LF: Niagara Falls deals.. Leaving in month

[Xtreme2001]

I need some deals guys..if anyone could help, I'd appreciate it.

Me, my gf, and another couple are going to Niagara falls on the August 13 & 14th weekend. We were going to split the cost of the hotel room and get two double beds over looking the falls (hopefully). We'd like to spend $200-250 on the room. Could anyone suggest anything?

Also, we'd like to view some attractions such as the butterfly conservation, african lion safari etc... When I was in Niagara falls a few years back I remember seeing MANY couples/families with a coupon book, which they would just tear off that coupon for that particular attraction. The booklet seemed to have lots of variety of attractions on it. Does anyone have any idea if this is still available, and if I could purchase them online? Or is there other websites that offer deals for the Niagara attractions (whatever they may be).

Thank you!

[hainer36]

well, seeing as i workin in Niagara Falls for the Parks Commission :D, i can tell ya, do not go see the butterfly conservatory...waste of time and money, you see about 3 butterflies through the entire thing, african lion safari, if you want to see that, bring a junk car with you, the animals tear the cars to shreads (unless you go on the bus...then its still pretty cool), the coupon books are found at any Niagara Parks Commission Location, or any information booth, they cn give you i think some percentage off, and the 2 best things that you can do are go on the Maid of the Mist, and Journey Behind the Falls, those two are the best attractions Niagara Parks has to offer, (i work at the gift-shop that you come out into on journey behind the falls) and prepare to get some money at your bank (canadian is prefered, as at some places you do not get american back when you pay american, and the exchange rate around the falls, is a little blown out of proportion...16% haha, thats horrible, its really about 20% now) this is of course if you are american, i forgot about this being a Canadian Forum :D, but i pm'ed ya to talk about something as well, good luck on finding a cheap hotel room with fallsview....it'll be about 200-400 a night. and if you are 19+ (which i would think you are) go to the New casino (fallsview casino) and try not to gamble too much, because not many have won from them, but go get their Buffet special....so good for how inexpensive it is, and if you want to gamble alot, go to the old Casino Niagara, better pay-outs, or just hop across the boarder to the new casino in Senica (i think thats where it is). if you wanted a good cheap hotel room, be prepared for a drive, St. Catharines has the closest and most reasonable pricing (for distance from the falls) and it is about a 15 minute drive to get down to the falls from St. Catharines, that is unless you want to drive stupid like half the people that go to the falls everyday, 80 in a 100 zone...i do 120-140 and havent been stopped yet, because i was going with the flow (legally that is what i can say to get out of a ticket :D ) so if you are driving, step-on it, anymore questions, you know who to ask

[colincansel]

How much is the buffet at the new casino?

[hainer36]

its about 16-17 bucks, at least under 20 (good deal for the food, and the area)

[fungling]

How much is the buffet at the new casino?

It's $19.99 + tax per person.

[beripari]

Check out these two sites:

http://www.tourismniagara.com/
(I around for room rates yesterday & found this one to be the cheapest of all the travel sites: ie, $149 @ the Hilton Fallsview (for a Thurs/Fri nite ... all other site were over $200 per nite!!) They list many hotels @ various rates & also offer special package deals.

Also http://www.niagaraonthelake.com/

You definitely want to take a drive through NiagaraontheLake!!

[biosh]

That coupon book is everywhere, once you get there - it's in every hotel's brochure rack...

[Xtreme2001]

Thanks for all the help so far guys!

How much is this coupon book and what does it offer?

Thanks!

[masterc]

If you are a CAA member, they have discount coupons for various attractions.
http://ww2.aaa.com/scripts/WebObjects.dll/AAAOnline.woa/309/wo/b82LbND403jnqUcKGSnb40/0.7.3.2.2.51.1.0.1.1.1.0

[Xtreme2001]

bump

[PC-stuff]

NOT likely to find a Fallviews room
at that price unless you go in winter!

Suggest you spend your $ at the casinos and attractions.

