Canada's Wonderland- August 28th, 2018

Today Scott, our Mom, and I made our seventh visit of the season to Canada's Wonderland. It was a very busy hot and humid day since the "end to summer vacation rush" was in as school aged children go back next week, ending daily operation for another season. But, weekend visits in the Fall are a great time to visit, too! Despite the crowds and the heat of the day, we had a great time as usual!

Be sure to check out the photos below, which include construction photos of the all-new for 2019 Yukon Striker!

Visitors to Canada's Wonderland are greeted by a large new for 2019 Yukon Striker display as they enter through the front gate onto International Street. The official announcement for Yukon Striker was made on August 15th, 2018.

As daily operation at Canada's Wonderland comes to an end for the season, Halloween Haunt is heavily promoted and just around the corner!

Scott and I started our day in Action Zone. After getting in a few rides on Behemoth, Psyclone, and Mighty Canadian Minebuster, we decided to peer over the construction fence of Yukon Striker. Here is a view of what will be the station platform.

Here is another look at the curved drop out right out of the station. If you were unaware, Yukon Striker will be the fastest, longest, and tallest dive coaster in the World when it opens in Spring of 2019. It will also feature four hair-raising inversions throughout its 3,625 feet of track.

Here is another view of the station platform in its current state as seen from the path near Windseeker in Action Zone. 

Klockwerks was providing thrills and excitement for visitors of all ages.

Here is a look at Yukon Striker's track in the underwater tunnel situated beneath Vortex.

Construction crews were busy at work today piecing Yukon Striker together, even in all the heat and humidity. They are doing a wonderful job!

After another amazing day at Canada's Wonderland, we decided to head home for the day! Despite the crowds, we managed to get on a lot of rides and attractions! Thanks for reading! :-)

Canadian National Exhibition- August 20th, 2018

It is late August again, which means the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE, also referred to as The Ex) in Toronto is in full-swing. This 18 day exhibition is home to many performances, exhibits, food, and of course, midway rides.

This year marks my 12th year visiting The Ex, along with my brother Scott, and our Mom. It is an annual tradition that we enjoy checking out. Below are photos of our day at The Ex. It was filled with fun and excitement! Be sure to take a look! 

After arriving at the Exhibition grounds, shortly before 9:30am, we had to wait for the buildings to open at 10am. Once the buildings opened around 10am, we entered into the Enercare Centre (formerly Direct Energy Centre) to check out some vendors and exhibits such as the very creative sand sculptures.

Here is a look at the giant Gondola Wheel approximately 20 minutes before the rides opened for the day. Of note, the Gondola Wheel had new firework designs on the gondolas. Before this year, they were painted yellow, green, red, and blue. 

Here is a look at the Sky Ride and the CN Tower looming in the background. It sure was hazy on the day of our visit!

After the rides had opened at 11am, we began with the Tilt-A-Whirl, then went on the Blitzer, then going on some other rides in-between, and then ending up on the Gondola Wheel for some nice views of the midway.

There was quite the collection of rides this year, including my favourites such as the Tilt-A-Whirl, Niagara Falls Log Flume, Scrambler, and Swing Tower just to name a few.

Here is a view of the Crazy Mouse, Zipper, and Mega Drop as seen from the Gondola Wheel.

Speaking of the Zipper, it made its return to The Ex after being absent last year. During last year, the Zipper, owned by North American Midway Entertainment went back to the manufacturer, Chance Rides to be completely refurbished.

Here is Scott and I on the Gondola Wheel at The Ex. Please excuse Scott's closed eyes. ;-)

With the refurbishment of the Zipper, it received all-new gondolas that are fitted with shoulder restraints, making the ride more enjoyable. Previously, the Zipper was manufactured with a lap bar restraint that was connected to the door. With the addition of shoulder restraints, I decided to take a ride as I had not been on a Zipper in ages! 

I will admit I was quite impressed with the ride that the Zipper provided. It was sort of intense, but fun and comfortable at the same time. The restraints were definitely an improvement! Way to go, Chance Rides!

Here is a view of the newly refurbished Zipper in operation. It had vibrant orange and green cars with the iconic Zipper "Z" logo detailed on them.

Here is one of the many other rides that sent me head-over-heels during my visit to the Ex. The Mach 3, manufactured by KMG of the Netherlands stands nearly 120 feet tall and features two four-passenger gondolas on each end of the giant boom that rotates like a turbine. The Mach 3 has been coming to the Ex since 2012, but due to usually long lines, I never got on it in previous years. But, that all changed this year. While not the most intense ride I have ever been on, it sure was fun moving at high speeds upside down, towards the ground. :-)

After getting on more classics such as the Polar Express, Mega Drop, Scrambler, and more, Scott and I decided to take another ride on the Gondola Wheel. Here is a hazy look at the Zipper through the Gondola Wheel's support structure and the Crazy Mouse.

Our final ride for the day was another spin on the Niagara Falls Log Flume before heading out for the day. It sure was a another fun time at The Ex due to low crowd levels associated with weekday visits. Thanks for reading! :-)

Canada's Wonderland- August 8th, 2018

Today marked our sixth visit of the season to Canada's Wonderland. Despite being quite rainy throughout the day, we had another amazing time! it allowed us to get on many rides! Be sure to check out the photos below! 

Our day started out cloudy and drizzly, the perfect conditions for a not so busy day of thrills!

Ghoster Coaster is a family wooden roller coaster. It has operated at the park since day one, over 37 years ago. For a smaller wooden roller coaster, it provides a great amount of airtime in the back seat!

With the construction that has recently been taking place at Canada's Wonderland for next year's roller coaster, the path to Splash Works was closed early in the season. Here is a view of Vortex with one of its trains speeding over the water below from the newly constructed path.

Due to the rainfall that had hit Vaughan earlier in the morning, Splash Works was closed for the day due to low attendance levels.

The announcement for the new for 2019 roller coaster will be on August 15th, 2018. So, stay tuned for details on that!

To me, Medieval Faire has always been ever so charming. Don't get me wrong, the other sections are beautiful in their own rights, but there is something about castle architecture that makes it so appealing. 

The Wonderland Theatre just tops off Medieval Faire. The Wonderland Theatre originally opened with the park in May of 1981 as "Canterbury Theatre". In May of 1994, it received the name of "Paramount Theatre", due to the park's second owner, Paramount Parks, a division of Viacom. In 2008, the venue received its current name, nearly two years after Cedar Fair had acquired the Paramount Parks properties in June of 2006. Regardless of the various names the theatre has had over the 37 years, it has always captivated audiences with its show-stopping performances.

The Medieval Faire section is also home to some beautiful flower arrangements, as seen here.

No matter how many times I have been to Canada's Wonderland over the years, I can never get tired of seeing some of the original theming that is "hidden" around the park. Such details make Canada's Wonderland quite unique.

After a great day soaking at Canada's Wonderland, the sun began to come out just as we were leaving for the day! Here is a photo of our Mom, Scott, and I before we headed out. Thanks for reading! :-)