Canada's Wonderland - May 9th, 2024

 It was a great day to be at Canada's Wonderland for my first visit of the 2024 season! My brother Scott and our Mom joined me today! Scott and I managed to get on many rides during our visit!

Since my last visit in October, there were a lot of changes that happened at the park over the off-season! There are still many changes and upgrades to come. Be sure to checkout all of the new things at Canada's Wonderland through the photos I captured of our day, below! 🙂

The day started out slightly cool and very sunny as we arrived just before the park opened for the day.

New for 2024 are the permanent security checkpoints that take you through to the front gate. Last year was a bit of a mess when entering the park last year with how the security check points were set up. This year you must enter through the newly constructed checkpoint that takes you under Leviathan to get to the front gate plaza.
The new setup flows a lot better than the system used last year. Improvements like this are great to see! The only improvement I would like to see is if you do set off the metal detectors, the park should have an x-ray scanning machine to scan bags to help speed up the process rather than having a security guard look through each bag manually. 

With the metal detectors now placed at the checkpoint under Leviathan's turn around, the front gate look less cluttered than it had in the past with the bulky metal detectors that were once there.
When exiting the park, you now go through gates north and south of the front gate plaza, causing less congestion in the front gate plaza.

Here's a look back at the checkpoint located under Leviathan's turn around. The structures look very nice.

Once inside, we were greeted once again by Wonder Mountain. It has been over six months since I have last seen this view!

During the off-season, the front gate area received some signage updates. The new signs look very clean-cut and easy to read.

The Wonderland Store received a massive remodel over the off-season, expanding it outwards and changing the layout inside. It also received a new sign, matching the other park services signs at the front gate.

Continuing with the theme of signage, new directional signage has popped up around the park, helping guests find their way to rides, attractions, washrooms, and the park exit.

Scott and I began our day in International Festival with a ride on Thunder Run. Many buildings and structures have been demolished in International Festival to make way for future plans. Here is a look at the former Tiny Tom Donuts location.

The Multi faith space building and surrounding structures in front of The Fly in International Festival have also been demolished. Although for some reason, they left the end of the building standing for now.

Tiny Tom Donuts moved to a new location around the corner, which was previously home to the Alpen Amusements pay per use claw machine games. Crews were busy setting up the equipment at the new location. It looks like it will open soon. 

Springtime at Canada's Wonderland is simply beautiful as many trees around the park have vibrant pink blossoms! 

Here is a look at more of the new directional signage, these located in Frontier Canada near Timberwolf Falls. 

Another major change in the rides department at Canada's Wonderland was the elimination of the maximum height requirement for many of the children's rides in Planet Snoopy and Kidzville! This means you no longer need a child to ride Taxi Jam and Snoopy's Racing Railway.

Here I am finally getting a ride on Taxi Jam! I had the train all to myself! 😂 Scott would take a ride on Taxi Jam later in the morning.

After getting a ride on Taxi Jam, Scott and I quickly headed over to the New-for-2023 Snoopy's Racing Railway. 

Here we are walking through the queue for Snoopy's Racing Railway! 

You can get a rare view of Ghoster Coaster from the queue of Snoopy's Racing Railway. 

Snoopy's Racing Railway is a fun launched family coaster with many gentle drops and turns, a perfect roller coaster for anyone to enjoy! Snoopy's Racing Railway launches its train twice around the track.
As of this visit, I have now been on all of the roller coasters at Canada's Wonderland! The elimination of the maximum height restrictions helped achieve this as I was not going to borrow a child to do it! 😂

After getting on some more rides, I rode Tundra Twister, which was new last year. Surprisingly it was giving a somewhat intense ride with head dives towards the ground! I hadn't experienced that since it opened last year!

Yukon Striker, celebrating five years of operation this season, also rode very well today!  I remember being at the first rider/media day event for Yukon Striker just like it was yesterday! Time really flies!

After an exhilarating ride on Yukon Striker, I rode Mighty Canadian Minebuster which had received some retracking on the second half of the ride during the off-season. Unfortunately the first half of Mighty Canadian Minebuster now feels quite rough.

