Lake Huron and Georgian Bay This is perhaps the loosest "region" on this site geographically speaking, however the shores of Lake Huron from Sarnia all the way up to Georgian Bay contain several beachside amusement/tourism districts of varying sizes, comprising a good chunk of Ontario's past and present amusement attractions. The largest of these is the town of Wasaga Beach, the world's longest freshwater beach, once home to a massive L-shaped main strip that ran along the water, then turned inland along Main St. While the town is still home to several attractions, the Main St. portion of Wasaga's main strip was lost in a massive 2007 fire that took out the entire block on both sides of the street, and had lasting effects on the industry throughout the entire town. Amusement and Theme Parks Castle Village Enchanted Kingdom - Balm Beach/Midland Dinosaur Valley - Wasaga Beach Grand Bend Amusement Park - Grand Bend Playland Park - Wasaga Beach Sauble Beach Fun World - Sauble Beach Arcades, Mini Golf and F.E.C.s Balm Beach Go Karts - Balm Beach Balm Beachway Golf Club Mini Putt - Balm Beachway Golf Club, Balm Beach Blue Mountain Go Karts - Collingwood Cedar Grove Mini Golf - Wasaga Beach Corner Convenience - Lions Head Georgian Grill - Balm Beach Gerry's Arcade/Beachcomber Arcade - Sauble Beach Giggles Arcade- Sauble Beach Grand Bend Mini Golf - Grand Bend Holiday Plaza - Grand Bend Joyland Arcade - Wasaga Beach Joysticks Arcade - Wasaga Beach Jurassic Putt - Grand Bend Just Puttin' Around - Sauble Beach Lows Arcade - Sauble Beach Pedro's Mini Golf - Pedro's Gift Shop, Wasaga Beach Playland Arcade - Playland Park, Wasaga Beach Putterama Mini Golf - Sauble Beach Safari Golf - Dinosaur Valley, Wasaga Beach Sarnia's Rack 'N Roll Billiards - Sarnia Sunset Family Fun Centre - Port Elgin Terrace Mall Arcade - Wasaga Beach Wanda's Beach Hut - Balm Beach Wasaga Dairy - Wasaga Beach Wasaga 500 Go Karts - Wasaga Beach Wasaga Waterworld Arcade - Wasaga Waterworld, Wasaga Beach Wasaga Waterworld Mini Golf - Wasaga Waterworld, Wasaga Beach Wasaga Super Slides Mini Golf - Wasaga Super Slides, Wasaga Beach Wizard's Castle - Heritage Place, Owen Sound White's Mini Golf - Wasaga Beach Mini Golf (Name Unknown) - Mosley St., Wasaga Beach Dark Attractions, Wax Museums and Exhibits Chomps Shark Museum - Wasaga Beach Dracula's Dungeon/Escape the Dungeon - Castle Village Enchanted Kingdom, Balm Beach/Midland Phantom Express (Geister Express) Ghost Train - Playland Park, Wasaga Beach Scares 'n Dares/Nightmares - Wasaga Beach Specialty Hotels and Gift Shops Blue Mountain Resort - Blue Mountain (Collingwood) Georgian Inn Resort - Wasaga Beach Lakeview Motel - Wasaga Beach Miramar Motel - Wasaga Beach Osbourne's Castle of Gifts - Wasaga Beach Santa Fe Motel - Wasaga Beach Sauble Lodge Motor Inn - Sauble Beach Treasure Island/Sunsations - Wasaga Beach Villa Nova Motel - Wasaga Beach Theatres, Bowling Alleys and Miscellaneous Balm Beach Bowling Alley (and Tavern) - Balm Beach Bayshore Lanes - Midland The Bowling Alley - Owen Sound Centennial Theatre - Joyland Arcade, Wasaga Beach The Dardenella - Wasaga Beach Elmvale Drive-In - Wasaga Beach/Elmvale Georgian Bowl - Collingwood Gift Bowl - Sauble Beach Great Slide Ride - Blue Mountain Resort, Blue Mountain (Collingwood) Hiway Bowl - Sarnia Knight Haven Bowling Lanes - Penetang Little Bowl - Goderich Marcin Bowl - Sarnia Playland Park Bowling Alley - Playland Park, Wasaga Beach Starlite Drive-In - Grand Bend Giant Slide (Name Unknown) - Grand Bend Trampoline Attraction (Name Unknown) - Grand Bend Water Parks and Attractions Plunge! Aquatic Centre - Blue Mountain Resort, Blue Mountain (Collingwood) Slipper Dipper Water Slide - Blue Mountain Resort, Blue Mountain (Collingwood) Tube Ride - Blue Mountain Resort, Blue Mountain (Collingwood) Wasaga Super Slides - Wasaga Beach Wasaga Waterworld - Wasaga Beach Waterslide (Name Unknown) - Grand Bend

All Attractions by Region On these pages you'll find lists of all attractions categorized by the region they were/are located in. Regions more sparsely populated with attractions are divided into provinces or even entire sections of the country, whereas regions heavily dotted with attractions are divided into areas of a province or even greater metro areas. These regions are listed on this page by density of attractions, with each section being alphabetized. Button Niagara Region Button Greater Toronto Area Lake Huron and Georgian Bay Ontario - Other Areas Alberta Manitoba and Saskatchewan British Columbia (and Northern Canada) Quebec Atlantic Canada (East of Quebec)

Waltzing Waters Attraction Type: Dancing Fountain/Lightshow Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario Years Operational: 1962-2000 Designer(s): Robert Dunham/Waxattract Waltzing Waters was a dancing fountain that was synchronized to music, and even lights at night. It opened in 1963 when Arthur White purchased the neighboring Burning Springs building and overhauled it as the Burning Springs Wax Museum . In addition to the museum, he built Waltzing Waters between it and the neighboring Seagram Tower . Guests would pay admission to enter the viewing area for the large outdoor fountain, which required an operator at a switchboard to control. The Seagram complex in 1962 before the wax museum moved into the old Burning Spring building. The blue Waltzing Waters pool can be seen in the middle. The fountain was lightyears ahead of it's time, and at a time when computers were in their infancy. It was built by Robert Dunham, creative genius who would go on to make major advancements in the world of special effects, animatronics, and haunted attractions with his Waxattract company. Dunham was a painter who had recently opened Fantasy Land, his first amusement attraction, at the nearby Crystal Beach Amusement Park. Waltzing Waters however would be his first attraction in Niagara Falls proper, and first commission for an amusement attraction owned by another party. The fountain at the bottom-middle in this 1965 image. The cut out area on the right side of the fountain is the control booth, which the pool surrounded on three sides. It's unknown how exactly the show itself changed year-to-year, but the fountain would expand in 1971. With the switchboard operating system, the show could in theory be different every time, or customizable to whatever song was currently being played. A similar switchboard setup could later be found in the Lightshow rooms of Dunham's international chain of Castle Dracula attractions. The Waltzing Waters switchboard operator in 1972 was Werner Maetzke, as evidenced by a newspaper article from July of that year. The same article states that the $150,000 switchboard he's pictured sitting at was brought in from West Germany the year prior, hinting that the attraction's technology was updated in 1971 as well. Werner Maetzke, the show's maestro, at the updated controls in 1971. The much larger fountain after it's expansion in 1971, pictured here in the 1980's. The show was free for the 1972 and 1973 seasons, being changed to $1 admission for adults (free for children) in 1974. A combination ticket was also offered that included White's Burning Springs Wax Museum and National Marine Aquarium of Canada , which set guests back $3.95. it's unknown at what point it became free again, but late-70s newspaper advertisements promote it being free by at least 1978 and offering three shows nightly. It's unknown if it ever reverted to an admission ticket afterwards. Above and below: series of postcards from the early 70s when the neighboring tower was named the "Royal Inn Tower", and the complex the "Royal Centre." These postcards show just how vibrant and impressive the fountain was, yet likely still don't do it justice. The fountain was on land leased to White from the Seagram (later Royal Heritage) Tower, which White eventually became owner of (and therefore Waltzing Waters entirety) in 1970, renaming it the Royal Inn Tower (later Panasonic Tower.) The Tower would be sold again along with the Burning Springs Wax Museum and National Marine Aquarium of Canada in 1976 to Japanese businessman Takeshi Shimizu, and from him to the Bolus family who owned the land the attractions were on in 1981. White however would retain ownership of the fountain through all this until 1992, when it was auctioned off. The old Burning Springs building next door, which had most recently housed the Dare Devil Gallery, was demolished the same year. The fountain would be bought by an unknown buyer and continue to run in it's original spot until 1995, when it was moved across the street to make way for the Marriott Falls View. It lasted in its new home until 2000. It's unknown if anyone bought the equipment for the fountain or where it went, and the attraction ended up being demolished and disappeared from the Niagara attraction landscape for good. The fountain and Panasonic Tower, 1970's.

