
Everything you want to know for family fun at Magic Mountain
Disclosure: This article is part of a gifted exchange with Destination Moncton Dieppe. From time to time, Pickle Planet enters into promotional partnerships we believe fit our values and those of our readers. Thank you for your support!
If you’re looking for an East Coast option for family fun that will appeal to teens & tweens, as well as have options for littles and seniors, then Moncton’s Magic Mountain & Magnetic Hill are the answer!
✅ Water slides for all ages – from the kiddie slide for toddlers to the Kamikaze for the thrill seeker to the Lazy River for the gentle moments
✅ Arcade & Mini golf
✅ Zebras, lions, and tigers – oh my!
✅ Carnival rides
✅ Restaurants, shops, winery, & spa
And that’s all in a 2K radius — not to mention all the other nearby attractions, fantastic restaurants, and fun spots that make the Greater Moncton Area an ideal Maritime getaway!
For this post, we’re focusing on making the most of your outing to Magic Mountain. The site is billed as Atlantic Canada’s largest water park and has been a mainstay of family vacations for decades. Here’s a little proof: Myself & my brother on our first visit to Magic Mountain in 1992. We grew up in Cape Breton, about 500km away, and I remember it being an epic adventure. There wasn’t anything like this near us!

Some things are still basically the same, but there are a lot more attractions now — and a lot more planning as the parent than as the teen! I recently took a group of six 12-14 year olds to the park for the day. Here’s what I wanted to know & thought you might, too!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR VISITING MAGIC MOUNTAIN
Magic Mountain is divided into four zones. You should check their website for info on the intensity of rides, height requirements, etc. but here are the basic details:
- SplashZone – This is the water park section, including slides, areas for littles, the Lazy River, and the wave pool. There are eight water slides that are restricted to those 4 feet & taller; depending on your kids, that’s generally between ages six and eight. For most of July & August this area is open 10am-7pm.
- FunZone – This is where you find the amusement park rides. There are about a dozen rides, mostly geared to young children. The most intense rides are the Tilt-a-Whirl, the Scrambler, and the Wave Swinger (which wasn’t open when we visited in mid-July 2025). You can purchase a bracelet for this area, or buy tickets towards rides; this area is open .
- GolfZone – There are four 9-hole mini golf courses on site. These are open later than the SplashZone, and can be enjoyed without buying entry to the other areas. A great option for all ages!
- TekZone – The arcade area is a great way to spend some time out of the sun on site. During the summer it’s usually open until 10pm, so it’s also an activity you can save for after the SplashZone closes for the day.
If you’re trying to get a sense of how it’s laid out, they have a great ariel view on their website:
Magic Mountain – Atlantic Canada’s Largest Waterpark…and more!
Here are a few good-to-know details:
- Once you’ve paid, you get a bracelet for the day. So yes, you can come & go! Take a side trip to the Zoo (no need to move the car – it’s directly across the street!), grab some grub (again, you can walk to the Wharf), or even take a break to shuttle people to & from summer sports.
- Whether you plan to get wet or not, you’ll need to pay admission to SplashZone to enter. The only ones who get in free to this area are children under 36″, which is nice with little ones, as there are lots of water options geared for them to enjoy. (More on tickets below.)
- Don’t wear swimsuits with buckles, metal rivets, or zippers if you plan to go on any of the slides. These are a safety hazard and the lifeguards & park staff can deny you.
- Water shoes are allowed on site, but you can’t wear them (or other footwear) on the slides (unless medically required).
- There are dedicated slides for littles, with a shallow pool where you can stand to wait for them, as well as splash pad area. The FunZone has several rides perfect for kids. This is an awesome park for all ages!
- The wave pool has a sloped entry, so even little walkers can make their own way in – just don’t let them go alone!
- You must have proper footwear for the FunZone rides; sneakers or other shoes that stay on your feet, not just slides/sandals.
- For the Treehouse, you have to take off your footwear and have socks to wear.
- If you’re heading to FunZone, you can enter without an entry fee. Rides can be purchased using credits or with a bracelet.
- You can also do the GolfZone & TekZone without going into the SplashZone.

SplashZone at a glance:
The slides are the main attraction for most – and there’s a great selection for all ages & speeds!
- Kamikaze – I did this once, as a teen. It’s a high-speed plunge; you could go more than 60km/h! I like that it’s open & over quickly.
- Torpedo – A newer edition. You climb in and then a trap door opens and you drop. Not for me!
- Turbo Tunnel – Another one you won’t find me on, as it’s a fully-enclosed slide with lots of twists.
- ProRacer – Super popular two-lane race with mats. I think this was the longest line up when we visited.
- Pipeline – You need to do this one lying on your back, as it’s a tunnel.
- Sidewinder – A great option for those who prefer to sit up and go a little slower .
- Loop de Loop – You can choose to sit up on this one, too.
- Tornado – This was the fan favourite with our group! You ride on an inner tube, either solo or on a double.
The Puddle Jumper’s Pond is awesome for littles! There are three kiddie slides that exit into the pool; these are short, fun rides. Children can wear PFDs; you can find them on site to borrow. Parents can be in the pool to catch children; the deepest part is about 2′. There’s a cute little mushroom water spout, too! There’s also a splash pad for the littles.
