Centreville
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Centreville
5 reviews in English
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Review from HK T.
Ottawa, ON
7/11/2010
Walking around centreville reminded me if the movie adventureland lol
Overall it was nice. The rides are quite fitting for younger children and the fact that wild life such as ducks and geese roam freely added to the island's experience. The only thing, which has been mentioned, was the farm was lacking, however you would have to take into consideration that it's not supposed to be the main attraction. Another thing, don't be fooled by the website cause it ain't everything the site makes it put to be.
Lastly when we arrived, being that we weren't from the area, there were no indications of when the amusement park closed. It doesn't mention anything about when they close on the website or anywhere on the island and entrance to the amusement park. To our surprise, and after parking, and taking the ferry, we had 1 hour to allow our 3 year old to have her fun. Also, she couldn't go on as many rides as we got the impression she could from the website which resulted in her riding over and over the same rides just to get our monies worth lol
The ferry ride was cool for the children and even for me. Would I take my family back? Probably but it would be when my children are bigger so they can enjoy all the rides. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/1/2008 1 photo
Every time I walk through the Centreville amusement park, I pass the carnies and keep thinking with a titch of nostalgia, "Good gad, that could've been me."
12 years ago, I applied to work as a ticket seller, but the whole interview process -- a group session -- was a bit too intense for something that a monkey could do. All I remember is that the interviewer had a bulbous gin-blossomed nose and laughed a lot. His face haunted my dreams for the next few months.
Thank god I got another job.
All that aside, Centreville's not bad on a nice weekend day, a good escape for the family, and really cute. It does have a good familial vibe on a nice weekend day, but there could be so much done with this place, like incorporating more adult elements in this area to attract larger numbers. Maybe then they wouldn't have to empty my entire bank account balance for a few rides and an ice cream cone.
In short: great for kids with money-loose parents, not so great for anyone over 10. -
Review from Luke A.
Toronto, ON
8/31/2008
The great thing about Centreville is the location on Centre Island; it feels a lot more civilized (and, if you're a kid, exotic) to step off the ferry and walk among the picturesque willows to get to it, instead of trudging through some huge parking lot.
Centreville is pretty much for the elementary-school crowd. Even the faster rides like the Log Ride or the Scrambler (on which I once lost my wallet, so check your pockets) are tame by theme park standards. But the atmosphere is laid back, and if you're there escorting some rugrats, you won't feel stressed, even though you might get bored. -
Review from Catherine M.
ON
12/5/2008
I think Centreville gets away without trying very hard for two reasons - the first being that its presence on the Island already gives it an air of being special just for existing. The second is that there really isn't much by way of competition, other than the very expensive Ontario Place on the other side of the water. If you go to Centreville, there are a few good tips to follow.
Try to regain your sense of childhood wonder and take everything with a huge grain of salt. While being drunk sounds like a great idea, I'd recommend against it because too many of the rides involve spinning around until you feel like you're going to puke. For this very reason, we move into my second point of advice - save the delicious carnival food until after you've gone on rides. Trust me.
My least favorite part of Centreville is the very depressing "zoo" which is like a petting zoo minus the petting. Sad-seeming, semi domesticated farm type animals sit in cages and seem to ponder their own personal existential dilemmas. Avoid (especially if you have allergies!).
My favorite part of Centreville, by a wide margin, is the "Dark Ride". A lot of the rides there have obviously gone through several incarnations, and this one is no exception. It is referred to by several different names on varying signage and maps, but it's great. It's your classic carnival spooky house, including cheesy pop out dummies and silly props. A must-ride, even though the ride tickets are horribly, horribly overpriced here. -
Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
9/5/2008
Centerville is one of those places that shouldn't exist anymore; it is a relic from the days of old Toronto, when Toronto Island was treated like an quaint little village in the city. In my opinion Centreville is the worst use of prime real-estate in the city, if it were up to me the bulldozers would be moving in tomorrow. That being said, it is a nice place to take the wild and crazy under five crowd. I can't really recommend Centreville because if I do people might go, and then they won't tear it down, but I suppose I should have some objectivity in this and say that if you are a parent of a young child or you have one in your care they will love you for taking them to Centreville. It has a petting zoo small scale rides but it isn't fun for the whole family just kids. Go if you must, the ferry ride will be fun, but remember that every admission is another nail in the coffin of my dream of a cool Toronto Island.
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