I went to the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition)! Despite the presence of COVID-19, it seems that the event resumed its operations last year. The duration is from August 18th to September 4th.
I went with five of my college friends. The system for entry involved a $25 admission fee, but you also had to purchase tickets to use the rides, with each ride requiring around six tickets, on average.
To fully enjoy the event, we decided to buy the all-day ride pass (around $70) that includes admission. There was an early bird discount available until the day before the event, which would have cost us $45, but we missed that opportunity. However, one of my friends found a discount using a Presto card, so in the end, it was around $50. Presto cards offer various discounts, so I recommend checking them out if you plan to attend any events.
This is the URL for reference: PRESTO Perks | AuthentiGATE
This was my first time visiting a temporary amusement park, so I honestly didn't have high expectations for the rides. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how well-maintained and authentic they were. One of my friends even fainted after riding a roller coaster, which was quite amusing.
I enjoy thrill rides, so I had a great time, but I must admit that the rusty appearance and age of some of the coasters were a bit scary at times.
I think the most popular attraction was the gondola pictured here!
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It was much higher than I expected. The view is much more beautiful at night, so there was quite a long line once the sun went down. If you don't mind riding during the day, I recommend doing it earlier to avoid the crowd.
Inside the park, there were various shows and exhibitions. On the day I went, I had the opportunity to watch an ice dance show, a dog show, a fountain show, and a drone show. I heard that starting from tomorrow until the last day, there will be an airshow by the Canadian Air Force, so if you plan to visit during this time, be sure to check it out.
Well, when I checked the website again, I realized that I probably didn't even experience half of this event. It's so vast that you can't see everything in just one day!
I've heard that for Canadians, the end of CNE marks the end of summer. If you're considering whether or not to go, I highly recommend giving it a try. I heard that entering in the evening is even cheaper!
