March 8, 2010

City TV’s Breakfast Television visited the Fallsview Waterpark in Niagara Falls Ontario Canada this morning for a live remote with Jennifer Valentyne. Mayor Ted Salci drops by for a visit and

Mayor Ted Salci Takes the Plunge

ends up taking a plunge.

Niagara Falls Indoor Water Park Hosts Toronto’s Number 1 Morning Show

The Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is excited to have once again hosted the CityTV Breakfast Television “Live Eye”. Viewers of the popular morning show tuned in as “Live Eye” Host Jennifer Valentyne hosted live segments at the 3 acre Niagara Falls Waterpark between 6:30 am-9:00 am. This was the second appearance of the “Live Eye” at the Fallsview Waterpark.

The Live Eye Host, Valentyne introduced viewers to the Waterpark and to General Manager Ori Ovics whom officially launched the Breakfast Television Viewer Contest featuring the chance to win one of three Hotel Waterpark Package Getaways including hotel accommodations at the Sheraton on the Falls, and 4 two-day waterpark passes.

Valentyne was joined by a notable guest in Niagara Falls, Mayor Ted Salci, for her 8:00 am live segment which featured a ride with the Mayor on the Great Canadian Plunge Bowl. Mayor Salci may not have been prepared to experience the excitement of the waterslide, not bringing a swimsuit to the park, however, with gentle ribbing and the promise of getting a link on the Breakfast Television website for the Niagara children’s charity, ‘Project S.H.A.R.E.’ thrown into the mix, the Mayor proved he was a good sport and was convinced to participate – in his work attire!

The 3 acre Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is located on the Falls Avenue Entertainment Complex in Niagara Falls Ontario, and is situated directly across from Falls in the heart of the premier Fallsview tourist district. The Waterpark features 16 extreme slides, oversized wave pool, mammoth Beach House Play Area with 1000 Gallon Tipping Bucket, year-round outdoor activity pool and sundeck, Planet Hollywood Beach Club and more.

The Waterpark is directly connected via indoor walkway to 3 Niagara Falls Hotels, and all the attractions and dining options on Falls Avenue including the Sheraton on the Falls, Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara Falls – Fallsview, Skyline Inn, Hershey Store Niagara Falls, WWE Store, Adventure City, Rainforest Cafe, and Hard Rock Cafe.

Be sure to catch a glimpse of the fun on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter etc.

InterContinental Hotels Group

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG ) Priority Club Rewards Members Encouraged to Donate Points to Haiti.

47 million members of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG ) guest loyalty program (Priority Club Rewards) encouraged to donate their Loyalty Program points to the American Red Cross for Haitian Earthquake Relief.

Priority Club Rewards members can donate Loyalty Program points in 10,000-point denominations. IHG will convert these points into cash. The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund will receive these funds meeting the needs of Haitian earthquake victims, providing much needed emergency shelter, food and water. Point donation can be done online at www.priorityclub.com or by calling 1-800-272-9273.

“During difficult times, the IHG family of employees, owners, hotels and our Priority Club Rewards members have demonstrated time and again tremendous compassion to helping those in need and I am confident that they will again.” said Jim Abrahamson, president, the Americas, IHG.

The WWE Store Niagara Falls will welcome two of World Wrestling Entertainment’s biggest stars to Niagara Falls for an autograph session tomorrow.

WWE stars Gail Kim and Evan Bourne will be at the Falls Avenue WWE Store greeting fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures from 12:00pm-2:00pm on Tuesday October 27, 2009. 

In addition to the autograph session, Kim and Bourne will also take part in a hand casting ceremony allowing them to leave their mark on Niagara Falls which will be displayed along the store exterior joining castings of fellow WWE stars including Rob Van Damme, Jon Cena, Randy Orton, Battista, Trish Status, and Lita.  

Stepping into the WWE Store Niagara Falls is likened to stepping into the ring.  The only store of its kind in Canada, WWE Niagara Falls features extensive WWE memorabilia, exclusive merchandise, and Niagara Falls souvenirs.  The store is located on the Falls Avenue Hotel and Waterpark Complex directly across from Niagara Falls at the base of Clifton Hill.

