Mark your calendars! On May 4, 2014, Canada’s Wonderland opens its gates for the summer season. Located just north of Toronto in Vaughan, ON, the country’s premier amusement park features 69 rides (including 16 roller coasters) and has been the go-to place for thrill seekers and ride lovers since the park opened in 1981. This year Canada's Wonderland is unveiling a new ride: Wonder Mountain’s Guardian. This interactive 4D coaster takes riders along 304 metres of track up one side of Wonder Mountain and then blasts into the mountain’s core to battle 3D mythical creatures, culminating in a showdown in the dragon’s lair. Guests are promised stunning 3D effects overlaid with state-of-the-art 4D elements that will fully immerse riders in the experience. Wonder Mountain’s Guardian isn’t ready for the public quite yet, so be sure to check online for updates on the official opening. If you like having the bejesus scared out of you on regular roller coasters, ride the Behemoth, Vortex or Leviathan. Or, if you’re only looking for a  little excitement, Taxi Jam, Silver Streak and Peanuts 500 are milder options. In various theatres around the park, eight live shows will also be on offer, including the circus spectacle Dimensions: A Cirque Experience. Beginning on June 21, Dimensions will play three times a day in the Wonderland Theatre, with a fourth show added on Saturdays. If a musical revue is more your style, try British Invasion, which features songs of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Spice Girls and One Direction. British Invasion plays in the International Showplace on weekends starting May 17 and then up to four times daily from June 21 to Labour Day. If you're going to be visiting Canada's Wonderland several times this year, a regular season pass makes sense for the pocketbook. Valid for any regular operation day in the 2014 season, a season pass is only $87 plus tax (Junior/Senior, $69.99 plus tax), and that also gives you unlimited visits to Splash Works, Canada Wonderland’s eight-hectare water park. But if you’re only planning one visit for the year, a single day admission is the way to go at $39.99 plus tax (Junior/Senior, $34.99 plus tax). The best time to visit Canada’s Wonderland is on weekdays. Attendance will also be lighter in May, September and October. And don’t be scared of a few raindrops—inclement weather days translate into minimal wait times and fewer crowds. For directions and hours of operation visit canadaswonderland.com. Funnel Cake awaits! Photo Courtesy of Flickr/CC Roller Coaster Philosophy