Niagara Falls Recommendations, Please!

[DisneyDadof4]

We are planning a long weekend trip to Niagara Falls in October with my parents and our four children (ages 11, 9, 6 and 3). DH and I haven't been to Niagara Falls in 20+ years, so I was hoping to get some recommendations on hotels, restaurants and attractions. We don't want to go crazy spending money, so a few budget-minded recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I understand that printable coupons are available for some places online...anyone know a good website? Oh, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that we DO NOT need passports. (We are driving.)

Thanks a bunch!

Michelle (the DisneyMomof4)

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We went last year and stayed at the Embassy Suites Fallsview. It wasn't a ton of $ (relative to WDW) and we were on the 34th floor with a view of American and Horseshoe Falls. We could watch the fireworks from our room! Our kids really enjoyed it.
It comes with a fridge and coffeemaker and has a separate living room with a sofa-bed (in addition to 2 queens in the bedroom.) Great to have a little extra space for a large family.
They also have a great indoor pool and Manager's Reception every night, free drinks (non-alc.) and snacks.
You can get rooms with no view of the falls and it's cheaper and can then use AAA discount but this was a bit of a splurge for us. Also a Sat. night stay was outrageous so we went Sun.-Tues.
Food was really expensive in restaurants so be prepared. (made WDW seem low-budget) Chicken fingers/burgers kind of meal in TGIFriday's was about $50 for us, 2 adults, 2 kids, 6 & 9.
Sorry I can't help with the passport question since we had ours anyway. Seems like they keep changing the rules. I would find out for sure since I heard it's been taking several months to get one lately. (see Disney cruise boards)
Good luck and have a great time.

 

[momofdbsdc]

If you are going to the Canadian side of the Falls in Oct. , you will need birth certificates and drivers liscenses.

 

[Davey-D-99]

Here is link to the same topic on the Canadian thread...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1490564

BTW...
We live 40 minutes from the Falls and go quite a bit for a quick getaway.
The Doubletree and Radison are the most "reasonable" on Fallsview Blvd.
Fallsview Blvd is where the New Casino is.

The Hotels on Lundy's Lane are more reasonable but further away.
Clifton Hill is a great kid freindly area plus the old Casino, plus the new indoor waterpark (spectacular)

 

[new englander]

We went last August and stayed at the Hilton on the falls, across the street from the casino, which has a beautiful view and an indoor 2storey waterslide. However; I would have been just as happy at the Holiday Inn down the hill (and closer to the falls) where we ate most of our meals. I would suggest getting the AAA tour guide.

 

[MissLori]

We are from upstate NY and our vote when we go to the Falls is definitely the Embassy Suites as previously mentioned, awesome hotel, includes breakfast buffet and great view of the Falls.