Bon Voyage – Page 2 – Urban Suburban Mommy

A Tourist In My Own City: Parry Sound, Ontario

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

When I was asked to write about things that you can do with your child in the north, I got excited! And strangely enough, researching things to do this summer (as I am working part time during the summer) was already on my list.

I am that person that has a list for pretty much everything. Having loose plans/places to go on the days I am not working is something that helps me plan. So, I pulled out the recent Fun in the Sun magazine, questioned some of my friends with children that are a few years older, and I started the 2016 summer to do list!

I was quickly able to compile a list of 10 things to do in the Parry Sound area (aka “up north” or “cottage country” to many) for my son and me. Please note – these are in no particular order…they’re all appealing pending on the day, weather, finances, time of day, if we have company, etc.

1. GET OUTDOORS

I know that this is a tag line used by several businesses in Parry Sound and I think it’s a brilliant “line”. Sure, my list is based on summer activities, but we really are one of the nicest places to not only live, but play/spend time outdoors. Although most need no details, here they are:

Swimming

We have some of the most amazing lakes, and of course Georgian Bay. We have beautiful sandy beaches, and many beaches that offer lifeguards and swimming lessons.

Fishing

As mentioned above that we have a lot of bodies of water, we also have a wide variety of opportunities for fishing. From land. A dock. A boat. A canoe. An island. Just fishing. My husband took Tyson out for his first boat ride where he caught his first fish last month.

Boating

Continuing on with lakes and bays, get out on the water in a boat. Or canoe. Or kayak. Or sailboat. Sail Parry Sound is on the shore of Georgian Bay, and you can see it when walking on the Fitness Trail. Or whatever method of boat you can get your hands on. There are SO many bodies of water to explore and enjoy. And if you don’t own one, you can rent one!

Golf

For the older child (as our mini golf is no longer an option), there are several beautiful golf courses in the area. (Too many to list!)

Other outdoor fun – Plane & ATV

Georgian Bay Airways and BearClaw Tours would be great for those who have an older child, and a bit more $ to spend when it comes to an activity. Both offer a unique “Northern” experience!

2. Playground

Although it seems basic, there are quite a few nice playgrounds for the kids. Of course many are close to some of the beaches that we are going to visit, and others that are at a school or municipal building that offer some great free outdoor time.

3, Tower Hill, Museum and Gardens

The TOWER on Tower Hill has been a well known/visited spot in Parry Sound for years; it’s a tower that looks out over the town of Parry Sound. It also is the home to the Museum on Tower Hill, that showcase beautiful gardens. It’s a great place to take any visitor in Parry Sound to. The museum has great exhibits throughout the summer.

4. Farmer’s Markets

In addition to the market’s listed in the Fun in the Sun magazine, there are a few other regular Farmer’s Markets.

Tuesday’s – at the library

Friday’s – Rosseau

Carling – Saturday’s

McKellar – Saturday’s

5. Rainy Day Activities (or not rainy days….just wanted to group them together or my list would be more than 10!)

Bowling

Georgian Lanes offers several options, as well as birthday parties. It’s an affordable way to spend some time inside.

Library

The Town’s library has some great programs (that run all year long). There’s lots more than just going to read a book – there are crafts, reading tale sessions, learning sessions, reading club and a kids zone to name a few!

Skating

If up for the short drive, one could drive to the Humphrey Arena for some summer skating!

Bobby Orr Hall of Fame

Speaking of skating, our town is “on the map” due to Parry Sound hockey legend Bobby Orr. I worked at the Hall of Fame for 10 years, and can attest that a rainy day in the summer is BUSY! (If you’re a hockey lover, you might want to visit on a super hot day where you can enjoy hours of games, artifacts and memorabilia of the greatest hockey player.)

6. Music

For those that follow my personal blog Mommy Loves Music you’ll know that music is a big part of my life. And in Parry Sound, there’s usually some sort of musical event; be it a free outdoor concert series, music cruise on the Bay, a full fledge concert at the Stockey Centre or one of the weekly artist’s at The Brunswick. (And I couldn’t resist the plug for my friend’s putting on this show….Dolly Parton is coming to the PS area!)

7. Sports

Obviously I will include swimming and fishing again, but there are some other great options!

