Special ticket offer to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® Presents DRAGONS^SM

And a chance to win four free tickets!

Looking for a holiday gift that is sure to thrill? Ready for something BIG to arrive this January? Don’t miss DRAGONS, a once in a millennium event that honors The Year of the Dragon. Circus performers from the farthest reaches of the earth have assembled for Ringling Bros. Presents Dragons to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and astonishing athleticism. Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson presides over this fantastical celebratory tournament of circus champions that brings together mystic dragon lore with authentic circus feats. DRAGONS is a never-before-seen blend of renowned spiritual and real life legends that can be found only at The Greatest Show On Earth! ^®. Playing the Amway Center Jan. 12-16.  

Get tickets for just $12 (plus facility and handling fees) by using promo code MOMMY at checkout on ticketmaster.com. This offer is available for all tickets except Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP. The offer is valid for the following performances: Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 11:30 am and 7:30 pm; Sunday at 5 pm; and Monday (MLK Day) at 5 pm.

Asadullin Troupe - Teeterboard Aerialists - image ©Feld Entertainment

For those looking for something really special, try the VIP Family Four Pack, which includes 4 VIP tickets, 4 small Lemonades, 4 small Popcorn Boxes, and 4 jumbo Lollipops. The package is $170 and is a savings of over $50! To get this package use promo code FAMDEAL at checkout.

For more information on the show, visit www.Ringling.com. We’ll see you at the show!

Here’s your chance to win four ticket vouchers good for any performance of DRAGONS:

Comment below with your favorite part of a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance. I know I have such fond memories of seeing Gunther Gabel Williams and his tigers at my first visit many years ago! Contest runs from now until December 15, 2011. Winner chosen at random and announced December 16 and will need to contact me with your mailing address to receive the vouchers for any Orlando performance.

For additional entries, LIKE my facebook page facebook.com/zannaland or tweet about the contest, feel free to copy and paste the text below to tweet:

” I just entered to win 4 tix to the Greatest Show On Earth in Orlando @zannaland and you can too! bit.ly/txAiE0 “

Congrats to our winner Becky Browne Allen!

Good luck and On with the Show!

In exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

The dvd and blu-ray are on shelves today, October 18, but you could win a copy without giving up a single one of your pieces of eight, or setting fire to a single village. And there be great bonus features on this shiny treasure. Just look at some of the concept art:

To enter, simply comment below (pirate speak optional but encouraged!) with your favorite character from any of the Pirates of the Caribbean films (or attractions!).

Earn additional entries by:

Hitting “Like” on Zannaland’s facebook page

Tweeting about the giveaway – you can copy and paste this into your tweet:

“Avast! There be treasure @Zannaland .com & I be settin’ my sails to plunder it. Ye can too http://t.co/ii5YC77A #PoTC4Giveaway “

Please comment below for each additional entry so I can count and enter them in the total entries. Thanks and may fortune favor ye!

Giveaway ends on Sunday, October 23 at midnight eastern time. Winner will be posted Monday on this page.

Congrats to Audrey Bloomberg who was our winner chosen at random! Please email me your mailing address at zanna @ zannaland.com

And if ye aren’t chosen, ye can still get $5 off the dvd+blu-ray combo pack by clicking below!

I think part of what makes Disney animated films so memorable is how they reach in to the core of life’s lessons and messages and give back, through songs, laughter and amazing visuals. The Lion King is no exception to this rule. I remember when it first came out back in 1994, I was finishing up college and I bought the soundtrack on cassette and listened to it in my car, in between Liz Phair and Julianna Hatfield. The songs were so moving and catchy that I had no embarrassment rolling up to class with “Hakuna Matata” blasting in my speakers. Trust me, I was cool^*.
^*not in any way

Being a huge Howard Ashman/Alan Menken fan, I was one of those skeptical about this new collaboration between Tim Rice and Elton John. Just one listen to the soundtrack made me a believer, however. The “Circle of Life” is poetry and truth in song:

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There’s more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
There’s far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

It’s the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

It’s hard to imagine the task of putting the very definition of life on the planet into song, but there it is. Add to that the beautiful landscapes, skies and animal interactions unfolding before us, and you have a recipe for yet another tear-inducing scene in a Disney film.

While my family had The Lion King on vhs, it had been quite some time, with my oldest cubs at 11 and 12 and nary a VCR in the house. When Disney sent me the new Diamond Edition Blu-ray+DVD combo pack, I was excited to share it with my littlest guy, almost 3. My oldest children and I had just seen The Lion King in 3-D and I was blown away by the animation yet again, and it was as if my kids were seeing it for the first time. I loved hearing them say “Oh yeah, I remember this song!” and of course, checking to see if I was crying at certain parts of the movie. (I did.)