Nightmares Fear Factory Attraction Type: Haunted Attraction Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario Years Operational: 1984-Present Designer(s): Robert (Bobber) Gibbs, Frank La Penna The earliest roots of Nightmares actually date all the way back to 1966, across Lake Ontario from the Niagara Region. A charity organization which Robert "Bobber" Gibbs belonged to opened a seasonal Halloween spook house which ran for the days leading up to Halloween in an old farmhouse in Oshawa, and the following Halloween moved to a farmhouse in Whitby. Keeping the concept's further potential in mind, he would revisit it for the 1980 Halloween season and open a seasonal haunt of his own as a business, this time in an old farmhouse in Markham on the North-West corner of Warden/Steeles, literally across the street from Toronto's Scarborough borough. It would be named "13 Rooms of Terror", as it moved through thirteen rooms of the renovated house, each with a different theme or scare, and would be open for all of October. The location closer to the City made the haunt even more popular than Gibbs' setups in the 60's, and it would return in the same location the following year since Gibbs owned the building. The intersection of Warden and Steeles today as seen on Google maps, with a large business plaza now sitting where Gibbs' old farmland and once sat. It would prove to be so popular that Gibbs began to contemplate the profitability of turning his ideas into full blown haunted attractions, and he would do just that in 1982. Gibbs would open his first permanent haunted attraction as a concession at Prudhomme's Landing, an amusement park in Lincoln on the shores of Lake Ontario, just inside the Niagara Region. The "Haunted House" would again remodel the bones of an old home, renovating the old Prudhomme house (the family which the land was named after) that stood on the land and predated the park. This sign was all that remained of the Haunted House after it was eventually demolished in the 1990's. This photo was taken in 2011, nine years after the park was abandoned. The thing the Haunted House was known for (as all Gibbs' subsequent attractions would be) was that the actors actually touched guests, poking and prodding them in the pitch darkness and grabbing their ankles as they walked past. The attraction was notoriously scary, and quickly became a rite of passage for Niagara Falls teens. It's extreme nature and the live actors' dedication to intensity provided an unrelenting experience through the twisting corridors of the old building. Despite the aging structure and maze-like nature of the attraction, Gibbs always had a strong mind for safety, stating "What I want is a safe place that looks terrible" in the initial proposal to the planning committee of Lincoln. This ahead of it's time thinking wouldn't become widespread in the haunted attraction industry until the tragic 1984 Haunted Castle fire at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey which killed 8 teenagers. Perhaps if Six Flags had been thinking like Gibbs, it could have been avoided. The live actors actually touching and poking guests was both ahead of it's time and a relic of it. While it's trendy for many haunted attractions today to have guests sign waivers before actors physically interact with them to hype up the fear, and it was perhaps something that occurred without any thought to the matter in haunts of the 70's, The Haunted House fell somewhere in the middle. The era it existed in and the identity of the attraction made it completely unexpected, as no other permanent haunted attraction in the area at that time had actors physically interact with guests, yet it wasn't at a time when guests would be likely to turn around and sue for profit as they'd be more likely to today. Nightmares would take this same concept and push it even further, creating a successor to the Haunted House. Nightmares would open in 1984 on the first floor of the mall portion of Maple Leaf Village in Niagara Falls, Gibbs' first haunted house in a space he was able to completely design from scratch. It would be a start to finish, relentless assault on the senses. The rooms and mazes in the attraction were lit only by small red lights high on the wall close to the ceiling. As guests made their way through each area, the lights were their only guide through the illusions, strange sensations, jump scares, and being grabbed by the actors. Not only that, the rooms and corridors were able to switch and change, trapping guests in dead ends and forcing them to walk in circles. Perhaps the most memorable feature of Nightmares was "Tommy the Tongue", a wet sponge on the end of a pole in the darkness which would "lick" guests' faces. The main scare in the attraction however was the goalie mask sporting actor who would chase guests around, and be one of the only seen elements in the attraction. For guests to be rescued from this nightmare, they had to yell "Nightmares", admitting defeat. The scares would stop and the staff would lead you out a "chicken exit", giving you a souvenir card of shame stating so. The Maple Leaf Village mall sandwiched between the two hotels on Falls Ave., with the amusement park in behind, 1980. The attraction offered a totally different experience from other haunted attractions at the time, being focused almost entirely on psychological horror instead of physical sets and props. While there were illusions and disorienting mazes in other attractions like Castle Dracula , The Haunted House on Clifton Hill (unrelated to Gibbs' attraction), and the Maple Leaf Village amusement park's Mysterious Mansion, the charm of Nightmares was that you, the guest was left to fill in the blanks as to what was after you in the darkness, hence the name. While it wasn't necessarily better than the immense detail, scenery and storytelling in other attractions, it was certainly different, and stood out in almost an apples-and-oranges kind of sense. Original green card from Nightmares. The rite-of-passage aspect of the Haunted House at Prudhomme's was also now marketed as a challenge at Nightmares, with colour-coded cards being given to anyone who completed the attraction. The colour on the card you received indicated how brave you were during the experience, with guests who barely scraped by receiving a pink card, guests who were visibly frightened receiving an orange card, guests who only appeared occasionally startled receiving a green card, and only a completely unflinching, unbothered guest receiving the coveted blue card. This was a genius move on Gibbs' part, as it secured repeat patronage as guests tried to memorize and predict the jump scares inside in an attempt to stay stonefaced during the attraction. With clever live actors however, this was easier said than done. Gibbs would operate Nightmares and the Haunted House simultaneously during the 1984 season, with the Haunted House's operations being transferred to Prudhomme's Landing themselves in 1985 so Gibbs could focus on Nightmares. Nightmares' popularity led to it receiving a direct sequel shortly after it opened, right next door. The attraction moved to a larger space on the third floor of the mall to accommodate the addition. The new attraction, Nightmares II, would be a progression of the original with the same kinds of scares, however if it was a separate ticket or just an expanded area of the pre-existing walkthrough is unknown. This would be quickly followed up once again with Nightmares III - The Black Journey, a hybrid between a haunted house and an obstacle course. All three attractions would have the card level system. The most notable feature of Nightmares III was the very first room. Guests would enter, the room would seal off behind them, and they would be left there for 10 minutes in pitch darkness and silence, feeling around the walls without even a red light on the wall to give them a sense that this was supposed to be happening. This apparently seriously freaked people out, and understandably so. Some guests allegedly even thought they had somehow wandered into a backstage area between the walls and were sent into a panic. A small hatch along the bottom of the wall opposite to the side of the room you entered through would eventually open near the floor, and guess would have to crawl through the claustrophobic tube-like tunnel to the next area, all in pitch darkness. They would then have to navigate a series of psychologically and physically demanding obstacles of a similar nature, with various degrees of lighting. It was elements like this that were beginning to gain the Nightmares brand fame, as the extremity of the psychological torment was revolutionizing the industry. New attractions had started implementing similar features as early as the year after Nightmares opened, with Screamers also opening on the third floor of Maple Leaf Village in 1985 after an ex-Nightmares employee had a dispute with Gibbs so decided to start his own attraction. Glow-in-the-dark pins from the attractions. Screamers, "Where Nightmares Become Reality", 1995. One of the most obscure and undocumented aspects of Nightmares however would also be one of its most important, as it affected not just the haunted attraction industry, but also the world of mini golf. "Nightmares Fore" opened as the fourth and final installment in the Nightmares brand, also on the third floor of the mall. It was a blacklight miniature golf course with horror theming, one if not the first blacklight mini golf courses. It was also the first with a horror theme, a popular theme for blacklight miniature golf courses today. A similar concept named "Monsterland Golf" was in the planning stages just a couple years earlier by Robert Dunham's Waxattract/Enter-Tech company, and would have used animatronic figures created from the same molds used to create the figures in The House of Frankenstein and Castle Dracula locations. Unfortunately Dunham passed away in 1985 before the attraction made it to the actual development stages, and it would never see the light of day. It's unclear if Gibbs knew about Monsterland, where it was planned to be located, or if the space it was meant for somehow evolved into Nightmares Fore. No photos, footage, or promotional material from the attraction have surfaced aside from a mention on the completion cards from Nightmares III. Nightmares III completion card mentioning the cleverly-named "Nightmares Fore." Allegedly the attractions grew a little stale from their original glory over the years as actors got less creative, employees began to give the colour-coded cards out at random to anyone who completed the attractions, and other attractions such as Screamers were doing similar things. Maple Leaf Village would begin a rapid, somewhat planned demise beginning in the early 90's. Several tenants began to leave, with the amusement park behind