Vacation Nannies In Jamaica…

As a first-time mom, I was very uncomfortable with the thought of leaving my daughter in a baby club, or in the care of someone other than a family member whether we were at home or away. But once my son came along, I understood the appeal – BIG TIME. Now as a travel agent specializing in family vacations, I’m finding my clients are like two different versions of me – the first-time parents and family travelers, who don’t need a resort with a lot of bells and whistles (yet), and those who have two and maybe even three little ones, and they NEED. A. BABY. CLUB.

Most resorts offer some form of private babysitting, or can refer you to a local agency who can help out. But this can really add up, plus the convenience of having a baby club on site  - a place to drop off the little ones, even to get them into some air-conditioning for a little bit – can mean a real vacation for you and your partner too.

Obviously this list is a work in progress, but I’ve compiled all the resorts with baby clubs in the Caribbean and Mexico and listed them by country…

Varadero Beach, Cuba

Resorts with Baby Clubs in Cuba
While Cuba still sometimes struggles with the perception of less-then-appetizing food or somewhat haphazard amenities, Cuba is awesome for families. It is safe and clean, and while the number of resorts that can accommodate large families is somewhat astounding (ie – very very few) it actually has quite a lot of resorts with baby clubs. CLICK HERE

Resorts with Baby Clubs in the Dominican Republic
Punta Cana seems to be the place to be, as all the resorts with baby clubs in the Dominican Republic seem to be located here. While the mega-resorts can seem huge and a little overwhelming, knowing there’s a well-regarded baby club that will happily take your baby or toddler for a little while might give you a chance to explore some of it. CLICK HERE

Resorts with Baby Clubs in Jamaica
Jamaica kids of takes the cake when it comes to availability of baby clubs – with the creme de la creme of two Beaches Resorts plus the wonderfullness that is Franklyn D. Resort and their famed vacation nannies. Jamaica may be pricier than some other Caribbean destinations, but if you factor in the things like potable tap water, good medical care, and great food, and maybe padding the budget a little bit is worth it. CLICK HERE

Club Med Ixtapa Pacific

Resorts with Baby Clubs in Mexico
Mexico and its warm and wonderful family-friendly culture has many destinations with their own appeal, plus so many different accommodation options that are suitable for families. They have some amazing resorts, and some of those resorts offer included baby care (or in the instance of Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, available at an extra cost). Given Mexico’s size, there are actually not that many resorts with baby clubs, and with the exception of Club Med the minimum age to participate starts at one year. CLICK HERE

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Fear And Toddlers In Las Vegas?

I have never been to Las Vegas, and it’s probably the last place I would think of visiting with my kids – or at least it was until I was surprised by a Vegas hotel’s reaction to complaints about a breastfeeding mom. Now my thinking is I’d want a grown-up getaway there with my husband or some girlfriends, and our days would be filled with cocktails instead of sippys and high heels instead of flip flops. But I’m glad the nice folks at Vegaskids.info got in touch! Helene Vece grew up and has lived in Las Vegas for the last 35 years, and she shares her top tips for Las Vegas with kids on Vegaskids.info and now, here – thanks, Helene! 

Las Vegas for Toddlers

Las Vegas and toddlers normally aren’t associated as two things that go together. But, they really are! Parents with young children shouldn’t miss out on visiting the famous Las Vegas Strip because of travel concerns. In reality, Sin City has tons of activities for toddlers!

The Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, the Fountains of Bellagio, the Coney Island Emporium, and Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat are just a few of the baby and toddler-friendly attractions in Las Vegas. The best part? They are all affordable and located on glitzy Las Vegas Boulevard! Parents can see the sights while children delight in engaging and educational attractions.

Las Vegas With Kids – More Than Just Sin City

First, let’s address the main concern for most moms- bathroom breaks while walking the Strip. Baby-friendly bathrooms in Las Vegas are hit and miss, except for The Bellagio! The bathrooms inside this beautiful resort are extra-large! Moms with young children don’t have to cram into a single stall with their child. The Bellagio has plenty of room for mom, a few toddlers and a stroller. The separate sitting (nursing) areas built into the lobby bathrooms are an appreciated comfort. The Bellagio is a wonderful place for families to visit because the resort is clean and the attractions are free. Little children are always fond of the dancing fountains out front of the hotel, which go off every 15 minutes. The Bellagio also hosts an indoor flower conservatory that is free, too.

It’s Dolphins, Baby…

Another great activity for those traveling with children is the Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage. The tickets prices are under twenty dollars each. Parents can take children in strollers to the bottom level of the Habitat for an up close and personal view of the dolphins.  Large glass windows allow children to press their hands and faces against the glass as dolphins swim about- sometimes they even come face-to-face with the children! The Habitat has a large cat section filled with lions and tigers, but no bears-oh my! The lions do brag about with furious growls, so use your discretion when it comes to visiting this section of the Habitat.

The Coney Island Emporium located within the New York New York hotel is fun for parents looking to stroll around, grab a quick bite and keep the younger ones entertained. The carnival games may be for school-aged children, but the lights and sounds will make toddlers “ooh” and “awe”.  Plus, the Coney Island Emporium has great ice cream. The hotel’s bathrooms do offer changing stations that will do the trick, but they are nowhere in comparison to those at The Bellagio.

Learning More Than Five Card Stud…

About ten minutes from all the glitz and glitter of the hotels is the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. The Museum is on Las Vegas Blvd. but families will have to take a cab to get to the location and back.  Everything in Las Vegas looks close, but the Museum really isn’t. Tickets for children are $8.50. There is no charge for babies who a year old or younger. According to its website, “Lied Discovery Children’s Museum won the 2010 Parents’ Picks Awards in the category of Best Museum in Las Vegas.”  The Museum has lots to offer toddlers and the building was designed to accommodate parents traveling with several bags and multi-child strollers. Every exhibit, and there are over a hundred, incorporates an educational component.

Las Vegas has many fun (often free) activities for toddlers. And, there are several hotels that offer daycare or in-room babysitting in their concierge office. Find more information about attractions for kids and toddlers in Las Vegas at VegasKids.info.

Las Vegas photo courtesy Bob Townsend

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Entrance To Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is the newest and the biggest of Disney’s Theme Parks, but it is also the easiest to navigate with a baby or toddler. If this is your first visit to Walt Disney World and you are planning on spending a few days in the parks, Animal Kingdom is a great one to start with – you’re eased into seeing how you all fare with the rides, attractions, and crowds without being overwhelmed and without the expectations that sometimes are associated with seeing Magic Kingdom for the first time. While nothing can beat that initial glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle, as the penultimate Disney experience, starting smaller and slower is an ideal way to ease yourself into your Disney Vacation. I would also say the same about Epcot, although I personally would find it difficult to spend a whole day there.

