Liliane Opsomer, the coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids, stayed at Surfside Inn, the latest property of Universal Orlando. Here is here review. The Endless Summer Resort is Universal’s latest hotel complex featuring two hotel towers of which Surfside Inn & Suites opened in 2019. It is Universal’s first value…
Author: Liliane Opsomer
Liliane Opsomer is the coauthor of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids and a freelance writer.
She is passionate about travel, Disney, fairies, hobbits and all things magical. Some of her favorite destinations are Orlando, Anaheim, Middle Earth, Belgium, Sydney, Dresden, Patagonia and Hawaii. Liliane lives in Birmingham, Alabama and visits the parks several times a year.
Celebrate Polynesian Culture With a Wantilan Luau
Every Saturday, Loews Royal Pacific is host to a Wantilan Luau celebrating Polynesian culture with a tropical buffet—complete with a pit-roasted pig, live music, and dancing. We recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the show. At check-in, you’ll receive your seating assignment and an artificial lei before joining the…
On Batuu, Chef James Kleinschmidt Serves Food with a Story
Liliane Opsomer, coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids, recently talked with James Kleinschmidt, Chef de Cuisine, Concept Development Team, about the food offerings at the brand-new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here is her report. About Chef Kleinschmidt A graduate of the Baltimore International Culinary College, Chef James Kleinschmidt…
Epcot’s 24th International Food and Wine Festival in Full Swing
The 24th International Epcot Food & Wine Festival is in full swing. This year, visitors are able to enjoy the festival for a total of 87 days, the longest run since its start in 1995! Liliane Opsomer, coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids, shares with us her impressions when visiting the…
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel – the Grande Dame of Disneyland Resort
Reminiscent of national park lodges, the Grand Californian Hotel is Disney’s flagship resort on the West Coast. In some ways it reminds visitors of the Wilderness Lodge, which is really no surprise, as both resorts were designed by architect Peter Dominick. If you are interested in what influenced the architecture of the resort, make…
Oga’s Cantina is a Full House from Bright Suns till Rising Moons
You heard that right, Oga’s Cantina is open as early as 6:00 a.m. and the underworld boss welcomes thirsty visitors till park closing. Breakfast guests can enjoy a Bloody Rancor, which is Batuu’s version of a Bloody Mary, or enjoy a Spiran Caf, a coffee enhanced with rum and topped with whipped cream. If…
On Batuu, Enjoy Exotic Flavors from a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney’s most detailed and immersive land ever created, also shines when it comes to satisfying the culinary expectations of Star Wars fans. Food on Batuu is colorful and well worth exploring. From Tip-yip to Oi-oi Puff—There is Something for Everyone at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo Batuu diners will not be disappointed…
Disneyland’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – a Land of Hidden Gems
Although many visitors to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge may be unfamiliar with the planet of Batuu and its Black Spire Outpost, Star Wars fans will discover that the land is filled with hidden gems drawn from the Star Wars movies and the many novels, comic books, and television series. The story of the planet of Batuu is set…
Festivals Galore at Epcot: A Look at All of Them
Epcot is Festival Central pretty much all year round. Here is a look at all of them. From flowers to food, there is something for everyone. Starting in mid-January and lasting for six weeks, enjoy Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts. This youngest of Epcot’s festivals has quickly become a favorite and a return for 2020 is…
Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar Bewitches All
You might think that there are many more important things to do when visiting Disneyland Resort, but, trust me, Trader Sam’s is not your average tiki bar—it is an attraction in its own right! The bar is fairly small with a capacity of only 47 guests and no reservations available. Looking around the bar is part…
SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival—A Culinary Treat
The best way to enjoy the festival is to visit SeaWorld Orlando early in the morning, before the lines get busy and after enjoying the major rides. Sip and sample the many culinary delicacies of the Seven Seas Food Festival. More than 180 amazing eats are available Fridays at 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays…
Disney’s Yacht Club: A Resort in a Perfect New England-inspired Setting
If you want to experience the stylish feel of Nantucket, Disney’s Yacht Club, with its New England-inspired lakeside setting, is perfect for you. Liliane Opsomer, coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids,recently stayed at the Yacht Club and loved it. The resort faces the 25-acre Crescent Lake, complete with lighthouse and marina….