The Coca-Cola refreshment station in Action Zone has been replaced with a new structure. It looks likely to be a Coca-Cola refill station. I guess we'll know for sure within the next month!

Here's another view of more beautiful blossoms near Swing of the Century in Grande World Exposition of 1890. 

Another project that occurred during the off-season was the renovation and transformation of the Backlot Cafe building. For the 2024 season, it will be known as Grande World Eatery. The exterior of the building has been refreshed with a new coat of paint. Extensive work has also been done on the interior of the building. I am looking forward to the final product! 

Xtreme Skyflyer was removed during the early months of 2024 after 27 years of operation. Luckily I got my ride on it last year when I did! It looks quite likely that the removal of Xtreme Skyflyer has something to do with what is coming in 2025! Although nothing has been officially announced by the park yet. 

With the demolition of the old Coca-Cola refresh Centre building near The Fly, the building next to Klockwerks is now home to the Coca-Cola refresh Centre. This building had sat unused for the past decade. 

I forgot to mention earlier that the exit for Thunder Run has been rerouted due to the construction that has been happening in the area this year. The exit path is now a nice wooden boardwalk that exits to the left of  the Apres Poutinerie.

I always love it when amusement parks refurbish existing attractions, rather than removing them! Viking's Rage received a major overhaul during the off-season consisting of a new drive motor system and a fresh coat of paint, which looks to replicate that of what the ride had when the park opened in 1981!
It looks like the refurbishment process is still underway. Hopefully it is completed by the time I make my next visit to the park!

The mist on Leviathan's sign returned this year.

The diving structure in Arthur's Baye in Medieval Faire had been removed during the off-season. It will be replaced by a new structure sometime this year.

Across the way, the Whac-A-Mole game in Medieval Faire was removed.

The lockers at Wonder Mountain's Guardian were also recently removed. It looks like their removal is linked to the project happening around the park. 

Here's another shot of pink blossoms located in Planet Snoopy. 

After a great day of fun with a total of 18 different rides, it was time to head home! 

Here's an interior shot of the newly renovated Wonderland Store. It looks very nice! They have conceptual drawings from before the park was built placed along the upper perimeter of the store.

That's all for my first visit of the 2024 season! I hope you enjoyed the photos! 🙂 

Knoebels Opening Weekend - April 27th and 28th, 2024

On April 27th and 28th, my brother Scott and I visited Knoebels, a free-admission amusement park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania! 

My first visit to Knoebels was in July 2018. I had a really great time six years ago, so I wanted to show Scott just how special and amazing Knoebels truly is! It was opening weekend for the 98th year of Knoebels during our visit, with Saturday being somewhat rainy and Sunday being very warm and sunny.

We had an amazing time both days, riding many rides with the all-day ride wristbands we had purchased beforehand. Scott truly enjoyed himself! After a weekend of fun, he now sees how special and amazing Knoebels truly is!

Below are photos from our visit to Knoebels on Saturday and Sunday!

After a short drive from our hotel in Danville, we arrived at Knoebels.

Saturday was opening day for Knoebels. There was quite a few people there well before the rides opened at 12pm.

While we waited for the rides to open, I gave Scott a tour of Knoebels, pointing out the must-ride attractions.

Also during that time, I made Scott stand at any photo spot opportunity as it was his first-ever visit to the park! Here he is standing before the North Pole outside the Christmas shop.

The legendary Phoenix was running through test-cycles before opening for the day at 12pm.

Here is Scott sitting in a roller car in front of the Phoenix. He didn't quite know what he was in store on the actual roller coaster! 😂

Here I am posing for a photo, looking forward to the abundance of airtime of the Phoenix I had experienced nearly six years ago!

Here is Scott at the Antique Cars photo spot next to the Phoenix.

A maintenance worker was taking some rides on the Phoenix before it opened for the day!

While we had some time to pass before the all day-ride wristband redemption booth and rides opened, we continued to walk around. The Flying Turns began to test in the late-morning.

