Wow... been away for a week and it takes a few hours to catch up with all the conversations here. Just too many things to comment on over the week, so I figured I just catch you guys up on what's been going on my way. Had a great visit with my folks up in Canton, OH this past week. so here is my little TR on the week:
The trip started off with a visit to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg on Sunday, June 27th. This was the last day of the Glory at the Gardens concert series. The main band that was playing that day, Third Day, is someone my DW has wanted to see for a while now. We had debated all week whether or not we were going to go since the temps were going to be near 100 that day. Not so fun when it's an outside venue and there is usually no wind at the concert area. BUT.... we decided to do it anyway. It was great fun. Got there a little early and rode a few rides then enjoyed the concert. The bands were awesome! After the concert, we stuck around and did a few more rides.
We left BGW and drove a few miles down the road to the Super 8 motel. They had a
AAA rate of $45 a night and I figured since we were heading North anyway the next morning, it didn't make sense to drive the hour back to Va Beach then get up in the morning and drive back through the area. So we toughed it out and did the stay at the Super 8. But I have to say... that might be the last Super 8 we ever "enjoy". I still imagine the bed bugs crawling over my body
So we got up Monday morning and drove the 8 hours to Ohio. Pretty uneventful drive... but I sure miss seeing those beautiful mountains! Wish the PA turnpike would stop charging so much! HAHA! We spent the night at my parent's house and then got ready for our trip to Niagara Falls the following morning.
Tuesday morning we loaded up the conversion van and started what we thought would be a 4 1/2 hour trip to Ontario. Due to various stops (including one to
Walmart because of forgotten goggles for DD) it took us nearly 7 hours. It turned out to be a good thing since are check in time was not until 4:00pm. We ended up at the Hilton right at check in time.
Here is the view from our 44th floor, 2 bedroom suite at the Hilton on the Falls:
Horseshoe falls:
American falls:
The 5 of us (Dad, Mom, DD, DW and me):
We already had dinner reservations at Skylon Tower for 5:30, so once we got checked in and luggage in proper places, we started our walk to the restaurant. This dinner was a surprise treat from my parents. They had visited 25 years prior and had gone up to the top of the tower but they did not get the chance to eat at the restaurant. This place is AMAZING! The views are simply spectacular and with the revolving room you get to enjoy the entire area without getting up. We could see Toronto across the lake! Definitely a beautiful day to be up there.
View of the Hilton from Skylon Tower. We stayed in the North Tower (far right):
Horseshoe Falls from Skylon Tower:
DD and DW:
Mom and Dad:
After dinner I voluntarily took DD to the indoor pool while DW unpacked our stuff. The pool was pretty awesome. They had a two story slide that DD loved to go down. There was also a spa pool right next to it. guess which one I was in the most?
Wednesday was our day to tackle most if not all of the activities for the trip. Prior to arriving we purchased the Adventure Pass from AAA... which gives you discounted tickets to their 4 main attractions: Niagara's Fury, Journey Behind the Falls, Maid of the Mist, and White Water Walk. We started out with Niagara's Fury... which is a 4D show that gives you a historical lesson in Niagara's formation. You get a complimentary rain poncho for it. I found it to be an interesting concept... and would recommend it for anyone who has never been to the falls before, but I wouldn't do this attraction again.
Next up was the Journey Behind the Falls. This was totally cool! Get to take an elevator ride down to the edge of the Horseshoe Falls and see them close up. There are even portals that allow you to see a glimpse of the falls as the water is falling.
It can get pretty wet in the area... as you can see by this picture of my dad:
Video of the falls:
Video of one of the portals:
Here is my best "tourist" pose I could come up with. DW thought it was hilarious!
But then I had to follow up with a much cooler picture w/ DD:
From here we took the PeopleMover (their bus system) up to the Maid of the Mist area. If you thought the Disney buses were bad, they've got nothing on these folks. We waited almost a half hour for a bus... and there were a LOT of people waiting. We would have walked, but my dad has a bad back and was already hurting from the amount of walking we already performed.
The Maid of the Mist is a must-do when you are there. You can't even imagine the power of the falls until you get that close on a boat. And if you decide not to wear the fancy blue poncho... you WILL get soaked. It was a balmy 70 degrees that days and the bottom part of the jeans were completely soaked. Would definitely do this again.
On the Maid of the Mist boat:
Videos:
This is after the encounter with the falls:
The White Water Walk (WWW) was next on the list. But first we stopped back to the room to change into dry clothes. The WWW attraction gives you a kind of respect you get when you first hear an AK47 being fired. It is simply incredible the amount of power those rapids have. It is another elevator ride down to the gorge with a wooden walkway next to the rapids:
Video:
After the WWW experience we managed to do a little sightseeing on the way back to the room. It was late in the afternoon and DD was getting anxious about getting to swim in the pool again. I asked if she wanted to try a swim in the river but she politely refused. Hehe.
Here is a great rainbow shot from our room that night:
The next morning was breakfast, packing and leaving town. Took over an hour to get through the border. I can only imagine this was due to all the Canadians who had a long weekend due to Canada Day. It was CRAZY. But we made it back to Ohio safely that afternoon and spent the next days chillaxing at the parent's house. Independence Day was celebrated with family, food and fireworks! Fun stuff.
Thanks for letting me share this trip with ya. If you want to see more pics, feel free to browse the Picasa Album here:
Niagara Falls 2010
We are having serious trouble focusing on Non Disney life and I am afraid my extended family is going to stage an intervention on us! We went to 2 big family events last weekend and by the time the events were over both my DW and I were talking about our trip. What we wanted to do first and so on. We are going down to start our trip on 8/12 at the CSR for a sales conference for my DW. After that ends we are going to move over to the POP on 8/15 and will start are park tickets on that day to take advantage of the Free Dining offer that starts that day. 
Why would someone want to do that?
WELCOME TO THE DIS DAD'S CLUB! 
