Dayenu

Kodi: not yet. I'm going to find out if he likes surprises (and I suspect he doesn't)

toedtoes

It all depends on how much I have to impersonate Mr. Again... I do have some standards (not much, but there are a few things I won't do).

Kodi - I so wanted to be able to go to the GTG. I'd love to get up there for the Winterlude. Maybe next year if Arnold's nice...

kodi

Oh Toed, you really don't want to be here in winter. But winterlude is fantastic.

I'm happy here in Alabama.

Dayenu, the weather will be perfect when you are here.Don't hesitate to ask more questions, and we'll also see if we can get a mini GTG arranged.

Dayenu

What do you guys think of Michael's Inn? Are there any places really close (and I mean like within one block) for a quick breakfast and if we get tired, for dinner? Nothing fancy, just in case we're too tired to walk.

On the map it looks River Rd @ John St. I'm about to make refundable reservation ($25 charge to cancel on Expedia)

kodi

Hold on, let me check.

kodi

Most of the 'action' is around Cliften Road , which is just the other side of the bridge.
But there could be the odd restaurant or cafe along that stretch near Michaels. It's not an area full of restaurants, but the Clifton area is only a few blocks. the map shows it to be only a half KM .

I have stayed along this stretch before and the good thing is that you don't have to walk up the big hill like many of the hotels.

Dayenu

HILL?? where is the hill?

Dayenu

I think I saw on Fodor's Comfort Inn mentioned on Clifton Hill. Is this really a hill, or just a name?

Looks like a better area.

My head is spinning

kodi

All the hotels that look like they are right by the falls are at the top of a big hill. I'm talking about the fancier hotels that look like they are right where the falls are. And yes, it's a big hill .. On Clifton Hill, or anywhere from there over to the falls is a big climb. The views are great, but it's a steep climb.

But where Michaels is, it's on level ground. You might have to walk a few blocks, but no hill climbing.. You are ok. It's exactly what it looks like on the map. an easy walk to Clifton and restaurants. There are restaurants on Clifton without having to go up the hill.

Dayenu

What I am trying to figure out is how the "people mover" runs. On the website the route is not on a map although at the bottom is says "Niagara Parkway".

http://www.niagaraparks.com/files/Map_Niagara_Parks.pdf

So, South of the Rainbow bridge the bus runs below the hill, and the hotels are above on the hill? How do people get down?

Dayenu

Never mind, got an answer to my question in e-mails.

Will make reservations at Michael's, and by the way they have a restaurant on-site opened for BLD, so we're covered in case of emergency

kodi

Great dayenu. You did better than I did. I coulnd't find a decent map of the people mover, but I knew it went right past Michaels.

FYI, River Road turns into Niagara Parkway.

Dayenu

Now it's final. Staying at Michael's. Just don't call to ask for the Agains

Somewhere, I think on Yahoo, somebody posted about a bus stop right by the hotel. We're good

Now I can take my time to slowly review all attractions out of which... well... IMAX does sound good!

toedtoes

Dayenu - here are my photos from my last trip:

http://tinyurl.com/toedtoes

The shots of Clifton Hill don't really show the hill, and the shot of the Casino lights makes the hill look steeper than it is. Think something in between the two.

The best thing is that you can take your time going up and down the hill because there is lots to see (even if you don't go inside anywhere).

Dayenu

That bus - people mover - stops by Michael's according to some reviews, and connected to something like elevator or train going down, so we should be fine!

There will be 4 of us who don't like hills, and if there is no transportation up/down I should be afraid for my life

Great photos! I cannot compete with you with my manual film camera

toedtoes

Thank you. Your photos will turn out great. Looking at mine again, I'm not as happy with them a year and a half later. I obviously have to go back to get better ones.

You'll want to experience the hill at least once during your stay. It's a carnival midway with all the lights and noises, etc. It's really not like a hill in SF - it's not as steep and only goes up one block.

Rachel

Duh!!! I figured out Faina has passed over to Dayenu. I live close to NF and have only stayed at a hotel there once, but Michaels looks nice. If I'm correct, its independently owned (many moons ago, the owners son and I went to the same college-who knows, maybe he owns it now). Its basically at one end of the tourist area. the big casino, most major hotels, and restaurants are at the opposite end and Clifton Hill (full of was musuems, tacky shops, etc.) is in the middle. When you cross the Rainbow bridge, Michaels will be to your left, Clifton Hill pretty much straight ahead, the Falls vewing area to your left, and the Fallsview Casion and many hotels even farther to your left. Michaels is fairly close to the Rainbow Bridge to the USA so it will be convenient if you want to walk across. You might want to check Fallsview Casino for their show schedule. They have some pretty good shows. The US casino (seneca Niagara) also has shows butI havent been there so I dont know how the theater is. I do know they allow smoking at Seneca Niagara and its just too smoky for me. Hope this helps out

Dayenu

"Faina has passed over" =D>

It's OK, Mr Again is over the slut machines already, I will have all info on ON side in case of bad weather.

Where do I rent a daredevil barrel?

kodi

For you??? or for Mr.Again?

Anyone up for a GTG in Niagara when Dayenu is there?

I'm real big on GTGs now!!

Rachel

Possibly. too early for me to know if i'm available or if DH is also. but i'll try to plan around the idea.