Places to Stay

LEGOLAND Florida Brick-or-Treat presents Monster Party

9 August 2022 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

LEGOLAND Florida is one of our family’s favorites (I feel like I start every article out that way, but it’s true!) and Brick-or-Treat is such a fun way to kick off the not-so-spooky season in Central Florida. This year they are adding something new – Monster Party! Keep reading to find out more:

The biggest, fun-est (yes, we said it!) party of the year will be even more monstrous this fall at LEGOLAND^® Florida Resort when Brick-or-Treat presents Monster Party! Families will be screaming in excitement as they enjoy more candy, more LEGO^® characters and more spell-binding surprises than ever before with 12 nights of Halloween fun – each Saturday and Sunday, beginning September 24 through October 30. This Halloween spectacular will bewitch families with amazing NEW experiences, live shows, spooky LEGO^® decorations and Monster mischief around every corner – all included with general park admission and select Annual Passes.

NEW! Monster Mania IRL and in 4-D!

Monsters are taking over LEGOLAND Florida Resort! Enjoy a host of thrilling meet and greets with never-before-seen LEGO^® Monster characters, including Zombie Cheerleader, Plant Monster and Tiger Woman. Then, catch these ghoulish characters on the big screen in the ALL-NEW, hauntingly hilarious, 4D movie “The Great Monster Chase” complete with some sneaky special effects.

NEW! Eerily-Awesome Entertainment & Attractions

BRAND-NEW live shows will cast that BOO-tastic Halloween spirit! Lord Vampyre will have all the little skeletons grooving at his V.I.M. (Very Important Monsters) Dance Party in Fun Town. An UnbeLEAFable musical mystery takes the LEGO^® City Stage when a strange plant grows out of control. The jack-o-lantern trio, Jammin’ Jacks, are also back with an all-new chorus of monster melodies. Step aboard the Disco Dragon Coaster and get ready to jive with a groovy monster jam and party lights. The Monster Party howls on with a Pirate Pool Party at Pirate Island Hotel and special entertainment at the Beach Retreat on select nights.

More Candy, More Fun!

Brick-or-Treat throughout the streets of LEGOLAND Florida! Wander across the park to collect more candy than ever before! Beware the Curse of the Pharaoh as you creep through the Graveyard of Ghouls to the new Desert Desserts candy station on the way to the costume parade in MINILAND USA.

Inclusive Family Experiences

Creating inclusive experiences for families during their visit is a resort priority no matter the season. As a Certified Autism Center, LEGOLAND Florida is designing Brick-or-Treat specific sensory guides for families and will offer alternative treats, available through Guest Services. Team members will also be equipped with Halloween-specific information related to autism sensitivity and awareness to better understand needs around the celebration.

Dastardly Fireworks in Pirates Cove

Pirates Cove is under siege! In the cover of darkness, witness 3D LEGO^® brick-bursting fireworks come to life with ghoulish delight and hear tale of Captain Dreadbeard! This lakeside spectacle is the sweetest way to end the Monster Party on all event nights!

Ghoulish Goodies & Sweets

The Monsters are in the kitchen whipping up some spookily delectable, limited-time goodies for Brick-or-Treat! Nothing says fall like a Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life Shake or the Great Monster Cake. Pick up some Wacky Witch’s BBQ Wings for a spooky, savory treat. Enjoy the ghoulishly green Brick Blast Coca-Cola Freestyle flavor exclusive to LEGOLAND parks, a recipe that fits perfectly into any Halloween celebration. And be sure to grab an order of Rockin’ Frankenstein’s electric purple apple fries with crushed candy and peanut butter dip, a new twist on a LEGOLAND classic

Brick-or-Treat is one of many exciting events included with LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park general admission and select Annual Passes, starting at less than $11/month with a small down payment. Learn more at LEGOLAND.com/Florida.

You can see our previous coverage of LEGOLAND Florida’s Brick-or-Treat days for a look at more of the fun!

My runDisney Race Weekend Sponsored by Enterprise

2 June 2022 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Princess 5K 2011 — My original runDisney race – Still running with my phone in hand!

I registered for my first runDisney race back in 2010. It was the Mickey’s Halloween 5K, part of the first-ever Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend that year. It was a different time and I made so many new friends and connections through Twitter. We were all calling it #EpicOctober and meeting up at various times. I was also meeting up with my fellow Walt Disney World Moms Panel (now planDisney) panelists, as it was my first year on the panel. I had never run anything in my life and was very, very worried I would not be able to complete the 5K. So, I didn’t go. I was ashamed, embarrassed and vowed that I would do a runDisney 5K someday, especially after meeting up with all my friends who did it and listening to all the fun they had on the course. So, I registered for the 5K during the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. And this time, I actually did it!

Fast forward many years, and many, many runDisney races have taken place. Over that time, I did a handful of 5K’s and one 10K back in 2016. I then took 7 years off. A lot happened in my life between then and now, and I began to focus more on my health and fitness. I lost 75lbs over the past 2 years, and though I’ve been vegetarian since 2012, I went vegan in 2018, and have been ever since. After these changes, I decided to get back into runDisney races, and vowed that 2022 would be my “Year of runDisney” and I would do all the races I could this year. I bounced back with the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend races in January of 2022, where I did the 5K and 10K again. I had caught the runDisney bug and decided to challenge myself and register for the Disney Fairytale Challenge as part of the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – this was doing the 10K and Half Marathon (plus I did the 5K too). Me? Do a half marathon?? I spent the next months being anxious and worried, while still knowing I had it in me to complete it. And I did.

