The DareDeviler opened last Thursday but this post will go into what else happened that day as well as a bonus visit on Saturday for SickKids’ Day, where each guest who walked through Front Gate resulted in Canada’s Wonderland donating one dollar to SickKids Foundation. SickKids had some activity by the floral flag earlier in the day, but unfortunately it wrapped up before I arrived. It was a very busy day at the park, which means plenty of money for SickKids Foundation.
I chatted with a lot of fellow enthusiasts during both visits including spending most of my Saturday with Parker. There are a lot of opinions in the enthusiast community but I think all of us agree Wonderland is going in a great direction at the moment.
I also got chatting with Christopher Mortensen on both Thursday and Saturday, which is always nice. I have so many things I’d like to chat with him about and he loves going into detail so it always leaves more to talk about next time. Truly, I’m so grateful he takes the time to listen and have honest discussions with us enthusiasts and guests in general.
Updates
On International Street, there’s a new decoration above Starbucks. I’m wondering if it was added during Celebration Canada and the park just decided to leave it? I like it even if it does feel a little odd on the Latin building. After all, we already have True North Gifts in the Mediterranean building. And a Tim Hortons in the Scandinavian building.
Major Mack was back in the festival plaza again this week! I really hope he can get a permanent photo-op spot somewhere in Frontier Canada in the future, but I’m just so happy to have him making more frequent appearances!
The Grande World Exposition of 1890 now has themed music! The fact this was introduced almost simultaneously with The DareDeviler is amazing and I’m glad it was implemented in time for the ride’s opening ceremony! There’s some ragtime piano and other vintage turn-of-the-century music from the festival plaza to Psyclone and it really does set the right tone for this themed section of the park!
Still in Expo, the former Chicken Shack building is undergoing some renovations. It’s been painted mostly “DareDeviler Green” with a striking orange front. I can’t say exactly what this building will become, but from what I could tell of the interior work going on, it will probably remain a restaurant.
From the hill behind SlingShot, the green coat of paint really helps the back of the building blend in more with the trees and feel a lot more natural overall.
Inside Wonder Mountain, the park appeared to be pouring a new floor between the ramp (by Vortex’s lift hill) and AlpenFury’s launch shaft.
Tiny Tom Donuts has added some stickers to the windows featuring the family of doughnuts I mentioned last visit and then some! It’s a really appealing detail I think will encourage more people to notice the little shop.
I also noticed Tiny Tom Donuts has an AlpenFury flavour, which is apparently “Raspberry Waffle.” I’ll definitely be trying that in the near future!
Food
Thursday morning, the park provided a simple breakfast including coffee, tea, juice, muffins, and some granola bars. We then had a brunch at Grande World Eatery which involved every single item on its menu. I got everything except the seasonal fruit (watermelon) and seafood medley. I’ve reviewed almost all of it before so I’ll just highlight some new-to-me things. I’m also not sure why the pasta wasn’t served with sauce during this event, but it thankfully there was some from the meatballs.
Paneer Tikki Masala
Not bad and it does have some spice to it, though I won’t be going back to it anytime soon.
Toronto Ty Taste Tier: C
Vegetable Biryani Rice
Yes I got this previously, but it tasted very different this time! Though there was still the same spice level from before, I got a lot more flavour this time. But it was fairly cold both times I’ve had it so I probably won’t get it again.
Toronto Ty Taste Tier: C
Chicken Tenders
Meh. If you’re going to get chicken tenders, it’s probably best to go to Lazy Bear Lodge.
Toronto Ty Taste Tier: D
Wonder Chocolate Chunk Cookie
It’s tasty and very chocolatey, though I could do without the salt.
Toronto Ty Taste Tier: C
Tomato & Cucumber Salad
It was definitely tomato and cucumber. I could have used some more dressing on it, but it’s not a bad lighter side option.
Toronto Ty Taste Tier: B
Beef Sliders & Fries
Thursday evening, I grabbed a second meal from King’s Feast. I really wanted a salad but they didn’t have any during this visit. The beef sliders were as good as before, though it’s challenging to get the right amount of ketchup and mustard from the dispensers. The fries had far too much salt for my liking as usual. I find myself brushing salt off nearly every single one. Perhaps having salt packets would be more convenient? Until then, this meal loses some points.
Toronto Ty Taste Tier: C
Ultimate Skor Milkshake
Coaster’s Drive-In had a sign out front advertising this “summer special” milkshake. Since I was looking to use my $10 credit (given by Six Flags to anyone who bought a gold or all-park dining plan before several parks were sold to another company) before it expired at the end of this month, I decided to try out this limited time item.
It was very tasty and a decent size all things considered. The whipped cream repeatedly clogged the straw, but that’s to be expected from a milkshake I suppose. I would have liked more chocolate and caramel sauce but at least the Skor pieces on top added some extra flavour.
