Places to Stay

Westgate River Ranch Offers All-Inclusive Glamping Experience Sweepstakes

30 June 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marketplace Co-Op Opens in Downtown Disney

7 June 2014 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PREVIEW: The Four Seasons Orlando-Disney’s Elegant New Neighbor

22 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

If you’ve driven down Bonnet Creek Parkway or Vista Boulevard lately, you’ve seen the luxurious monolith rising in the sky – for the future home of the Four Seasons Orlando. Nestled within Disney’s ultra-exclusive multi-million dollar residential community, Golden Oak, the Four Seasons Orlando will be unlike any other resort property at Walt Disney World. On Disney property, but not owned by Disney, the Four Seasons is a completely unique resort experience, offering many amenities that Disney Resorts offer, as well as some of their own. I was recently given two different tours, two weeks apart, of the property while it is under construction. Despite the incomplete state of the hotel, its beautiful future shone through.

The Four Seasons Orlando will soon be a glittering gem for those wanting to experience the ultimate in resort luxury. We were unable to take photos while construction is ongoing, but the resort was kind enough to let us use their photos of completed rooms and suites. On my second tour, we were permitted to take photos from the top floor of the pool areas.

Before we move on to the description of the amenities and all that the Four Seasons Orlando has to offer, I want to go over the overall feel of the resort. As mentioned above, even with construction taking place all around us, the elegance and impeccable design choices were already apparent. As you enter the resort, the gorgeous tile is all around you, and you are immediately drawn to the “fireworks chandelier” as you walk through the lobby. This sparkling multi-floor chandelier pays homage to the fireworks which will be such an integral part of the resort’s views. Designed in Czech Republic by Jozef Baca and Veronika Kopecna, the inspiration was a dark sky illuminated by a spectacular firework display – in much the same way, this magnificent chandelier lights up the entire grand entry of Four Seasons Resort Orlando. More than 30,912 crystal components in radiant hues of light topaz, light smoke, amber and honey are featured. The chandelier weighs more than 1,223 pounds (555 kilograms) and requires 250 sleeves of LED lighting.

Four Seasons Orlando chandelier — The fireworks chandelier. This is even more breathtaking in person. Photo courtesy @FSOrlando

I was consistently impressed throughout the guest room and finished public areas with the attention to lighting and design details. The overall feel is one of timeless but contemporary elegance. Graphic shapes and a color palette that will stand the test of time. Relaxation and luxury envelop you with every glance around your guest room. The hallways are in pleasing yellow and grey tones, while the rooms are completed in either aqua blues or light oranges – it was hard to pick a favorite. The rooms feature state-of-the-art features including iPads in each room, flat screen TVs and in-mirror TV in bathroom, as well as digital touch buttons by the bed and the front door to request service, privacy, and more.

Four Seasons Orlando Guest Room — A Standard King Bed room with Fireworks View

Here are all the facts about the property:

444-rooms, with standard guest rooms offering the largest square footage in Orlando, open for reservations for stays beginning this August
King guestrooms all have a queen-size sleeper sofa bed in room (perfect for families) and the resort also offers many connecting rooms via an interior hallway and suites
Many accommodations offer spectacular vistas over the Magic Kingdom® Park’s nightly fireworks display from the comfort of one’s furnished balcony

Gallery of guest rooms at the Four Seasons Orlando – click to enlarge. All photos in this section courtesy Four Seasons Orlando:

Enjoy world-class dining experiences, including:

Ravello: a culinary trip to the Amalfi coast – colourful, lively, and rich with the aromas and flavours wafting from the open kitchen.
Capa: named for the matador’s red cape, sets the stage for tapas and steaks with rooftop fireworks views. (Opening later this September)
PB+G: stands for pool, bar and grill, where guests can choose creative salads and poolside fare coupled with smokehouse BBQ specialties and hang out in the lounge with its central bar, dine on floating pavilions, or simply grab and go.
Plancha: in the golf clubhouse, all guests can savour Cuban American cuisine in a lakeside setting.
Lickety Split: a fast-casual, grab-and-go spot on the lobby level, Lickety Split will offer fresh juices, smoothies, lattes, cappuccinos, gelato, baked goods, sandwiches and more.

Additional Fun: Three Har-Tru tennis courts, a 24-hour fitness centre, Spa with 18 treatment rooms, Tom Fazio-designed golf course and an adults only pool surrounded by private cabanas.

