The Disney Princess Experience in the Fantasy Faire Royal Theatre at Disneyland #DisneyFF

There are so many little things about Disneyland that all combine to make visiting the resort a magical experience and on a recent press trip, I had the chance to experience those little things first hand. Disneyland is always growing, expanding and adding amazing new attractions to appeal to its visitors. But part of the magic of Disney is that those attractions are always specifically designed so that they feel timeless, as if they have been a part of the park since it was first built.

disneyland fantasy faire

The Fantasy Faire attraction is the perfect example of that philosophy. This new section of Fantasyland at Disneyland opened in March of this year, but it feels as if it was always there. The attraction features medieval buildings, princess meet-and-greets and exclusive live shows, and if you have a little princess in your family, this is sure to become one of your favourite new places in Disneyland!

fantasy faire royal theatre [Read more...]

Thomas Cook Kids First Vacations Provide Kid-Approved Family Fun-Giveaway

Travelling with kids is always an interesting experience. If the destination is one the whole family can enjoy, it’s often a wonderful holiday that families will remember for the rest of their lives. If it’s not quite what the family was expecting, though, it can cause bored kids and stressed parents looking for ways to keep their youngsters entertained.

thomas cook kids firstMaking sure that every family vacation is a great one is exactly the goal of Thomas Cook Kids First vacations featuring the Kid Reviewed, Parent Approved program. Families can check out video reviews of their destination before heading off on their adventure to get tips on how to make the most of their vacation. Best of all, the videos are created by kids that have experienced the destination and know where to go to have the most fun! [Read more...]

Wordless Wednesday with Linky-Beyond the Pavement

ontario fielding estates

I only visit Ontario on business trips to Toronto, which means all I’ve ever seen of the province is skyscrapers and cement. That’s why I loved having the chance to visit some of the vineyards around St. Catherine’s recently to see for myself that there is more to the province than pavement.

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Three Ways to Save Money During Summer Vacation

swimming poolThe summer holidays are more or less the highlight of every school year, but they can be difficult for parents who may have to juggle jobs with childcare for six weeks or even just make sure that the kids are occupied instead of running round the house causing chaos. Unfortunately, a lot of companies look to profit from the summer holidays, so it’s easy to spend a stack of cash very quickly. Here are three ideas for saving money during the holidays. [Read more...]

Turn Camping into Glamping with the Instant Tent 8 and Other Amazing New Products from Coleman Canada-Giveaway

Do you love the great outdoors but want to be able to enjoy it without having to use bushes as a washroom and fire as an oven? You need to try “glamping!” Glam camping is taking North America by storm and if you want to kick your camping up to a new luxurious level, Coleman Canada has just the products you need to do it! Here are Coleman’s top three tips for turning camping into a glamorous experience:

  1. Ambiance is key: Amplify the nature experience with a few items from home like flowers, bedside lighting, tablecloths and linen napkins. You should also bring along a cozy portable chair, a small rug and a tented shade for the ultimate outdoor Zen zone.
  2. Eat like royalty: Don’t let your dinner suffer just because you’re roughin’ it! Thanks to a little bit of preparation and some great new portable appliances, you can enjoy your gourmet goodies just as you would at home. Take it up a notch and bring along some posh snacks like cheese and crackers and a nice bottle of wine to really wow your campsite guests … and taste buds.
  3. Deck out your tent: Turn your tent into an outdoor oasis to truly unwind on your glamping retreat. From a collapsible nightstand to host your iPod dock, to those 900-tread count sheets that sooth you to sleep – this is sure to be your classiest camping trip yet.

coleman instant tent 8We head out camping every summer and to make our experience more luxurious this year, Coleman sent us the fabulous new Coleman Instant Tent 8. Remember those days of juggling tent poles, forcing them through the tent’s fabric and desperately trying to get the rain cover fitted on properly…all just so you could sleep crushed together on the hard ground? Those days are no more with this fantastic eight-person tent! [Read more...]

