Need some help....questions about Niagara Falls, ON

[dtuleya]

This is definitely OT. I posted on the Communities board that we are going to Niagara Falls, ON, June 21-23 and I had some questions. Some suggested I post my questions here, so here goes.

First of all, we (DH, DS (8), DS (13) and me) originally thought about going to Sea World on our November trip to WDW, but after looking into prices, time, etc., we decided not to. The problem is, the boys would still like to see Killer Whales. I noticed that Marineland has killer whales and their prices seem alot more affordable. What is this park like. I'm sure it's not Sea World, but we're not even looking to stay an entire day there. May or may not "do rides" as we're going to Canada to experience the Niagara Falls area. We live near Hershey Park (PA) and are going to WDW in November, so we don't want to waste alot of time riding rides. DH and youngest son don't like rides that much anyway, and older son won't mind if we skip them.

I'm bidding for a hotel on priceline and these are the hotels they offer.

4 star - Marriott Fallsview
3 star - Sheraton Fallsview, Renissance and Hilton

Seems like alot of people have been getting the Sheraton when bidding about $40. However, I think I'd probably have to pay about double that to stay at the Marriott. Would it be worth it? We will book a cityview room and hope for an upgrade. What are these hotels like? Which one is has a better location either to the falls or to the area near the Rainforest Cafe, 3D Dinosaur ride, etc. My son (8) loves dinosaurs, what is the 3D Dinosaur ride like? It is very intense? He loves the Jurassic Park movies and doesn't scare very easily.

We'll be traveling arriving June 21 and leaving the 23rd. We plan on doing Maid of the Mist, maybe Marineland, maybe the Dinosaur ride. What else are must sees?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Baboo]

Glad you came over!
First off, let me remind you that with the exchange rate on our money, your $1 is worth about $1.50 Canadian. This will give you a lot more bang for your buck.
Here are the sites for the hotels you are considering.
www.niagarafallsmarriott.com
www.niagarafallshilton.com
www.fallsview.com (Sheraton)
www.renaissancefallsview.com
It has been too many years since we went to Marineland for me to pass comment on it for you, but I'm sure that someone will be able to help.
We saw the Dino ride when it was playing at Canada's Wonderland a few years ago. It was quite good, and I wouldn't say that it would be too intense for your son, if he isn't bothered by anything in Jurassic Park. It was pretty tame as I recall. It has a motion simulator similar to that in Star Tours (but slightly tamer).
The butterfly Conservatory is absolutely beautiful. i would highly reccomend seing it. When we were there a month ago, we all had butterflies land on us. These butterflies are absolutely breathtaking in their colours and size.
you can buy a pass that gives you entry to the Conservatory, Journey Behind the Falls, and 2 other attractions that escape me at the moment. It also includes unlimited travel on the people mover which is the bus system that goes around Niagara and makes it easy to get where you want to be. Parking there is sometimes hard to come by and expensive, so you might find it easier to just park and use the transit.
That's it for me for now, but I'm sure that others will have some advice for you. Have a great trip! I'm sure that you'll love Niagara Falls.

 

[emmalgin]

My inlaws Restaurant is a must do.... Half kidding. They owned a restaurant forever on the Canadian side and now have one on the US side (Chinese). If anyone golfs there are great courses at very good prices when you convert the dollar. Maid of the Mist is a must as is going under the falls. Both Hotels are nice as the area has certainly grown since the Casino was built.

There is way too much Kitschy sites, but there are beautiful flowers and gardening and very pleasent walks. There is a good little outlet mall for shopping on Lundy's Lane and on the US side a factory outlet with some really good deals.

Most Hotels offer weekend deals that include breakfasts and one dinner.

In all our years we have never done Marineland and imagine it would be disappointing if you've done Sea World so be forewarned.

For adults there is Niagara Wine Country where many small vineyards and vintnors serve wonderful wines. Also should drive to Niagara on the Lake which is picturesque and very lovely.

Ask more questions if you like.

 

[mickey65]

There is a travel ONtario coupon book that comes out sometime in April (it is not out yet) but if you are interested I can get you one and send it to you. Send me a PM if you are interested. They always have coupons for the falls in it.

