Disney's Magical World of Avatar Unveiled

On May 27th 2017 Disney inaugurated Pandora "The World of Avatar" located at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park in Orlando Florida. It took us almost 3 hours of line to get into this totally new  virtual experience. The trip is well worth the wait cause a real new world has been created and it doesn't looks like anything else seen around the Orlando's parks.

 The 12-Tacre location is developed in three sections, including "Avatar Flight of Passage", "Na'vi River Journey" and the "Valley of Mo'ara". First sensation at the arrival is to be really on another planet (the Bio-luminescent Pandora). Before to get into the most surprising attraction which for us was "Flight of Passage" you walk across several different ambiances inspired by Cameron's movie.

The path leads to the entrance of a research facility, where you will meet a 9 feet tall Na'vi humanoid floating inside a tub. The next step is to enter, in a small group, into an airlock where everyone is matched with an onscreen avatar 's face. Finally you sit on a banshee, ready to fly! This is what you have waited for but the first time you would never expect anything like this to be so realistic. It truly makes you soar and feel like inches over a herd of stampeding beasts, zooming through the curl of a towering emerald wave. Wind, spray and scents surround you like in no other flight simulators you ever tried.

Of course we couldn't photograph or make any kind of video along the four minutes ride. And to be honest that wouldn't be even useful to show because this is an experience you have to do in person.

"Na'vi River Journey" is a more conventional Disney's attraction based on a floating boat and a journey into a bioluminescent rainforest  in search of the shaman of songs, who is a giant singing Na'vi animatronic. Plants and critters are all around this "out of this world" ambiance.

"The Valley of Mo'ara" is an hiking area of the park through a landscape made of floating mountains, glowing fauna and flora, a native drum circle and more. We also had a food experience at the local themed restaurant "Satu'li Canteen". Original ambiance inspired to the Pandora's planet and  a sustainable menu. Its best dish, in our opinion, is the "Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef Bowl" for only $12.99 which is a very good affordable price for a Disney park.

highlight  by Luca Centoni

pics by Michela Caroti

Disney's Epcot Tokyo Dining by Night

The magic of "Reflections" show at Bay Lake in Disney's Epcot park it's something you really do not have to miss. Best view location to watch it having a great authentic Japanese meal is from "Tokyo Dining" restaurant. We came back after two years and it's still great with attentive service and and very nice food.

Every night of the year at 9pm the fireworks show starts perfectly synchronized with it beautiful music which can be listened even from the interior of the restaurant.

In the meanwhile you can have a full sushi omakase selection made for you by the Japanese chef

After dinner you can have a magic night walk through the world of Japan and of course all the other nations represented in the Epcot World Show Case.

Upscale Japanese kitchen offering hot entrees & sushi, plus a view of Epcot's World Showcase Lagoon.

Address: 200 Epcot Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32830

Hours: 

Open  12–9PM

Phone: (407) 939-3463

Highlight and Pics by Luca Centoni

High Tea at Grand Floridian's Garden View Tea Room

Step through time to experience a traditional afternoon tea, served in grand British style. Within the walls of the Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, prepare to treat yourself to a rare and unforgettable event as you indulge in the relaxing ambience of an era long since passed. Tour the globe as you sip from a collection of international teas, including Mrs. Potts Tea for your little ones, all while indulging in a delightful selection of sandwiches, scones, pastries and other delicacies. Turn back the hands of the clock for this delicate and delectable treat, 7 days a week. Located on the first floor of the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Tea Room takes place daily at the following times: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM – Tuesday and Thursday. In addition, beginning at 3:00 PM each day, enjoy the atmosphere within the lobby as music begins to play, courtesy of the Grand Floridian piano player or a rousing rendition from a live band. 

Disney venue with an airy British feel attracts young princesses & the public for traditional tea.