Don’t forget to download the “Mobile Magic” or “My Disney Experience” app to your smartphone for park opening hours, ride wait times, dining option availability, character greeting places and times, and more. And if you’re not from the US, don’t worry about data roaming, Walt Disney World has free WiFi at all their resorts and parks. It can be a bit spotty at times, as all free WiFi can be, but hey, it’s free – as are the Disney apps!

Elephant Spotting On Kilimanjaro Safari, Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom Basics

Don’t be alarmed by Animal Kingdom’s size – most of the over 500 acres is for all the animals’ habitats. Disney’s Animal Kingdom is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, meaning they have met or exceeded the standards in education, conservation, and research. The icon (and centrepiece) of the park is the Tree Of Life, it is located on Discovery Island and the park’s six remaining sections (Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia, DinoLand U.S.A., Oasis, and Camp Minnie-Mickey) all revolve around the tree.

Animal Kingdom is a little remote, but Disney’s transportation system serves the park by bus from every resort – and obviously Animal Kingdom Resort is the closest one. Stroller rentals are to the right of the main entrance and as with the other Disney Parks they are the same molded plastic ones (different colour) and rental prices are consistent – $15.00 USD per day for a single-passenger stroller and $31.00 USD per day for a double. Disney offers a reduced-rate length of stay rental ticket for a one-time payment for as many days of stroller rental you will need. When you enter a Disney park, show your receipt at the stroller rental location and you will be zipped to the front of the line. The multiple day stroller rental fee is $13.00 USD per day for a single stroller, and $27.00 USD per day for a double stroller.

Festival Of The Lion King, A MUST See!

Getting Around Animal Kingdom:

As with all the Disney Theme Parks, Animal Kingdom is fully accessible. And the nice thing about all the trees is it’s probably the shadiest as well. While everything is quite spread out, it is pretty easy to navigate your way from one area to the next, although your day will be simpler if you can arrange your activities and must-dos to go either clockwise or counter-clockwise around the Tree of Life. With little ones, you’ll probably be spending the most time in DinoLand U.S.A., which is fine since you’re right next to the Oasis area and the park’s main entrance. Stroller parking is strictly enforced, and for the big shows like Finding Nemo The Musical and Festival of The Lion King (a MUST see!), the stroller parking areas can get a little crowded. As with the other parks, Disney Cast Members are constantly organizing and re-organizing the stroller parking areas, so don’t panic if your wheels aren’t exactly where you left them.

Great walks for baby’s nap time are the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail in the Africa area, Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Asia section, and there’s a small dinosaur walking area beside the Dinosaur ride.

We Liked The Wildlife Express Train. A Lot

Animal Kingdom Rides

Speaking of the Dinosaur ride, it’s awesome. It’s also really, really scary. It does have a height requirement of 40″, but even then if you think your child will be ok, prepare them for the dinosaurs and help cover their ears and eyes if you need to. My 7-year-old kept her eyes shut! There really are only two rides a baby or toddler can go on at Animal Kingdom – the Kilimanjaro Safaris (awesome and totally grab a Fast Pass as soon as you arrive at the park), and the TriceraTop Spin – Animal Kingdom’s version of the classic Dumbo ride at Magic Kingdom. TriceraTop Spin’s line usually moves quite quickly, and also in the DinoLand, U.S.A. area is The Boneyard – a play area with mazes and slides that yes, you can fit through as you chase your toddler! The Kali River Rapids has a height requirement of 38″ – it’s really not very scary but you might get very wet! The Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch goes back and forth to Africa – we rode it without getting off (park was not busy) for about four trips – at two-and-a-half, my son absolutely loved it!

Animal Kingdom Dining

As with all the Disney Parks, they don’t blink when you bring in your own food, which is obviously great when you’ve got a baby or toddler in tow.  The Rainforest Cafe is a pretty big draw, and it has entrances both inside and outside the park, Tusker House restaurant in Africa has character meals with Donald Duck & friends for breakfast and lunch, the Yak & Yeti Restaurant in Asia has Pan-Asian cuisine, and there is plenty of quick-service dining and kiosks throughout the park.

On very busy days you may not save a table in the restaurant if you haven’t already purchased food, but we had no issue getting a table for our party of eight at Restaurantosaurus in DinoLand, U.S.A.  The cast members directed us once we had our trays. There are plenty of high chairs (the larger, open wood kind), and strollers are not allowed inside most restaurants.

The kids’ meals automatically come with carrots or grapes and milk, and if you would prefer a different (read: less healthy) side or drink you must specifically request that substitution.  The restaurants do not have the means to heat bottles, but that brings us to the Baby Care Center…

This Way To Animal Kingdom’s Baby Care Center!

Animal Kingdom Baby Care Center

Animal Kingdom’s Baby Care Center is located on the way to Africa - on the left-hand side just past Pizzafari restaurant and before the bridge. The First Aid Center is located there too, as are companion restrooms. Animal Kingdom’s Baby Care Center is very spacious – probably the biggest and certainly the best equipped in terms of items for purchase but no toddler toilets! There’s a nursing room, a large changing room, a feeding room with a microwave and highchairs, as well as a decent selection of baby care items available to buy (diapers biggest size is 4). In fact, even the vending machines in the park’s restrooms sell a reasonably priced “diaper emergency kit” for sale. And though Animal Kingdom is a decidedly less-bustling theme park, a visit to the Baby Care Centre allows you all a bit of cool and quiet and a break from the heat and the people.

Tips For Animal Kingdom With A Baby Or Toddler

The Tree Of Life, Animal Kingdom

•Since Animal Kingdom is large, and the attractions are spread out, it is certainly possible to do a full (slower-paced) day here. Plan your must-dos and must-sees in advance, get your Fast Passes out of the way first, and take your time.

•Because Animal Kingdom is further out, leaving for a nap in the middle of the day is probably not the best use of your time. Plan for a stroller nap in one of the park’s lovely walking areas, or make it a shorter day and spend the morning or late afternoon back at the hotel by the pool. Since mornings are cooler, the animals are more active early in the day rather than later. If you’re staying on Disney property and there’s Extra Magic Hours available in the morning for Animal Kingdom – take advantage!

•The full-time character meet and greets are at Camp Minnie-Mickey and in DinoLand U.S.A. – you can quickly check the “Mobile Magic” or “My Disney Experience” apps to see who is where. Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade does the circle around Discovery Island every afternoon, and is great fun to watch.

•Take a picture of your kids in the morning of your visit, and make it clear to them (if they are old enough to understand) exactly what they are to do should they become separated from you. You can establish a meeting spot with older kids, and for little ones, finding a Cast Member who works at one of the shops or rides is the best course of action. The Cast Member will first contact Lost Children and register any information that they have, including the child’s name, age, location and a parent’s name, and then try to retrace the child’s steps and see if a meeting spot was established. Next the lost child will be taken to the Lost Children Center, which in Magic Kingdom is located next to the baby care center. Attach a tag or sticker your child’s clothing with your name and cel phone number on it, or these wristbands from Mabel’s Labels are a great solution as well.