The Holy Land-Where to Stay When Visiting Israel

So you have decided to take the family and visit Israel – the Holy Land. Although tourist numbers are at record levels and Israel is a tiny country (smaller than New Jersey), there is no doubt that there will still be plenty of room and hospitality for you and yours.

tel aviv cityscapeIf you have not previously visited the Holy Land, undoubtedly you have already done your research as to what you want to do and see; whether you want to base yourself in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv and take day trips to the north and south of the country or you want to actually travel to the north and south and make a base from there to tour around each area. The decision will likely be a matter of personal preference and budget, but there are plenty of suitable options either way in Israel. The country may be small but it sure has a lot going for it. And because it is such a compact country, you can do and see so much in a relatively short amount of time. [Read more...]

Get Outdoors: Five Essential Tips for First Time Family Campers

roasting marshmallow over fireCamping can be a great way to have a vacation to remember without spending a lot of cash. Once you’ve bought a tent, sleeping gear, and a small portable stove, you can go almost anywhere and stay cheaply. There is also no need to “rough it” if you don’t want to. Many modern campsites have hot showers, clean toilets and electrical hook-ups for power. Some even offer free WiFi internet access.

Camping with kids brings in a few extra challenges but it can also be very rewarding for the whole family. Suddenly even the act of making dinner will seem a whole lot more interesting if it happens outside. Kids love the excitement of setting up camp and you can make it even more fun with a few simple tips:

  • Everyone loves an open fire but if your campsite doesn’t allow them (some do and some don’t) you can still roast marshmallows, make smores and brew up a hot chocolate before bedtime on a camp stove. It’s almost as much fun and a whole lot easier for mom and dad.
  • Camping can be cold, even in summer. You can always beat the temperature with a good sleeping bag but if it’s colder than expected, tuck the kids into their camp beds with a hot water bottle. Fill an empty soda bottle with water that is not quite too hot to dip your fingers into, pop it into a woolly sock for insulation and their feet will stay warm all night long.
  • Try a different activity every day. You might have a passion for fishing or hiking but kids who aren’t used to spending time outdoors can get bored quickly. Pick a campsite with plenty of different activity venues nearby and try a hike in the woods, a day canoeing on a local river or lake, a mountain biking session or a horse ride…or whatever else you feel like. Older kids can be allowed to choose the itinerary for one day each, if they have been good recently!
  • Nighttime activities are also important. Bring along a deck of cards and some travel board games, and read up on ghost stories before leaving the house. These will also come in handy if you need to fill a few rainy hours.
  • Have a backup plan in case the rain really comes down heavily. It might be a local museum, a theme park or even a shopping mall. As long as you know there’s something to do if it rains, you can sleep well without worrying about the weather.

This post was contributed by Jess Spate. Jess comes from a family that loves camping, and the next generation is well on their way to loving it too. She writes for Appalachian Outdoors, one of America’s favourite outdoor stores.

Beat the Winter Blues by Packing a Mental Suitcase!

beach vacation image

Source: http://kottke.org/

To keep myself amused during the cold winter months I often fantasize about what I would bring on a hot sunny vacation – a mental suitcase of items! My family and I would love to make an annual trip every winter, but with our house renovations a top priority right now, it’s not something that’s in our budget. I know so many of my friends and associates are flying down south to a club med all inclusive resort, but not me this year.

But enough with my pity party! If you’re tired of the cold and feeling down, try creating your own mental holiday suitcase. Include whatever you want and wear whatever you want – there’s no budget! It’s a fun game that helps lift your spirits. Here’s mine:

  • One Marilyn Monroe-style bathing suit (it’s my imagination, so I look great in everything!)
  • One black 50’s bathing suit – the short styled ones
  • New platform flip-flops
  • Three new silk lounge dresses(purple, navy and white) with matching purple shoes
  • Two pairs of trendy sunglasses (think Breakfast at Tiffany’s!)
  • An orange cream silk night dress
  • All-natural sunscreen and aloe gel
  • One big floppy yellow hat
  • Day wear: a wrap for bottom, and only bathing suit on top
  • A new camera – I have to document my travel and show everyone how much fun I’m having!
  • $1000 for fun money (this one is a real dream)

This is my game and it sure can make those cold winter days a little easier to bear. Try it out! What’s in your holiday suitcase?

mommy kat and kids rp2