Located in: Grand Floridian Cafe

Address: 4401 Floridian Way, Orlando, FL 32830

Hours: open from 12 to 5PM

Phone: (407) 939-3463

highlight by Luca Centoni

pics by Michela Caroti

Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & SPA

"Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & SPA" is located in Orlando, Florida, very close to all the main local attractions, including Disney Parks, Universal Studios, Seaworld and International Drive. It's a condominium style all suites facility. The floor plan include one, two, three and four bedroom suites alle decorated with granite counter tops in the full kitchen equipped with everything you might need to prepare delicious meals. The bathrooms have jacuzzi tub, also you will find a washer and a dryer. A private balcony on the quaint swimming pool is a further plus for the guests.

At the sixth floor of the resort's lobby building there is the SPA and Salon "Reflections" a 12,000 square foot facility which offers a varieties of services to please any kind of client even the kids and the little ones. We indeed tested it through the experience of a teen along a deluxe facial treatment of one hour. 

The spa products include prestigious brands like Wella, Farmhouse Fresh and OPI. The experience starts with a warm welcome by the qualified and attentive staff. You are immediately hosted in a very relaxing waiting room while gazing at the in house aquarium, before to start your selected treatment. Also available are fresh fruit,organic tea and bottled water, including the possibility to buy the cosmetic products.

SPA experience resulted as a perfect deep facial cleansing followed by advices from the staff about the best products to use in order to maintain a longer effect on the skin. We definitely recommend it.

A relax day at the Tiki bar of the pool or a day trip to the close parks will make your perfect vacation day, not to forget the eventual shopping at Orlando's worldwide famous outlets and the fine dining restaurants in Sand Lake Rd or International Drive.

Hotel details

Adjacent to the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores, this upscale all-suite resort is 6 miles from both Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando. 

Suites range from 1 to 4 bedrooms and feature living and dining areas, full kitchens and balconies, plus washer/dryers and whirlpool tubs.

A resort fee covers Wi-Fi, parking and a shuttle to Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal Orlando Resort. There’s a pool with a pirate ship, plus a spa, a 24-hour fitness center and 3 casual eateries. Meeting and event space is also available.

Address: 8113 Resort Village Dr, Orlando, FL 32821

Phone: (407) 597-0214

highlight by Luca Centoni

pics by Michela Caroti

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar at Toronto Airport

"The Keg Steakhouse & Bar" in Dixon Road at Toronto airport presenta un ambiente molto accogliente e curato nei dettagli. Bellissimi i camini dislocati in varie stanzette vicino ai tavoli che rendono l' atmosfera molto calda e romantica sia per coppie che per le famiglie. Oltre al ristorante è presente un classico American bar, tuttavia le luci soffuse e il legno conferiscono un tono rustico  ed elegante al contempo. L'impressione è quella di trovarsi in un grande chalet di montagna. Nella saletta dove ho pranzato si trova una bellissima vetrata in stile Inglese con vista su un gruppo di alberi, che vi faranno sentire immersi in un grande bosco, occasionalmente decorato da candidi fiocchi di neve che scendono dal cielo canadese.  La stuttura esterna del Keg sembra un piccolo delizioso castello. All' interno troviamo dei quadri intonati con l' ambiente, ogni dettaglio è curato. Il piatto forte della Steakhouse è certamente il "Prime Rib" accompagnato dalla classica baked potato e cipolle fritte tagliate finemente. La carne è spettacolare, morbida come il burro, deliziosa anche la baked potato farcita di sour cream, bacon ed erba cipollina. La classica salsa Radish si accompagna molto bene ad una ricetta classica completa e ben servita. Per concludere Il servizio offerto dal personale e dalla manager è stato impeccabile, nel complesso, valutazione ottima per una location conveniente situata a tre minuti dall' aeroporto di Toronto.

Classic steak & seafood dishes are the mainstays at this stylish yet casual chain restaurant.

Address: 927 Dixon Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 1J8, Canada

Phone: +1 416-675-2311

article and pics by Michela Caroti