I like the buffet (http://fallsviewcasinoresort.com/Default.aspx?Page=Retailer%20Profile%20Grand%20Buf fet) @ lunch time (11AM - 3PM).
You can ask for a table with a view and have a leisurly meal with great scenery.
It is $12.95+15%tax, $2 off with your Players Club card.

You can get the card in the casino
It is free and gives you free indoor parking there.

[hainer36]

the coupon book mentioned here is free....but i think it gives you a maximum of 10% off or buy 4 get 1 free crap....really usless but the CAA one is a little better, and the one i pm'ed ya about, thats not given out, its a parks employee benifit

[bigred-9]

check wednesday's toronto sun as there is always Niagara Falls prices etc in the wednesday edition, travel section

[Rogue_77]

Also, free parking at the Fallsview Casino as long as you have a Player's card which is free to get and takes about 10min. to get one when your actually at the desk.

This time of year, I wouldn't suggest the butterfly's either, it'll be REALLLY warm in there. Nice to see but would suggest try to find a cooler day to go. But the floral garden around it is nice this time of year

For dinner, I suggest Casino Niagara as it is a couple bucks cheaper from Fallsview, about $18/per but either one is good food and lunches are only about 10 bucks each at the casinos.

About the hotels, this time of year you'll be lucky to find a room near the falls. Was that budget for the total weekend or for the night? If for the night, you might be able to find a room maybe 10-15min. away from the falls?

As for attractions, I agree with hainer36, Maid of the MIst and the Journey Behind the falls is definately recommended. I also suggest heading up the Skylon tower in the evening to check out the falls at night. African Lion Safari is about an hour outside of Niagara so if you do decide to go there, strongly suggest taking the bus tour.

I use to work over at one of the major tourist attractions as well, if I can be of any more service to you, ask

[impailer17]

Me, my gf, and another couple are going to Niagara falls on the August 13 & 14th weekend. We were going to split the cost of the hotel room and get two double beds over looking the falls (hopefully). We'd like to spend $200-250 on the room. Could anyone suggest anything?

Check out this thread:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159911&highlight=niagara+falls

If you use Priceline, you should be able to get separate rooms in a 4* hotel for the same money you are willing to spend...

Through Priceline, you can not get fallsview rooms, but I find it's better to get a cityview room in a 4* hotel as you can use the ammenities (pool, gym, etc.)

[eBuddy]

Does anybody know how to get the booklet BEFORE going to Niagara Falls? The coupons do not seem to be available online, and Attractions Niagara does not seem to have bothered with a website. I don't want to find out that all the coupons are lame, then drive all the way back.

That coupon book is everywhere, once you get there - it's in every hotel's brochure rack...

[Rogue_77]

Honestly? If your, I would imagine, as far out as Toronto, just pop in any one of the hotels and there SHOULD be a booklet available.

Granted, I was playing tour guide this past Sat. and couldn't find one in any of the ad racks here in the falls. You might get better luck then me

[frankie5fingers]

If you are close to downtown Toronto, try the Ontario Tourism Center on Yonge and Dundas...the have many books and coupons FREE!

[beripari]

Have spent most of the morning trying to find reasonablly priced, quality hotel in Niagara for tomorrow nite, either 1 or 2 nights depending on price; must have pool for DS! After trying many available sites, including Priceline (first time user), everything in teh $200/nite range. I decided to call Player Services # on the back of my players card. So, have just booked Fallsview Casino Resort, one night (Thurs) for $119.25 ... this is a Manager's 25% discount rate but they only had a city view KING (smoking) room.

Their website rate for same room/same night is $209 .. (sounds more than 25% savings to me!!). Friday rate for same room is $259 ... lots people go for the weekend ... I'm going to try to find something else for the Friday (maybe a cheaper motel in the area with a pool) or we'll just come back! I've heard rates are OFTEN better if you call hotels directly!!

[beripari]

Did you see this offering from SDM??
https://order.affinity-tickets.com/site/attraction.php?to=MjEz

Only $10 savings on a pass that includes many attractions but better than nothing.

