List of former and renamed Canada's Wonderland attractions

Canada's Wonderland is a 330-acre (130 ha) theme park located in Vaughan, Ontario. Opened in 1981 by the Taft Broadcasting Company and The Great-West Life Assurance Company as the first major theme park in Canada, it remains the country's largest.[1][2] More than 45 attractions including rides, stores, and restaurants have been removed or renamed over the years.[3]

Former attractions

The following are attractions which have been removed or replaced:

Former Attractions at Canada's Wonderland
Name Opened Closed Description/Fate
Wonder Mountain Walkway 1981 1986 Prior to the addition of Thunder Run, visitors could walk a pathway that led to an observation deck on the top of the mountain. It was closed to make way for relocated mechanical equipment which was taken from the inside of the 'mountain' and placed in the public areas, and because a danger was caused to people riding Thunder Run due to garbage being thrown from the walkway onto the track below. Another portion of the walkway, which went behind Victoria Falls, remained open for a number of years afterwards, being closed in the mid-1990s because of accidents due to slippery walkways.
Pharaoh's Eye 1981 1987 Pharaoh's Eye Round Up was removed to make way for the Racing Rivers water-slide attraction, which currently is the site where Psyclone and Sledge Hammer are located. Swing of the Century was also located in that area at the time when it was known as the Swing of Siam, but it was moved to its current location to make way for the Racing Rivers.
Zumba Flume 1981 1994 Zumba Flume was a classic log flume ride. It was removed to make way for Flight Deck (Top Gun).
Snail Trail 1981 1997 Snail Trail (formerly, Boo Boo's Buggies 1981-1983, Lazy's Snail Trail 1984-1992) was a small circular kiddie ride where children could ride in their own snail-drawn carriage. It was removed at the end of the 1997 season and was replaced by Swing Time which opened in 1998.
Bedrock Dock 1981 1999 Bedrock Dock was a small boat ride, removed in 1999 to make way for Scooby Doo's Haunted Mansion, as well as the ongoing removal of everything Flintstones-related from the park. It is now located at Carowinds as Snoopy's Yacht Club (formerly Little Bill's Cruisers until the end of the 2009 season).
Bayern's Curve 1981 2000 Bayern's Curve was a 16-car attraction manufactured by Schwarzkopf which ran in a circle many times, situated next to Wonder Mountain. It closed at season's end in 2000. This ride was most famous for the massive horn as part of the set, and the blast the horn sounded as the ride reached its maximum speed. Klockwerks replaced Bayern's Curve, as it was moved 'across the street' to accommodate Shockwave the next year.
Bedrock Aquarium 1981 2002 Originally called "Saltwater Circus", this marine show tent was closed for 2003 when Nickelodeon Central replaced the northern section of Hanna Barbara Land. In 2002, it was renamed the "Bedrock Event Tent", but was shut down after the last of the Flintstones-themed elements were eliminated from the park. After 9 years of being in a state of disrepair, the Aquarium was finally demolished in September 2011 to make way for Dinosaurs Alive!.
HotRock Raceway 1981 2002 HotRock Raceway was closed in 2002 due to difficulty in maintaining the ride and increasing downtime.
Flintstones Flyboys 1981 2002 Flintstones FlyBoys was rider-controlled round ride, similar to Aerofield, removed in 2002 along with the ongoing removal of everything Flintstones-related from the park.
The Fury 1981 2003 The Fury (Originally Shiva's Fury 1981–2001) was removed at the end of the 2003 season to make way for Time Warp (Tomb Raider: The Ride). It now sits in pieces behind Splashworks.
The Great Whale of China 1981 2003 The Great Whale of China was removed at the end of the 2003 season to make way for Time Warp (Tomb Raider: The Ride). It was in storage behind Kingswood before being relocated to Carowinds where it is now known as Peanuts Pirates (formerly Revenge of the Flying Dutchman until the end of the 2009 season).
SkyRider 1985 2014 SkyRider closed on September 1, 2014, to make room for future expansion.[4]
Smurf Cave 1984 1992 A funhouse-like cave building that featured scenes of Smurfs in their "natural" habitat. This attraction was actually converted from Yogi's Cave in Yogi's Forest (1981–1983) before the area was changed to Smurf Forest for the 1984 season. Also featured near the end of the cave was a section of Gargamel's house where Gargamel would be playing his organ. Gargamel's house was formerly the Ranger's Cabin during its use in Yogi's Cave. Smurf Village was removed and replaced by an arcade until 1998 where it housed Meet-and-Greets with the Rugrats. Currently it functions as a gift shop and mini-arcade in the Zoom Zone area.
Pharaoh's Falls 1988 2000 Two of the Racing Rivers water slides that had riders sitting on plastic runners (sleds) and descended at a very steep angle starting at 30 feet, it was removed for an unknown reason however the loading tower remained standing until its removal at the end of the 2001 season for Psyclone.
Watersnake 1988 2001 The other two Racing Rivers water slides that were tubular, enclosed, and twisted, and had riders sitting on inner-tubes, it was removed at the end of the 2001 season for Psyclone.
Jet Scream 1990 2010 Jet Scream was a looping star ship ride Manufactured by Intamin, which spun riders in a 360-degree rotation 10 stories high. It was removed to make way for the new WindSeeker ride at the end of the 2010 season.
Wipe Out 1992 2004 Wipe Out (originally Drop Zone(1992-1996)) was a large near vertical waterslide known internally as the "70" for being 70 feet (21 m) tall, was closed by the end of the 2004 season.
Pipeline 1992 2001 Pipeline was a short criss-crossing covered waterslide, was removed to make way for Riptide Racer.
Jumbo Bumps 1993 2000 Jumbo Bumbs was a large slide located in the Kid's Kingdom playground, now known as The Candy Factory, it was removed to make way for the new Zoom Zone area including Silver Streak, Blast Off, and Jumpin' Jet.

