Ontario Place

[jtdl]

Anyone been to Ontario Place lately? We will be staying across the road from it and so plan to check it out. We have never been. What's the good, bad and tasty?

 

[mtmbyck]

Haven't been this year but kids loved it last year. If you go during the CNE, expect big crowds. We went mid-week in July and it was dead.

Don't pay full price at the gate. Buy your tickets online or hopefully you have those cereal box coupons so kids will be free.

If it is a warm day, plan to spend most of the day at the waterpark - it's the most fun. The rest of the attractions are soso.

We like to eat at the restaurant at the maria. If it's a nice day, it's lovely being on the water seeing the boats.

I can't recall too much more about the trip - it was fun but not amazing. Without the waterpark, not sure it would have filled a whole day of activities for my kids (older - 10 and 13).

 

[two*little*birds]

Is Ontario Place open during the civic workers strike? I know that Centreville is closed.

 

[jtdl]

Ontario Place is open as it is provincially run. We thought we would check out Centreville as well, but did see that it is closed. It must be operated wholly by city employees. The Toronto Zoo is also open. We were there during a civic strike several years back and everything was open and running but the grass wasn't cut, gardens weren't taken care of etc., so I assume the city crews just take care of maintenence there and not the actual running of the zoo.

 

[briar_rose_59]

I don't know that Centreville is necessarily staffed by city employees, but the ferries (the only way to get to and from the islands without having your own boat) are. The news was saying around the beginning of the strike that there would be some ferries running but the only way one could access them was by showing proof that they resided ON the islands AND had proof that they had a medical appointment or school (or something comparable) on the mainland.

But as for the OP's question, I haven't been in a couple of years but there are some fun rides (the log flume and mega maze are 2 favorites of mine), the water park is pretty fun (though not as big as the one at Wonderland). Be aware though that there seem ti be a lot of arcades that suck kids in and end up costing more than some people are expecting to spend.

 

[encinc]

We love Ontario Place! Our kids are younger (4 and 6) and we find the attractions perfect for them. If it's a hot day, consider an early afternoon break at the Cinesphere. Imax films are included in the cost of admission to the park.

We usually take our own lunch, but if you want a sit down meal, Marina Grill is good. Another option is a meal combo at Booster Juice (prices are the same as other Booster Juice locations). Selection is limited (some wraps and paninis), but way more nutritious than the usual fast food fare. There's also lots of Pizza Pizza locations in the park.

If you're staying across the road, be sure to arrive when the park opens (10 a.m.). We find crowds much lighter for the first hour or so in the morning than the rest of the day (probably goes without saying for a Disney audience, but worth mentioning anyway )

There are two main parts of the park - Market Square with the waterpark and some smaller kids rides and Adventure Island with the Log Flume ride, the pedal boats and the bumper boats. Cinesphere and Marina Grille are about half way in between the two areas. We usually park in the parking lot between the two entrances. That way we can go in one and out the other, and just walk across the parking lot to our car rather than having to trek back through the park.

Hope that helps. Ontario Place is one of our favourite family destinations, so feel free to ask if you want more info.

 

[Csaks]

We went to the Honda Indy a couple of weeks ago and because of the strike the islands were not accessible by ferry. The line to get in O.P. was huge, I figure it was families trying to go somewhere and O.P. was the only option for them. I predict Ontario Place will have a banner year because of this strike. It was busy that weekend but I can't say whether it still is.

 

[TreesyB]

Depending on when you are going to be there, until the CNE opens, Tuesdays are sponsored by Subway and it's$20 admission instead of the $34. And City Tvis sponsoring July 30th so it's free for the first 400 admissions, and a discount thereafter until 9am (with the gates opening at 6am).

I'm going on Tuesday of this week with my ds. He has a free admission from his school coupons.

 

[jtdl]

We are going on a Tuesday also - after the long weekend - and had read about the $20 admission - that's great.

Thanks for the tips all. It sounds like my ds (8) will love it.