Places to Stay

NEW LeSportsac Mickey and Minnie Hobo Bag, Tote and More!

3 May 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Somehow this little beauty slipped by me – check out the new Mickey and Minnie Mouse Hobo Bag by LeSportsac featuring a matching pouch and a vintage style print celebrating our favorite Disney sweethearts! I’ve loved the Disney LeSportsac “it’s a small world” collection featuring art inspired my Mary Blair, but this is a great classic design that I think will appeal to many Disney fans!

This bag is now available at the DisneyStore.com.

DisneyThe design is also available in an EveryGirl Totestyle, a Cosmetic Bag and a Wallet:

Will you add this to your Disney purse collection?

Disclosure: links within this post are affiliate links, which do not affect your web browsing or Disney Store purchase at all, but do provide a few cents back to this site.

New Wilderness Explorers Activity to Debut Soon at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

28 April 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a child of the 80’s, where I was a master sticker collector (I still have my album full of my favorite stickers, safely preserved), or because I am a collector at heart, but I LOVE challenges where you get stamps, badges, stickers, little passports, etc. I am all about collecting badges (oddly, I never made it beyond Brownies in the Girl Scout realm). So, I was excited to hear about this new adventure challenge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with a Wilderness Explorer (from the Disney-Pixar movie UP) theme. First announced back in January, Wilderness Explorers is now almost ready to debut in the next few weeks here at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Wilderness Explorers map of Animal Kingdom – challenges are spread throughout the park.

I was able to speak to Alex Wright, Senior Creative Designer from Imagineering, who was the Art Director on the project, at the Disney Parks Monstrous Summer event this past week. Alex described the challenges as not focusing solely on the animals found throughout the park, but also cultural aspects of certain areas represented, as well as Animal Kingdom’s theme of nature and conservation. So it’s not just a scavenger hunt to find animals, it’s an rich learning experience for all ages. He also mentioned that there are enough spots to visit and check off on your list, that it can be a multi-day adventure, and not something that has to or necessarily should be completed in one day.

Guests will take the Wilderness Explorer pledge and then earn sticker badges in their field guides along the way (yay, stickers!). The challenges are aimed at ages 7-10 but will appeal to all members of the family. The Wilderness Explorer activity is included in park admission and is a great way to deepen the element of discovery which is already so present at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I can’t wait to play. Once it is available to the public, I’ll be sure to write up a full review, so check back here and on twitter and facebook for further updates.

Adventure is out there!

New Disney Dooney & Bourke Design to Debut This Summer

27 April 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I was honored to be able to attend Disney’s Monstrous Summer event last week, which revealed all sorts of fun news, including upcoming events and merchandise. Of course the first thing I had to share was the new Disney Dooney & Bourke design which so many have been ~~patiently~~ waiting for.

It looks as though right now there are three styles for this new design, which will be released this summer, hopefully soon! Pricing and the name of the design are yet to be revealed by keep checking back as I’ll update this post as I get more official info from Disney. Until then, enjoy the photos of the new Mickey and Minnie text design, with Mickey and Minnie heads in the familiar bright colors used on the black background styles :

And yes, those are the Disney Vera Bradley designs to the right, which will be out this September! To the bottom you can take a peek at the new Disney Ray-Ban sunglasses featuring a black and white Mickey Mouse print. We’ll have more info on the Ray-Bans as it’s available! Stay tuned to Zannaland for more exciting news and info about Disney Parks Monstrous Summer!

Kings Bowl Rolls Into Orlando With Flair, Food, and Fun!

25 April 2013 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Last week a new kid on the block opened up over on I-Drive – Kings Bowl, a luxury bowling and dining establishment, hailing from the great city of Boston (proud Boston girl here!) opened its doors to those looking for a fresh spin on a classic pastime. As seems to be the norm with these new, deluxe bowling alleys, the emphasis is on great dining, great drinks, and a place for adults to kick back and enjoy.