I will admit, when I first learned of the Four Seasons building on Disney property, I wondered if they would even try to cater to kids or families. I was more than pleasantly surprised by what they have to offer at the resort:

Can have as much or as little Disney as you’d like as part of your vacation – can have the Four Seasons experience with Disney, or the Disney Experience, with Four Seasons
Complimentary transportation is provided to the main Disney theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios) in plush motor coaches
This new property can accommodate large families – the 16th floor features the Royal Suite that can be configured with up to three separate living rooms and nine – yes, nine – bedrooms
We have our own amusement area for kids – Explorer Island. A five acre (two hectare) playground packed with fun for all ages, Explorer Island includes a 7,590 square foot (705 square metre) family pool with a lazy river winding around a “ruined” mansion, climbing wall, waterslides, and more. Look forward to beach volleyball, basketball, a video gaming centre, outdoor movie nights on the Starstruck screen, and more
Twice weekly on-site Disney Character Breakfast with Goofy and Pals, plus on-site Disney Planning Center
Complimentary Child Care: (Yes, you read that correctly.) Younger guests enjoy Kids For All Seasons, located on Explorer Island in the Mansion, where kids ages 5-12 will be entertained and supervised by our staff. Complimentary child care is unique in this market.
Just for Kids Amenity: A welcome amenity is provided, as well as child-size bathrobes and complimentary baby and children’s toiletries, as well as cribs, high chair, playpen, bottles, and toys at no extra charge

Views of the (still under construction) recreation areas:

Four Seasons Orlando Pool Area — Adult pool at the Four Seasons

So as you can see, the Four Seasons Orlando will be a resort for everyone; the single traveler or couple, the family traveling together or with a nanny, or a group who need more space that the Royal Suite and additional rooms can offer. Another plus to this resort is the elegant and technologically advanced ballrooms. They can be separated into three smaller rooms or left as one large space, as well as making use of the outdoor terraces. The chandeliers outside the ballroom are just gorgeous, looking like twinkling crystal flowers intertwined. I instantly wanted to have an event in this space, and I’m sure it will be a popular choice for weddings and more once open.

As you can tell, I’m already passionate about this wonderful new addition to the Orlando resort line up – which is unlike any other resort, on Disney property or otherwise. I cannot wait to see the finished product and experience a resort stay myself. I know with the combination of luxurious accommodations, the views, the amenities, and what promises to be first class dining, I will not want to leave. I’ll be featuring more about the Four Seasons Orlando in the weeks to come, so keep checking back! Special thanks to the Four Seasons PR and travel sales team for the tours and special glimpse into this work of art .

Follow along with the Four Seasons Orlando team at:

Disney On Ice Brings “Frozen” to Life This Fall

20 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Just announced today is the news that many Disney On Ice fans knew was coming – Disney’s Frozen is coming to Disney on Ice. A whole new show has been created around everyone’s favorite snow-bound sisters, which is sure to excited Frozen fans young and old. Disney on Ice presents “Frozen” will be touring the country, but information about the Orlando dates and tickets are below, from Feld Entertainment:

Feld Entertainment, Inc., the worldwide leader in producing live touring family entertainment, today announced that its 34^th Disney On Ice spectacular will bring the Academy Award^®-winning and number one animated feature film of all time,Disney’s “Frozen,” to life. Disney On Ice presents “Frozen” visits Orlando from September 5 – 7 for seven performances at the Amway Center. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, June 3 at 10 a.m. The Academy Award^®-winning tale will be told live for the first time in this production, capturing the dynamic between two royal sisters, Anna and Elsa. Anna, a girl with an extraordinary heart, embarks on an epic journey to find her sister, the magical Elsa, who is determined to remain secluded as she finally feels free to test the limits of her powers. Rugged mountain man Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, the lovable and hilarious snowman Olaf and the mystical trolls help Anna along the way in this story about love conquering fear. Audiences will get to sing along with such musical masterpieces as “Let it Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Fixer Upper.”

