Your March Break Begins at the Airport

TORONTO, March 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Plans are made, tickets are booked, lists are being checked, and many people are getting ready to kick off their March Break right here at Toronto Pearson.  This is one of the busiest times of the year at the airport and we are ready.

This year we are expecting 103,000 guests on March 8 and 108,000 guests on March 9 at Toronto Pearson.  These will be the two busiest days of the March Break travel season. On a typical day we see about 90,000 guests travelling through the airport.  Airport staff are prepared to welcome all the extra guests to the airport.

"Once again this year we have planned fun activities for families starting their March Break at the airport," said Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO of the GTAA.  "We hope our guests will be delighted by the entertainment and surprises we have planned and that it will help kick off their vacation to a great start."

This year's March Break theme at the airport is "The Fun Starts Here".  With this in mind, we have arranged some great entertainment for kids at the airport:

• Puppeteer Show - watch our master puppeteer, David Hannan, create puppets, then learn how to make one of your own.  Located in Terminal 1, post-security, near gate D20.  This activity will run from 9:30 am - 6:30 pm on March 8 and 9.
• Kids Zones - grab some crayons and get colouring on our giant colour-me walls.  Located in Terminal 1, post-security, near gate F57 and in Terminal 3, post-security, near gate C34.
• Sand Artists - let these incredible artists, Karen Fralich and Scott Herel, put you in vacation mode, as they sculpt elaborate masterpieces out of just sand and water.  Located in Terminal 1, post-security, near gate F57.  The artists will be building sculptures on March 8 and 9 from 9:3 0am - 6:30 pm each day.

When you're making your way through the airport, be on the lookout for Silver Elvis.  He will be walking around all areas of Terminals 1 and 3 entertaining guests on March 8 and 9 between 7:00am - 10:00am.

Be sure to check out the many new restaurants and retail outlets while you're waiting for your flight.  In the last few months, we have opened a number of restaurants, including: A&W, Camden Foods, Thai Express, Extreme Pita, PurBlendz, and Subway.  For information on food and beverage and shopping options for the busy family, check out our website:  http://www.torontopearson.com/en/shopdinerelax/#.

Parking right at the airport is the most convenient option for guests, especially those families travelling with car seats or a lot of luggage.  If you would like hassle-free parking, with no juggling of kids, strollers and bags through the parking lot to the terminal, then take advantage of our Valet Parking option (available in Terminals 1 and 3 Daily Park).  For just $25 on top of your daily parking fee, you can drop off everything right at the curb and have confidence that your vehicle will be taken care of by our Valet parking attendants.

Guests travelling on March 8 and 9 will be greeted at the airport's doors by airport employees participating in the Ambassador Program.  These volunteers will be throughout both terminals welcoming guests as they arrive at the airport.

GTAA Media Office [phone]