2007 Annual Business Development Report - Niagara Falls, Ontario ...

2007 Business Development Report8Niagara’s Fury, the new$7 million attraction, will beunveiled in 2008 as part ofthe $32 million Table RockHouse redevelopment.Niagara Falls welcomedseveral Disney attractionsin 2007 as Mickey andMinnie Mouse were onhand to flip the switch tostart the 25 th Annual WinterFestival of Lights, and SilverMist Productions broughtthe Disney Classic Beautyand the Beast to life on thestage.Stanley Avenue, it is within walking distancefrom the falls, attractions on Clifton Hill, andCasino Niagara. Motel 6 is offering low introductoryrates and their guest rooms feature flatscreentelevisions, free wireless Internet, andmini-fridges.www.motel6.comTable Rock House redevelopmentThe Niagara Parks Commission began work ona $32 million dollar renovation project at TableRock Point in 2007. This two year project willinclude enclosing the incline railway from theFallsview area to enable year-round operation. Itwill also include an overhead pedestrian bridgewalkway over the heavily traveled NiagaraParkway and include major renovations at theTable Rock Pavilion which will see the roofraised and a third floor added.The new Table Rock Pavilion will house a newmulti-million dollar simulation attraction named“The Fury,” a candy shop, and a new restaurant“Elements on the Falls” featuring open flamecooking with an Artisan twist. Further additionsinclude a Bridge of Flowers, which will showcasea distinctive Clock Tower providing coveredpedestrian access to the Center from the FallsviewTourist Area and a Grand Hall year-roundviewing Gallery.Construction is expected to be completed inthe summer of 2008.www.niagaraparks.comMarineland adds Topple Tower familythrill rideVisitors to Marineland experienced a new thrillin 2007 with the addition of the new ToppleTower family thrill ride. Only the second ride ofits kind in North America, the dipping, swirlingTopple Tower takes riders up 21.3 metres (70 feet)skyward in a circular gondola and then tilts backand forth at 60 degrees while the vehicle rotatesgiving the feeling of toppling over.The Topple Tower is the latest in a seriesof new attractions at the Portage Road familyamusement and game park. In addition to severalrecently added attractions, progress continuesto be made on the new River Country attractionwhich owner John Holer Sr. believes will be fullycompleted in the next three years.www.marineland.caWinter Festival of Lights celebrates25 yearsThe Winter Festival of Lights (WFOL) celebratedits 25 th anniversary in 2007. Opening Ceremoniesfor the 2007 Winter Festival of Lights in NiagaraFalls featured special guests Disney’s © MickeyMouse and Minnie Mouse who were on handto flip the switch to illuminate hundreds ofanimated displays, three million tree and groundlights, and launch a kaleidoscope of fireworks tobegin the celebrations.The 2007 WFOL also featured a calendarfull of festive events including the Niagara FallsComedy Fest; The Martins Gospel Concert; TheMantini Sisters Holiday Concert; and daily Fireworksover the Falls.WFOL in Niagara Falls is the foremost illuminationfestival in Canada. With three millionsparkling lights and more than 120 animateddisplays, the festival attracts over 1.3 millionpeople annually. The WFOL has been nameda 2007 Top 50 Festival by Festivals & EventsOntario and honoured as a 2008 InternationalKnown Event by the American Bus Association.www.wfol.comDisney’s Beauty and the BeastSilver Mist Productions Inc. Beauty and theBeast, Disney’s famous musical performedduring the Winter Festival of Lights at theNiagara Centre for the Arts. Formerly known asthe auditorium for the Niagara Falls CollegiateVocational Institute (NFCVI High School), thecentre is owned by Kingston College and wasfreshened up with a new colour scheme, newcarpet, new concession stands and a new boxoffice. The theatre has also been outfitted withnew, high-end audio and lighting componentswhich help in attracting shows like Silver Mist’spresentation of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.The Epworth Circle facility offers a largestage and 1,000 seats. Only the Avalon Ballroomat the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort has moreseats with 1,500. Theatre continues to flourish