Things to Do

LEGOLAND Florida Proudly Restores A Piece Of Florida History

5 March 2014 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

Readers of Zannaland are no doubt aware of my great love of Legoland Florida. I think this is due to the dual nature of the man-made vs. nature that is abundant at Legoland Florida. My children and I truly do enjoy the Legoland side on its own, but also the fact that Legoland has embraced the grounds and the history upon which it made its Florida home – the former Cypress Gardens.

Many who grew up in Central Florida any time before the 1990’s probably visited Cypress Gardens at least once growing up. Over the years, the park had changed quite a bit since its 1936 opening by champion water skier Dick Pope and his wife Julie; these changes being a product of Walt Disney World making Orlando the hub of Florida tourism and leaving the many “old Florida” attractions by the wayside, quite literally. However, what remained the same were the beautiful, well-maintained gardens, native plants and trees which called Cypress Gardens home. The colossal Banyan tree, planted in 1939 became a centerpiece of the gardens, just as much as the Southern Belles who would dot the landscape, smiling and waving to visitors. Two other iconic spots were the Oriental Gardens and the Florida Pool, which until today had been closed off to the public as part of Legoland Florida.

The Florida Pool was first built in 1953 for the film “Easy to Love,” starring Esther Williams, based on a man’s successful water show at Cypress Gardens. Once the film was complete, Dick Pope decided to fill the pool with oranges, have some Belles pose with it, and use it as a promotional photo for Cypress Gardens (see below). Pope was instrumental in building Florida’s tourism back in those days and was an amazing promoter in addition to running the park and choreographing the famous human pyramid water ski shows. His work led to Winter Haven being named the “Water Ski Capital of the World.” (As a side note, when I lived in Ocala, FL – I took swimming lessons with the daughter of Newt Perry. Newt was responsible for teaching Johnny Weismuller [who often worked with Esther Williams] his moves in the Tarzan movies-some filmed at Silver Springs, and for starting the Weeki Wachee mermaid attraction.)

The other area which was reopened today was the Oriental Gardens. Known for its giant golden Buddha statue, the Oriental Gardens were in great disrepair and many of the pathways needed to be restored to be accessible to guests. Legoland has done that and it makes for a perfect area to meander and explore the beautiful plants and water features.

As Bob Gernert, former Winter Haven Chamber Executive Director said at today’s ceremony, “The most exciting thing about this is it makes the gardens whole again. It makes it exactly what it was when Mr. and Mrs. Pope put the concept together so many years ago.” I couldn’t agree more.

Well, I could go on about old Florida all day, but lets get back to present times. Certainly part of why I love Legoland Florida so much and praise it whenever I can, is its commitment to keeping and now restoring the elements which made Cypress Gardens what it was so long ago. Of course they did not have to keep the gardens. They could’ve bulldozed over it and filled the park with easy-to-care-for cement and low-maintenance plants. They could’ve let these areas sit and rot, with nothing remaining but fond memories…like some other old areas we know and love (*cough River Country cough*). But they didn’t. They committed the time, effort and dollars needed to retain this beautiful Florida landmark, and keep up with its care, inspiring new generations to come and experience natural Florida. And for that, they are to be praised and admired.

At every Legoland event I’ve attended for the blog, company officials have always invited and partnered with local Winter Haven and Polk County representatives, fostering this feeling of family and community, which definitely shows when you are in the park. There are Legoland employees who were Cypress Gardens employees, and almost everyone seems to have a relative who was a former Belle, or water skier, or has some story to share about the history of the park and gardens. That is what makes Legoland Florida so very special and why I wish them nothing but success and support from all Florida visitors. Visiting Legoland Florida is completely different than any other typical Orlando vacation, and that’s just wonderful. Many visitors may go for the Legoland side, the rides, the Mini Lands, the water park, which are all fun on their own (I could spend hours in the Mini Lands!). But hopefully once there, they will explore the Cypress Gardens side and see that there is so much more to Florida than rides and attractions, and that it’s okay for both sides to exist in one theme park.

The Florida Pool has been cleaned and the tile restored, with water circulating again. The first step in the process, said Legoland Florida General Manager Adrian Jones, was getting a couple of alligators, who had taken up residence in the pool, out – which was done by putting some wooden boards in so they could get out on their own. The LEGO bricks you see in the pool photos below are just for today, and will be removed and brought back to the water park, where they normally float around the lazy river. I asked Adrian if they had any plans to restore the original tile work and while he agreed that that would be wonderful, they have other areas they are going to focus on within the park first.

Easy to Love poster — “Easy to Love” filmed at Cypress Gardens

The Florida Pool Legoland — The restored Florida Pool – I love the homage with the oranges and replacing them with LEGO bricks for the opening.