Here's SDM offerings in Niagara .. good way to use any Optimum points you may have:
https://order.affinity-tickets.com/site/results.php?search_ticket=all&search_specific=niagara

[PC-stuff]

Way to go beripari !

You got the BEST location in NF at a great rate!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g154998-d483432-Reviews-Niagara_Fallsview_Casino_Resort-Niagara_Falls_Ontario.html

PS: When you register you might ask if they will give you
2nd nite at a good rate. If they are not full, you
might get lucky!

[beripari]

Thanks for the encouragement & vote of confidence PC-Stuff!! I was doubting myself, that maybe they said $190 instead of $119 so called back just to make sure!! Was on hold for a long time ... they were really, really busy!! RFD affect????

Thanks also for the suggestion about asking for 2nd nite ... I'll try it but, I just got off the phone "reconfirming" and did a quick site check ... they're pretty full!! I even called the Hilton across the street 3 times today trying to get a good deal on Fri nite (its currently $179) but no go .. DS loves their pool ... one of usually takes him swiiming while the other adult is in the casino! He'll just have to settle for the 3 ft. "spa pool" this time.

Thanks too for the tripadvisor site ... I wasn't aware of it & am very surprised that Hilton is rated as #25 ... its a great hotel with a fabulous 10,000 square foot swimming pool & excellent breakfast buffet (but expensive unless you get it as part of a package). Plus, its right across the street from the casino! Go figure!

[PC-stuff]

Not an RFD effect, just a peak summer weekend effect.

$179 is pretty good at the Hilton.
Its a 4* in the Hilton scale of hotels
and 4 in the CAA/AAA scale.


BTW: One normally can reserve now
& cancel by 4 or 6 PM Friday
if something better turns up.
(which you might, once U R there).

[beripari]

True but I'm noticing that the cancellation timeframes are now 72 hours vs. the usual 24-48 hrs at non-peak times. Yes, $179 IS a good rate for this time of year, especially compared to the other hotels but we can't bring ourselves to pay that right now, especially since last time we stayed there we only paid $99/night & got one night free!! We want the "savings" to spend in the U.S. & in the casino!! We might just sneak DS into the Hilton pool though!!

[beripari]

Just got back from NF ... if you stop in Grimsby (Casablanca exit just south of Hamilton), at the fast food/tourism centre, they have TONS of coupon books!!
Didn't see ANY of THESE coupon books in any of the hotels ... what coupons were available IN NF weren't that great.

I picked up an extra one. If you PM me your address, I can mail to you.

[consumerPI]

Correct. And worth every cent.

It's $19.99 + tax per person.

[impailer17]

beripari, does the $119 include taxes? I know at the other hotels in the area, they average around $30 per night.

I just got the Renaissance Fallsview (across the street from the casino) for 2 nights (7/19-7/21) for $106 USD per night through Priceline

works out to appx. $294 CND ($240 USD) with taxes and Priceline fees - best rate at the Hotel website was $199 CND ($154 USD) per night + taxes for a total of $355 USD or $434 CND.

The Renaissance Fallsview is right across the street from the Casino so you can park there for free. Hotel parking is $25 per night.

If anyone is planning to use Priceline, check out www.biddingfortravel.com first for tips on getting the best deal.

[Cronic]

make sure you take a trip up to the top of the Skylon to see the tight rope walker, guy is pretty amazing for an older dude, these pictures were taken yesterday, was in the falls for the night was pretty good, even won $720 at the old casino.


http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/8607/wirewalker5ex.jpg

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/2365/wire20iu.jpg

[beripari]

Our total hotel bill (for 1 night - Thurs) was $133.56 Cdn (119.25 + 2 taxes: 5.96 + 8.35). That was supposed to be for a city-view king bed. BUT, when we checked in, they had upgraded us (no charge!) to a deluxe falls-view, 2 Queen!!
9 yo son's reaction when he walked into that room was priceless!! He thought it was "phenomenal"! I wish I had a video camera with me! He wants to "live" in the hotel!