the mall closing in 1994, and the mall itself eventually closing in 1996 to become Casino Niagara. The heavy-duty wiring and power hookups the mall had for its many arcades, restaurants, and attractions were actually specifically designed for the mall to one day become a casino if it had to. Nightmares cleverly saw the writing on the wall back in '93, and Gibbs would begin plans to move the attraction to Victoria Ave. By the time the attraction moved, the total chicken count between Nightmares I, II, and III was allegedly up to 43,610. The new attraction would combine the elements from all three of these attractions and turn them into one, two-story, mega attraction. The attraction on Victoria Ave., 1996. The building on Victoria Ave. which Nightmares would move to would be the building formerly home to the original Castle Dracula from 1974 until it moved to Clifton Hill in 1977. The building dated back much further than that however, originally being constructed as a Bell Telephone office building and eventually becoming home to the Canadian Corps in the 1960's. It's unknown what the building was from 1977-1993, photographs from the early 80's show it seemingly abandoned, however a news article about Nightmares taking the structure over mentions something called "Plantation" formerly being there, presumably a restaurant that occupied a small portion of the space. Nightmares would have you believe the building was formerly the "Cataract Coffin Factory", which while great storytelling, isn't true despite a majority of tourists actually believing it. Being the former home of Dracula however is surprisingly fairly close to that, so perhaps there is some tounge-in-cheek truth to it after all. This is where things get a little hazy. Frank La Penna owned the building and allegedly provided Gibbs with roughly $80,000 of renovations. The building itself had notoriously been an issue with several of its past occupants. The Canadian Corps moved out due to the absolutely massive, old building being much too large and costly to maintain. One reason Castle Dracula was sold off by it's creators and moved to Clifton Hill was due to how expensive it was to heat the building, and difficult to run power through it. It's unknown when exactly La Penna came into possession of it, the state it was in, or what was there most recently (as mentioned above) by the time Nightmares moved in. Some sort of financial dispute arose between Gibbs and La Penna, with La Penna eventually coming out on top and owning the Nightmares business itself by 1994. It's unknown if the attraction operated at the Victoria Ave. location for the 1993 season under Gibbs or remained closed while the dust was settling between the two parties. The attraction apparently opened for Halloween night 1993, but due to a massive snowstorm that night, only saw 10 guests. La Penna would continue to build upon the attraction once it was his. The earliest evidence of the attraction actually in operation on Victoria Ave. full time isn't until 1994. Frank La Penna posed lurking in his attraction, 1994. Whatever occurred wouldn't deter Gibbs however from being in the haunted attraction industry, and he would open the Scares 'n Dares Haunted Warehouse up in Wasaga Beach in 1994, occupying a former section of the Playland Arcade there which was walled off for the attraction. The section of the building was at the back of the arcade and was originally constructed as the bowling alley and expanded arcade area for Playland Park in a 1950s expansion to their penny arcade. The bowling lanes had since been removed and were replaced with various games before Gibbs moved in, leaving the area looking like a warehouse, likely where it got it's name. It's unknown how similar to Nightmares the experience was, however it would move across the street to a former gift shop when the section of the arcade building it was in was torn down, dropping the "Haunted Warehouse" portion of the name. It eventually became "Nightmares Wasaga Beach" in 1997, a direct version of the Niagara Falls attraction done in the same style, which would last until 2005. Scares 'n Dares Haunted Warehouse (above, 1994) and it's later incarnation as Nightmares Wasaga Beach as seen on the righthand side of this image. (right, late 90's) Back in Niagara Falls, La Penna's "new" Nightmares was kicking things up a notch in an attempt to stay relevant in the face of similar attractions which had sprouted up since the original opened in 1984. The attraction would initially still operate on a completion card system, however only a "Chicken" and "I Survived" card would be given out instead of the colour-coded bravery scale. Yelling "Nightmares" to be rescued from the experience was also a feature held over. The Nightmares building itself is located on a slight hill, so at the front along Victoria Ave., the first floor is level with the ground, whereas around the back of the building, the first floor would be a sort of underground basement, and the second floor is level with the ground. The front half of the first floor was occupied by Frank's Steakhouse for years, a popular local restaurant (that would later expand out the side of the building), and the back half of the first floor was home to the lower level of Castle Dracula during its tenure there. You entered Castle Dracula through a door on Victoria Ave., then were immediately greeted with a stairs up to the lobby, gift shop and arcade on the second floor, exactly where the Nightmares lobby is today. Upper portion of the coffin display in it's original colours, early 2000's. Lower portion of the coffin display as it originally appeared, 1990's. The head has since been removed. Nightmares however doesn't take you down to a lower level on the first floor, only occupying the top two floors of the space. It remains a mystery if the former lower level of the original Castle Dracula exits abandoned under Nightmares, but the less exciting reality is that it probably became an expanded area of the restaurant years ago. Frank's eventually became Carlos O'Brien's, which was what it was at the time Nightmares moved in. The restaurant has since been "The Wild Mushroom", and later underwent major renovations to become Weinkeller currently. Like Castle Dracula before it, guests enter Nightmares through a door on Victoria Ave., however it's now under a giant gothic stone facade complete with a massive fiberglass Grim Reaper with glowing eyes which was added in late 1998. After passing a coffin display in the front window, guests traverse upstairs to the lobby and gift shop. Live screams of guests were originally broadcast on speakers both in the lobby and outside the attraction, however this was eventually discontinued, assumingly due to the fact guests likely let an array of expletives out while being scared senseless. After buying your ticket, you then venture upstairs to the top floor and begin your journey... The attraction now features the aforementioned story of being the abandoned coffin factory, originally deemed the "Cataract Casket Company" but later changed to "Cataract Coffin Company" at some point early in the location's life. Nightmares has fully embraced this, officially becoming "Nightmares Fear Factory" in the late 90's. In a genius way to provide story and a theme to an attraction based almost entirely on pitch darkness and psychological terror, the majority of it's storytelling exits in its promotional material. No brochures from the attraction feature photos of the interior, and photography/filming is forbidden. It's also never discussed what's inside, and the story that the building is haunted and was formerly a coffin factory never deviated from, even to the press. This has created a cloud of mystery around how exactly the contents of the attraction have changed around over the years since the move, if at all. In one of the only pieces of media discussing the attraction as *not* being a real haunted factory, the 1994 newspaper article on the attraction moving to Victoria Ave. provides some insight into the creation of the scares. La Penna was a contractor, not a haunted attraction designer or amusement operator, but apparently had a blast reworking the attraction and seeing how extreme he could take things. "I Survived" and "Chicken" cards from the late 90's. Several elements have been kept from the original Nightmares attractions in Maple Leaf Village, including the red guiding lights, the crawl-through tunnel, Tommy the Tongue (although he is now nameless), and the dead-end room, although they don't leave you in there as long as it's original incarnation. New additions included bars which actors hit electrified poles on to create sparks, a room with inflatable walls that close in on either side of you, and most famous of all: the car. The original lobby, later remodeled in 2008 to include more room for merchandise as the attraction's fame grew. Nightmares features a car bumper and headlights on the wall beside guests at one point in the attraction, with a camera located directly above that takes a photo at the exact moment the headlights turn on and an unbelievably loud car horn blares. The photo of you and your friends in a raw state of petrified horror can be purchased in the gift shop. This gimmick was always popular dating back to the location's opening in the 90's, however following the rise of mainstream social media in the late 2000's, it absolutely exploded. This simple effect, used in dark rides as far back as the 1950's, took the already popular attraction and propelled it into the international spotlight when coupled with the hidden camera and the power of the internet. When the photos began circulating online, so did the tales of the intensity of the attraction, as well as people's stretched truths and misconceptions of what they had just been through. Tales of the attraction as well as it's story of being located in a former coffin factory spread like wildfire, and people started travelling to The Falls for the attraction alone, something a haunted attraction hadn't accomplished since The House of Frankenstein and Castle Dracula opened back in the 70's. A group captured by the "Scare Cam" in the early 2000's. Wallpaper has since replaced the mural backdrop to these iconic photos. It may have been years ahead of it's time and taken a while to reach the fame it has, but at every turn, Nightmares ended up being savvy to trends and technology the same way Niagara's other iconic attractions were in the eras when they debuted. This has secured it as a mainstay Niagara Falls classic, a well-deserved spot for an attraction who's roots lie not in a haunted coffin factory, but a humble, charity-run Halloween haunted house in an Oshawa farm field in the 1960's. The attraction as it appears today. The reaper lost his scythe around the turn of the millennium, but finally gained it back in 2019.

