Do not make a trip for Fantasy Fair until you confirm that it has reopened. Its official website showed a maintenance closure notice when we checked on October 8, 2026. The notice gave no reopening date.
Woodbine Mall is still a place to watch. Its indoor amusement park gives it a reason to exist beyond shopping. But a colourful old photo, a printed opening time or a story about new ownership is not proof that the rides are running today.
Our verdict: Fantasy Fair is the strongest reason for families to choose this mall, once it reopens. For a short visit, buying a few rides can be better value than a day pass. Skip a special shopping trip unless the current directory has a store you actually need.
Is Fantasy Fair open right now?
The Fantasy Fair homepage displays a notice saying it is closed for maintenance. The same site still shows regular hours. Those hours do not cancel the closure notice.
Call 437-880-8448 before leaving. Ask whether the park has reopened, which rides are running and whether your child's favourite ride is available. If you are booking a party, ask for the cancellation and refund terms in writing.
The address is 500 Rexdale Boulevard, inside Woodbine Mall in Etobicoke. Check the mall's shopping hours separately. A mall can be open while an attraction inside it is closed.
We have not confirmed a reopening date. Confidence is high that the website is displaying the closure notice. We cannot use that notice to tell you how long the work will take. A dated reopening announcement would change our advice.
What changed at Woodbine Mall?
Woodbine has been through a financial restructuring. That is a process used to deal with debts and keep a business operating while a court oversees major changes.
The federal CCAA record identifies Woodbine Mall Holdings and Fantasy Fair and Kids Village in the court process. EY is the monitor. A monitor reports to the court and watches the process.
Romspen's May 12 investor update describes a proposed transaction that would move some obligations out of the operating companies. It explains why keeping the companies and their licences mattered to the deal.
That is useful background. It does not prove that a particular shop has signed a lease. It does not promise a new food hall, a restored amusement ride or a date when the mall will feel busy again. Use the monitor's court documents for the legal history and the mall's own directory for today's tenants.
Some shoppers describe empty units, discount stock and a tired building. Others value the park and have good memories of family visits. These are different questions. A child can enjoy a ride in a mall that adults find dull. Nostalgia can also make an old attraction look better than its current condition.
We have not inspected the rides or tested the mall's maintenance. A complaint about appearance is not proof that a ride is unsafe. Nor does a happy visit prove that every ride will work on your next visit. Confirm the attraction you are paying for.
What does Fantasy Fair cost when it is operating?
The posted ticket page lists the following prices. These were checked on October 8, 2026. They do not mean the park has reopened.
| Ticket | Posted price, including HST |
|---|---|
| One ride | $5.75 |
| Ten ride tickets | $55 |
| Unlimited pass, under 36 inches | $18 |
| Other unlimited pass, weekday | $27 |
| Other unlimited pass, weekend or holiday | $32 |
| Family of four, including one adult, weekday | $79 |
| Family of four, including one adult, weekend or holiday | $95 |
The page says sales are in person, by debit or credit card. It says online ticket sales are closed. Ticket sales end 15 minutes before closing.
Here is the useful maths. Five single rides cost $28.75. Six cost $34.50. An eligible weekday pass becomes cheaper at five rides. A weekend pass becomes cheaper at six. That only helps if the rider can use enough open attractions and wants to repeat them.
The ten-ticket pack saves $2.50 compared with ten single tickets. That is a small saving. Do not buy it just because the bundle sounds like a deal.
The park's visitor rules say each occupied ride seat needs a paid fare. An adult taking a seat with a child must pay too. On the carousel, a parent or guardian standing beside a child rides free. Bring a debit or credit card. Cash is not accepted.
Ask which rides your child's height allows. An under-36-inch pass does not override a ride's height rule. A low pass price is poor value if the child cannot use most of the rides.
For a toddler who tires quickly, start small. For a child who wants many repeat rides, compare a pass. Buy only after checking the open ride list.
Which rides should you check before paying?
The park's ride pages and about page describe a carousel, plane ride, play structure, bumper cars, spinning rides, a simulator and other attractions. The carousel's history is part of the appeal. The park identifies it as a 1911 Looff carousel.
The about page also lists several individual closures in an update dated July 17, 2026. Those include Drop & Hop, Fantasy Flight, the JR B Express train and Rock'N'Climb. A current park-wide closure now takes priority over that older list.
Do not promise a child the train based on an old family video. Do not count closed rides when deciding if an unlimited pass pays off.
For Play Village, the rules require shoes off and socks on for adults and children. Pack socks before leaving home. Confirm the current height limits and which attractions are open at the ticket booth.
Older official photos in this guide show the park's setting. They do not show today's operating status. The indoor setting is the main advantage in cold or wet weather. The limited ride choice is the main limit for older children who want a large amusement park.