The whole hotel room rates is a scam! The room they gave us showed the rate on the door as $800 per night. When I check the hotel website for next Thurs, it shows $279 per night. Who knows! We spoke to a family that was staying in a motel on Clifton Hill so they could be near the "kids casino" (aka the arcade!) & they were paying $105 Cdn so we feel we did very well! But, we didn't stay a 2nd night because the rates jumped!

You're right, you can park @ the Casiono Resort for free ... you just need your players card to get out of the parking lot. If you don't have one, just park there, then get a players card so you can exit. Might be busy on the 20/21 though ... Kenny Rogers starts performing there on the 21st.

We had a fabulous dinner @ the Italian Restaurant in the casino foodcourt (couldn't go to buffet because we had a kid with us) ... best tomato sauce we've ever tasted!! Kid's Penne was $5.99 -- son had a serving @ 6 pm then we went back down @ 10 pm to get takeout ... he loved it that much!! We had veal w/spaghetti .. $18 per person ... buffet would have been cheaper but what can you do if you have kids with you? Not much in the resort for kids, except the "spa" pool .. but he spent lots of time @ the arcade on Clifton Hill!! And, we also did some shopping in the U.S.

Oh, one thing we noticed @ some places is they charge and additional 3%tax, so instead of 15%, you're paying 18% ... definitely in some stores; not sure about the restaurants, don't have my receipt handy to check.

[beripari]

Actually, you don't need to go the Skylon to see him, two great viewpoints are right at the Casino Resort ... right in front ... the area is closed off to traffic so you can't access checkin by car. But, for an even better more comfortable view, go to the 3rd floor "spa pool" in the resort .. you don't need key access, just take the elevators up. They have an outdoor patio with lounge chairs & an excellet view of this walker!! Even the 8th floor elevator area!

After his walk, he is in the lobby giving free autographed picutres & you can also get your picture taken with him (with your own camera). Optional small donation, if desired, goes to a children's fund.

[impailer17]

Our total hotel bill (for 1 night - Thurs) was $133.56 Cdn (119.25 + 2 taxes: 5.96 + 8.35). That was supposed to be for a city-view king bed. BUT, when we checked in, they had upgraded us (no charge!) to a deluxe falls-view, 2 Queen!!
9 yo son's reaction when he walked into that room was priceless!! He thought it was "phenomenal"! I wish I had a video camera with me! He wants to "live" in the hotel!

That's a great deal! I'll have to try the Casino Resort next time...

If you are taking your kid again, consider staying at the Renaissance Fallsview or the Hilton (across the street from the casino) as they have pool areas that the kids can enjoy... On some nights, you can get an even better deal there through Priceline - I paid $77 USD (appx. $95 CND) including taxes the last time I stayed there (2nd week of May) and the rate on the hotel website was $199 CND

[beripari]

That's a great deal! I'll have to try the Casino Resort next time...

If you are taking your kid again, consider staying at the Renaissance Fallsview or the Hilton (across the street from the casino) as they have pool areas that the kids can enjoy... On some nights, you can get an even better deal there through Priceline - I paid $77 USD (appx. $95 CND) including taxes the last time I stayed there (2nd week of May) and the rate on the hotel website was $199 CND

Thanks ... I really have no idea why I got such a fabulous rate AND then an upgraded room ... although I did notice that my Player points were "O" & can't remember if I had any points on the card anyway since we haven't been to Niagara for quite some time!

I tried the Hilton first cause we love the 10,000 ft sq. pool but they wanted $149 for the Thurs then $179 for the Fri. I also tried Priceline (newbie @ it .. first time I tried, after reading about it in this forum) but was not successful; however, will keep it in mind for future travel & read up abit more on the useage tips. I suspect May roomrates are usually much cheaper anyways compared to current peak-season rates.

Like I said in an earlier post, I think the hotel rates are all a crock! I spoke to this woman @ the hotel & asked how much she had paid for her room (she was only there one night too). Her SUITE (w/Jaccuzzi, living area, etc.) was "comped" ... & so it should have been ... she said she dropped $2,000 in the casino in the one night she stayed there!!! She didn't even really use the room! Apparently she does this very frequently ... not only should they comp her, they should give her a permanent room!