We finally did it — we crossed the border from Ohio to Ontario to visit Canada’s Wonderland for the very first time! With the park sitting just outside downtown Toronto and only about a five-hour drive for us, this winter trip felt like the perfect holiday getaway.
WinterFest 2025 runs November 15 through January 3 and transforms the entire park into a Christmas-themed wonderland with over 7 million lights, festive food, live entertainment, and seasonal attractions. Here’s everything we did — and what we recommend for your visit.
Lazy Bear Lodge — A Must-Do for Meal Plan Guests
One of the highlights of our night was checking out Lazy Bear Lodge, one of the best dining options on the meal plan. It immediately reminded us of Cedar Point’s Farmhouse, but with one big difference: indoor seating, which was a lifesaver in the cold.
The attached Lazy Bear Bar is also a great touch.
I tried the turkey dinner with mashed potatoes — a simple meal, but perfectly aligned with the festive WinterFest vibe.
Wonder Mountain’s Guardian — A Perfect Winter Ride
Next, we experienced Wonder Mountain’s Guardian, a hybrid roller coaster + shooting dark ride located inside the mountain. With cooler weather outside, this indoor portion made the ride even more enjoyable. It’s a very unique attraction you won’t find at most Legacy Cedar Fair parks.
Ice Skating at Snow Flake Lake
Skating in front of the mountain was a huge highlight for our family. Here are the key details:
- Price: $15 CAD (about $10 USD) including skate rental
- Bring your own skates: $10 CAD
- Kids under 48” can skate but must wear a helmet
- Balance helpers and ride-on assists are available for kids
Pro Tip: Book your skating time online and arrive 15 minutes early. If you show up right at your time, you’ll lose a big chunk of your session getting skates and signing the waiver.
More Attractions: Boo Blasters & Snoopy’s Racing Railway
We hopped on Boo Blasters on Boo Hill, which is similar to versions at other former Paramount parks. This one, however, could definitely use the upgrade Carowinds recently received — some targets felt impossible to hit.
On the brighter side, Snoopy’s Racing Railway was a blast. Our son loves Soap Box Racers at Kings Island, and this newer addition delivered. Canada’s Wonderland having two full kids’ areas — Planet Snoopy and Kids Zone — is a huge win for families.
Hot Chocolate Mug + Drinks
Like other Cedar Fair WinterFest events, Wonderland offers a souvenir hot chocolate mug with unlimited refills for about $14. We loved that we get to keep the mug for the holiday season… though long Saturday lines meant we only got one refill.
For adult beverages (19+ in Ontario), I tried the Alpenfury Pilsner — just okay, but worth trying once. Krystal’s Northern Lights cocktail was genuinely delicious.
Merchandise & Shopping
We stopped by the Canvas Wonderland gift shop. They had some merch, but compared to Cedar Point and Kings Island, the selection felt limited. Popular sizes were sold out, so we didn’t grab clothing — though the kids came away with a plush and a water bottle.
Crowds & Final Thoughts
Overall, we had a great time experiencing WinterFest, but the crowds were intense. Guests commented that the previous weekend was rained out, pushing a surge of guests into the Saturday we visited.
If possible, we recommend:
✔ Visiting on a Sunday
OR
✔ Arriving early on Saturday
Despite that, WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland gave us a magical first taste of this park. We can’t wait to return during the regular season for the full coaster lineup and warm-weather experience!