Niagara Falls?

[mtemm]

We're actually planning on going there in late Aug. Has anyone ever stayed at the Marriott Fallsview? We're planning on staying there with points.
I'm so excited about going, I went as a kid and had a great time. My DH has never been, so he's really excited about seeing it for the first time.

dh and I went and stayed at the Marriott Fallsview and loved it...we splurged for a fallsview/king/jacuzzi room and it was so worth it. We had gorgeous views (similar to the embassys, they are right near each other).

like the embassy suites, we took the people mover down the hill to the falls...it was cool. yes, there was a charge, but it wasn't much, and it was literally right across from the falls.

make sure to do maid of the mist and the walk behind the falls.

 

[TiggerPiglet]

dh and I went and stayed at the Marriott Fallsview and loved it...we splurged for a fallsview/king/jacuzzi room and it was so worth it. We had gorgeous views (similar to the embassys, they are right near each other).

like the embassy suites, we took the people mover down the hill to the falls...it was cool. yes, there was a charge, but it wasn't much, and it was literally right across from the falls.

make sure to do maid of the mist and the walk behind the falls.

I'm so glad you liked it. I can't wait to go

 

[rockin_rep]

I didn't feel at ALL like kids were not welcomed. Many of the families I saw had kids. In fact, I sort of think the opposite... most of the rooms are set up to sleep 6. And there is a TGIFridays downstairs.

Beth

I don't think its that kids aren't *welcomed" as we've also stayed at the Embassy and the Marriott Fallsview next door (love those points!). They're also by the new(er) Casino, which is VERY busy... with adults only.

But these hotels are located FAR from all the touristy and *kid* attractions on Clifton Hill (love someone's description -- blocks of Chuck E Cheese!), and maid of the mist (the BEST attraction!)

If thats not your thing and you'll be in the hotel alot, then embassy and fallsview marriott would be fine. But if you have kids and plan on doing Maid of the Mist and the other stuff, it makes much more sense to stay on, or near, Clifton Hill. You will see what we mean when you arrive; despite the incline near embassy and fallsview marriott, you still must drive or else it's a L O N G walk. We don't mind walking (we're all runners) but its great being close to everything. (same concept why we stay on WDW property)

For us on vacation we spend very little time IN the room, so our choice of rooms is always based on LOCATION, and then the rate. So for a romantic getaway, embassy and marriott fallsview would be ok, but with kids, i'd stay in marriott by the falls or the clifton hill motels.

Oh, an FYI ~ that TGIFridays is over the top outragiously priced, as is the Denny's across the street. Breakfast for four came to almost $90 (CAN), still plenty in US Funds!

 

[threeboysmom]

Which is a better boat tour - the Maid of the Mist or the Whirlpool Jet Boats?? Is it worth the money to do both? Since I have 3 active boys, I'm thinking we should do the Whirlpool jet boats, but everyone keeps mentioning how the Maid of the Mist is not to be missed...

 

[darrose]

We did both. Both give you a totally different experience so if you can swing it I would advise doing both the maid of the mist and the jet boats. The jet boats are a drive away (think it took 15 to 20 minutes), but the maid of the mist launch area is right at the bottom of Clifton Hill.
Most people dont talk about this much, but we really enjoyed the American side Cave of the Mists tours. We got to actually get in the fall spray--think they called it Bridesmaid falls--and get sprayed so much we wondered why we bothered putting on rain coats. It was a blast, its amazing how loud even it was.
Plus after the tour, we took a long, leisure walk around the park and it was amazing how close we were able to get to the running water just before it went down the falls. (Think that part was called goats island and three sisters something). My dd was even able to buy some Native american jewelry at the American side park really cheap and the jewelry was goreous.
We toured the American side before crossing over to the Canadian side so we didnt have to worry about going back and forth.
Another neat spot we found was on the Canadian side. I think it was called the secret garden/ restaurant. Well, inside the area of the secret restaurant building was a really, really cool soverneir shop that had cheap things as well as expsensive things so the kids were able to buy a couple neat things. One was a small deck of cards with a view of the falls on the back of them.
We really enjoyed our trip to Geaguia lake, Cedar point, Niagara falls adventure last summer.

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi pinkgirlygirl!

We had a great time when we took the boys to Niagara Falls in 2001. I have pictures from that trip on my web site. We stayed down near Horseshoe Falls, which is on the Canadian side, at the Hilton. We really enjoyed it. We had a corner room that overlooked the Falls, it was beautiful! And we loved the restaurant on the top (34th, I think) floor of the hotel.

We did the Maid of the Mist, it was like being in the middle of rain downpour!

 

[rockin_rep]

For us on vacation we spend very little time IN the room, so our choice of rooms is always based on LOCATION, and then the rate. So for a romantic getaway, embassy and marriott fallsview would be ok, but with kids, i'd stay in marriott by the falls or the clifton hill motels.

Oh, an FYI ~ that TGIFridays is over the top outragiously priced, as is the Denny's across the street. Breakfast for four came to almost $90 (CAN), still plenty in US Funds!

Omigosh, it JUST occured to me, and i hope this doesn't confuse anyone, but i've been posting about MARRIOTTs --- when what i've been picturing and referring to are the SHERATONS!

I'm so sorry! I 've been working with all my FF points planning several trips with the different chains....oops. We've stayed in all the Falls properties and i still would choose ANY of the hotels on Clifton Hill (location, location, location!)

