When it comes to year-round entertainment in Ontario, it’s tough to think of a fuller offering than NEB’s Fun World. Located just outside of Toronto in Oshawa, the venue boasts everything from rides to bowling and mini golf, and it achieves this all in style.
At this time, NEB’s is in the midst of a transition phase. Evolution isn’t particularly new to them, but in recent years, the facility has seen drastic changes, the most notable of which include a larger building, relocated entrance, modern attractions, and a strong pivot towards theming.
A visit to NEB’s will begin with the extravagant main gateway, which has been built with no grandeur spared. Upon entering, guests will find themselves in a plaza of sorts, facing the first of many new medieval facades to come. To your left are the attractions, while to your right are the admission counters and bowling lanes spanning as far as the eye can see.
The business’s roots in bowling sprawl back to a century ago, when it humbly began as Motor City Bowling Club in the fall of 1925. Today it features an incredible 52 lanes with the option to play either 5- or 10-pin bowling; it has the further distinction of being the world’s largest 5-pin alley.
Adjacent to the bowling alley is a highly stylized lounge and bar, which spans 6,000 square feet and offers everything from pool tables to flat-screen TVs, in addition to a wide variety of beverages. The attached restaurant serves a wide menu with mobile ordering, filling out what would be a perfectly sustainable venue on its own.
Also bordering the bowling alley is an arcade. Half of NEB’s machines are located here, although more are sprinkled among the attraction’s building.
The amusement park section is the other main draw and has come far beyond its humble origins. What started as a claustrophobic warehouse was recently rebuilt into a massive hall capable of fitting taller attractions. A few eggs have been broken in the making — namely the retirement of a couple of older children’s rides and the popular Go-Kart track. However, the current offerings are proof of a growing incentive.
The three main flat rides on the floor are Moser’s Skyline Screamer drop tower and two fresh arrivals from last year: a ChronoZ and Speedway from Zamperla. The ChronoZ is presently the only one of its kind operating in North America and provides some much-needed spectacle despite not being particularly thrilling.
Coaster enthusiasts will get their fill on Sparetime Express, a perfectly respectable kiddy coaster from E&F Miller. It achieved notoriety for being constructed above the former Go-Kart track, although it currently exists in a quieter corner with the bumper cars. More on that later.
The widely lamented Go-Karts have since been replaced by a trio of six-hole mini golf courses, all of which employ immaculate setpieces. Players can participate in Castle Golf, Jade City, or the Shipyard.
Elsewhere on the floor, guests will find a huge soft playground, Triotech XD Dark Ride, various coin-operated motion attractions and more arcade games. It’s admittedly a grander experience for kids rather than adults, for now at least.
As mentioned before, NEB’s has a bright future in store. At the IAAPA Expo in 2023, Triotech unveiled for them the first-ever SuperFly theatre, allowing 46 passengers at a time to ride while standing up. Supports have been placed for a new building within the building, the second level of which is expected to house the attraction.
In the long term, Sparetime Express will make way for the largest SBF Visa spinning coaster layout that NEB’s can get their hands on. In true NEB’s style, the roof will be raised yet again, and the back area will be remodeled into something nicer. Plans have also been considered to one day realize a roller skating rink and laser tag arena.
Overall, NEB’s Fun World has something to recommend for everyone, whether it be a quick stop for credit counting enthusiasts, a rainy day’s adventure for children, or a fun outing for a group. If you’re willing to make the trek out, you may find a family entertainment center that will continue growing its appeal with time.
Have you visited NEB’s Fun World? Let us know in the comments section below.
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