OT-Toronto?

[Winston112]

I'll be gonig to Toronto next month for 2 nights. Mainly our trip is to go to Canada's Wonderland but we may see some other Downtown attraction. We won't be renting a car. I'm considering staying at the Crowne laza near the Ontario Science Center. They're offering a great deal with pizza and popcorn for the kids. Is that hotel really out of the way? Can I take the subway or a bus to wonderland from there? what about getting from Union Station, will it be expensive to take a taxi to this hotel? Sorry for all the questions. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[wee-haggis]

The Science Centre is out of the way for Wonderland and downtown. I would stay somewhere more central or closer to Wonderland if that is the main point of your trip. If you are not getting a car it could be a pain using public transport for the places you want to visit.

 

[PanamaMike]

I don't know what you're paying for the Crowne Plaza, but you might want to look at Holiday Inn Yorkdale.
It is located across the street from the Yorkdale Shopping Centre from which the GO bus will take you directly to Wonderland. You can also get on the subway at Yorkdale and be downtown in 15 mins.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/yyzty?irs=null

 

[Mortlives]

I have to agree with PanamaMike about staying at Yorkdale. The Science Center is way out of the way from everything, and not convenient to subway or Go Bus. By the way, a taxi to the Science Center from Union Station would be obscenely priced.

From Union (are you arriving by train?) you could take the subway to Yorkdale, or you could stay downtown near Union, and take the subway up to Yorkdale later to catch the Go bus.

Don't apologize for the questions. Q & A is a major part of why we're all here. By the way, Wonderland doesn't open until 10:00am, so you'd have lots of time to get there, even staying downtown.

Hhope you have a great trip.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[Toad]

In your original post you say you want to see some other "downtown" attractions. While it is very easy to get to Wonderland from downtown Toronto ( I believe there is a bus that leaves from Union Station), your options are more limited if you stay closer to Wonderland.

I would recommend a downtown hotel and perhaps a trip to Ontario Place or up the CN Tower as your other attraction visits. Both are good choices if you have children with you.

I live in downtown Toronto and know there are hotels in a lot of different price ranges.

 

[SnowWhite]

The Delta Chelsea is a nice hotel downtown that my wife and I have stayed at. It is very kid friendly with a nice family pool area, and another for the adults without kids who want a quiet time. I agree with the other posters about staying downtown and taking the GoBus to Wonderland (personally I have never done that, I always drive) but I 'm sure it is fast as Toronto has fantastic public transit. That is why they call it "Ride the Rocket". Ontario Place is another fun place to take the kids, not like wonderland with all the glitzy rides but just as fun of a day. CN Tower is great too, we took our daughter when she was 5 and she really enjoyed it. If you are looking for a nice dining experience try the 360 restaurant at the CN Tower it is alittle pricey but is a fun experience for the kids and big kids at heart(ME). Have a great stay in Toronto and you MUST MUST MUST get Wonderland funnel cake(not before any big rides!) I'm sure it is almost a law now that all park visitors must have funnel cake It is the best anywhere.


Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

 

[DutchsMommy]

I know exactly which hotel you are talking about and yes, I think you would be dissapointed. You would not get any sense of the true 'Toronto' as this hotel is not in any type of tourist area. I would think mainly business travellers would use this hotel. Actually I have often wondered why anyone would stay there - the only benefit I can see is you are right by the Eglinton exit from the DVP.

I love the Science Centre - we have an annual pass - but it is only one of the really neat things to do in the city. Just walking around downtown will give you a great flavour of the city. I think if you stay near Union Station you will be happy. You should try and get to the Distillery District, which is a pedestrian zone with some really neat shops/restaurants and a great brew-pub called Mill Street Brewery. Queen St West is also fun and Chinatown near Dundas and Spadina. All are fairly central to a hotel in the Union Station vacinity. You are also close to the theatre and entertainment districts down there.

I am actually really glad you asked about this hotel because I think you would have come away from your vacation going - what's the big deal about Toronto if you had stayed there?!?

Hope you have a good trip.