Satu’li Canteen is Pandora – The World of Avatar’s fast-casual restaurant seating 330 guests inside and an additional 190 diners outside. The international-inspired menu is served in what used to be the mess hall of the Resources Development Administration (RDA), now re-purposed to be the dining facility of the Alpha Centauri Expeditions on Pandora. Na’vi…
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.
Volcano Bay Raises the Bar for Water Theme Parks
Beautifully themed and landscaped Volcano Bay offers thrill rides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and great food steps away from the Cabana Bay Resort. Brand-new technology is being introduced to allow for virtual reservation in the form of the TapuTapu wristbands. Guests can tap the band against a totem outside a ride, and the…
Margaritaville a Classic CityWalk Eatery in Orlando
After a busy day at Universal’s theme parks, eating at the beach sounds like fun. While the beach isn’t exactly right around the corner, there is a beach-themed restaurant—with tropical sounds—outside Islands of Adventure! At Margaritaville, one can relax with a drink, listen to Jimmy Buffett covers, and enjoy great fare that combines the flavors of Key West and the…
Discovery Cove: A Very Different Orlando Attraction
There is no doubt that the highlight of a visit to Discovery Cove is the opportunity to swim with an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, but there is so much more to this beautifully landscaped place. There are waterfalls, winding rivers, white-sand beaches, and exotic birds, to name a few. The day at Discovery Cove starts early…
Pandora: The World of Avatar Now Open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
On Pandora the Ground Glows Beneath Your Feet Day or night, the Valley of Mo’ara and its floating mountains are the focal point of Pandora: The World of Avatar. Waterfalls cascade down the 156-foot-tall mountains that appear larger than they physically are, and the landscaping is amazing, even mysterious. Guests are invited to play instruments at the…
Disney’s Water Parks Are Perfect to Beat the Summer Heat
Disney’s water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are both very good choices for beating the Florida heat. Blizzard Beach has a bizarre theme but delivers the best slides, while Typhoon Lagoon is home to a great surf pool as well as Disney’s latest family raft ride, Miss Adventure Falls. Both parks have excellent and elaborate…
Epcot Flower and Garden Festival—Fun for the Entire Family
For 90 days, the annual Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is the perfect way to introduce the whole family to Epcot. Kids will instantly connect with Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, and Pluto, welcoming all in front of Spaceship Earth. More than 100 topiaries are sure to please young and old. While some topiaries are…
Miss Adventure Falls — Family-Friendly Raft Ride Opens at Typhoon Lagoon
On Sunday, March 12th, Disney’s newest water park attraction, Miss Adventure Falls, opened under gray skies at Typhoon Lagoon. The story of the ride is that of Captain Mary Oceaneer, who is stranded on Typhoon Lagoon with her ship, treasures, and pet parrot. Tucked behind the Crush ’n’ Gusher attraction, Miss Adventure Falls is not…
Rivers of Light — What to Expect and Where to See the Show
There is no doubt in my mind, Rivers of Light, the new sound-and-light show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is a headliner. The show takes place along the lagoon formed by the Discovery River, and lasts 15 minutes. Rich in symbolism, Rivers of Light is about the relationship between humans, animals, and the forces of nature…
Mardi Gras at Universal Studios – Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler for 50 Nights
Every night, February 4th through March 25th, Universal Studios Orlando celebrates Mardi Gras. As the 12 floats make their way through Universal Studios, bringing a family-friendly version of the New Orleans celebrations to Florida, guests excitedly collect beads, which are distributed generously. This year, 6 out of the 12 floats are new. The new floats,…
It’s Looking a Lot Like Christmas at Disney Springs
In addition to a nightly tree lightning ceremony, lots of live entertainment is happening at Disney Springs for the holidays. Every night a family of the day is chosen to light the Christmas tree at 6:00 p.m. at the Once Upon a Toy fountain play area. Throughout the evening a DJ spinning holiday-themed music, snowflake and…
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts Gear Up for the Holidays
The Swan and Dolphin are among the most centrally located resorts in Walt Disney World. Though these resorts are located inside the World and Disney handles their reservations, they’re owned by Sheraton (Dolphin) and Westin (Swan) and can be booked directly through their parent companies too. Both hotels are massive yet whimsical. Designed by Michael…