Kings Bowl features a really fun atmosphere with a definite adult vibe. 60 Big screen HD TV’s show the latest sports action, two separate 40-seat bars offer unique alcoholic creations and two tables over in the dining area actually feature kegs IN the table, chilled to a perfect temperature, the spinning tap allows you to choose up to 4 of your favorite brews and serve yourself. Truly a unique draw and something I think every beer drinker will want to try. One of the bars is located in an outdoor, climate-controlled patio, perfect for the summer months (or most of the year) here in Orlando.

The food at Kings Bowl was incredible. Definitely not what you’d expect at just any old bowling alley, and I dare say it rivals most dining spots around town. The Steak Tips were my favorite, but the Pulled Pork BBQ and the Buffalo Chicken Wontons were delicious too. I can totally see folks just hanging out here for the food, drinks and atmosphere, but the bowling offers another element to keep the party going. Be sure to try the Fizzy Lifting Drink if you’re up for something stronger!

Kings Bowl Orlando — One of two bars, featuring HD TV’s and a live sports ticker

Speaking of parties, Kings Bowl has two private available to book, accommodating 50 or 100 people. One features a closed-in glass walled area, where you can bowl and have access to the outside bocce court. The other opens onto the billiard and shuffleboard area. This area is also home to the VIP room, where two lanes can be curtained off, with a private back entrance to the building for any celebrities wanting to bowl a few frames. There are 22 full-sized lanes to test your skill on, and yes, there are bumpers for the kids (or grown-ups).

I think Kings Bowl is a wonderful addition to I-Drive and the kitchy, 50’s feel to the design makes it a fun experience for all. The place switches over to adults-only (21+) after 6, so leave the kiddos at home after then. Perfect for a date night, girls night or guys night out – there’s something for everyone! Kings Bowl is the first partner to open up in the I-Drive Live project, an area of the burgeoning I-Drive District which will feature a new Madame Tussaud’s wax museum, Sea Life Aquarium, giant observation wheel, multiple shops, restaurants, and more.

Here’s a gallery of photos from the swanky Kings Bowl Orlando (click to enlarge):

Pricing is as follows:

Bowling Pricing/Shoe Rental

Before 6PM
Every Day – $5.oo
After 6PM
Sun-Thurs – $6.00
Fri & Sat – $7.00

All prices are per person, per game.
There is a two game maximum when on a waitlist.

Shoe Rental – $3.00
Socks – $3.00

Billiards & Shuffleboard Pricing

Before 6PM
Every Day – $8.oo
After 6PM
Sun-Thurs – $10.00
Fri & Sat – $14.00
All prices are prorated to the minute

Bocce Ball Pricing

Before 6PM
Every Day – $20.00
After 6PM
Sun-Thurs – $24.00
Fri & Sat – $32.00
All prices are prorated to the minute

You can follow Kings Bowl on twitter at @Kings_Orlando or facebook at facebook.com/KingsBowlOrlando for the latest happenings and specials, and check out KingsBowl.com for further info. I can’t wait to go back! Let me know if you check it out.

*Disclosure: I was invited to a media preview of Kings Bowl Orlando where we were provided with complimentary food, drinks and bowling. My opinions are my own.

Disney Spring and Easter Merchandise!

26 March 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Disney Easter Merchandise — Eggs, Flowers and Bunnies Galore

With the weather getting warmer and the crowds in the parks getting larger you can clearly tell that spring and Easter has arrived here at Walt Disney World! With the season comes a lot of fun and bright spring and Easter merchandise. Egg, flower and bunny merchandise can be spotted almost in every store on property right now! You can even find some Easter goodies like cupcakes and cookies! And for all of you who come here to celebrate your Spring Break there is now a t-shirt for you to take home as a souvenir!

So how yummy doesn’t those Easter goodies look? The Easter Bunny Caramel apple is my favorite!

Disney Parks Weekly Merchandise Report

26 March 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

In this weeks Disney Merchandise Report we will take a look at some new Disney princess music boxes, the new Haunted Mansion line and a some pink Minnie Mouse home decor just to name a few.

First we will take a look at a new series of snow globes and some vintage-looking magnets that have popped up in the stores in almost every park!