I was not fast, I cried about 5 times (happy cries), but I did it. I am now a half marathoner! The next set of races were the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend – celebrating races from runDisney past, including the fan favorite Expedition Everest 5K and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 Miler.

I wanted to register for the Challenge and do all of the races, but in trying to get both my husband and I registered, I was shut out of the Challenge and the 5K. I was able to register both of us for the Race for the Taste 10K and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10 Miler. Closer to the races, I received an email from Enterprise, the official rental car of Walt Disney World, about partnering with them to cover the races and share my experiences on social media. Of course, it was an immediate YES from me, and what follows is my sponsored account of the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend Celebrates Yestermorrow.

As part of our partnership, Enterprise provided a rental car for me as well as a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. I was very excited for both of these experiences. We started out by heading to the Car Care Center right near Magic Kingdom Park to pick up the Enterprise rental car. It was a seamless process, and it wasn’t just for me, the others getting their cars or dropping them back off were helped quickly and with minimal effort on the guests part. I picked up my super cool Dodge Challenger in bright orange and knew this was going to be a fun weekend.

We then headed over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was again so easy to check-in, I just did it on the ‘My Disney Experience’ application on my phone and didn’t even need to stop at the front desk. We could head straight to the room and unlock our door with the app or a MagicBand. We were given a standard view room, but really lucked out as our view was of the area where some of the animals come at the end of the night, so we really saw so many animals right from our balcony! There were 6 giraffes we could see often, three or four zebras (including a cute younger one), some Ankole cattle, waterbuck, impala, crowned cranes, and more (including bunnies and squirrels which are just as exciting to me). It was so cool to wake up and see giraffes right outside.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my favorite resorts in all of Walt Disney World Resort anyway, so I was so grateful and excited to get to spend 5 nights there. There are so many options for dining. The pool area is wonderful, and the rooms themselves were so peaceful and comfortable. When I first checked in, I had the balcony door open and was texting my friends that all I could hear was the gentle clicking of the bamboo trees in the distance. I was in heaven.

The next day, after breakfast at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, we set out to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the runDisney Health & Fitness Expo. This is where you pick up all your bibs for the races, your race shirts, and you can also shop for fun merchandise from runDisney partners and official runDisney race weekend merchandise too. It was super easy to pop over in our Enterprise rental car and just park and head in. It’s a really fun way to start off every race weekend, because you are immediately surrounded by others who are doing the same thing you are, having fun, getting excited for the upcoming races, and of course taking photos at the many photo ops all around ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. We got our bibs and found out we were in Starting Group 2 for the 5K and the 10 Miler, but Starting Group 1 for the 10K. What luck! I’ve said before I’m not fast, so getting any extra time from being in a closer starting group is always a bonus that I appreciate greatly!

runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend 2022

After getting all of our race info and bibs, we headed back to the resort to just chill before the first race – a night race! The Expedition Everest 5K always took place at night in prior years, so they kept with that tradition, and it didn’t start until 10pm. This was my first ever night race, though many of my friends had done either this race or the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend races that took place at night previously. It was kind of strange being up so late and just waiting for the race to start. I’m still not sure if I prefer that to the early morning 2:30am wake-up calls of the other races I’ve done.

runDisney Springtime Surprise Race Recap:

Mother Nature had some other ideas about our nighttime race, and there was worry about rain and lightning. So, in an abundance of caution not only for the racers, but also the amazing volunteers working the course, the course was shortened for the 5K. The scavenger hunt, which was all digital on an app this year, was also postponed getting everyone to finish the race as soon as possible and reduce the risk of weather affecting things. The course had the last half a mile taken off, but by the time we walked to and from the start and finish line, we had all definitely done a 5K that night. Luckily, the rain held off and we didn’t get drenched, so that was a very good thing. It was so fun running through Pandora: World of Avatar at night, with the bioluminescence and all the background sounds of creatures of Pandora in the distance. I loved it.

The medal for the Expedition Everest 5K has always been a compass, so I was very excited to finally get one myself. It was truly one of the most fun 5K’s and unique ones as well. I would sign up again in a heartbeat!

The next day, we had a day of rest before the early morning race times began on Saturday. We hung around the hotel, had some pool time, and our family visited so we could all have dinner together from Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, before we had to head to an early bedtime.

Saturday morning, we were up bright and early (well, not so bright, it was still very dark out at 2:30am). Having the Enterprise rental car meant we had a little more time to head over to EPCOT and park for the Race for the Taste 10K. My husband Scott and I headed into our starting group 1 and did some stretching before the race began. The runDisney crew always does an amazing job of hyping up the crowd at such an early hour, in rain or shine, cold or heat. This day, the humidity was at about 99% and it was like running through soup, but that didn’t stop the fun.

