Ontario Science Centre - not yet World class but it will get there we hope... for the sake of the kids and the young at heart. This is why...
1 .We arrive at the membership counter to become members since we're just museum addicts. The person they've hired (or is this a volunteer?) unfortunately was unable to articulate the membership plans in clear plain English and we were lost after "we have three types" then it was just a Charlie Brown moment - wah wah wah wah wah.
2. There is so much unused space. It looks like a public high school converted into a museum but ran out of paint. The Weston Hall is wonderful - that could be world class BUT the hallways and bathrooms are just to be desired. Don't breathe, it could be toxic in that bathroom - what cleaning detergent were they using?
3. We marked this as "cheap meals" as well since if you're needing food and in the area, there really isn't much to go to other than the junk food stops so why not eat junk food at the museum! Pizza anyone?
4. The ice sculpture and the snow throw contests were a good idea implemented badly. Your first impression of the museum is just 'ick' because this unconventional sculpture is just there without a sign with a police tape like border. Seems like an ice sculpture have fallen off and killed another sculpture below. The snow fight turned target practise... hmm... not sure its a good idea to have that next to the parking lot.
5. The calming chirping of birds is a great idea as one takes the escalator to the other levels. But the construction with a tacky poster of Hulk or some other Marvel super hero is an idea gone bad.
The Kids Section was fun. Lots of interaction and the lab-gowned support personnel were quite attentive (though one was having a Doritos break on the side). Kids seemed to enjoy touching, feeling, and all around screaming. Oh the joy of a screaming kid next to you. (visions of airline experiences are coming back)
Update: We did get to see Spiderman 2 and Bugs! on the big screen (yes we came back). That was fun. The popcorn was fresh. The museum store though was bland. I could have gone online or at any other Discovery store and see the same thing.
That would be it.. Enjoy the show.