Former shows

Former Shows at Canada's Wonderland
Name Opened Closed Description
School of Rock 2005 2006 The show was based on the 2003 Jack Black movie School of Rock, featuring live music and dancing.
Hollywood's Stunt Spectacular 2006 2006 The show was an action show with explosions, weapons and vehicular stunts. The show was located in the park's parking lot.

Former restaurants and shops

Former Restaurants and Shops at Canada's Wonderland
Name Description
New York Fries The New York Fries at the park became Hot Potato.
Mr. Sub Mr. Sub was replaced by Subway in 2012
Bubble Tease The Bubble Tease behind Wonder Mountain was converted back to Cookie Cafe.
You Go Grill You Go Grill was replaced by Chicken Shack for the 2013 season.

Renamed attractions, restaurants, and shops

A number of rides and attractions have been renamed to correspond with area theme changes.

Renamed Attractions at Canada's Wonderland
Description/Former Name/Reason For Name Change
Spinovator Spinovator in Medieval Faire was originally called Quixote's Kettles. It was renamed for the 1997 season.
Klockwerks Klockwerks in International Festival was originally called Klockwurker. It was renamed for the 1991 season.
Nightmares Nightmares in Medieval Faire was originally called Wilde Knight Mares. It was renamed for the 1997 season.
The Rage The Rage in Medieval Faire was originally called Viking's Rage. It was renamed for the 1997 season.
The Orbiter The Orbiter in the Grand World Exposition of 1890 was originally called Sol Loco. It was renamed in 2002. During the 2006 season, the ride was slated to be dismantled and relocated to another park. After Cedar Fair Entertainment Company acquired the Paramount Parks chain, the decision was reversed. The ride was rebuilt and re-opened later that year.
Wild Beast Wild Beast in Medieval Faire was originally called Wilde Beast. It was renamed for the 1997 season.
Dragon Fire Dragon Fire in Medieval Faire was originally called Dragon Fyre. It was renamed for the 1997 season.
Splash Island Waterways Splash Island Waterways in Splashworks was called Scooby Splash Island. It was renamed during the 2002 season during the phase-out of Hanna-Barbara characters.
Swing of the Century Swing of the Century was known as Swing of Siam and was located where Psyclone and Sledge Hammer are today with a different theme. It was relocated to its current location for the 1988 season and received its current name in 1989.
The Fury The Fury was known as Shiva's Fury until 1998. In 2003, the ride was demolished.
Thunder Run Thunder Run in the International Festival was called Blauer Enzian, and was located roughly where The Fly is currently located. It was moved into Wonder Mountain, extended, and renamed Thunder Run in 1986.
Courtyard The Courtyard group catering facility in Medieval Faire was called King's Courtyarde Group Catering Facility. The exact date of the name change from King's Courtyarde Group Catering Facility to King's Courtyard Group Catering Facility for the 1993 season. Then the name was changed yet again to its current day name in 2000.
Wonderland Theatre The Wonderland Theatre in Medieval Faire was called The Paramount Theatre prior to the sale of Canada's Wonderland to Cedar Fair. It was originally called The Canterbury Theatre when it was built. The date of the name change was during the 2008 season. The original name was changed in 1994 when the theatre's name was changed to The Paramount Theatre.
Jokey's Jalopies Jokey's Jalopies in Kidzville was originally called Wonder Tour from 1981-1997.
Kidzville Station Kidzville Station in Kidzville was originally called Scooby Choo from 1981-1997.
Frequent Flyers Frequent Flyers in Kidzville was originally called Balloon Race from 1981-1997.
Swan Lake Swan Lake in Planet Snoopy (Formerly Hanna-Barbera Land) was originally called Happy Landing from 1981-1997.
