the Official Blog of the Unofficial Guides

Springs have Sprung at New Disney Springs The new Disney Springs, formerly known as Downtown Disney, is a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex along the banks of Village Lake that has seen a major overhaul in the past three years. As Disney puts the finishing touches on the four distinct areas, let’s explore this complex that, upon completion, will have twice as

Washington, D.C., is a more international city than an American one, housing as it does the scores of embassies and consulates, the headquarters of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, the organization of American States, and so on. And, of course, repeated waves of immigration have made it, if not the melting pot of America, a sizable and simmering

How to Have a Great Experience at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a hugely popular after-hours event at the Magic Kingdom; it runs from 7 p.m. till midnight on select nights from mid-September through October 31st. Good to know Even though Disney does not officially announce it, guests with valid Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will be let into the park as early

SEA LIFE Aquarium at Mall of America Offers Great Opportunities for Learning Much like Mall of America’s theme park, the SEA LIFE aquarium has gone through a number of transitions. A few years after opening, in 1996, the first Mall of America aquarium opened as Underwater World. Four years later the name changed to Underwater Adventures Aquarium. Finally, in 2011, the now Merlin

An elevated area in Carkitt Market in Diagon Alley, between The Hopping Pot and the Gringotts money exchange, comes to life with short shows inspired by Rowling’s stories. Though modest in scope, these are some of the best performances found at Universal, and they’re well worth working into your touring plan if you have more than one day at the resort. Diagon Alley, Home