Here is a look at the 2024 park map. It reminds you just how much there is to do at this classic park!

Speaking of lots to do, there was also some live entertainment to be enjoyed at the Bandshell to kick off the 98th year of operation.

Over the last few years, Knoebels acquired a classic Schwarzkopf Bayern Kurve ride. During that time they have been actively restoring it. There is still a bit to go before it is operational. Hopefully they get it up and running soon as it is an extremely rare ride!

Here is Scott at the Pioneer Train photo spot. We rode the Pioneer Train on Sunday.

Here is Scott with the famous Kozmo, the mascot of Knoebels.

During our visit, we did a lot of clowning around!

The classic Paratrooper was under a major refurbishment. While it was a bit disappointing to see it closed during our visit, it is great to see them continuously restoring vintage rides! The Giant Flume log flume was also being refurbished during our visit.

Another stop on the photo spot tour was at the Haunted Mansion. Here is Scott looking scared! 😂

About 30 minutes before 12pm we redeemed our all-day ride wristbands and then headed over to the Phoenix where we waited until it opened. Once it opened, we were on the first train of the day and season! The Phoenix was just as amazing as I remembered it was six years ago! The airtime is phenomenal! Scott really enjoyed his first ride on it and was surprised by how smooth it was! That is the magic of Knoebels! 😊 It is now his favourite wooden roller coaster!

After an exhilarating ride on Phoenix, we then took a relaxing ride on the Antique Autos followed by a ride on the fun and unique Black Diamond. Scott was really impressed with this one!

After the Black Diamond, we ventured over to the amazing Haunted Mansion! During my visit in 2018, I had missed riding this one as my first visit wasn't a full day. Luckily I was able to get on the Haunted Mansion during this visit as it is the best haunted dark ride I have done! Scott and I were laughing uncontrollably at the props and effects that came at us around every corner! 🤣It was amazing and definitely worth the additional $3.50!

The Haunted Mansion is how all haunted mansion dark rides should be!

The Flyers were running very well, allowing us to go high above the midway! The Flyers at Knoebels continues to be a favourite ride of mine!

We continued the theme of flying with the Flying Turns! This was another ride that caused Scott and I to laugh uncontrollably!

When I rode The Flying Turns in 2018, I rode it by myself. Since Scott and I were under the maximum weight per car, we sat together in the front car. One thing I forgot was how narrow the cars on the Flying Turns are! Let's just say we were wedged in like sardines throughout the whole ride! 🤣
Since this was Scott's first time on a bobsled coaster, he didn't quite know what to expect! The track was quite slick from the rain, causing the train to go up along the wall of the trough quite fast! We both began laughing uncontrollably as he had nowhere to hang onto as he was seated a bit in front of the handle bars! It was definitely an experience we'll both never forget! 🤣

Up next was a ride on the rare Looper! Unfortunately Scott sat on the wrong side of the car, so we weren't able to loop. But we still had fun trying to loop as it went around! 

Before boarding the Twister, we rode the Stratosfear drop tower. I had forgotten how intense it was! 

The Twister is also quite intense for a wooden roller coaster as it pulls quite a few laterals on the turns and helixes! In true Knoebels' fashion, there was quite a bit of retracking done on the Twister this past off-season, allowing it to operate smoothly! It was just as thrilling and enjoyable as I remembered!
Scott really enjoyed riding the Twister, making it one of his favourite wooden roller coasters, just a bit behind the Phoenix, which is his new number one wooden roller coaster.

While not very tall, the Stratosfear packs quite a bit of airtime within its 130 foot structure!

Opening day at Knoebels wasn't too busy as the weather was cool and rainy. We took advantage of the weather and managed to get on over 20 rides, including repeat rides on the Phoenix!

Up next was a ride on the relaxing Scenic Skyway.

You're able to get quite a view of the park from the Scenic Skyway!

Such views include the Twister.

And of the Impulse and the Giant Wheel.

And the Phoenix too, which is a bit more visible in the Spring than in the summer as the leaves are not out fully yet.

