Canada's Wonderland - The Behemoth

This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit Canada's Wonderland on a Special Family Day access before the park opened for the year. As you all know, I have a baby girl so most of my time was spent in Hannah Barbara Land - Which I wouldn't have missed for the world. The look on her face as she and Daddy went around the area in Chopper Chase was the best thing in the world!

I did however get the chance to ride the new ride for this year - The Behemoth!

Vaughan, Ontario, 2007 - Canada's Wonderland prepares to change the landscape for thrill seekers in 2008, with the addition of Canada's Biggest, Fastest and Tallest roller coaster - Behemoth. Following 18 months of planning and construction, Behemoth will premiere at Canada’s Wonderland in May 2008.

At over 5,300 feet (1,616m) in length, Behemoth sets the stage for thrills with a climb to a height of 230 feet (70.1m), followed by an adrenaline pumping 75 degree drop with speeds reaching 125 kilometers per hour in 3.9 seconds. The coaster will then take riders through the ultimate coaster experience with high speed twists and turns, including double banked flat loops (horizontal loops) and eight extreme drops. Intensifying the action packed adventure, the ride will feature prototype open-air seating that will allow all riders to experience an unobstructed view of all the thrills and excitement on one of North America's best coasters.

"Behemoth will be the biggest investment in Canada's Wonderland's 27 year history at approximately $26 million dollars," said Raffi Kaprelyan, Vice President and General Manager, Canada’s Wonderland. "With the addition of Behemoth, we wanted to compliment our already impressive line-up of more than 200 rides, shows and attractions with a world class roller coaster that will showcase Wonderland as one of the premier amusement parks in our industry."

I for one, as my twitter stated right after I got off the ride was not impressed. (Kinda reminds me of the description of Earth in the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy: Mostly Harmless)

Any true fan of Roller Coasters will enjoy an old fashion run on any wooden Coaster. This does not fit the bill. On the old school rides, you never knew how much give the wood would provide, and the ride was different every time. The clacking of the wheels on the rails, the random bumps and jolts are a hundred times more exhilarating then this new ride.

This ride, in it's approximately 3 min length starts with a 70 meter climb to drop you down it's first hill at 125 KM/H. After that, you have a few hills, then a curve, a few more hills then the last little bit of filler to get up the the time. All the time, it is as smooth as a baby's butt. The only real entertaining thing is the weightlessness going over the hills - which to me those are cheep thrills.

Over all, it's not a bad ride - just not the same excitement level. Go try it for you self - then go over to the Wild Beast, or The Great Canadian Mine Buster, and see the difference your self.