Producer Nicole Feld with the Disney On Ice Frozen set model

In Disney On Ice presents Frozen, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse take the audience through the magical story based in Arendelle, with special appearances by beloved Disney princesses and favorite characters from Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story” and “Finding Nemo” and Disney’s “The Lion King,” who come together to prove that true love is the greatest power of all. Director Patty Vincent says, “Our goal is to showcase these heartwarming characters in a way that allows the audience to cheer and sing along throughout this emotional journey.” To create a completely immersive experience for the audience, the set design will encompass the space from the ice surface up through the air, drawing everyone into the story and closer to the characters. Families will feel that they are trekking up to the North Mountains with Anna, Kristoff and Sven, and they will tangibly experience the storm inside Elsa. Elsa’s magic will be enhanced by state-of-the-art special effects, while her emotions will be conveyed through powerful skating. Visit the Disney On Ice website for more information, (http://www.disneyonice.com) and stay current on the latest developments through social media, including instructions on how to access pre-sale codes for tickets, as early as today, May 20: {Edit: use pre-sale code “tweets” for tickets now!}

Facebook (www.facebook.com/DisneyOnIce)
Twitter (@DisneyOnIce)
YouTube (www.youtube.com/DisneyOnIce)

Dates and Times at the Amway Center: (400 West Church Street – Suite 200, Orlando, Florida 32801)

Friday, September 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 6 at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 7 at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

TICKETS: $16, $22, $30, $39 (Premium) & $65 (Front Row). Group sales, call 866.248.8740. Buy tickets at amwaycenter.com, Chase Box Office at Amway Center, Ticketmaster retail locations, charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000 or at Ticketmaster.com. All dates, act(s) and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service, handling and facility fee charges. For Amway Center box office and ticket information, visit amwaycenter.com (phone purchases are not available through the Amway Center box office). The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street and the box office is located on the north side of the Amway Center, near the intersection of Church Street and Hughey Avenue.

Rock Your Disney Side Heroes and Villains 24 Hour Party Details

16 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

For the third year in a row, Disney Parks in the US are doing a 24-hour Disney day. Starting with Leap Day back in 2012, we all enjoyed “One More Disney Day” followed in 2013 by the Monstrous Summer Memorial Day 24 Hour Party. This year, we will all Rock Your Disney Side with the Heroes and Villains 24 Hour Party. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Disney hero or villain and enjoy 24 continuous hours in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom or the Disneyland Resort parks. The party will feature lots of Hero and Villain photo ops, entertainment and specialty food items as the parks stay open from 6am May 23 – 6am May24. Here’s a rundown of what to see, where to eat and what to do at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom:

Let’s start with the food! There are quite a few must-try options available only for the event, hopefully there are no cupcake overdoses! (All food photos ©Disney)

Rock Your Disney Side Cupcake – at the Main Street Confectionery, Big Top Souvenirs, or Prairie Outpost & Supply
Maleficent Cupcake, Frozen-themed Cupcake, & Olaf Carrot Cupcake – at the Main Street Bakery

Princess-themed Cupcakes – will be found at Gaston’s Tavern
Poisoned Apple Waffle Sundae – Sleepy Hollow

Poisoned Apple Shortcake Sundae – Storybook Treats

Olaf Sipper Cup with Specialty Beverage – found at Friar’s Nook and The Lunching Pad
Heroes and Villains-themed Cotton Candy – various locations at Outdoor Food carts

Mickey’s Kitchen Sink Sundae – at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (but I believe this is available normally now)

If 6am is too early to Rock Your Sweet Tooth, many dining locations will be offering a breakfast option on the morning of the 23rd or 24th depending on location. One of my favorite moments of last year’s event was having beignets at 5am in front of Cinderella Castle. Hoping for something to top that this year! For organization purposes, I put together a handy dandy table of what’s available:

Location Name:	Friday 5/23	Saturday 5/24	Hot Breakfast Served:
Main Street Bakery	yes	yes	breakfast sandwiches
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor	no	yes
Casey’s Corner	yes	yes	breakfast sandwich
Auntie Gravity’s	yes	no
The Lunching Pad	yes	yes	breakfast hot dog
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe	no	yes	breakfast sandwich
Cheshire Cafe	yes	no
Storybook Treats	no	yes
Friar’s Nook	no	yes
Pinocchio Village Haus	no	yes	breakfast flatbread pizza
Gaston’s Tavern	yes	yes
Liberty Square Market	yes	no
Sleepy Hollow	yes	yes	breakfast waffle sandwich
Columbia Harbor House	yes	yes	French toast sticks & bacon
Westward Ho	yes	yes
Pecos Bill’s	no	yes	breakfast sandwich
Sunshine Tree Terrace	yes	no
Aloha Isle	no	yes

As more information becomes available on other dining locations or times, I’ll of course update this post.