Baseball – there’s a great little league program.

Soccer – another great program.

Biking – so many great places to do so…especially the Fitness Trail, or the Rugged Trail. Or take note of the BOHF Triathlon (there’s a category for kids), or come and watch the Pedaling for Parkinson’s race. And there’s a great local bike shop (http://parrysoundbikes.com)!

8. Santa’s Village

This attraction is in Bracebridge (about an hour away from Parry Sound) and although I haven’t been there, I have heard nothing but great things from family and friends. We will attend this summer! (And if you register ahead of time, they’ll email you coupons and discounts so you can plan your visit and save a bit.)

9. Camping

I know that I have mentioned boating, fishing and swimming already, but these are an integral part of the camping experience. Although my camping days (both past and present) are limited, I do know how important the camping experience is. There’s really nothing better than pitching a tent, cooking over open fire (of course more than fish and hotdogs. ’Smores is mandatory at my campfires) and singing tunes.

10. Do nothing

Just breathe. Sit outside and smell that darn fresh air. Take a walk. Smell the flowers. Just chill out (ok, maybe bring a camera and book)…but honestly, life is so busy 95% of the time, I think that just taking time to do nothing is an essential part of enjoying summer in the Parry Sound area.

Obviously I have kept to the Parry Sound—Muskoka area for my 10 things to do. I hope that if you find time to come to the Parry Sound area, that one of these 10+ things to do will result in a great experience for you and your child!

Summer vs. Winter Cruising for Families

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Urban Suburban Mommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

Summer is a great time for getaways as well as for researching and booking winter travel. We enjoyed speaking with cruise & travel expert Cynthia Joaquin so much that we decided to do a follow-up interview to discuss the differences between summer and winter cruising.

Courtesy of Royal Carribean

1.How is cruising in the summer months different than cruising in winter months?

It really depends on where you want to go. Certain destinations, such as Alaska or Canada/New England are only available in the summer time. On the other hand, Caribbean cruises are available year round. Also, whenever children are out of school, prices always go up and crowds get bigger.

2. What type of destinations do you recommend for summer cruising?

Some great options to keep in mind for the summer, if you are trying to keep costs down would be to cruise out of New York or New Jersey. You can drive to the port and park there for a small parking fee instead of paying for flights. Royal Caribbean’s brand new Anthem of the Seas is sailing out of New Jersey all summer this year.

3. What are your top destinations for cruising in winter months and what are the benefits?

In winter, I of course suggest warm destinations – Mexico, Caribbean, Bahamas, etc. When the ships pull certain itineraries in the winter you have more options sailing to the hot areas. Crowds tend to be smaller and pricing lower.

4. How is cruising different according to season?

Services on board are the same. However, your cruise itineraries and shore excursions differ depending on the time of year/temperature.

5. Any booking/travelers tips for cruising?

Certain destinations will have concerns with weather in terms of hurricane season/rainy season, but that never seems to slow down vacationers on cruises. The cruise lines have great technology to monitor the weather and avoid storms and skip/replace ports of call if they feel safety may be a concern. When you look at a place such as Alaska that is not available year round, summer tends to be their rainiest season but most popular.

When travelling in winter, we will stress more than ever the importance of arriving at your embarkation city the day before, to avoid any stresses with snow and possible flight delays/cancellations. And above all else we always recommend travel insurance. You just never know what can happen and we always want to protect our clients and their vacation.

Cruising in general is an amazing experience whether summer or winter. The ships continue to get bigger and better and cruising is only getting more popular so I’m sure the best is still yet to come.

Cynthia Joaquin is a franchise owner/manager of Expedia CruiseShipCenters which is a global leader in the marketing and sales of cruise vacations. Expedia CruiseShipCenters also provides resort and other land
vacation options, including air, car, hotel and travel insurance. Allowing the company to serve all travel needs.

www.cruiseshipcenters.com/CynthiaJoaquin

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10 Questions with Clara Power from TPI, an authorized Disney vacation planner agency

Posted on April 21, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

1. When is the best time of year to go in terms of: A) getting the best deal B) not having the worst crowds?

This is such a big question that every client asks and I always answer the same way – the least busy times to go is outside of any school or national holiday. Christmas, New Years, March Break, Easter, July & August etc. are peak times, so if you are looking for times that are not as busy, plan to visit outside of those times. The best rates are usually outside of the peak times as well.

