Disney Resorts

NEW Concept Art for Trader Sams and Polynesian Village Resort

15 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

If you were following along during the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train media event, you heard about the changes to Disney’s Polynesian Resort. This is a location full of passionate fans who are a little concerned that their beloved lobby waterfall will be removed for new changes. Disney has tempered that concern with the gift of returning the resort to its original 1971 name: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – including the original font as well. I think the Polynesian Lobby is a gorgeous place, and I love the waterfall, but I am hopeful that the changes will be well done and handled with care. From the concept art, it looks as though tiki love will be found throughout, and with the refurbishment of the volcano pool and addition of Trader Sams Grog Grotto, I think the scenic views may best be found outside, with some still to be seen in the lobby as well.

Today the Disney Parks Blog released two new unseen images of the new Polynesian Village Resort lobby and Trader Sams:

Trader Sams Grog Grotto concept art ©Disney

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort — Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will be renamed in 2015 concept art ©Disney

I understand the need for changes and updates, and I look forward to seeing these in action. I will miss the waterfall, but am excited about other places to hang out and experience some south seas fun. What do you think?

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel Will Light It Up Blue Tonight

2 April 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

April is Autism Awareness Month and April 2 is World Autism Day. The Light It Up Blue program was started as a unique global campaign which helps raise awareness about the disorder. In honor of this historic day, thousands of iconic landmarks, buildings, hotels, bridges and retail stores are among the hundreds of thousands of homes and communities around the globe that illuminate blue to spread autism awareness.

Tonight, April 2, 2014, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel will be joining other iconic buildings around the world — including the Empire State Building in New York City and the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia – and lighting up blue.

In addition, one of the hotel’s signature restaurants, Todd English’s bluezoo has created a specialty blue cocktail, named blue sparkler, in honor of Autism Awareness Month. Through April 30^th proceeds from sales of the drink will be donated to the Princeton House Charter School, an Orlando area school for children with autism.

The blue sparkler is a mixture of pavan liqueur, Florida 4 orange vodka, sparkling wine with orange and vanilla syrup. Todd English’s bluezoo is located in the lobby of the Dolphin and can be reached at 407-934-1111 or www.thebluezoo.com. For more information on Princeton House Charter School visit www.princeton-house.org.

…

In other Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin news, guests at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel will experience Easter magic during PEEPtastic Easter April 16 to 23, a celebration sweetened by thousands of free PEEPS® brand marshmallow samples, PEEPS®-inspired menu items, PEEPS® décor and Easter-themed activities for families to enjoy. This sounds SO fun, and I think I need to head over and check this out in person. Giant Peeps? Glow-in-the-Dark Easter egg hunt? Peeps milkshake? Sounds so fun!

During the week, guests will be treated to complimentary PEEPS® marshmallow chicks upon check-in, during special appearances by the Easter Bunny and at other surprise moments. For some sweet eats, PEEPS®-inspired menu items will be featured at several of the hotel’s restaurants. Menu items will include s’mores made using PEEPS®, a PEEPS® inspired milkshake and chocolate-dipped PEEPS®.

The Epcot Resort Area hotel’s annual glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt – a favorite for kids – headlines a full schedule of Easter-themed activities at the hotel, including traditional Easter egg hunts, Easter egg races, a bunny hop relay, arts and crafts, and meet-and-greets with the Easter Bunny. (Activities are all complimentary for guests, except for a small fee for various crafts. Please check the event website for pricing.)

For an added magical Easter morning experience, guests can order an Easter Basket, featuring a variety of candy, a solid milk chocolate bunny and a plush toy, delivered by the Easter Bunny himself to their guestroom. (Additional costs apply.)

Larger-than-life PEEPS® will be found across property, as the iconic chick-shaped marshmallow will serve as inspiration for several approximately 3-foot, 50-pound white chocolate sculptures.

Other special features during the week will include a special Easter dinner buffet at Garden Grove restaurant, featuring Disney character appearances on Sunday, April 20, at 5 p.m., a campfire, glow-in-the-dark volleyball, family game night and a poolside showing of the movie HOP.

For more details about PEEPtastic Easter at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, including a full schedule of activities, visitwww.swandolphin.com/easter. To make room reservations, call 1-800-227-1500 and mention “PEEPS.” Overnight rates start at $189 per night.

Tangled Themed Hotel Rooms at Tokyo Disneyland Hotel

14 January 2014 by Suzannah Otis 7 Comments

Back in 2014, I saw these photos scroll past my instagram feed and was overwhelmed with how beautiful this new Tangled themed hotel guest room was. I admit, I had no idea for sure where these rooms were or that they were coming, but I instantly assumed Tokyo Disneyland (they get all the cool stuff!).