Even I had forgotten the hysterical jokes and one-liners in this film. The Lion King is a classic which could have been released today just as well as nearly 20 years ago.”What’s a motto?” “Nothing, whats a motto with you?” never fails to make me giggle. The life-lessons of not running away from your past or your problems and rising to both a challenge and doing what’s right are still powerful today. The themes of the loss of a loved one may go over the heads of some little fans, but older kids and adults can see how those who have passed are always with us, no matter how far away they may seem.

The DVD bonus feature is a fun behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the film, hosted by Don Hahn, producer of The Lion King, many other Disney animation productions and the DisneyNature films, including the upcoming Chimpanzee, due out in 2012. The Blu-ray bonus features offer a look at deleted scenes, and songs, as well as “bloopers,” a gallery, sing-a-long and more. Check out this trailer below:

The Lion King Diamond Edition hits the savanna tomorrow- 10/4 and one lucky winner could win a Blu-ray+DVD Combo Pack here on Zannaland. Just enter below by commenting with your favorite memory of The Lion King – it could be a song, a character, a joke, whatever made you love the film. Contest ends October 7, winner randomly drawn and announced October 8. Good luck – it is time!  Contest has ended.

Congrats to Adam Goldman for having comment #5 – he is the winner of the Lion King Blu-ray+DVD Combo pack! Thanks to everyone for sharing your wonderful Lion King memories, I really enjoyed reading them.

Get tangled up in the newest thrilling show to hit the ice, Disney On Ice
presents Dare to Dream – the first Disney On Ice show to play the new Amway Center. Experience Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled; as Rapunzel, her unlikely companion, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog, in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss.
And fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true. All your favorite princesses take to the ice in a spectacular finale at the ultimate Disney Princess event of a lifetime! Experience the beauty, sparkle, and spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to your hometown!

Just for you, we can offer a special $11 ticket price (good for ALL
performances) on opening night, Friday, September 9 at 7:30 pm; Saturday,
September 10 at 3:30 and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, September 11 at 1 and 5 pm.
Simply visit the Amway Center box office or ticketmaster.com and use promo
code “MOM11” at check out! Note, this price isn’t good for Front Row or
VIP seats, limit 6 ticket per purchase. For more information on the show,
visit www.disneyonice.com.

We’ll see you at the show!

But wait .. there’s more! Here’s your chance to win four ticket vouchers good for select performances of Disney On Ice!

GIVEAWAY RULES: 

Giveaway runs from now until August 26, when a winner will be announced here.

CONTEST CLOSED – Congratulations to comment #11, chosen from random.org as our winner – goofyames, I will forward your information to Feld Entertainment! Thanks everyone for participating!

To Enter: 

Comment below to be entered to win. 

Extra entries - 

LIKE ZannaLand on facebook

LIKE Orange Blossom Moms, our sister site, on facebook

Tweet about the giveaway:

“I just entered to win a 4 pack of Disney on Ice Tickets from @zannaland and you can too! bit.ly/qN8w46″ 

I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. However, as always, my opinions and reviews are 100% my personal thoughts. 

ITEMS FOR GIVEAWAY: (only open to US and Canada please)

- PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES in adult sizes of S, M, L, XL

- PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES bandana in black

- PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES temporary tattoo (2 per winner)

HOW TO ENTER:

• Comment below with your favorite character of the Pirates of the Caribbean series so far.

Additional entries:

• LIKE ZannaLand on facebook (so close to 1000 fans!) and comment to let me know.
• Share this contest on twitter, facebook, or stumble it…and then comment separately for each item letting me know. (please only tweet or share once a day.)

CONTEST ENDS: May 17, 2011, Winners will be announced in this post and as comments to the winning comment, and must reply within 48 hours so check back!

Congrats to Josh who won the giveaway! Disney will be sending the prize pack your way, in the mean time – enjoy the movie!!

Be sure to visit the official website at: http://www.Disney.com/Pirates.

“Like” PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN on Facebook at: http://www.Facebook.com/PiratesoftheCaribbean

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES sails into theatres May 20th, 2011 in Disney Digital 3D™.

I have TWO  family 4-packs of tickets to the May 19^th show to giveaway!

Here’s how to enter (I’m going to make it simple this time!):

• Just comment below with your favorite Toy Story 3 character to be entered in the giveaway.

