vacationing at NIAGARA FALLS soon- I have questions!

[laurajetter]

DH and I are from Maryland and will be taking our vacation to Niagara Falls, ON from May 10 - May 14; we will be staying at the Embassy Suites Hotel - Fallsview. I have some questions for you all, so please answer as many of them as you'd like!

1. How has the weather been recently? How should we dress next week?

2. Is it true that it is best to use credit cards as much as possible for the best exchange rate? What about small things like souvenirs and tips, it it better to have Canadian money for that?

3. Neither DH nor I have traveled anywhere that used different currency; How do we go about obtaining Canadian money? Can we get it from a U.S. bank or only from within Canada?

4. I have read about 'Passport to the Falls', a coupon discount book that can be purchased for $24.50. Apparently it lets you save up to 30% on all park attractions, and has coupons/discounts for places throughout Niagara and for food and souvenirs in the park. Is this worth the cost in your opinion?

5. Is there any kind of public transportation within Niagara that would help us to avoid taking our car in and out of the valet parking garage at our hotel?

6. Parking at our hotel is valet and it costs $20/day. Is this typical? Are there any other cheaper parking options nearby?

7. What is the difference between the "Journey Behind the Falls" and "Cave of the Winds"?

8. We are definitely going on Maid of the Mist and eating at the Skylon Tower revolving restaurant, however there are so many other things we have read about and we don't know which are the best things to make sure we do. Could you please give me feedback for any or all of these? Feel free to add anything I may not have included.

-Journey Behind the Falls
-Cave of the Winds
-Whirlpool Aero Car
-Butterfly Exhibit
-IMAX film
-Daredevil Museum
-Niagara Scenic Trolley
-Jet Boat (can't go on this now since I'm pregnant, but wanted feedback for the future)

Well, that's it for now, but I may be back! Thanks for your help.

Laura

 

[Chickkypoo]

I know you already have your hotel reservations made, but this may be a better idea for you. I've stayed here a few times in the past and really enjoyed it. I've stayed under package #1, and found that the free meals you received more than covered the cost of the package, especially as it can be quite pricey to eat in the skylon tower, and in this package you recieve the skylon tower dinner for free. I see that you also want to visit quite a few of the attractions, so they also have a package for that as well. Perhaps they'll let you book both packages as you're staying for 5 nights. (another plus is even though I haven't been there in a few years, I can almost guarantee this hotel doesn't charge $20/night for parking, that's crazy!) The website of the hotel is www.holidayinn.com . You'll be linked right to that hotel, as they are separate from the chain, and held the website address first.

Here's the details of the packages:

_________________________________________________________________
- Blowout Package---- includes: May 1, 2004- June 9, 2005:
- Holiday Inn: $148 CDN / $124 US* (per person)
Package rates are higher after June 9th. Sun. to Wed. arrivals, weekends and holidays higher.

- Two nights' luxury accommodation in a beautifully appointed room.
- Dinner for two overlooking the Falls at the Revolving Dining Room high
atop the world famous Skylon Tower.2
- Breakfast for two each morning in the hotel's dining room.
- Dinner for two at the Holiday Inn's Mr. Coco's Terrace Steak House.
----PLUS----
- Full use of our whirpool spa, indoor pool and sauna.
- Free parking.

Also Available: Deluxe and Whirlpool Suites, one night packages and child add ons.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW. CALL 1-800-263-9393

*U.S. price estimate only.

Price valid Sunday thru Thursday. Weekend rates higher. Tax and gratuities extra. Please note that this special rate is based on double occupancy and is subject to availability, excluding holidays.

-The Attraction Package rates from May 1 to June 9 are as follows:
- Holiday Inn: $124 CDN / $104 US* (per person)
Package rates are higher after June 9th. Sun to Wed. arrivals - weekends and holidays higher

Attraction package includes
- Maid of the Mist
- Journey Behind the Falls
- White Water Walk
- Butterfly Conservatory
- All day transportation on the People Mover
- Elevation up the Skylon Tower
- Admission to the Imax Theatre

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW. CALL 1-800-263-9393

Additional Adult rate is $35.41 CDN /$28.16 US*
Additional Child rate is $24.63 CND/$19.58 US*
*U.S. price estimate only.

