“Niagara: Legends of Adventure” showing in newly renovated large-format theater
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (June 28, 2007) – Visitors to Niagara Falls State Park for the busy summer tourism season can get a new perspective on the Falls and its compelling history thanks to the addition of a highly popular, large-format feature film on Niagara Falls at the newly renovated Niagara Adventure Theater.
Niagara: Legends of Adventure began showing in late May at the Niagara Falls Visitor Center’s theater after the completion of $500,000 in renovations including the installation of a large-format IWERKS projection system, 45-by-25-foot screen, and surround sound. The theater’s lobby area has also been enhanced and new information and ticket kiosks have been installed throughout the park.
Destination Cinema completed the renovations and reformatted the film, which has played under a different title at the company’s IMAX Theater in Niagara Falls, Ont. since 1986 and has been viewed by more than 14 million people to date.
"This new film will provide yet another attraction at the world class Niagara Falls State Park," said Carol Ash, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "I am confident that new and veteran visitors, alike, will find the film to be both entertaining and educational."
Produced by Academy Award-winning producer Keith Merrill, the 40-minute film uses real actors and scenes to tell the stories of the myths and magic of Niagara Falls and the explorers, daredevils, and unwitting few who conquered them.
Niagara: Legends of Adventure opens with the glacial formation of the cataracts 12,000 years ago and moves through the Native American legend of Lilawala (the “Maid of the Mist”) and 17th century “discovery” of the Falls by Father Louis Hennepin with French explorer LaSalle. It then focuses on a few of the many daredevils to defy death by challenging the power of the 170-foot falls: the Great Blondin, who tightrope walked across the Falls in 1859, and 43-year-old schoolteacher Annie Edson Taylor, who in 1901 became the first person to survive plunging over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
It concludes with the story of 7-year-old Roger Woodward being carried over the Horseshoe Falls after a boating accident in 1960 and living to tell about it.
“We think seeing the film is a vital part of a daylong visit at the Falls,” said Murray Mold, marketing director for Destination Cinema. “The film is both thrilling and highly educational, affording viewers the historical perspective on this wonder of the world. The film will enhance the visitor experience in an entertaining and thrilling format that reflects on the history and majesty of the Falls.”
To accommodate the large number of foreign visitors to the park, complimentary headsets are available for French, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean and German languages.
Viewing Niagara: Legends of Adventure at the Niagara Adventure Theater has been added to the popular Niagara Falls State Park “Passport to the Falls” single-price package with discounted tickets to Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, the Observation Tower, Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, and Aquarium of Niagara Falls. The Passport, which also includes all-day trolley transportation between the attractions, is available for $28. Visitors will save up to 35% off the regular price plus get other added value coupons to local area attractions.
Tickets to the film can also be purchased individually. Adult tickets are $10 each, children 6 to12 are $6.50, and children 5 and under are admitted free. The film is being shown hourly from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 1-866-750-4629 or visit www.niagaramovie.com.
In addition to the Passport attractions, Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts operates gift shops at the Visitors Center and other locations at the park, as well as the newly renovated Top of the Falls restaurant and other food service concessions. The state park commission, Destination Cinema and Delaware North collaborate on marketing the park to visitors.
About Niagara Falls State Park
Niagara Reservation State Park, which surrounds mighty Niagara Falls, is the oldest state park in the United States. The park is made up of numerous islands, as well as the famous Prospect Point area. The magnificent Great Lakes Garden greets visitors entering the park. The visitor center offers information and exhibits about the park’s history, geology and technology. The Niagara Scenic Trolley provides three-mile guided tours, stopping at the park’s most scenic vistas and at such facilities as the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, which tells the story of the creation of the falls with exhibits and a multiscreen theater presentation. The Observation Tower has elevators that take visitors 180 feet down to the base of the tower for a close-up view of the American Falls. While in the park ride the world famous Maid of the Mist Boat and get wet while at the Cave of the Winds attraction. Visitors can also hike, bike and fish.
About Destination Cinema
Destination Cinema (DCI) is owned by Specialty Cinema LLC. DCI also owns and operates giant screen destination theaters in locations of historical and geographical significance: Grand Canyon, Arizona; Niagara Falls, Canada; Hearst Castle, California, Myrtle Beach S.C. and Victoria, B.C. serving over 2 million visitors annually. The company also produced the films exhibited at these theaters, as well as other titles throughout the world.