Entertainment options will offer a little something for everyone to enjoy:

Special Character Greetings will take place both Friday and Saturday – Disney heroes and villains will be making appearances around the park, check the Times Guide for more information.
Special Photo Opportunities both Friday and Saturday will be held at the Rose Garden and Rocket Tower Plaza.
Disney’s Up All Night Dance Party and Frontierland Dance Party will rock the night away starting at 2am and ending at 5:15am in Frontierland and 5:45am by Cinderella Castle.
Incredibles Super Movie Night will take place after the #IncrediblesSuperDanceParty! and show a screening of The Incredibles from 11pm – 5am.
It’s Good to Be Bad Villainous Celebration is a special night time parade with Disney villains taking place before the Main Street Electrical Parade at 10:45pm on Friday and 12:45am Saturday, along the usual parade route.
Kiss Goodnight – to culminate the 24 hour party, this farewell will happen at 5:50am Saturday morning at the Town Square Train Station.

Merchandise – in addition to all the food items above, a special Rock Your Disney Heroes and Villains Glow in the Dark T-Shirt and other Rock Your Disney Side items will be available at the Emporium.

Transportation to the parks from Disney resorts will begin 45 minutes prior to park opening and the monorail will end operations between the TTC and Epcot at 11pm.

Will you be rocking your Disney Side for 24 full hours? I know many think we must be crazy to stay in a park for that long, but the reason I love it is because it is the perfect way to experience the park as I want to; enjoying the scenery, landscaping and gardens, the quiet little nooks where you can just people watch and relax. I’d be happy not going on a single attraction, although I must admit, riding the Peoplemover in the wee hours of the morning is a must do. Hopefully we can get some rides in on the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train too if there are soft openings happening. The fact that Starbucks is there now is perfect too. If you do go, take some time to enjoy the aspects of the park that you would never normally see – sunrise over the Castle is a must. What are you most looking forward to experiencing? Let me know in the comments below!

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?

Disney Dooney & Bourke “Street Scene” Bags Now Available!

13 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Here is the long-awaited Mickey and Minnie “Street Scene” pattern from Disney’s Dooney & Bourke collaboration, first announced back in January on the Disney Parks Blog, to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Disney/Dooney & Bourke partnership. We thought we’d have to wait for Cherry Tree Lane to open within the Marketplace Co-Op at Downtown Disney/Disney Springs, but bags were spotted at Uptown Jewelers over the weekend, and I found these over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Keystone Clothiers. They were not in Tren-D or World of Disney as of last Saturday, but they may be in other locations throughout the parks as well, so keep an eye out!

According to the Disney Parks Blog,”the Disney Parks online store [affiliate link] will carry a color variation (red and black) of this pattern shown above at a future date.” The color sketch bags will only be released at the Marketplace Co-Op at Walt Disney World, and will be at Disneyland Resort and online at a future date. The bags are the pvc coated canvas and not the lighter-weight nylon that some styles come in.

Disney Dooney & Bourke Street Scene — Large Tote – $258

Will you be adding these to your collection?

Don’t forget to check DisneyStore.com for sales of select current released Disney Dooney & Bourke purses and Zannaland’s Disney Dooney & Bourke page with ALL handbag photos and info.

*DisneyStore.com links are affiliate links, which means it costs you nothing extra to click or buy, but if you do, I get a small commission. Thanks for reading!

7 Reasons to Love the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

12 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

A little over a week ago, I was treated to a sneak peek at the newest attraction in New Fantasyland, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. I wanted to take some time to really put my feelings about this new gem into words, and share my thoughts with you. This much anticipated finishing touch on this new land was full of a contradictory mix of secrecy and hype for the last year or so. The Disney Parks Blog would tease us with Imagineer videos, ride vehicles and tiny tastes of what to expect with this next generation of hybrid dark ride and thrill ride, while keeping certain aspects behind walls and under wraps. But would this experience live up to its hype? Would the wait be worth it? And will the standby queue be worth it? My answer to all of those questions is a resounding heigh ho! And here’s 7 reasons why:

1. An Immersive Experience – And no, I don’t mean immersive queues, although this attraction does have a cool one. What I mean is themed lands, which take you out of the “hey, I’m in a theme park in Orlando” experience, and put you in a “wow, I’m in the middle of a fairy tale kingdom with mountains and forests and castles!” New Fantasyland has done that incredibly well, from walking in to an old timey circus with animal prints and peanut shells embedded into the ground, to a Provincial village with a castle looming above a mountain, to a beautiful little town square (that just happens to house some restrooms too). Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has given this new land depth, character and, yes, story. Now when you walk through the castle walls, you see the mountain, but not what’s within it. You are treated to foliage, sounds of wildlife, waterfalls, and the faint melody of miners singing a familiar tune in the distance. You are transported and have left the other lands of the Magic Kingdom behind.

