The Interpreter Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Can the neon lights of a theme park still compete in a world of never-ending digital distraction? Canada's Wonderland, which opened north of Toronto in 1981, has touted two new attractions for its 30th birthday season, which begins Saturday: a gravity-defying thrill ride called the WindSeeker and, later this summer, a nightly light show called "Starlight Spectacular." While the first major theme park in the country was a huge draw when it opened, its momentum has varied in the decades since, as it changed ownership from Taft Broadcasting to Paramount Pictures and to the Ohio-based Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. Wonderland was never owned by Canadians, but as the Hanna-Barbera cartoon mascots were overshadowed by a roller coaster based on "Top Gun," its regional distinction was diminished. Cedar Fair owns 10 similar parks across the U.S. Concerts by touring acts at the Kingswood Music Theatre helped broaden the appeal of Wonderland beyond the rides. But now, Wonderland has opted for a permanent retro-rock spectacle called "Start Me Up," and familiar shows for kids like "Charlie Brown's Pirate Adventure."... Chances are the country has seen the last of the shriek-inducing permanent theme park developments, though.... http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/amusement-parks-struggle-identity-age-cheaper-online-thrills-180010781.html Some interesting information there for those interested in theme parks in Canada, much of which most in the USA will not know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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