Canadians:

[BuffaloCoastin]

I'm sure hoping so. The title, by the way, was just to get the attention of our friendly neighbors to the north. I figure you (as well as anyone else familiar with PCW) would be able to assist me.

 

In 2 weeks (June 24), my class will be going on a trip to Canada's Wonderland. We did this last year, and I tried to do my homework beforehand, but the lines we experienced (on a thurday afternoon, no less) were outrageous and somewhat unexpected. I only got to ride 4 coasters and a few flats out of the whole bunch, partly due to poor planning. I had figured on looping the park in a clockwise fashion, (the entrance representing six o'clock) and starting with Top Gun and circling. This didn't work when everyone else in the whole freaking park had the same idea.

 

Assuming we're going to meet equal lines this year (friday afternoon in late June), does anyone have any special suggestions. This will be different because I know the park and layout from firsthand experience, but I am obvioulsly far from mastery of it.

 

My idea was to do the reverse of last year's plan, in order to hit as much as humanly possible. Here's what the route would look like (excuse the map, it is last year's version):

 

Things to keep in mind: We'll probably be leaving as close to 8 as possible, and if we don't get lost like last year it'll be a 3-hour drive. So we'll have from 11-7:30ish of park-time. I rode MCMB, SkyRider, Wild Beast, and TG last time, so they are skippable this year if need be.

 

Is that a somewhat good idea, or am I just crazy? If not, I need major help, because I won't get many opportunites to get up there again soon. And I only have 2 weeks! Help is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[Rugged One]

I'm also interested in a good stategy for the park as I'll be there for the first time a week after you, on July 1st. The unfortunate thing in your case, is that your going to miss out on the golden hour of 10-11, where you can knock out some of the low capactity or popular coasters (like IJST) right off the bat. Hmm, after looking at their calender, it appears that the park is open until 10:30pm. The only day of the year where they are open that late. Gee, I wonder if they are expecting some crowds?

[Skyscraper]

rugged one :

First July is the Canada day in Canada... I don't if crowds will be big but when parks extends operation hours, it's not good ... (from my experience) !

[CoasterFanatic]

Funny thing is .... Canada's Wonderland gets big crowds. If you look at AT they are always up there with good numbers, yet (sans IJST) they get the shaft when it comes to signature rides.

 

I haven't been there this year, but in my previous visits I have always found the lines to be longer on the SLC and the TOGO Standup.

 

Go figure.

[Canadmos]

^Skyrider isn't that bad

 

I always make my way around the park in a counter clock-wise motion. Like you said, alot of people usually go the other way because they can hit Top Gun, Skyrider, the Rectum Buster, Tomb Raider and now Italian Job all in a short amount of time.

 

Another good route to follow is to do Vortex and Fly first and then make your way towards Drop Zone and Dragon Fire. After you do that section of the park, dart over to Top Gun and Italian Job area.

 

Good luck with those crowds

[Rugged One]

Thanks for the heads up on Canada Day. So, just guessing, what day would you guys say will be the worse? Canada Day or the day after on Saturday? I'm expecting big crowds on both but am looking for the lesser of two evils here.

[BuffaloCoastin]

Thanks Canadamos, I must have gotten it right this time around. I will be satisfied if we can get Drop Zone, IJST and TRTR with fairly short lines, because I missed out on DZ and TRTR (We got screwed both times - TR broke down after we had waited a 1/2 hour and were about to board, and we had to leave just as we approached the line for DZ).

 

Any of you other wacky Canadians have any tips, they are much appreciated by myself and I assume by Rugged One as well.

[bgwfreak]

My suggestion is to go counter-clockwise.

 

They say most people go into a park and hang a right out of habit.

 

Most parks this works well at except for Carowinds (which has a back entrance too) and Dollywood which has Thunderhead to the left of the entrance.

[thrillrider1]

first ride: Italian job. go strait to it and get in line, even if its big cuz the sighns lie. 90minute wait from this point = 55 min wait with 2 trains running.

 

2nd ride: drop zone. line gets huge FAST

 

3rd ride: bat. its a boomerang so the line takes awhile. dont hesitate to skip it.

 

4th: vortex. awesome, nuff said.

 

5th: fly.

