This is why Canada’s Wonderland adopted a new chaperone policy for kids

Canada’s Wonderland rode a roller coaster of headlines this week when it announced a new chaperone policy for kids.

After 4 p.m., all children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult in order to stay at the iconic park. Any guests 15 or younger found inside Wonderland without a chaperone during those hours will be “immediately subject to removal.”

Canada’s Wonderland insists the new policy wasn’t triggered by a specific incident, but rather in response to "unruly" behaviour reported at other theme parks.

Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look podcast to talk more about the policy — and the public reaction — is Grace Peacock, director of public relations at Canada's Wonderland.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

We haven't seen any major incidents at the park in recent years, thankfully, you know, but people can to uh can attest, you know, when when kids get together, some of them um can get a little rowdy.

SPEAKER_03 0:33

It's Thursday, April the 9th, or as most of us call it, day one of the masters. Uh I'm Scott Sexmith with Michael Friscolandi, our uh editor in chief. That's right. I could all I can hear him in my hello, friends. That's that's Did he do it this morning? I I miss the uh the uh ceremonial uh start when they have four legends tee off. What time did the does the actual broadcast begin? They start right then. The actual broadcast uh started uh allegedly at 10 o'clock on TSN.

SPEAKER_02 1:03

Oh, not that you had it on.

SPEAKER_03 1:05

I did not have it on four monitors here in the studio for the record. Just to be clear. Oh man. Zach, keep quiet.

SPEAKER_02 1:12

This is why we're shutting the show down to once a week, because you spend too much time doing nothing. That's right.

SPEAKER_03 1:17

That's we uh we announced that uh yesterday, and certainly uh more uh in-depth discussion on uh what you can expect moving forward coming up on tomorrow night's show. Uh, I love the text message that you got from a buddy.

SPEAKER_02 1:29

Yeah, longtime listener, uh Pete Apro had some harsh words for you, Scott, specifically to you. Take a number, Pete. He he heard us talking about it yesterday, and he said, weekly, you guys suck. That's my feedback. He was not referring just to you. He wasn't talking about me. But yeah, he's not happy about it. My buddy Pete, one of my best friends in the whole world, and he he told me that tells me he listens to the show. I didn't believe him. He started being nice. We obviously heard it this morning or listening last night and is not happy. So thanks, Pete. We love you, buddy.

SPEAKER_03 1:57

Yeah, and uh thanks to everybody who uh who reached out uh through various uh channels. We appreciate that. A full ex uh explanation on what's happening coming up uh tomorrow night at seven, so don't miss that. Uh okay, let's uh talk uh Wonderland roller coasters. Oh, are you are you a fan?

SPEAKER_02 2:13

Do you like them? I remember I'm like I haven't been to uh on a roller coaster in decades, but I do remember liking them and lining up for them. Yeah, they were they were pretty, pretty fun. Now, roller coasters, if you talk about Canada's Wonderland, were different when I went there. Like the Wilde Beast, I think was the wooden one that shook around. These roller coasters now they have like it's like you're going like an Artemis 2 for a while and then flopping back down to Earth. And uh it's totally a different uh different world. I haven't been on any of those modern ones, but yeah, I don't mind roller coasters. I don't like like the local carnival ones, they scare me because they're put together and taken apart. Yeah. But those ones at Wonderland look pretty sturdy. All right. Well, not my theory. You're not a thing.

SPEAKER_03 2:51

No, you know what? Um no. Uh I think I may have tried it once uh and it didn't sit well, and I won't explain what not sitting well means. Uh but ever since then, uh kind of the Ferris wheel has been the extent of uh of my speed.

SPEAKER_02 3:05

Well we're talking Canada's Wonderland today, not because they're opening soon, which they do every year, but because well I guess maybe during COVID they did. I don't remember. But I don't remember. But uh there were some headlines over the last couple days about how they're bringing a new policy in at Wonderland, uh chaperone policy after 4 p.m. if you're 15 or younger. Yes. You have to be with someone who's 21 years or older. And this is a new one. For decades at Wonderland, kids would spend day and night there if they were on summer holidays just hanging out with friends. Yeah. And that's changed and makes you obviously wonder like, have there been some incidents there? What's triggered this? And uh we reached out to Grace Peacock, who's the director of PR over at Wonderland, and right away she said, sure, I'll jump on the show and talk about it. So I'm looking forward to that conversation. We're gonna talk about the chaperone issue, but we're also gonna talk about what's going on in Wonderland, what's new, and I guess why you don't like roller coasters.

