A staple of Orlando fine dining has returned. Chef Norman Van Aken’s Norman’s, formerly located at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, closed in 2019, but has reopened in a new location as stunning as its menu. This romantic restaurant in Orlando marks the return of modern cuisine in an elevated atmosphere. Come with us as we explore this new space, share menu highlights, and even get to interview Chef Norman Van Aken himself.

Located in the Dellagio Town Center in Dr. Phillips, Norman’s is helmed by Van Aken, a James Beard semi-finalist and the only Florida chef to be inducted into James Beard’s list of “Who’s Who in American Food and Beverage.”

Hot dogs are a favorite grill food, they appeal to the masses and take zero prep. But TikToker Jill Castlen, better known as Mama Jill on the social media platform, broke the internet a few weeks ago when she shared a video saying she seasons hot dogs before grilling them. “Apparently it’s controversial and apparently I’m weird,” Castlen says in a TikTok that’s been viewed more than 1.5 million times. “My saying is literally it’s not seasoned till you’re sneezing, but everybody’s surprised that I season my hot dogs before we grill them.”

“If you’ve never had seasoned, grilled hot dogs,” she continues, “start doing it.”

The first time I visited Walt Disney World (WDW) with my kids, they were just 3 and 5, eager to meet their favorite characters and get some Mickey-shaped ice cream bars. A decade later, I visit with teenagers who will still oblige me with a character photo, but care more about which restaurant has the best cheeseburger and how many thrill rides we can pack into one theme park day. Still, through many trips to WDW and Disneyland, I’ve perfected my checklist of items to pack in my bag for a day at a Disney park — many of which haven’t changed as my kids have gotten older.

There's much to anticipate about a cruise vacation that leaves from the Galveston cruise port. But while you're packing your favorite swimsuit and dreaming of sipping a fruity drink in a tropical port of call, it's also a good idea to plan how you'll navigate Galveston cruise parking.

Cruises out of Galveston leave from the Port of Galveston, which has its own official parking. But when it comes to Galveston cruises, many other options exist as well. Whether you're considering taking a ride-booking service, parking in a third-party lot or paying to park at the port, there are options for parking during cruises from Galveston that will work for every budget.

In the days when I could say my family never ate at chain restaurants, I'd drive past Bahama Breeze locations and feel curious.

With its sweeping, open-air patios and tropical signage, I imagined diners sipping mai tais and feasting on jerk chicken. It turns out that my perception of the chain was pretty close to the truth, though it's in a strip-mall parking lot instead of a tropical cruise port.

I've held an annual pass at Disney World for the last seven years and visit several times a month with friends, family, and sometimes even solo.

No matter how often I visit the parks, I never feel like I'm experiencing the same thing repeatedly, probably because I'm constantly stumbling upon events and experiences I never knew existed. One such unique experience, Sangria University, takes place at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.

On a recent visit with my in-laws, I noticed my father-in-law and I were wearing the same shoes. “Are those Kiziks?” I asked him. “Yes,” he replied, “they’re my airport shoes.”

I knew exactly what he meant. Since purchasing not one, but two, pairs of Kizik sneakers a few months before, I had become obsessed with the ease of slipping them on and off without bending down, tying, and untying them. The sneakers, which cost a little over $100 on average, come in tons of different styles and colors — from pink athletic shoes to white canvas sneakers — and have become my go-to for everything from travel to theme parks to Target runs.

Entering your 40s is full of empowering perks, from being more confident in your own skin to truly learning which friends are the ones you want to invest your energy in. But aging is not without its struggles. As a busy 43-year-old mom, I find my skincare routine becoming increasingly focused on evening out my skin tone, keeping my face moisturized to the max, and avoiding things like under eye circles or fine lines.

Move over WaterTok, TikTok creators are moving their quests for hydration out of their kitchens and into the fast food drive-thru. While millions of TikTokers have been sharing flavored water combinations made at home using sugar-free drink mixes and syrups, some have been visiting their local Sonic instead, posting their “Sonic water” orders made with sugar-free flavors and fresh fruit.

I really love a good escape room. From solving puzzles as a team to taking in the elaborate theming, visiting an Orlando escape room on a date night always feels like the perfect way to spend time with my husband. But escape rooms also make me more than a little anxious. The solution? Universal Orlando escape room – but with a twist!

