Playland/PNE (Vancouver) Discussion Thread

[bert425]

Bill, you probably have that flowerpot head photo uploaded twice.

look at your pics carefully. . .   the pics that you don't manually place in your post, just go to the end.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Thanks, I'll check that.

(And....) Woo hoo! Did it! Now why the heck didn't I check my loaded photos, before?

We'll call it an "age thing", and leave it at that , mmmm'k?

Hugs.

[Nrthwnd]

3 hours ago, SoCalJasonland said:

So you only get 4 extra rides with your fair?  Sounds really cheap to me.  At least you got a "trackless" train

Yeah, but that was only this Fair, with the normal space (where extra rides used to be placed) completely gutted for the construction of the new Amphitheatre. That removal was also paired with removal of the entire north row of arcade games, and my very special on-site bar, The Ride Side Bar, too. Which I guess, is why there are so many Drink Huts this year onsite, as well as some larger bars that offer mixed drinks/cocktails, too.

Still, I was surprised that only four extra rides made it to the Fair. I expected a few more. But, what can ya do?

This may also lead to lower attendance next year, since the new outdoor stage won't be finished till 2026. And they seemed to cut down on themed displays, compared to previous pre-covid years.

Taken during the 2023 PNE ~ R.I.P. Ride Side Bar.

[SoCalJasonland]

That makes more sense about all of the construction taking up space and you did get an extra drink huts with mixed cocktails   4 rides does sound like a bad church carnival where 10 of the rides got stolen the night before but they held the event anyway.  Kind of weird the midway operator would even show up uness they were going to lose their fututure contracts.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Heh heh, I agree with the 'church carnival problem.' At least they got a few extra rides for The Fair, rather than avoiding it altogether. Still. I expect next year's PNE will be much of the same, as this past season was. Hopefully, they'll make it a bit different i.e. shows etc.  And I'm pretty sure that the PNE told the rides owner(s) in advance, that the new Amphitheatre construction would take some of their rides' space. So they probably still have a contract with the PNE.

But in the mean time, we wait, till then.

 

[Nrthwnd]

This past Thursday was our annual PNE visit, me and David. After having gone there a few times already, I told him what to miss and what we should look into .... and the BBQ RIBS meal, of course. So this visit took only a few hours. The ribs were great, the drag show was a repeat (for myself) but David really got a kick out of it, and started thinking back to when we   used to do shows at a very well known Vancouver Drag/Show bar called BJ's ! (Now that's another story thread, heh.) I enjoyed this show, just as well as the first time.

And then we just went for it, and bought a six-pack box of .... cannolis! a raspberry pair, a lemon pair, and an 'original' pair, being vanilla and chocolate bits.

And that was it for us! David spent a good 1/2 hour in The Market, I took a few photos inside, but planned to go there again, tomorrow. Maybe there will be a "PNE Final Day Sale" for me to check out......

Back to the front of The Fair, again.

And where we immediately went to - for a five o'clock meal of RIBS!

We looked at the portion of ribs, and thought we were getting more than the 1/2 rack we ordered.

V But then, I had this photo from last year's Fair, I showed it around and most of the staff freaked! V

This is that photo. And this is Steve. I made a joke about "Santa working part time in the off-season", lol.

Unfortunately, he wasn't there this year. But I hope some of the staff let him know, he was missed.

So we figured we got some 'extra ribs' due to us showing that photo of Steve. Or not, lol.

This rack of ribs was really nice and juicy. I might buy it again (1/3 rack) tomorrow. Hmmmm.

Almost finished. We didn't pack any leftovers for home. Corn bread and coleslaw were both great, too.

I find this fascinating, don't know why.

After eating, we headed over to the last show of the day, of ....

Would have liked to see and hear the pianos. but it never happened. Maybe next year if they're here again.

Not for this show. It's used for the Rollerland Building's (that is it's name) weekend skating, there.

This is 'Joan Jett'.

And here's 'Jon Bon Jovi'.

Definitely having a great time, here.

This a fuzzy 'Pat Benatar'.

At least 'Prince' wore a different coat for this show. First time I saw 'him,' it was all blue spangles.

The 'Heart' sisters, Ann and Nancy.

