the Official Blog of the Unofficial Guides

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 started his career with Disney 22

Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Conservation Station, the park’s veterinary headquarters, is really worth a visit for families with young kids. Liliane Opsomer, coauthor of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids, recently visited. Here is her report. It will take a little time and effort, and it helps to be inquisitive. The area is quite removed from the

The Capitol’s Visitor Center has a glorious skylight view of the Capitol dome; the addition has made space for the many statues and artifacts that have been in storage. It also shows films on the history of the building. Here’s where you sign up for a tour, if you haven’t done so in advance. (To sign up in advance, visit

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 (Storybook Circus) and Jack Skellington and Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas (Town Square). Mickey shows off his Halloween outfit at the Town Square Theater. If seeing him

Saratoga Springs, a Disney Deluxe Villa resort, has a theme described by Disney as recalling a late-1800s, Victorian-style, upstate New York retreat. It consists of 1,260 studio and one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas across the lake from Disney Springs. Housed in 18 buildings, most accommodations are of recent vintage, while the fitness center and check-in building are retooled vestiges of