Cineplex Cinemas Queensway & VIP — Attraction in Toronto

Cineplex Queensway has been my go-to theatre for years, and it continues to offer a reliable, entertaining movie experience—whether you’re heading out for a blockbuster, a date night, or a family outing. It’s a large, well-equipped theatre with a lot going for it, though there are definitely a few areas that could use a bit of attention.

Let’s start with the location—super convenient, right off the Gardiner with tons of free parking, which is a rare gem in Toronto. It’s also next to XSCAPE Entertainment Centre, some casual dining spots, and even a Costco nearby, so you can really make a full outing of it.

Inside, the theatre is spacious and lively, with multiple regular auditoriums and a VIP section for those wanting a more elevated experience. The lobby is wide and open with self-serve ticket kiosks, which are generally efficient, though they can get a little chaotic during peak times. Staff are usually polite and helpful, though you can tell they’re sometimes understaffed when it’s really busy.

Now the VIP experience is definitely worth trying at least once. The comfortable reclining seats, licensed lounge, and in-seat food and drink service (including alcohol) make it feel a bit more special. It’s great for date nights or when you want a more adult, relaxed vibe. The food isn’t mind-blowing, but for theatre food, it’s decent—flatbreads, burgers, fries, etc. Prices are a bit steep, but that’s expected.

In the regular theatres, the UltraAVX screens are impressive, offering excellent picture and powerful sound. The seats are comfortable, though a bit worn in some theatres and could use an upgrade. Cleanliness is usually decent, but it can vary by auditorium—we’ve had some screenings with a ton of popcorn left on the seats or floor from the previous show, and sometimes trays or empty drink cups still left behind.

One minor gripe is the concession area, which is often understaffed. Lines can get really long, especially on weekends or opening nights, and mobile orders aren’t always ready when you arrive. If you’re in a rush, it can get frustrating. That said, they do have all the classic snacks and drinks, along with some fancier items like poutine, pretzel bites, and milkshakes.

Washrooms are plentiful and easy to find, though during busy nights, they sometimes feel like they’re overdue for a cleaning.

The auditoriums themselves have solid screens and audio, and I’ve rarely had a bad viewing experience in terms of sound or picture quality. You can tell this location was once Cineplex’s crown jewel, and while it’s still holding up well, a little modernization wouldn’t hurt—especially with some newer theatres popping up across the GTA.

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Final Thoughts:

Cineplex Queensway is still one of the most popular and well-rounded theatres in Toronto. It has the size, the parking, the variety (regular, UltraAVX, VIP), and the convenience. It’s family-friendly, date-night worthy, and a reliable choice for any kind of movie night.

That said, crowds, slower service at concessions, and a bit of wear and tear in some areas prevent it from being a perfect 5-star spot. Still, it’s a place we keep coming back to because, at the end of the day, it delivers where it matters most: a solid movie experience.

Would I recommend it? Definitely—just plan ahead for snacks, maybe opt for VIP if you’re feeling fancy, and arrive a little early on busy nights.

Solid 4...

VIP is terrible. We went to the VIP section as we were hoping for a better experience than the regular theatres, but relative to the price, VIP is much worse. The movie started half an hour late. The kitchen messed up our order, then the waitress messed up our order.

The food selection is worse than the regular theatre section. Unless you just want popcorn and pop, you must order through the app or by one of the servers roaming the theatre. They have mostly high-end pub food and various alcohol (no Tim's, no brand-name pizza, no yogurt/ice cream on this side). A server took our order but a different server delivered the food.

The kitchen messed up our order. We had an order of fish and chips with poutine instead of fries, and chicken tenders with fries. The kitchen put the fish with regular fries and the chicken with the poutine. Then the server messed up by thinking the fish was chicken and the chicken was fish. We told her that she mixed up the dishes and the fries were also mixed up. Instead of doing anything at all she just stood there for an uncomfortable silence not doing anything, it was as if she had never served food before. It took quite a bit more nudging to get her to at least use her hands to give the fish to the right person and the chicken to the right person, (instead of having us walk all the way down the aisle to do her job for her).

The movie was supposed to start at 4pm but the projectionist didn't even come into the theatre until 4:26pm, the movie started a few minutes later. It's really ridiculous to have people waiting half an hour in front of a blank screen wondering when the movie will start.

In general the seats are a bit wider and comfortable than regular but the unmovable trays you eat on are uncomfortable and on the side facing someone you may not know. One side of the seat has a raisable armrest which presumably is how couples would sit, but on the other side is the unmovable tray facing another person's unmovable tray, so basically you would be eating facing a complete stranger. They could have at least made the tray movable as a swing towards you so you don't have to lean over your side to eat which is not good...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Cineplex Queensway VIP for the first time, and it was undeniably a unique cinematic experience. As a movie enthusiast, I've frequented various theaters, but this VIP encounter brought a new dimension to the traditional movie night.

Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the upscale ambiance. The VIP section exudes a sophisticated charm, creating an inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for a premium movie night. The service was prompt, and the staff's attention to detail added a touch of luxury to the overall experience.

One highlight of my visit was the ability to use my Scene points, making the outing not only entertaining but also cost-effective. Being able to redeem points for tickets and snacks added an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience. It's always a win when you can turn loyalty into entertainment.

Now, let's talk about the seating. While the seats at Cineplex Queensway VIP were undoubtedly comfortable, I found myself in a bit of a dilemma. Having recently experienced another cinema with full reclined seats, it's now a challenge to revert to anything less. The VIP seats were good, but once you've tasted the luxury of full recliners, it's hard to settle for anything less.

The VIP treatment extended to the cinematic offerings. The screen quality and sound system were top-notch, providing a truly immersive experience. The selection of movies was diverse, catering to various tastes, and the in-seat dining option added a delightful touch to the overall cinematic adventure.

Cineplex Queensway VIP is undoubtedly a great choice for those seeking an elevated movie experience. The ambiance, service, and Scene points integration make it a standout in the cinema landscape. However, for those who have savored the luxury of full reclined seats elsewhere, returning to anything less becomes a bit of a cinematic challenge. Despite this, my overall experience was positive, and I would recommend Cineplex Queensway VIP to anyone looking to infuse a bit of luxury into their...