I Think I'm Still Spinning

Andrea getting measured

Today was spent at Canada's Wonderland.  Three years ago when we were in Toronto we went there and the kids pretty much stayed on the little rides which was great for both Tanya and I.  Today was three years later and they were tall enough to go on most rides which meant a day on many, many roller coasters.


We got up this morning, to a power outage (not sure why).  It didn't really matter because we weren't planning on spending much time in Stouffville today.  It was Michel's first day of vacation and we were headed to Wonderland for a fun-filled day.  After everyone ate breakfast, we loaded up the cars and were on our way arriving just after opening at 10:00 am.

After finishing our first roller coaster

We had pre-purchased our passes so we didn't need to wait in any lines and just went through the turnstile and we were in the park.  The kids had their maps out and were talking about all the rides they were going on.  The parents were trying to determine which rides we did and didn't want to do.  The kids then got measured and were given bracelets indicating how tall they are.

The kids pose with snoopy

Andrea not caring much for the Pirate ship

As we walked our way towards the back of the park, we hit a couple of the easier roller coasters.  David and Andrea weren't able to ride on those ones so mommy gladly offered to sit with them on the sidelines.  Next stop was the pirate ship and Michel managed to get Andrea and David in the line with him and they got on the ship.  David was just loving it but Andrea wasn't having much fun and her facial expression let us know that.  She said she didn't mind going backwards but really didn't like to go frontwards.  After that ride, she said she probably wouldn't do anymore of the big rides.

Leisurely boat road

We made our way to "Planet Snoopy" which houses a number of the less intense rides and this is the area that Tanya liked.  Most of the rides were close to the ground and didn't involve high speeds or rapid directional changes.  They did the swans, trains, cars, helicopters and many other rides.  This brought us to mid-afternoon to when we stopped for some lunch.  We ordered a few pizzas and sat in the shade, which was very nice because it was yet another nice hot sunny day.

Charlie Brown and Friends

After lunch we did a few more low impact rides and then decided to take in the Snoopy Rocks Ice Show.  It was a figure Skating Show that incorporated the cast of Charlie Brown and it was spectacular. The skating, throws and jumps were amazing and the kids really enjoyed the show.  

A picture of Coca Cola Mist Zone for Doug

After the skating show, it was time to get to some serious roller coasting done.  We broke up into a few groups.  Natalie, Justin, Jennifer and Michel went one way and Tanya, Andrea, David and I went another.  Natalie's group when and did a number of the 5 * rides, which were the highest impact ones.  We have to give Natalie a ton of credit.  She showed no fear at all and did all the big rides, in fact a lot of the times she was the one suggesting to do the rides.  

The Wind Seeker Natalie Went On

She even did the Behemoth, which is the largest roller coaster and the new ride of 2011 called the wind seeker.  It took you over 300 feet in the air while you were on a swing and then it spun you around in the circle.  Auntie Jen went with Natalie, and Natalie was telling us that she had to describe the scenery to Jen because her eyes were closed.  A special thanks goes out to Michel and his family for helping with the parental guidance on the big rides.

Closing Out the Day

While they were off doing those rides, we took the kids to another area of the park to do some of the rides they wanted to do.  David was into the roller coasters and wanted to do a few of them that we had walked by.  Seeing that Tanya didn't want to do any rides that went more than 10 feet in the air, that left me to ride them with him.  We started at the Silver Streak which is a coaster where you feet dangle in the air while your ride it.

Doing the Minebuster

We did the ride and it wasn't that bad although there were a few sharp turns that shake you up a bit.  After we got off, Andrea said she wanted to try this one as well so I lined right back up with her and since the line was small we went on immediately.  This was Andrea's first big roller coaster and I was very impressed that she wanted to give it a try.   

Natalie and Justin tamed the Dragon

Once we got strapped in, she said she was a bit uncertain as to whether or not she wanted to do the ride. Just before we started to ride attendant comes on the speaker and says "please keep your hands and feet in and remember to smile for the camera at the end of the ride."  We slowly started to climb to the apex of the ride and then we started to descend and gather speed.  She was yelling and screaming and then said "I'm shutting my eyes and I'm not smiling for that camera."  After we got off, she told me that was her first and last big roller coaster that she is ever going.

A Great Day Had by All

David then wanted to do the fly and vortex which were two very big, twisty coasters.  After we finished them he was saying how awesome they were and wanted to do them again but I'm afraid his father was done in by the all the turns and changes of direction.  It was also getting late (nearly 8:00 pm) and it was time for us to head home.


The kids talked excitedly about their day and were already planning on when they would be back.  I guess that is the sign of a great day.  I can say they weren't long falling asleep when we got home.  I won't be long going there myself as well.


Later,
Francois