Come to find out these were the new guest rooms for the 30th Anniversary or “Happiness Year” over at Tokyo Disneyland Resort. These rooms join several other character themed guest rooms in the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, including Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White, and Alice in Wonderland. In my opinion, none compare to the Tangled themed rooms! These beautiful rooms feature Rapunzel, Flynn, and Maximus, and of course the iconic Tangled lantern scene we all fell in love with. I had to share the love with you all, by sharing these photos below, from Instagrammer @eva_lin_1118. Enjoy!

Tangled Guest Room Tokyo Disneyland Hotel — Simply beautiful beds and the mural behind them – WOW. Love how the lights match the lanterns in the painting!

At last I see the light! And it’s in Tokyo Disneyland Resort! 😉

EDITED 3/23/20: I’ve just checked and it appears that these Tangled themed hotel rooms are no longer available at Tokyo Disneyland Hotel. The current character themed rooms available are: Tinker Bell, Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella. I think I’ll scour the internet and find some photos of those rooms as well to share with you here! 🙂

Disney’s California Grill Re-opens With a Delicious Flair

8 September 2013 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

A flair of Mary Blair that is. Cheap rhyme aside, I was so pleasantly surprised by the newly re-imagined California Grill, which pays tribute to the art and artistry of Disney Legend Mary Blair, famous for the Grand Canyon Concourse mosaics found within Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The color scheme on the upholstery, carpets, art and more all honor the original colors found when the Contemporary first opened. It is a wonderful mix of mid-century modern aesthetics, with sleek state-of-the art accompaniments found throughout the restaurant.

The now floor-to-ceiling windows offer even more incredible views than before, streaming in light from all around. On the night we arrived, a thunderstorm had just ended, providing an incredible rainbow right over the resort. When we got upstairs, we could see not only the gorgeous sunset but also the storm in the distance; an unrivaled panorama of Walt Disney World Resort scenery.

Mixed in with the regular tables and booths are now long tables which seat 10 over on one side of the restaurant. There is also seating at the bar, where a special sushi menu is offered for guests seated at that location. The private rooms are also still available as well and offer even more tributes to Mary Blair with reproductions of her artwork. I just can’t express enough how wonderful it is to see Mary Blair and her work in such a special location.

New color schemes at California Grill are a tribute to the original Contemporary Resort

The food we sampled was incredible, from the Pacific halibut with parsnip silk, roasted heirloom beets, arugula, macadamia vinaigrette and beet syrup, to updates of longtime favorites, such as Pork Two Ways, now grilled tenderloin and lacquered pork belly with goat cheese polenta and mushrooms – my favorite! The oak-fired filet of beef is served with heirloom tomato risotto, marinated baby vine tomatoes and basil was just perfect. Sonoma goat cheese ravioli returns in a tomato fennel broth with crispy shiitake mushrooms.

And don’t forget the sushi! The Grill’s popular sushi menu expands with a 12-course omakase menu that includes a tasting of the restaurant’s freshest ingredients (not just fish and seafood). Omakase means “to entrust,” and there’s no menu. “You just let the chef prepare fresh sushi dishes for you, perfect for sushi fans who want to try new tastes,” says Executive Chef Brian Piasecki. The menu might include ama ebi (sweet shrimp) tempura, lobster sashimi, crunchy Japanese bone marrow with sesame beef tartare and red onion marmalade, and spicy-crusted oysters.

I cannot wait to get back and try full-size portions of some of these, at which time I’ll offer a full review of my experience. The mix of side items and the presentation really live up to California Grill’s existing reputation – and surpass it. This will now be a must-visit for a special occasion dining experience, date night, or just a wonderful gourmet meal. While I love trying new things, I’m not a food reviewer, and certainly didn’t have the old California Grill menu memorized, so for a ‘first-timer’ so to speak, I was really satisfied and impressed with what I tried. Hopefully based on the photos below and descriptions of ingredients above, you can decide if the California Grill will work for you and your guests. Dessert descriptions are listed in the gallery below.

The wall of wine immediately catches your eye when you step off the elevator; 1600 bottles on display, with 250 wines on the list, 80 by the glass. There also are 10 varieties of sake, eight kinds of craft beers and ciders, and signature cocktails created just for California Grill, such as the sake martini, which I sampled and really enjoyed. I am not usually a fan of sake on its own, but this was a light, sweet, tropical drink and a great way to enjoy sake.