2. How many days should I plan to spend at the park?

What many people don’t know is the Disney World in Orlando Florida consists of 4 separate theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom. I believe all first time visitors should visit all 4 parks at least once, as they all have so much to offer. If time permits, I also encourage clients to visit Magic Kingdom twice, since it is such a full park and there is so much to see and do. If time is limited and only 1 park is possible, definitely Magic Kingdom.

3. What time of day should I get there? Is morning better before the crowds or will I be missing out if I am not there for the evening parade/fireworks?

The earlier the better! If you can get to the theme park as soon as it opens, you will have the opportunity to go on many of the busiest attractions before the lines become too long. It’s also one of my favourite times to be there, when you can see the park without the throngs of people.

I usually like to get to the park right at rope drop time and get some of the most phenomenal pictures as there is no one blocking my view. When traveling with young children, I encourage my clients to head back to their resort after lunch for a rest or some pool time and then return to one of the parks in the evening that is having fireworks or parades. This way you get refreshed and ready to take it all in again. As the children get older, spending the full day at the park ensures that you don’t miss any of the action.

4. Can I use these passes at other theme parks or do I have to purchase each park separately?

Disney offers a ‘More you stay, the less you pay’ Disney has a number of different theme park tickets ranging from 1 day to 10+ days, and with each additional day purchased, the per-day price does decrease. You can either purchase a base ticket which allows you to visit 1 park per day or a park hopper ticket that allows you to visit as many parks per day as you wish. The Waterpark add on also allows visits to the 2 Disney waterparks – Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.

5. How do Fast Passes work?

Fast Passes are FREE and they are so worth using. When staying onsite these can be booked 60 days in advance and those staying off property they can booked 30 days in advance. All guests are entitled to 3 Fast Pass selections per day and they allow you to by-pass the queue for the ride or attraction you have selected. Once you have used your 3 Fast Passes, you can retrieve additional Fast Passes while in the Disney Park using the Disney App. Definitely a great time saver.

6. Is it worth it to stay on site? What are the benefits?

Without question! Staying on site offers so many benefits including extra magic hours, complimentary transportation throughout WDW, magic bands, early Fast Pass reservations etc. Staying onsite ensures that you get the full Disney experience and you never have to leave the magic!

7. Are there any secrets that I should know about to book ahead (like the Bippity Bobbity Boutique or meals with the characters for example).

Best piece of advice is to book early! For the best prices and the best options, booking early is always the way to go. Dining Reservations open 180 days prior, and some of the hottest and most popular restaurants book up very early.

Does your daughter want to have breakfast in Cinderella’s Castle with some of her favourite princesses? This is one of the most difficult reservations to secure if not booked at the 180-day mark. Other popular reservations include Be Our Guest and Chef Mickey which are also some of my personal favourites. When booking a resort stay, Disney requires a $200USD deposit with final payment due 30 days before arrival. If the price drops from the day you booked until final payment day, the booking can be adjusted – making booking early a win-win situation.

8. Can I bring my own food and drinks to the park?

Guests are permitted to bring food items – such as snacks or foods that do not require heating – into Disney theme parks. Inform a Security Cast Member of any food items when you enter the park. Foldable, soft sider coolers are also permitted, but be sure that any items package are in plastic not glass constrainers, as those will be confiscated. If bringing food, it’s beneficial to have a stroller to carry it in, but remember wagons are not permitted.

9. A family of 4: 2 kids 2 adults, with airfare and a healthy amount of park time, what’s the average budget you recommend (CAD or USD).

When staying at a Disney property, the prices can vary significantly depending on the time of year and the type of Disney accommodations selected. I have sent clients to a Value Resort for 7 days including the meal plan and a 5 days base ticket for as low at $2500 USD. When staying at a Deluxe property, prices will increase depending on the resort, type of room, view (theme park views are most expensive) and there are special room categories including club level or overwater bungalows. Flights to Orlando can also vary and from Toronto – anywhere under $500 per person roundtrip is good. With extra planning and good advice, Disney can be affordable for everyone.

