Is Canada’s Wonderland Worth Visiting in 2025?

⭐️ Canada’s Wonderland opens weekends starting in early May 2025, and daily starting mid May 2025. ⭐️

If you are wondering if Canada’s Wonderland is worth visiting, the answer is YES! Growing up in Toronto, visiting Canada’s Wonderland was always, and continues to be, one of the best things to do in the summer!

Meeting up with friends, trying out the latest and greatest rides, testing out the water slides, or experiencing the thrill of finally being tall enough to ride the biggest roller coasters make for a thrilling day at the best amusement park in Canada.

If you are looking for an honest review of Canada’s Wonderland, I’ve got you covered! Keep reading to learn all the details.

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What Makes Canada’s Wonderland Special?

✓ Huge amusement park with over 200 attractions, including 18 roller coasters
✓ A 20-acre water park that’s included in the admission price
✓ Rides, attractions, and entertainment suitable for all ages
✓ Just north of Toronto and accessible by public transportation
✓ Halloween Haunt and WinterFest are excellent seasonal events offered at Wonderland

Canada’s Wonderland Amusement Park

Canada’s Wonderland is a huge amusement park located just north of Toronto. It has over 200 attractions, including 18 roller coasters, live shows, and a 20-acre water park Splash Works. There are rides for everyone, including kids, families, and thrill seekers.

Canada’s Wonderland also continues to update its park with new attractions every year. In recent year, new rides, Tundra Twister, Snoopy’s Racing Railway, and Moosehorn Falls, opened for visitors.

Canada’s Wonderland is Located Just Outside of Toronto

Canada’s Wonderland address is: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Maple, ON L6A 1S6

Canada’s Wonderland is located in Vaughan, Ontario. Vaughan is about 45 kilometres north of Toronto, or about a 45-minute drive from downtown Toronto.

It is easy to drive to Canada’s Wonderland, as it’s right off the 400 highway and close to the 407 toll highway.

Is Canada’s Wonderland Worth the Cost?

Canada’s Wonderland is a fun day trip and worth every penny, especially when you compare the cost of admission to other amusement parks around the world, such as Disney World.

That being said, the costs can add up quickly. Here are a few money-saving tips for Canada’s Wonderland.

✓ Look for discounted tickets or get a Season Pass.
✓ Buy tickets online as a group to save on processing fees.
✓ Carpool or use the passenger drop-off zone to avoid parking fees.
✓ Pack a cooler with lunch and snacks to eat at the picnic area outside.
✓ Bring bottled water—you’re allowed to bring it into the park.
✓ Wear your bathing suit under your clothes to save time at the water park.
✓ Pack essentials like sunscreen and hats to avoid buying pricey items inside.
✓ Grab treats at nearby stores after your visit to save on snacks.

The park is also easily walkable. It is very convenient to leave items in your car (such as a cooler, towels, and rain gear) and go back and forth from the rides to the car park.

Canada’s Wonderland vs Disney World

It’s important to realize, however, that Canada’s Wonderland is not Disney or Universal. Wonderland is a fantastic amusement park for rides and roller coasters, but it doesn’t have the same Disney “magic” or ambiance.

Consider Wonderland a fun-filled day of thrilling roller coasters, lots of ride options, and exciting water slides. The cost of admission is reasonable an it’s located close to Toronto.

When does Canada’s Wonderland Open in 2025?

Canada’s Wonderland is open from May to October every year. Canada’s Wonderland opens on weekends starting the first weekend of May. It opens daily starting mid-May. Splash Works opens the beginning of June.

In addition to the summer season, Wonderland hosts two popular holiday events. Halloween Haunt is open in October. WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland runs November to January.

Canada’s Wonderland is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (although it’s always best to confirm dates with the official website as they can change without notice). Splash Works water park, is open from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Canada’s Wonderland Ticket Prices

Canada’s Wonderland tickets are available for purchase at the entrance and online. The best ticket price is online.

Currently, the one-day regular admission online is $49.99. However, if you want to visit the park after 4 p.m. the price drops to $39.99. The rate is also $39.99 for children and seniors.

There is also a “bring-a-friend” ticket where season’s ticket holders get a discounted entrance ticket if they bring a friend without a season’s pass.

Wonderland ticket prices do fluctuate, however. For example, if you buy before the season starts, tickets may be less, or they sometimes offer special ticket prices for a week with low attendance.

➤ Pro Tip: When you go to check out online, a $9.99 processing fee will be added to your order. This fee is per order, not per ticket, so it’s best to buy all your tickets at once.

Corporations also sometimes offer discount tickets, and CAA also has discount ticket options. For the cost of $45, this has to be one of the best deals going for all that this amusement park has to offer visitors.

