Places to Stay

Photo Tour of Disney’s Beach Club Presidential Suite

4 January 2012 by Suzannah Otis 7 Comments

One of my dearest Moms Panel family members is Kay, who is like a mom to us all and keeps us all full of magic and pixie dust year round. Kay was kind enough to let us visit her suite at the Beach Club last month, when a flock of ‘old’ moms came down to visit and welcome the ‘new’ moms for the 2012 class. With Kay’s permission, I took some photos of this amazing suite, since I know I’ll probably never step foot in it again! I thought I’d share them here with my readers to see all the lovely details and amenities Disney provides.

Enjoy the tour and big thanks again to Kay for sharing her suite with us!

Many people have asked for the music used in the video above, it’s from Poppin’ Guitars: A Tuneful of Sherman, which is a great CD! Check it out below:

Disney’s Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights Canopy Show

22 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Yet another family tradition each year and yet another moment to cry tears of joy in a Disney park. My dad loved these lights as well as Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so I’m always flooded with memories when we first turn the orner and see the amazing sparkling colors. I will have to admit, I was a little disappointed with the crowd control this year, normally we can walk right through from the Writer’s Stop, but this year we were detoured at every turn from left of the Great Movie Ride on, and funneled around to the back of the San Francisco area and Lights, Motors, Action!. Unfortunately, this is a terrible way to view experience the lights, especially for first-time visitors. You are able to SEE the lights as you turn into the New York Street area, but cannot gain access until the back, making for teeming throngs of disgruntled guests, and I was among them this week.

Having visited the Spectacle of Dancing Lights (SODL) each year since it premiered, the overall ‘show’ has always started at the end of New York Street and culminated with the turning Peace on Earth globe, angels and the Nativity. Granted, this route has changed slightly since first opening, when guests would get to walk down Residential Street, but the Peace on Earth was always the ‘finale’ so to speak. As years passed, the lights began to dance to music and more and more interactive elements were added. As a result, I understand that there isn’t any one centerpiece or finale, but the current route with countless detours and barricades made for a very disappointing experience.

In addition, there are many more PhotoPass stations now, making it almost impossible to take family photos, or even photos of just the lights, without a line of guests in front of you, waiting for professional photos. Again, I understand why Disney is doing what they are doing, but from a guest standpoint, it’s not something that benefits most people. How about photo stations outside of the fray of New York Street, where PhotoPass software can add the SODL into the background later? Surely, the photos will look better than a close-up of the base of a giant tree of lights, or building, where you can’t see the immense detail and overall wow factor of the experience. Just my thoughts, as a long-time visitor and someone that heard lots of complaints the night I went, and online too.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights — Still awe-inspiring, each year.

Luckily, the lights and the family memories won out in the end and magic again took over, but I implore Disney to work on a better plan that doesn’t involve so much confusion and frustration. When and if you visit, be prepared for crowds and ask the cast members where you actually enter for the lights so you can head there first. My advice is to go during the week and see the lights later in the night, not when the lights first switch on. Those caveats given, I’d love to share one of my favorite musical portions of the nights’ songs, that I was able to record. If, like me, it’s one of your favorite things at Walt Disney World during the holidays, or you aren’t able to make it down to see the lights, I hope you enjoy the show. This video features the all-new canopy, offering some amazing effects.

Holiday Happenings at Universal Orlando Resort

16 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Okay, first I have to admit that before last weekend, I had never been inside either Universal Orlando park. Shocking, I know. We’d been to City Walk a few times, for Hard Rock Cafe and Margaritaville but that was it. Of course when the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened, I was determined to get there. Being able to walk in Hogwarts and order a Butterbeer? Sign me up! But time got away from us and we just never made it over there. I was thrilled when Universal invited the family and me to check out their holiday offerings and no one was more surprised than me that I actually LOVED Universal! As a life-long Disney fan, you’re sort of unofficially conditioned to like one place or the other, but after walking around the Universal parks, I gained a real appreciation for their design and look. Of course, I still have to get on some rides there, but hopefully I’ll fix that soon. In any event, I loved the holiday decorations, shows and parade Universal Orlando Resort offered, and hopefully sharing this here will convince some other hold outs to give them a try!

Here’s a video highlighting the holiday events:

VIDEO: LEGOLAND Florida’s First Christmas Tree Lighting

7 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

I’ve now visited LEGOLAND Florida twice with my family, and it is quickly becoming one of our favorite places in the Orlando area. Many people try to compare it to Walt Disney World or other local theme parks, but LEGOLAND really is a completely different kind of place. Kids rule there and everything is geared toward them. It is wonderful to see my 3 year-old get to play in life-size Duplo blocks and playgrounds, ride on the safari vehicles and drive his own LEGO car, and to see my older two run from coaster to coaster, spend an hour just looking at all the details in the Minilands, and most importantly – get along! It’s just a wonderful day of family fun.