Inside The Market. What we first see. Vibrating ...thing-a-ma-jigs.

Lots of different clothing stalls.

Bling.

This was all for kids, but I have to check exactly what there was there. I need some close-ups here!

YOU WANT WOODEN ANYTHING? WE HAVE WOODEN EVERYTHING!

We have enough "wooden things" at home, so we passed on this.

Big open space. Very rare for the annual Market. Maybe the rental space costs too much for some, since covid?

Where a lot of us 'elders' ended up. Back massage, comfy chair .... mmmmm, Happy old people.

So much stuff in this set up. I know nothing, about any of it.

I thought of buying a 'mystery bag' for the heck of it. But ... I didn't.

Of all of these display towers at this stall, this is the one I liked the best.

Not sure why. Maybe it has to do with alllll those mushrooms. Hmmm.

After leaving The Market, we wanted some kind of dessert. Then we saw this.

It was a good decision. We ate the Original Cannoli there, and took the other four home.

Two lemon, two raspberry, and my Original, yet to be eaten. Cost $40 Cdn. for all six.

And our visit ended, for the day.

[Nrthwnd]

For my last visit to The Fair (and it's Closing Day), I decided to bus to the Playland Gate, get my last (for this season) $1 popcorn, then work my way up through all - those - food trucks, get ribs from the other spot that was selling them (called what else?  Truckin' BBQ!), and then make a real total 'tour' through the entire Market building. Easy! And I even bought something(s) there, too.

Back at my 'usual' Playland Entry Gate Doesn't look too crowded, here...

...But the queue for Coaster must have been 2-3 hours' wait, since they still were using only one train. Eek.

And I didn't even bother, to check on ThuderVOLT's queue, knowing it only runs one train, too.

All in all, it was a VERY CROWDED (slammed?) day, there. So I was very glad I wasn't doing a lot of stuff. Whew!

Both towers operating against a cloud covered sky.

Last look at the midway, before it closes up, not to re-open till 2025.

The Last $1 One for this season. It's still a great deal after all these years of having and using this bucket..

Up it goes!

Up it goes #2.

Up it tilts!

Last look at the Amphitheatre site, from this angle. Not to be seen again, from here, till next year's Fair.

An Arcade Prize winner's stuffie. I would not enjoy carting this around The Fair.

Nope. Still not for me.

Here we are. And I ordered a half-rack. With a side of coleslaw. Then got my last beer in Festival Park.

And it was just as good as the other ribs we had. And I enjoyed the creamy coleslaw as well.

While consuming my ribs, this big-ass band was playing on the "Music In the Park" stage. And they were great!

And now ...

Another great clothing stall.

More Bling.

Something for the kids to do. I see Princess Peaches and the Mario Brothers.  And it's got a short line up, so that's good.

For those with a passion for musical bowls, etc.

Ooooooooo.

These were the first 'variety' of candy apples I'd seen at The Fair. But...

THIS Is what I wanted. And I picked up a slice of Black Forest fudge. Chocolate w/cherries. Yum!

Dogs on Socks. Many many pairs of socks.

But they did have a (pitiful) section for cats, too.

Hats of all styles, shapes, colours, etc. It was basically an All-Leather Clothing stall.

We glanced at this booth, last Thursday. But I wanted to see more of it. So I came back. These are LEGO Figures.

And Lots - Of - Keychains!

And .... and .... Mystery Boxes. That tempted me, and I bought one. A Pikachu Terrarium collection box. Of six.

These are all for grating garlic cloves. Pretty.

Back to where we started last Thursday. Sign says ADULTS ONLY. And then I headed for the Exit.

I think it was a Well Fair. But with so much themed exhibits left out this season (and a LOT of food trucks),

I wonder how many will return to next year's fair, knowing the Amphitheatre still won't finished until '26.

Here's what $15 Cdn got me. #5 of the collection - with Kimori, a tree stump, and some weeds, lol.

Bit of a better look at Kimori.  So, I will go to next year's Fair, regardless of what's less and what's more, there.