We saw so many fun characters along the course and seeing our friends racing along with us made it even more special. Having the runDisney PhotoPass photographers along the course ensures you’ll have some great memories of the race day and seeing the photos pop in on your app after the race is always a highlight.

Being locals, we aren’t the type to pack in non-stop theme park action during the race weekends. We can go to the parks most of the time, so we like to take the time to relax at our hotel and unwind between races during the runDisney weekends. Saturday night we took advantage of the delicious dining options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and had some dinner to go from Victoria Falls Lounge and the Mara. It was an early night again as we waited for the 2:30 alarm to go off Sunday morning!

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10 Miler was the last race of the weekend, and all of my friends were in the same starting group as Scott and I, so it was a very fun morning as we laughed and got ready to race. Two of our friends ran the whole race, while my other one (Amanda, who got me into runDisney races to begin with) run/walked with us the whole way. The humidity was less savage this day, so it was a great race day.

The runDisney character stops and entertainment along the course was all themed to the Tower of Terror and 1939 (the year the elevator first dropped into the Twilight Zone). It was great fun. I had already done 13.1 miles in February, so I knew I could complete this 10-miler, and each race I ran a little more and walked a little less, so it was all a great feeling of accomplishment too. Unlike the other two races, we finished this one after sunrise, so we got to see the sun rise over EPCOT, after running through Disney’s Hollywood Studios and for the first time ever – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! I will never forget those moments.

Finishing the final race with my husband and my friends was such a wonderful experience. The runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend Celebrates Yestermorrow was a success all around! We finished up our morning with a family breakfast at Boma in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge which has so many wonderful options for everyone to enjoy. After all the racing, we took a much-needed nap. Despite my lack of any real training, I was feeling great and ready to head over to a park and enjoy our last full day of this race weekend.

We popped over to EPCOT in our Enterprise rental car and enjoyed some of the delicious bites from the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, going on now through July 4. We ended our night watching Harmonious and wandering through Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts to check out the Easter egg displays before heading home for a good night’s sleep.

The next day, reality crept back in as we checked out, returned our rental car (super easy, we didn’t even have to go inside, we just handed them the keys and they said we were all set!) ,and headed home and back to work. I can’t thank Enterprise enough for really making this runDisney weekend an epic one with so many fun moments along the way, I’ll remember it for a very long time. I can’t wait for the next set of runDisney races – see you in November!

*Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of Enterprise.

I’d love to hear about your runDisney race experiences in the comments below!

2022 Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Easter Eggs Display

18 March 2022 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

If you are a fan of the giant edible Easter Egg displays at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you will love the display this year. Almost all the Easter eggs are brand new designs from the Grand Floridian chefs and absolutely breathtaking. Also new this year is a new place to buy treats, called “The Grand Cottage” located right in the middle of the lobby. We were in the area to grab a new vegan Baby Chick Cupcake and got some photos of the egg displays too to share with you all.

From Luca to Encanto, to Raya and the Last Dragon, to the Rescuers Down Under, there are so many amazing Easter eggs this year – even Captain America has joined in the Grand Floridian Easter Egg fun:

Which one of the Grand Floridian Easter Eggs is your favorite? I think the Piper egg from the Pixar short is so adorable! But, the fact that they turned Spaceship Earth into an Easter Egg with Figment on top? That may be the winner in my book. Huge thanks to the Grand Floridian Pastry Team for their hard work on these Easter Egg creations and sharing them with all of us!

Be sure to make a visit and see these yourself if you’re able and check out the treat for sale in the Grand Cottage as well! So many fun treats to enjoy while you take in the sights all around the Grand Floridian Resort lobby.

If you’d like to see the vegan Baby Chick Lemon Cupcake from the Grand Floridian, head to our sister site VeganDisneyFood.com.

D23 Expo 2022 News and Ticket Info

13 January 2022 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

It is not that far into the new year and we already have some exciting D23 news about the upcoming D23 Expo in September of 2022. D23 is kicking off the new year right, giving us info on ticket pricing and sales, the Mousequerade event, merchandise, and (most exciting to me) the restoration and display of Walt Disney’s plane, used, among other things, to scout the land purchased for the Walt Disney World Resort in the 1960’s.

I am so happy to see that this historic plane has been restored since its removal from the Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. D23 has also announced that there will be even more Walt Disney Archives presentations than ever before. I cannot wait for the Expo this year. I wasn’t able to attend last year and had to send my trusty reporter out, but this year I’m READY for all the Expo action. Let’s keep reading below for the official announcements from D23 and info on when and how to purchase your tickets!

TICKETS FOR D23 EXPO: THE ULTIMATE DISNEY FAN EVENT PRESENTED BY VISA^® GO ON SALE JANUARY 20, 2022

The Biggest Disney Fan Event Will Take Place September 9th through 11th in Anaheim, Calif.