Price valid Sunday thru Thursday. Weekend rates higher. Tax and gratuities extra. Please note that this special rate is based on double occupancy and is subject to availability, excluding holidays.
_________________________________________________________________

Niagara Falls also has a public transportation system. If I remember correctly, you pay so much per day and can hop on and off the trolly whenever you want. Another idea is to take a double decker bus tower. I did that one year, and you can get on and off the bus at any of the attractions that it stops at, go visit the attraction, then hop on another bus later. It was really conveinent.

As for currency, I think you're better off picking up some currency at your bank before you leave, or better yet look into getting travellers cheques. I know some credit cards charge a transaction fee for foreign exchange.

I can also tell you a bit about some of the attractions:

-Journey Behind the Falls - You travel into a cave and get to walk into an area that's right behind the waterfall
-Cave of the Winds - I don't remember this attraction
-Whirlpool Aero Car - You travel in a Spanish Aero car (it's a car that travels on a cable over the whirlpools. (It's kind of like those rides you see in amusement parks that take you over top of everything, and travel from one side of the park to the other, but in this case, you're goin over a river, it's breathtaking)
-Butterfly Exhibit - I didn't stop at this one, but it's a butterfly conservatory
-IMAX film - If you've never seen an IMAX film before, you should, it's an experience. The film is on a HUGE screen, and the sound is amazing.
-Daredevil Museum - haven't been
-Niagara Scenic Trolley - this is the trolley I mentioned earlier that you buy a pass and you can travel from place to place
-Jet Boat (can't go on this now since I'm pregnant, but wanted feedback for the future)

I hope all this helps!

 

[cristbaby]

Parking is at a premium in Niagra Falls. I don't know of any place that you can park for free. All of the major hotel charge between $15 & $20 per day. It is a beautiful place to vacation, you'll love it. You will need to take the bus to the areas that you would like to visit because if you take your car you will pay for parking again. The buses come pretty frequently and I don't remember waiting longer than 10 minutes for one. It has been 2 years since we were there but all the things that you have on your list to visit are well worth the time. You can exchange your money for Canadian money almost every place there (your hotel). We used credit cards for almost everything so it was easy. Have a great time!

 

[spectrums]

I live in Buffalo, not too far from Niagara Falls and we are all ways in Canada, so I thought I would add in a little info that will hopefully help make your trip even more fun!

1. How has the weather been recently? How should we dress next week?
We are finally getting into the "average range" here Mother's Day is going to be around 68 but the nights have still been, unfortuantely, in the 40s. Next week doesnt look like there will be much of a heatwave but it will be comfortable while you sight-see and shop!

2. Is it true that it is best to use credit cards as much as possible for the best exchange rate? What about small things like souvenirs and tips, it it better to have Canadian money for that? We have found that large purchases - i.e. dinners and the like are best made by credit card. They will follow a more *standard* rate and you will get more for your money. In terms of sourvenirs and tips, cash is the best way to go.

3. Neither DH nor I have traveled anywhere that used different currency; How do we go about obtaining Canadian money? Can we get it from a U.S. bank or only from within Canada?
The best place to get your Canadian money is at the Duty-Free shop before you cross into Canada. Banks charge surcharge fees and waiting until you get to Canada to exchange your money becomes problematic. Some places will take your American funds and give you Canadian change, which is fine, when they honor the exchange rate, but we have found that the souvenir shops and the like tend to give a markedly lower exchange rate or no exchange rate at all - so they keep the exchange rate and its dollar for dollar. So in a nut shell - worse case scenerio - pay a small fee to your bank for Canadian funds - but definitely stop at the Duty- Free (And you will find some great deals there as well!)



5. Is there any kind of public transportation within Niagara that would help us to avoid taking our car in and out of the valet parking garage at our hotel?Absolutely! Ontario has a fantastic transport system (Falls Area specific and beyond) and there are London double decker buses and other buses that can be taken - I recommend these helpful sites: http://discoverniagara.com/main/index.php and http://www.niagaraparks.com/

6. Parking at our hotel is valet and it costs $20/day. Is this typical? Are there any other cheaper parking options nearby? It is a typical amount and you might be better off just having your car in a secure area closeby. The further away from the Falls you get, the cheaper the price gets, but it really isnt a benefit if you are walking 2 miles back to your hotel from your car every night!