There is a SHERATON by the Falls, right off Clifton Hill, and there's a Sheraton Fallsview. There is ALSO a Mariott Fallsview! The one i believe most are referring to here as the best, is Sheraton by the Falls -- with the awesome highrise views (altho flimsy gates on doors opening outside, without balconies!) -- which is next door to the clifton hill area Comfort and Quality Inns.

Hope this helps and doesn't confuse...?? I must reeeeeally need a vacation! (wait, i just came BACK from vacation....!!! )

 

[pigletof4]

Legos Museum: very small attraction but really neat. Worth a look. Apparently one man spent a lot of time and $$ making these very intricate lego sculptures. If you like the Lego thing outside of DTD you will love this. hehe

Where was this located at. Although we will not have the kids this trip it would be nice to take them to the next time.

TIA

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Has anyone ever camped at the KOA in Niagara? We actualy prefer camping but another DISer said they thought that area was no longer "family friendly", to put it one way How about the Hampton Inn? Anyone been there?We've had fairly good luck with that chain when we've needed a place to stay on the road. Also, does anyone know how to order a tourist packet from up there? I'm sure they must have them, I know you can get them for places in the states but didn't see any listings on either of the Niagara web sites I went to. Thanks.

We camp a lot also, and had stayed at the KOA many many years ago. This past time (2002) we stayed at a place called Niagara Glen View on the Canadian side, it was clean, nice size sites, and the people were very friendly. There was a bus that stopped there often, we bought a pass for several days and could come and go as often as we wanted. We also brought our bikes, and there was a lot of space to ride. Another poster mentioned the butterfly place, we rode bikes there, (I believe it was about a 5 mile ride) which was very pleasant scenery.

I also second going to Toronto. That's what we did the second half of the week. Lots to do there, nice big zoo, and we did ride the subway a lot, which was a treat for our kids as we don't have that where we live.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Just a few quick questions for all you experts! I have been to NF many, many times. I was born there and still have family there. We have never taken our girls to the Canadian side and would like to take them to MarineLand the next time we will be up there. (Memorial weekend.) Could anyone tell me anything about this park.. What you liked or didn't like about it? Also the approximate ticket price for adults and kids and if there are any discount tickets to be had. Thank you so much!!

 

[threeboysmom]

Legos Museum: very small attraction but really neat. Worth a look. Apparently one man spent a lot of time and $$ making these very intricate lego sculptures. If you like the Lego thing outside of DTD you will love this. hehe

Where was this located at. Although we will not have the kids this trip it would be nice to take them to the next time.

TIA

My lego-fanatic boys would LOVE this! Anyone know where this is located? I haven't seen it come up during my research into the NF area...

 

[Disneymaddness]

Just a FYI, you can get the Maid of the Mist from either side of the Falls, Canadian or American. You must ride this, it is so much fun.

 

[waughzee]

Just a few quick questions for all you experts! I have been to NF many, many times. I was born there and still have family there. We have never taken our girls to the Canadian side and would like to take them to MarineLand the next time we will be up there. (Memorial weekend.) Could anyone tell me anything about this park.. What you liked or didn't like about it? Also the approximate ticket price for adults and kids and if there are any discount tickets to be had. Thank you so much!!

We went to Marineland a few years ago, and frankly, I thought it stunk. Everything was very spread out, the shows were dull and the large animals were in such small tanks, I felt so bad for them. Maybe it was because I've been to SeaWorld that this place seemed second rate to me, but it did. I've save my money and go to SeaWorld.

 

[sammi]

Once you've been to Seaworld nothing will ever be as good.....Marineland is really "dumpy" and not worth the price of admission. IMO

 

[pigletof4]

here is a link with pic for the lego store/museum. I had to find it as we are going in two weeks and don't normally walk around clifton hill the winter time.

http://www.nfpl.library.on.ca/nfplindex/show.asp?id=246135&b=1

 

[funhouse8]

While we were visiting the falls we went to a six flags park that is about 1 hour away. I don't know about your kids but mine like when we add on a amusement park to the mix. The name of the park is Six Flags Darien Lake, It has a ride side and a water park side and you get both for one price. We had such a wonderful time at the falls and I'm sure your family will enjoy it too. We loved the maid of the mist and we also liked the cat walk on the american side. Have fun! Gina

 

[funhouse8]

Once you've been to Seaworld nothing will ever be as good.....Marineland is really "dumpy" and not worth the price of admission. IMO

I agree. This place was terrible!

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Thanks for all the replies about MarineLand. Guess I'm going to have to rethink about going to that park. And the website about it looked so awesome! I also had no idea Darien Lake was still open. We used to have a blast there as kids! Thanks again!

 

[cabmom]

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/international-hotels/225991 I borrowed this from Scratch42 from the Canadian Board. She posted this and we got this awesome deal. It's $96US a night to stay at the Embassy Suites Niagara Falls. Deal ends February 20th.

Marilynn

 

[LisaNJ25]

We went in May 2004 and had a great time.

We stayed at the Renaissance Fallsview for approx $25 a night through priceline.

I have no read through all the replies so I dont know if anyone has suggested the The Niagara Falls and Great Gorge Adventure Pass.

Here is a link with information on it:

http://www.niagaraparks.com/nfgg/discountpass.php

It was a great deal. Also I remember they were giving a AAA discount if you had the card.

I want to go back in a few years but if the Passport requirements kick in before that we will not go back.