anyone stay at the indoor waterpark in Niagara Falls 4 hotels?

[Susan2771]

We have never done the indoor waterpark in Niagara Falls, and I see that there are 4 properties with "indoor connections" to the waterpark facilities. Has anyone stayed at any of the 4 hotels? In terms of indoor connections, is it just long hallways that connect to the waterpark? I remember once someone telling me that they stayed at a property that was directly connected to the waterpark and they would just step out their sliding doors from their room and into the waterpark. From reading the hotel descriptions though, I'm not sure which property is completely direct to the waterpark without a long walk.

Also, did you need to bring your own beach towels, or were their towels provided for the waterpark?

Thank-you!!!
Susan

 

[shoppgirl]

We stayed at the Sheraton on the Falls hotel when we visited the waterpark. The hike to the waterpark is a lengthy one from this hotel. You can walk through an arcade, some walkways, past the Hard Rock Cafe, through to the Crowne Plaza (the Crowne Plaza is the hotel that is directly attached to the elevator to the park) and then finally to the garage elevator (and there is only ONE elevator to take you up to the waterpark, so it can become congested when you go prime time. The only way to enter the waterpark is via an elevator. THe waterpark is built on the top floor of a parking garage!

I liked the Sheraton, and personally think it is the nicest one of the four. We had a beautiful room on a high floor with a view of the falls, and a fireplace! We were there on an evening when there were fireworks over the falls so it was fabulous and made the hike to the park worth it! We had dinner at the hotel and because we were there early enough kids eat free at the buffet with a paid adult. The girls were welcomed with a kids' welcome loot bag thing which they liked. If it is within your budget, I do not recommend the "traditional rooms"..these are located on the lower floors, and the hallways have not been refurbished, with poor views.


Notes about the park:

We first arrived at around 2ish on a Sunday and the park was at near capacity because there was a group event at the time. There were only small lockers for our wallets and valuables for rent, and I had to bring our bags and clothes INTO the water park!!! We left the park for dinner but returned in the evening (and the next morning) , and finding lockers were not an issue at this time. The change rooms are big with only a couple of private rooms. The family change stalls are nice and big too. I really liked this as even Great Wolf Lodge does not offer family change rooms. The towels are your typical waterpark towels: small and thin. I highly recommend bringing your own.

Hope this helps!

 

[Susan2771]

Thank-you for responding Shopgirl. Your information was incredibly helpful. A fireplace in a hotel room sounds amazing Thanks for confirming that it is the Crowne Plaza with direct access. That will have to be the one we stay at though. We are going with 2 little ones and the thought of having to do a long walk with them and back and running back to the hotel if something is forgotten isn't going to work. If it was just my husband and myself it would be fireplace and beautiful views all the way! With the girls we need conviencence and easy access. I had no idea it was built on top of a garage! Should be interesting. It sounds like you had a great time there though and I'm really looking forward to going! Now I just need to find a dogsitter and actually book it, ha!

 

[kamanda]

We've stayed at all the hotels there with the waterpark package at various times over the past 2 years. We prefer that waterpark more than Great Wolf Lodge.

If price is not a factor (ie. same for the 3 connected hotels), we actually preferred the Skyline Inn. The Hampton Inn is not connected at all. Their rooms faced indoor courtyards and there were movie nights so the kids were able to take their blankets and sit in the courtyard. There is an indoor walkway and the kids loved walking across - its glass so they can look outside at the ferris wheel and other sights the whole time. They also had queen sized beds.

Crown Plaza had double beds.

Sheraton - stayed there many many times. They tend to have the higher prices and the longest walk so that usually swayed us away.

 

[Susan2771]

Thanks for the post kamanda! The price is the same (well depending on the room category) for the Crowne and the Skyline. My husband wants to stay as close as possible to our room just because we know that we will be carrying the kids back and that loaded with towels, clothes, etc is not going to be fun if we have to go to much of a distance. The movies in the courtyard sound like a great treat!