RBOrrell

I hate Thrills - I think you are the only one that chews it!

The original Beeman's pepsin flavoured gum. I started to chew it because it was a gum that actually went well with drinking beer. Too bad that you can only get the sugarless version now and it has the awful taste of aspertame in it.

Cool trip report. I have fond memories of the area. I spent time at the Ipperwash Armed Forces Camp before the "natives" occupied it and kicked the white man out. We would drive up Hwy 21 through Bayfield and Grand Bend. There is a IHRA drap strip at Grand Bend now. The Pinery of course is THE park for the kids to go on the May 2-4 weekend back when it was not dry on that weekend. The OPP made a killing on tickets those weekends.

Here are turtles beside the 8th tee at Hilton Head Island's ShipYard Golf Club, Brigantine Course. Aren't they cute? Not a turtle, but they share the same water. Leonardo? A feeding frenzy! Don't cross that line, it's a water hazard.

From PKI's web site: "CEDAR FAIR MAXX PASS – NEW! A Cedar Fair Maxx Pass gives passholders access to Paramount's Kings Island for the rest of this year and all of the 2007 season! PLUS, this pass also gives guests access to all 12 Cedar Fair ride amusement parks (including 3 in Ohio) for the 2007 season, including: Paramount’s Kings Island - Cedar Point - Geauga Lake - Knott’s Berry Farm - Dorney Park - Valleyfair - Worlds of Fun Michigan’s Adventure - Paramount’s Carowinds - Paramount’s Kings Dominion - Paramount’s Great America - Canada’s Wonderland"

I think the solution is quite simple. I will make my first park visit of the year at either Geauga Lake or Cedar Point and get the Maxx. Then I can use it at PCW.

Golf and go-kart racing in the warmer weather. Curling in the winter.

Actually this is already happening at xCW. The radio ads are "Canada's Wonderland" and the ride ops say "Thank you for riding and enjoy you day at Canada's Wonderland. Prior to closing the Paramount name was used in both cases. Signage is probably on order and during the off-season, you will see that stuff change.

My son works at PCW in admissions. They were told that the 2007 seasons passes were not going to be sold until futher notice. No reason given to them and when asked, management does not know the reason. They had a number of complaints today as they were still advertising on local radio their availability.

I grew up in St. Thomas - there is nothing west of Chatham - that's why we did not hear about it.

May last beer was a Mill Street Brewery Tankhouse Ale. http://www.millstreetbrewery.com/ Very flavourful! This weekend is the annual Festival of Beer - http://www.beerfestival.ca/ - A must-attend for any beer lover.

Considering the environment that existed when PCW was built, I think they do a pretty good job. For those members of this board in the area that are not old enough to remember, before PCW the only Canadian park that was around was a place called Bob-Lo Island. It was (the island is still there) in the Detroit River. You got a ferry ride from Amherstburg near Windsor or downtown Detroit. It went out of business soon after Canada's Wonderland opened. The only other opportunity was to drive to Cedar Point for Southern Ontario people. CF's take over is not going to be bad for PCW. You won't see much difference this year. My son works at PCW and there has not been any mandates from on high as yet. The off-season may see some organizational changes but I doubt any major changes are in the near-future (ie. 2007).

I was told that I look like Paul Giamatti ("Private Parts", "Sideways", "Big Fat Liar" et al). I don't like Merlot either.

If possible, I fly Air Canada. If I am flying to the US I stick with US Air or for the first time this year, Delta. I avoid United based on 2 bad experiences in 1 week. I have flown Continental and AA once or twice but they are not usually on my radar.

Well, during the winter month's I curl - I think it needs no other explanation.

Get used to it - they get special treatmeant in a number of ways.

From a business point of view, it would make no sense to rip out anything at this point. PCW, as pointed out, had the highest attendance last year of any "seasonal" park. That would include CP, PKI, PKD, et al. You have to remember that this park opened in 1981. The original coasters at that time were Dragon Fyre (with the "Y" thank you Paramount), Wilde Beast (with the "E"), Minebuster, Ghoster Coaster and a coaster that was later moved and became Thunder Run. In 1981 Gemini was the epitome of coasters at CP. I remember the opening year very well. You could walk up the mountain. People would go up there to watch airplanes landing at the Maple airport which is now thousands of houses east of the park. The various owners up to this point in time have added something every year, albeit at the expense of some other things (ie. the old log flume ride to make space for Top Gun). The park caters to a family demographic and for those that visit the park once or twice a year really care less whether the coaster is a B&M or an Arrow. I can see them perhaps installing a new coaster in a couple of years (the deal does not close until the 3rd quarter of this year) to solidify the new ownership and a direction. Perhaps at the expense of one of the existing coasters. I do not think you will see a "dorm" situation there either. My son works there and most of his fellow employees are locals that take TTC, YRT or GO to get there. As far as a hotel complex, perhaps CF would do this in conjunction with the current City of Vaughan that is trying to develop itself with a new City Centre development. However, Vaughan is looking for this Centre to be in the Jane/7 area which is significantly south of PCW. I am a Coke guy personally but I don't care as long as they don't do something stupid and put Molson in there.

There are 80 acres of undeveloped land at Canada's Wonderland? Where? PCW owns the land on the north side of Major MacKensie Drive west of Jane Street (there is an entrance to the park there as well and the employee entrance). They have used this as parking lot overflow in the past (like last year's Punjabi Festival). I see a time when they pave this area and turn it into primary parking and expand the park into the exisitng parking lot. There is also land that is currently trees along Hwy 400 that could be used (not sure if it's anywhere near 80 acres).

Boob Grabbing!!??!?? Come on, it has been legal in Ontario for women to be topless for almost 10 years. As an Ontario male, it is my duty to make sure woman are aware that they do not have to be constrained by excess clothing on top.

Don't get me started on open wheel racing...... The Indy used to be the great race. The last 10 years are a bunch of asterisks to me because only half the field was worthy of being there. Until the IRL (It's Really Lame) and Champ Car get back together, I will not watch the race. I used to go to the Toronto CART event every year but in the last 5 years, I have given up. 18 cars with only a handful of worthy drivers. I am sorry to see Mikey come back though. I think it is a desperation move on Tony George's part to sell more tickets. Mike is a nice guy and his father is great but I think once you retire, you have to retire.

The only heel and toe dance I know is when driving my race car. Right heel on gas, right toe on brake and left foot on clutch.

Queen + Paul Rodgers Air Canada Centre Toronto March 16, 2006

Please, oh residents of the USA.... do not be offended by this. In the spirit of fun......