10. Are there any big ‘don’ts’ for going to Disney? What should you avoid, what are expectations that are most often disappointing?

What I always like to remind my clients is that going to Walt Disney World is a vacation – you are supposed to enjoy it! Planning is key, but overscheduling is not going to benefit anyone. Plan based on your children and what they can or can’t handle. If they are easily stimulated, plan lots of down time as a meltdown isn’t going to make a memorable experience.

Include your children in the planning process. Get them excited about what’s to come so they can be mentally prepared – and if possible try to enjoy a resort day with no parks to rest your feet. Use the services of a professional who can help navigate and make sure you get the most value for your dollar by planning special VIP tours, specialty dining and unique activities.

Clara Power is a mother to 2 well traveled kids, Andrew and Lauren. She is a Personal Travel Advisor at her own travel agency, Clara Power TPI, which is in association with Travel Professionals International. As an active traveler having visited over 35 countries and almost every continent, (still working on Antarctica), Clara is no stranger in understanding the unique wants and needs of families travelling together making her your expert choice for creating those special family vacation experiences. Her agency is also recognized as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner due to her extensive knowledge and superior service.

Do not hesitate to call her today to learn about what she can do to help you plan a seamless and enjoyable vacation!
cpower@tpi.ca
clarapower.ca
ClaraPowerTPI

Maxing out in Mexico

Posted on April 15, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

FEATURE shane and sullivan pool oasis mexico

You always hear about people taking last-minute vacations – well Saturday my husband and I went into a travel agency with the muppets in tow, and asked to book whatever was leaving the next morning.

I will definitely try that again, because it worked out so well. There was no anticipation with the kids. there was no build-up. There was just 4 plane tickets to Cancun, Mexico with an all-inclusive 4.5 star resort at the other end.

My husband often works 16-18 hour days and my 9-to-5 grind starts at 6.30 am and ends after the kids are in bed, the clothes are put away and the dishes are done. The days merge into weeks and into months. Spending time in an all-inclusive resort where the biggest decision is “beach or pool” was absolutely heavenly! Good food and bottomless tropical drinks were just a bonus, time with the family was all I wanted.

Time with the family and a swim-up bar.

We stayed at The Grand Oasis Palm. As far as luxury resort chains go, it was nice. Numerous restaurants, a few different pools, a decent beach and spotlessly clean. I couldn’t believe how we’d lucked out.

On day 3 we decided to check out Kids Club.

Kids Club!

I never knew that such a thing existed, but when it comes to all-inclusive resorts, you HAVE TO check out the Kids Club. It was definitely the most spectacular surprise.

Now maybe this shows how little we travel. We go to Great Wolf Lodge a lot, and we stay in nice hotels around the city for staycations, but we’ve never been to a resort as a family, and we had no clue!

Kids Club at The Grand Oasis Palm was a child’s dream come true. A big pool with two waterslides, a room complete with a dozen gaming systems – Wii, PlayStation, XBOX – and beanbag chairs for the kids to veg out on, an arts and crafts room, games room, theatre, a playground with climbers and a trampoline with harness, movie nights, a nap room and a huge staff of childcare providers to watch over the ensuing madness.

The boys couldn’t wait to go to Kids Club and hang out with their friends. They thought they’d found the best place on earth! And while we wanted to spend time with them, it was nice to take a quiet break by the pool and have a little bit of adult time. We even did a romantic dinner one evening at the fine dining restaurant on site. The boys went a few times over the rest of the week and have been telling endless stories about friends they made.

And to whomever invented Kids Club, thank you, you’re a genius.

Cancun is nice because the flight to Mexico from Toronto is about 4 hours. The hotels are under 25 minutes from the airport and, surprisingly, the boys handled the travel quite well. I think it has something to do with the in-seat personal screen with movies, shows and games for entertainment. They certainly didn’t have those when I was a kid!

We were even able to rent a car for the day and drive to Tulum to see the ancient Mayan ruins and go to the market. And because the Oasis is a chain, with a location in Tulum, we were able to visit the Grand Oasis Tulum and enjoy the facilities and our all-inclusive privileges there for the day instead of wasting the sunshine on the 2 hour drive back to Cancun.

