From the Niagara Falls Review:
The Winter Festival of Lights would never take place if it wasn’t for the dedicated work of volunteers, says general manager Dino Fazio.
“When the call goes out for help, people here in Niagara Falls are quick to put their hands up to volunteer and see where they can help.”
Other communities are not always that fortunate, which leaves many organizations struggling from one year to the next, he said Friday night during their annual volunteer appreciation party held at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel.
“We wouldn’t be here right now going into our 25th year. Many of the volunteers have been with us for 10 or 15 years and some new ones for only a year or two.”
Fazio said this is going to be a big year and people will really take notice. Many of the plans will be unveiled over the next few months and the focus will continue to be on more lights and displays.
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Hello everyone,
I still havent had a chance to post a complete recap of my trip, (it will be long was there for 6 days). However I meant to post this the day I got back, but completely forgot, and dont know how I did. Two seperate cab drivers told me during my stay the Marineland is in the early to mid stages of being sold to Disney, and that the park will become Disney World Canada. I havent heard ANYTHING close to something like this. However, wouldnt that be interesting condidering the size of that place. I did tell the drivers I havent heard anything, and that I spend quite a bit of my time on the net on falls related sites.
Regardless, sounds like bunk to me, but Im not a local. Anyone with anything on this?
Boy if Disney came to Canada that would be amazing. I could see more people wanting to get passports it would make things alot more interesting. I wonder is Disney came how it would affect the prices for Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions in the area
The more I think about it, the more I could see it happening. It makes sense, it would draw more and more Canadian visitors to the falls area, thus making the passport issue not as big of a deal. I think youd see prices sky rocket. All that being said, Im still not so sure I believe its actually being talked about. At that point Niagara would probably be competing with Florida and Vegas, if they arent already for a major share of tourism dollars. The main concern I can think of, is that Disney would need to make the park a place where year round activities can take place. In florida, california obviously thats not a concern. What could disney do to make people want to brave the harsh climate of the Niagara region year round? Its a helluva topic to talk about.
Karen called me this morning and asked if I had seen THE Blog. At that time, I brought up the climate situation and we discussed that. All of the Disneys that I know of are in warm climates.
From a very personal, selfish, point of view, I hope it doesn’t happen!!!! MY Niagara Falls have been converged upon to the point of distraction already, thank you very much!!! I watched it happen over 50 years.
I know…..progress is progress…I am not stupid, but enough already!
I am a believer that God’s splendor should be left alone.
Remember, people visited The Falls before all this progress and my husband and I still go 3 to 4 times a year.
Ok….I’ll get off my soapbox.
Im all for it because the area’s economy would remain strong. Then the passport issue wouldnt be as critical, because the region would draw Canadians in far more numbers than it does now. That being said, I dont see Disney doing it. I just want what is in the best interest of the region and the people who live there. I think this would be it.
Then why do casinos? You’re looking at two different demographics here that don’t mix well. I think Disney alone would have been great, but the city overrun with Disney demographic and casino demographic will have one annoying the other. Try to please everyone and you will please no one!
I think this is a crazy rumor - I don’t think Disney can do what it does best in the climate that Niagara has.
I had a longer post typed up in response, but it wouldnt post…or maybbe it hass and this will be a repeat of some sort. What I was going to say was the topic of casinos, is a topic Ill try to stay away from. Everyone has an opinion of what they do good or bad. And when people have an opinion on that subject, its almost always impossible to get them to change it facts or no facts. I will however say the impact of casinos in niagara has been far more positive than negative. I also think the two could co-exist. I follow the region more closely than some locals, and just want what is best for the city. I agree Disney cant do niagara do to climate concerns, and the cabbie (s) may have been misinformed.
Wow haven’t heard any Disney rumuors regarding Niagara Falls.
I just don’t see it happening. Most outdoor amusement parks don’t operate in the winter. Could you imagine spending a whole day outside in -10 C temperature? I don’t think Disney is willing to make that kind of investment, especially with the Paris park not doing so well the past few years, and other expansions up their sleeves including a possible new park in Florida, China and elsewhere in Asia.
People in Niagara Falls are used to crazy rumuors, just think of Veda Land.
