The scent of deep-fried funnel cake, the wind on my face and the drop feeling in my belly. These are just a few of the things that take me back to summer in the ?80s at Canada?s Wonderland. When I became a parent, I knew I wanted to make visits to the park (and funnel cakes for dinner) a family tradition. Here are some tried-and-true tips for having the best day at Canada?s biggest amusement park:
Getting there
The park is located at a highway exit just north of Toronto, which means it?s easy to access by car, and there is plenty of parking?though it will cost a good chunk of change (on my last visit, parking was $22). You may want to consider using public transit. Toronto has extended its TTC line to the city of Vaughan, taking you to a bus depot that provides a direct route to the park. Bonus: kids under 12 travel on transit for free! Tip: If you opt to drive, snap a photo of the marked pole closest to your car or use the car finder function on the Canada?s Wonderland app.
Photo: Louise Gleeson
Pack like a pro
From the top of your head to the bottoms of your feet, you?ll need to be prepared for a long day and a lot of walking. That means comfortable running shoes, lightweight sweaters, extra socks (to get your feet dry after the water rides), sun hats, Band-Aids and sunscreen. Throw it all into a lightweight, brightly coloured backpack that?s easy to spot in a crowd (great for keeping your group together when you?re moving from ride to ride). And don?t forget refillable ...