• Additional entries may be earned by sharing this giveaway on twitter or facebook.
• Please only tweet or post to facebook once daily and be sure to include @zannaland on the tweets so I can track it.
• Comment here separately for each tweet or facebook update to make sure your entries are counted!

Giveaway ends on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2011. Remember, these tickets are for the May 19th opening night show – in TAMPA at the St. Pete Times Forum, so be sure you can actually attend before you enter! Thanks and good luck! Winners will be announced Monday, May 9th.

If you don’t win, or you’d like to attend on a different day, here is an amazing discount code to use for tickets: Experience Disney On Ice presents Disney-Pixar’s Toy Story 3 for just $13 per ticket*!  Just use the special promo code MOM at checkout when you purchase tickets at Ticketmaster.com.  Offer is valid on these select performances: May 20^th at 7pm, May 21^st at 7pm and May 22^nd at 5pm.  Don’t miss out, get your tickets today!

*Offer not valid on Rinkside Dining or VIP Seats.

The Claaaaaaaaaaaaaaw!!!

Pixie Vacations is run by a family that lived and worked in Florida and have countless years of experience as former cast members and long-time visitors to the Walt Disney World Resort. They pride themselves on obtaining the lowest possible prices for your Disney vacation and offering a concierge level of service and attention to detail.

Here’s a look at an example of one of the fun beach totes:

(contents not included, just the tote!)

Look what one family did with their tote: character autographs!

Here’s how to enter: Simply comment below telling me what one thing you make sure you bring with you to a Disney park each time you visit!

You can earn Extra Entries too:

• LIKE ZannaLand on Facebook (1 entry)
• Follow Pixie Vacations on Facebook ( 1 entry)
• Share this giveaway on Facebook (1 entry)
• Follow @zannaland on Twitter (1 entry)
• Tweet about this Giveaway: “I just entered to win a personalized #Disney beach tote #giveaway from @ZannaLand & Pixie Vacations! http://bit.ly/pixietote” (one entry per day)
• Subscribe to ZannaLand by email (box to the right at zannaland.com) or RSS feed. (1 entry)
• Blog about this Giveaway on your public blog ( 10 entries)

Leave one comment per entry so I can count them properly and choose a winner using random.org. Comment even if you already follow/subscribe/etc. so I know you are.

This Giveaway will end April 20 at 11:59PM EST. Winner will be announced on this post, via a reply to the winning comment, and on twitter if winner has a twitter account. Winner will then need to email me their mailing address to zanna@zannaland.com. All items will be mailed from the Sponsor. US mailing addresses only.

Good Luck!

April’s giveaway has ended, congratulations to Princess Mandy for being our first winner!! If you didn’t win this month, don’t worry, May is just around the corner and we’ll have another beach tote giveaway then! Thank you for all the entries!

We’ve been enjoying the bonus features as well, seeing the deleted scenes in a sketched animation format is really cool. Finding out that “The Snuggly Duckling” was almost “The Jaunty Moose” was great! There are some wonderful commentaries as well, so even if by chance you get tired of playing on repeat in your home, you can switch it up and find out some great behind-the-scenes facts about the process.

And who can forget faithful sidekicks Maximus and Pascal??

Tangled is now available on DVD, Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack AND 3D Blu-Ray/Blu-Ray/DVD and Digital Copy 4 disc set –

Thanks to the Tangled promotional team, I can offer a giveaway of a Tangled dvd and a surprise bonus gift (one of the following: a Pascal Beanie Baby, Flynn Ryder or Rapunzel T-Shirts, or Official Disney Paper Lanterns) to one lucky reader!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Rapunzel discovers that she is a strong woman and can take care of herself outside of the tower. Check out the Tangled Widget below and explore your family’s hidden talents. What are your hidden strengths? Comment below sharing your strengths or talents.

Contest now over, thanks to all who entered and spread the word!!

CONGRATULATIONS to Tony Mendyk who was picked from random.org as the winner!

Additional entries:

2. “Like” ZannaLand on facebook. Leave a separate comment letting me know.
3. Follow @zannaland on twitter and tweet the following:

“I just entered to win #Disney’s #Tangled on dvd from @zannaland and you can too! http://bit.ly/tangledgiveaway #giveaway #contest“

Leave a separate comment letting me know. You can tweet as many times as you like, but don’t spam your twitter friends!)
4. Subscribe to ZannaLand posts via email or RSS feed (email box is to the right) and comment letting me know.
5. Share this this contest link on facebook, stumble it, or share it any other way you’d like and comment letting me know. (there are buttons to share on popular sites below this post)

Each entry must be in a separate comment. Winner will be chosen on Friday, April 1 (no April Fool’s joke, I promise!) using random.org and announced on this entry. Item will be mailed directly from the Tangled team. Good luck!!