The most expensive way to purchase your Canada’s Wonderland tickets is at the gate. This can cost about $80.00 per person.

What is Included in the Ticket Admission?

All the rides, including the roller coasters and the water park, are included in the cost of admission. Parking and food are not included in the ticket price.

However, there are many ticket pricing options, and there are often promotions and discounts for tickets to Canada’s Wonderland, including group sales, special promotions, two-day passes, and season passes.

Should I buy a Canada’s Wonderland Season Pass?

If you plan to go to Canada’s Wonderland more than twice in the season, then yes, you should absolutely purchase a Season Pass. A season pass costs $99 (although prices can fluctuate at different points in the year) and gives you unlimited visits to Wonderland in the regular season.

Essentially, if you visit Canada’s Wonderland more than twice, you will recover the cost of your Season Pass.

There is also a Gold Pass. This pass includes unlimited visits to Halloween Haunt and WinterFest.

The cost in 2025 for this pass is $135. But keep an eye on prices online or through the app. As you get closer to the end of the season, the cost of a season pass may drop, and there are some real bargains to be had!

Seasons Pass Benefits

There are also additional benefits for Season Pass holders, such as “bring-a-friend” discounts, food and merchandise discounts, and exclusive early ride times.

If Season Pass holders choose to renew their pass before the start of the season, there are usually additional cost savings or incentives to renew early. Season passes are not transferrable.

What is the Prestige Pass?

New in 2024 is the Canada’s Wonderland Prestige Page. For a cost of about $325. In addition to unlimited visits to the park and special events, the Prestige Pass includes:

• free general parking in a preferred lot
• preferred entrance
• 20% off food and merchandise
• 1 single-lane fast pass per visit
• 2 free bring-a-friend passes annually
• access to VIP area

If you plan to visit Wonderland several times and park there, the cost of this pass along with the extra perks may just make this pass worth the additional costs.

Using Your Canada’s Wonderland Season’s Pass

You can buy your Season Pass online, upload your photo, and access it through the app or phone wallet—no need to wait in line. The pass is non-transferable and worth it if you plan to visit multiple times or enjoy park perks.

It grants access to both the amusement park and Splash Works. In my experience, the Season Pass is perfect for tweens and teens who visit with friends throughout the summer.

Purchasing a Season Pass is a great option if you plan to visit the park a couple of times in a season and if you want some of those additional park perks.

Canada’s Wonderland Parking

The cost of parking at Canada’s Wonderland is currently $30 per vehicle.

Canada’s Wonderland has a huge parking lot, and I have never experienced it getting full. It is located right beside the entrance and is easily walkable.

Some visitors may be tempted to park in the parking lots of local businesses in the area, but there are posted signs in those lots warning Canada’s Wonderland visitors not to park here. These lots are private property and they have tow truck companies on speed dial!

Wonderland Passenger Pick-up and drop-off Location

There’s a convenient pick-up and drop-off area off location ideal dropping off or picking up family and friends without having to pay for parking. The entrance is off of Jane St.

It’s great for parents who don’t plan to stay.

Is the Canada’s Wonderland Fast Lane Pass Worth It?

If you want to skip lines, you can buy a Fast Lane Pass. Currently, there are two options.

• By-pass 21 specific rides with the Fast Lane Pass
• By-pass 21 rides plus the most popular roller coasters (Yukon Striker, Leviathan, and Behemoth) with the Fast Lane Pass Plus

These passes are limited and can sell out on busy days.

The Fast Lane Pass costs around $80 per person and helps you skip regular lines. The Season Pass Fast Lane Plus adds this benefit for every visit throughout the season.

If you’re only looking to skip the line for Yukon Striker, you can purchase a single-use Fast Pass for about $15.

Fast Passes are especially useful on busy summer weekends when wait times can be long. Your choice will depend on your budget, schedule, and how much time you want to save.

Can you take Food and Drinks into Canada’s Wonderland?

No. Unfortunately, outside food and drink are not permitted in Canada’s Wonderland. You can, however, bring in bottled water.

There are lots of food options in Canada’s Wonderland, although the prices certainly reflect amusement park prices. Visitors can, however, exit and re-enter the park.

Some visitors pack a cooler and enjoy a picnic at the park’s outdoor picnic area to save on food costs. Others prefer to budget for park treats, like the famous funnel cakes, as part of the experience.

Can I Take Public Transportation to Canada’s Wonderland?

Yes! You can take public transportation all the way to Canada’s Wonderland.