Waxattract/Enter-Tech Headquarters: Niagara Falls, Ontario Years Operational: 1960?-1985 Number of Confirmed Projects: 30+ Mid-70's business card featuring the only documented instance of the company's logo. Waxattract was the leading wax figure and animatronics design firm in Canada, and were fittingly based in Niagara Falls, ON. The company was owned by (and entirely comprised of) the Dunham family, with Robert Dunham founding the company sometime in the early 60's. His wife Betty as well as their eight children would all go on to become involved in the family business in some way as the company grew. Together they achieved several firsts and milestones in the amusement industry, including the first programmable animatronics outside of Disneyland, the first entirely horror-themed wax museum, the first programmable stand-alone animatronic band, and the first modern haunted attraction, today an over $300 Million USD a year indusrty. By the 70's the business had evolved to an entire studio, officially taking the name Waxattract and setting up shop in a warehouse on Portage Rd., where the company produced some of the most iconic Niagara Falls attractions to ever exist, including The House of Frankenstein, Castle Dracula, and Circus World, as well as working on several attractions in the U.S. and across wider Canada. As their animatronic technology began to advance, the company moved to Thorold Stone Rd. and rebranded as Enter-Tech - "Entertainment Technology in Motion" (a division of Waxattract) at the dawn of the 1980's, as animatronic entertainment became the new revolution in the amusement industry due largely in part to the company's own innovations. Early-80's Enter-Tech Brochure The company's most popular attractions, and most groundbreaking, were their revolutionary haunted attractions which redefined the industry not just in Niagara but as a whole, and become an integral part of Clifton Hill's development and growth. The company disbanded in 1985 following the unfortunate death of Robert Dunham that year, a huge blow to the Niagara Falls amusement industry. He was working on the planning stages of an interactive, horror-themed blacklight indoor miniature golf attraction which would unfortunately never be completed, but would have been perhaps the first blacklight mini golf course in the world, and certainly the fist with a horror theme or interactive props. Who knows what else Dunham and Enter-Tech would have invented and come up with more time. One thing is for certain, his legacy, and the joy he brought to millions in his short time, will live on forever in Niagara Falls and the amusement industry as a whole, even if people may not know him by name. Fred (left) and Jeff (right) Dunham build a figure for "The All Star Mouse Revue" animatronic show, 1980. The full story of Waxattract and their incredible technological innovations in the industry is a tale far too long to tell on this page, which is why Canadian Amusement History is proud to present the special feature article "Scultping Memories: The Waxattract Story " , a deep dive into the company's attractions and legacy written with information sourced directly from the Dunham family. To learn more about perhaps one of the most important companies in the history of this industry, click the link above. Confirmed Projects Fantasy Land - Crystal Beach Amusement Park, Crystal Beach (1960?) Waltzing Waters - Niagara Falls (1962) Burning Springs Wax Museum - Niagara Falls (1966) Boris Karloff Wax Museum/Niagara Wax Museum of Fantasy - Niagara Falls (1967) Movieland Wax Museum - Niagara Falls (late 60's/early 70's) Louis Tussaud's Wax Museum - Niagara Falls (late 60's/early 70's) Niagara Belle (tourist paddlewheel ferry boat, non-amusement attraction) - Niagara Falls (1970) Royal London Wax Museum - Niagara Falls (1970?) The House of Frankenstein - Niagara Falls (1971) The House of Frankenstein - Lake George, NY (1973) Castle Dracula - Niagara Falls (1974) Myrtle Beach Speedway (NASCAR track, non-amusement attraction) - Myrtle Beach, SC (1974) Castle Dracula - Myrtle Beach, SC (1975) Magic Harbor - Myrtle Beach, SC (1975) Hound Dog Revue/Country Hound Jamboree - Magic Harbor, Myrtle Beach, SC (1975) Haunted Shooting Gallery - Magic Harbor, Myrtle Beach, SC (1975) Castle Dracula - Panama City Beach, FL (1976) Tower of London Wax Museum (figures/props only, relocated from Royal London Wax Museum) - Niagara Falls (1976) Jungleland Miniature Golf - Niagara Falls (1978?) Many Worlds of Jules Verne (concept work only, never developed) - Niagara Falls (1979) Circus World - Niagara Falls (1979) Legend Niagara/Great White Water Picture Show - Pyramid Place, Niagara Falls (1979) Dare Devil Gallery - Niagara Falls (1979?) Portable Walkthrough Haunted Attractions (produced for travelling fairs and small amusement parks) - (Late 70's?) W.C. Fields Display (Unknown Themed Bar) - (Unknown American City), (la te 70's?) Ocean World - Niagara Falls (late 70's/early 1980's?) All Star Mouse Revue - Produced but never installed (see "Sculpting Memories: The Waxattract Story "), (early 80's) Hillbilly Bear Jamboree - Maple Leaf Village, Niagara Falls (1981/1982?) Animatronic Salmon Puppet (T ravelling e ducational p rop) - Ontario Ministry of the Environment (early 80's?) Animal Krackers - Huckleberry Junction Playhouse Theater, Genesee, Michigan (early 80's) Meet Mr. Lincoln - Maple Leaf Village, Niagara Falls (1984) Pioneer Museum (Name Unconfirmed) - (Exact Location Unknown), P.E.I. Suspected/Possible Projects Crystal Beach Wax Museum - Crystal Beach Amusement Park, Crystal Beach (early 60's - early 70's) National Marine Aquarium of Canada - Niagara Falls (1970) Dark Ride - Magic Harbor, Myrtle Beach, SC (1975) Boris Karloff Wax Museum - Sportland Pier, Wildwood, NJ (late 70's?) Movieworld Wax Museum (involvement likely minimal, if at all) - Lake George, NY (1977/1978?) Castle Dracula (involvement unlikely) - Lake George, NY (1982) Circus Time Pizza - Flint, Michigan (1983) Pizza Planet - Buffalo, New York (1983)

Burning Springs Wax Museum Attraction Type: Wax Museum Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario Years Operational: 1963-1991 Designer(s): Lynch Display Creation/Dorfman Studios, Waxattract In 1790, a natural gas spring was discovered in the Dufferin Islands which could be ignited for continuous flame. After the War of 1812, entrepreneurs began charging to see the "Burning Spring", but when the Ontario Power Company took over the land in 1924, an artificial "Burning Spring" (which modern gas technology now permitted) re-opened in the Fallsview area at the corner of Buchanan (present day Fallsview Blvd.) and Dunn. Attached to it was a small observation tower, overlooking Table Rock and Queen Victoria Park down the hill. In the area, several cabin courts and motels had established themselves as well by the 60s, coming up around the same time as the developments over on Clifton Hill. Turn of the century artist's drawing of the original, natural Burning Spring in the Dufferin Islands. 1930's postcard of the Burning Spring "relocated" to the Fallsview area, now run by a gas burner. The entire Burning Spring complex was reimagined in 1962, when it was purchased by Malcolm Howe and Arthur White. The long out of date observation tower was demolished, in lieu of the over 325 foot tall Seagram Tower being built next door. The Burning Spring exhibit was revamped as well, becoming the Burning Springs Wax Museum after a large wax museum containing 35 historical scenes was added to the building, opening in March of 1963. The "Burning Spring" itself was now incorporated into a historical scene in the museum depicting the 1790 discovery of the spring, as the novelty of the artificial "spring" itself (that was essentially a large Bunsen Burner), was by this point long faded. The museum was the first (and subsequently only) Canadian franchise of National Historical Wax Museums Inc., who owned the National Historical Wax Museum in Washington, D.C. and had their figures supplied by Lynch Display Creation (owned by Earl Dorfman of Dorfman Studios.) Howe and White had exclusive rights to the National Historical Wax Museums brand in Canada. There was also a large emphasis placed on American history as well as Canadian due to the franchising of the American chain. The attraction in it's opening year, 1963. Marquis L. J. De Montcalm and General James Wolfe, 1963. The "Burning Spring" scene complete with real flame, 1963. Among the museum's 35 scenes were the aforementioned Burning Spring, Lincoln on his deathbed, Davy Crockett at the Alamo, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a variety of both Canadian and American generals, and more. It ended with an observation deck on the roof at the end of the attraction, which while perhaps a little redundant with the massive Seagram Tower right next door, was more a free addition than a selling point. In addition to the wax museum, a large outdoor fountain next to the Tower would be constructed, but this fountain would be unlike any other that existed