For more scenes from the new California Grill, see the gallery below, and click to enlarge any photos:

California Grill desserts — A sampling of the desserts – clockwise from top left, the lemon meringe, which was like a cheesecake consistency with a nice shortbread crust and hardened meringue topper, the strawberry basil sundae is part of the trio pictured below, then the chocolate pudding cake described a few photos down, the banana fritters with house-made marshmallow and caramel. This was really unique, like fried banana bread, dense and moist with a nice caramel complement, and the caramel corn pot is also part of the trio in the next photo.

Sunday Sampler — California Grill Sundae Sampler: caramel corn, Coca-Cola float, and strawberry and basil.(Jimmy DeFlippo, photographer)

Wishes from California Grill — Wishes from the California Grill viewing platform

The refurbished California Grill has instantly become my favorite new spot in all of Walt Disney World. Perfect views and ambiance, wonderful Mary Blair touches for Disney fans to appreciate, and wonderful food to complement the entire experience. Truly a jewel in the Walt Disney World crown. I hope to get back sooner than later! Speaking of, reservations are now available (if you can find any) to book at 407-WDW-DINE, online or using the My Disney Experience app.

What do you think of the new look?

Disclaimer: I was invited to preview the new California Grill and its food at a press event. I was not asked or required to post in any way and my opinions above are my own. It’s just THAT good!

Disney’s Art of Animation Celebrates its First Christmas

27 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

With such a colorful entrance into the Disney resort family, Art of Animation resort was in my sights to check out for the holidays to see just what Disney had up its sleeve to decorate their newest resort. Being a Value, or Value Plus resort, of course the Christmas decorations will be a little more low-key than say the Deluxe resorts. Still, it was fun to see and the decor definitely fits into the resort’s capture of the animation process.

Like the overall theme of Disney’s Art of Animation, the Christmas decor starts off colorless, like a blank page, with sketches. As you progress through the lobby, color is added and as a fan of rainbow colors and white Christmas trees, I was in heaven! It’s a very fun, colorful display, that just makes you happy. All that’s missing are those fun rainbow candy canes my mom always used to get!

Here is a gallery overview of the holiday decorations and details of Disney’s Art of Animation resort – click any photo to view as a slideshow:

Disney's Art of Animation Christmas twinkling tree

Disney's Art of Animation Christmas — Looking back at the check-in area from Ink & Paint Shop

Behind the Scenes: Wilderness Lodge Christmas Comes to Life Overnight

13 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Last evening I stumbled upon the serendipitous event of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Christmas tree installation. I have never, in all of my years of visiting Walt Disney World, ever seen resort holiday decorations being put up, so it was fun to sit back and watch this spectacle. Of course, it’s easy to assume these overnight transformations happen by magic and pixie dust alone, but as I learned last night, it’s actually a huge, multi-cast member operation full of semi-trucks, cranes, ladders and patience!

Below is a slideshow of last night’s events, which continued into the wee hours of the morning. The whole operation began a little after 11pm and I stayed to witness it through 2am, when there was still quite a bit left to assemble on the tree, but so much had already been pixie dusted too. Enjoy the photos of the process!

Click any photo to view as a slideshow:

Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree — I couldn’t stay until they were done, but here’s a gorgeous photo of the finished lobby from the talented Tom Bricker.

Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation — The tree is raised up to get more branches installed

More photos like the last one may be found at Tom Bricker’s site DisneyTouristBlog or on his Flickr account.

Little Mermaid Section Photos & Review at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

20 September 2012 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

On my recent tour of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, I also checked out the newest area, the Little Mermaid section. These rooms are the traditional “value” rooms seen in other resorts, not the family suites or “value plus” experience found in the Finding Nemo, Cars, and Lion King buildings. The rooms here start at $94/night vs. the $248/night starting price for the family suite rooms. Having noted that, when I visited the Little Mermaid section, I was a bit disappointed – relatively speaking.

Disney's Art of Animation Little Mermaid buildings — Giant Dinglehopper awaits you!

On its own, the Little Mermaid fits right into the All-Star and Pop-themed buildings. However, down the road from the Cars buildings, there is just no comparison. Here we are met with giant and I mean GIANT characters and props from the film. When you first walk in, you have two photo ops, a very over-sized Dinglehopper and an even larger Snarfblat. Sure, they are familiar icons from the film, but why so big? Does this mean we have been shrunk to krill-size creatures upon entering this area? That would be plausible if we didn’t then happen upon the statue of Prince Eric which Ariel keeps in her grotto. It is slightly over-sized, but for the most part, on par with how it looks in the movie. Then to your right is a behemoth-sized Ursula and an equally towering King Triton. It is almost impossible to make characters that huge not look deranged somehow…and these are no exception. Also, with no interior doors and hallways, the buildings are also covered with 2-D cut outs of fish from the film and bubbles, which are a far cry from the expertly themed buildings in the rest of the resort.

