Suzannah Otis

Reunited…and It Feels So Good!

5 January 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

I just wanted to take a moment to mark another magical milestone in my life; being back on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel answering questions! I’m honored to have been asked back again this year and will be giving out magical advice at www.DisneyWorldMoms.com until April.

So much has happened in the span of two years, it’s hard to imagine that just a short time ago my dream was to join the amazing panelists on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, and that dream actually came true. Since the site here took off at around the same time and my last year was filled with special events and opportunities, new friends and experiences, I felt like I needed to remember the dream that started it all. It’s still pretty amazing if you stop and think.

I’m so grateful for the chance to help guests out in an official capacity on an official Walt Disney World site, not to mention the wonderful cast members I’ve met, fellow panelists I’ve worked along side and friends I’ve made because of the panel. It’s such a special opportunity of a lifetime and I am so appreciative, every day, for that gift. I only hope that I can pass my excitement, love and knowledge of Walt Disney World on to the people I come in contact with and, well, make Walt proud too.

If you’d like to ask me a WDW vacation planning question directly, you can head over to my bio page at D isneyWorldMoms.com and click on the “ask Suzannah a question” link. 🙂 I’d be happy to help! While you’re there, check out all the new faces ready to lend a hand as well. I hope to be highlighting some of them here on the sight in the coming months!

Changes to Via Napoli Dessert Menu

4 January 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Via Napoli almost instantly won my heart as my new favorite place to dine at Epcot. I’m not even a huge pizza fan, but I just loved everything about this place, from the atmosphere and cast members to of course, the food (much more than just pizza). I covered opening day at Via Napoli as well as another trip with my husband. When out of state friends came to visit Walt Disney World, we naturally met up at Via Napoli for dinner. I recommended my favorite dessert to my friend that night and he loved it. So imagine my sadness when I dined there today with my mom and children (who still had never been) and the dessert menu was missing two items!

The Gelato Frizzante (my favorite!) and the Copa Di Brutti Ma Buoni (Good but Ugly Sundae) were completely removed from the list. I fell in love with the Gelato Frizzante when we had little samples of it opening day and ordered it again at each visit. My husband tried and loved the Copa di Brutti ma Buoni on his first visit and also enjoyed it. I asked our server what happened but she just said they were taken off the menu. Could we really be the only people that liked them? Perhaps they were too labor intensive to make? In any case, it makes me sad, but since I was usually too full from the meal to have needed dessert, I guess it’s probably a good thing in my case. I always overdid with the Gelato Frizzante! Here are some pictures of the new dessert menu – no items have been added, simply the two removed items: (click to enlarge the photos)

Cupid Duffy Flies into Disney for Valentine’s Day

3 January 2011 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

In keeping with Disney’s promise to have a Duffy for every season, Valentine’s Day Duffy is out and I must say, with his little fluffy wings, he’s quite adorable! The costumed Duffy’s are $25 and a little smaller than the regular sized Duffy. The costumes are attached and do not come off. You could probably put the separate costumes on top of the attached costumes, but since they are made for slightly larger bears, they will be a little big.

VIDEO: Epcot’s Candlelight Processional With Corbin Bernsen

22 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

I’m embarrassed to say I’d never really sat through an entire Candlelight Processional until last year at Walt Disney World Moms Panel training. We’d walked by before but I’d never thought I or the kids could sit through the whole thing (read: yes, I thought it’d be boring). After being moved to tears last year, it is now among the must-do events of the holiday season at Walt Disney World. I actually thought before seeing the entire performance, that it was all stuffy old hymns and one looong narration of the Christmas story. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The show starts out with a toe-tapping song Shout For Joy and immediately you are filled with spirit and ready to join in! The narration then flows throughout the subsequent songs, weaving the Christmas story in words and music. It is truly beautiful and as I mentioned, moves me to tears.

Here’s a video of some images, songs and narration by Corbin Bernsen, I hope you enjoy it and add the Candlelight Processional to your must-do holiday events too!

VIDEO: Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights With Snow!

21 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Without a doubt, the amazing Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season at Walt Disney World. It’s a family tradition and I can’t tell you how many pictures I have of my kids in strollers looking up with their mouths hanging open at the awe inspiring lights before them. This year, I captured the lighting ceremony, the snow and more on video to share here with you. I hope you enjoy it and get a chance to check them out in person at Disney’s Hollywood Studios if you haven’t yet!

Mulch Sweat N’ Shears Rock Christmastime at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

20 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

I have to admit, I am guilty of never having sought out or listened to the DHS “house band” Mulch Sweat n’ Shears. I had no idea what I was missing! During Disney’s Holiday Showcase last month, we were lucky enough to attend a dinner served right inside the stage area of Lights, Motors, Action! and treated to a holiday performance by Mulch Sweat n’ Shears. Their Jack Black-like front man delighted my tweens and entertained the whole crowd. Both older kids proclaimed them their new favorite band. I hope you enjoy their version of the Paul McCartney favorite “Wonderful Christmastime” as they performed it.

Be sure to check out Mulch Sweat n’ Shears next time you’re in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I can’t wait to hear their regular set after the holidays too!

Get on the Grid at Disney.com as TRON takes over!

17 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

The infamous TRON light cycle literally breaks through Disney.com’s homepage, in awe-inspiring fashion, revealing all new exclusive videos, games, downloads and more. To prepare for the highly anticipated film, fans can go to Disney.com’s “TRON: Legacy” site to get the inside scoop on all things TRON with exclusive videos featuring Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund. And with the new “TRON: Legacy” Digital Painter on Disney.com’s Create, fans can create their own digital universe, complete with their favorite light cycle.

Site Features:

Worldwide exclusive Disney.com “10 in 60” videos featuring Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund where the film stars ask each other 10 questions about the film in 60 seconds
Online exclusive Disney.com Movie Surfers video with Olivia Wilde and Garrett Hedlund
New “TRON: Legacy” Digital Painter on Disney.com’s Create
Exclusive Disney.com “TRON: Legacy” poster download
Exciting “TRON: Legacy” casual games
“TRON: Legacy” Get On the Grid Sweepstakes where fans unlock levels of prizing
Printable “TRON:Legacy” activities and TRON inspired crafts and recipes from Disney Family.com

TRON: Legacy hits theaters on December 17, 2010. That’s today!! Who’s going to see it??

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides TRAILER!

15 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Pirates and Mermaids and Zombies, Oh MY! In PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds himself on an unexpected journey to the fabled Fountain of Youth when a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz) forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). I’m a huge Ian McShane fan, from the Deadwood days, so I’m hoping his presence will make up for the lack of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly…what do you think?

RAYOVAC $500 Disney Store Shopping Spree Sweepstakes

14 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Rayovac, the official battery of Disney Parks has just kicked off an amazing sweepstakes on their facebook page. Simply enter on Rayovac’s official sweepstakes page and you have a chance to win a $500 Disney Store shopping spree.

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 of the Disney Gift Guide – A GIVEAWAY (or TWO!)

10 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 25 Comments

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!