[Nrthwnd]

For those of us that live close to Playland (and/or visitors!), they have their info. pages up for Fright Nights in October......

http://www.pne.ca  

[Nrthwnd]

And now that Hallowe'en is done... the PNE is now selling tickets for their annual Winter Fair. The Fair runs from beginning of December, to the 23rd. Lots of stuff to do, see, eat, drink!

https://www.pne.ca/winter-fair/

[Nrthwnd]

2025 Season Passes for PLAYLAND are now available with reduced cost up to midnight, Christmas Eve.

Playland will be open select dates, from May 17 to Aug 15, 2025. Then, the PNE happens thru Labor Day weekend.

https://www.pne.ca/playland-season-passes/  (I bought mine last week.)

And Happy Holidays everyone!

[Nrthwnd]

^ Now that the cost-savings date has passed, they'll offer the Season Pass again in the new year,

with a (probable) Sale Price on it, too. Or not. Stay tuned...    https://www.pne.ca

and .... Happy New Year! everybody.

[Nrthwnd]

Just thought about it - but Playland's "season" is only a few months in the year, if that, and then the PNE is on the last two weeks of August. So...

Since in May (starting on the 17th), it's open only weekends. Then in June it starts adding more open days to the schedule. But still ....

I think I remember once, Playland advertised it's season as 88+ days. Not counting the PNE itself, which sells ride passes at a higher price, and the season passes aren't eligible during the Fair.

And after all of this is said, I am wondering if any other park in North America, has this short a season? 2-2/12 months? Just curious.

[Johnlloyd]

On 1/31/2025 at 10:06 PM, Nrthwnd said:

Just thought about it - but Playland's "season" is only a few months in the year, if that, and then the PNE is on the last two weeks of August. So...

Since in May (starting on the 17th), it's open only weekends. Then in June it starts adding more open days to the schedule. But still ....

I think I remember once, Playland advertised it's season as 88+ days. Not counting the PNE itself, which sells ride passes at a higher price, and the season passes aren't eligible during the Fair.

And after all of this is said, I am wondering if any other park in North America, has this short a season? 2-2/12 months? Just curious.

The closest that I could think of is Waldameer in Erie, PA. It operates for only 89 days from the first Saturday in May through Labor Day. Keep in mind though that Waldameer is closed on Wednesdays throughout the season and some weekdays in late-August as schools start to go back in the area that time of year.

 

I do imagine there are a few others in North America that have a shorter season. 

[Nrthwnd]

^ I am having trouble believing, that Playland does eventually, want to turn into a kind of theme park. This will be expanding the site to a second, lower level, where parking currently is. With more rides, food, games, entertainment stuff.

And less than 90 days operation right now, doesn't help me imagine the (future) situation.

Bottom part, is where the current Playland sits. Upper part would be the expansion area. And the rides noted, are only name fill-ins for now. But imagine allllll those coasters in one park, hmm?  Too awesome to imagine!

[Nrthwnd]

This season's two Passes (Fun and Thrill) are still on sale, till May 21st.

https://www.pne.ca/playland-season-passes/

Save $20 now. And these passes are on sale, for cellphone use, only.

There is an additional charge for Passes that are printed up.

[Nrthwnd]

Got an email yesterday, that sort of went like this...

Hello. Your season pass will be available for pickup on the first day of Playland! (Sat. May 17th)

Kind regards,

Mason (They/Them) TICKETLEADER

(Hopefully, I will be shown the right ticket booth for pickup, OR pick it up at Customer Services which is right as we enter the park.)

[Nrthwnd]

Well this is an unusual post for any amusement/theme park's 'history.' Just discovered this article in our local paper.....

'Historically Significant Find: 1870s Cannons, First World War machine-guns unearthed at PNE'

https://vancouversun.com/news/historically-significant-find-more-military-artifacts-found-during-excavation-of-pne-land

This is in conjunction with the PNE now clearing land, and building a new performance amphitheatre, scheduled to open next summer.

Cool!

[Nrthwnd]

Just a reminder...

 

[Nrthwnd]

Went to Opening Day, today. Rained all the time I was there. But the crowd there, was BIG! That said, a lot of the rides weren't operating, due to everybody heading to ThunderVOLT and other thrill rides. Poor "Kids Playce" was practically abandoned, except for the few of us (me included) who rode the park's little Carousel. Which was a nice rest for me. Since my Massive Fall last June, I haven't had my legs operating perfectly. Pain here and there. But I digress ....

