Help and Tips for Canada Trip To Canada's Wonderland, Marineland, and Falls Area.

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Mamoosh said:

A tip for Wonderland: avoid the temptation to go right to Behemoth at park opening. Instead hit The Fly (mouse), The Crypt (Zamperla flyer), and the Boomerang. Not only are these are all low-capacity coasters but you won't want more than one ride on each.

Behemoth is a cool name but Cedar Fair could have easily called it One-Eyed & Purple...because it's a people eater, lol. The line moves at a very brisk pace and a 30-45 min wait doesn't feel that long at all. If you want a front seat ride opt for queue row #2 (the two outside seats of the front car) as its usually a walk-on.

Have fun

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I fully second this advice! The line for Behemoth is well over an hour, after about 12:30 it drops below the 20 min mark for a bit. It's hard but well worth holding off for. Also those low capacity rides mentioned get super nasty lines in the afternoon that are usually at least an hour. You can walk on the rides in the back of the park while everyone's in line for Behemoth in the AM!

I just got back from Toronto. Great town. (Didn't get to CW, but had no extra time.)

If you're interested in having a serious dinner, try Canoe in the financial district. It's on the 57th floor of a bank tower, with a fabulous view of the lake. Very expensive, but worth every penny.

I had a surprsingly good Ontario Pino Noir there, so don't be afraid to get a recommendation for something local from the wine list.

As an aside a 4% spread on a currency exchange is pretty darn good. You can't do much better than that, and it's easy to do worse. The currency exchanges in most airports are closer to 6-10%, depending on how much you are changing.

I want to thank everyone for taking time for their advise and helpful tips, one person even sent me a private message that has very helpful. Our plans have changed some. We are leaving Sunday morning for Rochester to visit family. We are staying at relatives home that night and going to Seabreeze Monday now instead of Sunday, this gives us more time to visit. Darien Lake is now on Tuesday, Marineland/Falls is Wednesday, and Wonderland is Thursday. My Aunt in Rochester insisted we stay with her on Sunday and Monday nights. We are staying at a hotel near DL on Tuesday, but have no plans for Wednesday night yet. I think we might just drive home on Thursday night, we have not decided yet. I am like a little kid at Christmas time just waiting!!!

Got back yesterday from our trip. What a good time! I loved Wonderland, what a nice park! Very busy park! Hated the drive there, a lot of traffic and congestion around Toronto. Thank god I had a GPS! I might do a trip report if I find time. My vacation is ending and I will now be working overtime to catch up at work. But it was worth it! :)

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Brian Noble said:

As an aside a 4% spread on a currency exchange is pretty darn good. You can't do much better than that, and it's easy to do worse. The currency exchanges in most airports are closer to 6-10%, depending on how much you are changing.

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I'll second the fact that it's a good idea to exchange currency outside of the airport. When my job first had me traveling to Ontario, I made the mistake of counting on the airport before finding it was a lot better to do it elsewhere. There are plenty of places to do it in the general area, it's not like you have to look very hard.

So...does Behemoth live up to the hype (some of which I've created)?

I must not have sat in the right seat - because I thought it was okay, but nothing special on my trip. The airtime felt less powerful than anything on Millennium Force.

I should have given it a second chance, but honestly, I didn't really care to. I just did not enjoy it.

^^I'm still trying to refrain from commenting on your alternative moniker for Behemoth....

gator, needs to get back to Canada again, eh?

edit: Comment directed at Moosh... ;)
*** Edited 8/8/2008 7:43:22 PM UTC by rollergator***

I loved Behemoth! Yes it is a very simple layout but I loved those bunny hills and the airtime we got on them. A very smooth ride not extremely fast (70MPH I believe) but fast enough. 2 Rides in the front seats, one on the left and once on the right side. This coaster is somewhere in my top 10.

I must not have sat in the right seat - because I thought it was okay, but nothing special on my trip. The airtime felt less powerful than anything on Millennium Force.

You must have, Jeff. The four of us all felt major un-B&M-like ejector air on every ride. We rode front car and back car, outside seats.

Anticipointment, perhaps?

*** Edited 8/8/2008 8:40:08 PM UTC by Mamoosh***

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Mamoosh said:
I must not have sat in the right seat - because I thought it was okay, but nothing special on my trip. The airtime felt less powerful than anything on Millennium Force.

You must have, Jeff. The four of us all felt major un-B&M-like ejector air on every ride. We rode front car and back car, outside seats.

Anticipointment, perhaps?

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Perhaps it was not the seat, but how hard the restraint was closed on him. I remember the first ride I took on Behemoth. The ride-op pushed down hard enough on the restraint so it was pressed firmly against me and the airtime was just 'okay'. My later rides I had at least half an inch of space between myself and the restraint, and on all of the hills I felt like I was going to be ejected. Great stuff, I tell ya. I'm glad Behemoth is in my home park.

Negative Gs are independent of the restaints. On one of my back car rides the attendance slammed the restraint so hard into my thights that it actually hurt. I complained that it was too tight but he would do nothing. I left the station with not even room to move...and later I had bruises.

Never-the-less, I ride still experienced amazing airtime. Did I come off my seat? No...but it's the negative gs we feel as falling, not the coming-off-the-seat. And lets be real...we never really come off the seat more than maybe a 1/2 inch. It may FEEL like more, but its not.

Ya I agree with Mamoosh completely, but Millie also has another seventy feet to play with on the first drop, so of course it will have more power and umph to it.

Canadas wonderland sits right along side highway 400. There are a ton of hotels in the same complex going back towards Toronto and only about five or ten minutes away. The problem though from my experience is the hotels that sit in the area. Marriot, courtyard hilton, and another hotel of the upper class type. I only stayed one night at the courtyard hilton and it was one hundred and sixty five dollars for a two bedroom. Sweating yet, I know. But call in advanced, check for the best rates and hay, you never know.

*** Edited 8/9/2008 3:45:03 AM UTC by CoasterDiscern***

I'm trying to link it on google maps, but its not working. Maybe someone can help me out. Its highway 407,400 and 7. Interchange way.

*** Edited 8/9/2008 3:47:11 AM UTC by CoasterDiscern***

^Sometimes those 'burbs hotels can be expensive. They cater to people visitng the business in the area and also for Wonderland. Since there's a ton of hotels downtown they can be a bit more competetive to fill the rooms. My dad just got a room on hotwire at the Weston in the harbourfront for like $80 a night and it's solid 4 star hotel.

As long as you avoid rush hour it's a pretty easy drive up to Wonderland that should take under a half hour. Also if you want to avoid traffic it's farily easy to take transit up to the park. Take the subway to York Mills and buy transfer to a bus that goes directly to the park.

I sold my car after moving into the downtown core so mostly use transit to get up there. If I time it right, can get from my doorstep to the Wonderland gate in under an hour.