Toronto Ty Taste Tier: A
Ultimate Brownie
Since I was already at Coaster’s Drive-In and didn’t want to wait in another line, I decided to get the Ultimate brownie as well to use the last of my $10 credit. After tax, season pass discount, and the $10 credit, I paid $1.22 out of pocket for both items.
I asked what flavour the brownie was and the associate said “white chocolate.” The sign in King’s Feast clarifies that it also has a Biscoff drizzle though I couldn’t detect that flavour. Perhaps the red is just food colouring then? The brownie itself was very moist and delicious with the icing rounding out this sweet treat perfectly!
Toronto Ty Taste Tier: S
Rides
Thursday
- The DareDeviler x 3
- Sledge Hammer x 1
- Wilde Beast x 1
Saturday
- Shockwave x 1
- Wilde Beast x 1
- Drop Tower x 1
- Viking’s Rage x 1
KidZfest
The annual event is back for another year and looks better than ever! Granted I’ve never had a little one with me during the event (though that will change next weekend), but everything from the layout to the decor seemed more well done than usual.
The stage that used to be in front of Maple Park Treehouse has been replaced by the new Refresh Centre so instead a somewhat smaller stage has been set up between Flying Canoes and Lumberjack Climb. I’m honestly really happy with the size of this stage compared to what the park has during Camp Spooky and WinterFest because it allows better guest flow around the audience, though I’m sure the full-size stage will be back for the bigger shows later in the year.
One of the meet and greet stages is now placed between Swan Lake and Boo Blasters on Boo Hill. I’m happy to see this as it should help spread out the crowds a bit better.
The posts and bunting over the pathways seemed more vibrant than I remember and even the KidZfest signs on Treetop Adventure’s supports (and lampposts) seemed sturdier than in the past.
The park is also using the “Wish Trees” from the previous SickKids Foundation fundraiser that ran for a couple seasons. It’s great to see the park repurposing these, now featuring designs made of carved up pool noodles!
I’m not sure if they’ll be performing every day of KidZfest, but Doo Doo the Clown and The Magic of Aaron Matthews were both listed on the PEANUTS Gazebo during my two visits. If you get a chance, make sure to watch either or both of these shows as they’re both really “unbelievable” performers! (IYKYK)
When planning a visit, just be sure you arrive fairly early in the day as all the KidZfest entertainment seems to wrap up around 6:00 p.m. I understand kids don’t stay up as late as adults on average, but with the kids’ park staying open until 10:00 p.m. on fireworks nights, I think it would be nice to have KidZfest run a bit later.
Entertainment
On Thursday I watched The Fantastic Bubble Show and it lives up to its name! It’s very well done with a lot of variety in the types of bubbles. The kids really loved the performance, nearly knocking down the poles of the stanchions because they were walking forward, pulling the stanchion ropes. The usher was doing her absolute best but there was no controlling that crowd. I highly recommend taking your little ones to see the show if it’s running during your visit to KidZfest!
On Saturday I finally checked out Watchtower, the new show in Arthur’s Baye. It’s fantastic! There’s a good amount of humour, a great opening, all the amazing stunts you’re familiar with, and some costumes that look so much more appropriate for Medieval Faire!
I’ll always want more story, but this is great update! Plus, AlpenFury’s flame cannons are synchronized to the music of the show! That completely blew my mind because it’s an entirely unnecessary addition! I don’t think it really enhances the show, but it’s such a neat detail that shows they went to some extra effort putting this show together!
I also saw Fiery Scarlet Black, an award winning fire dancer who performed at 8:30 p.m. as part of the park’s enhanced live entertainment on fireworks nights. She did an incredible job and the audience loved the performance! The pavers were on fire!
I know there’s another fire dancer who performs around Arthur’s Baye but making it from there to my usual spot on fireworks hill may be a bit challenging. I’m so incredibly happy the park is featuring these extra acts, though I do wish the showtimes were posted or listed on the app so more people may be aware of them.
There was also a juggler with light-up pins. He was great, getting guests involved by letting them throw a pin for him to catch.
The fireworks were spectacular as usual! Multiple families sitting near me were seeing the park’s fireworks for the first time, or at least the first time in a long while. It fills me with so much joy to know more people than ever are witnessing the park’s phenomenal fireworks displays!
TL;DR
I had a lot of good conversations and the atmosphere of the park is feeling better all the time! Nine rides across two visits is still above average for me! The live entertainment this year is honestly very impressive (except RetroSpect) and I’m so glad I saw so much of it during these two days!
It was a busy couple days at the park, with a hardcore video editing session in between. I apologize for the delay in getting this posted. If you can believe it, I think I’ll be back at the park for another two days this coming weekend. Everything that’s been happening recently has refreshed my love of the park and I’m looking forward to continuing to track all the little changes as they happen.
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