Cypress Gardens Southern Belle — The Southern Belles of Cypress Gardens

Cypress Gardens Oriental Gardens — Entry to Oriental Gardens

Now, the canal boat rides may be on your mind as much as they were on mine as “what’s next” for the park…and that may not be too far off. Adrian Jones said that is definitely the next big project, but that it is a multi-million dollar endeavor and will take some time. (I for one would totally be willing to pay an additional cost for a canal boat ride!) For now, the next step is to add little LEGO animals, butterflies and such to the newly reopened areas, and a children’s path as well. I know I can’t wait to take my own children back to Legoland Florida again to enjoy both the Legoland experience and the special, old Florida Cypress Gardens experience.

Cypress Gardens is included with general park admission. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida is with the LEGOLAND Florida Resident Annual Pass as low as $99 each. Pass members receive unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and free parking. For the most current information on special events, daily operating hours and to purchase tickets, visit LEGOLAND.com.

Behind the Scenes Preview of the 2014 Epcot Flower & Garden Festival

28 February 2014 by Suzannah Otis 5 Comments

Today I had the honor of attending a small preview of the 21st annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. Hard to believe this is the 21st year, but it is! The Flower and Garden Festival is officially old enough to drink, which is great, because this is the second year that the festival is incorporating food and beverage kiosks and serving unique alcoholic selections amid the topiaries and gardens. More on that later, but for now, let’s discuss rest of the festival, which has really received a reboot this year, in my opinion.

We met with Festival horticulture manager Eric Darden and horticulture manager Heather Will-Browne, who’s also a Disney flower and color palette expert (as well as an *original* opening year Cast Member, celebrating her 43rd year at Walt Disney World!). It was really interesting to hear exactly what goes into the planning, development and construction of the topiaries and garden areas. Eric clued us in about the inspiration for the main entrance topiaries, which he said they have been designing to pay homage to original Disney animated shorts. This year, he said they changed their character looks, basing them on the recent computer animated character designs and making them much more realistic. Rather than having no faces or synthetic facial features, they constructed plant-life faces this year and it really makes a difference in the overall design. The topiaries look sharper, cleaner and much more fun.

New at the Festival this year (that was available for us to see):

Gardener’s Palette over by Innoventions East. This color garden features different plantings based on the four seasons, showcasing the colors available to grow, and when open, will also have a kids coloring station.

Hummingbirds at Home behind Mouse Gear where the tall birdhouses are. Members of the National Audubon Society are hoping to attract at least one nesting pair of hummingbirds this season, by placing feeders and hummingbird friendly flowers around this garden. Society members are currently tracking the hummingbirds migration and will update their current location daily, so be sure to stop by and check in. I’m really excited by this and hope to see these tiny little guys flitting about! You can also hear presentations from the National Audubon Society in the Festival Center, so check your guide.

Mike & Sulley’s Monstrous Garden takes last year’s showcase topiaries of Mike Wazowski and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan from Monster’s University and placed them in the kids playground area, which was Oz the Great and Powerful themed last year. The entire playground is Monster themed from the jungle gyms to the artificial grass featuring giant monster footprints. It’s a really cute area, and like last year, features shaded seating areas for parents while the kids play. I loved listening to the soundtrack from Oz last year, so I’ll be interested to hear the music selections this time around.

Kermit and Miss Piggy Topiaries in between Italy and Germany, celebrating the opening of Muppets Most Wanted in theatres March 21 – and the all new Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs gang have been updated as well. There is also the first ever topiary photo opportunity with Goofy and a topiary soccer ball, in the Donald and Goofy garden between Future World and World Showcase.

There are a few other new areas this year, and of course the food options, or Outdoor Kitchens, which I’ll post about after the official opening of the Festival on March 5. Until then, I hope you enjoyed this little taste of what’s to come. I’m quite excited about the Festival this year and can’t wait to head back, enjoy the flowers, food, and concerts too.

Here’s a gallery of some of gardens we saw today:

Instructions for the kids activity at Mater’s playground

Lightning McQueen in a new location this year

The Goofy and Donald garden topiary photo op

A topiary soccer ball will be by Goofy for guest photos

Check back for more posts and info on the 2014 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival soon!

The State of Zannaland 2014 – Lessons Learned

12 February 2014 by Suzannah Otis 51 Comments

Hello, Faithful, or Casual, or even Never-Been-Here-Before Reader. I am about to embark on something I haven’t done for quite some time here on Zannaland.com – write. Sure, there have been updates, some fun photos to look at, videos to watch, and of course, purses to scramble for, but it has been ages since I actually sat down and shared my thoughts in this format, with you. What follows is me, totally raw, honest, baring my blogging soul. You’ll either learn something about me, or fall asleep trying.