at the time. The fountain was known as Waltzing Waters (created by the computer wizardry of Robert Dunham), a large dancing fountain, even programmed with synchronized lights at night. The fountain would also be owned by White and Howe. The pair's attractions and the work of the talented craftsman who they hired to build them drummed up another draw to the Seagram Tower aside from the Tower itself, helping further the popularity of Niagara's first major observation tower and the area around it. Lincoln on his deathbed, 1963. The Burning Springs Wax Museum would even be sued by Tussaud's on Clifton Hill, which predated it by four years and was the only other amusement attraction in The Falls at the time besides the Antique Auto Museum. Tussaud's alleged the giant words "Wax Museum" painted on the side of the Burning Springs building overlooking the busy Queen Victoria Park below was knowingly causing confusing over which wax museum was Niagara's original. The case was obviously thrown out, as Tussaud's didn't have monopoly over the term Wax Museum, a decision that would forever change the industry in Niagara Falls. Signing of the Declaration of Independence, 1963. The (perhaps too effective) sign which became the catalyst for Tussaud's lawsuit against the attraction, 1974. The museum was expanded in 1966 to 50 scenes with the addition of a basement Chamber of Horrors created by Robert Dunham's Waxattract , after the success of the Waltzing Waters fountain prompted Howe and White to ask him to make the museum more exciting. Very little is known about this section of the museum, but it would have possibly been Dunham's first foray into horror themed figures, a talent that would later change Niagara Falls and the wider amusement industry as a whole. Howe and White also owned the Crystal Beach Wax Museum under the ballroom situated next to Dunham's Fantasy Land attraction, and their wax museum there received a completely horror themed overlay sometime between the late-60s and early-70s. Whether or not this came before the Chambers of Horror section in the Burning Springs or if Dunham had a hand in that overhaul as well is unknown, but both remain mysterious additions to their respective attractions that have largely been lost to time. Mid 1960's On June 5th, 1969, the museum would be completely gutted by an early morning three-alarm fire which caused between $600,000 and $700,000 damage. The fire raged mostly on the top floor where it started, with falling debris, smoke and water damage also ruining the first floor. A mysterious knotted nylon rope was found hanging from the sign at the rear of the building leading to the roof, suggesting some sort of fowl play, however nothing ever came of the discovery. Clockwise from top left: The fire as it was raging, the mysterious rope found hanging from the roof, and the aftermath of the fire. The museum was rebuilt, with a now updated and modernized list of scenes to depict more current events like the moon landing. Dunham also had a hand in the new version of the attraction. Arthur White would buy the Seagram Tower and renamed it the Heritage Tower in 1969. An aquarium and reptile exhibit named the National Marine Aquarium of Canada was also constructed in the former World of Shops mall on the other side of the Tower, also owned White. The updated Tower complex with the new museum and aquarium opened in April 1970. The rebuilt museum after the fire,1970's. In November of 1976, the fledgling Tower, aquarium and wax museum would be sold to Japanese businessman Takeshi Shimizu, who had lived in The Falls for 10 years. Arthur White retained Waltzing Waters, with his son Bill White being a co-owner of the wax museum. Shimizu unfortunately couldn't financially turn the complex around either, with it being sold in 1981 to the Bolus family who owned the land the attractions were on. Figures of Ronald Reagan and John Lennon were added to the museum around this time. The gift shop was also tripled in size, however it's unknown if this replaced any of the former first floor or basement of the museum Sale of the complex in 1976. From left to right: Mr. Shimizu and his wife, Arthur White, and Mayor George Bukator. The attraction would carry on for several years with occasional changes. In 1980, a wax figure of Ayatollah Khomeini was added to the lobby to protest the Iranian hostage situation going on the time. A scroll with room for 10,000 signatures was put next to the figure to petition the Iranian government for release of the 52 American hostages. It's likely the petition had little to no effect on the outcome of it's target issue, which eventually resolved itself in 1981 when the hostages were released following the signing of the Algiers Accords. In 1984, a taxidermy grizzly bear from the attraction's lobby would be stolen by two Long Island teenagers, who attempted to take it back to New York with them across the border in the back of their car. They were swiftly apprehended by customs, and the bear returned to the Burning Springs. Officer Paul Pierini pictured with the kidnapped bear following it's safe return to the attraction in 1984. Around this time, the Bolus family and Bill White would sell the attraction (perhaps when the Tower became sponsored by Minolta and became the Minolta Tower) to a man named Mark Adams. He owned the attraction until June of 1986, when he was arrested for attempting to sell a pound of cocaine to an undercover cop. It's unknown who bought the attraction afterwards, but the museum would carry on. Adding to the bad luck however, the museum would be a theft target again in 1987 when the gift shop was broken into and robbed overnight. Demolition photos of the historic building in 1993. The attraction would eventually close in 1991. By that time it had been long overshadowed by more exciting and technologically advanced attractions like The House of Frankenstein , Movieland (which Howe and White had also owned at one point), Castle Dracula , Guinness World of Records, and Circus World, all of which were also located in a much higher trafficked area. Arthur White would finally sell the Waltzing Waters in the complex the following year, which would go on to move across the street in 1995 and close in 2000, whereas the Aquarium would go on to close in 1996. The former Burning Springs building would become home to the Dare Devil Gallery, a Waxattract attraction which had relocated there from Stanley St. The attraction operated there for 1992, moving to Pyramid Place the following year, albeit this time incredibly downsized and in the titular IMAX Pyramid. The circa 1924 building was demolished on May 14th, 1993, ending the history of the Burning Spring exhibit that had operated there since. Along with it went the legacy of the wax museum, which had been one of Niagara's first amusement attractions over three decades earlier and paved the way for the attractions that eventually eclipsed it. The former site of the building is now the Marriot Fallsview. (Top): The Seagram complex and Burning Springs Wax Museum in the 60's, (bottom): The Marriot Fallsview in the early-2000's.

British Columbia (and Northern Canada) This page specifically covers British Columbia, however the Northern provinces of Yukon and the Northwest Territories are included on this page as well due to their extremely small number of attractions. All attractions are/were located in B.C. unless otherwise stated. Amusement and Theme Parks Bedrock City/Dinotown - Chilliwack Bedrock City - Kelowna Cultus Lake Adventure Park - Cultus Lake Dyck's Dinosaur Park - Maple Ridge Fantasy Gardens/Fantasy Garden World - Richmond Happyland/Playland at the PNE - Vancouver Rattlesnake Canyon - Osoyoos Arcades, Mini Golf and F.E.C.s The Adventure Zone - Granville Island Kids Market, Vancouver Ballie Bear Amusement - Parker Place Mall, Richmond Bear Creek Park Mini Golf - Bear Creek Park, Surrey Bonker's - Vancouver Bumble Bee - Scott Rd., Surrey Captain George's - Springer/Lougheed, Burnaby Central City Fun Park - Surrey Choice Billiards - Surrey CHQ - Metrotown Mall, Burnaby Chuck E. Cheese's - Langley Crossing Shopping Centre, Langley Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theater - Burnaby Circus Circus (Circuit Circus?) - Vancouver City Centre Park Mini Golf - City Centre Park, Victoria Coin City Arcade - Vancouver Creston Mini Golf - Creston Cue's Game Room - Penticton The Den Arcade - Robson St., Vancouver District Billiards - Kelowna Doc's Golf Centre - Penticton East End Billiards - Vancouver Electrafun - Cameron St., Burnaby Energyplex Entertainment Centre - Kelowna eSpot - Richmond Family Adventure Zone - Whistler The Family Fun Centre - Kingsway St., Burnaby Flintstone Mini Golf - Bedrock City, Kelowna Flintstone/Dinotown Mini Golf - Bedrock City/Dinotown, Chilliwack Fraser Valley Billiards - Abbotsford The Fun Centre - Harewood Mall, Nanaimo The Fun Factor Centre - Kamloops Funtasia Family Fun Park - Fairmont Hot Springs The Games Room - Victoria Giggle Ridge Mini Golf - Cultus Lake Adventure Park, Cultus Lake The Goose - Yates St., Victoria Gull's - Yates St., Victoria Hi-Knoll Driving Range & Minigolf - Surrey House of Pool - New Westminster (Burnaby) Huggie Bear's Pizza Circus - Hillside/Quadra, Victoria James Street Billiards - Duncan James Street Game Room - Nanaimo Johnny Zee's - Capitol 6, Victoria Johnny Zee's - Esquimalt (Victoria) Johnny Zee's - Langford (Victoria) Johnny Zee's/Hugo's/King Kade - Shelbourne St., Victoria Johnny Zee's - University Heights Mall, Victoria Jonhhy Zee's - Station Square Metrotown, Burnaby Kamloops Billiard Club - Kamloops Kelowna Driving Range and Mini Golf - Kelowna Ladner Arcade - Vancouver Laser Illusions - - Brentwood Town Centre/The Amazing Brentwood, Burnaby Laser Illusions - Richmond Centre, Richmond Lester's - Kingsway St., Burnaby Lion's Lair - Vancouver LocoLanding Adventure Park - Penticton Long Beach Golf Course Mini Putt - Long Beach Golf Course, Tofino Lord Nelson's Arcade - Lansdowne Centre, Richmond Lukie's Mini Golf - Sicamour Master Billiards - Coquitlam Marsten Billiards & Snooker Club - Vancouver Metro Cafe Billiards - Vancouver McArthur Island Mini Golf - McArthur Island Park, Kamloops Mini Golf - Christina Lake Miracle Beach Adventure Golf - Black Creek Movieland Arcade - Granville St., Vancouver Mr. Tubbs Ice Cream Parlor - Tillicum Rd., Victoria Pacific Adventure Golf - Vancouver Paradise Mini Golf and Fun Park - Parksville Pacific Pool and Snooker Club - Surrey Peacock Billiards - Victoria Pie in the Sky - Kingsway St., Burnaby Play Abby - Abbotsford Playdium - Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby Playland Arcade/Fun Centre - Playland at the PNE, Vancouver Porter Creek Billiards - Whitehorse, Yukon Putters Mini Golf Course - Powell River Q1 Billiards - Richmond Quazar's - Government St., Victoria Raceway Go-Karts & Mini Golf - Prince George Rack & Rally Social Club - Port Alberni Rattles nake Canyon Arcade - Rattles nake Canyon, Osoyoos Rattlesnake Canyon Mini Golf - Rattles nake Canyon, Osoyoos Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf - Parksville Rollerland - Vancouver Roll 'N Stones Fun Centre - Penticton Rusty's Sports Lounge - Kelowna Salmon Arm Go-Karts & Mini-Golf - Canoe Salmon Arm Waterslides Mini Golf - Salmon Arm Scandia Golf & Games - Kelowna Scotch Creek Family Fun Centre - Scotch Creek Sneaky Pete's Pool Cafe - Vancouver Soho Bar & Billiards - Vancouver Star Snooker Club - Richmond Strike Zone Mini Golf - Strike Zone Bowling & Mini Golf Centre, Prince George Stargate 5 - Richmond Square Mall/Richmond Centre, Richmond Sweet Escape Mini Golf - Playland at the PNE, Vancouver Top 147 Snooker - Richmond West Coast Mini Putt - Richmond Wizard's Castle - Richmond Square Mall/Richmond Centre, Richmond Wizard's Castle - Rutherford Village, Nanaimo Wonderland/Castle Fun Park - Abbotsford Arcade (Name Unknown) - Craigflower/Dominion, Victoria Arcade (Name Unknown) - Douglas/Boleskine, Victoria Arcade (Name Unknown) - Northbrook Mall/Brooks Landing, Nanaimo Dark Attractions, Wax Museums and Exhibits Gastown Wax Museum - Vancouver Glass House - Playland at the PNE, Vancouver Haunted House - Playland at the PNE, Vancouver Haunted Mansion - Playland at the PNE, Vancouver Jurassic Exhibit - Bedrock City/Dinotown, Chilliwack Royal London Wax Museum - Victoria Specialty Hotels and Gift Shops Theatres, Bowling Alleys and Miscellaneous Best Western Coquitlam Inn - Coquitlam Alder Alley - Aldergrove Beaver Valley Lanes - Fruitvale Big Country Lanes - 100 Mile House Black Diamond Bowl & Billiards - Prince George Brechin Lanes - Nainamo Canyon Lanes - Boston Bar Capri Valley Lanes - Capri Centre, Kelowna Cariboo Bowl - Williams Lake Castle Bowl - Castlegar Chillibowl Lanes and Pool Hall - Chilliwack Codes Country Lanes - Courtenay Commodore Lanes - Vancouver Copperhill Lanes - Princeton CR Bowling - Campbell River Dell Lanes - Surrey Duncan Drive-In - Duncan Duncan Lanes Bowling Centre - Duncan Falcon Lanes - Kamloops Galaxy Bowl - Abbotsford Glenmerry Bowl - Trail Golden Bowling - Golden Grandview Recreations/Grandview Lanes - Vancouver Kingpin Bowling Centre - Yellowknife, Northwest Territories Kingpin Lounge - Hope King Pins Bowling - North Vancouver (Vancouver) Kobau Lanes - Osoyoos Lakeside Bowling - Salmon Arm Langford Lanes - Langford Laser City Fun Centre - Victoria Laserdome Plus - North Vancouver (Vancouver) Legacy Drive-In - Victoria Lincoln Lanes - Vernon Mackenzie Bowling - Mackenzie McCurdy Bowling Centre - Kelowna Merrit Bowling Centre - Merrit Miracle Lanes - Sidney Park Drive-In Theatre - Prince George Pinheads Bowling - Grand Forks Planet Lazer - Kelowna Planet Lazer - New Westminster (Burnaby) Planet Lazer - Richmond Planet Lazer - Surrey Pleasant Valley Plaza - Houston PoCo Bowl - Port Coquitlam (Coquitlam) Rev Bowling Lanes - Quesnel Revs Bowling - Burnaby Revs Maple Ridge - Maple Ridge Rainbow Lanes - Port Alberni Romano's Runaway Lanes - Creston Sandcastle Bowl - Surrey Scottsdale Bowling Lanes - Surrey SilverCity Riverport Cinemas - Richmond SilverCity Victoria Cinemas - Victoria Smithers Bowl - Smithers Splitsville Nanaimo - Nanaimo Splitsville Riverport - Richmond Stardust Roller Rink - Richmond Starlight Drive-In Theatre - Enderby Strike Zone Bowling - Strike Zone Bowling & Mini Golf Centre Sunset Lanes - Parksville Terrace Bowling Centre - Terrace Twilight Drive-In Theatre - Langley Township Valley Alley Bowling Centre - Invermere Village Lanes Fun Centre - Chase West Kelowna Lanes (and Whiski Jack's Pins & Pints) - Kelowna Zone Bowling - Coquitlam Themed Restaurants, Bars and Stores The Disney Store - Guildford Town Centre, Surrey The Disney Store - Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby The Disney Store - Pacific Centre, Vancouver Hard Rock Cafe - Hard Rock Casino, Coquitlam Hard Rock Cafe - Vancouver Hard Rock Cafe - Victoria Hard Rock Cafe - Whistler Planet Hollywood - Vancouver Rainforest Cafe - Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby White Spot Dinersaurus - Bedrock City/Dinotown, Chilliwack Water Parks and Attractions Big Splash Water Slide Park - Tsawwassen Bridal Falls Waterpark - Bridal Falls Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre - Chilliwack Cultus Lake Waterpark - Cultus Lake H20 Adventure Centre - Kelowna Salmon Arm Waterslides - Salmon Arm Splashdown Vernon - Vernon

History View All Attractions by Region View Artists and Developers Amusement and Theme Parks Amusement and Theme Parks Canadian amusement and theme parks from the mid 20th-century onward. The histories and uncovered details of the forgotten, famous, abandoned and still operational. GO > GO > Arcades, Mini Golf and Family Entertainment Centres Here you'll find every kind of arcade imaginable, as well as miniatu re golf courses and Family Entertainment Centres. These are grouped together for convenience, since many mini golf courses also had large arcades, and many F.E.C.s contained both. Arcades, Mini Golf and Family Entertainment Centres Dark Attractions, Wax Museums and Exhibits Dark Attractions, Wax Museums and Exhibits Haunted Attractions, Wax Museums, Dark Rides, Fun Houses, and Walk-Through Exhibits. Wax monsters, celebrities, and oddities. GO > GO > Water Parks and Attractions Dedicated water parks as well as stand-alone water slides and attractions. Water Parks and Attractions Themed Restaurants, Bars and Stores Themed Restaurants, Bars and Stores Immersive dining and shopping experiences now largely seen as a nostalgic product of their time. The ones that are gone are sorely missed, and those that remain are beloved. GO > GO > Theatres, Bowling Alleys and Miscellaneous Various forms of theatre shows including ride theatres, animatronic show theatres, lightshows and movie theatres with special theming or significance. In this section you'll also find all other miscellaneous attractions such as bowling alleys, roller rinks, laser-tag arenas and more. Theatres, Bowling Alleys and Miscellaneous Specialty Hotels and Gift Shops Hotels and Gift Shops with some sort of unique theming, attraction, or relevance. Significant hotels, motels and souvenir stores in amusement districts will also be included in this section. GO > Specialty Hotels and Gift Shops

