Canada’s Wonderland, the country’s largest amusement park, faces a lawsuit from the Competition Bureau for allegedly misleading customers with hidden online ticket fees.
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What’s Happening at Canada’s Wonderland?
Canada’s Wonderland, a popular amusement and water park in Vaughan, Ontario, is in legal trouble.
On May 5, 2025, the Canadian Competition Bureau filed a lawsuit against the park, accusing it of using misleading pricing tactics when selling tickets and other items online.
The Bureau claims the park engages in a practice called “drip pricing,” where the advertised price doesn’t include mandatory fees, leaving customers to pay more than expected at checkout.
This lawsuit comes just days before Canada’s Wonderland opens for its 2025 season on May 8, with new attractions like the AlpenFury roller coaster, the fastest launch coaster in Canada.
If the lawsuit succeeds, the park could be forced to stop this practice, pay a fine, and even refund affected customers.
What Is Drip Pricing, and Why Is It a Problem?
Drip pricing happens when a company advertises a low price for a product or service but adds extra mandatory fees later in the buying process.
These fees aren’t optional, and they’re often not shown until the final checkout step, which can make the total cost much higher than the price you first saw.
For example, you might see a ticket for $50, but by the time you’re ready to pay, a “processing fee” of $6.99 is added, making the real price $56.99.
The Competition Bureau says this is deceptive because it tricks customers into thinking they’re getting a better deal than they actually are.
In Canada, drip pricing has been explicitly banned under the Competition Act since changes were made in 2022.
The law says businesses must show the full price upfront, unless the extra fees are government-imposed, like sales taxes.
The Bureau’s goal is to protect consumers by ensuring they can trust the price they see when shopping online.
Details of the Lawsuit Against Canada’s Wonderland
The Competition Bureau alleges that Canada’s Wonderland has been advertising tickets, parking passes, meal deals, and other items at prices that don’t include mandatory processing fees.
These fees are added late in the online checkout process, which the Bureau says is a clear case of drip pricing.
The Bureau filed its case with the Competition Tribunal, a court that handles competition law in Canada.
They’re asking the Tribunal to:
- Order Canada’s Wonderland to stop using drip pricing.
- Make the park pay a financial penalty.
- Provide refunds to customers who paid these extra fees when buying online.
Competition Bureau Commissioner Matthew Boswell has been vocal about the issue.
“Canadians should always be able to trust the initial advertised price,” he said in a statement on May 5, 2025.
“We’re taking action against Wonderland because misleading tactics like drip pricing only serve to deceive and harm consumers.”
Canada’s Wonderland, owned by U.S.-based Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, is the largest combined amusement and water park in Canada, with over 200 attractions, including 18 roller coasters.
The park attracts millions of visitors every year, making this lawsuit a big deal for both the company and its customers.
How Much Are These Hidden Fees?
The Competition Bureau says Canada’s Wonderland adds mandatory processing fees to almost every online purchase, and these fees vary depending on what you’re buying:
Admission Tickets: A fee starting at $6.99, which can go up to $8.99 or $9.99 depending on how many tickets you buy.
Non-Ticket Items: Things like parking passes or meal deals come with a $0.99 fee, no matter how many items are in your cart.
For example, if you’re buying a single ticket, you’ll pay an extra $6.99 on top of the ticket price.
If you’re buying tickets for a family of four, that fee could jump to $9.99.
These fees aren’t always clear until you’re about to pay, which the Bureau says is misleading.
As of May 6, 2025, a quick look at the Canada’s Wonderland website shows fine print mentioning that tickets may include a processing fee of up to $9.99.
However, the Bureau argues that this disclosure isn’t enough—consumers should see the full price right from the start.
What the Competition Bureau Wants
The Competition Bureau isn’t just trying to stop Canada’s Wonderland from using drip pricing—they want to make sure consumers are protected in the long run.
Here’s what they’re asking for:
- Stop Drip Pricing: The park must show the full price, including all mandatory fees, in its advertisements.
- Pay a Penalty: The Bureau wants Canada’s Wonderland to face a financial penalty for breaking the Competition Act.