Almost 5 years ago, I began this journey of “blogging.” I instantly wanted a better name for that act, but I haven’t found one yet. When I started out, my heroes were The Bloggess and Dooce. After sharing my family adventures and antics, triumphs and tragedies on LiveJournal from 2001 on, I wanted to do it publicly. I’m witty, I thought. My kids are cute, I thought. My life seems like one April Fools joke after another some days, I thought. Surely *I* can do this too. Well. I did. Back in May of 2009, I decided to write up my frustrating experience at a Bath & Body Works. Hilarious, I thought. I felt pretty proud of myself. Even if no one read it but me. Then, I started to do some research into blogging. I saw blogging networks that The Bloggess and Dooce were a part of and figured that’s how I had to go about things to be a success. I joined quite a few in hopes of getting my site out there and getting more views. Most importantly, I discovered that I needed to write product reviews, to, well, get more products to review. Maybe they’d send me a car to drive! Maybe a new set of kitchen appliances! So I reviewed something I bought on my own, to get started. What did I choose? Shaving cream. Genius. I’m not sure why the free offers weren’t piling up in my inbox. Then, nothing happened. I didn’t have anything else funny to say. I felt such pressure to come up with witty, interesting, shareable things to write, that I got overwhelmed and let the site sit while I continued with caring for my then 7-month old, 8 and 9-year old and, our Chihuahua.

During this time, I discovered the Disney twitter community. Wait, there are other people as obsessed with Disney as I am? I thought. It was true. I followed and followed and read and discovered that there were even – get this – Disney BLOGS! People that wrote exclusively about Disney, or theme parks. The giant pixie-dusted light bulb flashing in my face was spotlighting the obvious. I should be writing about Disney. I already had “land” in my blog name, it made perfect sense! (Believe it or not, I’ve actually owned Zannaland.com since 2004, when I first wrote a self-published ‘zine’ and later made jewelry and sold it through the site. It had zero to do with Disney back then, but it’s as if the site name was just waiting for its true purpose – I think all of this is in my About section, but I am reminiscing here, so cut me some slack.)

I got back on the blogging saddle and wrote my first Disney-related post about this revelation I’d had. Then, Michael Jackson died. It hit me pretty hard, being a child of the 80’s that grew up with his posters on my wall and a painters cap full of buttons with his face on them. Realizing the Disney connection with Captain EO, I wrote up another post, through tears, sharing my memories of Michael. And from there, I took off. I shared my memories as a Cast Member, I wrote about my obsession to be on the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (Now the Disney Parks Moms Panel) and other experiences here and there. But the most important part was I was writing about me, my thoughts, opinions, and experiences. And for those of you that have been with me from the start, I think that’s why you’ve stuck around. You can get Disney news anywhere. You can get instant photos and videos from those in the parks every day. Rumors, sneak peeks, I’m sure you know where to find those. But I got into this because I loved to write, and I loved Disney. I wanted to share that love with anyone that felt a connection enough to keep reading.

Then somewhere along the way, I got lost in the shuffle, as did my original intent for this site. I branched it off into a second site (Main Street on Zannaland -now absorbed back into the main site) to cover non-Disney things, recipes, family stuff, etc. I quickly realized that wasn’t for me and it was way too hard to promote two different sets of posts to the same people. Everyone told me to just be me, do what I love and not worry about the rest. So I kept trying. I also got chosen to be on the Moms Panel, so that dream was fulfilled. I was a part-time panelist, and my time didn’t start until I believe October of 2010, so I just kept blogging away. Soon, I got invited to my very first Disney event as “media.” It was the Summer Nightastic Preview. This was probably because of the Moms Panel connection, but other friends who had since gotten into blogging too were invited as well, so who knows. I was just thrilled at the opportunity. And thus began the double edged sword that is being “local media.”

Let me begin this section of our story with a huge, mammoth, giant, flashing-with-sirens-DISCLAIMER: I am so unbelievably grateful for every.single.invite I’ve ever gotten from Disney and every other theme park, resort, and restaurant. Seriously. The fact that people with the power to bestow the gift of a special experience, or hotel stay, or meal look at my little blog and say, “yes, let’s invite her” is mind-boggling to me. 6 years ago, I was a boring stay-at-home mom who’d taken to working at Starbucks to fill my time. If you googled my name, you came up with the acknowledgements page in my (now ex-)husband’s technical books, nothing more. I’ve gotten to do, go, and be a part of amazing things. Amazing. If I had to give all of this up tomorrow, I’d be content in the unforgettable journey I was able to be a part of. I am in NO way about to complain about being a part of the “media” (which I will continue to put in quotes because I acknowledge that I am not a legitimate member of the professional media).