Artists and Developers Here you'll find the most important page on this site, the names and stories of the incredible artists and developers who have helped bring Canada's amusement industry to life. This list includes individual artists, design studios, and business owners who specialized in the amusement industry. The majority of these artists/companies are naturally Canadian, but several talented artists from around the globe have lent their hand to the industry here and are therefore also included on this page. Each section of this list is ordered by number of . The number of attractions in Canada either created or owned (sometimes both) by each party it's stated they were involved in on this page simply refers to confirmed projects discussed on this website, and they may have been involved in more that have gone undocumented. These often unsung heroes shaped and sculpted lifelong memories, brought joy to millions using pencil and paper, and lent their creativities and imaginations to the spirit of having fun. Artists/Designers Advanced Animations (USA) - (2 attractions) Amusement Products (USA) - (4 attractions) Armando Tamignini (Italy) - (4 attractions) Art Attack FX - (2000+ attractions globally) AVG (USA) - (2 attractions) Bill Tracy/Outdoor Dimensional Display/This Is, Inc. (USA) - (4 attractions) Blacklight Attractions (USA) - (3 attractions) Bruce Randall/Universal Android - (7+ attractions) Costello Productions (Derek Costello) - (20+ attractions) Distortions Unlimited (USA) Dorfman Studios (USA) Enlicky Enterprises (USA) - (2 attractions) Eric McMillan Feartek Inc. (USA) - (2 attractions) Forrec Inc. Funni-Frite Inc. (division of Philadelphia Toboggan Co., USA) Gianfranco Avignoni - (1 attraction) Josephine Tussaud's Wax Studios/King's Cross Waxworks (England) - (3 attractions) Louis Tussaud's Wax Studios (England) - (1 attraction) Mack Rides (Germany) - (4 attractions) Nick Dyck - (2 attractions) Pasquale Ramunno - (1 attraction) Pretzel Rides Co. (USA) - (3 attractions) Proslide Technology Inc. Robert (Bobber) Gibbs - (5 attractions) Rockscapes Canada Rolly Crump (USA) Sally Corporation (USA) - (3 attractions) Sawatzky's Imagination Corporation Stubergh Wax Models/Stubergh-Keller Wax Studios/Ripley's Wax Studios Studio Enterprises Travers Engineering Co. (USA) - (1 attraction) Waxattract/Enter-Tech (Dunham family) - (30+attractions) White-Hutchinson Leisure Learning Group (WHLLG, USA) WhiteWater West Owners/Developers Arthur White Beefeater Inc./Niagara Clifton Group (Burland family) Charlie Lavey IPCO (Ian Paul Company) Falls Ave. Company Ghermezian family Harry Riley Herbert (Herb) Cowan Janda Products/New Way Sales Joe Camisa Little Joe Malcom Howe Ricci family Walt Wang Welland Securities/HOCO (Harry Oakes Company)

Greater Toronto Area Amusement and Theme Parks The most densely populated metro area in Canada has understandably been home to a massive number of amusement attractions over the years, simply due to the sheer number of consumers. This area includes Toronto, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughn, Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington. Canada's Wonderland - Vaughn Centreville Amusement Park - Toronto Cullen Gardens and Miniature Village - Whitby Fantasy Fair - Woodbine Centre, Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario Place - Toronto Sunnyside Amusement Park - Toronto Arcades, Mini Golf and F.E.C.s Amuse-O-Matic Centre - Union Station, Toronto Annex Billiards - Toronto Arcadia - Square One Shopping Centre, Mississauga Arcadium - Canada's Wonderland, Vaughn Bathgate Golf Centre Mini Putt - Bathgate Golf Centre, Mississauga Big Slick Bar & Billiards - Mississauga Bijou Club - Bayview Village Shopping Centre, North York (Toronto) Break & Play Billiards and Bar - Brampton Bridlewood Mall Games (Mall run game area) - Bridlewood Mall, Scarborough (Toronto) Captains Snooker Club - 966 Dundas Plaza, Mississauga Centennial Park Golf Centre Mini Golf - Centennial Park Golf Centre, Mississauga Central Billiards Pool Hall - Mississauga Centreville Miniature Golf - Centreville Amusement Park, Toronto Century Billiards - Brampton Chuck E. Cheese's - Mississauga Chuck E. Cheese's - Vaughn Chuck E. Cheese's - Whitby Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre - Burlington Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre (Jane/Wilson location) - North York (Toronto) Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre - Kennedy Square, Brampton Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre (Victoria Park/Sheppard location) - North York (Toronto) Claw World - Woodside Square, Toronto Club Kennedy - Scarborough (Toronto) Club 33 Teen Lounge - Chelsea Hotel, Toronto The Crooked Cue - Etobicoke (Toronto) The Crooked Cue - Port Credit (Mississauga) Crystal Palace Arcade - Canada's Wonderland, Vaughn CyberMind V.R. Centre (CN Tower location)- CN Tower, Toronto CyberMind V.R. Centre (Yonge St. location) - Toronto Dave & Buster's - Oakville Dave & Buster's - Vaughn Diamonds Billiards and Lounge - Pickering Electronic Playworld - Yonge/Grenville, Toronto Embassy Billiards - Bloor/Bellair, Toronto Endless Fun - Ajax Epic Planet Fun - Eglington Town Centre, Scarborough (Toronto) Fantasy Station Arcade - Woodbine Centre, Etobicoke (Toronto) Fairtee Golf Centre - Markham Fun & Games - Bramalea City Centre, Brampton Fun & Games - Sherway Gardens, Missi ssauga Fun & Games - Shopper's World, Brampton Fun City - North York Centre Station, North York (Toronto) Funland Arcade (Yonge/Breadalbane location) - Toronto Funland Arcade (Yonge/Dundas location AKA "Pinball Games We Are Open Just For Fun") - Toronto Funland Arcade ( Yonge/Elm location AKA "Prizes Prizes Prizes" ) - Toronto Funland Arcade (Yonge/Gould location) - Toronto Funstation Mini Golf - Jane/Finch, North York (Toronto) Fun Time - Pacific Mall, Markham Futureworld/Space World - Shopper's World, Brampton The Games - Erin Mills Town Centre, Mississauga GameTime Social - Burlington GJ's Arcade - Lakeshore/Kerr, Oakville GlowZone 360 (Eglington/Dixie location) - Mississauga GlowZone 360 (McLaughlin Rd. location) - Mississauga Guidion's Pinball and Billiard Arcade - Finch West Mall, North York (Toronto) Hangout Lounge - Whitby Happy Kingdom - York (Toronto) Happy Landing Putt Putt/Peanuts Putt Putt - Canada's Wonderland, Vaughn Harry Putter Golf Academy - Woodbridge (Vaughn) JJQ's Billiards and Lounge - Mississauga John's Arcade - Victoria Park/O'Connor, Scarborough (Toronto) Kart Town - Parkway Mall, Scarborough (Toronto) Kerr St. Billiards/Arnold's Funland - Kerr St. (later moved to multiple locations on Speers Rd., then 485 Morden Rd.), Oakville The Last Cue Billiard Club - Brampton Le Cue Lounge - Markham Le Spot Billiards - 4531 Sheppard Plaza, Scarborough (Toronto) Mad Hatter - Scarborough (Toronto) Marina Arcade - Ontario Place, Toronto Master Q Snooker, Billiards and Lounge - Markham Mickey's Arcade - Dundas St., Mississauga Michelle's Billiards and Lounge - Whitby Minigolf - Ontario Place, Toronto Mini Greens - Ontario Place, Toronto Mister 8 Billiards - Toronto Monte Carlo Billiards - Missis sauga Mystery Billiards - Vaughn Nascar Speedpark - Vaughn Mills, Vaughn NEB's Fun World - Oshawa Ninth Line Family Golf Academy - Oakville Oshawa Creek Family Golf - Oshawa Orbit - Pacific Mall, Markham Petrina Billiards - Pickering Pickering Playing Fields - Pickering Pinball Arcade - Yonge/Isabella, Toronto The Pin Ball Spot - Yonge/Gould, Toronto Pro Putt - Canada's Wonderland, Vaughn Putting Edge - Etobicoke (Toronto) Putting Edge - Oakville Putting Edge - Richmond Hill Putting Edge - Scarborough (Toronto) Putting Edge - Vaughn Putting Edge - Whitby The Q - Bloor/Yonge Station, Toronto QB Sports Bar Grill Games - Appleview Square Plaza, Burlington Quater Land - Morningside Mall, Scarborough (Toronto) Rock Chapel Mini Putt - Rock Chapel Golf Centre, Burlington Rivoli Pool Hall - Toronto Sega City/Playdium - Mississauga Shooterville Billiards Bar & Grill - Burlington Shoxs Billiard Lounge - York (Toronto) Sky Games - Fairview Mall, North York (Toronto) Skygames - Markville Shopping Centre, Markham Splitsville - Burlington Splitsville - Richmond Hill The Sting - Yonge/Major Mackenzie Dr., Richmond Hill Striker's Pool and Bar - Brampton Studio 81 - Yonge/Cummer, North York (Toronto) Super Computer Hour - Malvern Mall, Scarborough (Toronto) Times Square Billiards - Yonge/Elm, Toronto Undercurrent - CN Tower, Toronto United Billiards - Yonge/Temperance, Toronto Vegas Room - Finch Ave., North York (Toronto) Video Funland - 2654 Eglington Plaza, Scarborough (Toronto) Video Invasion (Wilson Heights Blvd. location) - North York (Toronto) Video Invasion (Bathurst St. location) - North York (Toronto) Video Pinball Amusement Arcade - Knob Hill Plaza, Scarborough (Toronto) V.I.P. Billiards (North York location) - North York (Toronto) V.I.P. Billiards (Scarborough location) - Scarborough (Toronto) V.I.P. Billiards (Yonge/Gerrard location) - Yonge St., Toronto Vinnie's Midway - Adelaide/John, Toronto Wedgewood Golf Centre - Burlington The Wizard - Centerpoint Mall, North York (Toronto) Wizard's Castle - Agincourt Mall, Scarborough (Toronto) Wizard's Castle - Bramalea City Centre, Brampton Wizard's Castle - Cloverdale Mall, Etobicoke (Toronto) Wizard's Castle - Dufferin Mall, Toronto Wizard's Castle - Fairview Mall, North York (Toronto) Wizard's Castle - Meadowvale Town Centre, Mississauga Wizard's Castle - Westdale Mall, Brampton Wizard's Castle/Fx5 - Pickering Town Centre, Pickering Wizard's Castle/Games Maximus - Scarborough Town Centre, Scarborough (Toronto) Wizard's Castle/Sky Games - Woodbine Centre, Etobicoke (Toronto) Wizard's Enchanted Castle - Yorkdale Mall, North York (Toronto) Woodie Woodchuck's - Mississauga Woodie Woodchuck's - Scarborough (Toronto) Woodlands Mini-Putt Golf - Cullen Gardens and Miniature World, Whitby World Cup - North York Sheridan Mall, North York (Toronto) Zodiac - Eglington Town Centre, Scarborough (Toronto) Arcade (Name Unknown) - Burlington Centre, Burlington Arcade (Name Unknown) - Cedarbrae Mall, Scarborough (Toronto) Arcade (Name Unknown) - Dundas St., Mississauga Arcade (Name Unknown) - Erindale Plaza, Mississauga Arcade (Name Unknown) - Hillcrest Mall, Richmond Hill Arcade (Name Unknown) - Hopedale Mall, Oakville Arcade (Name Unknown) - Honeydale Mall, Etobicoke (Toronto) Arcade (Name Unkkown) - Lawrence Plaza, North York (Toronto) Arcade (Name Unknown) - Royal York Hotel PATH System, Toronto Arcade (Name Unknown) - Trafalgar Village, Oakville Arcade (Name Unknown) - Whitby Mall, Whitby Arcade (Name Unknown) - Yonge/Finch, North York (Toronto) Arcade (Name Unknown) - Yonge/Queen, Toronto Mini Golf (Name Unknown) - Sunshine Beach/Wild Water Kingdom/Wet 'n Wild, Brampton Dark Attractions, Wax Museums and Exhibits The Haunted Barrel Works - Centreville Amusement Park, Toronto Laff In The Dark - Canadian National Exhibition grounds (permanent structure), Toronto Ontario North Now/Mirror Maze - Ontario Place, Toronto Ripley's Aquarium of Canada - Bremmer Blvd., Toronto Scooby Doo's Haunted Mansion/Boo Blasters on Boo Hill - Canada's Wonderland, Vaughn Fun Land/Fun House/Spook Castle - Sunnyside Amusement Park, Toronto 13 Rooms of Terror - Warden/Steeles, Markham Toronto Wax Museum - Yonge/Gerrard, Toronto Wonder Mountain Walkway - Canada's Wonderland, Vaughn Wilderness Adventure Ride - Ontario Place, Toronto Yogi's Cave/Smurf Cave/Treasure Cave - Canada's Wonderland, Vaughn Specialty Hotels and Gift Shops Chelsea Hotel - Toronto Delta Toronto East - Scarborough (Toronto) Theatres, Bowling Alleys and Miscellaneous AMC Interchange 30 - Vaughn Bowlerama - Bathurst St., North York (Toronto) Bowlerama - Cedarbrae Mall, Scarborough (Toronto) Bowlerama - Dundas St., Etobicoke (Toronto) Bowlerama - Yonge St., North York (Toronto) Bowlerama - Jane Park Plaza, North York (Toronto) Bowlerama/Kennedy Bowl - Scarborough (Toronto) Bowlerama/Parkway Bowl - Parkway Mall, Scarborough (Toronto) Bowlerama - Overlea Blvd., East York (Toronto) Bowlerama - Rexdale Blvd., Etobicoke (Toronto) Bowlerama - Trafalgar Village, Oakville Bowlero - Brampton Burlington Bowl - Burlington C4 Centre - Eastown Plaza, Scarborough (Toronto) Cinesphere - Ontario Place, Toronto Danforth Bowl - East York (Toronto) Don Mills Bowl - Don Mills Centre, North York (Toronto) Famous Players/Rainbow/SilverCity/Cineplex Cinema - Fairview Mall, North York (Toronto) The 5 Drive-In - Oakville FX Adventure Theatre - Ontario Place, Toronto Laser Quest - Mississauga Laser Quest - Richmond Hill Laser Quest - Scarborough Markham Bowl - Markham O'Connor Bowl - Scarborough (Toronto) Planet Laser - Oakville Playtime Bowl - York (Toronto) The Roller Palace - Warden/Finch, Scarborough (Toronto) Rollerpony - Etobicoke (Toronto) Roller World - Glen Watford/Sheppard, Scarborough (Toronto) Richmond Hill Pro Bowl - Richmond Hill Scooter's Roller Palace - Mississauga SilverCity Cinemas - Brampton SilverCity Cinemas - Mississauga SilverCity Cinemas - Richmond Hill SilverCity/Cineplex Colossus - Vaughn SuSO Skate - Brampton Tour of the Universe/Ride Theatre - CN Tower, Toronto Ultimate Laser Tag - Oakville Webb Bowl - Royal York Plaza, Etobicoke (Toronto) Ride Theatre (Name Unknown) - Sega City/Playdium, Mississauga Themed Restaurants, Bars and Stores The Disney Store - Eaton Centre, Toronto The Disney Store - Fairview Mall, North York (Toronto) The Disney Store - Scarborough Town Centre, Scarborough (Toronto) The Disney Store - Square One Shopping Centre, Mississauga The Disney Store - Vaughn Mills, Vaughn The Disney Store - Yorkdale Shopping Centre, North York (Toronto) Frankie Tomatto's - Markham Hard Rock Cafe - Toronto Lime Rickey's - Eaton Centre, Toronto Lime Rickey's - Sussex Centre, Mississauga Lime Rickey's - Yonge/Eglington, Toronto The Old Spaghetti Factory - Toronto The Organ Grinder - Toronto Planet Hollywood - Toronto Rainforest Cafe - Scarborough Town Centre, Scarborough (Toronto) Rainforest Cafe - Yorkdale Mall, North York (Toronto) Water Parks and Attractions Children's Village Waterpark/Soak City - Ontario Place, Toronto Splash Works - Canada's Wonderland, Toronto Sunshine Beach/Wild Water Kingdom/Wet 'n Wild - Brampton White Water - Shopper's World, Brampton

Cont ac t Submissions Welcome Have an old box of family vacation photos you've been meaning to scan? A dusty VHS tape with footage of an obscure attraction? Maybe you worked at, frequented, or even owned a place discussed on this site and have some info to share. Much of our information, content and inspiration comes from those who have been kind enough to share it with us. If you have any submissions, questions, or comments, please fill out the contact form below and we'll get back to you soon as we're able. Contact/Submissions - Let's Chat! Social Media First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

Rekindling Memories & Smiles The Only Digital Museum of its Kind View History Pages Button About Welcome to Canadian Amusement History. We're an online museum with the goal to serve as a historical resource on the rich, often untold history of the amusement and attractions industry in Canada. Here you will find written history, links to our documentary series, image and video galleries, current news relevant to historic attractions still in operation, and more. While this site attempts to comprehensively archive and collect information on attractions nationwide, our focus is on the Niagara Falls area due to it's tourism landscape being unlike any other on Earth. From your local mall arcade to amusement parks, haunted attractions to themed restaurants, mini golf courses to animatronic shows, and every kind of amusement attraction in between, you'll be able to find information on it here. We hope we can help you discover a lost memory, relive a fond one, learn something new, or find a photograph of something you thought you'd never see again. Don't see something you've been searching for? Feel free to contact us using the contact form below. Recent Updates History Page Updated: Castle Dracula 2024 Remodel The history page for Castle Dracula/Dracula's Haunted Castle has been updated following a 2024 remodel and change in ownership. This attraction has truly risen from the dead like The Count himself. New Documentary Video: The History and Abandonment of Castle Village Enchanted KIngdom With several explore videos of this park already on YouTube, I noticed none dive into it's incredible history. Join us as we not only explore what's left of this beautiful park, but also share it's amazing story. History Page Added: Wizard's Castle Arcade (and Affiliate Chains) Main history page added for the Wizard's Castle Arcade chain. The story of Canada's largest, beloved, and sorely missed mall arcade chain, including a list of confirmed former locations. This also serves as the main history page for all other chains and arcades owned by the Wizard's brand, including Sky Games, The Games, and Games Maximus. Site Launch: Welcome Welcome to all, whether you were searching for this website, something on it, or stumbled upon it by accident. A handful of special feature articles and a good chunk of the history pages are up, mostly for Niagara Region attractions, with several more on the way. There will also be more added to the photo gallery section as time goes on and the website's massive historical photo collection is sorted. We're excited to grow the website with you and see where this goes! Never Miss a Site Update Enter your email Subscribe Thanks for subscribing! About the Author I grew up in Southern Ontario visiting Niagara Falls often. The attractions in the area (as well as those elsewhere in the province) gave me the desire to pass on the joy they bring and pursue thematic amusement design as a career from an early age. The landscape of attractions in Niagara Falls began to shift along with the rest of the amusement industry as a whole starting in the late 2000's. By the mid-2010's, I found myself curious about the history of attractions I remembered from my childhood, ones before my time, and ones across the country, only to find it existed nowhere online except for clues scattered to the corners of the internet and public library archives. Not only that, the stories I began to uncover were more interesting than I ever could have imagined. I would occasionally post my findings on social media and various forums, and quickly learned I was not alone in my curiosity. This site and mini-documentary series are the culmination of over a decade of searching through old photographs, tourist home videos, business records, government databases, public libraries, newspaper archives and peoples' recollections. This is my love letter to the places that inspired me, and I feel it's my duty to make sure these incredible stories of incredible attractions get told instead of lost to time. - Alex Crew, Canadian Amusement Historian Contact First Name Last Name Email Message... Submit Thanks for submitting!