Canadian National Exposition

[Sue]

We'll be in the area this weekend and were thinking of hitting up the CNE. Can anyone tell me what roller coasters they have this year? Also, if anyone has any tips/advice on visiting the CNE, I'd appreciate that as well.

 

Also, what midway/carnival company provides the rides?

[Carnage]

The carnival used to be run by Conklin, but I think they were bought out.

 

I haven't been in a few years, although a couple weeks ago I was in the area for a concert.

 

They have a crazy mouse, as well as a star flyer. But that's all I could really see from the road.

 

The midway there tends to be somewhat craptacular from what I remember.

[rollin_n_coastin]

Canadian National Exhibition....ug..that really means summer is over.

 

Conklin lost the contract for some reason which was too bad because their midway was way better in terms of rides, or maybe it was because I was much younger and it used to be more fun (There used to be a powered train, Schwarzkoph Dopple Looper and a kiddie coaster).

 

Last year, they had a Crazy Mouse. The best and scariest though was the Starflyer. If it counts any, they have one of those Fireball loops. Other than that, crazy turbo-charged flats.

 

If you love that classic midway and carnival feeling, it's a great vibe and there's a lot to do and see besides the Midway. Access to Ontario Place is still included with the price of admission to the Ex. OH..and the Food Building! Fellow food lovers unite.

 

After the admission, you can buy ride tickets or an all day wristband.

 

Advice: Just walk around and enjoy. If you need to get away to a more refined setting for a bit, walk over the bridge to Ontario Place (they have a water park, log flume ride and lots of stuff for young kids). If you need more action..you're a very short distance from the city centre.

 

Air show is on this weekend, which draws the largest crowd.

 

The dog show is always full and they usually have a cool show at dusk. Last year they were firing people out of a canon at regularly scheduled time during the day...not sure how popular that was lol

 

Hope that helps.

 

Official info I'm guessing is at:

www.theex.com

[Carnage]

Canadian National Exhibition....ug..that really means summer is over.

 

Conklin lost the contract for some reason which was too bad because their midway was way better in terms of rides, or maybe it was because I was much younger and it used to be more fun (There used to be a powered train, Schwarzkoph Dopple Looper and a kiddie coaster).

 

And the Flyer wooden coaster if you go WAY back.

 

CNE isn't the same without Doppel Looping.

[Sue]

No Star Flyer for me--you couldn't pay me to go on that thing!

[niiicolaaah]

I used to live about 2 hours from Toronto, and went to the CNE often. And honestly, I don't remember ever riding the midway rides except when I was a kid! Too bad the Schwarzkopf was not there when I was, or I wasn't tall enough to ride!

 

The thing I love about the CNE is all the vendors. They have these buildings where you go inside and people are selling all kinds of stuff. It's like a huge flea market but cooler.

 

Also, if I remember correctly, you can park at Ontario Place and get a ticket that lets you into Ontario Place as well as the CNE. Ontario Place has a few cool things like a huge maze (it's actually a few mazes put into one, and you carried around a card and had to swipe it in each maze to get points, but last time I was there the cards were gone), and a log flume that I love, and a small water park.

 

Have fun!!!

[vistaway]

This year they only have the one adult coaster, the Crazy Mouse. There are two kids coasters in the Kiddie Land section. A fair amount of good flats, as usual. But they are all expensive. The ride wristband is $30 on top of admission. Coupons are around $1 each and most rides cost 5-7 coupons. I calculated that it would cost over $10 just for my son and I to ride the dragon wagon!

 

Still, it's well worth it going. This weekend, especially, with the Air Show, the RCMP Musical Ride, and the Rodeo - all included with grounds admission.

 

Andy

[Sparebear75]

Here is the Crazy Mouse they have...

The CNE's Spinning Mouse during the 2006 fair.

[Sparebear75]

If you are going to go to Ontario Place head over at night to see the lantern festival, this was taken at the first one in 2006.

The Rogers Chinese Lantern Festival

[Dino_Martini]

The carnival used to be run by Conklin, but I think they were bought out.

 

Conklin was on the edge, almost bankrupt. They sold alot of their rides to try to keep afloat, rides like the Zipper, Octopus, Drop of Fear, Wildcat. Then they ended up merging with another midway company to form NAME (North American Midway Entertainment). They run pretty much all the midway's at big exhibitions in Canada. Calgary Stampede, Edmonton CapitalEX, CNE, etc.

 

It sucks that they had to sell off their good rides before merging. Drop of Fear was a great ride even though the lines were long at the Stampede. Wildcat was pretty much my first coaster. Because now, most of the rides NAME has arent really that great. Mega Drop cant replace Drop of Fear, no more Great Wheel..

 

Since NAME is running it, there will definitly be a Wild Mouse coaster, and thats it. Then you will get a bunch of Flat Rides. Gravitron, Zipper, Fire Ball, Swings, Sky Master, Alpine Bobs, Mega Drop. that sort of thing.