 

[NancyK]

I think you'll be disappointed in Marineland if you've done Sea World. We live in the Niagara area, and although it's been a few years since we've been, most local people report that the whales don't perform the way they're supposed to. Definitely go on the Maid of the Mist. The butterfly conservatory is nice, too. We have a factory outlet mall on Lundy's Lane. They have a towel outlet, Nike, Black & Decker, Body Shop, Tommy Hilfiger, Roots, Danier Leather, Levis, etc. I mainly shop the towel outlet - they have some great deals there! If you have a chance, drive out to Niagara-on-the-Lake. If you happen to make it as far as St. Catharines (about a 15 minute drive), check out the Welland Canal. I never get tired of seeing the ships go through the locks. Make sure you exchange your money at a bank (either at home or here). You'll get a better exchange rate than if you use U.S. money at a store. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[dtuleya]

We've never been to Sea World, so we really won't have anything to compare it to.

We will be arriving before lunchtime on a Friday morning. Where is the best place to exchange money, when we get into Canada or in the US? I had just planned on using our ATM card as much as possible. Thanks for telling me to switch to Canadian $, I didn't realize we'd get a better exchange rate by exchanging it before spending. Duh, you can see how much we travel out of the US. Any other helpful hints?

 

[Niagara2]

The Marriott and Sheraton are one block apart but Marriott is newer. Marineland is not Seaworld....if going back to Orlando I suggest you wait for Seaworld. Attracations.... Yes - Maid of the Mist, Journey behind the Falls, Butterfly Conservatory, Skylon or Minolta Tower, Imax Theater and Clifton Hill for the Kids. If priceline doesn't work there are 100's of smaller hotel and motel properties at good prices. There is a Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, Casino and more....but please.....enjoy the Majestic Falls.....natures beauty beats them all!

 

[NancyK]

You might want to check into exchanging your money in your own bank branch at home. (It might save you a service charge.) There is a Royal Bank right at the top of Clifton Hill which will exchange money for you. You will probably get $1.50 or more Canadian for every U.S. dollar that you have. My husband is in retail, and if you handed his cashier U.S. dollars, they would only give you about $1.40 Canadian for each U.S. dollar. So your money is going to go further if you exchange it at the bank.

 

[dtuleya]

After weeks of bidding on priceline.com, I finally had an offer accepted. This was the hardest time I have ever bid on priceline. I was flexible with my dates and we are staying at the Sheraton on the Falls, Falls Avenue for $45/night. That's about half-price of the going rate for those dates. I would have preferred Sheraton Fallsview, but I won't complain. Does anybody have any first hand knowledge of this hotel?

Where can I find out information on the people mover? Thanks again!

 

[NancyK]

Hi Denise,
The people mover bus and many local attractions are run by the Niagara Parks Commission. You can buy a people mover ticket that's good for the whole day. This way you can get off at an attraction and get back on the people mover when you are ready. Check out www.niagaraparks.com for lots of information.

 

[NancyK]

Here's another website that might be useful. www.infoniagara.com

 

[dtuleya]

Thanks again, NancyK, you're terrific!

 

[sweetheart2576]

i AM FROM NIAGARA FALLS,NY AND I HAVE FOUND THE BEST EXCHANGE RATE TO BE AT THE CASINO. WE GO TO TORONTO EVERY SUMMER AND BEFORE I HEAD THERE I EXCHANGE MY MONEY AT THE CASINO. I HAVE EXCHANGED MONEY AT MY OWN BANK BEFORE AND EVEN AT A BANK OVER THERE BUT STILL FIND THE CASINO GIVES THE BEST EXCHANGE RATE. HAVE FUN. NIAGARA FALLS CANADA IS BEAUTIFUL AND THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO.

 

[dtuleya]

We live in a smaller town about 6 hours away from Canada and my local banks do not carry Canadian currency, so I was wondering where I should exchange. We will be staying at Sheraton on the Falls which, I think, isn't too far away from the casino. That will save me some hassles. Also, does anybody know where I can get discount coupons/tickets for Marineland and Maid of the Mist? I already ordered our Explorer's Passport Pluses today. This saved me about $40, and apparently the rates will be going up soon, so I saved even more $$$.