Playland newb requires expert advice
You may not believe this (or care), but out of the 11 years I’ve lived in Vancouver, I’ve never once been to the PNE. I’ve driven past it. That’s about it. Being pan-Canadian, my formative years had me slowly moving East, and the temporary, Summer fairs just got bigger and better, until I landed in Calgary, and say what you will, that Stampede is one crazy week.
So once settled in Vancouver, I enjoyed the relative calm of not having July explode in a frenzy of cowboy hats and pancake batter.
Oh, sure, I’ve learned the nicknames (”pee-on-your-knee”) and heard about Playland, but reports of it were kind of like listening to an insane person; “I bought myself a cell phone number and an elderly Chinese couple told me it was a very lucky number and then ate a corn dog while waiting in line to be shot into space! Then that night, The Tragically Hip performed exactly where I had watched dogs jump through hoops the week before!”
But any trepidation I may have had is wearing off – maybe it’s because I haven’t been to a Stampede (or any sort of fair ground) in a decade. Maybe it’s because I know people with kids, and darned if they (the kids) don’t make it sound fun. Maybe it’s because I know the guys that have been designing the Playland ads for years. Whatever the case, I think it might be time.
But what should I plan for?
I know MetBlog should ideally be about telling you, dear reader, what’s what. Fine. Kid Rock is playing this Sunday – get your tickets now! But I can only read the website so much – I need the skinny, the inside track. What is a must-ride attraction? What’s the must-eat food? What’s the best time to go if you hate crowds (and boy, do I)? Help me out, won’t you – share your wisdom in the comments.
Having been to both the PNE and The stampede within the last year, I can say that the PNE barely deserves to be spoken of the same breath as the former.
True!
But having missed the Stampede for ten years, and likely to miss it for another ten years, not to mention being really far away from Canada’s Wonderland (awesome) and any 6 Flags you care to choose (also awesome), I figure it’s time to check out PlayLand. It may not even rival a Calaway Park, but dammit, I’m a good Vancouverite – I shall go… at least once!
It’s been years since I’ve been to the PNE, I was probably like 14 when I last went. So no real helpful advice here apart from not eating a bunch before hopping onto one of the crazy rides. That however is just universal sense.
All that, and no actual sound advice. Damned shame.
I personally recommend the old wooden rollercoaster. You’ll see more airtime in that old classic than anything you’d see at Six Flags, though it may not flip you in the process. The clicking of coaster as it escalates is almost terrifying enough. You’ll soon know what I mean.
If you’ve been here for 11 years, you’ve probably also taken pride in your ability to withstand the rain. I always go on those drizzling days because it cuts down drastically on the lineups.
Don’t leave without some mini-donuts. They’re spectacular.
If they’re the same mini-donuts that are sold at Whitecaps games then I second that suggestion.