Niagara Falls Blog – Travel and Tourism News

The Maid of the Mist has recently launched their new website, just in time for the 2006 summer season!

http://www.maidofthemist.com

Their new site is offered in 6 different languages and divided up into 3 main sections:

Maid Information
-Boarding information
-Facts about Niagara Falls
-Local weather forecast
-Contact the maid of the mist
-Tourism links
-Tour operator info
-Border crossing information

View the experience
-Play video
-View webcam

Maid History
-Timeline

The Maid of the Mist has been open since April 12, 2006, and is located at the base of Clifton Hill, in Niagara Falls, Canada.

Be sure to check them out while you are planning your vacation in Niagara Falls this year.

Flash player is required to view their site.

Printed from Niagara Falls Review

TV show turns to luck of the draw

By JOHN LAW Review Staff Writer

Thursday, April 20, 2006 – 02:00

Local News -

NIAGARA FALLS Fans hoping to see Live with Regis & Kelly next month will need a bit of luck and a lot of patience.

On April 30, 3,000 envelopes will be pulled from a giant drum one each for the first 3,000 people who register at the Niagara Fallsview Casino’s Grand Hall.

The catch? Only 750 of the envelopes contain a voucher for tickets to the May 22 taping at Oakes Garden Theatre.

“Since this is a casino property, we’ve decided to use pure luck to determine who gets those tickets,” Niagara Fallsview Casino general manager Steve Wolstenholme said during a media conference Wednesday.

The casino has joined with the city, Niagara Parks Commission, Canadian Tourism Commission and Ontario Ministry of Tourism to bring the New York-based morning show to town, sharing the $700,000 in production costs.

It marks the show’s second visit. Regis Philbin and co-host Kathie Lee Gifford were first here in September 1996, filming one show live and taping another.

It will be the same format May 22, though Philbin has a new co-host Kelly Ripa replaced Gifford in 2001 and the show’s already stellar ratings improved.

Since Philbin announced the Niagara Falls visit in early March, tickets have been a hot commodity. Most were quickly snatched up on the show’s website, but some were set aside for the casino and its partners to divvy up.

Wolstenholme said a draw is the only way to ensure local residents get a fair crack at tickets.

“The most important thing is to ensure this is pure luck,” he said. “It’s a random draw.”

Between noon and 3 p.m. April 30, the first 3,000 people who enter the Grand Hall will receive a wristband and numbered registration card. Starting at 3:30 p.m. each person, in the order they were registered, will be called to a drum and remove one unmarked envelope.

Envelopes that don’t hold vouchers will contain a two-for-one offer for dinner at the casino’s Grand Buffet.

The winning vouchers can be redeemed for tickets immediately after the draw.

Because it’s a draw on casino property, only people 19 or older can register. Once fans have their tickets, however, they can give them to anyone.

The tickets will be good for either the live broadcast at 9 a.m. or the taping of the May 23 show at 11 a.m. not both.

Niagara Parks Commission chairman Jim Williams said work has already begun to “spruce up” Oakes Garden Theatre for the show, with more flowers and greenery.

The show’s impact on the city is “immeasurable,” he added, and could be even bigger than it was in 1996 because it will be in May instead of September.

“The big difference is this is happening at the beginning of the tourism season instead of the end,” he said. “It will allow us to showcase Niagara and what we can do.”

Mayor Ted Salci said city hall has been swamped with ticket requests for a month, with demand far exceeding supply.

He’s satisfied with the solution.

“This is the luck of the draw, so you can’t buy a ticket,” he said. “It’s only fair.”

Ten years ago, Niagara Falls competed with Toronto to host the Regis & Kathie Lee show. This time, said Salci, producers didn’t bother looking anywhere else in Canada.

The exposure could boost tourism for years to come, he added.

“Think about the millions of viewers we couldn’t afford that advertising.”

jlaw@nfreview.com

© 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, Managing Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.

Niagara SkyWheel video preview aired April 13, 2006! The video stream can be found on Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet website.

Here is some information they provided with the video clip:

Up, up, and away

What’s 17 stories high and has a great view of Niagara Falls? Canada’s newest and biggest Ferris Wheel recently got spinning recently and we were there to see it come together. Click to see how this giant ride fits together…

Click here to download the SkyWheel Preview Video

Huge block of high-demand tickets to ‘Live with Regis and Kelly’ up for grabs
Wednesday April 19, 12:25 pm ET

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort to hold huge public draw on April 30

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, April 19 /PRNewswire/

Officials with the five-way partnership group bringing Live with Regis and Kelly to Niagara Falls, Canada, this May announced today that more than 1,000 tickets to the two shows will be given away during an enormous public draw at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort on Sunday, April 30.