 

6th: EVERYTHING ELSE. as you go through this course make sure you go on the little things in-between. the only thing on my plan that is a MUST is to go on italian job first. do that. then ride skyrider and MCMB and go around the park that way. thats what me and my friends did last time. it SOO worked!

[Rugged One]

How have lines for Tomb Raider been this year? I've heard everyone has caught on that it sucks and there isn't much of a wait anymore. True?

[thrillrider1]

no, it dos suck. but most of the general public still gos on it. although most of them are distraced by italian job or already have been on it.

[What Now]

What is Canada good for?

 

Two words: Maple Syrup!

[RBOrrell]

Avoid July 1st. Against my better judgement, I was dragged there last year on July 1st. I had 6 hours of painful waiting with a few rides thrown in. It is not a day to go.

 

I agree on the counter clockwise route though. Except, head straight for IJtR and when you come out, hop onto Minebuster.

 

A word of warning. Maybe I'm getting old but, I was there a couple of Friday nights ago and both MineBuster and Wild Beast were the most painful experience I've had since I rode Phyclone at SFMM last year. I was not the only one to comment either. It was very rough.

[Canadmos]

^I saw a someone get taken off of Minebuster in a stretcher a few years ago because she hurt her back while riding it.

 

I can't and won't ride in the back of either train anymore, the pain is just too much. At the bottom of every hill you can feel your spine getting compressed and jolted around. Not fun.

[Rugged One]

Thanks for the update on the dates guys. So it looks like both Friday and Saturday (July 1&2) are bad days to go. I'll have to maybe works things out to go on that Thursday instead.

[Zoltan_Kodaly]

^Ruggedone, I would strongly recommend against any park-going on July 1st, Canada Day is our Independence Day, and that would be like going to Disneyland on the 4th of July: you just don't do it if you want to have any fun at all.

[BuffaloCoastin]

This advice is really helpful/encouraging guys. Based on what a few of you have said, I've compiled a tentative new "plan" for next Friday's trip. If you see any discrepancies, please don't hesitate to inform me:

 

The numbers are the approximate "required" stops.

 

Some notes:

If at all necessary, the rides I am willing to sacrifice (in no order) are:

- MCMB

- SkyRider

- Top Gun

- Wild Beast

[Mind Eraser]

That map you drew made me almost vomit. I don't know why.

 

 

-kip-

[BuffaloCoastin]

That map you drew made me almost vomit. I don't know why.

 

Haha, that's great to know. My MS paint skills strike again it seems.

[ECZenith]

Canada's Wonderland is a flat ride junkie's wet dream. The only coaster I really liked was Vortex, and the line was nice and short. I haven't been on Italian Job yet, but it looks great. Don't miss some of the park's rare flats...

 

Sledgehammer - World's only Huss Jump2

Psyclone - Mondial Revolution

Cliffhanger - Mondial Splashover

Psyclone - Mondial Top Scan

 

They also have the last ( I believe) Huss Skylab, and a Huss UFO which is hard to come by.

 

And then Marineland at Niagara Falls has the Huss Magic (only one on the continent)

 

Yeah... so Canada rules the flat ride Kingdom.

 

Sean (who ranks some flats higher than coasters) Costa

[Canadmos]

The one thing that sucks about all their flats is that pcw seems to run alot of mild programs on rides like the topscan and the splashover....

 

Sledgehammer is a pretty cool ride, I only wish its seats were facing to the outside though. It would be so much better.

[dandaman]

This has an interesting title.

Unfortunately, I can't help you. I've been going to Cedar Point instead (oh, darn... ). I haven't gone to PCW in about 6 years. We were just in T.O. on a Grad Trip, too...

[BuffaloCoastin]

:o Consider me excited. I'm leaving in about 8 hours. Expect a TR (possibly with photos) in the coming days. Any last tips will be appreciated if anyone happens to be on this late, I'll check tomorrow morning before I head out. Thanks again guys.

[Canadmos]

If its open, make sure you ride Orbiter the Huss Skylabd/Giant Enterprise!

[BuffaloCoastin]

::phew::

 

I'm back from the voyage over the border. I'll have some sort of TR up tomorrow, although there wasn't much to photograph, so don't expect any exciting pics. I'll just say I was pleased in some ways, but disappointed in quite a few others (damn you, PCW!) Details tomorrow...