- MARS NEEDS MOMS T-Shirt (Adult Size)

- MARS NEEDS MOMS T-Shirt (Youth Size)

- MARS NEEDS MOMS Temporary Tattoos (3-pack)

If you’d like a refresher on the Mars Needs Moms story, check out the newest trailer below:

To enter, simply:

1. Comment below with what you think your kids would do if you went to Mars.

2. “Like” the Mars Needs Moms facebook page.

3 (optional for an extra entry). Share this giveaway on twitter or facebook. You can use the two buttons at the top of this post, or just copy and paste the link yourself. http://zannaland.com/mars-needs-moms-giveaway Please provide a link in a separate comment below if you have shared this giveaway.

Giveaway ends on March 8 and winner will be announced on this post on March 9, 2011.

Good luck!

CONGRATULATIONS to Kathie, aka magic2go on twitter (and fellow Walt Disney World Moms Panelist!) for getting randomly chosen as the gift pack winner!! Random.org picked #3 and that’s her! Be on the lookout for your prizes in the mail!

Thanks to everyone for participating. More giveaways to come!

Not only that, but when you enter, you can list a friend who will also win a $500 shopping spree if you win! You can enter daily now through December 22, 2010. Here are the official rules.

Enter now!  Be sure to use the “share” on facebook option after you enter so your friends  can enter too – maybe they’ll enter you as a friend!

Make sure you “like” Rayovac on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Rayovac
And follow them on twitter too: http://twitter.com/rayovac_battery

Day 5 has a arrived and I thought, what better way to end this week-long guide to Disney-giving than a giveaway for you? Well how about TWO giveaways??

Thanks to generous and friend on twitter who wishes to remain anonymous, I have a great stocking stuffer to give away. Phineas & Ferb: Ride Again for Nintendo DS! My family loved playing this game and now you have a chance to win a brand new copy for your family.

In addition, the wonderful folks over at Rayovac (the official battery of Walt Disney World!) have sent me some fabulous products to share with you all. Included in this gift-pack will be a Rayovac pre-charged regargable battery charger including 4 batteries, a separate pack of 4 re-chargeable AAA batteries, a medium sized LED flashlight with batteries, a small LED flashlight (in pink!) with batteries, a 4-pack of AA batteries in a “Go Pack” (perfect for taking with you to Disney parks!) and a 2-pack of D batteries. I think this should help out anyone unwrapping toys and remembering “batteries not included” on Christmas day!  Many thanks to Rayovac for these items!

So how do you enter to win these two giveaways? Simple – just comment below to enter. Extra entries may be used by “liking” ZannaLand on facebook, or if you already do – tell your friends! Just comment again to let me know if you are adding another entry. Giveaway ends December 13, 2010 at midnight EST. I’ll use random.org to choose two winners on December 14, so I’ll have enough time to get these shipped out to you before Christmas.

WINNERS have been picked! Check the comments below.

Thanks to everyone who entered!! Happy Holidays!

Be sure to check out the other 4 days of Disney Gift Guides for some wonderful holiday ideas for Disney lovers – Disney Gift Guide Day 1, Disney Gift Guide Day 2, Disney Gift Guide Day 3, and Disney Gift Guide Day 4 too!

I’ll be having other giveaways throughout December, so keep checking back! I hope all of you have gotten to see Tangled by now, if not, run out and see it soon (or again!). It’s a truly wonderful film.

While you’re here, I’d like to let you know about some great discounts at Disney Store.com for Cyber Monday – Take an extra 25% off $125+, 20% off $100+, 15% off $75+, 10% off $50+ plus Free Shipping on all orders at Disney Store with Code: CYBER. And, you can also still save up to 65% on your favorite Disney Items!

I’m sure there’s someone in your life (even you!) that has a Dooney & Bourke handbag on their wish list, right? Dooney and Bourke Exclusively for Disney Parks available at DisneyStore.com! Shop Now!

Happy Shopping!!

We knew going in that Tangled was the classic tale of Rapunzel, but with a twist. What we didn’t know was the unique backstory that Tangled provides, which actually works. It’s sort of like Sleeping Beauty meets Cinderella meets Little Mermaid. Rapunzel’s parents have lost her, however unlike Sleeping Beauty, she is stolen by the evil “Mother” Gothel who kidnaps Rapunzel for her own selfish gains. Rapunzel is somewhat happily living in her impenetrable tower up until her 18th birthday, where her birthday wish is to see the “stars” or lanterns that float in the sky each year on her birthday. What she doesn’t realize is that the lanterns are set into the sky by her real parents as they continue the vigil to seek out their missing daughter, and the townspeople who also hope for the princess’ return.