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Sunkissed and relaxed, a week away was just what we needed. We’re already dreaming about the next destination. What’s your dream vacation?

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Let’s get cruising

Posted on March 21, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

I have to admit I have had this negative thing about “cruises” in my head. I’ll get sea sick, I feel stranded, my kids will go stir crazy. You get the picture. But so many of our friends have had absolutely delightful experiences while cruising with their families. In fact, many of them swear by it and are frequent cruisers.

After watching some of the Disney cruise ship commercials, I am definitely intrigued – and perhaps could be swayed. I thought it would be best to talk to an expert about this travel option. I spoke with Cynthia Joaquin, franchise owner/manager of Expedia CruiseShipCenters about the benefits and highlights of taking a cruise with the family.

1. Why are cruises a great option for travel for families?

Cruises offer something for everyone. The kids can access great activities (rock climbing, kids clubs, slides, etc) and parents can use the gym, spa, adults only areas. You will never be bored and the food and facilities are fantastic!

2. What are your top 3 recommended destinations for families and why?

It depends on if we are looking at a cruise of land destination. For cruises, the Caribbean is a great first-time cruise. It gets you enjoying the ship, has a few ports to stop at and you don’t feel rushed. For land, Punta Cana has been very popular. There are great resorts for families that include water parks. Mayan Riviera is always a popular one as well, they have great highly reviewed hotels and many with great kids clubs, which helps the parents have a relaxing time.

3. How are cruises different from land only trips, and what are the benefits?

The entertainment, food and activities on a ship can’t be beat. And you also get to stop at different places where you can also enjoy some great beach time. It really gives you the best of both worlds. You also get to see different places while your hotel follows you along. With a land vacation you are tied to one resort. You don’t have the variety of food at many of the resorts and if you are not a huge beach person (like myself) you can get very bored very quickly. To me as long as my kids are happy then I am happy. I find that happens easier while on a cruise ship that is geared towards children.

4. What do you say to families who have never tried cruising (like myself)?

You have to try it. Once you try it it’s very hard to go back to a land vacation. It truly is an amazing vacation experience if you are on the right ship. And that is part of my job – to speak with my clients, figure out their likes and dislikes, what they want out of their vacation and then put them on the best ship and itinerary that will give them an unforgettable experience. I haven’t had an unhappy cruise client yet.

Cynthia Joaquin is a franchise owner/manager of Expedia CruiseShipCenters which is a global leader in the marketing and sales of cruise vacations. Expedia CruiseShipCenters also provides resort and other land vacation options, including air, car, hotel and travel insurance. Allowing the company to serve all travel needs.

www.cruiseshipcenters.com/CynthiaJoaquin

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Yes, but do you Disney?

Posted on February 9, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

They’re only little for such a short time.

Okay, who am I kidding, they’re little for quite long enough to test-drive every last nerve of your very being. But they’re only young enough to be thrilled by Mickey, Minnie and the gang for just a short while. Maybe until they’re 12? Maybe until 10?

So, what I want to know is, do you Disney?

Disney isn’t just that loveable mouse from our childhood, it’s not just a cartoon franchise or a resounding rendition of “It’s a small world after all.” Disney is an all-consuming entity that can find its way into a child’s heart as deeply as it can find its way into the depths of your wallet.

The Disney Store

The Disney Cruise

Tokyo, Paris, Orlando, Anaheim, Shanghai, Hong Kong

Disney Land

Disney World

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Rides, fireworks, parades – and countless trinkets and treasures they can’t live without.

Yes, but do you Disney?

We just can’t decide. There are so many other places we want to take our children. My boys are 5 and 7. They’ve never been on a plane. Is the first place we whisk them away to going to be a culturally contrived yet magical kingdom? Shouldn’t we show them the ocean? A Costa Rican Sunset? An Amazon rainforest? The Valley of the Kings? The Great Barrier Reef? The Great Wall of China? Something exotic, foreign and real? Or do we simply indulge them in the fantasy while they still buy into it, and let them go on thinking that the world beyond our city limits is really the happiest place on Earth?

