Brilliant as always with its theming, when Disney opened an open-air food court at Animal Kingdom, it didn't just build a food court. Instead Disney built Harambe Market.
Read moreTwo Delicious Dishes: Sushi Pop and Pig Floyd's
Here are two crazy-delicious creations that made my July 4 holiday reason to celebrate. They're from Sushi Pop and Pig Floyd's Urban Barbakoa.
Read moreThree More Great Beach Reads for Summer 2015
I was completely absorbed by each of these. The plot and the writing beckoned so strongly that I choose book time on the sofa over essentially every other activity.
Read moreWhat a Rush! Try Escapology Orlando
"Ten out of 10, I'd do that again." That was a guest, a 22-year-old University of Florida Aerospace Engineering senior, in the car on the way home from Escapology Orlando.
Read moreThree Beach Reads for Summer 2015
Yet I've been on a roll -- a stop-life-I-must-keep-clutching-this-book-to-my-chest roll. An I'll-stay-on-the-treadmill-so-I-can-start-another-chapter roll. There ARE good books out there between all the dullards.
Read moreLike Boys' Toys? Lodge at Legoland Hotel
Good luck getting to your room at the new Legoland Hotel, parents. Book the room, for sure. Allot loads of time in the hotel. Then prepare to wait ... and wait ... and wait ... because your kids will be too engaged to even get into the elevator. And you still won't be close to that bed.
When Legoland Hotel open on Friday, May 15, it will be a magnet for families with Lego-loving kids.
Legoland Hotel is located right near the entrance to the Legoland Florida theme park -- "150 kid steps," to be exact, according to an executive. The entire lodging facility is Lego-centric, from the theming to the accessories. The resort caters to adults as well as kids. Witness: the lounge with a full bar.
Here are some highlights.
You'll be greeted with some of the Legoland Hotel's 2,000 "models," as the creations are called, before you reach the registration desk.
A large castle stands tall in the lobby. "Face characters" visit often, entertaining children who otherwise might be building, and building, and building, in the Lego pits there and elsewhere in the lobby.
The hotel also has its own "master builder shop and classroom."
You think you're done, right? You can go to the room and rest? Ha!
While waiting for the elevator, your little angels are sure to spot the fart corner. It's right outside the elevators.
The elevator is an adventure of its own. Both elevators have disco balls and murals of a Lego disco. Step inside and you'll hear upbeat music -- maybe "YMCA" or "We Are Family" -- while riding to your floor.
Each of the five floors has a theme: Adventure, Pirate, Kingdom, or Lego Friends. Exit the lobby, and you'll be blasted with music that corresponds to the floor's theme. What's more, the carpeting, wall mural and door covers follow the storyline.
So then. The room. Various rooms have assorted levels of theming. All are spectacular -- especially the kiddie areas, which have bunk beds, a TV case and wall art fitting the rooms' theme.
Each room has clever elements such as Lego bugs on the walls.
Should your little offspring have little tushes, worry not. Toilets have two seat sizes.
Each room challenges children with a puzzle. I'm not sure how it works, but essentially they have to figure stuff out to get into a safe.
Some hotel rooms overlook a scenic lake. Mine had a birds-eye view of the pool area. So festive!
All guests receive free access to the breakfast buffet in Bricks Family Restaurant. The large eatery, divided into sections, features models of a chef spilling food.
Oh, you must see this. There is no ladies' room at the Legoland Hotel.
Fun, right? My boys would have gone construction-frenzy-wild for this place when they were younger. In fact, they might still like it now and they're grown. I sure did.
Legoland Hotel Florida is in Winter Haven, about 45 minutes south of Walt Disney World.
Delve in. Make life fun.
Rona
Vote Today! Orlando Restaurants in Zagat
It's time! Zagat is putting together it's next America's Tops book. We need your input.
Read moreSelfies Galore at SEA LIFE Orlando
It's fitting that "selfies" and "sea life" share so many letters, because the new SEA LIFE Orlando aquarium is designed for taking photos -- of yourself with the underwater creatures.
Read moreOne Delicious Dish: Ricotta Gnudi at Boca
Boca, the kitchen-bar-market in Winter Park, has a new chef--and that's good news, since the place was more about vibe than food. Now it's worth the trip for meals.
Read moreIs This Europe or Is It Central Florida? Streamsong Resort
Streamsong is a golf resort. To me, in Central Florida, that means a slightly schmaltzy looking hotel with earnest but unimpressive food. Not so at Streamsong. Not in any way.
Read moreI Loved This Book: The Vacationers
The Vacationers has loads of angst, which is sort of my thing. Two main characters are a food writer (that's me) whose kid just graduated high school (I'm a few short weeks away).
Read moreCheck Out the Bill Pouch at Outpost Neighborhood Kitchen
We were smitten with the bill pouch at Outpost Neighborhood Kitchen.
Read moreIntroducing Swine and Sons
It's unprofessional, my giddy response to Swine and Sons. Yet at first peek I'm smitten with Winter Park's new sort-of restaurant, a take-out shop by the owners of Cask & Larder and The Ravenous Pig.
Read moreOne Delicious Dish: French Onion Tater Tots
You’ll want very much to eat these so-called French Onion Tater Tots. I had these at Golden Oak Summerhouse, the clubhouse for residents of Golden Oak, an upscale residential community that opened recently on Disney World property.
Read moreWhy Seasons 52 Upped Its Calories and Lists Them
The cyberworld buzzed yesterday when I wrote that Seasons 52 upped its calories on some menu items and lists exactly how fattening each item is right on the menu. So I was pleasantly surprised today to hear from Rich Jeffers, a company spokesperson. He called to address the two issues tainted me on a restaurant concept I otherwise enjoy.
Read moreSeasons 52 Has Changed. I Don't Like It.
Good heavens, Seasons 52. What did you do? What's with the 890-calorie steak dinner?
Read morePretty (and) Tasty: The Foods at United Way Chef's Gala 2015
Looky here, how pretty. This is what to expect of the foods at the United Way Chef's Gala 2015.
Read moreMarch into March with Four Orlando Dining Deals
Here are four promotions available right now, each at restaurants I hand-selected because the food is superb. I'll be sharing more details about all four Orlando dining deals at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 14 on Fox 35's "Good Day."
Read moreHummus Alert! Healthy Meals at Animal Kingdom
Panicked, they query me via email, Twitter, and food boards: "I'm coming to Orlando. I'm going to Disney World. Are there any healthful/vegetarian/vegan meals for me?" Yes yes yes, whichever you seek.
Read moreTour Mount Dora Lakes on a Tiny Two-Seater Boat
A company called CatBoat Tours of Mount Dora leads tours around the Harris Chain of Lakes on cute, easy-to-operate little CraigCat boats. This is SO MUCH FUN.
Read more