• Click To Go Back To The Guide To Walt Disney World With Babies And Toddlers
• Here’s a link to pretty much everything Disney on Have Baby Will Travel
• Ready to book your trip to Walt Disney World? Get In Touch!

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NOW I Know What The Badlands Look Like…

Note the “u” in favourite – that’s a dead ringer right there that gives away the fact that I am a Canadian gal through and through. But up until a while ago, I’d seen much more of the rest of the world than of my home and native land. I’m delighted to say that since having kids, that’s starting to change.

My favourite Canadian destinations are pretty much every place we’ve been – some I can recommend more than others depending on the age of your children and the activity level your family prefers. But know this about Canada – it’s safe, it’s clean, and it’s a great place to visit.

Québec City, PQ

Wandering Vieux-Québec)

Québec City was our very first trip with Bub – at just 10 weeks we wanted to stay somewhat close to home and we felt given his age and our daughter’s love of castles, Québec City was a great choice! While it’s most famous for its Winter Carnival, our Canada Day weekend spent there was a wonderful mix of Canada and Europe. While the steep steps and cobblestone streets of Vieux Québec can give you and your stroller a workout, Québecois culture adores children and families – you are welcome everywhere with a baby or toddler in tow.

Drumheller, AB

Bub And His “Rock River” At The HooDoos…

I had no idea anything like the badlands existed in Canada. On our drive from Calgary to Drumheller, Alberta I kept wondering if I’d even recognize them – and my husband kept laughing! Once we crossed over from the prairie the change was unmistakable, and you could imagine you’re somewhere near Vegas or Utah – not in Northern Canada. The drive from Calgary is short – well under 2 hours – and there’s more than just the Royal Tyrrell Museum to check out. The real highlight of that trip for my kids was climbing the HooDoos, and the highlight for me from that stop was watching them climb the HooDoos (in between nail biting, of course!) While you could easily tote a baby along for the ride, older toddlers and preschoolers will get the most out of the museum and exploring the landscapes – not to mention the pool in the motel!

Toronto, ON

Centre Island Ferry, Toronto

Come on… we live here for a reason! I’m rare in that I was born and raised here in Toronto, but my husband as a transplanted Albertan is now officially (begrudgingly) a Torontonian raising two Torontonians here. This city is not only home for me, but it is our playground that we explore during all four seasons – Toronto with kids is awesome. We’ve had plenty of summer staycations here, and though we ARE the centre of the Universe when it comes to Canada, we’re also so close to so many beautiful resorts in Ontario for when you need to escape. Perhaps I’m lucky to be able to say that my favourite Canadian destination is the city that I live in, but that’s why after all our travels I’m always so happy to come home.

Happy to share the Canada love! I’m tagging Lisa Goodmurphy of Gone With The Family, Deborah Peniuk of Aya Life and Christine Duncan to tell you why they think Canada is amazing!

(And follow the series on Twitter: #MyCanada)

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Epcot’s Spaceship Earth

Epcot opened as Epcot Center in 1982, and I believe that was my 2nd visit to Walt Disney World. I’m giving away my age when I tell you that I was 11-years-old on that trip, but to say that was my dad’s last visit to Walt Disney World and that he teared up talking about it just shows you the kind of impact a Disney vacation has on your psyche. I remember Epcot opening being a BIG DEAL, and we’re spoiled these days with how Disney continually tops themselves (and so quickly!) with their Disney Cruise Line and Adventures By Disney.

There really aren’t that many attractions or rides geared to small children at Epcot, but it still truly is a wonderful place to bring a baby or toddler. Though it’s almost twice as big as Magic Kingdom, Epcot is quieter, the pace is less busy, and strolling through the World Showplace (especially at night!) is a wonderful way to while away naptime or even bedtime with a heavy sleeper.

Epcot Basics

Epcot is divided into two sections: Future World (East and West) and World Showcase. It is the only Disney World Theme Park to have two entrances. There’s the main one that’s serviced by a parking lot, buses, and monorail that will take you to the Ticket & Transportation Center, and the secondary one off beside the entrance to the World Showcase that connects to Disney’s Boardwalk. You can get to Epcot via Monorail or bus, but the Boardwalk resorts (Boardwalk Inn, Yacht & Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin) offer boats to the International Gateway (Epcot’s smaller entrance), but we always walk it because it’s so short.

Entrance and Stroller Rentals at International Gateway Entrance…

Because there are two entrances, there are two spots for stroller rentals – to the left of the main entrance, and then again towards the Boardwalk. The strollers are the same molded plastic ones as at the other parks (different colour) and rental prices are the same – $15.00 USD per day for a single-passenger stroller and $31.00 USD per day for a double. Disney offers a reduced-rate length of stay rental ticket for a one-time payment for as many days of stroller rental you will need. When you enter a Disney park, show your receipt at the stroller rental location and you will be zipped to the front of the line. The multiple day stroller rental fee is $13.00 USD per day for a single stroller, and $27.00 USD per day for a double stroller. A Kolkraft umbrella stroller can be purchased at Epcot for under $60 – we saw them at the gift shop beside the United Kingdom Showcase en route to the Boardwalk.

Strollers For Sale At Epcot…

Epcot’s hours are usually a little shorter than Magic Kingdom‘s – it really depends on the time of year. The same “Extra Magic Hours” apply at Epcot to Disney Resort guests, and you can pick up the pamphlet with the week’s opening hours as well as showtimes and character greetings pretty much everywhere, or download the “Mobile Magic” or “My Disney Experience” app to your smartphone. No data worries – all Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts have free WiFi and the apps are free too!

The IlluniNations: Reflections Of Earth fireworks and music show happens most nights – usually at either 9:30pm or 10:30pm (times can be confirmed from the Times Guides around the parks). It takes place on the lake in front of the World Showcase Pavillions, and it is definitely worth a late night. Here is where a Park Hopper pass would come in handy – you can be in one park all day and then go take a break and head to Epcot for dinner and the fireworks. They are pretty loud, and we were able to see most of them from our balcony from the Boardwalk Inn.

Getting Around Epcot

Epcot is a very large (geographically) space, so getting where you need to go can take a while. Fortunately it doesn’t usually get as busy as Magic Kindom, so you’re not dodging as many crowds. There are often lots of interesting things along the way – sidewalks that light up, an awesome fountain, etc. – that can easily distract you. We’ve found we never get around Epcot as quickly as we think we will. As with the other parks, though, you’re wise to determine the things you simply can’t miss, and do those first. Our favourite is The Seas With Nemo & Friends – we typically head there first, go on the ride, and spend a while in the aquarium – we have a picture of us in Bruce’s jaws from every visit, and the kids can’t get enough of Turtle Talk With Crush. It’s really good!

