Today I am very excited to share with you our first guest post! We have been to the Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto twice as a family and MJ also went with his friends recently. I am very pleased to share Katie's review with you all.
Ripley’s
Aquarium in Toronto Consumer Review
BY:
Katie Morrison
Way
back in my pre-children days, I would see the moms in the mall with their kids
on a leash. Have you ever seen them? The kids strapped into a fluffy backpack
with a mom tether attached on the other end? I finally understand now why they
are necessary.
Today, we took my very energetic 3-year old
to Ripley’s Aquarium. Toronto’s newest attraction, opened in October of 2013
and 2 years later still welcomes visitors with an entrance line-up as long as
an American Idol audition queue. As my son and I slowly made our way down the
sidewalk, at the base of the CN Tower, we wondered to ourselves – is this
really worth it? It definitely was.
Once we waited in line to get in the front
doors, and then gave them this month’s rent in exchange for 3 family day
passes, we were finally inside! We were greeted by a massive aquarium of
tropical fish. The crowds wove their way into the belly of the building
surrounded by tanks full of diverse marine life, 13,500 different species of
sea animals. The facility was immaculately clean considering the sheer volume
of tourists passing through the halls. My son was in awe at the 3-story kelp
forest and the monstrous Giant Groupers. Apparently there was a spectacular sea
horse exhibit, but the small viewing areas made some of the creatures difficult
to see.
The horde of anonymous tourists funnelled
their way into the ‘Danger Lagoon’ suggested that the most dangerous part in
this tunnel may be claustrophobia. As the mass of people channelled underneath
the foreboding sign and assembled onto the conveyor belt that would transport
you around the shark lagoon. Once you step onto that moving sidewalk, you
journey underwater. Completely surrounded by glass and 2.9 million litres of
water, you move with the others visitors along the path and watch as a variety
of exotic species, including Sand tigers, nurse sharks, sawfish and a moray eel
pass along beside and above you. The children were all squealing with delight
at such a close encounter with dangerous predators.
The facility was child friendly offering
interactive exhibits, a petting area, lots of education displays and an indoor
fish-themed playground next to the food court. Even though it is extremely
stroller friendly, strollers are not recommended since the tunnels can become
crowded and though simple to maneuver around the exhibits, it is not so easy to
maneuver around hoards of people.
Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto is open 9-6
Monday-Thursday and 9-9 Friday, Saturday and holidays. It is worth the effort
to fully research when the peak times are and schedule around that. The
exhibits are incredible to see and the facility is one of the best aquariums in
the world, but the crowds can be the only negative in what could be wonderful
family time memories. A great
educational opportunity visit: https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/
to plan your adventure!
Guest blog post by Katie Morrison.
Katie is a freelance writer, sport enthusiast and stay-at-home mom of a high energy, four-year old. Katie has recently embarked on homeschool preschool adventure with her son. Together, they are learning with an eclectic, child-led, road schooling curriculum. Born in Hamilton, raised in Brockville, Ontario and then recently returned to steel city to raise a family, tackle the real estate market and play competitive dodge ball as often as possible.
