June, 2014 - ZANNALAND!

I will admit, I had no idea this place existed before now, but this place looks super unique and fun. I have been a fan of Westgate Resorts for years, they really have some great properties to stay at and usually offer tons of activities for guests. The Westgate River Ranch seems to take those activities back to the real Florida for a truly memorable experience!

The first resort to introduce the concept of glamping (glamorous camping) to Florida, Westgate River Ranch is now offering a sweepstakes for an all-inclusive glamping vacation. Sweepstakes winners will satisfy a craving for the outdoors in the comfort of a completely outfitted glamping tent (accommodating up to four guests) for three days and two nights, and will receive a complimentary golf cart rental, two rodeo tickets and a $25 resort credit.

To enter the sweepstakes, contestants must “like” the Westgate River Ranch Facebook page at www.facebook.com/westgateriverranch and complete the entry form. For more information, visit www.wgriverranch.com/glamping-sweepstakes or call (863) 692-1321.

Situated on 1,700 lush acres in the heart of Florida’s cattle lands and surrounded by approximately 400,000 acres of state and federally protected wetlands, Westgate River Ranch is distinguished as the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi. Located just 80 miles south of Orlando, the cowboy-themed resort offers a guest ranch vacation full of activities for adults and children, including the longest-running Saturday night championship rodeo in the United States.

Following a multi-million dollar renovation and recent property re-launch, Westgate River Ranch introduced the concept of glamping for those who wanted to combine the fun and camaraderie of camping with the conveniences of a hotel room. Soaring popularity led to the creation of a glamping concierge, along with plans to double the inventory of tents and private bathrooms from 10 to 20 in July.

Glamping tents are pre-set on raised platforms and include deluxe interiors, a screened-in porch with two rocking chairs and access to private bathrooms. Amenities also include: a mini refrigerator, microwave, air conditioning, electrical outlets, a ceiling fan, private gas propane grill, private picnic table and various board games. The bathrooms are also fully outfitted with showers with hot water and hair blow dryers.

For official sweepstakes rules, visit http://woobox.com/offers/rules/9ystnv. Good luck!

The much anticipated Marketplace Co-Op opened its doors officially on Friday, June 6. The newest addition to the Marketplace side of Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney is now home to six unique boutique style shopping areas. Rather than having several large areas in a store like World of Disney, the Co-Op offers a few smaller selections of specific or unique items you may not find anywhere else.

As with all great Disney things, there is, of course, a backstory to the Marketplace Co-Op. I’m paraphrasing here, but basically, the fictional town that grew up around Disney Springs consisted of local citrus farmers and other merchants who wanted a place to trade their wares and produce. Given the sometimes unforgiving Florida weather, the merchants wanted a place under a roof, and thus the “Marketplace Co-Operative Citrus and Produce Exchange” was created. A nod to this “past” can be seen in the center of the Co-Op, with hanging vintage items used to measure and weigh produce and other goods. A nice, yet simple little story (that will probably go unnoticed by most, but lovely nonetheless). I know as a child of the original Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village (later Disney Village Marketplace), one of the first things I did was look up to the skylight where Mickey’s Character Shop once lived. It’s nice to see it still there, and a part of this new “history”.

I like the spaces that were left open in the Co-Op, a cross-shape of wide hallways/walkways extends from Tren-D to Guest Relations, and from the front entrance back to Cherry Tree Lane. In this sense, it really does have a marketplace feel. I grew up in Boston and we’d visit Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market in downtown Boston all the time, and I remember the wide hallways between the different food and shop vendors. This is a much smaller version of a traditional farmer’s market/marketplace of the past.

All of the areas, with the exception of Cherry Tree Lane with its wallpaper and more permanent looking fixtures, are on wheels and look very easily moveable, should Disney want to change out a shop or its theme in the future. Each little shop looks at home and has its own definite theme. The Trophy room, filled with sports shirts and items from college to national to international teams really reminded me of my very first role as a cast member at the Main Street Athletic Club in the Magic Kingdom. It has a great, vintage sports feel to it. D-Tech and Beautifully Disney let the merchandise do the talking in their sections, while Zoey and Pickles looks like any tween’s dream bedroom. Centerpiece has the most Co-Op feel to it with rustic crates and bare wood exposed throughout. Cherry Tree Lane is like stepping into a more elegant boutique, with painted white wood, brick and lots of natural light from the doors leading to the parking area.

Currently, there are a few exclusives here at the Marketplace Co-Op, like a D-Tech On Demand personalized phone case printer, which also has DVC exclusive resort cases, which you must be a member to purchase. There are a couple of new Dooney and Bourke bags, with more to come, and of course, most of the Centerpiece merchandise is truly unique (and what most guests were buying both times I visited!). Much of the Centerpiece merchandise is available online as well, so if you aren’t planning a visit any time soon, but want to stock up on all this cool new stuff, keep checking back to see what they’ve added!

I made a second visit today and spent about an hour in Centerpiece alone, making the painstaking decisions about what items to bring home! I have a feeling I’ll be back for more – soon!

Here’s a gallery of what opening day was like at the Marketplace Co-Op – including the grand opening ceremony! (click to enlarge) —