8. We are definitely going on Maid of the Mist and eating at the Skylon Tower revolving restaurant, however there are so many other things we have read about and we don't know which are the best things to make sure we do. Could you please give me feedback for any or all of these? Feel free to add anything I may not have included.

Be sure to take advantage of the free parks in the Falls area - the Queens Park is phenomenal and so are the other *non-descript" parks down the lane. Taking a walk up the Main drag and just being a tourist is also one of our favorite things to do - especially at night - its so lit up and pretty. A stop at the Casino Niagara never hurt either We've had some fun times there as well!

Definitely do the Maid of the Mist and the Butterfly Conservatory - they are both a SUPER time - and there is a gorgeous garden adjacent to the Butterfly Conservatory that you must see! There is also a new bird aviary that is supposed to really be something!

Also, be sure to have dinner at the Rainforest Cafe on the Main drag- it is Disney owned but I cant promise WDW service - atleast we havent got it anytime we have been - but it still nice to visit. It reminds us of Disney when we cant be there!

If you find that you have time while you are in the area, try and get to Niagara on the Lake - it is FABULOUS!!!! It is British ex-Pat, quaint village and the shopping is SUPERB! It's my favorite place to go honestly!

I hope this helps - if you want, feel free to contact me off list starborn77@aol.com and I will be happy to help you in any way that I can!

Have a wonderful trip!!!!!!!!
Aimee

 

[OntFamily]

Weather- forecast for next week is a high of 68 almost every day (with showers or light rain -- though close to the Falls, it is always wet due to the mist...)

Currency -- you can use your credit card, and it will give you a good exchange rate, but watch the foreign currency surcharge many banks add (from 2 - 4% - check with your home bank for the actual cost). If you want cash (and you will need at least some cash) you can get it from any banking machine in Canada (if you can't get it from your bank) at the prevailing official rate, plus about $1.50 CDN fee for use of the banking machine (plus any fee from your home bank for banking machine use).


Parking $20 CDN is fairly typical (on the high side, but not overly high). The Falls public transportation is easy to use (there are separate systems for the Falls and municipal public transportation).

The Embassy Suites is a great hotel -- close to the Falls and if you like gambling, the casino. Try out the Keg restaurant in the hotel -- great steaks with a great view of the Falls.


I haven't been to the Butterfly conservatory, but my wife has and she says it is great.


The Rainforest Cafe in Niagara Falls is not Disney owned, contrary to the previous poster.


If you're looking at saving same $, bidders on Priceline.com have received the Renaissance Fallsview for $60USD per night in similar time periods. The Renaissance is approx 500 feet from the Embassy Suites (but you'll only get one room, not a suite).

 

[spectrums]

I beg your pardon - it is LANDRY'S owned - hence the non-Disney treatment

 

[Disneybabe]

Just wanted to let you know we just got back from The Embassy Suites last week. We loved it!! The hotel was beautiful and the views were great. The parking was $20 a day. We left our car when we arrived and didn't use it the whole weekend. We had shuttle passes included in our package. I believe the passes can also be purchased. The shuttle picked up right in front of the hotel and took us to both casinos, the falls, the Imax theater and the Clifton Hill area. They were very nice and convenient. I would definately use the shuttle service again. Have fun!

 

[MickeyMacks]

Park in the parking lot between Skylon and the Imax Theatre - it's only $7 for the whole day and you can walk to most major attractions from there (use the $2 vertical railway thingy (forget what it's called) near Skylon tower to get down to Falls area (keep receipt for return trip up the hill) where you can buy your attractions package and use the PeopleMover. We did that last time. Paying $7 plus $2 shortcut to park near the top of the vertical railway vs paying $18 to park at the bottom? No brainer!