Disney Magnets — Poppins Penguins Magnet

Disney Princess merchandise has always been really popular in the parks and I think these items will become a hit with both younger and older fans! The music boxes all feature the Disney princesses in there newest reimagined look, which I really like!

These princess tote bags are in the same design as some cute tops that were released last year, so perfect if you want to have a matching bag!

Disney Princess Music Box — Tinkerbell Music Box

Here we first have a new Minnie Mouse pink polka dot home decor collection featuring cute stuff like a jewelry hanger and a frame set. Then if pink is not your thing we have the new Haunted Mansion collection which also features some really nice home decor/collectibles.

Disney Minnie Mouse Home Decor — Minnie Mouse Bulletin / Pin Board

Disney Haunted Mansion — Haunted Mansion Frame

Castle Couture in Magic Kingdom now has some more princess dress up options for your kids to choose from like Merida and Pocahontas. It’s really nice to see that Disney is giving some attention to some of the more rarer princesses!

Lastly, we have two new antenna toppers, some new water bottles and a new girly version of the popular mouse ear ornaments!

Disney Childs Costume — Merida dress up costume inside Castle Couture in Magic Kingdom

Disney Mouse era Ornament — Mouse Ear Ornament

Disney Glasses — Tinker Bell & Stitch Water Bottle

Disney Antenna Topper — Mike Antenna Topper

Photos: “Disney Springs” to Revitalize Downtown Disney Area

14 March 2013 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

As an early visitor to Walt Disney World, back in 1983, one of my very favorite parts of our vacation was the Lake Buena Vista Village Marketplace area, or “The Village” as my family called it. Our first visits to WDW included stays at the Lake Buena Vista Vacation Villas, part of a set of villas where Saratoga Springs now resides. Your stay at one of the villas (larger town-home style rooms with bedrooms, a living area and kitchen) included a golf cart, and we would ride over to the Village every day, either for breakfast at the Empress Lilly, dinner at Heidelberg’s Deli, or for stocking up on snacks at the Gourmet Pantry. It was such a truly relaxed, unique area; it became forever engrained in my memories as “Walt Disney World.”

Over time, changes took place at the Village Marketplace, and Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island, and West Side were born. More and more visitors came to Walt Disney World and Disney answered with more shopping and dining experiences. But something was lost along the way: that relaxing, Florida feeling that made such an impression on me as a child. So when I heard the latest announcement regarding Disney Springs, I was thrilled that perhaps this would again be a place for beautiful sites and memories to be born. Hearing the description with emphasis on meandering springs, open-air promenades and waterfront charm gives me hope for this new area to capture the right balance of shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Here is the official announcement from Disney this morning:

Disney Springs will feature an eclectic and contemporary mix from Disney and other noteworthy brands. From boutique shops to unique flagship anchor stores, guests will be able to explore a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences and discover options unlike any other currently available in Central Florida.

Disney Unveils Vision for Disney Springs — Along with an eclectic and contemporary mix from Disney and other noteworthy brands, Disney Springs (as shown in this conceptual rendering) will feature a new gateway with a signature water tower and grand entry.

“Disney Springs will be a timeless, vibrant place where Walt Disney World guests and local residents can relax, shop, dine and be entertained in an imaginative setting where they’ll instantly feel at home,” said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “Featuring distinctive brands, world-class restaurants and unforgettable entertainment, Disney Springs will be brought to life with the same focus on storytelling and attention to detail that goes into our theme parks, resorts and cruise ships, resulting in a welcoming space that only Disney could create.”

Disney Springs will double the number of shops, restaurants and other venues for guests to explore, resulting in more than 150 establishments. In addition, Staggs noted, Central Florida stands to benefit from the expansion with more jobs, tax revenues and business opportunities.

Disney Unveils Vision for Disney Springs – Marketplace — As part of Disney Springs, the family-friendly Marketplace (as shown in this conceptual rendering) will continue to delight guests of all ages and include new experiences, such as an over-the-water pedestrian causeway.

