Since both my husband and I have tons of family in Niagara Falls, it was just another weekend hanging out with them...nothing to be jealous of
We only go down by the Falls or Casino early in the morning specifically to avoid the crowds. Last Saturday morning at 8:30am it was almost impossible to find a parking spot by the new Casino. I'd say it is pretty busy...with gamblers anyway.
The passport laws (have they gone into effect yet?) will probably mostly affect local people who only make day trips across the border to go shopping etc. My sister in law, for example, hasn't been to the US since February because it is such a pain getting over without a passport.