SPEAKER_03 3:51

Going to Canada's Wonderland on a summer night for a lot of people. That's kind of a teenage tradition, uh a rite of passage, if you will. You go with your friends, stay out late, ride everything twice. Uh, but this year that experience is changing a bit. The park is making a chaperone policy permanent. So if you're fifteen or under, you'll need an adult with you after four P.M. And it's interesting because this isn't just happening here. We're starting to see similar moves at big venues right across North America. So what's driving this shift? Is it about safety, changing expectations, or just the reality of managing huge crowds today? Grace Peacock is the uh regional director of uh public relations for Six Flags Entertainment, the parent company of Canada's Wonderland. Grace joins us tonight from the beautiful city of Vaughan. Grace, welcome to the show. Great to see you.

SPEAKER_01 4:38

I'm happy to be here.

SPEAKER_03 4:39

All right, uh, Grace, uh, let's talk about the uh chaperone policy first. You've described this as a proactive measure. What changed internally that made this go from temporary to permanent?

SPEAKER_01 4:51

Yes. Well, you know, uh we we haven't seen any major incidents at the park in recent years, thankfully, you know, but um I think people can to can attest, you know, when when kids get together, some of them um can get a little rowdy and occasionally we have issues with line jumping. Um, so really minor things uh of nature here, but we're part of a bigger family, uh, Six Flags, and we have amusement parks all through the US, and we're always keeping an eye on what's happening in the industry. And uh, you know, even if you Google now, there's been some incidents at other parks in the states just as recent as last weekend, um, you know, with teen issues and fights and things like that. Again, thankfully we're not having that here at the park, but we're taking this proactive measure because we want to take the safe road for the the sake of our guests. And we're uh we're a family-friendly amusement park first and foremost. And um, we believe that, you know, enforcing this rule um will help, you know, reduce the risk of any incidents and keep it a fun and friendly environment for all of our guests.

SPEAKER_02 5:56

I appreciate that, Connor. So just to be clear, there's been no specific incident in Canada's Wonderland that triggered this, just kind of uh what we're seeing across the chain, across the this industry.

SPEAKER_01 6:05

Yes, correct. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 6:06

That makes sense. Okay. Uh in terms of um uh sorry, I've lost my train of thought. Okay, now I remember sorry about that. Um, in terms of uh just seeing that in seeing that in your release, I think the thing that makes people wonder, Grace, too, is just I don't want to say it's sad, but it is kind of sad that you have to have these kind of policies in place because for decades, Canada's Wonderland and places like it were just those places you could go as kids and have a great time. Can you speak to that a bit? Is it a bit sad that you have to have a policy like this?

SPEAKER_01 6:33

Oh, for sure. You know, I'm I'm a parent. I've got a 13-year-old son who is impacted by this. Um, I've got a lot of uh parent friends in the neighborhood here, and I'm seeing commentary on social, you know, that this is going to be uh disruptive to, you know, summer routines. And there's a lot of great kids out there who I know are impacted. And it's unfortunate. I really wish we could just say, hey, you know what? All the bad apples line up here and all the good apples line here, and then you know, you guys get to go in and you don't, but it it's you can't do that, right? So um you sort of have to draw a line and and take take an approach that unfortunately rolls them all in. Um, and you know what? I have to say, we are constantly evaluating our policies at the park. Um, we did pilot this uh last fall for Halloween haunt, and um, you know, we didn't see any any incidents, and so we were happy that it was um the event was uh went went off really well and which led us to think let's try this for the full season. So we'll see how things go. And we certainly want to hear feedback from people as well. Um, I know it's easy for folks to just comment quickly on a social media post, but we want folks to actually contact us. And you know, we've got a form on the website. Let us know what you think, whether you're in favor of it or not. And that will help us decide too, you know, through the season whether we make any adjustments.

SPEAKER_03 7:54

If only it was as simple as lining up the good apples with the bad apples. Yes.

SPEAKER_02 7:58

Uh that should be a ride, bad apples. You get all the kids lined up and be all the hoodlums over here over here. That's perfect.

SPEAKER_03 8:04

Uh Grace, I gotta ask you, you bring up a 13-year-old son. Is he blaming you, saying, like, Mom, I can't believe that you're doing this to me?

