Thanks for the recent Niagara Falls help, but I think I made a ****oo!

[moopdog]

I loved the advice I got from you all, and decided to book the Country Inn & Suites on the Canada side. But we are going on March 31st and April 1st and I just realized that the Maid of the Mist does not run until April12th!! Oh no! Everyone has been filling my kids heads with how much fun it is, now we won't even do it. This might be our only chance to go, but would it be wise for me to postpone our trip because of this?

I am really hoping there is another boat ride that we can try, even if it doesn't compare to MOTM, I will be willing to do it. I also wonder what happens if someone gets the "adventure pass" that includes the Maid, but it isn't running yet? Oh no - does this mean the other tours along the falls will also not be running yet?! Freaking out now~

 

[VAfamily1998]

We just went to Niagara last summer. Honestly, Yes I would postpone the trip until you can go on maid of the mist.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Ditto, I would postpone. I would think the other attractions would also be closed. If you can at all swing it- I'd go when it's summer. Half the fun of MotM (as well as Journey Behinds the Falls) is getting soaked. (Those cute little ponchos they give you do little to keep you dry.) It would be miserable to do cold.

MotM are the only boats that go anywhere near the falls. There are jet boats in the rapids, but those are no where near the falls and I suspect wouldn't open til later in the year.

 

[gillenkl]

Agree with pp....postpone you trip for another time

 

[gillenkl]

Agree with pp....postpone you trip for another time

 

[tyedye]

We were planning to go last year in April and they weren't running yet so we did not go. We are still trying to plan when we will go now and it's a year later.

 

[Sugar Jones]

If your only going once and you think you really want to do it, then I'd say postpone. We have never taken the kids on it, they have no interest in doing it.

There is a TON of other stuff to do, so I personally wouldn't fret over it.

 

[cyndik1111]

I loved the advice I got from you all, and decided to book the Country Inn & Suites on the Canada side. But we are going on March 31st and April 1st and I just realized that the Maid of the Mist does not run until April12th!! Oh no! Everyone has been filling my kids heads with how much fun it is, now we won't even do it. This might be our only chance to go, but would it be wise for me to postpone our trip because of this?

I am really hoping there is another boat ride that we can try, even if it doesn't compare to MOTM, I will be willing to do it. I also wonder what happens if someone gets the "adventure pass" that includes the Maid, but it isn't running yet? Oh no - does this mean the other tours along the falls will also not be running yet?! Freaking out now~

OK, the maid of the mist is fantastic, and a must do- if it is running. But it isn't the only thing to do. Can you postpone by 2 weeks? Rates and crowds will still be low, but weather will be nice (50's and 60's- maybe highter during the day). It's such a great time to be in Niagara falls.

If not, go anyway. go to the niagara falls canada website for details of what will be going on. http://www.niagaraparks.com/
Journey behind the falls will be working, plus the great movie, butterfly conservatory, and there is the neat waterpark right there next to the falls. Day passes are about $45 (you don't have to stay in one of their sponsored hotels) http://www.fallsviewwaterpark.com/
Walking around Candadian and American side of the falls is just amazing and it can fill most of a day. Make a point of doing the American side- you can get sooo close to the falls and see some really neat things (goat island, three sister's islands etc) On both sides there are neat imax like movies about the falls that are worth doing. Lots of fun gift shops, the casinos on both sides (if you are into that sort of thing) the aquarium on amrican side (small but nice) and then there is Clifton Hill- flashy and touristy like Vegas- but fun. Lots of fun people watching- people from all over the world! On the Canadian side is this huge farris wheel with amazing views.

If you stay a few extra days- you can go to Toronto, or Buffalo. So much to do in both those cities. I could go on and on.
Buffalo has boat excursions that are really neat. PM me if you want more details.

So I vote for keeping your plans!

 

[lizabu]

We've been having some record breaking amazing weather this spring in Ontario so if it keeps up you will have an amazing time. They don't sell the adventure pass with Maid of the mist on it when it's not running. They sell a magic pass that has journey behind the falls, butterfly conservatory and niagara fury. There is still tons to do. There's even an indoor water park near the sheraton if the weather stinks. The ferris wheel, clifton hill, imax, skylon and I'm sure other things I haven't thought of.