To celebrate their first Christmas in Florida, LEGOLAND built a 30-foot Christmas tree entirely out of LEGO bricks – 270,000 of them to be exact. The details are so fun, with LEGO paper-chains on the tree and even little elves helping trim the tree in the back. David Oliver, the world’s current American record-holder in 110m hurdles and 2012 Olympic Track & Field favorite was on hand to light the lights and you can see him hurdle on to the scene in the video below, along with general manager Adrian Jones and of course, Santa! Check it out:

LEGOLAND Florida is a wonderful place and really not too far from the Disney area, it took us less than an hour to get there from Celebration. Especially for locals or those that visit Orlando frequently, I think the annual pass is well worth it for multiple visits. I’ll be posting more photos from our recent visit soon!

LEGO President Obama and Family — President Obama and Family are ready for Christmas!

VIDEO: SeaWorld Orlando’s Spectacular Sea of Trees

6 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

SeaWorld Orlando recently invited my family out to experience their holiday happenings. I was completely blown away and impressed by what SeaWorld had to offer. I thought maybe the Shamu show would have a Christmas theme to it, but SeaWorld was completely transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, music, special shows and more. As you walk toward the Waterfront area lighted arches show the way and trees drip with twinkling icicles. Live bands perform in various areas around the park, even special holiday meals options are served.

I’ll post more about the wonderful shows offered during this season, including “O Wondrous Night: The Greatest Story Never Told” which was just beautiful, with a surprise ending that brought the audience to its feet in applause. But for now, I’d like to share the awe-inspiring Sea of Trees show. Expanded this year to include 100 massive trees, each sparkling, lighted and choreographed to classic holiday tunes, making a dramatic display around SeaWorld’s center lake. It is just breathtaking! Well, I’ll just show you:

We loved this show so much and my family had a fabulous time enjoying all SeaWorld had to offer for the holidays. It’s definitely going to be an annual tradition for us. Thanks once again to Nicole Siscaretti for creating that video for us. Check back for more updates on SeaWorld’s Light Up the Night holiday festivities!

Making Christmas on the Disney Cruise Line’s Dream

2 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

The Disney Cruise Line‘s Dream is celebrating its first Christmas on the high seas and the elves (or pixies?) have been quite busy decorating the beautiful ship! Check out this video below, showing the decorating process, including the 20 foot tree in the atrium lobby:

I’ve definitely now added a holiday cruise on a Disney Cruise Line ship to my “must-do” list, or maybe Santa is reading this?? 😉

Contemporary Sweets & Treats at Walt Disney World

2 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Contemporary Mary Blair gingerbread tree - my favorite display!

Yesterday we took a quick photo tour of Walt Disney World’s monorail resorts and their holiday decor. Today we’ll focus on what Disney’s Contemporary Resort is cooking up for guests who visit the Mary Blair-themed gingerbread tree in the Grand Canyon Concourse.

As you know, Mary Blair is the gifted artist responsible for so much within early Disney history, including the awe-inspiring murals on the fourth floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Perhaps her most famous contribution is whimsical design of the “it’s a small world” attraction. As a tribute to Mary’s art, Disney has created a gingerbread tree in her style for the past 3 years. This display instantly became my favorite of the Disney resorts, surpassing even the giant gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian, simply because of the simplicity and tribute to Mary Blair.

The gingerbread tree has changed a bit since its first year, when it was just a plain tree with some frosting ‘snow’. Last year candy canes and ornaments were added with space for photo ops. This year the tree has brighter ornaments, a hidden Mickey or two, and the “it’s a small world” background is now edged in lights, has a black backdrop, and Mr. Sun’s face moves as it does in the attraction. When the tree first appeared, all that was sold at the counter were gingerbread cookies in the shape and style of “it’s a small world” characters and a few other treats. Now there are quite the array of elegantly decorated and beautiful cookies and treats, in addition to a Contemporary Resort-shaped A-frame gingerbread house with white chocolate monorail inside! Let’s take a closer look:

Contemporary gingerbread treats — more views of the Contemporary gingerbread house

The Contemporary gingerbread house WITH monorail!

SeaWorld’s Sea of Trees – How’s It Made?

1 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I’m so excited to see this in person tomorrow night, I had no idea Sea World had this amazing holiday experience. Check out the video below:

Stay tuned for more coverage of SeaWorld’s holiday events as I report on twitter and here on the site!