Again, I get that it’s in keeping with the super-sized theme that the other value resorts are known for, but when you feel actually immersed over in the Cars section, it’s just hard not to wonder what the other buildings would’ve been like with those same rules applied. Perhaps it is because the Cars section is so wonderful that it stands out on its own and is the one out of place. I will say that I enjoy the details that are present, like the ship’s mast and crows nest themed light posts along the walkways, and the attempt at a beachy/underwater landscaping mix. I would just personally prefer to stay in the Cars or Lion King section, were I to stay in this resort. We’ll see inside a Cars section room in a later post, and I’ll also discuss the dining options and other resort information in the coming weeks. Until then, with my opinions out of the way, let’s take a look at the Little Mermaid buildings:

[portfolio_slideshow]

What are your thoughts on the Little Mermaid buildings? Will you choose this section of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort over other value resort options?

Inside Disney’s Art of Animation Resort-Lion King Room Photo Tour

19 September 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

After my initial tour of Disney’s new Art of Animation Resort, which has opened in phases, the last two buildings, Lion King and Little Mermaid are now open. I thought I’d venture back over and tour the new areas to share here with you. In addition to the exterior of the Lion King and Little Mermaid buildings, I was able to tour a Cars and Lion King room. I’ll be sharing the other photos in subsequent posts, but for now, let’s check out a Lion King family suite and its surrounding buildings.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Lion King — Hakuna Matata!

Before I share the photos, a quick note about all of the buildings at Art of Animation. When I first saw the property back in April, what I was most impressed with were the tiny details. In the Finding Nemo section, it was the landscaping, made to look like you were actually under the sea, along with things like the swim mask featured in the film, famously marked with “P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney”. The giant sea creatures were fun for the kids, but it was those details that really made the theming work for me. The rooms were also pretty and full of muted colors like you saw in the movie.

By far my favorite section was Cars. It was as if you were walking into a less-vast Radiator Springs. After visiting Disney California Adventure and seeing the “real” version of Cars Land, of course this area cannot compare, however it’s an excellent second place. What makes it so great is the perspective. You see the cars, properly-sized, as you would in the film and you feel as if you are a part of the town. The landscaping, again, is a key detail, painting a desert scene in keeping with Radiator Springs. You’ve got the Cozy Cone motel and other landmarks that are again, properly sized so it feels natural. The rooms inside are in keeping with this theme and, I think, a nice mix of racing vs. Radiator Springs decor. We’ll see photos of the rooms in an upcoming post.

The Lion King buildings sort of straddle the line between the over-sized Finding Nemo and (as we’ll also see in later) Little Mermaid rooms and the proper perspective of the Cars section. The Lion King statues are bigger than life-sized, but not so huge that it feels just silly and not at all realistic. I like the unique layout of the Lion King buildings, with the famous “Hakuna Matata” log that Simba, Pumba and Timon dance across in the movie and the Elephant Graveyard where the three hyenas, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed are found. Of course all of the wonderfully detailed scenes are riddled with “Please Do Not Climb” signs, which will probably make this a battleground for cast members trying to protect guests and those guests hoping to get that really cool photo from their vacation. I do love the lush look of the building entrances and the overall fun but not too over-the-top theme of the Lion King buildings. Later I’ll discuss the Little Mermaid buildings and my thoughts on their theming. Now, onto the photos!

[portfolio_slideshow]

What do you think of the Art of Animation Resort in general? What about the new Lion King section? Share your favorite details in the comments below:

Celebrate the Olympic Games at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

12 July 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Just received this news from the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel – looks like it would be a great way to celebrate and experience the opening ceremonies of the upcoming Olympic Games in London. Check out the details below – the event is open to hotel guests and the public:

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel is celebrating the summer games with a special event in the Dolphin lobby featuring the broadcast of the opening ceremonies in London displayed on large screen televisions, complimentary food and beverage and an opportunity to meet with past summer games medalists.

The event will take place Friday, July 27 from 6 – 9pm and is open to hotel guests and the general public. On hand to interact, take photos and sign autographs with guests will be medalists: Wendy Bruce-Martin (’92 gymnast), Scott Johnson (‘84 and ’88 gymnast) and Fred Tyler (’72 swimmer). “Gold medal” cookies, British-themed edible treats and recreational activities for kids will all be part of the festivities at the Orlando hotel.

For more information and to RSVP for the event, visit www.swandolphin.com/summergames. (Reservations are not required.)