Returning Events Include the Disney Legends Awards, Mousequerade Costume Contest, and Much More; D23 Gold Members Receive Special Discounts

BURBANK, Calif. – January 13, 2022 – Tickets for D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa go on sale at 12 p.m. PT, Thursday, January 20 with an exclusive presale for Visa cardholders who are also D23 Members starting on January 19, at 10 a.m. PT. “The Ultimate Disney Fan Event,” hosted by D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center September 9th through the 11th, celebrating the magic and excitement of Disney entertainment past, present, and future and kicking off Disney100, the centennial celebration of The Walt Disney Company. All of Disney’s wonderful worlds—including Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars—will unite under one roof to showcase what’s new and what’s on the horizon from Disney theme parks, streaming, television, music, products, and films. Complete details are available at D23Expo.com.

D23 Expo 2022 will feature more than 50 shows, presentations, and panels, including the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony, which honors the talented individuals who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy, as well as an all-new exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives highlighting the 100th anniversary of Disney.

The popular Mousequerade costume contest will return, hosted by Nina West and featuring a star-studded panel of judges including Yvette Nicole Brown (Big Shot, Disenchanted), Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano and creator of Her Universe), and Ally Maki (Toy Story 4, Home Sweet Home Alone). The contest will feature new categories including “Off the Screen,” “Imagine That!,” “Magical Mashups,” and “Cast of Characters,” as well as a fan-favorite award voted on by the audience and a “Best in Show” prize of $2,300. Complete rules for entry and details are available at D23Expo.com.

Presenting Sponsor Visa will be the “Official Way to Pay at D23 Expo,” and Visa cardholders will have access to additional benefits and one-of-a-kind Disney experiences.

Plus, D23 and the Walt Disney Archives, working with new D23 Expo Platinum sponsor Amazon, are restoring Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I company airplane, currently housed backstage at Walt Disney World Resort, and transporting it to Anaheim. The iconic aircraft was seen for years as part of the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and will be on display at D23 Expo 2022 for guests to see in an exhibit called Mickey Mouse One: Walt’s Plane presented by Amazon.

Returning to D23 Expo 2022 will be the massive show floor full of immersive experiences and special opportunities for guests to see what’s next for Disney around the world—and they may even run into their favorite Disney stars, characters, Imagineers, animators, and filmmakers. Guests can also enjoy numerous shopping opportunities, many featuring D23 Expo-exclusive collectibles, at an assortment of Disney and partner pop-up shops including the D23 Expo Emporium, where the ultimate Disney fans can find their ultimate treasures. The 7,000-seat Hall D23 returns and will be joined this year by the 3,000-seat Premiere Stage, the 1,200-seat Backlot Stage, and the expanded, 700-seat Walt Disney Archives Stage for more presentations curated by the staff of the Archives. On the main show floor, the D23 Expo Live! Stage will feature performances, appearances, demonstrations, and more all weekend long, many of which will be livestreamed to guests at home.

D23’s seventh Expo in Anaheim follows the success of D23 Expo 2019, which drew tens of thousands of Disney fans for three star-studded days and nights. Guests were treated to appearances by celebrities such as Robert Downey Jr., Christina Aguilera, Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Angelina Jolie, Robin Roberts, Salma Hayek, Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, and the casts of The Mandalorian and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Guests immersed themselves in the one-of-a-kind exhibit Inside the World of Avatar, saw models and artwork from the new experiences and attractions coming to EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort, and admired iconic costumes on display from Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They also enjoyed a look back at Disney’s rich history through extraordinary panels, presentations, and exhibits and discovered the newest entertainment, technology, and products coming from Disney.

Tickets for D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa will go on sale at D23Expo.com beginning January 20, 2022, at noon PT. Guests must be members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club—either at the complimentary General Member level or at the Gold Member level—to purchase tickets. Discounted single-day ($89) and three-day tickets ($229) will be available exclusively to D23 Gold Members. Regularly priced single-day tickets are $99 for a one-day adult admission and $79 for children, and money-saving three-day tickets are also available. This year, a limited number of Hall D23 Preferred Seating tickets (which include admission for all three days and a reserved seating section for all Hall D23 presentations) will be available exclusively to D23 Gold Members. D23 Members who are also Visa cardholders, and who pay with their Visa, will have pre-sale access to a limited number of one-day and three-day tickets for 24 hours beginning January 19, 2022, at 10 a.m. PT, while supplies last. Discounted hotel and Disneyland Resort park tickets are available to all D23 Expo ticket purchasers.

In addition to an exclusive discount on tickets, D23 Gold Members will enjoy special benefits at the Expo, including on-site discounts from select retail locations and a complimentary gift. And guests will be able to visit the D23 Ultimate Fan Lounge presented by Amazon on the show floor. For more information on tickets, ticket prices, and D23 Expo, visit D23Expo.com.

Schedule and talent are subject to change.

About D23 Expo 2022
D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, streaming, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 Expo 2022 news, visit D23Expo.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.

About D23
The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 99-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com, with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99), Gold Duo Membership ($129.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. Will you be purchasing D23 Expo tickets for 2022?

You can also see other D23 updates here on Zannaland as well as our Disney D23 Expo Retrospective episode of our Up the Waterfall podcast where we talk about all the fun of D23 Expos past:

Drawn to Life REVIEW: Is This New Cirque du Soleil Show a MUST SEE for Disney Fans?