SPEAKER_01 8:10

Yeah, well, you know what? I might actually take on a job as a chaperon or something because I'm all in the park. And so uh yeah, he may, he may still be okay. But um, yeah, no, it's it's definitely impacting the kids who probably were, you know, are either have the routine of being able to stay at the park all day, but you know, it starts at 4 p.m. too. So that's the thing we have to keep in mind. I want to remind people this is an evening policy. Um, obviously, kids are still welcome to come to the park and hang out with their friends, you know, without mom and dad, you know, cramping their style from starting at 10 a.m. So um there are some hours in the day that they can still make use of, and hopefully that'll work for folks.

SPEAKER_02 8:47

I appreciate your honesty and transparency about this topic because I think you're right. Too many people are too so quick to comment on social media or comment online. They're actually hearing the rationale for it, so it's very helpful. Any more you can speak to in terms of the reaction from people or feedback you've gotten about this since it's been announced?

SPEAKER_01 9:00

You know, it's it's been mixed for sure. And I'm not, I I can't say that I'm seeing it, you know, it I literally think it's 50-50. Um there are people who are going who are speaking about welcoming um, you know, a calmer, you know, more enjoyable um environment in the park, thinking, you know, maybe, maybe this will encourage families to come more if, you know, um if they perhaps had an incident at some point where they weren't happy with some teenagers at the park and maybe now they expect a different experience. Um, so some folks are welcoming it. And then I can, like I said, I'm seeing commentary on the other side where this impacts families, you know, parents who have great kids who, you know, rightly should, you know, be treated differently, but we're just unable to do that and separate people apart.

SPEAKER_02 9:46

Absolutely. Okay, we're gonna move on from the chaperone thing. Just make sure I'm clear on one more thing, though. So if if you have uh the chaperone policy would be you have someone over 21 with groups of 10 or less, that's the way it's gonna work.

SPEAKER_01 9:56

Correct. And and the the chaperone does not need to stay with the group when they're in the park, they just need to be in the park on property and reachable by staff if there's anything that comes up. And that's obviously a lot of people.

SPEAKER_02 10:08

That's helpful. Okay. So you told us before we started that you're actually out in Wonderland, that's where your office is today. So like you get there in the morning and ride a couple rides just to get in the mood. Like, how is that what everybody does? How does everyone start their day out there? That's what I would start.

SPEAKER_01 10:21

We certainly have a lot more opportunity. Actually, we're doing ride testing right now to get ready for the season. And it's not unusual for an email to go out and the operations team to say, we need riders. You know, is anybody jump on something? So it's fun. And it's it's uh we get used to hearing the sound of roller coasters and screaming in the background as we work here at the offices. And it's very strange when it closes and then it's just silence. It's just it's almost concerting because you get used to it.

SPEAKER_02 10:49

But that's great. I think Scott, I think Scott's super qualified for that job just to be ready to ready to pounce on a roller coaster.

SPEAKER_03 10:56

Fun fact, I I'm not a fan. They really don't sit well with me, if you know what I mean. Really? Yes. No, I do. The Ferris wheel is kind of the extent of my you know living on the edge, if you will. I did. I'm surprised to hear that. Uh, Grace, uh, okay, let's get to the good stuff. What's uh what's new at Wonderland this season? It seems every year there's something new.

SPEAKER_01 11:13

Yes. Well, we're still riding the high of Alp and Fury last year. So if you guys know, um we inst uh introduced a world record-breaking launch coaster. It opened late last year. Like it was, it was, I think by the end of June, it was just opening. So there may still be a lot of guests who have not had a chance to get on this. Um, so we're excited for its second full year. Um, it's this is uh has a double launch, goes straight into the depths of Wonder Mountain and then launches people straight vertical out of the top of it. And then it's got nine inversions, which is the most for any launch coaster in the world.

SPEAKER_02 11:46

Wow, that sounds fun. Yeah. Yes, Scott's already sick just listening to it.

SPEAKER_01 11:52

We expect that to continue to be a favorite this year. Um, but one of our classic coasters is getting a makeover. So um the coaster that was previously known as Flight Deck, um, and then before that, it was known as Top Gun during our paramount phase. Um, it's gotten new trains. Um, and uh some of the track is being reprofiled, which if you know Flight Deck, this is gonna make all the difference. Um, some coasters, you know, they're like, they're like people as they get older, they get a little bumpy. And so this one is is getting some really muted uh TLC and uh fresh paint job and re-theming uh to better match the area where it is. Um when we we've gone through a few ownerships. So when we had the Paramount days, many of the rides got movie themed names like Top Gun. Right. And then when we changed ownership to Cedar Fair, we had to get rid of all those names. But and and there's been a move in recent years to go back to original theming. So the the areas of the park that were original in 1981, we're bringing those back. So Grand World Expo is where um this new ride is. And so to make it fit into that area, we're calling it the Daredeviler and it's themed to 1920s stunt planes and avi aviation in uh innovation. Um, so it's it's fun to to breathe new life into a coaster, make it better, more comfortable, and smoother, but then also strengthen that theming in the area. So we're excited for that one.