 

[Pembo]

We've been to NF twice with our kids and didn't ride the MoM either time. Do the Behind the Falls tour, it's pretty awesome. There is so much else to do and enjoy there.
We stayed at Country Inn & Suites, great hotel.

 

[cyndik1111]

if you decide to postpone, here is the site for the american side activities. Unfortunately most things don't start until may 1st on the american side....its still worth going without this stuff!
http://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/New-York-Attractions.aspx

 

[dumbocutie]

MOtM is awesome but if you cant or dont really want to suspend your trip there is still fun things to do.

My husband and kids just loved walking right up to where the big falls go over the edge and some weird electric static charge was occuring where their hair stood up. I dont know if this only happens during certain weather conditions we went in summer, so that might have been it.

Also just doing all the Clifton hill stuff is fun for kids.

I would not go just because MOTM was not open, especially if this was the only time you could go.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Make sure to take your passports with you!!!

 

[moopdog]

So, Pembo. Since you stayed at our hotel before, I'll ask you. I'm pretty sure we're sticking with our original dates, but to take the sting out of not doing the Maid, I was considering treating ourselves to a 'better' fallsview area hotel for the extra money. But I was considering the fact that our Country Inn hotel is not that close, etc. Your comment gives me a little hope that it's actually a good place to be in the first place....is it right in Clifton Hill near all the things my kids will love? I'm having trouble with Google Earth today!

 

[saffsmom]

So, Pembo. Since you stayed at our hotel before, I'll ask you. I'm pretty sure we're sticking with our original dates, but to take the sting out of not doing the Maid, I was considering treating ourselves to a 'better' fallsview area hotel for the extra money. But I was considering the fact that our Country Inn hotel is not that close, etc. Your comment gives me a little hope that it's actually a good place to be in the first place....is it right in Clifton Hill near all the things my kids will love? I'm having trouble with Google Earth today!

i live about 20 minutes from niagara falls!
maid of this mist might not run this year at all...do not change your dates based on MOTM
it will be cool...pack accordingly (still fun and less crowded)
if you can afford it, spend the money on fallsview (try the crowne plaza or sheraton)especially if you might never be back...but where you are booked is close to the action (although not eight "in" it if you know what i mean)
adventure pass is worth it...so is the niagara parks pass (journey, butterfly, fury)
addmissions are VERY expensive and add up quickly. the passes can save you a bundle.
get info at the hotel and drive 5-10 minutes away from the tourist area to eat sit down meals. you will save a fortune!!!!!!
have FUN!!!!

 

[zoemurr]

we're not far from there either..

The weather last week was amazing.. but if it goes back to "normal" it will be very chilly. Any activity where you get wet (under the falls or MoM) will be quite uncomfortable.

I wouldn't cancel 'cause of MoM (my kids didn't want to go when they saw it) but I would wait 'till it's warmer.

Have fun!

 

[DisneyForLife]

Just my opinion but.................we loved Maid of the mist.......we did a lot of things there that were great but that really was the best experience.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[gerberdaisy1234]

There is so much to do you wouldn't miss the MotM if you didn't know about it. I know is hard because your children have heard about it. But look at it this way, what if you change your plans and for whatever reason it doesn't run then. That would be a lot worse. At least this way you know and can plan. Just a thought.

 

[encinc]

I'd also suggest cancelling if you're wanting to do outdoor activities, especially those that involve getting wet. We had some lovely, early summer-like weather over the past couple of weeks, but we've now returned to seasonal temps. Late March/early April is usually in the mid 40's to mid 50's, often with wind and/or rain. Prices are great and crowds are low because it's the off-season, but having done both, Niagara is far more interesting in the later-spring to summer when it's more pleasant outside.

 

[rdevine10]

I would also postpone until its open. We also went last summer in August. Although it was more crowded, it was a great time of year to go. My kids still talk about the Maid of the Mist.