Drawing inspiration from Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty, Disney Springs will include four outdoor neighborhoods interconnected by a flowing spring and vibrant lakefront. In addition to a new gateway with a signature water tower and grand entry, the destination will feature:

The Town Center, which offers a sophisticated mix of shopping and dining along with a promenade where guests can relax, refresh and reconnect.

Disney Unveils Vision for Disney Springs – Town Center and The — With a flowing spring as a centerpiece, Disney Springs will feature four outdoor neighborhoods including the two shown in an artist’s conceptual rendering. The Town Center (lower portion of the image) will offer one-of-a-kind shopping and dining experiences along a promenade while The Landing (upper portion of the image) will include inspired dining and beautiful waterfront views.

A colorful and thriving commercial district called The Landing with inspired dining and beautiful waterfront views.

Disney Unveils Vision for Disney Springs – West Side — Inviting and infused with character, Disney Springs will feature four outdoor neighborhoods including The Landing (as shown in this conceptual rendering) which offers inspired dining, retail and beautiful waterfront views.

The family-friendly Marketplace that will continue to delight guests of all ages by combining new experiences, such as an over-the-water pedestrian causeway, along with classic Disney favorites, including an expanded World of Disney store.
A West Side that provides an exuberant atmosphere with lively entertainment, along with a series of new elevated spaces that provide both shade and an overlook to the activity below.

Collectively, these efforts will not only have an impact within Walt Disney World, but will also have an economic ripple effect on Central Florida. The project will create an estimated 1,200 construction jobs and nearly 4,000 operational roles.

Disney will share more details on specific experiences coming to Disney Springs in the future. Construction is slated to begin next month with new areas opening in phases. Disney Springs is expected to be complete in 2016.

What do you think of this announcement? Are you excited for Disney Springs? Disney has not officially announced the restaurants or shops which will sign on for Disney Springs, but one of the many rumors is Trader Sams, the tiki bar made so popular at the Disneyland Hotel. I’m very excited for the possibilities!

PHOTO TOUR: Tangled Area With Charging Stations Opens in Magic Kingdom

14 March 2013 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

The much-rumored “Rapunzel Restrooms” finally opened to guests last Friday, and boy was it worth the wait. The area is so much more than “just bathrooms,” offering beautiful new vistas, seating areas, a fun scavenger hunt, and perhaps best of all – charging stations for cell phones! There are no signs at this time noting the charging stations hidden within tree trunks, but while I was there, several cast members came over to ensure we knew there were charging spots there.

On opening day, I decided to embark on my first-ever Ustream broadcast, and gave a little live tour of the the area in the daytime, returning for another live stream at night, which included Wishes nighttime fireworks show, as seen from that area of the park. I was really impressed with the amount of theming and detail provided to this area. It is officially my new favorite place to hang out in the park, which sounds weird because it is basically restrooms, but it’s more than that. It actually reminded me a bit of Disneyland, in that you could just sit and unwind while the world rushes by. There area lovely full-grown trees, a waterfall and a babbling brook, relaxing music, and lots of pretty things to look at. At dusk, the area takes on an enchanting glow as the lanterns are switched on and just gets more magical as the night goes on.

Here are the two broadcasts, if you’d like to take a tour of the area: Tangled area daytime tour and Tangled area nighttime tour. Please forgive the random chatter in the beginning as I was figuring out Ustream – I promise future broadcasts will not be quite so embarrassing (at least I’ll try to ensure that!).

In addition, here is a photo gallery highlighting all the details of the new Tangled area:

Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area — Maximus the horse’s horseshoes

Rapunzel rest area — View of the Tangled area from under Columbia Harbor House

And here are the interior shots of the actual restrooms:

One of my favorite parts to this new section of New-ish Fantasyland, is a fun scavenger hunt where you find little Pascal the chameleon’s friends as they are hiding in the area. There are 10 in total and some of them are really good at camouflaging themselves! If you would like to be surprised and find them all on your own without seeing the photos first, scroll by this section!!

I was not able to find any hidden Mickeys, so if you’ve found any, I’d love to hear about them, or your thoughts on this new area, in the comments below!