About the athletes:

Bruce-Martin was part of gymnastics team USA in 1992 and helped the team bring home the bronze medal from Barcelona, Spain. Bruce-Martin now coaches gymnastics, with the goal of opening her own gym. Bruce-Martin was recently inducted into the USAG Gymnastics hall of fame in 2010 and the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Johnson is a two-time Olympian gymnast, winning the gold medal in 1984 and captaining the team in 1988. Since retiring from gymnastic competition in 1988, Johnson has continued to train up-and-coming gymnastic competitors in the Orlando, Fla. area.

Tyler earned a gold medal in the 4×200 meter freestyle relay and took fifth in the 200 meter free at the 1972 games in Munich, Germany. He currently teaches at Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Fla. and was previously the school’s head aquatic coach where he trained numerous state champions and All Americans in both swimming and water polo.

What: Summer Games Celebration at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

When: 6:00pm – 9:00pm, July 27

Opening ceremonies broadcast begins at 7:30pm

Where: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, Dolphin Lobby

1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd.

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. 32830

Who: The event is free and open to hotel guests and the public (Please note, there is a fee for on-site parking)

For more information: Visit www.swandolphin.com/summergames or call 407-934-4000

STAY COOL WEEK: Best Pools in Walt Disney World Resort

10 July 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

It’s day two of Stay Cool Week here on Zannaland and I thought for the ultimate cool-down we’d take a dip in some of my favorite pools on Walt Disney World property. Of course these are just my personal preferences and as different as they all are, it’s really hard to pick a number one favorite. I managed to narrow it down to a Top 5 , however:

5. Port Orleans Resort – I’m kind of cheating a bit from the start because I’m putting Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter together. I love French Quarter’s fabulous sea serpent water slide, complete with King Neptune riding atop the serpent’s head. I remember staying there when the resort first opened and just being amazed by the slide and never wanting to leave. Riverside’s main feature pool, Ol’ Man Island, boasts a swimmingly good time for all. I love the shade that surrounds this pool and the water falls and sprays from rustic beams and found items, like an old kitchen sink.

4. Coronado Springs Resort – The Dig Site is one of my favorites because of its size. It’s easy to feel over-crowded in some resort pools, but here there is enough space to spread out and enjoy. A fun slide and the beautiful Mayan pyramid-themed waterfall serve as a scenic backdrop. The Dig Site also boats one of the biggest hot tubs I’ve ever seen, if that’s more your style for relaxing. I love that the playground area is right around the corner, so it’s easy to go from playing to pooling. If you get there before the water slide opens, there’s a fun little ceremony the cast members perform with the kids on-hand too.

Disney's Coronado Springs pool — The Dig Site – ©Disney

3. Caribbean Beach Resort – The main pool here is located at Old Port Royale and themed to a Spanish fortress. This is definitely one of the most fun pools for kids (and adults) to explore, complete with pirate cannons and two water slides. For the little ones under 48 inches tall, there is even a kids play area with hoses to squirt, a giant bucket which fills with water and pours down, and 3 smaller water slides. The lush greenery and lakes of the Caribbean Beach Resort surround you and hammocks and shady spots are only a few steps away if you’d like a break from the water.

Disney's Caribbean Beach pool — Caribbean Beach Resort pool, themed after a fictional Spanish fortress, called Fuentes del Morro. ©Disney

2. Wilderness Lodge – Silver Creek Springs pool is one of my absolute favorites because of its location and surroundings. The majestic Wilderness Lodge was modeled after the the Old Faithful Inn which opened in Wyoming in 1904. The bubbling “hot spring” in the back of the lobby creates an amazing egress to the pool area at the edge of Bay Lake. The water flows outside from the lobby and over a rocky waterfall where it then becomes part of the pool. Add a water slide, breathtaking views of Fire Rock geyser, which erupts like clockwork on the hour, with Bay Lake behind it, and you have one my favorite pools to truly relax and feel at one with nature.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge — The beautiful Wilderness Lodge grounds. ©Disney

1. Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach and Yacht Club Resorts – This has been my favorite pool since first staying at the Beach Club after it opened. Sand on the bottom of a pool? Years later and I still think that’s one of the coolest things ever. Nooks and crannies, a whirlpool to get swept up in the current, a ship-wreck-themed water slide tunnel, and a built-in lazy river, and you pretty much have pool perfection. It’s no secret that this is the most popular pool on property and with good reason. There is something for everyone to enjoy and I could literally spend all day floating and splashing around.

Did I mention your favorite Walt Disney World pool? Which ones top your list? Check back tomorrow for more Stay Cool Week!