Wonderland deprived of ‘Survivor: The Ride’

News that Canada’s Wonderland will have the “Paramount” prefix removed from its name now that five CBS-owned theme parks have been pawned off to Cedar Fair – the folksy proprietor of a dozen existing American carnivals and water parks – confirms that Hollywood action flicks are no longer driving the thrill ride industry. Besides, what good is a stunt track named for the chase scene at the end of The Italian Job if few relate to that reference? But when Wonderland opened in 1981, its attractions bore names like the Mighty Canadian Minebuster and the Zumba Flume, plus Flinstones iconography that capitalized on two decades of lunchtime reruns on Channel 9. The park’s Wikipedia entry provides a reminder of how many were dreading the construction of Wonderland – from the Canadian National Exhibition anticipating the loss of momentum for their three-week midway, to Vaughan residents fearing a daily influx of undesirables. Yet, the development sprouting around the park was the result of corporate interests changing the province’s mind about keeping the area agricultural; left unfulfilled was original owner Taft Broadcasting’s claim they would devote part of the park to Canadian history to counter fears of the town of Maple becoming a place for kiddies to get brainwashed by American junk. Later, the existence of Wonder Mountain provided a fortuitous opportunity to plant the Paramount flag after their parent company bought the park in the mid-1990s – serving those raised on Ritalin with a multi-sensory overload of Top Gun, Drop Zone and Tomb Raider rides, new mascot costumes serving the SpongeBob and Dora the Explorer generation, and marketing that downplayed the rustic surroundings. A grown-up demographic disappeared, however, once The Molson Ampitheatre took away their concrete shed concert business, and The Ex has miraculously retained enough real estate to continue its kitsch assault – even if Wonderland remains more conducive to an annual Gay Day. Paramount’s exit from the theme park industry is being met with enthusiasm, since new owners Cedar Fair are renowned for better roller coasters, and more sophisticated image represented by Snoopy. A final remnant of amusement park as CBS convergence platform just opened at Paramount’s Great America in Santa Clara, Calif., where Survivor: The Ride demands its passengers engage in tribal chants and ritual dances to avoid getting sprayed with water.