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Photo: Canada’s Wonderland
Destination guide
Ontario
Ontario’s amusement history includes a purpose-built park whose opening was staged as a major public occasion.
The story behind the day out
A new landmark north of Toronto
Canada’s Wonderland officially opened on 23 May 1981. Ontario premier William Davis took part in the ceremony, and Wayne Gretzky made a special appearance. The opening brought a large permanent amusement destination to the Toronto area. Its historical identity was deliberately broader than one ride: the ceremony and the park’s name presented a new place for families from across the country to gather.
Sources & further reading
Historical sources checked 25 October 2026.