport, 1981-2000; Jetson’s Rocketport 2001-2009) -Snoopy Vs Red Baron (Aerofield, 1981-2009) -Thunder Run (Blauer Enzian, 1981-1985; then it was relocated into Wonder Mountain for the 1986 season) Canada's Wonderland 1981 Park Map: Photo Credit: ThemeparkCanuck Since the first day, there have been many notable rides and attractions that have been added and removed throughout the years that has made Canada's Wonderland what it is today. Let's take a moment to remember some notable and memorable rides that have been removed throughout the years. -Pharaoh's Eye (1981-1987) -Smurf Cave (1984-1992) -Zumba Flume (1981-1994) -Snail Trail (1981-1996; Boo Boo's Buggies, 1981-1983; Lazy's Snail Trail, 1984-1992) -Bedrock Dock (1981-1999) -Bayern's Curve (1981-2000) -Racing Rivers (1988-2000/2001) -Hot Rock Raceway (1981-2002) -Flintstone's Flyboys (1981-2002) -Bedrock Aquarium (1981-2002; Salt Water Circus 1981-199?) -The Fury (1981-2003; Shiva's Fury, 1981-2001) -Great Whale of China (1981-2003) -Jet Scream (1990-2010) -SkyRider (1985-2014) Many of these notable attractions from years gone by are what have drawn so many visitors to Canada's Wonderland throughout the years. Also, many new and still existing, thrilling and dynamic attractions are what have also pulled in the crowds throughout the years. This year's additions are expected to attract more visitors to the park as many attractions in the past have done and still continue to do so! Since today marks 35 years since Canada's Wonderland opened for the first time, what are your memories of the park? Be sure to share your memories and photos below! Here's to another 35 years of thrills and memories!

It all depends on the weather and what day you visit. If you visit on a weekday, you'll get on many rides, but if you visit on a weekend in July, you may not get on many rides unless you purchase Fastlane. But, if you're coming from a far distance, you may want to consider making a two-day trip to the park, that's if you can, as then for sure you would be able to ride everything you want to. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!

It's kind of like the Larson Crazy Train ride except it incorporates the Larson Giant Loop. Larson Crazy Train: Photo Credit: flatrides.com Larson Giant Loop: Photo Credit: Newsplusnotes

Yes, I've been on coasters many times in the rain and a couple of times in hail as well! Back when I was in grade 8, our school went to Canada's Wonderland and we were riding coasters in rain and hail. It was a horrible but, fun experience. I haven't rode any coasters in hail since but, have been on many coasters in the rain since then! But, the chances of re-riding coasters are extremely high on days like that! Especially rainy Saturdays in September and October!

You're more than likely correct. I remember reading that article when it came out. Flight Deck and Time Warp are still in good to great condition so; they'll probably get sold to other parks outside the Cedar Fair chain, in North America or around the world.

I remember hearing a couple of women talking about the "previous owners" of Canada's Wonderland about 4-5 years ago now. One of the women said Universal Studios originally owned the park because of the globe in Action Zone (formerly Grande World Exposition of 1890). Then the other one said she remembered that Wonder Mountain didn't exist before Paramount acquired the park. I remember my brother and I were sitting nearby trying not to laugh too much! Another thing I remember from a few years ago was a mother and son trying to look for "the button" on the raft while riding White Water Canyon that supposedly releases all the water from the channel. That had to be one of the dumbest things I've ever seen or heard at the park.

Are Time Warp's supports really different colors? It Looks like they ran out of aqua paint and had to finish it with blue. I think Time Warp would be a great fit. Thunderhawk was big with the locals as it was an Inverted Coaster. Time Warp is 1 step ahead of that as it is a laydown. I'm sure the GP doesn't know that Time Warp is rough. That was an older photo, possibly when it was known as Tomb Raider: The Ride (2004-2007). The supports were repainted a dark blue, and the track was repainted a darker yellow for the 2013 season. I find it quite interesting how some people find it rough while other people find it smooth. The only good thing about Time Warp is its barrel rolls! I'm sure that if it were to be relocated to Michigan's Adventure it would be renamed and repainted to better suit the park.

That's okay. Here's a photo showing the supports connecting to concrete footers for Time Warp. It's mostly grass and a little bit of concrete underneath.

Time Warp is not a portable coaster as it has supports that connect to concrete footers that are attached to the ground. But, it would do very well at Michigan's Adventure as it isn't too intense and is considered a family coaster. Also, it's quite compact so it could fit anywhere within the park. It Canada's Wonderland were to remove Time Warp, they would removed Flight Deck as well because both these coasters have small footprints. It would only make the most sense to remove both of them at once to make more room for a better coaster.

GCI coasters are great, but their retracking is pretty bad. The coasters turn out smooth, but that's about it. They turn out rather forceless and boring compared to their previous incarnations. Timber Wolf is an example. Use to have ejector airtime and decently steep drops. Now it has a little floater airtime and ramps. Always wish for RMC instead. ALWAYS. Knott's fans are in for a surprise if they think Ghostrider will be the best woodie in California next month. Okay, well I don't care who re-tracks it as long as they do a great job and maintain the airtime! I just wouldn't want to see Mighty Canadian Minebuster get RMC'd as I enjoy this coaster the way it is, especially since it has some historical significance of being modeled after the Shooting Sat at Coney Island (Cincinnati). RMC does simple wooden retracking too. They've done it to plenty of coasters. Now knowing that, maybe Canada's Wonderland should contact RMC to re-do the simple re-tracking for Mighty Canadian Minebuster. It's a good coaster but, could become great with some re-tracking!

GCI coasters are great, but their retracking is pretty bad. The coasters turn out smooth, but that's about it. They turn out rather forceless and boring compared to their previous incarnations. Timber Wolf is an example. Use to have ejector airtime and decently steep drops. Now it has a little floater airtime and ramps. Always wish for RMC instead. ALWAYS. Knott's fans are in for a surprise if they think Ghostrider will be the best woodie in California next month. Okay, well I don't care who re-tracks it as long as they do a great job and maintain the airtime! I just wouldn't want to see Mighty Canadian Minebuster get RMC'd as I enjoy this coaster the way it is, especially since it has some historical significance of being modeled after the Shooting Sat at Coney Island (Cincinnati).

I would personally like to see Mighty Canadian Minebuster get re-tracked by Great Coasters International than touched by RMC. If it were to be re-tracked, it would be amazing again as the train would just fly over the hills! I just enjoy out-and-back wooden coasters!

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My vote would have to go to Vortex at Canada's Wonderland!