Orlando Area Attractions

GIVEAWAY: Disney On Ice Rockin’ Ever After Tickets for Orlando Performances

24 July 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

We shared Feld Entertainment’s newest Disney on Ice show a few weeks ago -check out video and details at my Rockin’ Ever After post. Now we are giving away FOUR tickets to an Orlando showing of Disney on Ice Rockin’ Ever After! Simply enter below for your chance to win 4 tickets to a show of your choice on the following dates:

Friday, September 7, 2012 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Show takes place at the Amway Center, 400 West Church Street – Suite 200, Orlando, Florida 32801

Winner will be selected July 30 – just enter below using the Rafflecopter widget so you don’t even have to leave this page to enter, “like” or follow anything! Simply click on the “Do It” buttons in the widget below and follow the instructions that pop up. (You must be logged in to Facebook or enter your email for the widget to work) Good luck!

THIS GIVEAWAY FROM 2012 IS CLOSED

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is more info on ticket prices and a special code for discounted tickets –

$52 Front Row, $37 VIP, $27, $22, $15 (Ticketmaster service charges and facility fees notincluded.) All seats are reserved, and tickets go on sale to the public July 20 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available at DisneyOnIce.com or ticketmaster.com, at any Ticketmaster outlet, by calling 800-745-3000, or at the Amway Center box office (phone for information only: 407-440-7900). For group ticket sales and information, call 866-248-8740.

SPECIAL: Get 4 Tickets for just $48 with code MOM12, valid for specific performances!

Belle Be our Guest — See Belle, Ariel, Rapunzel and Merida at Disney on Ice Rockin’ Ever After!

Disclosure: I was provided with tickets for my family to attend a performance in exchange for this giveaway. I love their shows and I hope you do too!

10 Reasons You MUST Visit SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove

23 July 2012 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

I first visited Discovery Cove when they were building their Grand Reef area over a year ago. Before that, I must admit, I thought it was just a place to swim with dolphins and that was it. BOY, was I mistaken. Even before the Grand Reef expansion, there was so much to do at Discovery Cove, it really is a hidden oasis tucked into lush, tropical landscaping where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the local area theme parks and do something we all could do more – relax!

I was shocked to learn some of the details of Discovery Cove back then, and of course, since that time, the Grand Reef is now open and offers amazing salt water snorkeling experiences, and the new Freshwater Oasis is open, where you can swim next to otters and marmosets. I figured if I was so in the dark about exactly what Discovery Cove has to offer, some of you might be too.

I’ve put together a list of 10 reasons why you need to put this on your must-do list and make it a part of your next Orlando vacation:

10. Swim With Dolphins – When I thought Discovery Cove, I thought dolphin interaction – but what exactly does that mean? Here guests can swim with an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin during a 30-minute interactive adventure. Accompanied by a trainer, groups of six to eight guests wade into shallow water and become acquainted with their dolphin through hugs, kisses and rubdowns. Then, taking the adventure one step further, guests interact with their dolphin in deeper water for an exciting dorsal fin tow ride back to shore. Guests must be at least 6 years old for the dolphin swim experience.

Dolphin Interaction at Discovery Cove — Dolphin interaction ©SeaWorld

9. Swim Among Rays and Tropical Fish – Such detail was put into the planning and creation of the Grand Reef, and it recreates some of the most famous tropical canyons around the world. I stepped in for the first time recently, and was amazed to see gigantic (like, almost Fiat-sized) rays floating right by my feet. Other tropical fish are also swimming about and you can check them all out with your snorkel and mask. There is an area to see Lion Fish behind glass and more to explore within the reef.

8. SeaVenture Underwater Walking Tour – is an underwater walking tour where guests, wearing dive helmets, find up-close encounters with sharks (safely behind massive panoramic windows), one-on-one touches with unique animals and schools of fish and gentle rays.

7.Wind Away River – I also explored this for the first time last week and was pleasantly surprised at the experience. You hear “lazy river” and you think floating around passively in an inner tube for a spell. Wind Away River is so much more. You float or swim through caves, under waterfalls, through areas with a huge water depth, see fallen artifacts under the clear water, float through an aviary and more. It is truly an adventure and I loved it.

