OT - Ontario Place or Centreville Amusement Park?

[2gr8DisneyKids]

We are finally making our tip to Toronto! DH has a trip to Paris and airfare is too high to go to WDW so I am taking the train to Toronto... and we still want to go to an amusement park. The main limiting factor is DD's height and being able to go on as many rides together as possible. DD is 38 inches.

We will be staying in a downtown hotel (TBD) and knowing which one is the easiest to get to by mass transit would also be helpful.

Thanks!

 

[bankr63]

Not sure about Centreville; have never been.

I will say that OP is great for your kids' age grouping. We went every year until our kids were about 9 and 11; then we graduated to Canada's Wonderland. We'd usually do about a half day at the water park, and then a half day on the rest of the attractions. There are no big coasters or anything like that to scare the little ones. There is a very good kids section - even with a mini-drop zone (about 2-3 stories high). The flume ride was a good intro to the concept of roller coasters.

Looking back, I miss those days. Now the kids just want Expedition Everest, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Rip-Ride-Rockit, The Hulk etc... Be careful what you set the ground work for... Thought I was gonna die on Dragon Challenge this year!! But I survived it

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

If you're staying downtown, I'd say why not do both? Both places are extremely easy to get to via public transit. Centre Island food can get pretty pricey, as you're kinda stuck on the island.

 

[capitalmom]

If you can only do one, I'd pick Centre Island. We started going every year when DD was 2 and she loved it - lots of age appropriate rides, and the vibe of a fun old-fashioned amusement part. The year she was 4, we decided to change it up and try Ontario Place (as I had very fond memories of a visit there as a child), but I acutally found it seemed quite run down and just didn't have the same charm as Centre Island. Can't wait to go back this summer with my 7YO and 2YO girls, and our 5YO twin nephews...

 

[amw]

I would pick Centreville as well ... a compact little park on the island. Public Transportation is "easy" as you asked, but costs a bit more and takes a bit more time as you are paying for a ferry across to the island. Although, that's the part my DDs really liked!

Here's a list of rides:
http://www.centreisland.ca/rides-and-attractions.aspx

I always found Ontario Place to be an asphalt jungle ... a lot of walking, with very little entertainment, unless you're looking for a water park.

 

[MamaLema]

Centreville over Ontario Place!!!!

 

[greenclan67]

What ages would Centreville be appropriate for? I am thinking my 11 & 9 year olds will not like it, any opinions?

 

[tone.def]

Ontario Place is free this year in honour of their 40th anniversary! You can't go wrong with free admission just to check it out...

 

[ferris198]

What ages would Centreville be appropriate for? I am thinking my 11 & 9 year olds will not like it, any opinions?

My 11 year old has found it boring since he was about 8 or 9.
While Ontario Place has lots to do for younger kids, my son likes to go on the bumper boats, and log ride. He also likes to play in the Atomic Blaster. We have seen some awesome and educational movies there too.

 

[YukiPhnx]

To greenclan67:

I think your kids will probably find the rides at Centreville to be too kiddy.

Centre Island is a great place to visit though. The island is beautifully landscaped and you can always check out those rides. It works a lot like a carnival where you can buy tickets for just the rides you want, or get an all-day pass to do all the rides as much as you want. There's no "entrance fee" so don't have to pay to check it out.

Ontario Place will have more rides for kids your age, but I would recommend Canada's Wonderland.

 

[papertraveller]

I vote for Centreville for the OP's kids. Like a PP we started taking DD when she was about 2, and she simply loved it. There are plenty of rides that the young ones can go on alone, and others with mom and dad as well. We always spent a lot of time watching the ducks, and visiting the "farm" too. Even the ferry ride is a beautiful adventure -- and I always loved the view of the city from the top of the ferris wheel. I'd say the availability of rides for older kids would start to feel a bit lame by age 8 or so.

Ontario Place, on the other hand, is in need of serious refurbishment. It offers a variety of rides that younger ones can enjoy, as well as the water park, log ride, bumper boats, IMAX etc. It can be accessed by TTC, but it's more of a journey than hopping the ferry to Centre Island.

 

[Rita007]

For the OP's children and their ages, I definitely vote Centreville. The ferry ride is fun and the island is nice! If you can go on a weekday it is reasonably quiet.

I hadn't heard about this "free" business! Going to check that out myself!!!

 

[amw]

What ages would Centreville be appropriate for? I am thinking my 11 & 9 year olds will not like it, any opinions?

My girls are the exact same age. The last time we went they were 9 and 7 and they loved it ... keep asking to go back even now. But, I do think they are too old for it now (size-wise as well as ride-wise).

If Ontario Place is free, give that a try. Funny, I live in the GTA and didn't here about that either! I think they need to work on their marketing!

If they really want thrill rides, go with Wonderland. BUT, we won't go there anymore -- too many lines, too many people. Last year we drove to Buffalo and went to Darian Lake. My DDs like roller coasters, and they LOVED Darian Lake - especially since crowds were nonexistent. A bit too far for you though.

 

[amw]

ONTARIO PLACE IS NOT FREE ... they are offering free Grounds admission for the season. All rides will be pay-as-you-go, or you can pay the old $30 for a day pass.

http://www.ontarioplace.com/en/03_prices/payasyouplay.html

Don't want to give any travellers false info!