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Since Canada's Wonderland, an amusement park located in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, opened in 1981, a number of attractions (including rides, stores and restaurants) have been replaced, removed or renamed - including the park itself, which was known as Paramount Canada's Wonderland for several years.
[edit] Former attractions
- Wonder Mountain Walkway (1981-1984) Prior to the construction of 'Vortex' 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 that was taken from the inside of the 'mountain' and placed in the public areas. The portion of the walkway which went behind Victoria Falls remained open for a number of years afterwards, being closed in the mid-1990s.
- Pharaoh's Eye (1981-1987) was removed to make way for the Racing Rivers water slide attractions, 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 and renamed to make way for the Racing Rivers.
- Zumba Flume (1981-1994) a classic 'log flume' ride, was removed to make way for Flight Deck (Top Gun).
- Bayern's Curve (1981-2000), a 16 car attraction that ran in a circle many times, situated next to Wonder Mountain, closed in 2001. This ride was most famous for the massive horn as part of the set and the blast the horn sounded as the ride started. Klockwerks replaced Bayern's Curve, as it was moved 'across the street' to accommodate Shockwave.
- 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. As of 2006, there are no seating benches and the aquatic facilities remain in a state of disrepair. Promotional character meets are still occasionally held under the tent.
- HotRock Raceway (1981-2002) was closed in 2002 due to difficulty in maintaining the ride and increasing downtime. As of 2005, nothing has replaced this ride, and it remains open for future development of Nickelodeon Central.
- Bedrock Dock (1981-2002), a small boat ride, was removed in 2002 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 Little Bill's Cruisers.
- Flintstones Flyboys (1981-2002), a 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) It 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 the Kingswood Theatre.
- The Great Whale of China (1981-2003) It 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 Revenge of the Flying Dutchman.
- Smurf Village (1984-1992) A funhouse-like cave building that featured scenes of Smurfs in their "natural" habitat. Also featured near the end of the cave was a section of Gargamel's house where Gargamel would be playing his organ. It 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 mats and descended at a very steep angle, 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 and twisted, and had riders sitting on inner-tubes, it was removed at the end of the 2001 season for Psyclone.
- Wipe Out (1992-2004) large near vertical waterslide known internally as the "70" for being 70 feet tall, was closed by the end of the 2004 season.
- Pipeline (1992-2001) a short criss-crossing covered waterslide, was removed to make way for Riptide Racer.
- Jumbo Bumps (1993-2000) 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.
[edit] Former shows
- School of Rock (2005-2006), based on the 2003 Jack Black movie of the same name, featuring live music and dancing.
- Hollywood's Stunt Spectacular (2006), an action show with explosions, weapons and vehicular stunts.
[edit] Former restaurants and shops
- Bubble Tease became an ice cream sandwich stall
[edit] Renamed attractions, restaurants, and shops
A number of rides and attractions have been renamed to correspond with area theme changes.
- Spinovator in Medieval Faire was called Quixote's Kettles. It was renamed during the 1998 season.
- Klockwerks in International Festival was originally called Klockwurker.
- The Rage in Medieval Faire was called Viking's Rage. It was renamed during the 1998 season.
- Nightmares in Medieval Faire was called Wilde Night Mares. It was renamed during the 1998 season.
- The Orbiter in the Grand World Exposition of 1890 was called Sol Loco. It was re-named in 2000. This ride was re-opened in mid-2006, but during this time, the ride was closed down at times due to problems with this ride.
- Wild Beast in Medieval Faire was called The Wilde Beast. It was renamed during the 1998 season.
- Dragon Fire in Medieval Faire was called The Dragon Fyre. It was renamed during the 1998 season.
- Splash Island Waterways in Splashworks was called Scooby Splash Island. It was renamed during the 2003 season during the phase-out of Hanna-Barbara characters.
- 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.
- The Fury (1981-2003) was known as Shiva's Fury until 1997.
- 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.
- The Courtyard group catering facility in Medieval Faire was called The King's Courtyarde. The date of the name change is unknown.
- 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 at an unknown date.
- Jokey's Jalopies in Kidzville was originally called Wonder Tour.
- Kidzville Station in Kidzville was originally called Scooby Choo.
- Frequent Flyers in Kidzville was originally called Balloon Race.
- Swan Lake in Hanna-Barbera Land was originally called Happy Landing.
- The Backlot Cafe restaurant in the Grand World Exposition of 1890 was formerly called Southside Grille. 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) was renamed Oscar's. Oscar's was then renamed Cornerstone's Cafe after the new company, Cedar Fair's commitments to its cornerstone philosophy in 2007. Also, before Southside Grille, it was called Ginza Gardens, which explains the former Japanese façade it had.
- 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 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 used to be La Cantina, a Mexican-themed restaurant. La Cantina closed down in 2005.
- International Marketplace was once Arthur's Pizza Pizza which was also Arthur's Pub & Grille.
- 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 Alpen was renovated and replaced with a "Multi-Faith Space" prayer room.
- Back Lot 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 was called Top Gun until after the 2007 season due to Viacom's sale of the park to Cedar Fair.
- Riptide was called Cliffhanger until after the 2007 season due to Viacom's sale of the park to Cedar Fair.
- 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 was called Drop Zone until after the 2007 season due to Viacom's sale of the park to Cedar Fair.
[edit] External links