6. Freshwater Oasis – This newly opened area is an alternative to the chilly salt water in the Grand Reef. Here the clear waters contain no fish, you can float around or snorkel just to explore the various rocky structures in the Oasis. There is a fun area in the center called Monkey Island, where marmosets make their home and you can watch them eat and play in their natural habitat. The other section is a cave area where Asian small-clawed river otters play behind glass. You can view them as they dive under water, eat clams, or even sleep. Another area provides a shallow place to sit in a floating chair and just soak in the wonderful tropical atmosphere around you. Check out my video below:

5. White Sand Beaches – Each of the water-filled adventure areas are surrounded by beautiful white sand beaches. You can relax in a lounge chair, and watch the water around you. Guests can claim their own spot among the tall shady umbrellas, lazy hammocks, sunning lounges and beach chairs. Buckets and sand toys are sprinkled along the beach for kids to enjoy. (All amenities are included with admission.)

4. Aviary and Animal Appearances – I loved the aviary when we visited. The sheer number and type of birds is overwhelming. You can feel them right out of your hand, or just walk through and gaze at the colorful birds around you. Also throughout Discovery Cove are SeaWorld animal care experts with various animals for you to meet and even pet. We saw a tortoise, sloth, marmoset and kinkajou just in the couple of hours we were there.

3. Attendance is Limited to 1000 Guests – I love this aspect of Discovery Cove. You leave the crowds behind and feel truly at ease and stress-free when you enter Discovery Cove. The area is big enough that you will never feel cramped for space or fighting for a good spot. It’s heavenly!

2. Food is Included – Yes – you read that right. Your admission for the day includes meals and snacks! You are given an ID badge when you check in and you simply need to show it at the snack areas or restaurant to enjoy unlimited access to a fantastic selection of food and drink all day long. A full, hot breakfast is served at Laguna Grill until 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From familiar fare to chef specials, all dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients and incorporate healthy elements, with daily seafood selections, salad options, and vegetarian dishes available. Snack stations throughout the park provide all-day service, and offer everything from yogurt and soft pretzels to fruit smoothies and gourmet coffees. Ice-cold beverages, including bottled water, juices, sodas, wine and beer are also offered all day. Talk about stress-free!

1. Your Ticket Includes 14 Days at SeaWorld or Aquatica – The biggest concern with Discovery Cove is admission cost. But as you can see above, your ticket includes SO much value. In addition, you are given passes to come back to SeaWorld or Aquatica – the water park next door, for 14 consecutive days – before or after your visit to Discovery Cove! Also included in your Discovery Cove day is: All swim gear (mask, snorkel, and swim vest or wetsuit), towel, locker, sunscreen and other amenities, all day self-parking, a complimentary photo portrait of guest and their party upon entry t0 park.

Have I convinced you yet?? I know I cannot wait to bring my whole family back to enjoy a full day of memory-making adventures. Due to the exclusive nature and 1000-guest limit at Discovery Cove, advance reservations are required.

Reservations and information are available by visiting DiscoveryCove.com or by calling 1-877-434- 7268. *Prices vary seasonally.

I was provided complimentary entry for myself to experience the new Freshwater Oasis, but all my opinions and excitement are my own.

Orlando Bloggers Tour the City Beautiful With Chevy of Florida

27 March 2012 by Suzannah Otis 11 Comments

The fleet of cars, at Leu Gardens: Volt, Cruze, Sonic, Cruze Eco, and Malibu

Those of you following me on twitter and facebook may have been wondering why I was tagging my photos last Saturday with #ChevyOrlando. I was invited to join a group of Orlando area bloggers as we toured Orlando – “The City Beautiful” in brand new Chevy vehicles, provided by GM in the Southeast and Chevy of Florida. Put together by fellow blogger and media maven extraordinaire Joscelyn Ramos Campbell, we set out to tour the “real” Florida, away from the crowds and tourists of the theme parks.

As you know, I am a huge Orlando theme park fan, however I am also a big nature-lover and anything that gets me back into the real world, looking up at trees, down at flowers, or surrounded by water, makes me happy. So I was thrilled to be on this day-long tour, visiting the Scenic Winter Park Boat Tour, historic Leu Gardens and other Orlando sites as we traveled in style in brand new Chevrolet vehicles: The Chevy Cruze, Cruze Eco, Malibu, Volt and all-new Sonic.

Along the way we enjoyed lunch at the beautiful and delicious Prato in downtown Winter Park, made our own chocolates at Farris and Foster in Baldwin Park, and dined at that newly opened Fogo de Chao on International Drive. It was a whirlwind day of non-stop fun and friendship and I was honored and grateful to be a part. Perhaps the best part of all is that the 12 of us – tweeting with our #ChevyOrlando hashtag – made #ChevyOrlando the number 3 trending topic by around 1pm that day!! That’s the power of bloggers, my friends!

