Behemoth, called the country's "biggest, fastest and tallest" roller coaster, debuts at Canada's Wonderland. (Canada's Wonderland)

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Behemoth is going to make it a summer of screams and white-knuckle fever.

Hold on tight -- or wave your hands in the air and scream -- on what is billed as "Canada's biggest, fastest and tallest" roller-coaster.

Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan, north of Toronto, is changing the landscape for thrill seekers with the addition of the ride when the theme park opens for the season May 4.

Behemoth, the 15th coaster in the park's lineup, is eagerly awaited by members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, who have been following its 18 months of development.

Towering at 1,616 metres (5,300 feet) long, Behemoth is said to climb to a height of 70.1 metres (230 feet), followed by an adrenaline-pumping 75-degree drop with speeds reaching 125 kilometres an hour in 3.9 seconds.

That's not all.

The coaster will then take riders through the "ultimate coaster experience" with high-speed twists and turns, including double-banked flat loops (horizontal loops) and eight drops.

Intensifying the action-packed adventure, it has open-air seating, allowing all riders to experience an unobstructed view of the thrills on what's billed as "one of North America's best coasters."

Costing about $26 million, this is the largest investment in Wonderland's 27-year history, says Raffi Kaprelyan, vice-president and general manager.

For enthusiasts who can't wait for the gates to open, take a so-called virtual ride on the new attraction at http://behemoth.canadaswonder land.com

Park publicist Dineen Beavin says Wonderland has the largest variety of coasters in North America, including Canada's longest wooden one -- the Mighty Canadian Minebuster.

There's also Flight Deck, the country's first inverted coaster, and Time Warp, a flying coaster.

Get your kicks being spun 360 degrees on Riptide, free fall 70 metres (230 feet) on Drop Tower and catch some 37-metre (120-foot) hang time on Psyclone.

The last coaster added was the Italian Job: Stunt Track in 2005, based on the high-action finale of the Paramount Pictures movie of the same name.

There's warm-weather fun at Splash Works water park with the huge Whitewater Bay wave pool, Lazy River and 18 water slides.

For gentler fun, "family rides" include carousels, train, cars and Swan Lake, while children can meet superstars such as Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob Square Pants and Scooby Doo.

There are three areas just for kids -- Nickelodeon Central, Kidzville and Hanna-Barbera Land.

Take a timeout at the live shows daily, including divers plunging from Wonder Mountain or Kingswood Music Theatre, a 15,000-seat amphitheatre that hosts about 20 cultural festivals each season.

There are also numerous restaurants, outside cafes, snack bars and shops with souvenirs, film, clothing, candy, snacks and toys.

Wonderland is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., which has 11 other amusement parks, five water parks, an indoor water-park resort and six hotels.

Keeping up with all the thrills at amusement parks are members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts.

The club plans trips, events and conferences for roller-coaster enthusiasts, has a bi-monthly newsletter and the RollerCoaster! quarterly magazine along with an informative website (www.aceonline.org).

Other resources are the Roller Coaster Database (www.rcdb.com), a "comprehensive, searchable database with information and statistics" on more than 1,800 roller-coasters throughout the world.

There also the Ultimate Roller Coaster Website: www.ultimateroller coaster.com

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IF YOU GO

Canada's Wonderland is north of Toronto (follow Highway 401 to Highway 400 North and take the Rutherford Road exit).

The park opens to the public May 4 at 10 a.m. and is then open Friday, Saturday and Sunday through May 16, then daily from 10 a.m. through Labour Day, Sept. 1. Then the park switches to Saturday and Sundays only through Nov. 1.

Holders of season's passes are invited to a "sneak preview" April 25 from 5 to 10 p.m.

The passes cost $79.95 plus tax or $59.95 each for four or more passes; and $59.95 for "juniors" and "seniors." A season parking pass is $30 extra.

Platinum Passes are $145 plus tax, valid at Wonderland and all Cedar Fair parks, including parking ($89.95 for junior/senior).

Admission, including rides, costs $49.95, plus tax, for one day or $53.95 for a two-day ticket; $27.95 junior and senior, one day. Starlight tickets good for five hours after 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. are $26.95. Parking is $10.

Go online for discounted single-day admission E-tickets ($42.95 plus tax, ages three to 59; $38.95 three-day advance; and junior/senior, $27.95).

For more information: www.canadaswonderland.com; (905) 832-8131.