Niagara 2015

[solfan68]

A few years back we got passports for our Disney cruise. This year we want to use them for a brief trip to Niagara Falls while DS12's is still valid. We're in the NE, so travel is not a big deal. Not sure where to stay. As long as we're going to do it, I think we'd like a hotel with a falls view. Is this just Canada ? Its been far too many years since I was there as a kid, so the only attraction that comes immediately to mind is The Maid of The Mist. Wondering what my fellow DISers can tell me about Niagara in the 21st century. Where to stay. What to see. Fill me in.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

We went April 2014 and stayed in a falls view room at the Embassy Suites. Huge room and complimentary breakfast. The kids loved the pool too. Depending on what time of year you go there are package deals that include the circulating bus and the main attractions.
Try this link
http://www.niagaraparks.com/niagara-falls-deals/vacation-packages.html

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Go to tripadvisor.com, search for Niagra Falls, and start reading.

 

[Jaya]

Riding the big sky wheel on the Canadian side is really fun, but don't do it on a very windy day. I did and I couldn't wait to get out of it.....I was very nervous with the motion.

There's a big park on the American side that's free and gives you a great view of the falls. And, of course, the view from the Canadian side is great, too.

The Maid of the Mist was great. I haven't taken the tour "under" the falls, but I've heard that's interesting (you'll get damp, though).

 

[akcire]

Make a reservation and eat in the Skylon Tower. There are special prices for the lunch menu. I think we ate at 3, it was the last lunch.

It was our entire families favorite thing. Even my 3 year old loved it. We had such an incredible view, and shockingly the food was good.

You may also consider, depending on your available time, traveling to Toronto. It was only a couple hours drive. We had a great time there.

Finally, make sure you check out a Target in CA. We found a ton of really cute Disney merchandise there that we never saw in USA.

 

[mhf]

We stayed on the Canadian side in a Marriott. Terrific view of falls and breakfast was included. There are 2 Marriotts about a block apart so check prices at both. Some rooms have kitchenettes and pull out sofas. Easy to walk to most places but we did take the inclinator up once.

 

[antmaril]

Embassy Suites Fallsview on the Canadian Side. Great views, two room suites, breakfast, appetizers and drinks in the afternoon. Very nice. Maid of the Mist is a must. Big Fun! Niagara On-The-Lake is about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls. Beautiful small town. Lots of cute shops. Calm compared to Niagara Falls.

 

[solfan68]

Thanks for all of the thoughts, gang. Good info to have !

 

[Vernie822]

We live on the PA/NY border so we enjoy going to the falls.

If you're a shopper, the outlets in Niagara Falls NY are really great. There are also lots of great wineries in the area.

If you do ever stay on the American side, Goat's Island is fun for a different view of the falls. The Giacomo is also an amazing hotel. It's a boutique style hotel and it's so different and fun. The complimentary breakfast there is outstanding.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Groupon and Living Social have great deals for rooms. I would highly recommend looking there for rooms and deals.

 

[clori]

check out the Adventure Pass on the Canadian Side, Clifton Hill fun pass, and I think there is a Discovery Pass on the US side. I much preferred the Canadian Side but my favorite Falls activity was Journey Behind the Falls on the US side.

I didn't stay in a falls view hotel. I stayed at Country Inn and Suites which was walking distance from the Falls by walking up/down Clifton Hill. We had a 1 bedroom suite with 2 queen beds and a sofa bed. The hotel had a nice free breakfast and internet plus indoor pool. We parked at the hotel and walked or took the trolley included with the Adventure Pass for all the places we went to in Niagara Falls Canada.

If you want to see the fireworks over the falls they are only shown certain nights.

 

[buffalogirl]

Another vote for the Embassy Suites Fallsview. Sign up to be on their email list- they offer lots of discounted package deals.

You may also want to post this on the Canadian Forum of the dis boards, you'll find lots of helpful people from Southern Ontario.

 

[hodgieha]

I live in the area but my db and I like to play tourist. We like the hilton fallsview hotel. They have suites where there is a bedroom and a separate living room. ( has a pullout couch).
Things to do:
-Maid of the mist( either side)
-Nightmares, only if child likes haunted houses( year round haunted house that is good)-lundys lane (top of Clifton hill)
-Cave of the winds (American side)
-Three sisters and goat island (American side)
-Whirlpool Jet boat tours ( either side)- great boat ride and best if you sit in first couple rows
-Clifton hills lots of fun touristy things to do

Don't recommend doing the behind the falls tour on the Canadian side

 

[Gisele]

You should really consult a fully licensed and experienced medical professional if interested in Viagra.

 

[OKW Lover]

Another recommendation for staying on the Canadian side. The American side seems to be very run-down, commercialized area. The Canadian side is nicer and has a better view of the falls. We've stayed at the Marriott Fallsview and really enjoyed the view of the falls at night from our window.

 

[DisMom829]

Another recommendation for staying on the Canadian side. The American side seems to be very run-down, commercialized area. The Canadian side is nicer and has a better view of the falls. We've stayed at the Marriott Fallsview and really enjoyed the view of the falls at night from our window.

Do you remember the address, was it 6740 Fallsview Blvd? The Marriott says there are 2 locations on Fallsview?

 

[OKW Lover]

Do you remember the address, was it 6740 Fallsview Blvd? The Marriott says there are 2 locations on Fallsview?

Yes, that's the one. We booked a package that included a credit for dinner in the restaurant and I think breakfast. It was a couple of years ago so it might not be offered anymore.

 

[DisMom829]

Yes, that's the one. We booked a package that included a credit for dinner in the restaurant and I think breakfast. It was a couple of years ago so it might not be offered anymore.

They do still offer the dinner package with $40 CAD meal credit! Thank you so much for the tip!

 

[mombrontrent]

They do still offer the dinner package with $40 CAD meal credit! Thank you so much for the tip!

Don't let the "meal credit" reel you in. Most places that offer a meal voucher/credit are ridiculously over-priced and thus you are not really getting any savings. Until recently we lived 2 hours from Niagara Falls and have taken many long weekend trips there with the kids. We one got free breakfast at Denny's that was so horrible we didn't go back for the free breakfast the next day. Most restaurants in the main tourist section are overpriced. If you drive 10 min. away into the commercial parts of the city you can find more reasonably priced restaurants.

We have only stayed on the Canadian side as the American side seems a lot more run-down. It is much cheaper to go in off-season and still get decent weather, think May-June or Sept. If you have kids you can get a much better rate at Great Wolf Lodge anytime other then July or August and it is a lot of fun there. We have seen most attractions and our favorites are the Ripley's museum, Maid of the Mist, Journey behind the Falls and the Butterfly Conservatory.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Another vote for Embassy Suites Fallsview.
We chose a Sunday-Tues stay because their weekend rate was so expensive. We had a great view of the falls on something like the 34th floor. We could see the fireworks from our room.
The hotel sold a variety of tour packages that included Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, the big observation tower (forget what that's called) and a butterfly conservatory.
I think an IMAX show was included too but we never got to it. Ds14 was only 6 then and could only sit through tours for so long.

All Embassy Suites offer a great breakfast and Manager's Reception each evening. Lots of snacks, soft drinks and I think 2 coupons for alcoholic drinks too.