SeaWorld’s Aquatica Water Park’s 5th Birthday Celebration

13 March 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Aquatica Orlando celebrated its fifth birthday last weekend, which included a celebration for guests who were in attendance.

In light of the theme, $5 merchandise specials were offered all day that included clothing, Aquatica-themed glasses, and more. There was a special birthday party held in the afternoon with amazing animal ambassador meet and greets and special treats, plus a live DJ raffled off prizes for future visits with Cabanas and all-day-dining. What a great present that was from Aquatica!

Aquatica Vice President Bryan Nadeau addressed the crowd thanking them for making Aquatica a hit over the past five years; he also lead the group in the Happy Birthday song.

Rā whānau is the Maori way to say “Happy Birthday” — Rā whānau, Aquatica!

From high-speed water slides and exhilarating wave pools, to tranquil beaches and the remarkable animal habitats that are the hallmark of SeaWorld, Aquatica delights all ages and interests. This waterpark is home to some of the world’s most thrilling water rides, featuring 38 slides, rivers and lagoons and 84,000 square feet of sparkling white, sandy beaches. Aquatica’s exclusive attractions promise unlimited fun, sending guests on amazing undersea adventures and through breathtaking animal exhibits.

My family visited Aquatica for the first time last weekend and had a blast. It’s definitely a water park for the adventurous type with most all of the slides being very high speed and having at least some portion in total darkness. (I’m a scaredy cat and those weren’t my favorite, but there are a few that aren’t in the dark too.) I think the favorite for everyone in our group was Roa Rapids, which is a fast-current not-so-lazy river, where you don’t even need an inner tube to be propelled along the stream and enjoy the scenery.

We also checked out the Waterstone Grill for lunch, which had really great food, and made time to just relax and enjoy the sandy beach and catch some rays. All in all, it was a great day of fun. If you are able to do the add-on from your day at SeaWorld, or visit with the package from Discovery Cove, I’d definitely say head over for some splashy fun. For more info, head to Aquatica’s site.

Last Weekend for SeaWorld’s Bands Brew & BBQ-a Rockin’ Good Time!

13 March 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

This weekend marks the last for SeaWorld’s Bands, Brew & BBQ season. I love SeaWorld’s special events like this because they are included in the price of regular admission, and you get a little something extra, this time in the form of rockin’ bands, great BBQ, and beer to boot. SeaWorld invited me over to check things out during the weekend when Styx was performing. It was a perfect small venue for a band that used to play arenas and has no less fans 30 years later. The intimate setting ensures every seat is a good one – even ours – the very last row of the stadium.

The BBQ options filled the air with heavenly scents. SeaWorld had its own offerings from its on-site BBQ restaurant, as well as Tony Roma’s, Cecil’s Texas Style Bar B Q and Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q sharing their finest creations. It was a great mix and easy to sample many locations instead of being locked in to just one place.

The brews were offered individually, or in the form of sampler packages, for those wanting to try it all. The beers offered were mostly craft beers, an excellent complement to the BBQ booths.

Carnival games lined the walkway for the kids, and a display of Harleys from the Orlando Harley-Davidson stores were also on hand.

It was a great addition to an already fun day at SeaWorld, so if you have the chance, check it out this last weekend, where Rodney Atkins with Uncle Kracker and Sheryl Crow will perform. Here is the full line up from this season so you can get an idea of what to expect in future years:

The 2013 Bands, Brew & BBQ concert lineup includes:

Saturday, February 9 Chris Young with Jerrod Niemann
Sunday, February 10 Merle Haggard
Saturday, February 16 The Beach Boys
Sunday, February 17 Styx
Saturday, February 23 Big & Rich
Sunday, February 24 Third Eye Blind
Saturday, March 2 Daryl Hall and John Oates
Sunday, March 3 Darius Rucker
Saturday, March 9 Michael McDonald
Sunday, March 10 Josh Turner
Saturday, March 16 Rodney Atkins with Uncle Kracker
Sunday, March 17 Sheryl Crow

For more details about Bands, Brew & BBQ visit www.SeaWorldOrlando.com