SPEAKER_02 13:20

That's amazing. That's amazing. I also see from your release that there's something new with funnel cakes, which is also a classic of Kansas Warner. What's going on with the funnel cakes?

SPEAKER_01 13:27

Yes, we have uh a new funnel cake. Uh, we try to bring out new flavors every year. And of course, you'll know our classic, which is the strawberry sauce and the vanilla ice cream. Uh, but this one is called Choco Crispy Bites Funnel Cake. So imagine it's got fluffy marshmallow cream, crunchy closs chocolate clusters, creamy vanilla sauce serve ice cream, chocolate chips, and then a warm chocolate sauce drizzle.

SPEAKER_02 13:52

Wow. You can mail us one. I'll give you our address. Calorie reduced, I'm sure. Eat that after you go on. You took my joke, Grace. You took my joke. Good one. Good one.

SPEAKER_03 14:03

Grace, before we went on the air, I was asking you, uh uh, I think it was 1981 or 82, my first time at Wonderland, uh, just a week hid, and I remember the diver off the big mountain, and and you tell me that still exists.

SPEAKER_01 14:14

Yes, our Victoria Falls high divers. It's part of our um live uh entertainment lineup. And um, yep, we do still have them off the mountain. We also have a new stunt dive show over in Arthur's Bay in the Medieval Fair this year. We have a Cirque style performance that takes place inside of our castle theater. Um, and that's a new one this year as well. Um, and then we have a musical uh performance that's taking place at International Show Place called Retrospect. And it's got, you know, top hits, top 40, but also throwbacks. I think people are gonna enjoy that one.

SPEAKER_02 14:48

Can you give us a sense of numbers, Grace? I mean, this place has been around for almost 50 years, I think. It's every kid's in has gone there. How many people have gone through Wonderland? What's the economic benefit to Ontario, that kind of stuff?

SPEAKER_01 14:59

Oh boy, well, I can't I can't release exact attendance numbers, but it's it's a couple million every year. Um yeah, well, you'll remember that if you've back in 1981 when you visited, it was we were surrounded by nothing but farmlands. Yeah, that's right. So now it's we've this urban area has just built up around us, and we've got great partnerships with you know, Vaughn Mills, um, you know, City of Vaughn, and you know, all the the hospital across the street, even that just got built years ago. Not that we're working with them that way, but you know, we for the daily injuries. We have a fundraiser we do for them in the park of a walk-a-thon in the spring. Um, so we we really enjoy participating in this community. And I think um certainly it being a major destination, you know, the largest amusement park in Canada um benefits Vaughn as well.

SPEAKER_02 15:50

I remember always hearing rumors back in the day that it may move one day, maybe even to the Niagara region. Is that it may be can you put any rest of those rumors? Or that you must hear those too.

SPEAKER_01 15:59

No, that's an urban legend. There was never any plans to move. I don't know how you just box up coasters and like I was gonna say.

SPEAKER_02 16:06

That's a lot of work. Yeah. Yeah. I can imagine that. Well, I thank you. I appreciate you clearing that up. So you've been there, you work there every day. What's your favorite part of the park?

SPEAKER_01 16:14

Oh, you know what? Um it it's being near front gate, you know, in the morning when guests are coming in the park and seeing. I remember being a child, and I grew up in the country a little ways away, but um, you know, when the family would drive to Wonderland and coming down the 400, and when you would see the mountain on the horizon. You can't see it very well anymore because there's all the buildings and stuff, but you can see some of our taller coasters and that that excitement for a child. And I see that every day when I'm at front gate watching families come in, and the excitement is just palpable, you know, on the faces of the kids and how excited they are for their day and their adventure. Um, and that I love I love that. If I could put that in a bottle and sell it, I would. But that's just yeah, people's escape, you know, from reality for a little bit to come and scream their heads off on a roller coaster or go meet Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. Um it's that's exciting for me to see that and to know that we're we're contributing to some fun in people's lives.

SPEAKER_03 17:14

It's almost Disney like. You know, that's what I like in it too. You know, when you if if you've been to uh to Disney in Florida and you're round the corner at the top of Main Street USA and you see the castle at the end, same thing with uh with seeing the mountain. So I I totally get that. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02 17:29

It's also you're right, the escape from reality, man. If we ever need an escape from reality, right? This is like the most time more than ever, I feel like uh we could use that. It's uh just the the time we live in. All right, so have you opened yet or does it open soon? What's the date?