Bruce Is Our Friend!

Epcot Rides

There are not that many rides at Epcot, and really the only one that’s good for wee ones is the aforementioned The Seas With Nemo & Friends. However, once your child is tall enough (40″), Soarin’ is awesome and not too intense. Other rides at Epcot with height requirements are Mission Space (44″), and the brand new Test Track (40″). There are lots of fun, interactive areas inside the iconic Spaceship Earth, as well as ImageWorks in the Imagination! building. Captain EO might be too scary for little ones.

Fast Passes are also available at Epcot, as is the Child Swap option for grown-up rides. Definitely do Fast Pass for Soarin’ and Test Track, those are the busiest attractions at Epcot by far.

Epcot Dining

Meeting Aurora At Epcot’s Princess Lunch…

The big draw for us with Epcot is the food. While there is great dining throughout the park, every single pavillion in the World Showcase has dining – usually more than one as well. As we’ve stayed at resorts in the Boardwalk area a few times, often (thanks to our Park Hoppers) we’ll nip over to Epcot for dinner. The kids love the Quick Service Chinese Restaurant (Lotus Blossom Cafe), and the Princess Character Meals at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway is excellent and well worth the time and effort to get reservations. We had the Princess Lunch, and it was a great selection of food, the desserts were awesome, and my daughter was delighted as the Princesses come by each table and spend a decent amount of time with each guest. Character meals are great fun but they must be booked well in advance.

Epcot Baby Care Center

Entrance To Epcot’s Baby Care Center…

Epcot’s Baby Care Center is off on its own little nook en route to Mexico as you approach the World Showcase from the main park. It is surprisingly large for the size of the park, and when I popped in midday on a Saturday it was completely empty. As with the Baby Care Center at Magic Kingdom, there is a main lounge with high chairs, tables, toys and movies, a nursing room, and a change room. No tiny toilets at Epcots Baby Care Center – it seems MK’s is the only one with that distinction. there is also a large kitchen area with facilities for you to heat bottles and food, as well as a number of baby and baby care products should you run out or forget something.

The Epcot Baby Care Center was so clean, spacious, and cool, I could see just coming by with your kids for a chill-out if the heat and hustle is proving to be too much.

Tips For Epcot With A Baby Or Toddler

-Epcot’s Character Spot pretty much guarantees good character greetings (Mickey and Minnie!) without the usual super-long wait in the heat. And the heavy hitters are always there. Character greeting times elsewhere in the park are listed in the daily times guide, as well as on the Mobile Magic and My Disney Experience free apps.

-Once your toddler enters the preschooler phase, they might enjoy getting their Epcot passports (available in the Epcot shops) stamped at the “Kidcot” stations around the World Showcase. Or you could make one or use their autograph books.

-Consider a stroller even if your child is older and is used to a lot of walking. There is A LOT of walking at Epcot.

-As with all park visits, have a plan in case you become separated. Take a picture of your kids in the morning of your visit and attach a tag or sticker your child’s clothing with your name and cel phone number on it, or these wristbands from Mabel’s Labels are a great solution as well.

-Take the time to smell the roses. Epcot has lovely gardens, and often has special events surrounding food, wine, and their famous gardens. Take advantage of these events when your little ones are little, chances are they won’t be interested when they’re older.

• Click To Go Back To The Guide To Walt Disney World With Babies And Toddlers
• Here’s a link to pretty much everything Disney on Have Baby Will Travel
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Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom

Seeing Cinderella’s Castle in the distance from the start of Main Street, USA is just as magical a view from a stroller as it is from an infant carrier or your own two (little) feet. But there’s a lot riding on a visit to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and if you’ve got a baby or toddler in tow, you’ve got more on your mind than just coping with crowds or wait times for rides. Luckily, Disney is very intuitive when it comes to parents’ needs, so while you still need to plan your day and also be flexible enough to deal with the unexpected, things like stroller accessibility, high chairs in restaurants, and change tables in restrooms are things you can cross off the worry list.

Magic Kingdom Basics:

At approximately 133 acres, Magic Kingdom really expanded in size with the recent addition of the New Fantasyland, which is now open but will have more new attractions opening up in the future. Magic Kingdom is comprised of six areas – Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.

Stroller Rentals Under The Overpass, On The Right

When you first pass through the gates, restrooms, lockers, and wheelchair rentals are on the right. Stroller rentals are located under the right hand side of the bridge that the Walt Disney World Railroad goes over. Daily rentals for strollers (they are the molded plastic kind – good for toddlers and preschoolers but not suitable for infants or even older babies) are $15.00 USD per day for a single-passenger stroller and $31.00 USD per day for a double-passenger stroller. In case you misplace your stroller, replacements (hang on to your receipt!) can be found at Frontierland at the Frontier Trading Post, Fantasyland at Tinker Bell’s Treasures, and Tomorrowland at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. If you need to rent a stroller for multiple days, Disney offers a length of stay rental ticket (at a reduced rate) for a one-time payment for as many days of rental you will need. When you enter a Disney park, show your receipt at the stroller rental location and you will be zipped to the front of the line. The multiple day stroller rental fee is $13.00 USD per day for a single stroller, and $27.00 USD per day for a double stroller.

Opening hours for Magic Kingdom vary, but if you stay at a Disney Resort you are entitled to “Extra Magic Hours” – where the park opens early or stays open late specifically for resort guests – great for early risers or night owls. You can pick up the pamphlet with the week’s opening hours as well as showtimes and character greetings pretty much everywhere in the park, or download the “Mobile Magic” or “My Disney Experience” app to your smartphone. And if you’re not from the US, don’t worry about data roaming, the smart folks at Walt Disney World have free WiFi at all their resorts and parks. It can be a bit spotty at times, as all free WiFi can be, but hey, it’s free – as are the Disney apps!

Getting Around Magic Kingdom

Disney Parks are probably the most accessible theme parks I have ever visited, so they are a breeze to navigate with strollers. In the different areas there are stroller parking lots where you’ll need to leave your ride before you check out some of the rides and attractions. Be aware that the Disney Cast Members frequently move the strollers around to keep the area neat and tidy, so don’t panic if your stroller is not where you left it. Some attach a balloon so they can see it from a distance. Nobody seems terribly concerned about theft, as you will see everything from Bugaboos to cheapie umbrella strollers (and you can buy a Kolkraft umbrella stroller at most Disney gift shops on resort for less than $60). While I don’t leave our camera or my wallet in the stroller when we park it, nothing has ever gone missing from our ride. If you’re concerned, a good idea might be to invest in one of those cute locks that you can put through the wheel – I would hesitate to actually lock it to Disney property in case a cast member needed to move it.

