Places to Stay

Disney Dream Lives Up To Its Name With the Disney Cruise Line

2 December 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Back when I was a travel agent in the 1990’s, I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural voyage of the very first Disney Cruise Line ship – the Disney Magic. We was able to take my firstborn son on again when he was about 9 months old and it was an incredible experience both times.

Since that time, the Disney Cruise Line has sailed above the bar it set with the Magic. The Wonder debuted, amazing changes have been made to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, and now the all-new Disney Dream is about appear on the horizon this January.

I’m hoping to set sail with my family some time this year, but until I can get a first-hand look, I thought I’d share some of the official info from Disney describing the incredible amenities, special features and Disney magic that make this new ship, well, a Dream!

When the Disney Dream debuts on Jan. 26, 2011, guests will begin embarking on innovation-infused journeys aboard a 4,000-passenger cruise ship where technology has been translated into eye-popping, jaw-dropping experiences – where activities, mealtimes and pastimes elicit smiles, giggles, “wows” and squeals of delight … and occasionally will take your breath away.

VIDEO: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party-Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

30 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

It is difficult to surpass the wonder that is the Boo to You Parade during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – but if anything can, it’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. I was saying just the other day that I think I’m related to Buddy the Elf, because of my intense love for all things Christmas-related. Disney knows better than anyone how to amp up the holiday magic for the season.

Just walking into the Magic Kingdom or any of the parks with holiday decorations up and you’ll be in the spirit. However to really create some magical memories, you simply must head over to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This separate ticketed event runs on select nights in November and December and believe me, it is worth the price of admission.

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Turf Club 3 Blogger Dining Review!

24 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Back in October, there was a perfect storm of Disney fans, bloggers and social media mavens swooping in to the place Where Dreams Come True, our beloved Walt Disney World. This little rendez-vous among the many came to be known as Epic October. There was a Walt Disney World Moms Panel Reunion, meet-ups, live podcasts, the first annual Disney Food Blog Foodie Fest and – when all was said and done and the proverbial dust had settled, three blogging friends sat down to enjoy a leisurely lunch at an off-the-beaten path spot where none of them had ever dined – The Turf Club at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. These three bloggers were myself, AJ Wolfe from The Disney Food Blog and Amanda Tinney from Disney Every Day. We decided in-between the great conversation and reconnecting, that we would each take one course and write it up on our respective blogs – a trifecta of reviews if you will. I have the honor of reviewing the main course entrees, so here we go!

As a little preface, I think we all agreed that the Turf Club is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the Parks. We had a lovely table outside on the covered veranda area, overlooking the Sassagoula River. In addition, because it is out of the way – a little hard to get to if you aren’t a Saratoga Springs guest (but not impossible) – and it isn’t shall we say known for its fare, the seclusion is paired with absence of crowds. The result is a quiet, serene, relaxing meal, which is hard to accomplish in most resort dining locations. So for this reason alone, I would definitely head back with my husband to enjoy a quiet meal if we were unable to secure a reservation at a favorite spot.

Turf Club Patio — View from our Turf Club table

Now on to the entrees!

Tangled Movie Review

22 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 41 Comments

I mentioned previously that I was honored to attend the Walt Disney World Holiday Showcase as a representative of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel. Part of that weekend included a screening of Disney’s Tangled before its November 24th nationwide release. I know I’ve shared some funny clips that Disney passed along showcasing the film, but honestly, they do not begin to do justice to the actual film itself. I realize they are trying to get audiences super excited about what many people view as “just another animated film” but I truly feel that when families of all ages and sizes see the movie, word of mouth will be all that’s needed to make Tangled a success.

We knew going in that Tangled was the classic tale of Rapunzel, but with a twist. What we didn’t know was the unique backstory that Tangled provides, which actually works. It’s sort of like Sleeping Beauty meets Cinderella meets Little Mermaid. Rapunzel’s parents have lost her, however unlike Sleeping Beauty, she is stolen by the evil “Mother” Gothel who kidnaps Rapunzel for her own selfish gains. Rapunzel is somewhat happily living in her impenetrable tower up until her 18th birthday, where her birthday wish is to see the “stars” or lanterns that float in the sky each year on her birthday. What she doesn’t realize is that the lanterns are set into the sky by her real parents as they continue the vigil to seek out their missing daughter, and the townspeople who also hope for the princess’ return.

