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it’s been 45 years since canada’s wonderland opened and the theme park has welcomed its one-billionth rider through the gates.
where has the time gone?
a family from kingston, ont., of four simply out to enjoy the day got the shock of their life on thursday when they were informed that one of them was the park’s landmark guest.
parents john and kim were with their kids, annabelle and john jr., lined up at thunder run when it was announced over the station’s speakers that annabelle was the billionth rider.
they were greeted by christopher mortensen, president of canada’s wonderland and snoopy, who presented the family from kingston with tickets for a return visit, complete with fast lane plus vouchers and park merch.
john, kim, annabelle and john jr. of kingston, ont. celebrating annabelle, who is canada’s wonderland’s one-billionth rider.
canada's wonderland
“reaching one billion riders is an incredible moment in canada’s wonderland’s history,” mortensen said in a blog post on the park’s website.
“for more than four decades, our guests have trusted us to be part of their family traditions and most memorable moments,” he continued. “we’re grateful to everyone who has visited the park over the years, and we’re excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for generations to come.”
roller-coaster history
thunder run, the mine-train-inspired roller-coaster that travels inside wonder mountain, may have been the ride where annabelle became the billionth rider, but it’s dragon fyre that holds the record as the park’s most-ridden coaster.
since the park opened in 1981, the 78-foot-tall helix coaster has carried 45.7 million riders as of the end of last season.
for what it’s worth, thunder run, which opened in 1986, has seen 36.6 million riders overall.
yukon striker and minebuster are a striking sight to behold.
canada's wonderland
for the most riders in one season, however, it’s the biggies — behemoth, leviathan and yukon striker — that welcomed the most thrill-seekers in 2025, with 1.35 million, 1.48 million and 1.28 million riders, respectively.
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canada’s wonderland opened on may 23, 1981, with just 30 rides, including the mighty canadian minebuster, wilde beast, the ghoster coaster, the swings and carousel as part of its original lineup.
the park now features more than 200 attractions, including 18 roller coasters, two children’s areas and splash works water park.
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