I was just in touch with the marketing office at Marineland, and they say this is just a rumour and there is no truth to it whatsoever! Who was the cab company niagara, i would love to know who there source is?
VEDA LAND?
One driver was from Niagara Falls Taxi and the other was 5-0 taxi.
Has anyone seen any changes in recent trips to Niagara Falls? Any new stores attractions hotels etc.
Curious if anything will be in the old Teddytown by summer, Would like to know what is going in the old Falls Tower Location. Did the inside change at all at the Funhouse or just the outside.
Seems like it is going to be same old stuff from last year not that I care. Still find alot of stuff to take in.
Might be going this weekend.
I didnt see anything new in Teddytown. Fallstower area appeared to be under construction, however what it will be, I have no idea. (ive heard retail). I did not go into the Funhouse, however from the outside it did not appear any different other than the new signs, as Graham posted here. Honestly, dont remember seeing anything new, at all. Circus World was still empty, nothing new appears to be going on there. This is the first winter I can recall in sometime where no new projects were underway. The Dennys by the new casino being demolished excluded. The city was very, very dead during the week I spent there, Saturday night was busy, thats about it. I know thats how it is in winter, but this seemed more so than usual.
Disney coming to Niagara Falls seems far-fetched to me. I’ve never heard from any credible sources about this. I’ve heard rumblings before, but they are usually just people saying it would be great if they came.
Karen, Veda Land was one of the pie-in-the-sky developments that were proposed for Niagara Falls in the past 20 years. It was the idea of magician Doug Henning and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and was supposed to have levitating buildings, a university, yada yada, but of course never happened. It is now the local expression for proposed projects that are so far fetched that you just know it’s a “Veda Land”.
That’s slightly scary. Levitating those buildings would have kept Mr. Henning very busy. : )
Thanks for the Veda description Rick lol.
The only projects going on in Niagara Falls I can think of are all in the accomodation sector. Hilton, Motel 6, Country Inn & Suites, and the Boutique Hotel on Ellen St. Otherwise the tourism industry seems kind of quiet right now.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3683/is_199407/ai_n8725537
copy and paste GREAT veda land article
i probably shouldn’t say this…but..you all know how i have gone on about us always staying at the masterhost.pilgrim/hilltop./hilltop casino motel…for the last 25 years..the one above the jewellery store on the hill….had 2 offers..it’s for sale
4 mill..but it has to be torn down…the rooms are SO bad..but still liveable….we went for new years…room was 45%..BUT WE HAVE STAYED THERE FOR OVER 25 YEARS…DON’T CARE..JUST LOVE THE FRONT BALCONY ROOMS…that side of the street is NOT hoco…it’s much slower in the making..but we DO not wanna loose our fav room….goin in feb for my bday..gotta stay at the comfort inn…very nice hotel..but not the same… 
Hilltop isn’t that the hotel that remodelled their rooms to theme rooms? When is it being torn down?
Am I correct the hotel was called the Pilgrim them when the remodel to theme rooms it because the Hilltop? I know there is a restaurant the Pilgrim.
Now if they tear this down will it be the Hotel, Restaurant and store?
What exactly is for sale Sue? I heard there was a change in ownership, but I know most of the businesses renting out all had about 7 years left on their leases, with options to leave after a time period and fee I believe.
So is just the hotel being torn down or do you know of any other information?
we were told that there is way too much to repair..actually..right now the long balcony overlooking dairy queen etc..has been roped off to guests since the late summer because it is litterally falling apart…and yup..it is the one with the theme rooms..right now they’re just open on weekends..we were told just last week that there were 2 offers in right now..and the price we were told before was 4 million…i’m just guessing that it’ll be torn down because of what she told us about the repairs..maybe whoever buys it will put the money out for repairs…i’ll find out more in a cpl weeks when i go back down…
Read this article… Disney Parks eyes stand-alone hotels
Maybe those Disney rumuors in Niagara aren’t so far fetched after all.
Wow, good find Dan… Id say Niagara fits the description of what they are looking for 100%.
I agree. The article certainly makes it seem like something that would fit in Niagara Falls
Maybe those cabbies knew more than I gave em credit for. Kinda feel bad I doubted em.