14 November 2021 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Back in 2020 – the last media event I attended before everything shut down, we were given about a 20 minute preview of Cirque du Soleil’s newest show at Disney Springs – Drawn to Life. The media event was for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway’s debut, but it also combined other upcoming events around Walt Disney World. The first link above is to my instagram story for what we saw of Drawn to Life back in March of 2020. Last night, thanks to a cast member-exclusive invite-only dress rehearsal, I was able to see the full Drawn to Life show from Cirque du Soleil. I was completely blown away and knew I had to write a Drawn to Life review here, because EVERYONE needs to see this show.

Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life Review

Cirque du Soleil Theatre

A little background, as you may know and may have seen, the Cirque du Soleil theatre was built to house the original show here, La Nouba. A fan and family favorite, La Nouba ran from December 23, 1998 until December 31, 2017. At the time, fans were unsure if a new show would premiere, but Cirque du Soleil did announce that a new show would replace La Nouba in the future.

Drawn to Life is Born

In November of 2018, casting calls for Drawn to Life were posted. Two years later, at the above mentioned March 2020 event, everyone was very excited to welcome the new show. Then, the world turned upside-down. We all wondered if the pandemic would mean the end of Drawn to Life and even Cirque du Soleil in general. Luckily, they made it through and now Drawn to Life will debut on November 18, 2021. The first 3 nights are already sold out, which is a great sign for the success of the show.

Drawn to Life Storyline

Something that La Nouba was missing was a Disney connection. La Nouba was amazing, the Cirque performers are the best of the best, and the costumes, makeup, and staging are beyond compare. But, there was no Disney in the show. Honestly, I liked that, as a fan of live theatre and performance, I loved that La Nouba opened that world to people that may not have ever seen it otherwise. I was a little worried that the Disney addition would make it too commercial-looking or comparable to a Disney On Ice performance (not that there’s anything wrong with Disney on Ice, but Cirque du Soleil is known for its incredible creativity and pushing of boundaries). My fears were quashed when I saw the preview in March of 2020. My mind was then completely blown last night when I saw the full show.

My one sentence Drawn to Life review: the show is a love letter to the art and artistry of Disney animation. This is what I thought throughout the show, and then when I went on the website today to look for images to use here, I realized, they had used almost the exact wording in their description of the show. It truly lives up to that statement. Here is how the Drawn to Life storyline is described on the site:

Drawn to Life invites you into an astounding world where the art of Walt Disney Animation is experienced like never before. Gather your whole family for an unforgettable leap into this amazing new show—a live acrobatic journey where the stage is transformed into a giant animation table. The art of classic Disney animation is reinterpreted through Cirque du Soleil’s innovative design, acrobatic performances, dazzling choreography, and eclectic costuming alongside all-new Disney animation and an original score inspired by timeless Disney music. The show is absolutely alive with all the high-flying, mind-blowing exuberance that Cirque du Soleil is famous for.

This love letter to the art of Disney Animation celebrates life in all of its motions and emotions. The show tells the story of a determined girl [named Julie] who discovers one last gift left by her animator father: a sequence of unfinished drawings. Guided by a magical pencil and a quirky troupe of imaginative muses, she embarks on an inspiring quest filled with her childhood Disney memories. We’ll follow her as she leaps into a whimsical world of animation and discovers new possibilities that animate the story of her future. Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney.

What the description and the short preview we saw in March didn’t prepare me for was the emotional journey that starts pretty much immediately when the show begins. It really pulls you in and you are invested in Julie’s adventures. The story weaves itself expertly between the cirque performances so nothing seems out of place or interfering with the flow. Every character highlights and celebrates some portion of the animation process, including mistakes. Speaking of characters, there are several sets of performances where my jaw was hanging open (thankfully masks are required so no one could see that), others where I audibly gasped, and still others where my mask hid the tears streaming down my cheeks. It is a journey.

Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life Animation desk — After more than a year of waiting, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Disney Parks, Experiences and Products are excited to announce that Drawn to Life is scheduled to open on Nov. 18, 2021. The new family-friendly show coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering and will take residency at Disney Springs (Matt Beard, Photographer).

In recent times, hardcore Disney fans have been complaining of a lack of major celebration by Walt Disney World for the 50th anniversary and a focus more on current movie characters, merchandise, and food rather than the storied nostalgia of the company. Drawn to Life has put all of that history and nostalgia, combined it with Disney storytelling and heart, and incredible artistic performances to create a must-see event that every Disney fan will appreciate. It is the most “Disney” show I have seen in recent years, and it’s not even technically a Disney show. The creators have concentrated down the essence of the history and the process of creating the magic that we all know and love as “Disney.”

Drawn to Life Technical Feats

The theater was originally designed for La Nouba, but the stage area has now been completely redone to fit Drawn to Life. The stage design and technical effects for Drawn to Life are mind-blowing. You will probably spend a good portion of the show wondering “how did they DO that??” but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how, it just looks spectacular. We were seated four rows back on the right of the stage and there were many (most) times I could not see how things were being accomplished. I can only imagine how it looks from slightly further back. The entire tech crew is to be commended for the magic they have created here.

All above photos by photographer Matt Beard and courtesy of Disney. Since you can’t take photos or video of the show, and I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises for you, you’ll have to take my word that it is worth a viewing and a must-see show. I don’t think I can give a Drawn to Life review without mentioning the costumes and makeup; a major part of the show which should not be ignored.