From the Skyway you can see thrill-seekers go over the edge on the Impulse! The Impulse rode very well and was much more comfortable with the new trains from ART Engineering than the old trains from Zierer, the roller coaster's manufacturer. 

Here's Scott and I on the Scenic Skyway. 

After a relaxing ride on the Scenic Skyway and a thrilling ride on Impulse, the park's looping roller coaster, we headed to the Giant Wheel! 

While waiting in line for the Giant Wheel, Kozmo made an appearance after the rain had passed.

The Giant Wheel was another ride I did not ride during my visit in 2018. It gives a very nice view of Knoebels!

The sun tried breaking out from the clouds while we were on the Giant Wheel.

Here is Scott enjoying his ride on the Giant Wheel.

We then took a ride on the classic Whipper (whip ride), Satellite (Roll-o-plane), and then the Motor Boats, pictured here.

The Motor Boats is a vintage motor boat ride that takes you by the Satellite (pictured) as well as under the Kozmo's Kurves family coaster.

The Motor Boats are a relaxing and enjoyable attraction.

We really had to duck for the bridges and underpasses!

You can get a great view of Kozmo's Kurves while on the Motor Boats.

We took a ride on Kozmo's Kurves later in the day. While it is a family roller coaster, it is filled with a significant amount of airtime and something you don' want to miss like I did in 2018. At least I have the credit now! 😂

Here is a view of the boat we rode in.

Up next we took a scenic tour on one of two trains at Knoebels, the Ole Smokey steam train. I made a point of riding both train rides this visit as I missed out on both last time! They are really neat!

The Ole Smokey steam train takes you along the woodsy edge of the park, taking you over a stream along the way!

Scott and I took a leisurely stroll through the Carousel Museum. It has many antique carousel horses acquired by the park over the years. It is a gem of Knoebels.

With an hour and a half before the park closed at 7pm, we took up a round of mini golf on the park's 18-hole Mini Golf course. It is $5 per player and is a well themed and challenging course.

As it got somewhat darker outside, the lights on some of he rides came on. Pictured is the classic Satellite, an Eyerly Roll-O-Plane ride. I really enjoyed this ride in 2018 due to the "dive-bombing" motions it produced! Just be warned when riding with a riding companion that you may get squished as you slide around in your seat a lot during the ride! I am sure the whole park could hear Scott and I riding it!🤣

After riding the Fandango, a Frisbee ride I did not ride six years ago, I captured this photo of the yellow train on the Phoenix flying along the track!

After getting one final ride on the Phoenix before the park closed for the night, Scott and I captured this photo in front of the classic Knoebels sign!

It is a beautiful sign and an iconic piece at Knoebels.

Below are photos of a sunnier and warmer Sunday at Knoebels. The sun came out in the late morning, bringing some crowds to the park, making the park a bit busier and livelier! Knoebels does very well with dispatching rides on busier days, so you did not wait in line for too long, with the longest wait being 15 minutes for the Phoenix! Be sure to enjoy the photos of our Sunday at Knoebels! 🙂

The skies were quite overcast with clouds early Sunday morning. The clouds started to break away in the late morning.

While we waited for the rides to open at 12pm, we listened to the beautiful Wurlitzer band organ across from the Phoenix. It's awesome how they have kept this running for all these years!

Over the last 98 years of operation, various members of the Knoebels family have built many unique structures and features around the park. One of those structures is this stone lighthouse that dates back to the 1930s. Structures like this make Knoebels very unique!

Knoebels is also home to two covered bridges. Pictured is the Knoebels Groves Covered Bridge that was built in 1975. Every so many years, Knoebels floods, causing the water to rise quite high in the late Winter and Spring. There are many markers on the bridge and around the park showing how high the water has been over the years.

The sun was out fully by the time Phoenix opened on Sunday.

After an early afternoon ride on the Phoenix in the back row and a ride on the Black Diamond, Scott and I took a spin on the classic Tilt-A-Whirl. The one at Knoebels still operates on shift stick system, while newer and retrofitted units operate with push button control panels.

