Great Wolf Lodge and cross-border shopping (USA)

[shoppgirl]

When we cross the border, the customs officer asks how much do you have to declare, and the driver (my DH usually) gives one total and does not break it down per person. They can see how many people are in the car and they will decide if you're worth taxing or not. Try not to stress too much about this process...if it looks like you're nervous or have something to hide, they will pick up on it! Just tell the truth and pay the 13% tax if you have to, not a big deal (5% if you're buying kids stuff).

The Gymboree outlet just opened late last year at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara (the only large outlet mall close to the border)

Fashion Outlets of Niagara
1900 Military Road
Niagara Falls NY 14304

It's a great store with tons of stuff! It's close to the Osh Kosh and Gap outlets. I always walk out of that place with a huge bag full of clothes for my girls, much to my husband's dismay I'm sure!

Google map the address. You can definitely go over, shop like crazy (I always do a power shop at the mall myself), and then fill your gas tank up first before crossing back...gas is still cheaper in the US. I have done it in 2 hours! We always eat at Honey's (amazing chicken wings and pizza) and they have a restaurant right at the Outlet Mall (not IN the mall, but you will see it in the parking lot area as a separate building). Have fun shopping! I wish I was going, but I'm heading to shop the outlets in Vegas in a couple of weeks!

 

[biggroofy]

Thanks again shoppgirl! We'll take your advice (except the grandparents insist to come with us for cross-border shopping - so all six of us will go together after check out at GWL)

Any restaurants nearby that we can get good buffalo wings without driving into Buffalo?

P.S. I bought my GPS at BestBuy last week - I guess it's better to bring the original receipt (just in case) to prove that this is bought in Canada

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Do you guys think we can be back (to hotel) in 4 hours (including traffic)?

You can do it in four hours but I can guarantee you will feel as if you didn't get enough time in for shopping. My advice is to google the Fashion Outlet and scroll through which stores you want to do. In 2.5 hours which is about how much shopping time you will have you'll need a list of 4 maybe 5 stores only to go to. Keep to your list and attack the stores the same way you tour Disney. Hit the big busier stores first. Perhaps since the grandparents are coming the once you have decided what you want to purchase you can leave them in line at the store to pay for it while you move on to the next store. Then they can join you at the next one.

 

[biggroofy]

Thank you everyone! We are back home!

Got a $129/night offer from GWL on the check-out date so extended our stay for another night. Not sure why, my GPS kept asking me to use Whirlpool Bridge - but when we got there it displays card-holder access only. Headed towards Queenston Lewiston Bridge around 10:30am this morning - waited for 40 minutes before we could cross border.

Arrived Walmart at 5555 porter Rd around 11:40am - a little disappointed. They do not have the variety we saw in Orlando, and the stock is limited. At least we are able to get some Rainbow fish crackers, Pampers bibs, etc.

Had lunch at Applebee Bar & Grill (located in Fashion outlet), ordered Boneless Buffalo Wings - which appeared to be Buffalo style chicken nuggets

The outlet mall was very quiet today - possibly it is a weekday. We were the only customer in Gymboree outlet. They had a big sale and we bought 6 shirts/pants and costs us only $35 USD.

Shopped for a tiny bit in the fashion outlet and then we headed off to Target. Cool, we found the Starbucks Iced Expresso (4-in-a-pack) but there were only two packs available. DW seemed she prefers Target to Walmart.

We went back around 3:00pm - this time we chose Rainbow bridge (didn't know this is a toll bridge) - the wait wasn't too bad - maybe 15 minutes? I handed our passports along with all receipts to the custom officer, and he asked "How do you people know each other in this car?" I said, "I believe, I knew my parents when I was born, and I met my wife in highschool, while I knew my kids when they were born....." He laughed, and says "so what's the purpose of your trip and how long you guys were away?" I said a few hours, and we just do some shopping, total for $280 USD. He then scanned our receipts and asked if we are bring in any weapons etc, and after all, he returned the passports back to us and said have a good day

 

[Diamondintheruff]

We got offered the $129 deal last time we were at GWL too.

