Atmosphere Ride at PNE Playland

Playland is Vancouver’s amusement park at the PNE. It’s open in the summer of 2024 from May until August and features all kinds of amusement rides.

For tickets and full details about the attraction as well as its related fair at the end of the summer, see the official pne.ca website.

The official opening day of Playland’s 2024 season is Saturday, May 18th. The PNE Fair also operates this year from August 17th to September 2nd.

For up-to-date information about the attraction or to reserve your tickets now, check out Playland‘s website.

What Rides are Running at Playland in 2024?

Below is a description of amusement rides that will likely be open to begin the season.

To learn about the PNE and Playland in general, see our articles about the Pacific National Exhibition and Vancouver’s Playland Amusement Park. For information about events at the PNE, see our article about PNE Events. To learn about Playland rides in 2024, see below.

Playland Prices

As of late March in 2024, season passes for this year are available online. The Fun Pass costs $89 and includes access to the children’s rides. There’s also a Thrill Pass for $129 that comes with access to the more exciting rides for people at least 48 inches tall.

Single day admission rates for 2024 are to be confirmed. Last year, admission to Playland and the children’s rides was $38 per person. The price for one day of thrilling rides was $50. Children under 4 got in for free. 2024 prices will likely be comparable.

Teens on a Playland Ride

Playland Rides in 2024

As of late March, about 27 rides are scheduled to be operating at Playland to start the season. About 18 of them are tamer rides that are suitable for small children. Another 9 or so are more extreme and require guests to be at least 48 inches in height.

Little Kid-Friendly Rides

Below are descriptions of Playland rides that are operating this year and are suitable for young children. They are all “Kids or Family-Favourite Rides” and included in the cheaper pass.

Balloon Explorers – a child-friendly hot air balloon-themed ride. (Note: Little kids need to ride with an adult.)
Bug Whirled – a new ladybug-themed miniature roller-coaster. Folks of any height can ride, but younger children must be accompanied by an adult. (Note: This ride doesn’t usually operate on rainy days.)
Cap’n KC – a pirate-themed ride designed for younger children. This ride is unique because the boats are actually “floating” on water! It’s great for children between 36 and 52 inches tall, but too small for bigger kids and adults. (Note: This ride closed on weekdays in June.)
Choppers – double-seater motorcycles take the place of seats for this ride. This attraction is made for younger children and riders must be between 36 and 52 inches in height. (Note: This ride closed on weekdays in June.)
Cool Cruzers – a family ride with seats shaped like cars. Kids love pretending to “steer” a car, and adults are welcome to join in too. (Note: This ride closed on weekdays in June.)
Dizzy Drop – a miniature Hellevator-style ride. This one is great for little daredevils who are just a bit too short for the real thing (i.e. the Hellevator). Riders need to be more than 38 inches tall, and riders under 42 inches must be accompanied by an adult.
The Flutterbye – a butterfly-themed ride. Riders can make the cars go up and down by peddling their feet. The ride is suitable for anyone over 36 inches tall, although smaller riders may need to be accompanied by someone bigger.
Honeybee Express – folks of all heights and ages are welcome on this honeybee-themed train ride. The train slowly follows the track around a garden so there are no crazy twists or turns.
Merry-Go-Round – a classic family-friendly merry-go-round. Riders can choose from a variety of painted horses and carriages to sit on. Anyone of any height can go on the merry-go-round; however, smaller folks must be accompanied by an adult.
Super Slide – a large slide ride that’s popular with smaller kids (but not suitable for really tiny ones). Folks grab carpets at the bottom, climb the stairs and then slide down on one of the three brightly-coloured paths. Adults are welcome and riders must be over 38 inches tall.
Tea Cups – instead of cars or seats this ride has compartments shaped like teacups. An entire family can fit in one teacup. To make the cup spin faster or slower folks can spin the wheel in the middle of their cup.

Playland Rides

Mid-Range Playland Rides

The following rides are “Family-Favourites” and also qualify for the cheaper pass. In our opinion they are fun for any age, not just for little kids and their parents, which is why we categorize them as “mid-range.”

(Note: “Mid-range” is our own descriptive name that we give these rides based on our experiences – it’s not an official category name used by the PNE).

