Pre-Trip Buddy and Philmonster return to the World!

Hi everyone. So it’s real this time. I negotiated a trip back to WDW with my WDW hating partner, the Philmonster!

This will take place in and around February 12 of 2020, when I turn about 2020 years old. Riviera is the likely resort if available.

Why did he agree? Well, because I’m taking him to Niagara Falls for Labor Day weekend.

Assuming that he doesn’t hurl me into Horseshoe Falls, I should be free to plan a February WDW trip upon return.

The question is- do you guys want a Niagara Falls trip report or no?

Lemme know, and thanks! 😜😜😜
 
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BuddyThomas

BuddyThomas

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thanks, everyone. Well, alrighty then.

The Niagara trip is pretty much booked. Actually, it's 100% booked, but I'm probably going to try to change one of the hotels.

First time in Canada, and first time in a long time out of the country. Phil's passport was expired and mine flew out of my pocket on a roller coaster about 8 years ago, LOL. We both just got replacements. Hurray!

We're going August 27 and returning September 1 - a split stay - first three nights are at the Oakes Hotel on the Falls.

Oakes.jpg

Oakes indoors.jpg


Then we are moving over to wine country by Niagara on the Lake (because of course we are!) and staying at a place called The Pillar and Post, which looks really cool.
pillar post.jpg

pillar post lobby.jpg

pillar post indoors.jpg


And this hotel is right in the middle of wine country, and here are all the wineries. Every place there is a purple grape - winery!

wine map.jpg



I may never return!

We got some fairly competitive prices for each hotel, but then of course if you read the small print, you find out you are going to go broke:

"Excluded: 13 % TAX, CAD 2.26 City tax per night, CAD 14.95 Property service charge per night, 7.9 % resort fee"

Grrrrrrrrrr.

And that doesn't even include parking, which we found out is $30.00 per night.

Oh well, rice and beans diet before and after the trip it is.

My only problem is that we had consulted with Tripadvisor before booking, and the Oakes was 3.5 out of 5 stars, which is fine.....but I just happened to take a look at Yelp, and it is at 2.5 out of 5 with some really awful reviews. Hmmmm. We might change that one.

My only other problem is that we have a 15-year old cat who hates when we leave and also hates his cat sitter. So we are going to be in big trouble when we get back. Here is the dirty look we got last time we went away for longer than 24 hours.

Old cat.jpg


So, that's what we have coming up. And assuming we survive this thing, I'm booking WDW as soon as we get back if I have two pennies left to my name, that is.

I'll be back to you with the Niagara report in September, along with any updates on Disney plans.

In the meantime, I'll just leave you with this little nugget, spotted a week or so ago in NYC. As I mentioned on another thread, sometimes God speaks to me in mysterious ways. ;)

Useless.jpg
 
krisri18

krisri18

Well-Known Member
BuddyThomas said:
Thanks, everyone. Well, alrighty then.

The Niagara trip is pretty much booked. Actually, it's 100% booked, but I'm probably going to try to change one of the hotels.

First time in Canada, and first time in a long time out of the country. Phil's passport was expired and mine flew out of my pocket on a roller coaster about 8 years ago, LOL. We both just got replacements. Hurray!

We're going August 27 and returning September 1 - a split stay - first three nights are at the Oakes Hotel on the Falls.

View attachment 392322
View attachment 392326

Then we are moving over to wine country by Niagara on the Lake (because of course we are!) and staying at a place called The Pillar and Post, which looks really cool.
View attachment 392323
View attachment 392324
View attachment 392325

And this hotel is right in the middle of wine country, and here are all the wineries. Every place there is a purple grape - winery!

View attachment 392332


I may never return!

We got some fairly competitive prices for each hotel, but then of course if you read the small print, you find out you are going to go broke:

"Excluded: 13 % TAX, CAD 2.26 City tax per night, CAD 14.95 Property service charge per night, 7.9 % resort fee"

Grrrrrrrrrr.

And that doesn't even include parking, which we found out is $30.00 per night.

Oh well, rice and beans diet before and after the trip it is.

My only problem is that we had consulted with Tripadvisor before booking, and the Oakes was 3.5 out of 5 stars, which is fine.....but I just happened to take a look at Yelp, and it is at 2.5 out of 5 with some really awful reviews. Hmmmm. We might change that one.

My only other problem is that we have a 15-year old cat who hates when we leave and also hates his cat sitter. So we are going to be in big trouble when we get back. Here is the dirty look we got last time we went away for longer than 24 hours.