First Stop For Us Is Always Adventureland…

Now of course, depending on when you go and what time you arrive, Magic Kingdom might be very busy. Your best bet is to plan out which rides and attractions are must-dos for you, and aim to do those first. Convention dictates that when most enter a theme park they tend to go right. When we visit Magic Kingdom, we head left – to Adventureland. Our first ride of the day is almost always Pirates Of The Caribbean, although sometimes we don’t make it past The Magic Carpets Of Alladin without going on that one first. Find out which of your must-ride rides offer Fast Passes and grab those first as well. You will be given a time to return to the ride where your wait will be minimal to none. Dumbo is a good ride to do Fast Pass – even with the new Double Dumbo there is almost consistently a 60min wait to ride. Keep in mind that you aren’t able to get a new Fast Pass for a different ride until a certain time – usually until your time at the current Fast Pass ride has passed.

Magic Kingdom Rides

I’ve already mentioned Pirates Of The Caribbean and Dumbo – and they are classic Disney rides. And the beauty of Magic Kingdom is that there are SO MANY rides you can all go on as a family – even with a baby in your lap. But just because you can go on a ride with a little one, doesn’t always mean you should. The Disney rides are experiential, and magnificently so. But some are dark inside, the music and sound effects can seem loud, and some of the imagery can be quite scary for toddlers. Of course, you know your child best and what they can handle, but I will warn you that it is no fun sitting through a ride listening to your toddler cry. A quick tip is that a zip through It’s A Small World cures all – and the line for that may seem long but it always moves quickly.

A Trip Through It’s A Small World Cures All…

Our favourite rides at Magic Kingdom are the aforementioned Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Magic Carpets Of Alladin, It’s A Small World, Dumbo, Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel, the Tommorrowland Speedway, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and the new Under The Sea – Journey Of The Little Mermaid. Rides with height restrictions are Splash Mountain (40″), Big Thunder Railroad (40″),  Goofy’s Barnstormer (35″ – and always a super-long line for this and it’s a really short ride. Best to Fast Pass), Tomorrowland Speedway (32″ to ride, 54″ to ride alone), Space Mountain (44″), and Stitch’s Great Escape (40″). Rides that do not have height restrictions but little ones might find scary due to darkness/loudness/imagery are Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates Of The Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh.

If you’d like to go on a “big person” ride, ask the cast member at the start of the line up (or Fast Pass entrance) for a Child Swap pass. This will allow one of you to ride while the other stays back with your child, and then you can switch off so the other can ride. Combine this with a Fast Pass and you should be sailing through your grown-up rides.

Magic Kingdom Dining

One of the great things about Disney Parks is they don’t blink twice about you bringing in your own food and drinks. Which is great with a baby and younger toddlers, obviously, but also for you and your wallet and waistline. That said, however, eating at Magic Kingdom is as junk-y or as healthy as you want to make it. Lots of people scoff at the giant turkey legs, but if you figure you could probably feed your whole family from it plus some veggie sticks or fruit, and you’ve got decent food at a decent price. There are lots of Quick Service options – from hot dogs and french fries on Main Street, U.S.A., to the Mediterranean Salad at Pinocchio Village Haus (Fantasyland) that I actually really enjoy. Character dining is great fun but usually always must be booked in advance (sometimes MONTHS in advance), so have a look at The Crystal Palace and Cinderella’s Royal Table when you first book – same for dinner at the new Be Our Guest Restaurant. While it and Gaston’s Tavern are the newest additions to the Disney dining experience, the wait times tend to be longer than most since everyone wants to give them a try.

Disney is great with crowd control, so if the restaurants do seem busy, fear not. On very busy days you may not save a table in the restaurant if you haven’t already purchased food, so even though the restaurants were super-busy, we got a table no problem – the cast members will direct you. There are plenty of high chairs (the larger, open wood kind), and strollers are not allowed inside most restaurants.

The kids’ meals automatically come with carrots or grapes and milk, and if you would prefer a different (read: less healthy) side or drink you must specifically request that substitution.  The restaurants do not have the means to heat bottles, but that brings us to the Baby Care Center…

This Way To The Baby Care Center…

Magic Kingdom Baby Care Center:

Each Disney Park has a baby care center, and the one in Magic Kingdom is located on the left as you walk towards Cinderella’s Castle on Main Street U.S.A. – it’s beside the First Aid Station. **Just outside the Baby Care Centre is a great photo op spot with lovely, unobstructed view of the castle – even if you don’t have a baby you should swing by here to snag that great shot!** The Baby Care Centre at Magic Kingdom is probably the largest one of the four theme parks, and inside there’s a nursing room, a large changing room, a washroom with small toilets for potty trainers, a feeding room with a microwave and highchairs, as well as a small selection of baby care items available for purchase. In fact, even the vending machines in the park’s restrooms sell a reasonably priced “diaper emergency kit” for sale. And although all the washrooms in Magic Kingdom are clean with change tables inside, a visit to the Baby Care Centre allows you all a bit of cool and quiet from what can be a bustling and stimulating experience.

Tips for Magic Kingdom With A Baby or Toddler:

Our Disney Expert – She’s Been Four Times (Lucky Duck!)

•Plan your day ahead of time and plot out a few can’t-miss attractions and do those first. Don’t expect to cram everything into one day – you will feel cranky and rushed and will likely be disappointed. Walt Disney World will always be there, so missed rides or attractions are a good excuse to return

•If you’ll be visiting more than two days,to stay on resort at one of Disney’s properties, and get a Park Hopper option attached to your park tickets. The convenience of Disney’s transportation system, combined with the freedom to pop into a different park for the afternoon, for dinner, or just for the fireworks or a show can certainly make the expenditure worthwhile, and usually ends up saving you money.

•Take a picture of your kids in the morning of your visit, and make it clear to them (if they are old enough to understand) exactly what they are to do should they become separated from you. You can establish a meeting spot with older kids, and for little ones, finding a Cast Member who works at one of the shops or rides is the best course of action. The Cast Member will first contact Lost Children and register any information that they have, including the child’s name, age, location and a parent’s name, and then try to retrace the child’s steps and see if a meeting spot was established. Next the lost child will be taken to the Lost Children Center, which in Magic Kingdom is located next to the baby care center. Attach a tag or sticker your child’s clothing with your name and cel phone number on it, or these wristbands from Mabel’s Labels are a great solution as well.

•Know when it’s time to take a break – either to take off back to your hotel for a nap or even to just go for a ride on the monorail and back. The most resilient and laid-back kids can become overstimulated and/or overwhelmed, and taking a break to recharge and reset the mood will mean a more harmonious day for all of you.

•Character meet & greet times are available on the handouts, via Guest Services, and also on the Mobile Magic app. Before waiting in line for a character meet & greet though, make sure your baby or toddler will actually be excited to meet the character, and not freaked out. Kids react differently and at different times – my son was delighted to meet Chip & Dale and the princesses when he was only 20mos., but at 2-and-a-half was completely freaked out and would not go near any of them. Shortly before his 3rd birthday he loved the characters again, but I’m glad I didn’t wait for an hour in line for him to drop motionless on the floor to find out! You’ll see lots of kids with autograph books for the characters. Mine were too little to care about that, and drew in the books instead. The many parades offer a great chance to see everyone without line-ups or hassles.