I will be posting my experiences and reviews from the various locations we visited in the coming days and weeks, but for now I wanted to highlight the fun photos of the cars and blogging ladies from the day.

Amanda Tinney about to drive the Chevy Cruze Eco

We loved having OnStar in the cars because we could just call for directions, or put the address into the navigation system and we were on our way!

Bloggers on the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour

Gorgeous Winter Park canal on the Scenic Boat Tour

Driving the Chevy Cruze

This car had some great pick up and was comfy too. Loved having xm satellite radio built in as well.

Prato Winter Park - review coming soon, but it was SO good!

Making peanut butter cups at Farris and Foster's Chocolate Factory

Chocolate creations at Farris and Foster's

The #ChevyOrlando blogging team at Farris and Foster's

Chevy Cruze dashboard

The Chevy Malibu was also great to drive, so roomy and beautiful inside. It’s come a looong way since the one my husband drove in 1995!

Angel Trumpet flowers at Leu Gardens

After Leu Gardens, we were given an hour to tour the city and take some photos to tweet about the City Beautiful and Chevy. Here are our photos – they won me a gift bag and one to give away here, so keep reading for details! When we teamed up into cars, our ‘team’ was Amanda Tinney, Amanda Nethero and me and we drove the Volt. It was such a fun car, whisper quiet and had 3 charging ports for phones!

Chevy Volt at one of the scenic Orlando lakes - "Hey City Beautiful! We're electric in the Chevy Volt!"

Chevy Volt at the old Church Street Station - "Going to Church...Street is heavenly in the Chevy Volt!"

Chevy Volt at the Amway! - "Drivin' a Chevrolet in the USA at the Amway!"

Fun with the Chevy Volt at the Orlando precinct! 😉 "It should be illegal to drive a car that looks this good!"

Chevy Volt at Lake Eola - "Enjoying the views of The City Beautiful AND the Chevy Volt"

I think we’re ready for a Chevy commercial, don’t you?? 😉 Next we drove to Fogo de Chao for an amazing dinner.

Our blogging team at Fogo de Chao

On the way back after dinner, we drove the Chevy Sonic. While this is the smallest car we drove, it didn’t feel like it, and we were actually shocked when told that. The interior was really stylish and comfy too. Starting at $14,000, it’s a great first car, second car, or any car!

Huge thanks to Joscelyn and the Chevy of Florida team for putting this day together and letting it happen. It was a real treat to ride around in style and experience some lesser known attractions throughout the city. As I mentioned above, our fun photos garnered me a winning gift bag to give away here on the site. It’s a beach bag full of all the essentials for a trip to any one of Florida’s gorgeous beaches, or just a sparkling pool!

Beach Bag Giveaway! Contents include a Chevy reusable bag plus the actual beach bag, beach towel, tumbler, sunscreen and lip balm, and some snacks too!

~~To enter to win the beach bag:~~

~~Comment below with which Chevy vehicle you’d love to drive for weekend getaway in Florida.~~
~~LIKE Zannaland’s facebook page: facebook.com/zannaland~~

~~Optional entries:~~

Share the giveaway on twitter or facebook and comment here with a link. Be sure to include the @zannaland so I can see it too! (Sample tweet: “I just entered to win a Beach Bag of goodies from @zannaland and @ChevyFlorida and you can too! #ChevyOrlando http://bit.ly/GXHLTh “

Giveaway ends April 3 and winner will be announced April 4 here on this post. Winner will be contacted via email and mailing address must be given for prize to be mailed. Open to US residents only, thanks! Good luck!

Congrats to commenter #6, chosen at random.org as the winner of the beach bag! Thanks everyone for entering!

You can watch for more photos from the event, news and upcoming events with Chevy of Florida here:

Facebook.com/GMintheSoutheast

Twitter: @ChevyFlorida

@GMSoutheast

Fogo de Chão Upscale Brazilian Steakhouse Opens in Orlando

23 March 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I was excited to hear about this new restaurant opening, and even more excited because I will get to dine there this Saturday as part of the Chevy Florida “Cruze the City Beautiful” blogger event I’ll be participating in. I’ll be writing up a full review of my experience, but until then, let’s learn a little more about this Brazilian steakhouse:

Fogo de Chão (pronounced fo-go dèe shoun), an authentic Southern Brazilian steakhouse that’s been named one of Zagat’s top U.S. restaurants, opened last week on International Drive. The restaurant’s dining experience is based on the centuries-old gaucho tradition known as churrasco, the art of roasting meats over an open charcoal fire. A prix fixe menu features freshly grilled meats carved tableside, as well as an extensive salad bar and authentic Brazilian sides.

