Now open, pandemic challenges turn into new experiences and mindset for Toronto attraction
TORONTO, Ontario – February 10, 2022 – While Toronto was on pause, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada chose to turn a challenge into a catalyst for growth — innovating their guest experience through virtual programming and new, in-person experiences. Now open, virtual tours, streamed programming, and unique online events, continue to welcome guests who may never even have the opportunity to visit Canada.
“During our prolonged closure, the Ripley’s team remained focused on caring for the animals in the Aquarium while readying to reopen better than ever,” shared Peter Doyle, General Manager. “We worked to enhance our procedures and protocols to make guests feel more comfortable returning to the Aquarium, but also developed entirely new programs to make the Aquarium accessible to guests at home.”
Ripley’s Education team hosted 1,400 virtual field trips and virtual tours, inviting more than 80,000 people from around the world — including Belgium, Bermuda, France, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan — inside the Aquarium from the comfort of their own homes or classrooms. The Aquarium also presented tours in Mandarin, allowing for groups from China to visit virtually as well.
“Ideas once seen as ‘blue sky’ have made their way to the forefront. These programs, which began out of necessity, will remain so we can continue to share our stories with anyone who wants to learn more about what we do and the animals we care for,” said Doyle.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada’s online events include animal feedings, STEM lessons, and even virtual mixology classes. Many are presented with sustainability in mind — the Aquarium’s virtual cooking class, Cooking for Conservation, featured sustainable seafood and a panel discussion with Aquarium partner Ocean Wise Seafood.
Restrictions on indoor dining have resulted in a closed café, however Ripley’s brought in new, unique vending machines. An interactive frozen yogurt robot and automated pizza vending machine with a 3-minute bake time can now serve hundreds of visitors a day, in addition to more traditional snack and drink machines.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada plans to invest in finding new ways to engage guests in and outside of Canada, as well as develop new experiences within the Aquarium that can extend into the homes and classrooms of visitors. To learn more, visit www.ripleysaquariumofcanada.com.
Sabrina Sieck
Creative Content Manager
sieck@ripleys.com
(407) 450 – 1516
About Ripley Entertainment
Built on the foundation of a daily newspaper cartoon in 1918 — still in print today — Ripley Entertainment has grown to be a world leader in family entertainment, expanding to include more than 100 attractions in 10 countries around the world. Along with Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, Guinness World Records Attractions, Aquariums, WaxWorks, traveling shows, and miniature golf, the world of Ripley’s continues to grow through exciting new experiences, content, and books for all ages. Learn more about Ripley’s Believe It or Not! by visiting Ripleys.com and following on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