• Click To Go Back To The Guide To Walt Disney World With Babies And Toddlers
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The Irwin Inn, on beautiful Stoney Lake

We are so lucky in Toronto to have so many options available to get away. We are definitely die-hard Fern Resort fans – and the (relatively – at 90min) short drive to Orillia is a definite plus. And while the Muskokas are for many the place to be, when I grew up it was all about The Kawarthas. And that’s where we just spent a lovely weekend – at The Irwin Inn on Stoney Lake.

A beautiful sunset over Stoney Lake at The Irwin Inn…

Depending on where you’re going in the Kawartha Lakes district, and also the state of the 401 Eastbound on a Friday, the drive can be a little longer. For us hitting a bit of traffic we made it to The Irwin Inn in just under three hours. The ride home was much quicker – 2 hours and 20 minutes. The Irwin Inn is about 20 minutes East of Lakefield, or 20 minutes North of Norwood. Either way, it takes a while if you need to hit a town, so keep that in mind when packing and preparing for your trip.

Not that you’ll need to bring much, however. A stay at the Irwin Inn includes a full buffet breakfast, and a lovely a-la-carte dinner each night. We really did not need much more than snacks to get us through the day between meals, but since I knew we had a full kitchen in our cottage, I brought up a few lunch fixins that satisfied the kids during the day with minimal fuss (and dishes).

The Irwin Inn is set on over 200 acres of land, but the prime cottages and suites are located directly on the shore of Stoney Lake. Our Cedarwood cottage is the creme de la creme, with an upstairs loft that has a Queen bed, a double futon, and a washroom with shower. Downstairs is an open concept living room and kitchen, with a lovely stone fireplace, a large bathroom with a shower and separate jacuzzi tub, and a bedroom with a large, comfortable King-sized bed. Our large deck overlooked the lake, and had a table and chairs and its very own private plunge pool. We were delighted with the pool, but we soon realized that swimming in the lake is WAY more fun – there’s a great couple of stretches of sand, a slide, and a water trampoline. Stoney Lake is nice and clear, with very few weeds. Kawartha lakes can sometimes be weedy, but Stoney Lake is just great. No wonder The Irwin Inn’s inground pool is largely ignored!

The Irwin Inn Cedarwood Cottage’s Deck & Pool, overlooking Stoney Lake

The Irwin Inn Cedarwood Cottage Living Room, Fireplace, and TV

The Irwin Inn Cedarwood Cottage’s main floor Master Bedroom…

The Irwin Inn Cedarwood Cottage’s upstairs loft bedroom…

What’s so great about The Irwin Inn is that you really get the best of both worlds. The cottage feels just like that – a cottage. But you don’t have the work involved in cottage rental like the laundry and most of the cooking. Housekeeping comes in daily, and you’re really only looking after your own lunch and snacks. Their wine list and drink selection is good (and reasonable) but aside from a glass of wine with dinner we just brought up our own.  The food was great. My apologies to the kitchen for the “Baconator” – I swear Bub ate a pound of bacon at each breakfast.

Of course there are some nice touches that make The Irwin Inn baby-friendly. They do offer high chairs, cribs, playpens and bed rails at no extra fee to their guests, so long as the request is made in advance. You barely need a stroller with how the grounds are set up, but a jogger with big wheels would go nicely along their trail which is not terribly steep and really well-maintained. Beach/Pool towels are supplied, as are staples in the cottages like sugar, tea towels, and dish soap. The smaller rooms don’t have full kitchens, but do have fridges as well as kettles and coffee makers. A funny word on their coffee… We raved about it. Turns out it was Folgers!

If you did forget something, either Lakefield or Norwood is a 20 minute drive away. Both towns have supermarkets, banks, and drug stores, but there is greater variety (and a Tim Horton’s!) in Lakefield.

The hiking trails connected to The Irwin Inn are well-maintained, and not too steep.

Included in your stay is the use of the non-motorized boats and canoes (use the one with the ridge on the bottom – don’t ask me why this is important but it is!) and you can rent some more fancy-schmancy boats and water crafts at nominal fees. They do have a bunch of children’s and toddler’s life jackets available, but I only spotted one infant one in the storage room. If you’re at all concerned, bring your own. The TVs are not hooked up to cable or satellite, but they have an excellent selection of “rental” movies available in the office at no cost. There is a 9-hole golf course on-site, as well as the option of horseback riding. In cooler months, they do horse-drawn sleigh rides and snowmobile rentals.

The beach at The Irwin Inn slopes gently into Stoney Lake, which is clear and not weedy.

The playground equipment at The Irwin Inn is clean and well maintained. The kids really enjoyed it.

The beach is gently sloped and nice and sandy, and shaded for part of the day. My kids loved the slide and water trampoline, but younger toddlers can have a great time with the plenty of water and beach toys available and free to use. There is a schedule of supervised activities and crafts – nothing as extensive as say Fern Resort‘s or Delawana’s – but enough to satiate my craft-mad daughter. The playground is great and well-maintained, and the staff is just lovely. We thoroughly enjoyed our campfire and smores – it was a lovely way to cap off our mini-break.

A beautiful sunset and campfire at The Irwin Inn made even better by smores!

But perhaps the best indicator of a great time? Our kids cried as it was time to leave and we headed for home. It’s safe to say we loved our stay at The Irwin Inn, and we hope to return one day soon.

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Steph and Baby Tobias…

Oktoberfest – yes, with a 3 month old!

My huge thanks and appreciation to Have Baby Will Travel reader Steph Brentnall for sharing this wonderful story of bringing her little guy to the world’s biggest festival of beer! Steph and her husband are yet another example of new parents not being afraid to see the world with their baby in tow – and how much will Baby Tobias love these pictures when he’s older?!

“You’re taking a 3 month old baby to a beer festival?!” was the shocked response from most of our friends when we told them of our plans to visit Oktoberfest in München, Germany. Arriving on Familienwochenende (family weekend,) the last weekend of Oktoberfest when parents traditionally take their children to ride on the fair ground attractions and gaze at the traditional costumes, the scene was definitely more children’s theme park than the stereotype presented in the film Beerfest.

After spending a year living as ex-pats in Duisburg, Germany we decided it was time we ventured south in to the beautiful scenery of Bavaria to visit the cities of Heidelberg and Munich (München.) So that we could both relax on the journey and entertain our 3-month old, Tobias, we decided to take the train. A car journey from our neck-of-the-woods to Bavaria takes approximately 8 hours as opposed to just over five hours from Duisburg to Munich on the ICE high-speed train network. We decided to break the journey up – first travelling to Heidelberg, which took just over 3 hours. The train journey couldn’t have gone more smoothly! As well as both being able to admire the fairytale castles on the route, we were automatically allocated a ‘family cabin’ by Deutsche Bahn at no extra cost. This was certainly a benefit of advance booking our tickets and meant that all 3 of us could comfortably sit side-by-side with the partition doors closed and nap in peace on the journey.