Am heading back there, tomorrow. Better weather (i.e. sunny) predicted. Hope they're right, heh. In the mean time, here's the email announcements I received for this weekend.  BUT ... I didn't go on Sunday. My legs needed a longer rest, the weather was (again) looking to be a wet one. But the rain never showed up. Figures, lol. Will hit the park next weekend.

p.s. HAPPY VICTORIA DAY WEEKEND, all Commonwealth countries!

BUT - it looks like (to me) that the Dollar Popcorn and Drink Refills is no more.  Stay tuned on that.

[Nrthwnd]

My way of transferring camera photos to Online Photos keeps changing on me, lol. Nonetheless, I decided to tackle the current photos taken yesterday...and was successful! Most of them are of the new Amphitheatre being built (opens next summer).

At the entry gate, you can see the cranes being used, to build the new Amphitheatre.

Testing, testing.

The arcade, and most food spots, don't open until noon. Still no Play Quarters Games seen. <sad>

A closer look at construction.

Peeking thru a fence, for a slightly better look.

Seen from the queue for Skybender.

My one and only ride, yesterday. Till next weekend...

[Nrthwnd]

My latest visit to The Park (the 25th) was met with a lovely cool-ish sunny day. And the crowd was HUGE! Lines on the 'thrill rides' easily an hour or more. I decided to just do a walk around, and get a couple of rides on the "less thrill" (?) rides. It ended up being the Carousel and the Gladiator, that I rode.

Somewhat bad news, was finding out that the One Dollar Refills (both popcorn and beverage) were not being offered this season. <sad> Hopefully, they may change their mind, and reinstate it. Got the whole summer to find out, lol.

What the new printed pass looks like.

On the way to the main gate.

Looks like everybody's inside, now.

Running, running.

This was around 2 pm at the Coaster lineup.

I was told there were $1 Pop Refills here. But still. No popcorn refills.

This is on top of the operator's booth at the Sea-To-Sky Swinger. Great theming!

Play Quarters games still closed. Wonder if they'll ever re-open this part of the Arcade again?

Rest of the Arcade open. But not Crossbow. Hmmm. Is it considered a "too dangerous" game? Who knows?

Ready for a launch.

Up....

And over!

Bug Whirld.

Action shot. And don't forget to "Spread Your Wings."

This is how you spread your wings. <g> Skybender in action.

My first ride of this visit.

Have to remember, not to put camera in front of face. I'll get it right, eventually.

My only other ride this visit: Gladiator. Great fast and high cycle. But it coming down to a stop ... took - for - ever.

Wheee!

Meanwhile ...

Big lineup for this one, too.

The Beast in unload-reload position.

Eventually, on a future visit, I will get food and drink here. Great burgers, fries and shakes.....

See? Told ya. And that was it, for this visit to Playland.

[Nrthwnd]

Just a photo reminder of what I used to get, for $1, each container -  ten years since The Beast opened in 2015!

Was nice while it lasted, even during the PNE, where the refills were accepted, and done.

Also, here's the link to this summer's PNE, and everything in it: https://www.pne.ca/fair2025/

The offer was great, while it lasted. I mean, a buck for all this popcorn? Sold!

Wonder if they'll do the offer again, eventually, in a different version of...

[Nrthwnd]

On 5/27/2025 at 2:33 PM, Nrthwnd said:

My latest visit to The Park (the 25th) was met with a lovely cool-ish sunny day. And the crowd was HUGE! Lines on the 'thrill rides' easily an hour or more. I decided to just do a walk around, and get a couple of rides on the "less thrill" (?) rides. It ended up being the Carousel and the Gladiator, that I rode.

Somewhat bad news, was finding out that the One Dollar Refills (both popcorn and beverage) were not being offered this season. <sad> Hopefully, they may change their mind, and reinstate it. Got the whole summer to find out, lol.

 

What the new printed pass looks like.

On the way to the main gate.

Looks like everybody's inside, now.

Running, running.

This was around 2 pm at the Coaster lineup.

I was told there were $1 Pop Refills here. But still. No popcorn refills.