Up next was a ride on the fun Cosmotron. It is a Himalaya ride enclosed in a building featuring lights and sounds. I forgot that it operated both forward and backward. While it's not fast, it is still a great experience!

Scott and I decided to take another ride on the Antique Cars. This time Scott took a turn at the wheel so I could take photos of the Phoenix.

While on the Antique Autos, I captured this photo of the dismantled Rock-O-Plane ride that Knoebels had operating last Fall where the old Power Surge ride had operated. With the introduction of a new Power Surge ride, the Rock-O-Plane will be set up next to the Phoenix and Fandango Frisbee ride.
I hope to experience the Rock-O-Plane one day as they're a rare ride these days!

The Antique Cars provide an awesome underside view of the Phoenix as you drive under it throughout the ride!

You can also get a great view of the double down airtime hills on the Phoenix while on the Antique Cars!

Here is Phoenix through the trees as seen along the Antique Cars track.

For lunch Scott and I enjoyed some mashed potato bowls which consisted of mashed potatoes, sweet corn, popcorn chicken, and chicken gravy. It was very good! While eating, I captured this sunny view of the midway.

After lunch we boarded the Pioneer train, the other train at Knoebels. The Pioneer train takes riders on a mile and a half journey.

While traveling on the Pioneer train, you pass by the other train that had just completed the journey.

Along the way you pass under the Twister wooden roller coaster.

You also pass through a tunnel on the Pioneer train. The tunnel dates back to 1865, well before the park opened! The Pioneer Train ride has been operating at Knoebels since 1960.

You also get taken into the woods of Knoebels on the Pioneer train.

The woods at Knoebels can be quite shady!

Here is more views of the Twister as seen from the Pioneer Train.

The Twister stands tall above the Pioneer Train.

After the Pioneer Train we went over to the Twister. Following a ride on the Twister I came across this look-out point for the Flying Turns. It provides you a great view of the trough and how the trains navigate it.

There's nothing like a ride on the Phoenix in the afternoon!

Up next was a ride on the PTC Crazy Daisy manufactured Tea Cups Ride. This ride is extremely rare these days!

There was live entertainment again on Sunday featuring a band playing songs of the 1980s! it was nice hearing it as we rode the Skooters bumper cars!

After the Skooters bumper cars, I took another spin on the Satellite! Scott sat out on this one this time due to the experience of the day before! lol

As I've done so in the past, I was shifting in my seat the whole ride! 😂

After having some Dole soft serve ice cream, we took another ride on the Scenic Skyway. The view from it is great!

I was feeling quite warm as the temperature got up to 79°F (26°C), so I took a ride on the Splash boat ride, Skloosh! I think this was the earliest I have rode a water ride to date!

The drop has a bit of airtime, like any Hopkins shoot-the-chutes ride has!

Skloosh! has quite the splashdown, getting all of its riders soaked! It was quite refreshing and the cool down I needed!

To dry off, I took a spin with Scott on the Merry Mixer. I forgot that as this is a Garbrick manufactured Scrambler ride, adults need to cross their legs for the door to close as the seats are a bit smaller. We made it work! 🤣

In the late afternoon, we hit up the arcade where we played some classic Skee-Ball for 25 cents per game!

Afterwards we took a spin on the Grand Carousel. This carousel dates back to 1913 and has been operating at Knoebels since 1941!

It is one of a few carousels where you have the chance to catch a brass ring! I sat on the outside row and managed to catch one of the metal rings! Still quite the experience!

Our second last ride of the day was a ride on the classic Roto Jets! It is a dun family ride where you can control how high you go while pushing on a lever in the front of the car, while the ride rotates.

Our last ride of the day before heading out on Sunday was on the legendary Phoenix!

I know I've sad it many times, but the Phoenix is filled with a phenomenal amount of airtime! I am glad to have rode it many times during this visit!

Here is Scott and I after our final ride on the Phoenix! That is a wrap on our visit to Knoebels on opening weekend for their 98th year! Thank you for taking a look at my photos of our fun weekend getaway to Knoebels! 🙂