- Compensate Customers: If the lawsuit succeeds, people who bought tickets or other items online and paid these extra fees could get a refund.
This case is part of a larger crackdown on drip pricing in Canada.
The Bureau has been urging businesses for years to be transparent about their pricing, and they’re now taking legal action to enforce the rules.
Canada’s Wonderland Responds to Allegations
Canada’s Wonderland isn’t backing down.
On May 5, 2025, the park issued a statement calling the Competition Bureau’s allegations “unfounded.”
They argue that they don’t engage in drip pricing and are committed to being transparent with their customers.
“From the outset, our guests receive disclosure of any applicable fees,” the park said.
“We ensure customers understand exactly what they are purchasing.”
They also emphasized that they offer different ticket and season pass options, allowing customers to choose what works best for them.
The park went further, saying that the Bureau’s demand for “static, all-inclusive pricing” could actually hurt consumers by reducing flexibility and leading to higher upfront prices.
Canada’s Wonderland plans to fight the lawsuit and defend its pricing practices in court.
Past Cases: Cineplex and Drip Pricing
This isn’t the first time the Competition Bureau has gone after a big company for drip pricing.
In September 2024, the Bureau won a similar case against Cineplex, a major Canadian movie theater chain.
Cineplex was ordered to pay a $38.9 million penalty for adding a $1.50 online booking fee that wasn’t clearly shown in the advertised ticket price.
The Cineplex case set a strong precedent, showing that the Competition Bureau is serious about enforcing the Competition Act.
It also took over a year and a half to resolve, so the Canada’s Wonderland lawsuit might not be settled quickly.
Cineplex is currently appealing the decision, but for now, the ruling stands as a warning to other businesses.
The Bureau has also taken action against other companies for drip pricing, including SiriusXM Canada, Discount Car & Truck Rentals, and TicketNetwork.
These cases show a growing trend of regulators cracking down on hidden fees across industries like entertainment, travel, and car rentals.
What This Means for You as a Consumer
If you’ve bought tickets or other items from Canada’s Wonderland online, this lawsuit could affect you.
Here’s what you need to know:
You Might Get a Refund: If the lawsuit succeeds, the Competition Tribunal could order Canada’s Wonderland to compensate customers who paid the extra fees.
Keep an eye on updates about the case to see if you’re eligible.
The Case Is Ongoing: The allegations haven’t been proven in court yet, so it’s too early to say what will happen.
Based on the Cineplex case, it could take over a year to reach a final decision.
Be Aware of Hidden Fees: Until the case is resolved, double-check the final price when buying tickets online to avoid surprises.
The Competition Bureau encourages consumers to report businesses they think are using drip pricing.
You can file a complaint using their online form on the Canada.ca website.
Tips to Avoid Hidden Fees When Buying Tickets
While the lawsuit plays out, here are some simple tips to avoid being caught off guard by hidden fees when buying tickets online:
Read the Fine Print: Look for any mention of processing or service fees before you start the checkout process.
Compare Total Costs: Check the final price, including all fees, before you pay. Sometimes buying tickets in person can avoid online fees.
Look for Discounts: Some passes, like season passes, might have lower fees or include extras that make them a better deal.
Report Issues: If you think a company is hiding fees, report it to the Competition Bureau to help protect other consumers.
How much did Six Flags pay to acquire Canada’s Wonderland?
Six Flags merged with Cedar Fair, the former owner of Canada’s Wonderland, in a $10.9 billion deal finalized on July 1, 2024.
Does Canada’s Wonderland use drip pricing under Canadian law?
Canada’s Wonderland denies using drip pricing, which is the practice of advertising a lower price and revealing the true cost later. They claim to be transparent with fees.
Who is the current owner of Canada’s Wonderland?
Canada’s Wonderland is now owned by Six Flags, following their merger with Cedar Fair on July 1, 2024. Cedar Fair had owned the park since buying it from Paramount Parks in 2006.
The lawsuit against Canada’s Wonderland highlights the importance of transparent pricing for consumers.
As the case unfolds, it could set a new standard for how theme parks advertise tickets.
Stay tuned for updates with CTC News, and you might even get a refund if you’ve been affected!