View attachment 392334

So, that's what we have coming up. And assuming we survive this thing, I'm booking WDW as soon as we get back if I have two pennies left to my name, that is.

I'll be back to you with the Niagara report in September, along with any updates on Disney plans.

In the meantime, I'll just leave you with this little nugget, spotted a week or so ago in NYC. As I mentioned on another thread, sometimes God speaks to me in mysterious ways. ;)

View attachment 392336
Click to expand...
I didn't even know Niagara HAD a wine region...
 
Tony the Tigger

Tony the Tigger

Well-Known Member
You picked that hotel for the rainbow, right?

Well, while you’re in a hotel at The Falls, we’ll be in a cabin at The World.

And while you’re in a hotel at The World (Valentines Day - awww) there is a chance we will be up that way (without park tix.) If work sends B up there per usual for the month of February, we may be able to meet up for a drink or seventeen at a resort. (They have all the best alcohol, and the Epcot ragamuffins don’t walk up and punch you while they get sick all over you and embarrass Walt.)
 
93boomer

93boomer

Premium Member
BuddyThomas said:
Hi everyone. So it’s real this time. I negotiated a trip back to WDW with my WDW hating partner, the Philmonster!

This will take place in and around February 12 of 2020, when I turn about 2020 years old. Riviera is the likely resort if available.

Why did he agree? Well, because I’m taking him to Niagara Falls for Labor Day weekend.

Assuming that he doesn’t hurl me into Horseshoe Falls, I should be free to plan a February WDW trip upon return.

The question is- do you guys want a Niagara Falls trip report or no?

Lemme know, and thanks! 😜😜😜
Click to expand...
Yes please!! 😎
 
MinnieM123

MinnieM123

Premium Member
BuddyThomas said:
My only other problem is that we have a 15-year old cat who hates when we leave and also hates his cat sitter. So we are going to be in big trouble when we get back. Here is the dirty look we got last time we went away for longer than 24 hours.
Click to expand...

Your cat is beautiful -- and 15 years old! I'm enjoying the photos of the various hotels you've reserved. And leave it to you -- vacationing in the middle of wine country?! :joyfull:
 
BuddyThomas

BuddyThomas

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hi all - complete change of Canada plans.

No Canada!

We will be staying on the American side of the falls.

I don't want to get into the dirty details, but let's just say that the Philmonster apparently got into a little trouble with the law in his early 20's and even though many thousands of years have gone by since then and he has been a perfect little angel ever since (or something), Canada changed its laws in December of 2018 and it says that with this thing on his record, he may still be denied entry, no matter how long ago it was. Not guaranteed he will be denied entry. But he may. Depends on who is checking you in at the border, and we are not willing to risk the loss of five nights of hotel $$$ if we can't get in.

Soooooo.............no Canada for us.

I told him we should have just gone back to EPCOT again, They have falls there, dammit!

But instead, we cancelled our Canada hotels and rebooked at the Sheraton Niagara Falls (USA side), which looks very nice and which is connected to the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.

sheraton niagara canada.jpg


Oh how awesome and oh wait, wait wait. That's the Sheraton on the Canada side of the falls. Our little gem is this:

Sheraton usa.jpg


GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

It looks nice enough, but apparently there are no falls views from the US side.

We would've stayed at the Casino itself, but we were able to get a concierge room at Sheraton for the price of a standard room at the casino.

I just hope there are 5 days worth of things to do on the American side of the falls.

We shall see! :)
 
MinnieM123

MinnieM123

Premium Member
BuddyThomas said:
Hi all - complete change of Canada plans.

No Canada!

We will be staying on the American side of the falls.

I don't want to get into the dirty details, but let's just say that the Philmonster apparently got into a little trouble with the law in his early 20's and even though many thousands of years have gone by since then and he has been a perfect little angel ever since (or something), Canada changed its laws in December of 2018 and it says that with this thing on his record, he may still be denied entry, no matter how long ago it was. Not guaranteed he will be denied entry. But he may. Depends on who is checking you in at the border, and we are not willing to risk the loss of five nights of hotel $$$ if we can't get in.

Soooooo.............no Canada for us.

I told him we should have just gone back to EPCOT again, They have falls there, dammit!

But instead, we cancelled our Canada hotels and rebooked at the Sheraton Niagara Falls (USA side), which looks very nice and which is connected to the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.

View attachment 397848

Oh how awesome and oh wait, wait wait. That's the Sheraton on the Canada side of the falls. Our little gem is this:

View attachment 397849

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

It looks nice enough, but apparently there are no falls views from the US side.

We would've stayed at the Casino itself, but we were able to get a concierge room at Sheraton for the price of a standard room at the casino.