With the recent purchase of the Star Wars franchise, my husband is full forces in for a Disney adventure. Not the least of all because of the new Star Wars park, bringing that galaxy far, far away to a park not that far away at all.
I’m torn. I have great memories of Disney World as a kid. But it just seems like a vacation that would require a vacation from my vacation. Yet there’s so much to do, so much to see, so much excitement. Why not let them believe just a little bit longer, let the world be that place that magic makes happen.

…Honey get your mouse ears out, we just might do Disney.

Zika virus and why we’re still travelling – just not while we’re pregnant or TTC

Posted on February 5, 2016 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

Zika. Zika. Zika.

Before last week I’d never heard this word. Of course, now, I’ve plowed through pictures of babies born with microcephaly, researched where the virus originated, and read a mountain of travel warnings, hysterical commentary and those that are downplaying any risk. Some countries are much more concerned than others – Brazil has seen an exponential spike in cases of microcephaly, causing the warnings and interest, and The Washington Post reports that El Salvador has asked its population to postpone families for two years – just to be safe.

photo by: Stefano Ravalli

Zika virus is like any other virus. Mosquitos carry and transmit this virus. If you get infected, you may or may not feel significant symptoms. You may get a low-grade fever, feel crummy, develop a rash, have redness and sore eyes and have muscle stiffness. Doesn’t sound any worse than a mild flu.

Except if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive (TTC).

It seems the risk is only to those who are pregnant or going to conceive imminently. There is a travel advisory to act with caution and avoid mosquito bites. According to the CDC:

If infected, Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week. The virus will not cause infections in a baby that is conceived after the virus is cleared from the blood.

So, should you travel? You need to decide for yourself, and we’re neurotic, so we always err on the side of caution – far, far, far on the side of caution – but for this one, we think it’s a limited concern. We wouldn’t go while pregnant or trying to conceive – goodness knows we already have the pressure of “advanced maternal age” and other high-risk issues, but as long as we’re not pregnant or TTC, we’re beach bound.

In fact, with the life of the virus in the body limited to a week, maybe two, it’s probably fine to TTC a month after coming back. But that only even becomes a concern if mama gets bitten and catches the virus.

We checked in with the resorts to see what they’re doing – and they’re being very proactive to afford their guests comfort and peace of mind. RIU Resorts Told us their measures “include controlling the mosquito population that is spreading the disease through their bite. These measures include: cleaning and eliminating objects and areas that may accumulate water, spraying, treating sanitary water with chlorine and biological control methods for natural springs, as well as including physical barriers.” Furthermore, they’re monitoring guests and employees and plans to do follow up in any confirmed cases.

Photo by: Rob

We also spoke to Sandals Resorts International, who confirmed much of the same, noting it “will handle any individual concerns on a case-by-case basis, with guests’ peace of mind of paramount importance. All Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts continue to meet and exceed on-resort environmental standards – from increasing eradication methods to the removal of potential mosquito breeding grounds – maintaining the highest possible protocols in the world led by a team of professionally trained environmental health and safety officers.” In addition, they focus on “education for team members and local communities, building awareness and recommending preventative measures to extend beyond the resorts.”

So, does Zika cause microcephaly?

At the moment there is no conclusive evidence that Zika virus causes microcephaly and stunts brain development during gestation, however, it seems like it has to be more than just a coincidence that the rate of microcephaly in southern climates has risen with the proliferation of Zika. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) have weighed in on what it would take for conclusive findings.

Scientific American reports:

A top official from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters today that to firm up the connections between the two conditions researchers must study the documented microcephaly cases, the case history of pregnant women and conduct case-control studies of babies born in affected areas such as Brazil to get further insights. Only then, following careful analyses, can scientists solidify the Zika–microcephaly links and the required preventative steps.

While that may take a long time to conclude, Scientific American also reports:

The director general of WHO, Margaret Chan, however, said that although that causal relationship has not been proved, it is “strongly suspected.” That is due, in part, to other research that has shown the virus is capable of crossing the placental barrier and showing up in amniotic fluid.

We are not doctors and we are not virologists, just mamas trying to figure out if we should travel, and we’re sharing our insights. You need to make informed decisions and should speak to your doctor for more information. Urban Suburban Mommy is in no way dispensing medical advice, only sharing some of the information we have gathered for ourselves.

There are always ski trips if sun vacations have you concerned.

