• Travel

    Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration

    July 8, 2011 - By 

    The main pool near the grotto with 40 foot waterslide and one of the buildings in the background. Vacation silliness and the billboard near the kiddie pool. Ping Pong near the activity area and warm pool Overview: On our second big family trip to Disney and the Orlando area we chose to stay at an economical family friendly place. Our first family trip three years ago was epic fun and really incomparable because we stayed at a Disney Moderate Resort called Port Orleans. Port Orleans was a bit more expensive than our usual accommodations, but it was Disney A+ service…

  • Travel

    Planes, Trains and Automobiles: Via Train Travel and Business Class

    February 20, 2011 - By 

    I am a frequent Via train traveller. For those day trips to Toronto, or the occasional trip further to Ottawa, you can’t beat the comfort of travel by train. And frankly with the cost of gas, sometimes train travel ends up being almost the same amount when you do the math. Up until recently, I always selected supersaver or enconomy class travel. I figured it was the cheapest way to go, so it made sense. I have often eyed the business class with envy and wondered what extras they might get for the price. At the end of last year,…

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    Blue Mountain Collingwood and Plunge!

    September 7, 2010 - By 

    Blue Mountain Collingwood is a spot I haven’t visited since I was maybe 12 years old. When the opportunity came up to check out Blue Mountain this past weekend we were curious to see how things had changed. With my Lay’s Chip Trips once again, we were able to save a few bucks on this trip. In total a day for four at Plunge is about $42. We saved on one free child’s admission. It was a lovely treat to stay in Weider Lodge at the base of Blue Mountain and Plunge was a hoot. I’d very much recommend this…

  • Travel

    Wings of Paradise: Family Travel and a Butterfly Rescuer

    August 31, 2010 - By 

    This summer you will want to check out this little gem near Cambridge. Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory is a perfect day trip for kids who are school aged. First catch of the day. Payton lands one easily at Wings of Paradise near Cambridge. Ainsley waited and waited. At first the butterflies swirling around her head were really making her nervous. Then she started to get a bit more comfortable and, when her sister proudly landed one carefully on her finger, well, my competitive six-year-old was not be to outdone. Here little sister finally had her moment. The Blue Morpho…

  • family travel - Travel

    Kobo and Fairmont: An Intriguing Partnership

    August 11, 2010 - By 

    This is one of the coolest partnerships in travel amenities and publishing that I have seen in some time here at thriftymommagogo. Today Kobo, the ereading service sold far and wide at Chapters/ Indigo and Wal-Mart, among other retail outlets, announced it has partnered with Fairmont hotels and Random House. Fairmont Gold travellers will be permitted use of a Kobo preloaded with numerous popular fiction and non fiction titles carried by Random House. Kobo and Fairmont recognize that travellers occasionally forget their books, or don’t want to travel with bulky heavy hardcovers. Let’s face it hardcovers can weight the luggage down…

  • family travel - Travel

    Have a Great Wolf Day! – a review

    July 8, 2010 - By 

    We went on so many water slides at Great Wolf we shrank. As promised this is my review of Great Wolf Lodge. Up until this past weekend it, in fact, felt as if we were the last family on earth to visit the infamous family waterpark. But having heard from several of my reades over the past two weeks I know now that’s not the case and many are waiting to hear if it’s worth the money. I have to say we were pretty much thrilled with this trip. We decided to celebrate my daughter’s ninth birthday and combine that…

  • Travel

    Holidays and Good Investments

    March 10, 2010 - By 

    Over on my travel blog http://www.thriftymommagogo.blogspot.com/ I have posted a review of the great family resort we recently had the chance to stay at. But what I wanted to say here today was a little along the lines of sometimes a tiny splurge or a family vacation can be a great investment. These days, in light of our recent break from Canada and the stresses of Canadian winter/ Mommy taxi/ regular routine of running the kids back and forth to doctors, therapists, schools and extracurriculars, I am refreshed and to me that’s worth all the money in the world. Not…

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    Saskatoon Inn review

    September 27, 2009 - By 

    It’s not often that I am so pleasantly surprised by my accommodations that I race to the computer, eager to commend the venue and its staff. This week while staying in Saskatchewan at the Saskatoon Inn and conference centre, 2002 Airport Drive, I couldn’t help but do just that. From check in to check out the service here was exceptional. To begin with I arrived much earlier than check in time on a Wednesday, not intentional just the way flights worked out. A convenient airport shuttle was perhaps a five minute wait and baggage appeared without delay at Diefenbaker Airport.…

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    London’s Double Decker Bus Sightseeing Tour

    September 2, 2009 - By 

        For months, we have seen London’s Double Decker Bus Sightseeing Tour around town and thought wouldn’t that be fun to do one day.   This morning, keenly aware of the passing days of summer I woke both of my kids up and told them we were once again going on a surprise adventure. (These are truly one of the best parts of parenthood.) What is London’s Double Decker Bus? I had secretly planned to take them on the Tourism London’s Double Decker Bus Sightseeing Tour. The 1969 Bristol VR leaves every day of the summer through until September 7th…

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    Storybook Gardens review

    August 28, 2009 - By 

    I have always loved Storybook Gardens. As a child we used to drive every summer to Storybook Gardens from Guelph Ontario, about two hours, just to visit what was then really just a small park and petting zoo. Storybook Gardens has blossomed and I still enjoy this lovely spot in the summer. I also enjoy skating with my family on the path they flood in the winter to make an ice rink. The new splash pad and the massive renovation that took place several years ago now was an excellent investment. Storybook offers interesting events occasionally and also rides. The pirate climber…