Each character is made to look like some part of the animation process, either the faces animators make to replicate in their designs, or an implement itself like a pencil or paintbrush. The costume are bright and memorable, making each group or individual performance stand out.

Drawn to Life Acts

Here is a little more about the creation of the show and two recently announced acts that are featured in Drawn to Life:

Drawn to Life, written and directed by Michel Laprise with Fabrice Becker as Director of Creation. Developed in partnership with Michael Jung, Executive Theatrical Development, Walt Disney Imagineering along with Walt Disney Animation Studios, the story is driven by 10 unique acrobatic acts alongside animation from beloved Disney films. In addition, the show features all-new animation created by Disney artists led by Animation Director Eric Goldberg, best known for characters such as the Genie in the Disney Animation classic “Aladdin.”

In the “Garden of Lines” unicycle act, Julie is swept into a wonderland of familiar shadows, shapes and outlines in an homage to cherished tales that inspire an animator. Julie’s whimsical mood fixates on a mischievous marionette from a time-honored Italian fairytale. Five playful unicyclists representing the Blue Fairy of the classic Disney Animation film “Pinocchio” appear to effortlessly float across the stage, performing synchronized stunts and individual tricks with pinpoint precision.

“The Old Mill” double wheel act is inspired by Walt Disney’s groundbreaking 1937 animated short of the same name, which is seen in projections throughout. In a display of tenacity, perseverance and rise-and-fall motion, owls dreamed up by Julie’s imagination weather a storm using teamwork and courage to carry them through the powerful wind and rain that threaten their windmill home. The windmill of the film is represented in a spectacular, churning, fast-moving double wheel structure. Gravity-defying acrobats are in constant motion with the turning wheels—at times airborne—with astonishing balance and agility.

Drawn to Life is the 50th production created by Cirque du Soleil and its premiere coincides with the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary celebration. With an international cast of 62 artists, Drawn to Life will perform Tuesday through Saturday at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.

I will note that “The Old Mill” double wheel act is one of the moments where I audibly gasped and my jaw hung open for most of the performance. The unicycles were mesmerizing and even though there were no technical effects there, I still wondered “how did they DO that??”

**Final Drawn to Life Review Thoughts**

Almost 24 hours later, I’m still thinking about how incredible Drawn to Life is. I highly recommend it and I can’t wait to bring my entire family back so they can experience the wonder and magic themselves. Congratulations to everyone involved in Drawn to Life for an amazing success. I can’t wait for word to get out about this amazing Cirque du Soleil experience.

If you want a sneak peek at some of the designs used in the show or just to get some nice merchandise, the Cirque du Soleil Store at Disney Springs West Side is now open.

For more information on show tickets, dates and pricing, visit cirquedusoleil.com/drawntolife.

If you see the show, I’d love to hear what your thoughts were!

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SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Celebration 2021

14 November 2021 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

SeaWorld Orlando hosts a delightful array of offerings to celebrate the holiday season. SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration for 2021 takes place on select dates from November 12th through January 2nd with lights and decorations, holiday foods and treats and entertainment the whole family can enjoy together. This is one of the best values when it comes to seasonal events in Orlando. SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is included with the purchase of a regular ticket or annual pass. Let’s take a look at some highlights of SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration 2021 event.

SeaWorld Orlando Christmas 2021

The Sesame Street Christmas Parade will delight kids from one to ninety two with classic characters like Big Bird and Elmo. The floats in this parade are colorful, creative and entertaining too. This parade is the kind that rolls through, pauses and puts on a stationary show. The performers are high energy and the original music is extra festive. Sesame Street provides an entertaining and inviting atmosphere for all on television and in the park.

Rudolph’s ChristmasTown offers more family fun with photo ops featuring some of your favorite Christmas characters. Here you can meet Rudolph from the 1964 Rankin Bass stop motion, classic film Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. You may also find the Bumble in this storybook setting! If you love jolly attire and accessories, this is the place to look for merchandise.

New to SeaWorld Orlando Christmas 2021 is The Sounds of the Seasons Concert featuring musical acts in the indoor Nautilus Theater. Check the schedule as the featured talent rotates through the duration of the event. If you enjoy live music, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration has lovely atmospheric shows you should add to your plans. There is an a cappella group that sings favorites from classic holiday movies and a reindeer band alternating on the small stage at Rudolph’s ChristmasTown. This little venue is outdoors and on the water with lights and decorations all around.

Sea of Trees is a nighttime wonder with lit Christmas trees floating, twinkling and reflecting on the water to music. You can see this dazzle throughout the night. One of the best viewing places is on the bridge in the middle of the water with the trees all around you.

Winter Wonderland on Ice is an ice skating show featuring songs of the season and glitzy costumes. Guests can enjoy the work of these talented artists as they dance on ice in this beautifully crafted show. It’s truly a spectacle as the water behind the stage is illuminated with the Sea of Trees and colorful, gushing fountains.

You can also experience wintery fun like snow flurries and ice skating at SeaWorld for the holidays. Ice skating is an additional charge and has a couple of requirements so look into it before you go if that is of interest to you.