Glad your wife loved Target.

A little humour goes a long way with the border guards.

So when is your next cross-border shopping trip planned for?

 

[2meezers]

If you wanted great wings....you should have crossed the parking lot and went to Honey's!!! Awesome wings and a Buffalo staple!!......They moved top the outlet mall from their original location years ago....but same great wings!

Another thing to keep in mind for future trips....we always stay at the Holiday Inn (either Grand Island or Amherst)....nice indoor pools and rooms and kids always eat free....a good savings when you factor that in. We usually do a weekend trip in late August....back to school shopping and a day trip to Fantasy Island.....small amusement park but tons of fun for the kids since the rides are really aimed for them and they do have a pretty fun water park!

Glad to hear your trip went well!

 

[biggroofy]

So when is your next cross-border shopping trip planned for?

Now planning.....

DW wanted to do a 2-3 nights trip to US in August, so it will be a shopping + vacation trip. I just posted here - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1876855

Not sure how far we could go. Maybe Buffalo, or suggested by Fantasy Island suggested 2meezers?

 

[silverstar]

hi, I haven't posted here in a long time, I tried to start a new thread but it wouldn't let me start one, (not sure why)
Anyways I was wondering...has anyone here gone to the mall of america. We are thinking of making that one of our summer destinations.

 

[brighteyes]

Thank you everyone! We are back home!

Got a $129/night offer from GWL on the check-out date so extended our stay for another night. Not sure why, my GPS kept asking me to use Whirlpool Bridge - but when we got there it displays card-holder access only. Headed towards Queenston Lewiston Bridge around 10:30am this morning - waited for 40 minutes before we could cross border.

I am heading to GWL on Thursday night, currently only booked for one night. I was contemplating on adding another night before our GWL stay at the Days Inn on Clifton Hill for 129.00. But was wondering if I would get offered the 129.00 for a Friday night.

If you don't mind me asking, what night was your 129.00 offer? I am debating on just booking the Days Inn before our stay or gambling on the 129.00 offer on a Friday.

Decisions, decisions,

Thanks

Stephanie

 

[biggroofy]

If you don't mind me asking, what night was your 129.00 offer? I am debating on just booking the Days Inn before our stay or gambling on the 129.00 offer on a Friday.

Decisions, decisions,

Thanks

Stephanie

Hi Stephanie,

We were supposed to check out on Jun 24 (Tues). On Tuesday morning we got the $129 offer (at the back of the bill). This is a very good deal because we were in the one bedroom (Majestic Bear) suite that costs $449 or so per night. On Jun 25 (Wed), we got the same offer at the back of our bill, but this time we did not take it because we were heading off for our first cross-border shopping.

If you wish to get the $129 offer, the best bet would be a Mon-Thu check-out date. I would assume they are quite full on Fri - Sun and might not give this offer.

Also check another thread (Great Wolf Review), I saw someone posted that they got a $129 or $199 (?) deal from a website too.

Good luck!

 

[brighteyes]

Hi Stephanie,

We were supposed to check out on Jun 24 (Tues). On Tuesday morning we got the $129 offer (at the back of the bill). This is a very good deal because we were in the one bedroom (Majestic Bear) suite that costs $449 or so per night. On Jun 25 (Wed), we got the same offer at the back of our bill, but this time we did not take it because we were heading off for our first cross-border shopping.

If you wish to get the $129 offer, the best bet would be a Mon-Thu check-out date. I would assume they are quite full on Fri - Sun and might not give this offer.

Also check another thread (Great Wolf Review), I saw someone posted that they got a $129 or $199 (?) deal from a website too.

Good luck!

Thanks for responding so quickly.
I booked my original room from that last minute website for 139.00 for the family suite, so I did good there. I think my best bet if I want to stay the Friday night is to book it on the same website. I think that Fri night is going for 199.00. Or to book the days Inn at Clifton Hill for 129.00 on the same site.

Next time I will know to book my first night earlier in the week.

Whatever I decide we will have a great time.

Thanks again. And glad you enjoyed your stay.

Stephanie