Snoopy's Space Race Snoopy's Space Race in Planet Snoopy was originally called Scoobyville Rocketport from 1981-2000. Then from 2001-2009 it was known as Jetson's Rocketport.
Snoopy Vs. Red Baron Snoopy Vs. Red Baron located within Planet Snoopy was known as Aerofield from 1981-2009.
The Backlot Cafe The Backlot Cafe restaurant in the Grand World Exposition of 1890 was formerly called Southside Grille from 1992-2005. Southside Grille was renovated in 2006 and was re-opened as The Backlot Cafe, featuring large screen TVs, gourmet food stations and an improved decor. As a result of the name change, the Wonderland staff cafeteria (which used to be called The Backlot Cafe. The Staff Cafeteria was also once called "The Lemon Lounge") was renamed Oscar's. Oscar's was then renamed Cornerstones Cafe after the new company, Cedar Fair's commitments to its cornerstone philosophy in 2007. Also, before Southside Grille, it was called Ginza Gardens from 1981-1986, and then also had the name Oriental Gardens from 1987-1991, which explains the former Japanese façade it had.
Traveler's Roadside Cafe Traveler's Roadside Cafe restaurant between the Vortex and White Water Canyon used to be Tucker's Roadside Cafe. The name was changed in 1997 to prevent confusion due the opening of the Tucker's Marketplace buffet restaurants across Ontario.
International Street Pizza Pizza International Street Pizza Pizza used to be called Ristorante, an Italian-themed restaurant. Wonderland Food Services stopped serving its own pizza and Italian food after the introduction of Pizza Pizza into the park.
International Street Starbucks International Street Starbucks used to be La Cantina, a Mexican-themed restaurant which closed in 2005.
International Marketplace International Marketplace was once Arthur's Pizza Pizza which was also Arthur's Pub & Grille.
SuperStar Recording Studios SuperStar Recording Studios were removed from the park at the end of the 2004 season due to removal of the concession from the park. The video studio in Expo was replaced with a Hot Press tee-shirt stand, and then in 2007 by the new Coasters restaurant, and the audio recording studio in International Festival was renovated and replaced with a "Multi-Faith Space" prayer room.
Backlot Stunt Coaster Backlot Stunt Coaster was called Italian Job: Stunt Track until after the 2007 season, due to Viacom's sale of the park to Cedar Fair.
Flight Deck Flight Deck was called Top Gun until after the 2007 season due to Viacom's sale of the park to Cedar Fair.
Riptide Riptide was called Cliffhanger until after the 2007 season due to Viacom's sale of the park to Cedar Fair.
Time Warp Time Warp was called Tomb Raider: The Ride until after the 2007 season due to Viacom's sale of the park to Cedar Fair.
Drop Tower Drop Tower was called Drop Zone until after the 2007 season due to Viacom's sale of the park to Cedar Fair.
Scooby's Snacks Scooby's Snacks in the Scoobyville section of Hanna-Barbera Land was originally called Granny's Sweets before it was renamed in July 2008.
Tacos/Nachos A Mexican/Mayan themed restaurant located in Grande World Exposition Of 1890 (Now Action Zone) from 1981-1996. The building was then used for various attractions. Eventually, the building was demolished during the off-season of 2006/2007 and Coasters had opened for the 2007 season.

References

  1. ↑ Malcolm, Andrew H. (24 May 1981). "A Theme Park Called Wonderland Opens Near Toronto". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  2. ↑ "Top 10 Theme Parks is Canada". Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  3. ↑ Cowan, Chris. "Theme Park Timelines: Paramount Canada's Wonderland". Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2011-05-22.
  4. ↑ Karstens-Smith, Gemma (August 7, 2014). "After 29 years, SkyRider's ride comes to an end". The Toronto Star. Archived from the original on September 2, 2014. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
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