SPEAKER_01 17:42

No, not yet. Oh my goodness. We only had snow a couple days ago. Uh we in a couple weeks, though. So our first public operating day is May 3rd. Uh, but for seasons pass holders, we have a special preview taking place on May 1st in the evening.

SPEAKER_03 17:56

All right, good stuff. Uh, Grace, before we let you go, any uh final comments?

SPEAKER_01 18:01

No, I think just um advice for folks who want to come, make sure you do some research in advance. There is a lot here, not just coasters, um, all kinds of events that we didn't even get into. But take a look at our website to check the dates for those things. Um, because if you're not into the rides and maybe you want to come to one of our events like brew and barbecue and have some beers and some barbecue chicken or something, um, there's lots more to do here. Uh, and you just have to check out our website to learn a little more.

SPEAKER_02 18:27

Yeah, and we'll put a link to your site for people who want to give feedback on the chaperone policy that we talked about at the beginning of the program. Yes. Where what but for people who are just listening, how can they reach you?

SPEAKER_01 18:35

Yeah, if you go to Canada'sWonderland.com um and in the menu, there's a contact us um link and there's a form there you can fill out. And that is the best way for us to receive feedback from folks. Um, like I said, I I think this is important for people to take that step. Um, we won't always see the comments on social.

SPEAKER_03 18:52

All right, good stuff. There's Grace Peacock, the uh director of uh public relations at Canada's Wonderland. Grace, uh, thank you for this. Have a wonderful season.

SPEAKER_01 19:00

Thank you. Hope to see you at the park.

SPEAKER_03 19:04

Beers, barbecued chicken, and a nice uh rocket launcher roller coaster. Do you imagine that? With the funnel cake. Oh my goodness. Yeah. You know what though? It's uh I think just about every kid, I bet you, if you were to ask, uh, has been there. I I know it was always part of the school programs. You know, we're gonna be able to do that pretty classic trips. Pretty classic trips. Rad trips. I know I was on one.

SPEAKER_02 19:25

Yeah, and a lot of people from Ontario who don't live anywhere near Toronto did the overnight bus right now. You did it with your kids. That was tradition. We I grew up in Hamilton, so it was only about an hour and a half bus ride over to Vaughn and then traffic. But I a lot of kids did it uh the overnight run, and then they would and then they would party all day at the park and then they'd sleep the whole way back because they were awake the night before, right? All excited. Yep. And then they did pass out the way back. I haven't been to Wonderland. Man, I feel like it it must be 30 years since I've been to Canada as well. I drove by it a hundred times, but I don't remember the last time I've been there.

SPEAKER_03 19:55

Uh mine was a grade eight uh grad trip. Uh ironically, that I was a chaperone. Yeah. Uh me and a buddy, and you're right, we left the school at midnight, drove all night. From North Bay or from from the Sioux. Yeah. Uh we played uh Jin Rummy for six hours. I kid you not, I lost every single hand. Six straight hours. Was it for money? Thank God it was not for money.

SPEAKER_02 20:18

No. No. I have to say, uh, what struck me about this was reading about the chaperone policy, the fact that it was tried out last year and it's new this year. I do think it's it's not Canada's Wonderland's fault. It's just a sad state of affairs. Right. It's just it's just the world we live in has changed so much that you know you can't even drop your kids off somewhere because a couple bad apples ruin it for everybody else. But I do appreciate Grace coming on top of that because it is a talker. People are asking questions about it. And she's very honest, saying, look, we had there's been no major incident here that triggered this. It's just something we feel like seeing from our other parks and some other instances we've seen. It's a responsible, safe thing to do, and they're looking for public feedback. So good for her for coming on the chat about it.

SPEAKER_03 20:54

All right, good stuff. Uh closer look at villagemedia.ca. What do you think about the uh chaperone policy at uh Canada's Wonderland? We'd love to hear from you. Uh okay. Uh tomorrow night, uh, you and I will sit here and uh kind of reminisce and explain uh what's happening moving forward. Yeah, no cleanup. No none, not allowed. Maybe one or two under there. Uh closer look at villagemedia.ca for Zach Trunzo, executive producer of the program, Michael Friscolandi, our editor-in-chief here at Village Media. I'm Scott Sexmith. We'll see you tomorrow night, seven o'clock, right here on Closer Look.