Suzannah Otis

Day 4 of the 5 Days of HoliDaze Disney Gift Guide

8 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Ok, so after 3 other days of Disney Gift ideas, I bet you’re thinking, “she couldn’t *possibly* have more great stuff to share!” Well, you’re right. No, I’m kidding. Never fear, there are still some fabulous ideas for the Disney lover in your family!

Disney DVD/Blu-rays

Friend and fellow Disney blogger Ryan Wilson of the Main Street Gazette brought you this wonderful review of The Crimson Wing and what better gift for a Disney and nature lover? Also check out DisneyNature’s other films Earth and Oceans. Right now at amazon you can save $10 when purchasing two selected DisneyNature titles. It will also prepare you for the upcoming African Cats, set to be released this coming April.

Day 3 of the 5 Days of Holidaze Disney Gift Guide!

8 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Let’s jump right into Day 4 of the ZannaLand Disney Gift Guide! Today we have some great gifts for the Disneyphile that has it all!

Disney DVD/Blu-rays

A couple of months ago, I shared an amazing deal on purchasing all three of these DVDs below – Waking Sleeping Beauty, The Boys, and Walt & El Grupo for only $49.99 WITH a free lithograph. This deal has actually been extended till the end of January, which makes it a perfect Christmas present, not to mention a fabulous savings! For the Disneyfile that has it all, these DVDs are Must-Haves! Click the pictures below to see more details!

Video Games

Just released yesterday is the much anticipated TRON: Evolution video game, just in time to get in the Grid before TRON: Legacy opens in theaters December 17, 2010. TRON: Evolution takes place between the original TRON film from 1982 and the 3D film TRON: Legacy.

TRON: Evolution has a story set around a series of seismic events within the Grid of TRON. Players control a security program, Anon, who must protect the digital world from Abraxas, a dangerous computer virus. Players will witness unique moments that are referenced or shown as the backstory of the thrilling “TRON: Legacy” story. The game features the iconic TRON vehicles – light cycles, light tanks and recognizers – and has high mobility combat using light discs. The multiplayer modes enable up to 10 players to take on each other online in a variety of maps with on-foot combat, light cycles and light tanks.

TRON: Evolution is available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Games For Windows – LIVE, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and the Nintendo DS™ family of hand-held systems. TRON: Evolution – Battle Grids is exclusive to the Wii™ console. Check them out below:

Books

Continuing in the Disney fan that has it all vein…how about some books that go in-depth to the life of Walt Disney and the stories behind Walt Disney World’s history and theming? Check out these two wonderful books below, written by certified Disney experts and fans alike:

And for a fun and interesting interview of author and Disney legend Jim Korkis, head over to Disney Dispatch to learn more.

Other Disney ideas

For the Disney collector or Vinylmation fan, check out this Limited Edition Vinylmation Billiards set!

Vinylmation Billiards Limited Edition Set - 3'' -- 16-Pc.

Or these adorable Vinylmation Condiment sets – sure to be a conversation starter! I’m totally telling Santa about these!

Stay tuned for Day 4 tomorrow! Check out the Disney Gift Guide Day 1 and Disney Gift Guide Day 2 too!

See DisneyNature’s African Cats, Save the Savanna

7 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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My family and I were lucky enough to see the trailer for African Cats during our screening of Tangled and I can’t tell you how many “aww’s and oooh’s!” there were coming from the audience in reaction to the beautiful scenes in front of us.

Now DisneyNature is announcing its collaboration with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), where a portion of the proceeds from the film’s opening week will be donated to the organization through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. The AWF will be working to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu National Parks, that is frequently used by a variety of wildlife.

Check out the gorgeous trailer:

Day 2 of the 5 Days of Holidaze Disney Gift Guide!

7 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Yesterday we started Day 1 of ZannaLand’s 5 Days of HoliDaze Disney Gift Guide, in hopes of making your shopping a little easier this season! Let’s check out some more great gift ideas –

Disney DVD/Blu-rays

Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 – this has just been digitally restored and re-released as a DVD/Blu-ray combo pack, filled of special and bonus features. You can even get $10 off the Fantasia/Fantasia 2000 DVD/Blu-ray combo pack – but hurry, it expires today!

5 Days of HoliDaze Gift Guide for the Disney Family!

6 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 7 Comments

Over the past few months here at ZannaLand, I’ve been lucky enough to come across quite a few amazing books, games, dvds and more which would all make wonderful gifts for the Disney fan in your life (or for yourself!). I found so many favorites to share, I decided to make this into a 5-part series of gift ideas, each day featuring different gift ideas and categories. Let’s jump right into Day 1!

Disney Store International Plaza Tampa Has Reopened!

3 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

You may remember my enthusiasm for Tampa’s brand new Imagination Park Disney Store when it opened near me at International Plaza and Bay Street. I was there opening day to experience the magic and share it here with you. The store was amazing and its cast members instantly won me over with their knowledge, kindness and pixie dust. I couldn’t wait to go back with the rest of my children and family and show them around. Imagine my sadness when we returned a couple of weeks later to find the store closed!

A sign outside informed us the store was closed due to water damage. A pipe had burst on the second floor flooding the space above and the Disney Store with 15,000 gallons of water. Yikes. Peeking into the store that day, I could see that everything had been completely gutted and they were removing the hardware pieces while still drying out the store with floor fans. I thought of all the beautiful parts; the trees with projections on them, the gorgeous wall and ceiling displays, not to mention the merchandise – all ruined! I could only imagine how saddened the cast members were about this as well. I spoke to the Disney Store president, Jim Fielding on twitter and he let me know they’d be back open by Thanksgiving.