The Wave Pool is a sloped entry, eventually reaching a depth of 6’6″; there’s a line marker at the 5′ mark. If you or your child is wearing a personal floatation device (PFD), you’re not allowed past this mark. The waves come in 10-minute cycles; you’ll hear the signal and see flashing lights when they’re about to begin. Children under 48″ tall (generally children not yet in school) must wear a PFD (there are some on site to use) & be in arm’s reach of you.
There’s a heated Whirlpool available; you’re advised not to stay in for more than 10 minutes, and small children are not allowed.
The Lazy River is a great way to slow down and cool off. Single tubes are available at the river; you can also bring a rented double on the water. Children should be able to enter and exit on their own; the water is up to 3.5′ deep in some parts.
MORE THAN JUST WATER SLIDES
Wondering what you’ll find in the FunZone? Check the Magic Mountain site for full requirements for height, weight, etc. but here’s a quick look at what to expect:
- Carousel – The classic ride with horses that move up and down & benches to enjoy. All ages welcome!
- Rio Grande – A train ride for littles (no height restriction, though) that allows you to be conductor or the caboose.
- Convoy – A gentle, circular ride with several vehicles to choose from.
- Jumpin’ Star – Riders must be over 36″ for this bounce tower ride, and over 42″ to ride alone.
- TreeHouse – Only people 36″ to 48″ are allowed in, and they must be wearing socks.
- Red Baron – Perfect for the kiddo who dreams of being in a plane! No height limit, too.
- SkyFlyer – You lay on your stomach for this ride, and you must be over 42″. The ride lifts and spins.
- Tilt-a-Whirl – You must be over 48″ to ride alone; the seats can fit four people. This one spins a lot – it’s about the limit for me these days, but was my favourite as a kid. (Under 36″ not allowed.)
- Scrambler – Another one with a lot of spinning and movement; must be over 48″ to ride alone, and must be over 36″.
- KrazyCars – Another classic! The bumper cars are all single seaters, so riders must be over 48″.
- WaveSwinger – Best viewed at night with the lights! Not for the faint of heart; must be over 48″.
- Big Dipper – A plunging drop ride that gives you a great view, too!
- Blaster Boats – Prepare to be soaked! The boat stays on the water (which is only about 34″ deep) but the blasters mean you may leave very wet. You can borrow a PFD to wear; riders must be over 42″ and can only go solo if over 48″.
The TekZone has a mix of arcade games that will appeal to all ages, and for mini golf, there are four nine-hole courses to choose from.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT MAGIC MOUNTAIN TICKETS
There are lots of options!
You can buy a 4Zone package to have all-day access to SplashZone & FunZone, one round of mini golf, and 75 TekZone credits. This is a great deal if you plan to spend the whole day in the area and need multiple activities to keep people entertained.
Not sure you’ll do it all? Individually you can buy one-day access to SplashZone, one-day access to FunZone, one or two rounds of mini golf, and TekZone credits in two amounts.
If you’re local & think you’ll visit more than four times, I’d opt for a season pass (sold out now for 2025; watch Magic Mountain’s social media for updates when they go on sale for ’26.). It’s definitely on our radar for future gifting!
I recommend purchasing in advance online; it’s quick, easier when you arrive, and there are times when SplashZone sells out. (Watch their social media for updates on hot days.)
Feeling the pinch on your pocketbook? You can save about $10/SplashZone entry fee by waiting to go after 3pm — and remember, kids under 36″ (usually between ages two and three) are free to enter any time. A great option for a spontaneous afternoon outing!
Now that we’ve covered the basics, here are some crowd-sourced tips we tested out on our most recent trip. These are relevant whatever ages are in your group!
- ⏰ Arrive 30 minutes before opening; use the time to🧴apply sunscreen & 🛟review safety tips
- 🏖️ Snag a spot under the amazing large umbrellas for shade! (We recommend going near the little kids’ slides, as it gives a great vantage point for most of the water park.)
- 🔒 Leave valuables at home; rent a locker to stash keys, etc.
- 🥤 Pack a cooler with water, electrolytes (locally-made Sum Good freezies for the win!), quick snacks — and take frequent breaks to hydrate AND reapply sunscreen
- 🧴 Reapply again 😛
- 🌊 Rent the double tubes – you’ll save time waiting & have so much fun!
- 💡 Pro tip: Cross your legs on the big slides 🤣
- 🎡 Make a full day of it – water slides in the morning, games in the afternoon, rides into the evening!
- 🥐 Don’t forget to indulge in a little treat – Beavertails for dinner, anyone?!
EVEN MORE TO DO!
Magic Mountain is also in the same complex as Magnetic Hill, Magnetic Hill Wharf Village, and the Magnetic Hill Zoo (watch for another full post from us on that trip!). It’s just a hop-skip-jump from the USVA Nordic Spa and the beautiful Magnetic Hill Winery; in fact, you can enjoy a fun view of park from their balcony. Across the street you’ll find The Boardwalk & Butterfly World with batting cages, go-karts, bumper cars, & more. You could easily spend a couple of days exploring it all! Find even more ideas on our MEGA LIST for MONCTON!
DID YOU KNOW? Magnetic Hill — the geographic optical illusion that makes it seem like your car is rolling up hill — is one of the oldest tourism sites in the province? Muriel Lutes turned it into a must-visit spot in the 1930s & by the 1950s it was considered Canada’s third most popular tourist destination! It takes just a few moments to visit but leaves quite the impression. Pair it with a visit to the Tidal Bore for a perfectly unique Moncton experience!