For two nights this spring, Disney California Adventure will be hosting a Disneyland After Dark: Heroes Assemble event. On April 30th and May 1st, Disneyland After Dark: Heroes Assemble will take place after the park closes to daytime guests. Superhero fans of all ages are encouraged to come to the event in their favorite superhero attire,…
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.
All About the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
Spring is just around the corner and so is the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. Kicking off today, March 1st, through April 23rd, guests can experience the best of California cuisine at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. The festival features culinary demonstrations, celebrity chef appearances, and seminars. The culinary presentations…
Meeting Disney Characters at Walt Disney World
Disney characters are in high demand in all four Walt Disney World theme parks and today, Liliane Opsomer, coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids, talks to us about the characters she loves to visit. Guests can see lots of Disney characters in live shows and parades, but most visitors to…
Disneyland Park and Why You Should Plan a Visit for 2019
In December we celebrate both Walt Disney’s birth (December 5, 1901) and his passing (December 15, 1966). Little did he know that when he opened Disneyland Park on July 17, 1955, that this, together with his film studios, was only the beginning of a legacy we still celebrate today. So why visit Disneyland in 2019?…
A Review of the Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood
Where can you get a behind-the-scenes studio tour of movie and TV productions and take in several experiences in one ride? At Universal Studios Hollywood, of course! All Aboard the Studio Tour There is a queue, but, fear not—trams leave continuously, and each tram carries 192 people. The trams take guests past working soundstages and parts…
This Year Celebrate the Season at Universal Orlando
The Christmas Season starts November 17th at Universal Orlando, and festivities run through January 6th. Here are the highlights! Christmas at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade, as well as London and Diagon Alley, put on festive decor. Inspired by the stores of the Wizarding World, the decorations…
Caribbean Carnaval: The Taste and Sound of the Caribbean
For an evening with the tastes and sounds of the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad, try the Caribbean Carnaval dinner show at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Together with a friend, I did so during my last trip to Orlando, and I highly recommend it. The Tastes A selection of organic greens topped with a Grilled Pineapple…
Aventura Hotel is Perfect for Families Visiting Universal Orlando
The stylish, brand-new Aventura Hotel is simply perfect for families visiting Universal Orlando. Here’s why! Kids Suites The 575-square-foot suites features three separate sleeping areas, each with floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows. Suites in the top floors have sweeping views of Universal Orlando’s theme parks and Universal’s Volcano Bay water park. The largest room comes with a king…
Marvel Character Dinner—Fun for All Ages
If you ever dreamed of dining with Captain America, then check out Universal Orlando’s Marvel Character Dinner at Cafe 4 at Islands of Adventure. Together with Seth Kubersky, the coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando, I recently experienced the dinner and enjoyed the interaction with the Marvel characters even though we had no kids…
Despicable Me Character Breakfast – Dine With the Minions
Liliane Opsomer, coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids, recently enjoyed breakfast with Minions. Here is her report! I strongly agree with Robert A. Heinlein, who said, “One should not attend even the end of the world without a good breakfast.” If, in addition to food, you get to meet with…
Characters Galore at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Rarely seen characters are one of the highlights of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and this year is no different. Long lines form early for the stars of the party, such as Snow White’s Seven Dwarfs holding court inside the tent of Pete’s Silly Show and Jack Skellington and Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas (Liberty Square). Mickey…
No Need to Be Irish to Enjoy Raglan’s Great Irish Hooley
This Labor Day weekend, Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant is home to the 7th annual Great Irish Hooley. The mission of an Irish Hooley is to promote Irish music and culture, and Raglan certainly excels in doing so. Nine Irish bands and the new Raglan Road Irish Dance Troupe will provide traditional Irish entertainment on…