Disney Monorail Resort Holiday Highlights

1 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

It’s a family tradition to do a Walt Disney World Monorail Resort tour during the holidays, and my mom and I did just that this week. Of course we’ll venture back with the rest of the family, and go at night so we can see all the lights, but this was a lovely day and I captured some photos to share here: (click for full-sized photos)

Polynesian wreath — One of the many hanging wreaths at the Polynesian Resort

Looking back across the waterfalls to the Polynesian Christmas tree

Elegant Grand Floridian deer, which light up at night

Grand Floridian gingerbread house — Be sure to look for the golden hidden Mickeys!

GF Gingerbread House sign — A sign in the shop upstairs tells guests to seek out the giant gingerbread house

Grand Floridian tree upstairs — Grand Floridian tree viewed from upstairs

Contemporary gingerbread guard shack-smells delicious in person!

Contemporary tree Mickey Topper — Chef Mickey atop the world atop the Mary Blair gingerbread tree

Stay tuned for more posts on the individual resort goodies, starting with the delicious treats offered at the Contemporary Resort. We’ll also visit the Grand Floridian gingerbread house up close, see what the Beach and Yacht Clubs have to share and come back to the Polynesian when their little gingerbread houses are out!

Universal Orlando Resort’s Holiday Events and Entertainment Start Saturday

30 November 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

While many people visit Orlando during the holidays and attend special events and ticketed events, Universal Orlando Resort offers some wonderful holiday happenings, which are included in the price of park admission. The Holiday events start this Saturday, December 3 and runs through January 1. Here are all the details below:

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT’S HOLIDAYS EVENT RETURNS WITH ONE-OF-A-KIND HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN ENJOY

Universal Orlando Resort is the only place you can come face-to-face with The Grinch and the Whos from Whoville, watch a cheerful holiday parade filled with big, colorful Macy’s balloons and sing along to the classic sounds of the season as you stroll through a holiday-trimmed theme park with your loved ones.

The Holidays fanfare runs from December 3, 2011 through January 1, 2012, offering guests incredible entertainment themed for the season at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

At Islands of Adventure, adults and children alike will be entertained when the popular Dr. Seuss book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is brought to life in Grinchmas. Guests can see the heartwarming live stage show, “Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular,” starring The Grinch and the Whos from Whoville with an original recorded musical score by Mannheim Steamroller. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet The Grinch and the Whos, and on select dates, purchase a spot at a special character breakfast with the mean, green one himself.

At Universal Studios, the Macy’s Holiday Parade will celebrate its 10th Anniversary of partnership with Universal Orlando by filling the streets every evening with some of the same iconic elements seen winding through New York City each year at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The beloved event features colorful holiday characters, fantasy-filled floats – including one specially-designed to commemorate the 10- year milestone – a tree-lighting ceremony by Santa Claus and dozens of larger-than-life balloons. The Macy’s Holiday Parade also welcomes select park guests to participate in the procession as real balloon-handlers guiding the helium giants, a truly unique and exclusive experience to Universal Orlando.

Returning this year with more concerts than ever before is Mannheim Steamroller – the masters of Christmas music with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide. The acclaimed musical group will take to the Music Plaza stage in Universal Studios six times this year to play their memorable holiday hits for guests, performing on December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18.

Also at Universal Studios, guests can enjoy special holiday-themed versions of their favorite shows, and nightly a capella holiday music in the nearby Holiday Village, which is filled with hand-blown glass ornaments, caramel apples, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts and a cupcake decorating location.

The celebration continues at Universal Orlando’s three on-site hotels – Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort – all of which will glisten with holiday decorations. Hotel guests will be immersed in the spirit of the season with tree-lighting ceremonies, special musical performances, holiday pool-side “dive-in” movie presentations and holiday buffets and dining events. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel kicks off the season on Friday, November 25 with ‘Holiday Harbor Nights’, a wine tasting, food and jazz celebration on the piazza, along with a tree lighting ceremony. Hard Rock Hotel welcomes Santa to The Kitchen restaurant on Fridays in December and Loews Royal Pacific Resort rings in the new year with a family-friendly dinner and celebration.

All holiday entertainment – including the Mannheim Steamroller concerts – is included as part of any annual pass, two-park or multi-day admission to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. There’s never been a better time to start a new family tradition at Universal Orlando’s Holidays event, as guests can take advantage of special Florida resident offers.

For more information on Universal Orlando’s holiday celebration and Florida resident offers, guests can visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/holidays.