Ontario Place
Ontario Place is an internationally acclaimed cultural, leisure and entertainment parkland located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The complex extends throughout three man-made islands along the Lake Ontario waterfront.
Ontario Place opened in May 1971 and featured a five pod pavilion complex, The Forum, pedal boats, a marina, restaurants and the world’s first permanent IMAX® theatre, the Cinesphere.
Ontario Place was built as a showcase for the Province of Ontario that would replace the Government of Ontario building at the CNE and take advantage of what was then an under-developed waterfront area Construction started on March 17, 1969 and took an estimated 1.5 million person hours of labour to build at a cost of $29M
The original park was consisted of three man-made islands connected by picturesque bridges and walkways with the Pods or Pavilion, complex and the geodesic dome of the Cinesphere as the focal points. The park initially encompassed 96 acres of which 51 acres were land fill. The gate first opened to the public on May 22, 1971, 30 years ago!
The Cinesphere
Cinesphere was opened in 1971 as one of the world’s most advanced theatres. It was built to “create a space capable of housing the existing and the future scope of film”, Cinesphere stands as the first permanent IMAX® film theatre in the world.
Housed in a triodetic-domed structure, Cinesphere was designed to accommodate all conventional film formats and also many of the experimental films produced for Expo ‘67 in Montreal and Expo ‘70 in Osaka. Several of these films could previously be shown only in theatres designed specially for each film.
Digital sound reproduction capabilities were added in 1991 for the Toronto premiere of the IMAX® film “At The Max” – a 90 minute Rolling Stones concert experience. Currently Cinesphere can present films with digital sound tracks in the IMAX®, DTS and Dolby SR-D formats.
View a list of film showing and the Cinesphere schedule!
Rides and Attractions
H2O GENERATION STATION
The largest outdoor soft play climbing structure in the country! Kids will find boundless opportunities for fun as they tumble, slide, crawl and climb through a maze activity centres featuring twisting slides, covered walkways, tunnels and towers, obstacle and hurdle challenges, mirrors and more.
THE ATOM BLASTER
A foam-ball free-for-all with enough action to keep kids busy all day long! An unlimited supply of soft, multi-coloured foam balls fuel the excitement as kids encounter ball canons and volcanoes, huge tipping baskets and ball fountains, blowers and air tables, slides that hook, dump and spiral, and much more!
This foam factory is the only one of its kind in Canada.
FIRST FLIGHT
Board a replica hot-air balloon for a smooth ride through the summer sky! Suitable for all ages, when accompanied by an adult.
FREE FALL
This drop tower ride will thrill kids and their parents, too! Not for the faint of heart!
Suitable for childern 42″/107cm or taller.
SUPER SLIDE
Climb to the top of the tower, check out the 360 degree view and then race to the bottom, 90 feet. below! Suitable for kids 36″/91cm, when accompanied by an adult.Located on the hill beside Festival Stage.
PEDAL BOAT ADVENTURE
What a relaxing way to see Ontario Place! A nice leisurely glide in a pedal boat. Located on Adventure Island. Open from 10:30 a.m. Check closing time upon arrival. One person in each boat must be 60″ or 152 cm.
MINI GREENS
Putt through two challenging 9-hole courses built into the landscaped hillside of Ontario Place. Open from 10:00 a.m. Check closing time upon arrival.
COOL HOOPS
Cool Hoops is a game of skill and challenge for players of all ages and abilities. Different strategies are required at each bankboard and the game gets harder as you move through it. Cool Hoops gives an innovative twist to the game of basketball and rolls the fun of basketball, miniature golf and billiards into one big challenge! Cool Hoops is located on Adventure Island.
ARCADE
Featuring the latest in interactive game hardware, the Arcade offers an awesome variety of games in a uniquely themed environment that portrays the flight deck of a large spacecraft. Leading edge Virtual Reality systems provide stunning, realistic images while 3-D texture map graphics combined with 32 bit digital sound round out the compelling 360° game play area. The most challenging simulator experiences available today can be found in the Arcade including driving simulators, Alpine Ski simulators, Wave Jet, Sega Rally, a large variety of video games and many more perennial favourites that will lead us all into the next generation of virtuality. There are three Arcade sites. Open daily from 10:00 a.m.
Molson Amphitheatre
Ontario Place is also home to the Molson Amphitheatre which is home to many summertime concerts by big stars!
Location and information:
Automated Information Line and Fax
Automated Information Line (416) 314-9900
Outside the GTA, call toll-free 1-866-ONE-4-FUN
A Guest Services attendant Monday to Friday until October 31, 2008 from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
For general information: info@ontarioplace.com Website: www.ontarioplace.com
The Fallsview Indoor Waterpark features direct indoor connections to three superior Niagara Falls hotels, the Sheraton on the Falls, Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls-Fallsview
Don’t miss Niagara’s Hottest New Attraction!
The experience starts with an 8 minute animated Pre-show, where charming woodland characters explain how the Ice Age formed Niagara Falls. Then, in a specially designed, 360 degree theatre, witness the Creation of the Falls in a 6-minute, multi-sensory extravaganza!