 

[Rpsemont]

We're planning a brief stop at Niagara Falls on a trip from Mass out to visit my sister who lives in Ohio (I have to plan something or DH will complain about "just visiting relatives" the whole time LOL!) So this thread has been really helpful, even though I haven't really started any planning yet. We will arrive Monday 6/20, probably around dinner time, and leave the area no later than noon the next day so we arrive in Mentor before dinner. Travelling will be me, DH and DD (10). So for all who live there, or have been recently, I'd like all the ideas I can get. I was originally planning to priceline a hotel (on the canada side) and just make sure we do Maid of the Mist. But finding out about the cost for parking is a big help. Any other info or website suggestions?

On a side topic, For the locals, on the way home I was thinking of stopping at 6 Flags Darien Lake. Are the crowds really bad on weekends? It will just be me and DD - noon to closing on Sat 6/25 - She has a season pass to 6 flags NE.

 

[jersey shark]

I'd stick with the Embassy Suites - you can't beat the spacious accomodations, view of the falls, wonderful breakfast, evening reception, and Hilton Honors points...overall a first class hotel (best in Niagara for vacationers/families - the Marriott ranks tops for me when I'm in the Buffalo area on business).

 

[StuartMI]

2. Is it true that it is best to use credit cards as much as possible for the best exchange rate? What about small things like souvenirs and tips, it it better to have Canadian money for that?

Probably yes to both. You can change your US cash over at the Ontario tourism travel offices. It's like a green triangle-roof-shaped building. There's one at the corner of Hwy 420 and Stanley Avenue.

5. Is there any kind of public transportation within Niagara that would help us to avoid taking our car in and out of the valet parking garage at our hotel?

The peoplemover is what you want to look for.

6. Parking at our hotel is valet and it costs $20/day. Is this typical? Are there any other cheaper parking options nearby?

No, not unless you park at the Casino. DW and I park there, then take the bus down and walk out the front door.

7. What is the difference between the "Journey Behind the Falls" and "Cave of the Winds"?

Cave of the Wind is on the US side which honestly has a really crappy view of the falls. Journey Behind the Falls is on the Canadian side at Table-Rock (i.e. by the brink of the Horseshoe falls). You literally take an elevator down and go (partially) behind the falls. It's pretty cool to see. Prepare to get wet.

8. We are definitely going on Maid of the Mist and eating at the Skylon Tower revolving restaurant, however there are so many other things we have read about and we don't know which are the best things to make sure we do. Could you please give me feedback for any or all of these? Feel free to add anything I may not have included.

-Journey Behind the Falls
-Cave of the Winds
-Whirlpool Aero Car
-Butterfly Exhibit
-IMAX film
-Daredevil Museum
-Niagara Scenic Trolley
-Jet Boat (can't go on this now since I'm pregnant, but wanted feedback for the future)

The butterfly conservatory is very cool. Basically you walk in and as you're walking around there are free-flying butterflies that will just come and land on you. Makes for some great pictures. Watch it, though, its a little humid in there. I also recommend checking out Italian Ice Cream on Victoria Avenue just east of Bender street for some of the best ice cream you've ever tried. Yuk Yuk's comedy showcase (http://www.yukyuks.com) has great stand-up comedy and I think they have a dinner package as well. You can, of course, make everyone jealous and trip on down to the vineyards of Niagara On The Lake and pickup some ice wine. Inniskillin is on Line 3 in NOTL right by Niagara River Parkway, I think. Personally I prefer the Stonechurch Vidal Icewine -- blows the doors off of Inniskillin but thats just my opinion. For nice reds I recommend Chateau Des Charmes' Paul Bosc Estate. They've got a great Cab Sauvignon. Lastly, something DW and I always do, if you're into drive-in-movies, there is a 4-screen "Can-View" drive-in located at Hwy 406 & Hwy 20.

 

[StuartMI]

(use the $2 vertical railway thingy (forget what it's called)

That would be the incline railway!

 

[MickeyMacks]

Thanks StuartMI!

And I have to agree that the Italian ice cream is worth a stop! We must have gone there half a dozen times while in Niagara Falls last summer! The lemon ice was so good and refreshing that we didn't get around to trying the other flavors!