Since Live hosts Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa made the announcement back in March that they will be broadcasting live from The Niagara Parks Commission’s Oakes Garden Theatre for two shows on Monday, May 22, the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort website – www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com – has been inundated with requests for tickets.

“We know that these are the hottest tickets in town and that there are far more people who want them than there are tickets available,” said Steve Wolstenholme, General Manager, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. “We’ve seen some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry play our Avalon Ballroom, but we’ve never seen the kind of rabid devotion from fans that we’re seeing for Regis and Kelly. Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and its partners are hoping to reward that devotion and satisfy some of the incredible demand with this draw.”

In addition to Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort and The Niagara Parks Commission, the other partners responsible for bringing one of TV’s most popular daytime shows to the Falls are the City of Niagara Falls, the Canadian Tourism Commission and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism.

The show will broadcast live coast-to-coast at 9am on Monday, May 22. A second show will then be taped at 11am for broadcast on Tuesday, May 23, at 9am. (All times EST.) To allow as many people as possible to see the show, one live audience will see the show at 9am. Oakes Garden Theatre will be cleared to allow a second audience to see the next show.

“Having Regis and Kelly join us at our beautiful Oakes Garden Theatre is a great promotion for our community, the entire tourism industry and for The Niagara Parks Commission,” said Jim Williams, Chairman, The Niagara Parks Commission. “We are a family-friendly, affordable destination that has much to offer. We invite everyone to be awed by the sights and sounds that only Niagara Falls and Niagara Parks can provide. Regis and Kelly only help to strengthen our message to viewers that there is so much to do and see in Niagara Falls, Canada.”

“We are pleased that Regis and Kelly will be coming to our great city of Niagara Falls,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Ted Salci. “The broadcast will provide great exposure for our entire city and region. The city is proud to have coordinated the effort in bringing back Live to Niagara Falls and pulling together the partners to make the event possible.”

“The Ontario Government is pleased to support this exciting event. By broadcasting Regis and Kelly from Niagara Falls and showcasing Ontario, we are inviting millions of our American friends to visit Ontario,” said Minister of Tourism Jim Bradley. “Attracting visitors from across the border helps to support tourism, boost our economy and build strong communities.”

Live last broadcast from Oakes Garden Theatre on September 9, 1996 – exactly three months before Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort’s sister property, Casino Niagara, opened its doors to the public for the first time right across Falls Avenue from the meticulously-manicured outdoor amphitheatre.

Regis Philbin, the long-serving co-host of Live, will also be performing his nightclub-style variety show with a 22-piece orchestra in Fallsview’s Avalon Ballroom on May 21 – the night before his TV appearances in Oakes Garden. This show is sold out.

Built on a cliff overlooking the world-famous Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort is the largest and most elegant gaming resort facility in Canada and the crown jewel in Niagara’s stunning array of wonders. It features a casino with over 3,000 slot machines and 142 gaming tables, a 374-room luxury hotel, a full-service spa and fitness centre, a 1,500-seat showroom, dozens of dining and shopping options, over 30,000 square feet of meeting and convention space and the only wedding chapel in a Canadian gaming facility.

The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) is an action packed nature/entertainment park centered around the magnificent Niagara Falls. NPC is the authority on Niagara Falls and the Great Gorge with a mission to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Falls and the Niagara River Corridor for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self sufficiency.

The City of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, is a world-class tourism destination playing host to over 12 million visitors annually. As well as being home to the world-renowned cataracts, Niagara Falls boasts world class gaming facilities, an array of attractions, an excellent variety of accommodation choices, an outstanding selection of restaurants and dining experiences, premier wineries and is quickly becoming a major golf destination.

The Ontario Ministry of Tourism supports delivery of high quality tourism experiences to Ontarians and visitors to Ontario. Promoting a sustainable, customer-focused tourism industry helps improve our quality of life, increase pride in our communities, and increase economic growth.

Industry-led, market-driven and research-based, the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) is a Crown corporation that works in partnership with the private and public sectors of the tourism industry to market Canada as a four-season destination.

Source: Fallsview Casino

From PR Newswire

Press Conference: Tickets for ‘Live with Regis and Kelly’ in Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, April 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – Niagara Fallsview
Casino Resort is hosting a press conference with the City of Niagara Falls,
the Niagara Parks Commission, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and
Recreation and the Canadian Tourism Commission.
Date: Wednesday, April 19
Time: 11am
Location: Maple Room A/B
Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort
6380 Fallsview Boulevard
Niagara Falls, Canada
During this conference, these five partners responsible for bringing
the popular daytime TV show Live with Regis and Kelly to Oakes Garden
Theatre in Niagara Falls, Canada, on Monday, May 22, 2006, will announce
the way in which members of the public will be able to get the remaining
tickets to either the 9am or 11am taping of the show.
Members of the media are asked to arrive at Niagara Fallsview Casino
Resort beginning at 10:30am for on-site registration. All media may park in
the resort’s parking garage free of charge.