This is on top of the operator's booth at the Sea-To-Sky Swinger. Great theming!

Play Quarters games still closed. Wonder if they'll ever re-open this part of the Arcade again?

Rest of the Arcade open. But not Crossbow. Hmmm. Is it considered a "too dangerous" game? Who knows?

Ready for a launch.

Up....

And over!

Bug Whirld.

Action shot. And don't forget to "Spread Your Wings."

This is how you spread your wings. <g> Skybender in action.

My first ride of this visit.

Have to remember, not to put camera in front of face. I'll get it right, eventually.

My only other ride this visit: Gladiator. Great fast and high cycle. But it coming down to a stop ... took - for - ever.

Wheee!

Meanwhile ...

Big lineup for this one, too.

The Beast in unload-reload position.

Eventually, on a future visit, I will get food and drink here. Great burgers, fries and shakes.....

See? Told ya. And that was it, for this visit to Playland. For now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nrthwnd]

Three Visits ~ And (sniff) No HOT DOG Day!

Here are a bundle of photos taken from a few visits to the park.

There are repeats here and there, but I'll do my best to see that it doesn't get toooo boring, lol.

6/22

This was around 10 am - one hour before the park opened.

Testing.

History board.

 

Noted. But I didn't have to wait that long, thankfully.

 

Progress on the new amphitheatre.

Have no idea what that 'hole' is for. Will eventually fine out, next year.

Lookin' good, there.

Future landscaping?

ThunderVOLT in action.

Kettle Mine coaster.

Oooo...

Got my fave beer to end this short visit.

The onride photo. What IS that woman doing???

6/27

This was another short visit, and I got to try and the new special milkshake at Triple O's ( a/k/a the White Spot restaurant).

The lineup was HUGE for this day. Thankfully I was there around 10 am, 1 hour before the park opened, so I missed all this.

Near opening time.

And allll the way down the block!

Viewed from ThunderVOLT. Ongoing construction of the new amphitheatre.

Sad, empty little train.

The Cotton Candy milkshake. With a bit of the real stuff on top.

And it's Canadian-made, too!

Last shot before leaving the park.

07/02

Today was another brief visit. The only thing new here, was the ongoing construction of the new amphitheatre.

But that's okay. I enjoy just walking around and taking in the 'atmosphere' of Playland.

On the way to the park.

 

A good place for hot dogs!

The menu.

Not too crowded right now, for Coaster.

 

Well, hi there! Fancy running into you today.

It's pretty plain looking, but still an important part of Playland.

 

 

This looks somewhat completed

 

Cloudy day over the mountains nearby.

I am guessing this is to become the entryway into the amphitheatre.

A lousy attempt of a 'selfie' on the carousel.

And that was it for this visit.

07/16

Today was supposed to be "Hot Dog Day" as advertised by the email I received from Playland (I'm on their mailing list). But it turns out Coaster Dogs was offering their one dollar hot dogs till the 19th, Saturday. And Beaver Tails, which was also offering a special hot dog, had no clue what I was talking about. Then I tried to order something off their regular menu ...... and "that wasn't available" I was told ...WTF? A Fail for Playland. Anyway....

Back we go...

Wheee.

Dead Unicorn.

Yeah. Hot Dog Day. Not here I found out.

From the West Coast Wheel. Big ass hole still there.

Nice shot of Coaster from The Wheel. Damn, I love this coaster!

Not really that busy, this visit.

Up and over it goes!

Clear sky, with a great mountainous view. 

I still enjoy riding Gladiator. 

This is a sweet little family ride I enjoy riding, sometimes. 

Touching the sun? And with that, the visit was at an end.

Playland did send another email out, with the 19th as Hot Dog Day, with both Coaster Dogs and Beavertails

offering their special dogs. But I didn't go. Not on a Saturday there. So I passed.

I have no idea how these three shots got in, here. Nonetheless... a shot from ThunderVOLT's queue.

An early shot of construction.

[Nrthwnd]

Sorry about the re-arranged photos at the end of the post ^. I still don't know how these pix ended up at the end of the report(s). And for some reason I can't erase them and then re-position them where they;re supposed to go. Such is progress, lol.