We enjoyed a pleasant, sunny day in the fairytale town of Heidelberg, hiking up to the castle on the hill (for those who don’t appreciate the challenge of pushing a buggy uphill, there is a chair lift to the castle) and exploring the little cafes and shops in the old town.

Tobias and Daddy in the castle grounds, after we hiked up the steep path to Heidelberg castle.

After a restful night spent in the Hotel Elite in Heidelberg, we put on Trachten (traditional German dress) and caught the early train to Munich. We even managed to buy Tobias a traditional Bavarian shirt!

All dressed up and ready to explore….

After only a 3 hour journey on the ICE train (which again went smoothly, thanks to booking our tickets in advance and therefore acquiring our own cabin), we arrived at Munich station and followed the throngs of people to the Wiesn meadows, where Oktoberfest is held each year. As we anticipated a busy crowd, we decided to to carry Tobias in his Baby Björn instead of using the buggy. This turned out to be a wise decision as it meant we were free to stroll around as we pleased, but there was certainly not a shortage of buggies amongst other family guests. The Oktoberfest organisers even provide a station where you can drop off your buggy if you prefer to. As you can see in the photo below, Tobias slept for most of our visit to the beer festival in his carrier, leaving us free to sample a Paulaner beer and a Bavarian Weisswurst hotdog.

Despite the popularity of the festival, we were able to grab some peace and quiet and shade on the banks of the meadows…

We decided to visit the festival in the morning and left before 5pm in order to avoid any revelers taking advantage of the last evening of beer drinking. However, I can honestly say that I did not notice any over-intoxicated guests and there really is a warm, friendly, family atmosphere during this last weekend of the festival. Throughout our day, we were pleasantly surprised at the amount of people who cleared a path for us, seeing that we were heading through the crowds with a baby.

Oktoberfest Mit Baby Is Wunderbar!

We spent the night at the Münchener Hof Hotel, which was well equiped with travel cots, high chairs and a good buffet breakfast plus the added advantage of children under 1 year of age staying without charge. We spent the day exploring the beautiful city of Munich, the highlights of which were the Rathaus (town hall) with its chiming bells and Glockenspiel, performing a magical show, the Toy museum (if only Toby were older, he would have loved to see those displays!) and strolling through the Englischer Garten (English Garden) park.

Toby and Daddy outside the Rathaus in Munich.

After a wonderful long-weekend in Bavaria and a relaxed experience of the family-friendly side of Oktoberfest, we decided to brave the 5 hour train journey back to Duisburg. With the luxury of a pre-booked family cabin, Toby was able to sleep through most of the journey, with Mummy and Daddy getting a little shut-eye after a busy weekend too!

Again, big thanks to Steph for sharing this wonderful snippet of Germany with her baby son. My experience with Germany was hanging out with my cousin on the British Army base, drinking beer and eating imported crisps, so one day I hope to return to see the castles with my daughter and watch Bub polish off a Bratwurst. I *might* hoist a stein as well

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Off To Beaver Brothers Bay!

A Baby and Toddler-Friendly Theme Park That’s A Short Drive From Toronto…

As someone who once claimed to hate theme parks, I sure have been spending a lot of time in theme lately. And I guess I’ve realized, maybe through necessity, that I actually don’t hate them. I just kind of feared them. We’ve spent a lot of time at Walt Disney World over the past few years, and we just got back from Darien Lake, NY – home of Darien Lake Theme Park and somewhere I have wanted to visit since I was a kid! Growing up in Toronto, we are privy to all of Buffalo, New York’s affiliate stations. And when I was small, they had the best Saturday morning cartoons. So all my life I’ve been excited by Cellino & Barnes Attorneys At Law, Carvel’s Cookie Puss and Fudgie The Whale, Tops Friendly Market, and Darien Lake Fun Countreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! And finally, I visited Darien Lake!

We stayed at Darien Lake’s hotel, The Lodge On The Lake. It was Canada’s long weekend, and while the 2.5 hour wait (ugh) at the border indicated that things would be super busy, it was not the case once we arrived at the hotel. Considering it was at 97% capacity, it did not feel crowded at all. (Noted for future cross-border visits to LEAVE EARLY.) If traveling to Darien Lake, it’s best (and easiest) to use the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie – you’ll pay a 90¢ toll (remember to have US funds handy) both ways and to re-enter Canada it is $3.00. For future reference when we fly out of Buffalo, I’ll take the Peace Bridge again too – seems like a longer way to go as it’s the last exit on the QEW, but man – is it ever easier once you’re over the border. Adults need passports, Canadian babies, toddlers, and children 15 and under just need proof of citizenship - such as an original or a photocopy of a birth certificate, or an original citizenship card.

Standard Queen Room at Lodge On The Lake

Our Standard Queen Room at the Lodge On The Lake was huge – easily enough room to sleep six (two Queen beds + a sofa bed). It had a good sized mini fridge, and the vending area not only had the standard pop, snack, and ice machine, but also a microwave – super handy for heating food and bottles. The General Store and Woody’s snack bar in the lobby are open until 11pm, so grabbing a quick late-night milk or forgotten sunscreen for the next day is not an issue. The food selection at Woody’s is decent (hello, Tim Hortons coffee!) and you could certainly make do with it for all your meals if you wanted to, but there are also decent food options both in the theme park and down the road at the gas station. As with most theme parks, finding healthy options took a bit of work, but we were mostly successful. I would not recommend Maria’s Spaghetti near Splash Town, but the Beaver Brothers cafe near the Boomerang Roller Coaster had lots to choose from and the kids’ meals were at a better price point than most of the concessions around the park. The park and dining options are licensed, but if you want to partake in a WINE SLUSHIE (!) you had to buy it outside and bring it in. Or so I heard

Bub & “His” Red Monster Truck

The hotel, theme park, and Splash Town (the water park) are spotless. The staff are also super friendly. The theme park is small when you compare it to some others that are close to Toronto, but for us it was a good size that was easy to navigate with little ones. They have a number of really great kiddie rides in the Beaver Brothers Bay – Chucky’s Mud Buckets was a big hit and my kids spun so fast it made me ill to watch. They loved it, though, and I was a big fan of not having to go on with them. As with one of our all-time favourites, Centreville, a lot of the small rides are for little ones only. Kids seem to love that, and I certainly do too. More favourites in Beaver Brothers Bay? The train and the monster trucks. I think Bub drove the red monster truck at least 10 times. That was another thing that really surprised me about Darien Lake. In spite of it being a holiday weekend for Canadians, and that 50-60% of visitors are Canadian, there were no lines at all. Wait times for rides were incredibly short.