SOURCE: Fallsview Casino

Coming soon…The Niagara SkyWheel will be featured on the Discovery Channel Canada’s: Daily Planet !

Keep an eye out tonight, as there will be some previews of that program on the Daily Planet at 7 p.m. and at 11 p.m.

The “preview” video will also be streamed to the internet on www.discovery.ca, by tomorrow.

We will announce the official date and time of the “full” program in the coming posts…

Photo updates on the Niagara SkyWheel construction.

The SkyWheel is fast approaching completion as the main support structures have been installed!

Click Here for More Information:
www.cliftonhill.com/skywheel

Printed from the April 2006 Clifton Hill Resorts Newsletter

Coming soon to Clifton Hill! Play 18 holes of indoor “Glow in the Dark Miniature Golf” in a uniquely themed course. Tee off into “Outer Space” and travel past the glowing planets and UFOs. Galaxy Golf will be open 7 days a week, rain or shine in a climate controlled environment! Be sure to try it, on your next visit to Niagara Falls!

Printed from the April 2006 – Clifton Hill Resorts newsletter

The SkyWheel construction has been progressing nicely as a result of the great weather we continue to enjoy!

The heavy-duty concrete foundations have been installed as well as the SkyWheel control room, seen above. Soon, we will be starting to assemble and raise the main supports of the wheel; Pictures will be included in next months newsletter.

The SkyWheel will be the one of the biggest attractions in Niagara Falls this year! Sitting at 175ft, there’s no wonder!!!

Very soon, we will be launching a website dedicated to the “Niagara SkyWheel” following its completion. Bookmark it today: http://www.skywheel.ca

Printed from Niagara Falls Review

Parks withholds taxes’

By COREY LAROCQUE

Tuesday, April 04, 2006 – 02:00

Local News –

NIAGARA FALLS A decision by the Niagara Parks Commission to stop paying property tax is leading to a legal battle with city hall in what council says is a fight for fairness and close to $1 million.

Last year, the parks commission declared itself exempt from municipal taxation and stopped paying the $927,000 annual grant it was to give the city. They put the city on notice they’re not paying it this year either.

Mayor Ted Salci called it a “desperate move” by the parks commission to trim its expenses.

The commission went to court in December, seeking to have its lands declared exempt from property taxation. A report from city solicitor Karen Kelly said the city then filed an application to make all the commission’s lands subject to the same form of taxation other government landowners pay. Both applications are scheduled to go to a judge May 24.

The commission’s move to stop paying will have a “big impact on us,” Salci said after Monday’s council meeting. The parks commission’s payment represents about 1.2 per cent of the city’s $77.6-million budget.

“It creates a hardship for the city and the taxpayers of Niagara Falls,” Salci said, who added the legal costs are also a burden to the city.

The mayor sits on the parks commission, but said he has declared a conflict of interest during their meetings when this legal issue comes up.

Ald. Vince Kerrio said the parks commission should pay taxes because it’s a “major competitor” of the private-sector tourism businesses.

“This is a moral issue. They have to pay their fair share,” Kerrio said.

He predicted “a tremendous backlash” from owners of private businesses who compete with the parks commission’s commercial operations.

“They’re not in the park business. They’re in the restaurant business. They’re in the souvenir business. They’re in the parking business. They’re in everyone’s business,” Kerrio said. Like other property owners, parks commission businesses use municipal services like water filtration, sewage treatment and the fire department, Kerrio said.

Crown corporations and agencies don’t pay municipal property taxes the way private owners do, based on their property’s assessed value. Instead they make payments in lieu of property taxes usually based on their property that generates revenue. It’s often a smaller amount than a private business would pay on the same land.

Since 1976, the Niagara Parks Commission has had a different arrangement where they made an annual grant in lieu of property taxes to the city, but not to the region, a city report states.

“It’s been going on for 30 years and suddenly there’s a problem?” asked the city’s chief administrative officer John MacDonald.

When it goes to court, a lawyer hired by the city will argue the parks commission should be subject to the same payment in lieu system other government landowners are.

Other federal and provincial Crown corporations and agencies make payments-in-lieu of taxes to the city and region.

Greater Niagara General Hospital makes a payment based on the number of beds it has. Niagara College pays according to the number of its students, MacDonald said.

clarocque@nfreview.com

ID- 21727

© 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, Managing Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.