Great Wolf Lodge – 10 insider tips for a howling fun stay!

Posted on December 13, 2015 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Bon Voyage, Mommy Approved .

Holiday Lodge – Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls

We had a howling good time during our recent stay at Great Wolf Lodge. They were just getting ready for the holidays and had Santa and Mrs. Claus as special guests. They made it snow in the lodge!!!!

It’s really quite an unbelievable place, a hotel chain designed around making a child’s every vacation moment too good to be true. Brilliant really, it keeps the kids asking to come back, again and again.

Don’t get me wrong, my husband and I love Great Wolf Lodge just as much as the kids. First a bit about the place and why we go, then scroll down to the bottom to see the best insider tips for a great stay.

The basics:

Our trip last spring

Great Wolf Lodge has 14 locations, 13 in the United States and one location in the Honeymoon Capital of the World, Niagara Falls. Each hotel has a very similar set-up. Rooms are themed, some offering bunk beds, a fireplace and whirlpool tubs, it varies depending on the suite. They really are amazing!

Throughout the hotel there are animated forest animals that the kids can meet. There is a waterpark – each location is unique – but all have amazing waterslides, water playgrounds, wave pools, play pools, hot tubs and a lazy river.

The hotel is also the setting for Magic Quest. All it takes is a wand and starting up a game, and each child can be turned into a Magi, following quests, hunting clues, waving wands, collecting digital gold and amassing runes to fight the dragon. The computer system keeps the games going and each visit your young Magi can add onto their previous progress.

There are also other funtimes, like bowling, mini-put, an arcade and a bunch of restaurants, as well as gift shops and lots of merchandise for the little ones to dig into!

Why we love the place:

Story Time

The kids have the bet time. All of the activity helps them to sleep very well at night, but just to ensure this, the hotel does music and story time to help get the littles off to bed. They even offer a Cub Club, paid childcare to run your little muppet through some great activities and story time. Mommy and Daddy deserve some alone time in all of this crazy kid-centred fun (so I hear, we’ve yet to try it)!

They even offer an all-inclusive dining package. We like it. Breakfast, lunch and dinner without having to think about it. The food is quite decent and ultimately, though not cheap, offers decent value. It includes non-alcoholic drinks and tip. Where else can you let your kids roam around a hotel making friends and having high-volume fun while getting to stay in your pajamas or comfies all day. Seriously, flip-flops and fuzzy bunny slippers are the only footwear you need, because you never have to leave.

It’s my vacation too. The private patios in the room are a great place to enjoy the view and have a break

We’ve gone at least twice a year for about 3 years now, and have learned a few tricks to a great deal and a great stay.

One night is fun, it gives you waterpark passes for both the day of arrival and day of departure, but two nights is more optimal, three is our max. There’s just too much to do for a one-night stay and your kids can’t get enough of it.
Join their newsletter mailing lists. They regularly send out discount codes. I wait until I get a 25% – 30% off code and then book. For the best savings, you should plan to book 2 – 3 months in advance.
It’s not as expensive as it sounds. We usually upgrade to a themed suite so we’re not going for the cheapest room price, but even at $200/night, when you think, there are 2 days of waterpark passes for 4 people for the one night’s stay. If you consider a regular waterpark is at least $30/person admission, do the math and you can clearly see the value.
Be nice. They’re super-accommodating, and the employees, from my experience, will always try to go the extra mile. It CAN NOT BE EASY to work there, yet everyone is so nice. The kids yelling, the kids going crazy, the lights and sounds and activity of the Magic Quest, the costumes, the events, the waterpark and the weekend kids’ dance parties… It’s quite a ‘special’ work environment, and requires a special kind of employee.
Paw Passes are great for the first visit, but may not offer you value if you’re only staying one night. And they’re not so simple to share between your kids so they can get expensive. But they’re a treat, so check first if you’re planning on doing and buying a few of the things included in the Paw Pass because there’s extremely good value if you’re planning to do a lot of Great Wolf Lodge’s activities.
The rooms have fridges and microwaves with a little bar skink – like a little kitchenette set-up. Bring your own cocktails, snacks and food. We do the inclusive meal package one night and have a quiet pizza night the other. If you have dietary restrictions or just want to keep costs down, bring your own food and eat in your room. It’s totally do-able.
While I don’t drink much – or often – around my kids, it’s my vacation too. The Niagara falls location (and possibly others) is completely licensed, so, when you leave the restaurant they will put your adult beverage in a to-go cup and you can take it with you throughout the resort. Ditto for your morning coffee! If you bring your own alcohol with, keep it in travel cups, don’t go carrying wine glasses and beer bottles through the hotel, the kids will catch on that you’re having your own kind of fun, and you know how that goes!
Have a credit card with available funds on it so that you can have your wristband connected to your credit card, that way you never need to carry money. The wristband is your waterpark pass, your hotel room key and your spending account. I wish I had one of these for the rest of my life.
On check-out day, if you want to stay at the waterpark past 11am (check-out time) you should get a locker. They’re cheap and convenient and hold a fair amount of stuff. They can put your luggage in storage for the day. I don’t ever feel good about leaving my stuff in our van in a parking lot all day.
Have fun. Seriously, give it all a try. The only thing that bothers me is that they didn’t have anything like this when I was a kid!