Fogo de Chão specializes in espeto corrido, or “continuous service,” in which a team of Brazilian-trained gaucho chefs prepare and serve 15 different cuts of beef, lamb, chicken and pork. Guests dictate both the pace and the portions of their dining experience by using a small, double-sided disc that signals to the gaucho chefs that they are ready for additional service.

Although meats are the primary focus, the restaurant also features a gourmet salad and sides bar with more than 30 selections, including smoked salmon, sun-dried tomatoes, hearts of palm, tabbouleh salad, jumbo asparagus, cured meats, artisan breads and imported cheeses.

The restaurant offers a 200-label wine list, for which it has received Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for the past eight years. Guests may also sample the Caipirinha, made from Brazilian liquor cachaça, as well as Guarana Brazilian soda and zesty Brazilian lemonade. Desserts include the restaurant’s signature Papaya Cream, made with fresh papaya, vanilla ice cream and Crème de Cassis liqueur, as well as South American Flan, Crème Brule, Turtle Cheesecake, Molten Chocolate Cake and Key Lime Pie.

While the menu and service are traditional, the architectural elements are strikingly contemporary, with a rich color palette of terracotta, oxblood red, tan and cream. Red clay tile roof accents and crisp, black awnings frame the restaurant’s centerpiece: a multi-storied, cobalt-blue tile tower entrance with a glass-enclosed open flame rotisserie at its foundation.

Fogo do Chão Orlando is located at 8282 International Drive, a quarter mile south of Sand Lake Road and about a mile north of the Orange County Convention Center.

Operation hours and prices are as follows:

Lunch
$26.50 (Salad Bar Only – $19.50)

Monday – Thursday: 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

$35.50 (Salad Bar Only – $19.50)

Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dinner
$42.50 (Salad Bar Only – $19.50)
Monday – Thursday: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Sunday: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Children five years of age and under enjoy complimentary dining. Children six to 10 years of age dine at half the prices listed above. Beverages, desserts, taxes and gratuity are additional.

Known as the premiere Brazilian steakhouse, Fogo de Chão was founded in 1979 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and expanded into the United States in 1997. Orlando is the 18^th U.S. location; there are seven restaurants in Brazil. For more information, visit www.fogo.com.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents DRAGONS-Ticket Giveaway!

30 November 2011 by Suzannah Otis 10 Comments

Special ticket offer to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®Presents DRAGONS^SM

And a chance to win four free tickets!

Looking for a holiday gift that is sure to thrill? Ready for something BIG to arrive this January? Don’t miss DRAGONS, a once in a millennium event that honors The Year of the Dragon. Circus performers from the farthest reaches of the earth have assembled for Ringling Bros. Presents Dragons to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and astonishing athleticism. Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson presides over this fantastical celebratory tournament of circus champions that brings together mystic dragon lore with authentic circus feats. DRAGONS is a never-before-seen blend of renowned spiritual and real life legends that can be found only at The Greatest Show On Earth!^®. Playing the Amway Center Jan. 12-16.

Get tickets for just $12 (plus facility and handling fees) by using promo code MOMMY at checkout on ticketmaster.com. This offer is available for all tickets except Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP. The offer is valid for the following performances: Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 11:30 am and 7:30 pm; Sunday at 5 pm; and Monday (MLK Day) at 5 pm.

Ringling Bros troupe — Asadullin Troupe - Teeterboard Aerialists - image ©Feld Entertainment

For those looking for something really special, try the VIP Family Four Pack, which includes 4 VIP tickets, 4 small Lemonades, 4 small Popcorn Boxes, and 4 jumbo Lollipops. The package is $170 and is a savings of over $50! To get this package use promo code FAMDEAL at checkout.

For more information on the show, visit www.Ringling.com. We’ll see you at the show!

Here’s your chance to win four ticket vouchers good for any performance of DRAGONS:

Comment below with your favorite part of a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance. I know I have such fond memories of seeing Gunther Gabel Williams and his tigers at my first visit many years ago! Contest runs from now until December 15, 2011. Winner chosen at random and announced December 16 and will need to contact me with your mailing address to receive the vouchers for any Orlando performance.