Finish your night at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration with a sky full of sparkles. Holiday Reflections Fireworks can be seen from many places around the park but the best viewing is from the Winter Wonderland On Ice venue or around the lake where Sea of Trees floats. If you’ve enjoyed Halloween at SeaWorld you’ve seen the unique tie in of SeaWorld’s aquatic theme with the spooky season. As fun as that may be, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration takes a more familiar approach celebrating with classic characters, decor and music, and food.

HOLIDAY FLAVORS TO SAVOR

The Christmas Market, nestled along Bayside Pathway, features festive entertainment and delicious culinary delights. At this bustling market, guests will discover one-of-a-kind gifts and snack on scrumptious holiday treats. Relax near the warm glow of the fire pit with a holiday craft brew and experience a wonderful view of the vibrant Sea of Trees or sing along to musicians who bring the sounds of the season to life on the gazebo stage. Find the tastes of the season throughout the park with the return of fan-favorite beverages, including the decadent Butterscotch Hot Chocolate or try something new like the Peppermint Berry Julep or the Mistletoe Margarita.

MORE TO CELEBRATE

Take note of this additional events added to celebrate other holidays during the season:

Hanukkah Celebration Celebrate the festival of lights at SeaWorld! From November 28 through December 6, gather with your friends and family to view the traditional lighting of the menorah in Sesame Street Land™ throughout Hanukkah.
Kwanzaa Festivities Join SeaWorld’s celebration of Kwanzaa! Taking place December 26 through January 1, guests can enjoy a joyous time of reflection and celebration of African heritage with the nightly lighting of the kinara in Sesame Street Land™.
New Year’s Eve Spend the final day of 2021 enjoying SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration then ring in the New Year as vibrant fireworks fill the night sky at midnight on December 31.

Best Way to Enjoy the Holiday Cheer for SeaWorld Christmas 2021

The best way to experience SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration and New Year’s with family and friends is with a SeaWorld Orlando Annual Pass. For a limited time, Florida residents can become a Pass Member for as low as $12.75 per month. Pass Members can receive park benefits and rewards like priority access to new attractions, FREE parking, in-park discounts and much more.

For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit SeaWorldOrlando.com.

Thank you SparklyNicole of SparklyEverAfter.com for providing us with this review and guide for SeaWorld Orlando Christmas in 2021. We’ll have a video coming out soon that will showcase the food and other fun from the event, so be sure you’re subscribed to Zannaland on YouTube!

Disclaimer: Zannaland.com was provided with free tickets to SeaWorld.

Holidays Return at LEGOLAND Florida Resort!

1 November 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

It’s beginning to look a lot like Brick-mas! LEGOLAND Florida Resort is preparing for it’s most wonderful event of the year, HOLIDAYS at LEGOLAND presented by Hallmark Channel.

The park will receive a seasonal makeover and bring new entertainment, meet-and-greets, and more all included in general admission. Guests can enjoy:

Rocking around the LEGO Tree

Located in the heart of LEGO^® City, our giant LEGO^® tree comes to life each event evening with dazzling lights that dance along to holiday tunes. For the first time, guests can enjoy this interactive spectacle in full 360-degrees, making it a magical experience from every angle.

Entertainment that “Sleighs”

Brand-new original stage shows will add even more holiday joy this season, as well as the return of fan favorite, The Very Merry Mix-Up, where Mrs. Claus’s crew of holiday helpers return for some frosty fun with the help of LEGO^® Gingerbread Man inside the LEGOLAND^® Fun Town Theater.

Kids’ New Year’s Eve Celebration

Ring in 2022 with our Kids’ New Year’s Eve fireworks. Colorful bursts of LEGO^® bricks light the night sky over Lake Eloise, at a kid-friendly time of 8 p.m. every night from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31

The event is sure to build memories to last a lifetime! HOLIDAYS at LEGOLAND presented by Hallmark Channel will run November 26-28, and December 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 24-31 from 10am to 7pm – and the park will add an extra hour of festive fun for it’s New Years Eve event from December 26-31, closing at 8pm those nights.

Check out our past coverage of the event here, and stay tuned for when we visit later this year!

LEGOLAND Florida Celebrates 10 Years!

23 September 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

It feels like LEGOLAND Florida has been for longer than I can remember – but it’s only celebrating its 10th anniversary next month! In that time, the Florida resort has become a classic destination for locals and tourists alike. To celebrate these 10 Awesome years, LEGOLAND is debuting attraction openings, party pop-ups, and Halloween fun.

The LEGOLAND Story

The LEGOLAND^® Story will immerse LEGO^® lovers in the unexpected origin story of everyone’s favorite brick. Guests will also learn about the ever-evolving theme park experience and how LEGOLAND^® Parks were built, brick by brick!

LEGO MASTERS: L-R: Contestants Mark and Steven in the “Master Build – Day & Night” season finale episode of LEGO MASTERS airing Tuesday, Sept 14 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2021 FOX MEDIA LLC. CR: Tom Griscom/FOX

This new attraction will bring guests into the history of LEGO with exclusive, photo-worthy displays, and artifacts from LEGO’s past. Fans of LEGO MASTERS will also find the official winning models from Season Two of the show, along with the second and third place models on display.

