First trip to Canada!

[toystorymom]

Hi everyone, I hope you don't mind me invading the Canada board. I'm usually on the DIS planning my trip to the World but it's not meant to be this year so we thought we would try something totally different and take a trip to Niagara Falls. We have 3 kids (12, 10, 8) and this is a first trip to Canada for any of us. We will be travelling during the summer months.

Any advice or general information? We will be driving and staying for 3 or 4 nights. And sorry if this is a really stupid question - Do the tourist attractions accept US dollars or will we need to change our money? Where would be the best place to do that? I imagine we will use credit/debit cards for most things but I guess we should have some cash.

Any other suggestions on things not to miss?

Thanks for any and all help. I am really looking forward to visiting!

 

[Mickey1Fan]

http://www.niagarafallstourism.com/

Maybe this will help answer some questions? I don't go to Niagara Falls too often and when I do I pass through to the U.S.A. for shopping.

 

[lovemyboys2009]

http://www.niagarafallstourism.com/

Maybe this will help answer some questions? I don't go to Niagara Falls too often and when I do I pass through to the U.S.A. for shopping.

this site will help you for sure....there are tons of hotels/motels in the area in every price range....

great wolf lodge is a water park like hotel and I've heard it's great, fallsview inn also has a water park and there is one more but I can't think of it...

maybe check out Marineland...the maid of the mist....and the list goes on...

you won't be bored that's for sure....

I'm not sure if they accept US money or not...probably easier to have some canadian money!! You can charge to your credit card and then if it's the same as here in Canada they charge you the exchange rate for that day....

hope this helps!!

 

[toystorymom]

That site was great, thanks. We are building quite a list of things to do, should be lots of fun.

I was still trying to decide about Marineland. How is it, worth spending a day there?

 

[tjbaggott]

Many many years ago, when I worked in retail, we did accept American money and gave the daily exchange rate. Don't know if stores still work that way though. But I would imagine they would.
As for Marine Land, We've always loved it! Though we haven't been there since going to Disney World, so I think it might not hold the same WOW to us any more. Although I do remember the whale and dolphin show as being quite awesome! If it's one of your kids birthdays, they might have a chance at being kissed by a killer whale! I would describe Marine Land as Enjoyable yet relaxing!

 

[braydensmom]

They still do accept US dollars, but will penalize you a certain %, might even make it par. I know that my ex and his parents (all americans) use their credit cards with no penalty when they visit up here, so that may be something that is worth calling your credit card company about. Also make sure that you call the credit card company to let them know you will be in Canada so they dont think it has been stolen and freeze your account.
Things to do: Butterfly Conservatory, Maid of the Mist, Whirlpool Jetboat, Casino Niagara (for the adults), Clifton Hill (haunted houses, wax museums, etc), Niagara-on-the-Lake (wine country, beautiful to simply drive through), Laura Secords house (a location of the war of 1812), and the list goes on and on.... Do a little historical research on people who have gone over the falls or how the falls were created and you can have a fun lesson for your kids to learn while you are visiting.
Dont forget that you will now need a passport to come and visit Canada!
Hope that this helps, and hope you have a great trip!

 

[Mickey1Fan]

As I reply there is a Marineland ad playing on the radio.

Maybe things have changed but I have not been to Marineland for years because of the conditions in which the animlas were kept.

Hopefully someone else has been in recent years and can answer in a knowledgeable way.

Lynda

 

[braydensmom]

OT but in reference to last PP

We were at the Toronto Zoo last weekend, and it was even disturbing there now that we have spent so much time at Disney's Animal Kingdom. I was really disappointed that there was no one around to answer questions about the animals and that you had to be there at a certain time to speak to the trainer and all the times were the same.
We did get to talk to the kangaroo keeper...it was pouring rain, and virtually no one was there, and the kangaroos came right up to us, but its sad that she was the only person we talked to all day.... I MISS DISNEY WORLD!!!