the Official Blog of the Unofficial Guides

Liliane Opsomer, the coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids, gives advice on how to beat the summer heat at Walt Disney World’s water parks. 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

Floating Mountains, Glowing Flora, and Two New Rides Await on Pandora Pandora: The World of Avatar, now open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is Disney’s biggest expansion since the addition of New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. A land inspired by James Cameron’s movie Avatar, Disney’s Pandora is comprised of lush flora, winding streams, and meandering paths. It’s an exotic destination that will keep you

When you visit Washington, D.C., it’s always useful to get an insider’s tips on finding the city’s treasures. Renee Sklarew, coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Washington, D.C., tells us what to put on your must-see list. Best View: My favorite view of Washington, D.C., is from Arlington National Cemetery, where you’ll find a stunning view of downtown, including the monuments

Today, we want to take you on a tour of the Norway Pavilion at Epcot. The 58,000-square-foot Norwegian-themed pavilion offers so much more than a Frozen ride. Designed to look like a Norwegian village, the Norway Pavilion in Epcot features four styles of Norwegian architecture: Setestal-style (Puffin’s Roost), Bergen-style (Fjording Shop), Oslo-style (Akershus Royal Banquet Hall), and Ålesund-style (Frozen Ever After ride). The

Mall of America (MOA) is turning 25 this year! Beth Blair, author of The Unofficial Guide to Mall of America, tells us what’s new at the famous shopping mall. In celebration, Nickelodeon Universe is presenting a nightly nine-minute light show with strobe lights, music, and smoke effects. All year long, MOA will be holding special events, so keep an eye out for birthday