Warm weather and sunny skies seem to put everyone in the mood to cook outside, potentially with a cold beer close at hand. But, as you're daydreaming of trying out a new smoker to cook the perfect pork butt, or a pellet grill to make a savory dinner of grilled fish and vegetables, it's a good idea to think hard about what needs to be added to your patio's arsenal. Are you interested in dabbling in the world of smoking meats for the first time? Or are you a seasoned barbecue boss who wants to upgrade to a better pellet grill or smoker this summer?

As the days get sunnier and the weather warms up, more and more skirts and shorts are finding their way into our daily outfits. Whether you’re a busy mom throwing on the perfect white tee for a playdate or a traveler looking for a white tank to match all the skirts you’ve packed in your suitcase, the classic white top is a wardrobe staple that seems simple but can be tough to choose.

Orlando is known for its theme parks, which makes the city a popular destination for kids who are critically ill and their families. But when kids with life-limiting diagnoses visit Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando, where do they stay?

Enter Give Kids the World Village (GKTW), an 89-acre non-profit resort in Kissimmee that provides wish vacations for critically ill kids and their families. When a sick child wishes for a Central Florida vacation, GKTW springs into action, hosting the family free of charge for one week while they visit destinations like Disney, SeaWorld, and more.

There’s no shortage of restaurants at Sparkman Wharf. Still, only one sits nestled in a prime spot on the corner of Channelside and Garrison, beckoning passersby to sit and have a margarita on one of its breezy patios. In fact, there’s never been a time of day when I walk past Jotoro and don’t feel a wistful moment of wishing I could abandon all other plans, grab an outdoor seat, and order a paloma and some Street Corn Chicken Nachos. It’s a “hip-hop meets mariachi” and “sequins mix with sandals” vibe, according to the Jotoro website, and I couldn’t agree more.

The internet is obsessed with a brand new salad, and there’s zero lettuce involved. “Cucumber pepper salad” has gone viral, thanks to former The Bachelor winner Rachael Kirkconnell, who shared a video of her making it on TikTok in early March. Since Kirkconnell shared the dish, which she describes as her “absolute favorite snack or salad,” the video has been viewed more than three million times. The hashtag #cucumberpeppersalad has garnered millions of views on the app as other TikTokers have made their own versions and shared their rave reviews.

Crossbody belt bags are having a moment right now, so when I realized I had multiple trips planned where air travel was involved, I decided to buy one to make navigating the airport a bit easier. As a mom of two who often takes my kids along on trips, I know all too well the importance of having my hands free to help someone roll their suitcase or open their water bottle, so the fanny pack trend seemed to be a fad made just for me.

With amazing places to swim, theme parks to visit, and family-friendly activities to participate in, Orlando has no shortage of ways to keep kids entertained. But on those hot, Florida sunny days, it can be incredibly relaxing (and fun!) to visit pools at Orlando area hotels and resorts with your children. Enter ResortPass, an online booking service that allows you to purchase a day pass for Orlando area pools without having to stay overnight at the hotel that maintains them.

Through ResortPass, parents can book both a day pass to use a resort’s pool facilities and a private cabana, perfect for relaxing and grabbing lunch while the kids wear themselves out. Spend the day enjoying splash pads, swimming in kiddie pools, and jumping on water slides.

Whether you’re a local or visiting, Orlando is full of places to cool off. No matter the time of year there are plenty of places for swimming in Orlando, especially with kids. From whimsical water parks to natural springs and everything in between, there are many ways to make a splash. And with our guide to the best places to take your kids to go swimming, you might just impress your kids.

If you are coming to Orlando, or you’re a local looking for a staycation, scope out these Orlando Hotels with Water Parks, Orlando Water Parks, and other swimming destinations in Orlando.

There’s a new way to hydrate, and it’s surprisingly affordable. Like the viral $4 grocery store cake and 3-ingredient pasta earlier this year, The hashtag #WaterTok is taking over TikTok, racking up nearly 140 million views to date, but what exactly is WaterTok? And why is the social media platform filled with videos of happy hydraters sharing their daily water recipes?

Most people know that taking a trip to Disneyland requires a bit of planning ahead. There are dining reservations to make, parade and show times to research and character meet-and-greets to map out — not to mention the decision of whether or not to opt for Disney Genie Plus to ostensibly remove some of that planning fatigue (at a cost, of course). But one of the decisions Disneyland guests are faced with from the moment they decide to buy passes is whether or not Disneyland Park Hopper tickets are worth it.