2. Family Friendly Ride – I think many of us were wondering just how family friendly this attraction was going to be…Barnstormer? Big Thunder? What about the inside? What was going to happen in there? Well, I was really surprised by the ride itself. It starts off with an instant thrill, but it’s not too too fast, and the drops are not really steep or high. It is, in a word, fun. It makes you laugh, it makes you look around at all of the wonderful scenery, and it makes you want to ride again. The height requirement is only 38″, so it is on par with the “first coaster” that many little ones can experience. Depending on where you sit, it can be more thrilling or tame, but it’s not as fast or as “scary” as Big Thunder Mountain for those who consider that attraction scary.

3. A Million Diamond Mine! Even though the two couldn’t be more dissimilar, when we first traveled inside the mine, my mind instantly went to Radiator Springs Racers out at Disney California Adventure. It’s just jaw-dropping to see all of this beauty, hidden within the mountain. The animatronics are unique and incredibly movie-like, the colors and the lights of the gems are just overwhelmingly pretty. You’ll be singing along, and not wanting to leave the mine.

4. A Different Ride Every Time – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has a very high re-ride-ability factor. Mainly because, like most coasters, you have a different experience depending on whether you sit in the front, middle, or back section of the train. Other factors include how many people (and how heavy they are) are riding with you. When we first rode, it was pretty much solo, which didn’t do much for the swinging carts, or even the speed of the train. Later, we rode with a full car and the swinging carts was much more noticeable (but nowhere near the movement indicated in the cgi preview videos from back at the D23 Expo) and the train went much faster around curves. It felt like a completely different ride. And, much like riding Big Thunder at night, the experience on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at night is a whole other animal. Seeing the views of both Cinderella and Beast’s Castles at dusk and then at night are spectacular. And the final scene of the ride is much more visible at night too, so make sure you ride at different times of the day to choose your favorite.

5. Views Unseen Since the Skyway – Speaking of views, when was the last time we were able to see this side of Cinderella Castle from up this high? Yep, way back when the Skyway was running (one of my most beloved and missed attractions!). So I am thrilled to be able to see views like this again, even if it’s briefly before a drop on a roller coaster. The views over to Beast’s Castle are equally beautiful, and riding by a waterfall and then high on a straight bridge as if we are the dwarfs marching home, is such an enjoyable experience, it just makes you grin from ear to ear.

6. Interactive Queue – I mentioned above how Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has one, and it’s quite fun. Not quite as big as some of the other interactive queues in Magic Kingdom, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has the benefit of being under cover of shade, which will be ideal in the middle of summer (or spring, or fall or winter for that matter!). There’s a little something for everyone here, and you can stay as long as you like before moving on to the last part of the queue.

7. Seven Dwarfs Love – One of the enduring take-aways from the Mine Train event was the simple fact that Disney -as a company, and we – as guests, are celebrating, honoring, and shining a light on Walt Disney’s first animated feature film, Snow White, 77 years later. That’s pretty spectacular when you think about it. A testament to the art and artistry found within the film, combined with the newest Imagineering designs and technologies. What a wonderful thing. While at the party that night – all the dwarfs were out for photos, and as I stopped to take photos with some of them, I really got a new appreciation for their individual personalities. It can sometimes be easy to discount older characters, or ones we see on t-shirts all the time. But when you really stop and think about it, we can all relate to one or two dwarfs, and they really do stand the test of time. I left for the evening with a new love for both the Seven Dwarfs as individual characters and Snow White as a movie. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a love letter to that film and its magic.

So to sum up, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a definite hit. It took a bit to grow on me as a ride, but once I experienced it at night, it won me over. The ride is smooth (you can barely hear the trains zooming by), swift, and beautiful with details everywhere and surprises around each turn. Whether young or old, it will be an instant must-do.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will officially open on May 28, but with cast members riding this week, I’m sure soft openings are just around the corner. If you’re visiting the Magic Kingdom this week, I’d keep checking!