All Aboard!

The newest area at Darien Lake’s theme park is Rowdy’s Ridge, a great spot with rides and attractions for kids that area a bit bigger. These rides worked out great for our daredevil-in-theory daughter, as well as for Bub who always wants to be a big boy. The kiddie roller coaster is the perfect combination of tame and exciting, and the Moose On The Loose is so very cute. So very, in fact, that the line up for that was pretty slow. A suggestion for Darien Lake would be to make Moose On The Loose a ride where adults can only go if they are escorting a small child like some of the other kiddie rides.

The wave pool at Splash Town was also a hit. We brought Bub’s life jacket from home, but there were plenty kicking around that you could borrow as well. My kids were not quite ready for most of the water slides, but my daughter and I very much enjoyed the lazy river. The other water play areas were pretty busy on this day, and Bub was in a kind of awkward in-between spot – too big for the little pirate boat and slides, but not quite big enough for the rest of the fun at Hook’s Lagoon. While I noted that the surroundings were very clean and not slippery, we still took caution and managed to fall anyway. Bub slipped, and when I picked him up to comfort him, I slipped in the exact same spot. I came down hard on my knee with my and Bub’s full weight, and went off to the medical center with some nasty road rash. Once I was patched up with a water-resistant bandage, I hobbled back out and just took it easy for the rest of the afternoon.

Pool at Lodge On The Lake

The value at Darien Lake is pretty astounding. The cost for the Standard Queen Room that we had ranges from $240 – $310 per night for a family of four, and that includes park admission for two days. Check in is at 3pm and check out is at 11am, but you are able to enjoy the rides and Splash Town for both full days. That’s practically the cost for one day anywhere else. The room upgrades have the cute bunk beds built ins that are so popular now with the younger set. The various camping options available are even more affordable than the hotel. The pool at the hotel was also a hit with our family, as it opens at 9am but the parks don’t until 10:30 – you can have a lazy morning and breakfast and then just meander over over for some rides. They also have lovely new cabins now that hold a larger number of guests. The Laser Blast show at 10:10pm each night is good fun but if your kids simply can’t stay up, missing it is not a huge loss.

The Lodge On The Lake has a limited number of cribs available on a first-come, first-served basis. All washrooms have change tables, and the park is fully accessible – so getting around with a stroller is a breeze. They don’t have bedrails, and I could have put Bub in the pull-out -couch as that offers a bit of a barrier between bed and floor. What I did do was roll up extra pillows and stuff them under the fitted sheet – barrier made and no fuss. I felt like a mother of invention!

Happy Canada Day!

As with visiting all theme parks, it’s good to know your children’s heights in advance, so you know which rides they can and can’t go on. I noticed as we were leaving that Darien Lake offers a measuring station – where they issue separate wristbands with your child’s height verified so there’s no waiting to be measured at rides or even pulled off rides to confirm measurements. There’s not a lot of shade at Darien Lake, so try to ensure that you have plenty of sunhats and sunscreen to last for the day, and there’s water fountains throughout to refill your bottles. I’ve come to accept the high price of bottled water at theme parks as an incentive to always remember our refillable ones.

My only complaint about Darien Lake is that though it is supposed to be a smoke-free environment with clearly marked smoking areas, the  No Smoking policy is not really enforced. Really I think they would have a difficult time doing so as we seemed to be in the minority as non-smokers. Luckily the policy is more in place at the hotel and the hotel pool area.

I was very impressed with Darien Lake – and would definitely recommend it to families with babies, toddlers, and  younger kids.

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Saying Hello To Our New Friends

Whether you’re in town for the Calgary Stampede, or are simply looking for more things to do in Calgary – The Calgary Zoo is such an easy outing for visitors and Calgarians alike. We have a membership to the Toronto Zoo, and visit often, but I must say that the Calgary Zoo impressed me with the intimate feel of the animal exhibits, and the themed walks really gave a sense of adventure to our visit. I have no doubt we’d get a membership to the Calgary Zoo if we ever moved to Calgary.

It’s located right next to Fort Calgary (pop in to the Deane House for a fab family-friendly brunch beforehand) and just minutes from downtown. There’s a C-Train stop adjacent, but the parking is fairly reasonable as well. The fact that the Calgary Zoo is so easy to get to already makes it a great attraction in my books.

Gorillas At The Calgary Zoo

The Calgary Zoo is set up similarly to the Toronto Zoo, in the sense that the animal exhibits are arranged according to Geographical Zones – but just on a much smaller scale. Even with the number of walks you can participate in, you could easily squeeze in the Calgary Zoo into a half-day – although there’s more than enough to fill an entire day at a leisurely pace. Even though we were off to Drumheller the following day, we made the time to do the Prehistoric Walk, and I’m glad we did. Not only was all the information a nice pre-cursor to the dinosaur overload we had at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, but it’s just a very nice (albeit hot if it’s sunny out) walk.

Black Bear At The Calgary Zoo

Same goes for the Canadian Wilds trail. This walk is shadier, so it’s cool even when the sun is strong, and we were treated to some WWE Black Bear action as the two black bears wrestled around right in front of the glass. It’s nice just to let your kids and toddlers run free along the path, and it’s contained enough so you don’t necessarily feel the need to hover (says “umbrella parent” me).

Say Hello To My Leetle Friend!

But the definite highlight of our visit to the Calgary Zoo was the new Penguin Plunge exhibit. It’s busy, and there’s often a line-up, but I can confirm that it’s worth the (hopefully minimal if you get there early) wait. You are so close to the penguins that you can practically reach out and hug them. Please don’t, of course, but how often can you say that you were splashed by a penguin as it swam by? Groups are brought through in 15 minute intervals, and I can say that I was tempted to go through the exhibit again. Bub wasn’t thrilled with the fishy smell, but outside you can see the Humboldts as they are sometimes found in tropical temperatures and can deal with the heat. The indoor temperature is set at a consistent 7° Celcius for the Gentoo, Rockhopper, and King penguins.

Butterflies At The Calgary Zoo

The food selection is excellent and pretty reasonable at the Kitamba Café – and there are a few concession stands throughout the Zoo grounds. As the Calgary Zoo is wheelchair accessible, it’s very easy to get around with a stroller.  All washrooms have diaper changing facilities and a nursing room is available in Kitamba Café. Emergency first aid and services for lost children are available 24 hours a day at the Security Office, which is south of the Conservatory and just off 12th Street SE.

The Calgary Zoo is open from 9am to 5pm every day, but it’s closes on December 25th and for their annual Zoogala. General admission is $21, with Seniors being $19, children 3-15 are $13, and babies 2 and under are free. You have 7 days to put your admission receipt towards a membership, which pays for itself in three visits.

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