Niagara Falls Adventure pass
 

Has anyone used the " adventure pass" for Niagara falls? Is it worth the money?

Thank You

The Adventure Pass on the Canadian side includes 4 attractions including the Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls and two other non-major attractions for about $40...

The USA Discovery Pass also includes the Maid of the Mist, but gives you Cave of the Winds (much better than Journey), and admission to the Aquarium... and two other minor attractions for $33.

I would recommend the USA Discovery Pass as a much better value and it gives you a different perspective of the Falls and a feel of the power of the water as it goes over...

I've used the Adventure Pass and saved a lot of money, but I did my numbers first.

The Adventure Pass includes Maid of the Mist, Journey Behind the Falls, White Water Walk and Niagara's Fury plus one-day free rides on the People Mover.

These attractions would cost individually (CAD, taxes not included):

JbtF = $12.75
MotM = $14.50 (includes taxes)
NF = $15.00
WWW = $9.00
PM = $7.08 (includes taxes)

In addition, you can "add on" the Butterfly Conservatory for a $3.44 CAD savings on its admission fee (regular $13.51; discounted $10.07 [taxes included]).

The Discovery Pass includes Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, Aquarium, Discovery Center, and Niagara: Legends of Adventure Theatre.

The cost for each item individually is (USD, taxes not included):

MotM = $13.50
CotW = $11.00
AT = $11.00
A = $7.50
DC = $3.00

The cost of the Adventure Pass is $39.95 CAD (taxes not included).

The cost of the Discovery Pass is $33.00 USD (taxes not included).

Now, YOU have to do your numbers. First, convert all the prices (a la carte and pass) to one currency (either USD OR CAD). Then, add up the cost of doing all the activities listed "a la carte" that you intend on doing. Then remove the USA attractions on your list and replace them with the rate for the Discovery pass and see how that total compares to the a la carte. Then do the same thing to the original "a la carte" list but replace the Canadian attractions with the rate for the Adventure pass. REMEMBER: When switching out attractions for the pass price, remove both MotM a la carte prices since it's the same activity regardless of the pass.

Whatever gives you the best price total is the one to go with.

One thing to remember is the People Mover day pass doesn't have to be used on the same day as the other activities - so, you can do all the close activities on one day, and then use the PM day pass and do the further away activities on the second day.

When I went, I found that I got a better deal using the Adventure Pass because I only wanted the MotM and CotW on the Discovery Pass and it was cheaper to pay for the CotW a la carte and the Canadian activities (including MotM) through the pass. Your mileage may vary.

Oh, and if you're taking kids under 13, do the same for the kid rates and the kid pass rates. You might find it's cheaper one way for the adults and cheaper the other way for the kids.

wow...toedtoes... impressive formula for vacation fun... what happens if you factor in the transverse rotation of the tidal effect and assume split planetary gravitational influence???

Gary - the question was "was it worth the money". The only way to answer that is to identify if you want to do all the activities the pass offers and if not, figure out if the activities you DO want to do will cost more than the pass if paid for separately.

For example, using the USA Discovery Pass that you mention is a better value.

Well, if all you want to see are the three "major" attractions that you identify, then you are paying $33.00 for admissions that would cost you $32.00 bought separately. So, you'd be LOSING money. If you didn't want to go to the Aquarium but just MotM and CotW, you'd lose even more.

My post was simply trying to point out that these passes MAY be a good deal IF you want to do enough of the activities to create the savings and that 5 minutes of doing the math will tell you whether it's "worth it" or it's a waste of money. And the cheaper pass may be less of a deal than the more expensive one depending upon your interests.

it was a joke...

Sorry Gary, I must have been in the wrong mood when I read your post and took it as a "good grief, all that work for a vacation trip" comment and thought I should explain myself. :)

Can I buy the "Niagara Falls Adventure pass" at one of the attraction site at the same price advertised at www.niagaraparks.com ($42.74)?

The marketing pitch seems to want people to buy it online before arrival, but the site does not say it has to be done that way, so I am guessing that the passes can just as well be bought after I get there.

Yes, you can buy the Adventure Pass at one of the Visitor Centres.

Thank you, toedtoes, for your detailed answer. We are planning our first visit to Niagara Falls in July, so your post was just what I was looking for.

ttt

i am planning a trip for sometime in may and i been looking at the passes and they have one with the hotel incl does anyone know when they go on sale? i go threw the whole process and then says that its not on sale yet.. also we want to stay some where walking distance to everything but not too far away going for two nights and budget is under 500 for the hotel.. can anyone help?

I just want to add that I love the Cave of the Winds, so cool. And of course Maid of the Mist. I also enjoyed the Butterfly Conservatory.

Just book the Hotel separately... Embassy Suites, Oakes Hotel, and Niagara Fallsview Casino have spring specials...

The adventure passes can be purchased separately... you won't save that much by waiting for a special with hotel...

Stay in the area of those three hotels that garyt22 mentioned. I wanted to stay at the Fallsview Casino last time, but I got a better rate at the Marriott Fallsview. I love that area and the views are great.

Nice Try "ev"... do you advertise handbags????????