Leviathan Canada’s Wonderland: Stats, Safety & Ride Tips

There’s a moment just before the first drop when the track curves upward and the sky is all you see. That’s the signature of Leviathan, Canada’s first giga coaster, and it’s been pulling riders back to Canada’s Wonderland since 2012.

Height: 306 feet (93 m) ·
Speed: 92 mph (148 km/h) ·
Drop: 306 feet (93 m) ·
Length: 5,518 feet (1,682 m) ·
Duration: 3 minutes 28 seconds ·
Max G-force: 3.5 G

Nine key specs, one pattern: every figure underscores the engineering leap that made Leviathan Canada’s first giga coaster.

The implication: these numbers place Leviathan in the elite giga-coaster tier, but the real story is how they translate into a ride that feels both massive and controlled.

What is the Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland?

Leviathan is a steel giga coaster located at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, Ontario. Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard, a Swiss firm known for precision engineering, it was the first coaster of its kind in Canada, meaning its drop exceeds 300 feet — a threshold reserved for only a handful of rides worldwide.

When did Leviathan open?

Leviathan opened to the public on May 5, 2012. The opening was part of the park’s expansion into high-thrill attractions, drawing enthusiasts from across North America.

Who manufactured Leviathan?

Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) built Leviathan, making it the first B&M coaster to exceed 300 feet in height, as noted by Coasterpedia. The Swiss manufacturer is revered for smooth, reliable designs.

What type of coaster is Leviathan?

Leviathan is a giga coaster — a classification for coasters whose main drop is between 300 and 399 feet. It is a traditional sit-down coaster with lap-bar restraints, no inversions, and a focus on speed and airtime rather than loops.

The takeaway: Leviathan defined a new standard for Canadian theme parks, and its combination of height, speed, and B&M craftsmanship remains a benchmark.

Is Leviathan the tallest roller coaster?

Leviathan is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada, surpassing the park’s earlier hyper coaster Behemoth. But worldwide, it’s not the tallest. That distinction belongs to Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure (456 ft).

How does Leviathan’s height compare to other coasters in Canada?

At 306 feet, Leviathan towers over every other coaster in the country. The nearest competitor within Canada’s Wonderland is Behemoth at 230 feet, making Leviathan a clear height leader.

Is Leviathan the tallest in the park?

Yes. Leviathan is the tallest ride at Canada’s Wonderland, as confirmed by the official park fact sheet. No other coaster in the park comes close to its 306-foot summit.

Worldwide giga coaster height rankings

Globally, Leviathan sits among the tallest giga coasters, but it’s not the tallest. For perspective:

The pattern: Leviathan competes in the same range as other top-tier giga coasters, but its 306-foot drop is identical to its height — a rare straight drop from the peak.

The trade-off: Leviathan sacrifices pure height for a more aggressive descent, which is why many riders find it more intense than taller but shallower coasters.

How intense is Leviathan?

Intensity is the sum of G-forces, speed, and airtime. Leviathan delivers a peak of 3.5 Gs, a top speed of 92 mph, and an 80-degree drop that feels like falling off a building.

What are the G-forces on Leviathan?

Riders experience a maximum of 3.5 Gs during the pull-out at the bottom of the first drop. That’s comparable to what fighter pilots feel during a tight turn, but it’s brief — lasting only a few seconds.

What is the drop angle?

The first drop is angled at 80 degrees, nearly vertical. This is steeper than the typical 75-degree drop found on many hyper coasters, making the initial plunge feel more aggressive.

How does the speed feel?

Accelerating from 0 to 92 mph in about 4 seconds, Leviathan pins riders into their seats. The sustained speed throughout the course — with only one block brake section — means the ride never loses momentum, producing strong airtime over the nine hills.

What this means: Leviathan is intense by design, but its smooth B&M track reduces the jarring roughness that can make other coasters painful.

How scary is Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland?

Fear is personal, but Leviathan’s size and speed create a psychological barrier before the physical one. Many riders report that the anticipation — the climb, the view, the pause at the top — is scarier than the ride itself.

Is Leviathan scarier than Behemoth?

Behemoth is a hyper coaster with a heavy focus on floating airtime, while Leviathan is faster and taller. Riders often describe Behemoth as “fun” and Leviathan as “intense.” The scarier ride depends on what triggers anxiety: speed (Leviathan) or tall drops (Leviathan again).

What makes Leviathan feel scary?

The 306-foot climb offers a panoramic view of Vaughan and Lake Ontario on clear days. That height, combined with the 80-degree drop, is the primary fear factor. The lack of inversions means the ride is purely about speed and height, which some riders find less intimidating than loops and corkscrews.

What is the scariest ride at Canada’s Wonderland?

Yukon Striker, a dive coaster, is often cited as the scariest because of its 90-degree drop, holding brake, and floorless trains. Leviathan, while imposing, is generally considered a close second. The park’s Code of Conduct (official park policy) notes that guests 15 and under must be accompanied by a chaperone age 21 or older when the policy is active, reflecting the park’s awareness of intense rides.

The paradox: Leviathan is objectively intense, but its smoothness and lack of inversions make it a “gateway” coaster for thrill-seekers who want to work up to Yukon Striker.

Has Leviathan ever had any incidents?

Safety is the top concern for any rider. Leviathan has a strong operational record, but one incident in 2024 drew widespread attention.

What happened in the 2024 unbuckled rider incident?

In July 2024, a video circulated online showing a rider appearing unbuckled on the lift hill before the drop. The park conducted an internal review. A statement from Canada’s Wonderland, reported by NOW Toronto, said safety systems functioned properly and the ride would not dispatch unless all restraints were confirmed locked. No injuries were reported.

How does Canada’s Wonderland ensure safety?

Leviathan uses multiple redundant safety systems: a lap bar across the thighs and pelvis, plus a physical push/pull test by an associate and digital indicators on the train and control booth, as described by Daily Hive (local news) in a similar incident on AlpenFury. The park also conducts daily inspections and reinforces safety policies with its operations team.

Are there any official reports of injuries?

Canada’s Wonderland maintains safety procedures through proactive measures, training, and communication, according to Bergel Law (legal information site). No major injuries have been confirmed from Leviathan’s operation.

The implication: Leviathan’s safety record is solid, but the 2024 incident serves as a reminder that no ride is 100% risk-free. The park’s multiple check systems make a serious incident unlikely.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Given the low research confidence, we lean on confirmed facts and treat unverified claims with caution. The park’s transparency is improving, but independent verification is limited.

Rider perspectives

“Leviathan provides a ride which is smooth, fast and absolutely astonishing.”

— CoasterCritic (specialist review site)

“Leviathan is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada.”

— Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)

“Leviathan, a mystical sea creature, will take you on the ride of your life.”

— Six Flags Official Site (park operator)

These perspectives span from enthusiast to marketer, but they all agree on one thing: Leviathan delivers a unique, high-speed experience that stands out in Canada’s theme park landscape.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Best Things to Do in Toronto — includes Canada’s Wonderland as a regional highlight.
• Toronto Santa Claus Parade 2025: Time, Route, TV & More — for context on seasonal events in the Toronto area.

Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland is a triumph of engineering and a defining thrill ride for the country. Its 306-foot drop, 92 mph speed, and smooth B&M track make it a must-ride for enthusiasts and a serious challenge for first-timers. For the cautious rider, the safety record and redundant restraint systems offer confidence, but the 2024 incident underscores that vigilance is shared between park and guest. If you’re planning a trip to Vaughan, Ontario, the decision is clear: brace for the climb, trust the checks, and enjoy the ride — or miss the only giga coaster in Canada.