I just hope there are 5 days worth of things to do on the American side of the falls.

We shall see! :)
Click to expand...

Bummer about Canada, but my hunch is that no matter where you and Philmonster stay, you'll both have a fun time. You may also find a day trip or two, to other locations while you're up there. I'd check out the area -- sometimes, the best attractions are off the beaten path, you know? :)
 
Rista1313

Rista1313

Well-Known Member
MinnieM123 said:
Bummer about Canada, but my hunch is that no matter where you and Philmonster stay, you'll both have a fun time. You may also find a day trip or two, to other locations while you're up there. I'd check out the area -- sometimes, the best attractions are off the beaten path, you know? :)
Click to expand...

I think there might be some wine places in the area... maybe you could check those out!
 
MegRuss626

MegRuss626

Well-Known Member
BuddyThomas said:
Hi all - complete change of Canada plans.

No Canada!

We will be staying on the American side of the falls.

I don't want to get into the dirty details, but let's just say that the Philmonster apparently got into a little trouble with the law in his early 20's and even though many thousands of years have gone by since then and he has been a perfect little angel ever since (or something), Canada changed its laws in December of 2018 and it says that with this thing on his record, he may still be denied entry, no matter how long ago it was. Not guaranteed he will be denied entry. But he may. Depends on who is checking you in at the border, and we are not willing to risk the loss of five nights of hotel $$$ if we can't get in.

Soooooo.............no Canada for us.

I told him we should have just gone back to EPCOT again, They have falls there, dammit!

But instead, we cancelled our Canada hotels and rebooked at the Sheraton Niagara Falls (USA side), which looks very nice and which is connected to the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.

View attachment 397848

Oh how awesome and oh wait, wait wait. That's the Sheraton on the Canada side of the falls. Our little gem is this:

View attachment 397849

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

It looks nice enough, but apparently there are no falls views from the US side.

We would've stayed at the Casino itself, but we were able to get a concierge room at Sheraton for the price of a standard room at the casino.

I just hope there are 5 days worth of things to do on the American side of the falls.

We shall see! :)
Click to expand...

We stayed at that Sheraton in 2017. We did the concierge level too...it was nice except for this interesting lady that hung out in the lounge all day in her robe. 🤷🏻‍♀️ There is an underground tunnel that connects you to the entrance of the casino. It’s a short walk to the falls. There’s a Rainforest Cafe so you can pretend you’re at Disney (spoiler alert...not as good as the Disney one) and there’s a Disney outlet a few miles away!
 
BuddyThomas

BuddyThomas

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
MegRuss626 said:
We stayed at that Sheraton in 2017. We did the concierge level too...it was nice except for this interesting lady that hung out in the lounge all day in her robe. 🤷🏻‍♀️ There is an underground tunnel that connects you to the entrance of the casino. It’s a short walk to the falls. There’s a Rainforest Cafe so you can pretend you’re at Disney (spoiler alert...not as good as the Disney one) and there’s a Disney outlet a few miles away!
Click to expand...
That’s awesome information- thanks so much.

By the way, if there’s nothing to do there, I will totally be the interesting lady that hangs out in the concierge lounge all day in her robe. 😜
 
93boomer

93boomer

Premium Member
BuddyThomas said:
Hi all - complete change of Canada plans.

No Canada!

We will be staying on the American side of the falls.

I don't want to get into the dirty details, but let's just say that the Philmonster apparently got into a little trouble with the law in his early 20's and even though many thousands of years have gone by since then and he has been a perfect little angel ever since (or something), Canada changed its laws in December of 2018 and it says that with this thing on his record, he may still be denied entry, no matter how long ago it was. Not guaranteed he will be denied entry. But he may. Depends on who is checking you in at the border, and we are not willing to risk the loss of five nights of hotel $$$ if we can't get in.

Soooooo.............no Canada for us.

I told him we should have just gone back to EPCOT again, They have falls there, dammit!

But instead, we cancelled our Canada hotels and rebooked at the Sheraton Niagara Falls (USA side), which looks very nice and which is connected to the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino.

View attachment 397848

Oh how awesome and oh wait, wait wait. That's the Sheraton on the Canada side of the falls. Our little gem is this:

View attachment 397849

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

It looks nice enough, but apparently there are no falls views from the US side.

We would've stayed at the Casino itself, but we were able to get a concierge room at Sheraton for the price of a standard room at the casino.

I just hope there are 5 days worth of things to do on the American side of the falls.

We shall see! :)
Click to expand...
So cool! Can’t wait for pictures!!!
 

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