Gary:

you give a false sense of the Canadian side. First of all it gives the best views of both Falls. Its not all cheesy touristy places there, I've gone to Butterfly Conservancy and taken a nice walk through a park there just like Goats Island.

rh: by the way you must go on the Maid of the Mist. Its something not to be missed.

Thanks everyone for your help!! We loved Niagara Falls. Definately agree the Maid of the Mist was awesome - my kids loved it, Cave of the Winds was also a favorite - - my 5 year old daughter was a little overwhelmed by it but the boys ages 4 and 7 loved it!! And yes you do get wet - really wet (don't wear long pants!!!) The kids loved the fireworks and the falls at night. Marineland for our kids was awesome, mainly because it was not busy - the kids could ride on a ride and run back to get on again and again - no waiting!!! Definately agree that it is too spread out! They need a trolley running through the park!! The views are beautiful!! The American side was a little too dull for the kids! They liked the Canadian side and all it offers better!!
The kids loved the Bird Aviary - again my daughter age 5 didn't like the lorikeets and wouldn't hold the other birds either. But the boys who are braver did and liked it. My 4 year old was shocked when they landed on him!! The kids enjoyed it! We were very busy the entire time and never made it back to the hotel before 10 pm. Would have loved to do the jet boats - but since the 5 and 4 year old weren't big enough - we didn't. The 4 year old didn't appreciate not being tall enough for some of the rides at Marineland.
Thanks again - we hope to come back again!!!