When she asks her mother if she can go see the lights and then return, of course her mother forbids it, explaining that the world is full of evil selfiish people that will only try to harm Rapunzel. Confident that she can hold her own, Rapunzel begs her mother to reconsider and then sees for the first time the wrath hidden within Mother Gothel. She resigns herself to stay in her tower, until Flynn Rider stumbles upon the hidden valley while escaping the King’s guards. Rapunzel then sees an opportunity she cannot pass up.

It is then that the real story begins as we follow along with Rapunzel’s first steps outside her tower and all the emotions, adventures, and of course, singing which that entails. The script is a perfect example of teenage angst as Rapunzel worries about disappointing her mother while venturing out into the world, yet loving every detail and blade of grass she encounters. I think adults, both as parents and former kids alike can relate to that scene very well.

Not to leave out the boys from Tangled’s viewing audience, Flynn Rider and his adventures in thieving, fighting with bad guys and reformed bad guys, and the entire character of Maximus the horse will keep them entertained. My 11 year-old son, who is at the age where he is blase about most things in general, not to mention Disney specifically, actually loved the film. It’s that kind of reaction that warms a mother’s heart and lets me know Tangled will be a big success.

I don’t want to give away too much of the story here because I think that’s part of what let me enjoy it so much, the twists and turns of the plot. The ending really surprised me and I thought it was a well-played twist full of lessons. The lantern scene shown above and the town square scene before it are my two favorite parts of the film, which really showcase Disney animation at its finest. I can’t wait to hear what your favorite parts of the movie were!

Speaking of that…To get you excited for the film’s release this week I’m giving away a copy of the soundtrack from award-winning composer Alan Menken along with some Tangled character silly bands for your little ones to wear. Just leave me a comment below telling me what YOU are most looking forward to seeing in Tangled and a winner will be randomly chosen after Thanksgiving! (This will give you something to look forward to after your Turkey-coma nap! ) Contest open to US Residents only. Good luck!

JayTV.net Casting Call for HGTV:

Searching for FOUR Disney-loving families in Orlando for reality TV backyard makeovers.

Send photos to: casting@jaytv.net

AND -

The Style Network is Casting in Florida!

SECRETLY NOMINATE SOMEONE WHO HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE INTERIOR DESIGN THEME TOO FAR!

Do you know someone who has over designed a room?

Do they love their decorating sense, but have just gone overboard with a motif?

Has their design or collection obsession taken over a room?

Are they an over-the-top decorator who thinks that more is better?

Let our celebrity design expert save the day, celebrate their passions, but streamline the space into an inviting and tasteful area.

This is a surprise so Mum’s the word…but you will be in on the surprise and they will thank you forever!

Email us @:  castingfortv@yahoo.com

How cool would either of those experiences be?! I know I’m wishing I could get the Disney backyard makeover for sure – wonder if I could convince them to drive an hour in my direction!!??  Best of luck to all who apply and if you make it on the show, let me know – I’d love to feature your experience here on ZannaLand in the future!

Voting will be counted by number of comments for each entry. Only one vote per email address please. Voting will start now and end on Thursday, October 7 at midnight. Voting has ended. The winner will be announced on this entry on Friday, October 8. The winner will then need to let me know which color wristlet they’d like and I’ll head to WDW and pick it up! Thank you to all who participated!

Congratulations to entry #2 from M. Turner for garnering the most votes. I think she got half the internet to vote for her! If you could contact me and let me know which wristlet you’d prefer (up to $49 in value) I’ll pick it up on our next visit to the parks. Congrats again!

There was some concern about votes since so many came in for one # at one time – but what you cannot see on this end of the post is the email and IP address attached to each comment, which appears in the email I receive with each comment. I do realize that this method of voting was perhaps a bit frustrating and will be working on a new way to vote for any future contests on ZannaLand – I had no idea how passionate you guys could be for a Disney Dooney! Because she came in second place and I personally loved her picture with Buzz and Woody fighting over the Dooney – I’m going to be sending the owner of entry #13 a $25 Disney Gift Card as well, so please let me know where to send that card. Congrats!

Thank you again to all who participated – I loved seeing the creativity here! I look forward to future giveaways here on ZannaLand.

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Vote for the # you think should win in a comment below! Feel free to spread the word to vote to your friends or share on twitter and facebook!