Most of my acquaintances are fairly inclusive, so there's never been much pressure to delve into hyped surroundings. Nevertheless, there are a few prominent memories that appear in my mind at the mention of Wonderland. As I recounted tales of trekking through treacherous heat and conserving an entire day's appetite for a hefty dinner, a particularly snarky individual remarked in outrage at my omission of the Behemoth and Leviathan.
In my defense, the weather conditions had been seriously humid and unforgiving, while the lineups lengthy beyond belief. I voluntarily opted out of pure fatigue and partial annoyance at the whole scene.
In my defense, the weather conditions had been seriously humid and unforgiving, while the lineups lengthy beyond belief. I voluntarily opted out of pure fatigue and partial annoyance at the whole scene.
It's wasn't that I hadn't wanted to try the two famed coasters of the amusement park though. Consequently, I made it a personal mission to attain this unfulfilled goal before the conclusion of summer. And as luck would have it, a friend of mine happened to have access to discounted tickets.
We were welcomed by several Canada 150 statues - since tourists are inevitable - as well as Conductor Snoopy's Fountain show!
We were welcomed by several Canada 150 statues - since tourists are inevitable - as well as Conductor Snoopy's Fountain show!
Snoopy has entirely overrode his owner, Charlie Brown, by dominating both the gift shop and a section of the children's play area. Crossing the rainbow stone bridge and on the other side of the rainbow was Snoopy Planet, which was adorned with the giddy black-and-white dog in every two-metre radius.
Did I mention that there's also a Snoopy Boutique? Believe it or not, it carries anything from fashion t-shirts to soft baby plushies. Not even the monogrammed Velcro monkeys had a say in his territory.
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Generally, I tend to bring light, non-perishable (or at least resilient) foods to munch on while at the park. The idea to satiate one's hunger, maximize one's staying period, and quickly move onto to more attractions once all has successfully digested.
The remaining members of my party had other intentions, however.
Staying solo wasn't exactly an option, so I was blatantly coerced into joining them for the fifteen-minute journey outside the park premises and back. Apparently St. Louis hadn't been "good" enough, and neither had HERO's; the only thing acceptable in the vicinity was discovered to be 2-for-$5 slices from Pizza Pizza. And here I thought I had always been a nasty bother to dine with.
The remaining members of my party had other intentions, however.
Staying solo wasn't exactly an option, so I was blatantly coerced into joining them for the fifteen-minute journey outside the park premises and back. Apparently St. Louis hadn't been "good" enough, and neither had HERO's; the only thing acceptable in the vicinity was discovered to be 2-for-$5 slices from Pizza Pizza. And here I thought I had always been a nasty bother to dine with.
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Of course, my pain didn't simply end here. Besides being directed to join lineups by one single member of the group, I was also forbidden from checking the Leviathan off my list until all members were present. It's as if the thought of riding twice had never crossed their minds.
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While a portion of the group soaked in the densely-populated (read: bacteria-laden) water park, I was instructed to hang tight until further details were provided. We were able to catch the Snoopy show for a while - Charlie Brown's guitar appeared spongier than it probably should have - then pick up an overpriced popsicle for subtle heat relief.
Seven-dollar snow cones were far beyond my budget, therefore I suggested Starbucks. Needless to say, I was not permitted from vacating the amusement grounds for any of the normal franchises. Oh no.
As I needed to be on "standby" for the remaining folk, anything outside of the location contained within Wonderland was an outrageous request. For one extra dollar and absolutely no points collection (nor redemption), I purchased an Iced Pineapple Black Tea Lemonade with more ice than desired ("Light Ice" - yeah right) and at least one centimetre of filler foam.
Seven-dollar snow cones were far beyond my budget, therefore I suggested Starbucks. Needless to say, I was not permitted from vacating the amusement grounds for any of the normal franchises. Oh no.
As I needed to be on "standby" for the remaining folk, anything outside of the location contained within Wonderland was an outrageous request. For one extra dollar and absolutely no points collection (nor redemption), I purchased an Iced Pineapple Black Tea Lemonade with more ice than desired ("Light Ice" - yeah right) and at least one centimetre of filler foam.
