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| - Despite hearing about the long line-ups and the crowds, my family and I decided to visit Ripley's Aquarium because my dad wanted to check it out.
For the same price, do purchase your tickets online before arriving because the line-up to purchase tickets went around and around outside the entrance in the freezing cold! We waited a maximum of 10 minutes for our e-tickets to be scanned and in we went.
Truth be told, I had my doubts and I had low expectations because I knew the size of the aquarium couldn't be that big considering it is situated between the CN Tower and the Toronto Metro Convention Centre. I wasn't wrong at all.
The layout of the aquarium is basically a one-way street (well, maybe two...you can always walk backwards if you want), but you can't cut corners from exhibit A to exhibit D. The Dangerous Lagoon exhibit (the underwater tunnel) is located in the middle and in order to go back from the gift shop (which is the end of the aquarium), you would have to trace your steps back...the entire way back.
There were several different exhibits but they are not very big. Compared to many other aquariums I have visited, the Planet Jellies exhibit is quite a disappointment. They use mirrors to try to create the illusion of a bigger tank and more jellies, and there is also only a few species. The jelly fish exhibits in Hong Kong, and even Chicago, are far better, bigger, more numerous and exciting.
I have heard a lot about the aquarium and the "cool shark tunnel", but it just reminded me of all the times I have been inside an underwater tunnel and I thought it would be a similar experience... But boy, was I wrong! There is actually a conveyor belt that slowly takes you through the entire tunnel all around the big aquarium for 12 whole minutes! I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of seeing all kinds of sharks, rays, sawfish, and other fish swimming around and above me as I stood there and did not have to squeeze in between people to take a peek and a picture, nor did I have to watch where I was going. (You can still walk beside the conveyor belt, if you wish.) This underwater tunnel is definitely the best I have experienced.
There are also a couple Touch Tanks where you can feel horseshoe crabs, rays, and small sharks. The rays and sharks are hard to come by since the tank is a decent size and you may also be out of luck if your arms are not very long.
Overall, it took us only two hours to see everything and this was on a busy Saturday afternoon. Compared to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, it is really not a big deal as it took us more than 4 hours there. The Dangerous Lagoon exhibit is something I would come back for, but only if I am accompanying some family or friends who have yet to check out this downtown attraction. (But I know for a fact, all the kids I saw there really enjoyed it. So if you have the time and the money, why not?)
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