[Read more…] about Tangled Movie Review

VIDEO: Disney’s Beach Club Life Sized Gingerbread Carousel Tour

21 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

Last night while visiting Epcot with friends, I took some video of Disney’s Beach Club Resort’s fabulous life sized Gingerbread Carousel. This year the resort also features a little shop that sells the gingerbread houses and other treats. I’m definitely no Samantha Brown or Lou Mongello, but I hope you enjoy my first attempt at actually taking and narrating video! At the very least, I know you’ll enjoy the AMAZING creations from Walt Disney World’s pastry chefs. Stay tuned for more holiday videos from Walt Disney World soon!

ZannaLand News Update!

12 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Today I’m currently running around organizing and packing for a weekend trip to Walt Disney World to represent the Moms Panel. I’m very excited and will share the details (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and lots of other fun “hair-raising” items!) with you in several future posts. So in the mean time, I thought I’d do a quick update of some other things I’ve been working on.

Disney Store Times Square NYC Behind the Scenes With Jodi Benson

9 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Today’s post is brought to you by fellow Disney fan and friend, Jennifer Meyering. Jennifer may be found with other Walt Disney World planning experts at their fan site – Disney Dream Depot. Each week they put on a web chat on Disney topics and share their advice with readers and viewers alike. She was recently chosen by Jim Fielding, the Disney Store President and favorite among Disney twitter fans, to experience a special backstage tour of the brand new Times Square Disney Store before its official grand opening. I asked Jen to share her family’s experience here with us – be sure to watch the accompanying slide show with pictures from the event! Enjoy!

I recently had one of the most amazing experiences I could have ever imagined– a Behind-the-Scenes look of the new Times Square Disney Store! I was able to have this wonderful experience courtesy of the Disney Store President (Jim Fielding) and a contest he had on Twitter. I won entrance into the very limited space D23 event at the new Disney store on November 7.

The event was a pre-opening behind-the-scenes look of the new store that included a continental breakfast, remarks by Jim Fielding, and the chance to meet Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid. It was everything, and more, that you would expect.

Now in Walt Disney World – Disney SNUGGIES!

7 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Friend and fellow Disney and theme park fan Banks Lee spotted these beauties for sale at the Magic Kingdom the other day. I have to say, I have never before wanted a Snuggie^*…until now! I think Disney did a great job with the two designs and hopefully there will be even more in the future as well!

I also saw some Nightmare Before Christmas Snuggies when I was in Hot Topic the other day so be on the lookout for those too. (Which is funny since Tim Burton has actually openly poked fun at the Snuggie phenomenon!)

Disney Mickey and Minnie Snuggie — Banks did not catch the price, but I'm willing to bet they are around $20+ I will look for them next weekend!

EDIT: Thanks to Orlando Attractions magazine for tweeting that they are for sale at around $28 (30 with tax). I was in the ball-park huh? 🙂

Many thanks to Banks Lee for permission to share this photo with you all!

*Of course I have to say that Snuggie is a registered brand name and these are not Snuggie brand, but it’s much easier to say than “sleeved blanket” 😉

Epic Mickey and Kingdom Hearts Merchandise in Hot Topic!

6 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

While visiting our local mall the other day, I noticed tons of cool new Epic Mickey and Kingdom Hearts merchandise at Hot Topic. I thought I’d share some here so Epic Mickey fans can be sure to stock up on their favorites before the game is released on November 30!

Epic Mickey Kingdom Hearts Hot Topic — Epic Mickey and Kingdom Hearts T-shirts and jewelry at Hot Topic

Inside the VIP Lounge at The Living Seas

2 November 2010 by Suzannah Otis 6 Comments

Last month, most of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel joined together for an informal reunion, just because we love an excuse to get together and what better place to do that than the Walt Disney World Resort, right? Our Pink Princess was kind enough to have a luncheon put together for us by the allied partners responsible for the Innoventions attractions. We were lucky enough to be treated to that lunch inside the second story of the Seas pavilion, in the former VIP Lounge area from back when United Technologies sponsored The Living Seas.

Unfortunately, I did not have my real camera and my cell phone pics are not the best, but I wanted to share the inside with you just the same. Hopefully I’ll get another chance to visit. I know the D23 Sip and Stroll attendees were able to experience both this lounge and the one for Spaceship Earth, so who knows what future events may take place here.

living seas vip lounge — This sign as you enter was enough to make my visit worthwhile.