This isn't the first time we've been to the aquarium, obviously. But it is the first time since they did major renovations. Thanks to White Spot Restaurants, we received free admission for Mason with the purchase of a Pirate Pak. The coupon was only good for a few months and expired Oct 31st. On Hallowe'en Day, my work was hosting a family included office party so I pulled Mason out of daycare for the afternoon followed by a trip to see the fishies.
I forgot how long the commute time was, it took almost 50 mins to get from Central Burnaby to Stanley Park (We left at 2pm). Upon entering Stanley Park, I think they moved the main parking lot too. I remember going left at the first roundabout but this time I went right and then left. There is still ongoing construction but it didn't impede parking, I found a spot right out front and there are multiple pay stations. While walking along the sidewalk near tarps (where they had been building), I found a blade from an exacto knife sitting on the sidewalk. Kinda dangerous!
I had to head across the street to the pay station (why they can't put a kiosk at the entrance is beyond me). The rates vary by 2 seasons but October – March (6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily) was $2/hour or $5/day. The lot is managed by EasyPark. You can also pay by phone or by app, cash or credit card.
The entrance has ticket kiosks (not in operation yet) and 4 different booths. (Membership, tickets, info & ticket holders). I had pre-purchased my ticket online $25.00 including tax). I had difficulty finding the booth as it's off to the side, not front and center. We gave our tickets, got hand stamps and down the ramp we went to the entrance. We were greeted by a Dude with a camera who offered to take our picture. Sensing $$$ was involved, I politely declined.
Once inside the picture booth was immediately on the right and we were greeted and asked if we wanted to pick up our picture. (Sorry, don't know the cost).
One of the main attractions we wanted to see was SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D The Great Jelly Rescue which was included with Admission. We arrived just in time and got into the theatre before it began. I had been 3D shows before but never a 4D so I was in for a bit of a surprise!
Here is Mason sporting his cool shades (which he refuses to wear during the actual show)
If you aren't familiar with 4D shows (as described on their website):
Sight
With larger-than-life images that leap right out of the screen, the 4-D experience is your chance to look at marine animals in a whole new way.
Sound
Immerse yourself in a herd of plodding elephants or a flock of cawing birds, with surround sound that puts you in the middle of the action.
Catch a whiff of the scents that will further immerse you in the 4-D experience, with customized smells for various shows.
With a variety of innovative technology, the 4-D experience will give you a sense of what it’s like to swim with sea snakes…or get chomped by a shark.
Once we went through all of the rooms, sometimes twice, we headed outside to see the sea otters, beluga whales, dolphins & seals.
Just after an hour, we were pretty much done. Keeping in mind that the place was hardly busy (best time to go!), sometimes we had entire exhibits to ourselves.
For more information about visiting the aquarium, visit their website.