Niagara Falls are residents?

[dolcezena]

If anyone out there could help me out by answering a few questions for me, I'd really appreciate it!

I FINALLY managed to convince my DF that a honeymoon at DW would be a blast (ok, he's doing it because he loves me & I want it so much ), BUT we had originally planned to elope to Niagara & get married on the Maid of the Mist. Part of the reason for this is we figured we could do a few winery tours as entertainment while we were there. (We both work for the MB Liquor Commission & I've met several winemakers from Ontario).

Anyway, I know he's a little disappointed, because we can't afford both, but I'm thinking maybe we can....

Our flight from Wpg to Orlando has to connect through TO anyway, so it might be doable!

How far from TO is Niagara Falls? (We've never been further east than Kenora!) Other then driving, any ideas on the cheapest way to do that? How far is" wine country" from the actual falls? (ie - I guess I mean places on the Niagara Escarpment) If we drove, are all the highways as scary sounding as the 401? If not, is there some form of public transportation to the winery areas?

OK, that was more than a few questions! But I'd still really appreciate any help!

 

[sean-1966]

This is what I would do. Fly from Winnipeg to Toronto. Rent a car. The Falls is about 1.5 hours from the airport. Do your wine tours, Falls viewing whatever you want. Then return the car and get Niagara Airbus to take you to Buffalo to fly to Florida. Buffalo is about 45 minute from the Falls and a heck of alot cheaper to fly out of. You won't have any problems driving from Toronto airport to Niagara as long as you don't fly in during rush hour. Basically 3 pm to 7 pm any week day. No public transportation to the wineries. Most are out in the country. I think there are some tours you can book though. BTW on your return trip just do Orlando to Toronto, skip the Buffalo stop. I just wanted to make sure that was clear. If I can help anymore e-mail me.
sean.anita@sympatico.ca

 

[dolcezena]

Thanks sooo much for your advice!!! Looked into it (getting a general idea of prices off Expedia) & it turns out that if we go Wpg, TO, Niagara, Buffalo, Orlando, it'll cost LESS than Wpg-Orlando direct!! And that's with 2 nights hotel & car rental!!!!

Plus, Googled map directions for the wineries - had no idea some were so close to the actual falls! Even some that I have an "in" with! Thanks so much & you may be hearing from me closer to trip time!

 

[sean-1966]

Not a problem. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Jewel99]

First off, congratulations on your upcoming marriage. My husband and I honeymooned in WDW in October 1999 and we had an amazing time.

Many others have given you some good advice re. the Niagara region and travelling out of Buffalo. When we went to WDW in May 2005, we flew out of Buffalo as it was so cheap on Southwest.

As our flight left around 9:30 in the a.m., we decided to go the night before and stay overnight. By checking around, we were able to book a hotel that included breakfast and a transfer to the hotel for the same price as we would have paid to park the car at the airport for the 5 days we were gone, and it made it so much easier for all of us not to be worrying about delays at the border the morning of the flight. The hotel wasn't anything fancy, but it was clean, comfortable, close to the airport and the breakfast wasn't bad at all.

Best of luck with your planning and have a wonderful trip!

Julie