Cedar Rapids Log Flume – a classic log chute-style water ride. Prepare to get wet as the ride goes up and down the water-filled chutes and ends with a massive 40-foot drop. Riders must be over 48 inches tall for this ride, and anyone less than 52 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult.
Kettle Creek Mine Coaster – a mining-themed miniature roller-coaster. It’s great for families and anyone over 36 inches tall.
Sweet Escape Mini Golf – the PNE’s mini-golf course (so it’s not actually a ride). There’s a full 18 holes of golf, and clubs and balls are provided. It’s also included in the price of admission.
Rock’n’Cars – a bumper-cars-style ride. It’s pretty tame, but lots of fun. Little kids though need to ride with someone big.
Scrambler – one of the most-loved but also most intense family rides. Riders feel like they’re being “scrambled” as the cars rush towards each other and spin around in circles. This ride is not for the faint of heart (or stomach)!
Sea-to-Sky Swinger – a giant swing ride. The swings go up, down and all around while giving riders a great view of the rest of the park. Riders must be over 48 inches tall for this ride.
Westcoast Wheel – a tall Ferris-wheel ride. Although the cars move slowly, they do get pretty high. This ride isn’t recommended for people who are scared of heights! For most people it’s pretty tame, although not for everyone. The views from the top though are pretty nice.

Playland’s Most Extreme Rides

The following rides are “Thrill Rides” which means they require the more expensive pass and for riders to be at least 48 inches tall.

AtmosFear – an extremely tall swing ride. The ride goes up over 200 feet while spinning around in a circle. Riders are rewarded with a fantastic view of the city and surrounding mountains.
The Beast – the PNE’s newest pendulum ride which is arguably one of the amusement park’s most extreme. It’s the only one of its kind in western Canada! The Beast swings up 125 feet on each side all while spinning 360 degrees around. This ride is only for folks over 52 inches tall.
Breakdance – a city-themed ride. Passengers sit in seats painted like taxi cars and spin around in all directions. Folk must be 54 inches or taller for this ride.
Enterprise – a spinning wheel-shaped ride. The wheel spins and lifts off until riders are completely upside-down. Gravity keeps folks in their seats while creating a weird, almost weightless feeling. Folks must be 54 inches or taller to ride the Enterprise.

Playland's Enterprise Ride — The Enterprise Ride

More Extreme Rides (Continued)

Gladiator – a Roman gladiator-themed family thrill ride. Folks over 45 inches tall can enjoy the spinning boats that go up and down.
Hellevator – the classic falling elevator-style thrill ride. Riders go up about 200 feet, pause at the top for the view and then free fall back down towards the ground. There used to be an extra charge for this ride, but not anymore. Folks must be over 48 inches tall to ride the Hellevator.
Hell’s Gate – a crazy spinning attraction. Riders spin around and go upside down all over fountains of water. This ride is one of the rides with a stricter height requirement; folks must be 56 inches or taller.
Pirate Ship – a boat-like ride with a pirate theme that swings like a pendulum. It’s at the bottom of the “serious” rides, in our opinion, and some might consider it a “medium-level” one. For others though, it is serious fun and can get you screaming.
ThunderVolt – new for 2024 and built by Zamperia, this ride is the fastest electric launch coaster in the country. There’s a supernatural environment and an 18-metre drop to enjoy. (Note: The exact opening date for this ride is to be confirmed.)

Playland's Wooden Roller Coaster

Other Playland Rides

Other rides that normally run at Playland, but don’t appear to be available for the 2024 season (at least not at the start), include the following:

Serious Rides

Crazy Beach Party – a beach-themed spinning ride. Also called the Frisbee by some, the ride is suitable for folks over 54 inches tall. Riders spin around all while swinging back and forth like a pendulum. (Permanently removed.)
Drop Zone (extra charge) – up to three visitors can ride the Drop Zone at one time. Riders are strapped in and winched up to the top where they are responsible for pulling their own rip cord. This ride requires folks to be 48 inches or taller.
Revelation (extra charge) – one of the fastest and most extreme rides at the PNE! Up to two riders sit at each end of the arms of the ride and spin around at speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour. Folks must be over 52 inches tall to ride the Revelation.
Skybender – a thrill-seeking ride designed by Zamperia. The unique experience offers dynamic lights, drops and accelerations for single riders as you are whipped around in a circle in a pod that rotates you up and down sideways.
Wooden Roller-Coaster – a historic wooden roller-coaster. The ride was built back in 1958 and remains one of the top wooden roller-coasters in Canada (and the world). Riders must be 48 inches or taller for this roller-coaster.