Alas, even when all members had assembled, the outcome of our inefficiency and needless spending was wasting more time in the queue since the two MIA specimens weren't interested in the ride at all.
All in all, neither Behemoth nor Leviathan proved as terrifying as anticipated. Both rollercoasters were equipped with smooth paths and fluid execution, unlike Minebuster and its clunky migraine-inducing tremors.
I can't say I was impressed with the crew's selfish agenda, but at the very minimum, I had succeeded in conquering the coaster monsters of Wonderland.
All in all, neither Behemoth nor Leviathan proved as terrifying as anticipated. Both rollercoasters were equipped with smooth paths and fluid execution, unlike Minebuster and its clunky migraine-inducing tremors.
I can't say I was impressed with the crew's selfish agenda, but at the very minimum, I had succeeded in conquering the coaster monsters of Wonderland.
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By this point, it was nearing 8:30 PM. I was famished and in dire need of sustenance before late evening cramps hit.
The same unyielding individual held us captive for a walk about the plaza until she found "a dish she would actually eat." My patience receded with each step. I almost heaved a sigh of relief capable of rattling First Markham Place when the nod of approval was granted to Golden Harvest.
The same unyielding individual held us captive for a walk about the plaza until she found "a dish she would actually eat." My patience receded with each step. I almost heaved a sigh of relief capable of rattling First Markham Place when the nod of approval was granted to Golden Harvest.
< Pictured above and below: Beef Pancake (牛肉大餅 1301), Soup dumplings (灌湯餃 1305), Diced Chicken w/ Chili (辣子雞 1003), Beef w/ egg Fried Rice (生炒牛肉飯 1708), Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐 809) >
The entire restaurant was empty with the exception of our table plus one more. We eventually became the sole occupants of the space when the same inconsiderate being opted to leisurely flip through the menu and ponder the qualities of each dish.
The entire restaurant was empty with the exception of our table plus one more. We eventually became the sole occupants of the space when the same inconsiderate being opted to leisurely flip through the menu and ponder the qualities of each dish.
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I initally suggested sharing soup dumplings with my neighbour, but such thoughts were banished as I bit into the Beef Pancake. This shouldn't be interpreted negatively, for the crisp, starchy exterior and saucy scallions were delicious. Even the thin slices of beef were insanely tasty at this point. The issue lay with the fact that the clock had already past nine, and my stomach could digest nothing more substantial than liquids.
The lurching jolt was dismissed with a blank stare. After all, I was starved beyond sanity.
Our requested dishes were delivered to our table one by one. I snatched a Soup Dumpling, complete ignoring my body's desperate demand for consumption cutoff. Two pieces of Beef Pancake and a measly Soup Dumpling later, the white flag was raised. I held onto my stomach in silence, strikken with a pain I could utter no words of to the one seated diagonally across.
One can only tolerate a certain amount of oversight, and I'm convinced my resistance was exceeded that evening.
The lurching jolt was dismissed with a blank stare. After all, I was starved beyond sanity.
Our requested dishes were delivered to our table one by one. I snatched a Soup Dumpling, complete ignoring my body's desperate demand for consumption cutoff. Two pieces of Beef Pancake and a measly Soup Dumpling later, the white flag was raised. I held onto my stomach in silence, strikken with a pain I could utter no words of to the one seated diagonally across.
One can only tolerate a certain amount of oversight, and I'm convinced my resistance was exceeded that evening.
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I shall also just casually glaze over the additional kicker of being forced into relinquishing 15% more funds than necessary to settle my bill of $6.95 plus tax. To say that I remain bitter is an understatement.
To iterate: Golden Harvest committed no faults. Food was delivered within an acceptable time frame and quality had been maintained since my previous visit. I had not a single complaint about the dining experience itself, but rather faulted myself for miscalculating my company.
To iterate: Golden Harvest committed no faults. Food was delivered within an acceptable time frame and quality had been maintained since my previous visit. I had not a single complaint about the dining experience itself, but rather faulted myself for miscalculating my company.
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