Disney Store Imagination Park Tampa — The key for the daily Unlock Imagination ceremony

Now the store is re-opened and ready to spread the magic once again, just in time for the holidays!! Jim Fielding asked for my help on twitter to spread the word, so I thought this was the least I could do. I wouldn’t be posting about it if I wasn’t confident that this store is an absolutely amazing experience – the next best thing to being at the parks themselves. Jim assures me that everything is exactly as it was before and the cast members are back and even more ready to help you Unlock Imagination, right in our backyard.

As I said in my first report, it’s just an hour away from the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando (right down I-4 West to I-275) so if you’re driving to the parks or renting a car, it really is worth a trip over here to experience this first Imagination Park in the central Florida area. I’ve shared before what a caring and involved president Jim Fielding is (in addition to his job title he is also a board member of the Make a Wish Foundation and volunteering in Phoenix this weekend). Reaching out to Disney store fans via social media is just one example of that involvement, and what makes shopping at the Disney Store such a rewarding experience.

In addition, the DisneyStore.com has some amazing deals happening right now – what better place to do some holiday shopping? Be sure you add the Disney Store Tampa to your “must do” list for the holidays!

Disney Dream Lives Up To Its Name With the Disney Cruise Line

2 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Back when I was a travel agent in the 1990’s, I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural voyage of the very first Disney Cruise Line ship – the Disney Magic. We was able to take my firstborn son on again when he was about 9 months old and it was an incredible experience both times.

Since that time, the Disney Cruise Line has sailed above the bar it set with the Magic. The Wonder debuted, amazing changes have been made to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, and now the all-new Disney Dream is about appear on the horizon this January.

I’m hoping to set sail with my family some time this year, but until I can get a first-hand look, I thought I’d share some of the official info from Disney describing the incredible amenities, special features and Disney magic that make this new ship, well, a Dream!

When the Disney Dream debuts on Jan. 26, 2011, guests will begin embarking on innovation-infused journeys aboard a 4,000-passenger cruise ship where technology has been translated into eye-popping, jaw-dropping experiences – where activities, mealtimes and pastimes elicit smiles, giggles, “wows” and squeals of delight … and occasionally will take your breath away.

Disneyland Readers Take Note – Pirates of the Caribbean Fan Event!

1 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Captain Jack is BACK and treating west coast fans to an exclusive look at the brand-new trailer for Walt Disney Pictures “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” in 3D on December 13, 2010, at AMC Downtown Disney Theatre 12 in Anaheim, California, as part of an exclusive “Pirates Fans First!” event. “Fans First!” winners will also have the chance on that day to be the first to experience the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction that started it all. Fans can enter to win a vacation for four to the event by “Liking” Yahoo! Movies on Facebook (www.facebook.com/YahooMovies) or entering the sweepstakes via Disney Movie Rewards (www.DisneyMovieRewards.com). Fans can also gain access to this exclusive event by listening to 102.7 KIIS-FM starting December 6^th.

In addition to being the first to see the new trailer for “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” and ride on the Pirates of the Caribbean theme park attraction, the lucky fans will be treated to a special Pirate after party, plus special commemorative gifts—but not until all of them have sworn to the “Pirate’s Oath” in a ceremony on the bow of the Columbia sailing ship. For added fun, fans who come to the event in pirate costume will have additional opportunities to win special prizing.

Following the “Pirates Fans First!” event, the trailer will premiere on Yahoo! Movies, Disney.com, and other premium online destinations around the world at 1 p.m. PST. Later the same day at 7 p.m. EST the domestic broadcast debut will occur on “Entertainment Tonight” as part of their December Event for “Pirates.”

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” captures the fun, adventure and humor that ignited the hit franchise—this time in Disney Digital 3D™. Johnny Depp returns to his iconic role of Captain Jack Sparrow in an action-packed tale of truth, betrayal, youth and demise. When Jack crosses paths with a woman from his past (Penelope Cruz), he’s not sure if it’s love—or if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn’t know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past.

The international cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa, and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” is written by “Pirates” veterans Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio. The executive producers are Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Barry Waldman, Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio and John DeLuca.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” sails into theatres around the world in May 2011. Official website: Disney.com/Pirates. “Like” Pirates on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PiratesoftheCaribbean.

VIDEO: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party-Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

30 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

It is difficult to surpass the wonder that is the Boo to You Parade during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – but if anything can, it’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. I was saying just the other day that I think I’m related to Buddy the Elf, because of my intense love for all things Christmas-related. Disney knows better than anyone how to amp up the holiday magic for the season.

Just walking into the Magic Kingdom or any of the parks with holiday decorations up and you’ll be in the spirit. However to really create some magical memories, you simply must head over to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This separate ticketed event runs on select nights in November and December and believe me, it is worth the price of admission.

NEWS: Disney’s Mars Needs Moms Trailer

29 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Take out the trash, eat your broccoli—who needs moms, anyway? Nine-year-old Milo (Seth Green) finds out just how much he needs his mom (Joan Cusack) when she’s nabbed by Martians who plan to steal her mom-ness for their own young. Produced by the team behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” “Mars Needs Moms” showcases Milo’s quest to save his mom—a wild adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader (Mindy Sterling). With the help of a tech-savvy, underground earthman named Gribble (Dan Fogler) and a rebel Martian girl called Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), Milo just might find his way back to his mom—in more ways than one.

· Berkeley Breathed, a Pulitzer-Prize winner for his comic strip “Bloom County,” is the author and illustrator of the book “Mars Needs Moms.” The story was inspired by a particular moment of disagreement that took place between his son Milo and his wife.

· Producer Robert Zemeckis, who wrote, directed and produced “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” is a pioneer in performance-capture filmmaking. The process digitally captures the performances of the actors with computerized cameras in a full 360 degrees, allowing actors like Jim Carrey and Tom Hanks to play several roles of varying ages in one film, and for 36-year-old Seth Green to portray a 9-year-old.