For additional entries, LIKE my facebook page facebook.com/zannaland or tweet about the contest, feel free to copy and paste the text below to tweet:

~~” I just entered to win 4 tix to the Greatest Show On Earth in Orlando @zannaland and you can too! bit.ly/txAiE0 “~~

Congrats to our winner Becky Browne Allen!

Good luck and On with the Show!

In exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

Experience Cold and Snow in Florida at Gaylord Palms ICE-Shrek the Halls!

16 November 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

My family first visited the Gaylord Palms and its ICE! event back in 2007. We loved it back then and I’ve been lucky enough to attend the last two ICE openings at a media sneak peek. This year was the first time I brought my littlest guy, now 3, to experience the fun. I wondered what he’d think of the extreme cold temperatures, but despite his initial resistance to wearing the puffy blue parkas the hotel provides for ICE visitors, he was excited to see everything!

As you enter the Gaylord Palms convention center, you are greeted by the “Holiday Halls” where ICE!, Snow, Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating, and the DreamWorks Experience are held. In addition to the free elements of the Gaylord Palms holidays, the special ticketed events include ICE! with over 16,000 square feet of 9-degree weather – quite the contrast to the 80 degree temperatures we are experiencing.

This year, ICE! is Shrek-themed with perfect representations of your favorite characters including Shrek, Fiona, Puss in Boots, Donkey and more. It is amazing how much the huge blocks of colored ice look like their animated counterparts. Also within the experience are the slides made entirely of ice, which my big kids (and my friend and I) loved sliding down! It’s such a fun way to experience winter in central Florida!

Shrek in Ice — Donkey, Puss in Boots and more in ICE!

Shrek characters in ICE — An overview of some of the characters from Shrek

ICE slide — This slide in ICE is so much fun (and cold!) to do!

Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW is another play area with a separate admission. Inside there are more slides and playground equipment and 130 tons of freshly made snow. No parkas are needed in here, it’s around 50 degrees, but snowball fights abound as you play in a courtyard themed to the Valley of Peace from Kung Fu Panda. The whole family loved making snowballs and playing in the snow – without the shoveling and scraping ice off your cars!

New this year is Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating. This area was not open last night but will be now. There guests can purchase and decorated gingerbread houses, cookies or a tree ornament cookie and meet with Gingy himself!

The DreamWorks Animation 3D Theater Experience is also now open, where guests can walk the red carpet with Puss in Boots and enjoy gourmet theater food and beverages with Shrek and Princess Fiona before enjoying Puss In Boots on the big screen, in 3D!

Ticket prices vary by date and you can also look into a one or two-night DreamWorks Experience package to stay at the Gaylord Palms and get some amazing amenities, including interactive Character Meals, Meet & Greets and more. Check out pricing and more info at ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com Be sure to check in on foursquare for a special treat too – free hot chocolate! Those on twitter can follow the action using the #GPICE hashtag and you can upload your photos to the group flickr account too. Speaking of flickr, for more photos from me check out my Gaylord Palms ICE set on flickr. As you can see below, photographers are on hand to capture your family’s experiences and allow you to bring home memories to last a lifetime.

ICE photo — Group shot of the family and Amanda Tinney's family too in our ICE! parkas!

Some of the free events within the hotel include Luminescence, a musical journey into the spirit of Christmas, Christmas Wonders and Majestic Christmas Tree Lighting and Visits with Santa. I can’t wait to bring the family back again and check out all of these beautiful events in person.

This Saturday, 11/19, Gaylord Palms is teaming up with the amazing local kids charity Give Kids the World, for 50% off admission to ICE! Be sure to use promo code: SEGKW when purchasing tickets!

Arrrr, it’s The Pirate House of Celebration, Florida!

31 October 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

I have driven by this house for a month now, watching Neil Motti with Tri County Maintenance turn the home of Kim Hawk into this spooky pirate-filled masterpiece. This is an annual tradition here in Celebration and just one of the many homes that go all out for holiday decor. If you are able to drive through the neighborhood (preferably before the trick-or-treating starts because traffic will be insane once 5pm hits!) be sure you check out all the neighborhoods. I’ve heard there is a house that does music synched to lights like the Halloween light show videos I posted last week, and I know of quite a few spooky residences I’ve driven by. One street got together and did themed scarecrow-like characters all paying homage to spooky or horror movies throughout the years. I thought that was brilliant and such a show of neighborly spirit around Celebration. I know I consider myself extremely lucky to count myself among Celebration’s residents and wanted to share a bit of the experience here: (click to enlarge)