In the entry to The LEGOLAND Story, will be the all new LEGOLAND Coffee Co., a new café featuring flash-chilled iced coffee and seasonal flavors.

Birthday Bash Party Pop-Ups

WINTER HAVEN, FL — Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. (PHOTO / LOCK + LAND, Chip Litherland for LEGOLAND Florida Resort)

Families are invited to join in the brick-tastic birthday bash on October 15 to dance along with their favorite LEGO^® characters and friends. Party-packed play moments, surprise character appearances and pop-up entertainment will make this one awesome party!

LEGOLAND Florida will become home to a “more-than-20-foot” birthday cake, on display now through the end of the year. And if that wasn’t sweet enough, Granny’s Apple Fries – a LEGOLAND staple – will be offering the Apple Fries Cupcake and Birthday Cake Latte, ONLY on October 15.

MINILAND Reopening October 15

LEGOLAND’s most iconic area of the park has been under construction this year to fit the entire area with a new shade structure. That reopened area will finally be open October 15, just in time for the park’s exciting celebrations.

Brick or Treat Returns: Saturdays & Sundays in October

The classic Halloween event returns this year. It too has become a staple of the park – with its BOO-tastic fireworks, treat trails, and extended hours every event night.

This kid-friendly event is the only time of year guests can meet exclusive classic LEGO^® monster characters, enjoy Halloween shows and go trick-or-treating to collect loads of candy during the ultimate kids Halloween celebration.

While you’re at the park celebrating ten crazy years, be sure to check out the other awesome experiences and attractions that have debuted in 2021! Those looking to find tickets or passes can do so here.

And be sure to stay tuned here for more LEGOLAND updates!

A Closer Look at Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Details

3 September 2021 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Cast members were recently given preview days at the all-new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction over in EPCOT’s France pavilion. With that preview, they also got to enjoy the newest restaurant, La Creperie de Paris, which offers both quick service and table service options for crepes. We’ll share a look at all the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure details, including the new France pavilion expansion, and La Creperie too.

Get ready for a squeak preview of what you can enjoy when this area, ride, and restaurant officially open on October 1!

As you approach the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure attraction, you will pass through this canopy, which signifies the transition from “real world” Paris to that of the Ratatouille movie setting, with more exaggerated details and animated style of architecture.

At first glance, it looks like the streets of Paris, but a closer look shows whimsical drain pipes and chimneys you’d see in the animated film.

La Creperie de Paris exterior

Rich layered architectural details

Anton Ego’s Wine Cellar!

You may recognize that scooter from the Ratatouille film!

Now let’s take a look at the entrance and queue details of the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride:

Click to enlarge any of the photos below and just hit the back arrow to return to the post:

Time to ride the ride! We won’t share too many photos, but here are a few to give you an idea of what to expect on this 3-D trackless ride through Gusteau’s restaurant:

I will be experiencing this ride in person in the coming week at another Cast preview where guests are allowed, and a Passholder preview. I cannot wait! Be sure to follow along on @zannaland on instagram to see what I share from my visits!

You can also see inside, the full menu, and vegan options at La Creperie de Paris on our sister site, VeganDisneyFood.com.

What’s your favorite detail of this new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure area?

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, La Creperie de Paris, and the entire France expansion in EPCOT’s World Showcase opens October 1 as part of Walt Disney World Resort’s Most Magical Celebration on Earth. See you there!

Rides Revealed for Brand New Peppa Pig Theme Park

29 July 2021 by Chris Ryan Leave a Comment

Earlier this year, Hasbro provided details on their brand new Peppa Pig Theme Park coming to Florida in 2022. Today, the company announced the rides and attractions we can expect to see when the park opens!

Designed to be the ultimate day for little ones, the new theme park combines interactive rides and themed play grounds with character shows and an indoor cinema for quieter moments.

Every corner of the charming new park is crafted with preschoolers in mind, from their first roller coaster rides with their parents and free fair games for the whole family, to an all-terrain course where they will pedal tricycles through a sensory-rich trail and a colorful splash pad that celebrates “muddy puddles” jumping fun!

Through every experience, families will snort, giggle and create their family’s first theme park memories together with Peppa and her friends.

The map provided gives us some details of the rides and attractions coming to the park, including Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster, Grandad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride, and Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride.

While there are many rides and shows announced, families should know that the park is designed with little ones in mind, so all experiences will be child friendly. Many of the rides are interactive, and the park is also set to include several sensory-rich experiences and shows to keep children of all ages entertained.

Hasbro also announced that annual passes and vacation packages for the park are available now. For travel dates starting April 1, 2022, families can book two nights and receive a third night free! The vacation packages offered also include a stay at any of the LEGOLAND Florida Resort hotels, which are all located just steps away from Peppa Pig Theme Park.

Additionally, Annual Passes are on sale now and include free parking. To learn more and book now about the Annual Passes or book a vacation package, visit PeppaPigThemePark.com/Florida

We’ll be sure to follow the Peppa Pig Theme Park as more updates come out, and you can click here to see all our announcements from it.