Comparisons with Canada's Wonderland need a full bill. Include tickets, parking, travel, food and the rides each child can use. Fantasy Fair is a smaller outing. Treat it as one, rather than expecting a full theme-park day.
What else is there, and what should you verify?
The Woodbine Mall site promotes CineStarz Deluxe and roller skating. A cinema is already part of the mall's offer. Calling for “a movie theatre” misses that fact.
For a film, use the linked CineStarz Woodbine showtimes. For skating, check the mall's rink event page and the operator's booking details. An event tile can stay online after a session changes. Check dates, rental fees, age rules and the ticket terms.
The mall also lists accessible entrances, parking and guest services. Those are building services. They do not prove that every ride is suitable for a wheelchair user or that an available chair will fit your needs. Ask about the whole route, washrooms and the exact attraction.
Fantasy Fair advertises party rooms and group visits. Check the room size, food rules, ride access, supervision and refund terms. A party package during uncertain operating dates needs more care than a casual drop-in.
If the goal is one film or one skating session, choose that activity and go home. Do not add shopping simply to make the trip sound larger.
Will the new Woodbine GO station help?
Yes, once it is operating. It is not a current way to reach the mall.
Metrolinx's Woodbine GO project page describes a station under construction on the Kitchener corridor. Plans include GO and UP Express connections and accessible facilities. It is intended to replace Etobicoke North station.
The project page does not provide a confirmed opening date that we can use to plan a visit. Do not put the future station into today's transit directions.
The rail site and the mall are separate places. A covered walkway, direct indoor connection or future Finch West extension would need its own confirmed plan. None should be treated as a present amenity.
For today's journey, use the TTC trip planner. Enter the mall address and your actual starting point. Check the final walk, transfers and the return journey. Our GO day-trip guide explains the wider difference between a rail stop and a complete outing.
What people want next, and what is not confirmed
Checked October 8, 2026. These are ideas, not announced tenants or approved construction. Confidence in any specific arrival is low without a lease announcement or planning record.
The strongest idea is to give people more reasons to return every week. A useful grocery store, affordable food and a place to meet would do that better than another vague promise of luxury shopping. That is our judgement, not a redevelopment plan.
The wish list includes Walmart, T&T, Nations or Fortinos; GoodLife or another gym; a food hall; ServiceOntario; Uniqlo; Sport Chek; Indigo; Sephora or MAC; lingerie and sports shops; and coworking space. None belongs in your shopping plan until it appears in a current official directory.
Other ideas include bowling, pool tables, student meeting space for Humber learners, a refreshed Fantasy Fair and a covered link toward the racetrack and future station. Some people want housing above or beside shops. Others want to keep the site focused on family recreation and oppose condos.
Those competing ideas matter. Homes could bring regular customers. They could also change the park, traffic and public space. A proposed design and City review would be needed to judge the trade-off. The airport's nearby flight paths do not give us a simple rule that says all housing is either allowed or impossible.
Moving Therme here is another suggestion. We found no primary confirmation of that move. Do not confuse an opinion about a better site with a project announcement.
Nearby large retailers compete for shoppers. But “online shopping killed every mall” is too broad. Different malls have different tenants, transit and customer bases. Woodbine needs a convincing local reason to visit. Its indoor family activities are the clearest starting point.
Choose a visit for an activity that is confirmed today. Keep the longer-term hopes separate from your child's Saturday plan.
If the rides are still closed, choose from our Toronto rainy-day plans or free attractions with a Toronto library card. Check pass eligibility and book what your family will use.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fantasy Fair closed permanently?
The official notice checked on October 8, 2026 says it is closed for maintenance. It does not say the closure is permanent. It gives no reopening date, so confirm operations before travelling.
Can you enter Fantasy Fair without buying a day pass?
The posted pricing page says entry is free and rides cost money. That helps with a short visit when the park is operating. A closure notice still takes priority over the ticket page.
Is Fantasy Fair good for toddlers?
Its small indoor setting can suit a short family outing. Ride height rules and closures can greatly reduce a toddler's choices. Check those before buying an unlimited pass.
Does Woodbine Mall have a movie theatre?
The mall lists CineStarz Deluxe Woodbine. Check the theatre's current showtimes and ticket page before going. Do not rely on an old event listing.
Can you take GO Transit directly to Woodbine Mall?
The new Woodbine GO station is under construction. It is not a current arrival option. Plan the trip using services that are operating on your visit date.
Are new stores confirmed at Woodbine Mall?
The suggestions in this guide are a wish list. A financial restructuring is not a tenant announcement. Use the current mall directory and dated official announcements to confirm a new store.