After so many trips to Great Wolf Lodge, I still haven’t had my fill. We just went a couple of weeks ago and we’re already looking forward to returning. If you’ve got any Great Wolf questions, just hit us up, and we’ll give you our Urban Suburban Mommy-approved insight. It really is a howling good time.

Staycation elation

Posted on November 11, 2015 by urbansuburbanmommy Posted in Bon Voyage .

I staycate. It’s in my DNA. My mother was a staycater too.

We didn’t go to a cottage in the summer or spend one week a year at an all-inclusive, The Holiday Inn in Grand Island was her cottage and cross-border shopping was her big indulgence.

While we didn’t do too many big trips, we did do a lot of regular get-aways to hotels. Sometimes we didn’t even leave the city, we just checked into a 4-star a couple of miles from home for a weekend.

Now that I’ve got a family of my own, I get the appeal. We are all about last-minute hotel bookings and staycations. Last birthday when we asked my son what he wanted to do for his big day, he asked to go to a hotel. The kids love it as much as we do.

There’s no major packing, no great anticipation and no planning. Expenses are pretty minimal. On weekends where we don’t have crazy complicated playdates/commitments/arrangements we pick a 4-star hotel with a great rate and we go. We throw bathingsuits, stuffies and jammies into a bag and just go.

The kids love it. We let them stay up late and watch movies. We always pick a place with nice rooms and a pool. We stop for provisions like jerky and pop and chips and cereal and milk and bananas and we treat ourselves to a weekend of no responsibility.

If you haven’t tried a local hotel staycation, I highly recommend it.

Things I’ve learned:

It’s often cheaper to pick a place with free parking and free breakfast, even if the list price is a bit higher.
It doesn’t matter where we stay, so long as it’s no more than a half-hour drive from our home.
Often the best deals are at suburban hotels, which is fine, because we aren’t there for the sightseeing. Sometimes we don’t even leave the hotel from check-in until checkout.
If you’re supremely nice to the staff they will upgrade you, offer you free breakfast, drink vouchers or give you a late check-out. We’ve had some pretty sweet suites!
Always ask if the freebies aren’t offered.
Always check what currency the booking site is using. Sometimes it’s CAD, sometimes it’s USD. The exchange rate can make a huge difference on price.

While we book through a variety of websites – Groupon, WagJag, Hotels.com, the booking website we love best is Hotwire.com. It’s not just because that’s the cheapest way to staycate (Hotwire.com always has the lowest prices), it’s because it’s really fun to be surprised by the hotel that you’ve picked. You can select the location, the amenities and the star level, and you know the price you’ll be charged, but you won’t know the hotel chain until your payment is completed. That reveal screen is way more fun than any reality show I’ve ever watched!

I know, little thrills – gotta take ’em where you get ’em!

Everyone needs a break. If you think about it, we actually need more breaks than we take. A week away at an all-inclusive is nice, but lets face it – how often do you make that happen and how many road blocks are in your way? Give yourself the breaks you deserve. Crisp clean sheets, room service, movie service, great restaurants and a full staff whose only concern is your comfort and satisfaction.

My mother was definitely right about this one!

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