See you tomorrow,

John Scott

General Manager

Fallsview Rainbow Room Restaurant View of Niagara Falls

We recently had some very exciting guests dine in our Fallsview restaurant on Labour Day weekend.  In case you didn’t hear the Jonas Brothers were visiting Niagara Falls on Sunday and we were extremely pleased when they decided to have dinner in the Fallsview Rainbow Room dining room, here in the Crowne Plaza Hotel!  There is no better place to experience amazing local food prepared by our own Chef Damian Harrington and see the majestic Niagara Falls. The family thoroughly enjoyed their experience here at the Rainbow Room and we hope to see them back again someday.

John Scott

General Manager

I would like to congratulate our team at the Crowne Plaza Fallsview Hotel for the great job they did while we had the delegates from around the globe representing the Leprosy Mission of Canada stay with us.  We always strive to provide our guests with exceptional service and we were flattered to be given an award for Host of the National Leprosy Conference.  The Leprosy Mission of Canada not only brings knowledge to others about this disease but gives an opportunity for people for learn from each other and share experiences.

The convention was a great success and we are very proud to have contributed to that factor!  Hopefully the members not only enjoyed The Crowne Plaza hotel but were also able to relax and enjoy a bit of sightseeing around Niagara Falls while they had the opportunity!

Thanks for reading

John Scott

General Manager

Mid Sixties expansion welcomed the Sheraton Foxhead

The Sixties marked the start of a revolution for Niagara Falls and the site that would become the Falls Avenue Entertainment Complex.   While the Crowne Plaza continued its level of excellence by hosting the King and Queen of Nepal in the Rainbow Room, plans were quickly being put into place that would see the formation of an entertainment complex.   The expansion began in 1966 with the addition of a sister hotel for the Crowne in the 14-storey Sheraton Foxhead Inn (current day Sheraton on the Falls).   A year later, the Sheraton Motor Inn was constructed which would become the centre point of the Maple Leaf Village Amusement Park and would go on to be the Village Inn, before becoming the Skyline Inn. 

Next Time: Maple Leaf Village Fun Steps from the Falls    

Thanks for reading,

John Scott

General Manager

Early 1950 marked the start of a decade of change for the General Brock as extensive renovations and additions were put into action.   Demand and popularity of the hotel ushered in the need for expansion that included the addition of two floors to the building to house additional guestrooms, a new Rainbow Salon, an expanded Fallsview Rainbow Dining Room, and a new kitchen.

As the 50’s came to an end, the newly renamed Brock Plaza hotel unveiled a $500,000 renovation project that saw the addition of the legendary Crystal Ballroom complete with ornate chandeliers, wall murals, and oriental carpeting which to this day remains one of the most elegant event venues in Niagara.

Next Time: The Sixties and the start of a revolution

Thanks for reading,

John Scott

General Manager

From small screen to big screen the Crowne Plaza has always held a place in the spotlight.  Television history was made at the hotel on Sunday September 12, 1948 when WIVB Buffalo broadcast live from Niagara Falls with cameras positioned on the 11th Floor balcony.  It was the first time Niagara Falls was shown on television, and marked the first international broadcast made in North America.   Dignitaries from both sides of the border watched the broadcast on screens setup in the hotel’s Blue Room, as it would take another four years for the hotel to become the first Canadian hotel to install a television set.

It would take another 45 years for the hotel to make the jump to the silver screen.  The 1999 hit “A Whole Nine Yards” featured Matthew Perry and Natasha Henstridge as they danced into happily ever after with the Falls as a spectacular backdrop once again capturing the view from the balcony.

Next time: The Crowne expands

Thanks for reading,

John Scott – General Manager

In its 80 year history, the Crowne Plaza hotel has built a reputation for hosting some of the World’s most influential figures.  Princes of Politics, Hollywood Royalty and even the Royal Family have found the Crowne’s mix of outstanding services, amenities and historic charm captivating.

The list of the famous faces to grace the hotel is long and includes Walt Disney, Angelica Houston, Jessica Tandy, Matthew Perry, Matt Dillon, Bruce Willis, Jackie Chan, Jimmy Stewart, Princess Margaret, and Canadian Prime Ministers Pierre Trudeau, Paul Martin, Stephen Harper to name a few.

The Crowne’s most talked about brush with fame was playing host to Marilyn Monroe in 1952 while filming the movie “Niagara”.   Today her picture hangs in the lobby, but at the time she was at the start of an infamous career and the Crowne was at the start of a Hollywood love-affair that would later include a silver screen cameo in the “Whole Nine Yards”

Be the star of your Niagara Falls Getaway, check our new Spring Fling Package.

Next Time: From big screen to small screen, the Crowne makes history.

Thank you for reading,

John Scott-General Manager