✓ Take the Yonge-University subway line to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station on the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
✓ Transfer to the York Region Transit (YRT) Bus, 20 Jane St. Northbound
✓ Get off the bus at the Avro Road stop
✓ Cross the street into Wonderland’s parking lot

You can use a Presto card to ride both the subway and the bus. The total cost will be about $7.00 each way, and it will take you about 1.5 hours total travel time each way from downtown Toronto.

Another option is to take the subway to Vaughan Station and then take an Uber or taxi from the subway station to the park, making the ride a little faster but still affordable.

What Rides are there at Canada’s Wonderland?

There are over 200 attractions at Canada’s Wonderland in total. For young children, they can ride the Antique Carrousel, the Ghoster Coaster, Mini Swings, Treetop Adventure, and more.

Families can ride Timberwolf Falls, White Water Canyon, Swing of the Century, Spinovator, and more.

For thrill seekers, there’s the Drop Tower, Riptide, Windseeker, the Psyclone, Riptide, and more. There are so many options and different types of rides that it’s a fun day out for any age!

Best Roller Coasters at Canada’s Wonderland

Canada’s Wonderland has some of the best roller coasters in the world. There are 18 roller coasters in total, making Canada’s Wonderland truly worth visiting for those who love thrilling amusement park rides.

Here’s a description of the best roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland: the Leviathan, the Yukon Striker, and the Bohemoth.

1. Leviathan Roller Coaster

The Leviathan is Canada’s tallest and fastest roller coaster. Riders climb 306 feet to make their way to the highest peak in the park. From there, riders experience a steep 80-degree drop. This roller coaster reaches speeds of up to 148 kilometres per hour!

2. The Bohemoth Roller Coaster

The Bohemoth roller coaster has no upper-body restraints, which makes for quite a thrilling ride as you climb 230 feet before a 75-degree angle of descent with speeds reaching 125 kilometres per hour in just 3.9 seconds! This one is my personal favourite!

3. The Yukon Striker Roller Coaster

The Yukon Striker riders hang over the ride’s 90-degree drop at the start of the ride for three seconds before plummeting into an underwater tunnel followed by a giant loop.

The Yukon Striker roller coaster reaches speeds of 130 km/h while soaring through four dynamic inversions, including a complete 360-degree loop.

Does Canada’s Wonderland have a Water Park?

Yes! Splash Works is Canada’s Wonderland’s water park. Splash Works features 17 different water slides and water attractions in it’s 20-acre park.

Splash Works also includes a lazy river and one of the largest wave pools in Canada. The park provides life jackets free of charge for use throughout the water park.

Splash Works is open daily from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Where to Stay Near Canada’s Wonderland

There are a number of hotels close to Canada’s Wonderland. Novotel Toronto Vaughan and Aloft Vaughan Mills are the closest. These are my top picks.

Read about the 10 best places to stay near Canada’s Wonderland for even more options.

In addition to the regular season, Canada’s Wonderland hosts two special events: Halloween Haunt and WinterFest.

Canada’s Wonderland Halloween Haunt

During the Halloween season, Canada’s Wonderland is transformed into a spooky and haunted experience for visitors known as Halloween Haunt. Halloween Haunt features a variety of haunted attractions, monsters, scare zones, and live shows.

Monsters, ghosts, and other creatures lurk around the park, and visitors can expect to be scared and thrilled by the truly spooky atmosphere.

Canada’s Wonderland WinterFest

During WinterFest, the park is transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and holiday-themed attractions. WinterFest usually starts in November and runs until the end of December. It is one of Toronto’s best annual holiday activities.

Visitors can enjoy ice skating on Snow Flake Lake, relax around the outdoor fire pits, and enjoy many different holiday shows and performances throughout the park.

Over 20 rides are also open during WinterFest, making Canada’s Wonderland’s WinterFest a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Final Thoughts: Is Canada’s Wonderland Worth Visiting?

Canada’s Wonderland has an amazing selection of amusement park rides, especially thrill rides and roller coasters. It is especially fun summer-time activity with kids.

The price of your ticket includes unlimited rides on dozens of attractions, access to one of the largest water parks in Canada, entertaining shows, and fun amusement park games.

Once you factor in the cost of the tickets, parking, food and drinks, locker rental, and other incidentals, the day can get expensive, especially for a family. If you are going to splurge on just one day at Canada’s Wonderland, I recommend going early in order to get the most out of your day.

You will go home happily exhausted after a day filled with thrilling amusement rides and water park slides at Canada’s Wonderland. Ultimately, it’s good value for the amount of fun and excitement you will have with your friends and family.

For all of these reasons and more, I believe Canada’s Wonderland is absolutely worth visiting this year!

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