The most popular Theme Park Mom photo on Flickr this year: "After" pictures from The Pirates League makeovers at Walt Disney World.

Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s a look at the most popular posts here on ThemeParkMom.com during 2009:

1. Walt Disney World fans were eager for news about The Pirates League, a new makeover experience inside the Magic Kingdom. Here’s my visit behind-the-scenes before The Pirates League opened: Ahoy me hearties! The Pirates League be openin’ soon. And here’s a look at my own transformation into a member of Capt. Jack Sparrow’s crew: Disney World’s The Pirates League, or just call me Kate Darkgrin.
2. Continuing the pirate theme, many Theme Park Mom readers were interested in my tour of the pirate rooms at Walt Disney World’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Live like a pirate in Pirates of the Caribbean rooms at Walt Disney World.
3. Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party appropriate for younger children? That’s a question many readers asked, so I went to check it out and gave all the scary (and not-so-scary) details: Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party…scary? This Mom’s take.
4. A look at Princess Tiana was also high on the list of popular topics this year. What would Tiana look like in the Disney Parks? That answer was revealed this summer, when Disney showed off Tiana at a journalism convention in Tampa: Disney’s newest Princess Tiana character unveiled. And when Tyra Banks came to Florida to meet Tiana, my daughter and I had a front-row seat: A Fairytale Friday Night.
5. Theme Park Mom readers also like to eat, so news about two new restaurants at Walt Disney World was also high on the list. There was a new restaurant at Disney’s Boardwalk: Celebrity chef Cat Cora opens Kouzzina restaurant at Disney’s Boardwalk. And at the Kidani Village section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Disney restaurant Sanaa offers ethnic fare for kids, too.

What would you like to see next year on Theme Park Mom?

ThemeParkMom’s 2009 Year in Review is a post from Family travel blog Theme Park Mom

As part of the Kidani Village expansion of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, diners are treated to a new restaurant - Sanaa.

The newest restaurant at Walt Disney World resort opens Friday, May 1. Disney says Sanaa (pronounced Sah-NAH) reflects “the art of African cooking with Indian flavors.”

Orlando food blogger Scott Joseph has the menus for the new dining experience. I’m excited to try some of the appetizers, including pulled duck with red curry sauce and potato and pea samosas. And my first entree will be from the Tandoor oven. The Sanaa kids menu also features ethnic flavors, including tandoori chicken breast or a grilled fish of the day over whole-grain pilaf. But kids can also choose old stand-bys, such as  cheeseburgers and cheese pizza. Which would your kids order?

I would love to think my Theme Park Kid would choose the adventure of a new flavor, but I just don’t know. She is a good eater who loves fresh veggies, fruit and salads. But she also loves hot dogs and mac n’ cheese as much as any other kid. I sought some advice about getting kids to try ethnic foods.

Creative Gal Amanda Socci said she has the most success in getting her kids to try ethnic foods when they see her eating them. I think that’s great advice. So, my strategy for my first family visit to Sanaa will be to get the bread service — what kid wouldn’t like Naan with chutney? — and entice my daughter to try it and food from my plate. If she wants to order the cheeseburger for her meal, so be it.

What tips do you have for getting your kids to step outside of the box when ordering at some of the more adventurous restaurants on your travels?

Sanaa: Disney restaurant offers ethnic fare for kids, too is a post from Family travel blog Theme Park Mom