Here’s my video of the full dedication ceremony:

Disclosure: As mentioned at the start, I was invited by Disney to preview this attraction. I was provided with special access to the attraction but my opinions and words are my own. All images within this post are ©Disney

Marketplace Co-Op To Open June 6 at Downtown Disney

10 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

For quite some time now, construction walls, demolition and change has been the norm at Downtown Disney. We are finally about to see some of the fruits of those labors as Marketplace Co-op is set to open on June 6. That date is not confirmed and is of course based on construction progress and subject to change, but exciting nonetheless! We have also heard that once this new set of stores opens up, the area will be officially renamed The Landing as the first area of Disney Springs to open. We will of course update this post if we hear anything has changed.

I heard the news of the opening date today while at the debut of the newest Beautifully Disney collection, Curiouser and Curiouser, featuring Alice in Wonderland inspired make-up and accessories. Beautifully Disney will be one of 6 boutique-like spaces making up the Marketplace Co-Op.

Beautifully Disney Curiouser and Curiouser collection

According to the Disney Parks Blog, “at inauguration, The Marketplace Co Op’s six new spaces will be:

Beautifully Disney – A beauty destination for woman featuring make-up, fragrance and beauty accessories.
Cherry Tree Lane – Accessories for the sophisticated woman with a passion for scarves, shoes, bags and jewelry.
D-Tech on Demand – A place to personalize and customize your own electronic accessories.
The Trophy Room- Vintage inspired, lifestyle sports apparel and collectibles.
Centerpiece – Home product for Guests that want a splash of Disney in their room furnishings, textiles and everyday ware.
Zoey and Pickles – A girls’ destination containing the latest trends and glamour for the up and coming fashionista.”

We shared a little bit of what Cherry Tree Lane will have to offer, and Centerpiece also has fans counting down the days till we can hand over our money in exchange for these great designs and themed items. Take a look, I think the images speak for themselves (all images ©Disney) :

Which section of the Co-Op are you most excited about? Fingers crossed for a June 6 opening so we can all check it out soon!

Cherry Tree Lane To Offer One-Stop Shopping for Disney Fashion Accessories

6 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

One of the many things Disney fans have been wishing for over the past few years is unique merchandise locations. Specialty and location-specific merchandise, or themed shops are all a plus. With fond memories of EPCOT Center’s Centorium and other shopping locations which were almost attractions unto themselves; two announced locations in the new Disney Springs are offering those experiences again.

The Landing will be the first section to open in the Downtown Disney area, becoming home to Cherry Tree Lane boutique and Marketplace Co-Op. Once the two new shops have opened, Downtown Disney Marketplace will be officially renamed Disney Springs and the changes and improvements to the shopping, dining and infrastructure supporting the district. The construction and parking may be a source of frustration right now, but these two beauties are showing us that Disney designers are hitting it out of the park.

Today on the Disney Parks Blog, Steven Miller shared details of Cherry Tree Lane, which, as you may guess by the name, offers and homage to Mary Poppins and the Banks family inside. From the sign, with a Mary Poppins umbrella to the Victorian touches and subtle umbrella wallpaper, you’ll definitely feel Practically Perfect inside.

Cherry Tree Lane wallpaper – see the umbrellas? Image ©Disney

As for merchandise, Cherry Tree Lane will be the place for Disney Dooney & Bourke, Disney Collection by Vera Bradley, and accessories with their own Cherry Tree Lane design, which I already love. After all, I think we can all agree, Mary Poppins is the queen of bags, yes? Jewelry, shoes, scarves and more will also be available. I know I’ll be shelling out way more than “tuppence a bag” (sorry, was that groan-worthy?) when Cherry Tree Lane opens!

Cherry Tree Lane design — “Cherry Tree Lane” design ©Disney

Disney Dooney Cherry Tree Lane — Disney Dooney & Bourke Street Scene at Cherry Tree Lane exclusively! Image ©Disney

Disney Vera Bradley Bouncing Bouquet. Image ©Disney

Can’t wait for Cherry Tree Lane to open up SOON! (And the Marketplace Co-Op too, which will feature some amazing merchandise specific to Magic Kingdom and its lands, among other items!) What are your must-gets?