All of that said… my voice, my thoughts, my opinions, started to get lost in the shuffle. Over the course of the next 3 years, it became increasingly easier to upload the pictures, give a little description and hit post. I actually thought that maybe that was what people wanted. No one cares what I think, I’d tell myself. They just want the news or update. I was trying to be everything to everyone, and make sure all of their stories got covered by me. It was a very rare thing when I would actually sit down and write something. It got to the point where I was posting lots of press releases and I felt any real posts I was doing got lost in the noise. That’s when I created my “Favorite Posts” section on the main page of the site. That was me trying to justify doing what I was doing. Over the past few years, people would come up to me and say “I love your blog!” and I’d be embarrassed, wondering if they’d read it lately. I wanted to quit and give up the blog altogether many times.

And at the same time, despite knowing I wasn’t living up to my potential, I would get frustrated when I wouldn’t get invited to something I really wanted to cover. And let me tell you, when you get to that point, embarrassing doesn’t begin to cover it. I never wanted to feel entitled. I never wanted to whine about what I wasn’t invited to. But as any blogger (I think moreso Disney bloggers because we are such a tight-knit community) will tell you, it’s hard not to compare and want what other people are getting to do. There, I said it. Sure, if everyone got to do it, then it’s not special or report-worthy any more…but these are tough lessons to learn. I struggled with getting labeled a “mommy blogger,” with trying to be legitimate enough to cover the events news sites were, and with still being a personal blog. Yes, I’m a mom, and I blog. But I don’t always want to talk about my kids. Sometimes I want to talk about theme park history or a really great adult beverage, or a weekend getaway. Where do I fit in?

Fortunately, I’ve met some of THE most amazing people along my 5 year journey. Some I consider my closest and dearest friends. Others, I’ve been lucky to work with and share their information on my site, but they’ve become friends too. I’ve gone to them for advice, they’ve given me support, we’ve shared a drink or a cupcake along the way, and they are now a part of my life. But, unlike many of my friends, I didn’t get into blogging to make a living at it, or even a profit. You won’t see 42 ads on my site, or linked words, or sponsored posts or paid product endorsements. I never wanted that. Sure, I could’ve gone a different way and done it. And there is nothing wrong with the sites that do, more power to them; they made a true success of their site and brand. But I always just wanted to share my thoughts. I know that sounds cheesy and simple, but it is completely true. On my site right now, you will find one google ad, one Disney Store banner, affiliate links to the Disney Store on my purse posts, and Amazon on my movie reviews. The banner at the top is there because my day job is with them, I make no commission or fee from that. That’s it. I didn’t start a blog to get paid for it. Yeah, that would be a cool side-effect, but it’s just not what my goal ever was. However, I realized that by not sharing me in my posts, I’m selling out just the same.

If someone reads a blog about something I experienced at a theme park or restaurant and goes there to do the same thing, because of me, then that is payment enough for me. Sharing common experiences, good and bad, commiserating with other moms trying to get through a day in a theme park with 3 kids…figuring out what a picky eater would enjoy at a particular place…experiencing the joy on your child’s (or your) face when you see something so magical, you just have to share it with the world…knowing you’re going through the same tough time I am, and isn’t it great we can talk to each other about it…that’s why. Not for page views or follower counts or RT’s or shares. Because I wanted to share me, with you. Whoever you are. I now know that I can’t be everything to everyone. I’ve learned that not everyone is going to like me, my blog, what I write or how I write it. They may think my photos are silly or I talk about my kids too much or not enough. All those old sayings about pleasing people are old sayings for a reason. They are true.

Which brings me to my next point. The last two years have been pretty rough for me, personally. Normally, it’s easy to share triumphs online: new jobs, moving, new baby…but it’s harder, or less accepted anyway, to share the failures. I’ve written about my dad who passed away quite a bit online, mostly for selfish reasons, because I don’t want him or his memory to be forgotten, but also because things weren’t always perfect, and if someone else going through what I or my family did can relate, or someone hugs their dad a little tighter because he’s still around, then all the better. Other than that, though, I kept things pretty upbeat in my online life. It’s much easier to hide behind a mask of sparkles and sunshine, than admit you are struggling. No one really wants to post updates like “Fighting with the husband again…” or “Crying in Epcot on the 4th of July…” and no one really wants to read them either. Or so I thought.

When I finally began posting on my personal Facebook page about my marriage being over, the amount of support I received was overwhelming. It’s amazing how many of us have truly “been there, done that…” but kept it inside too. It took many years for me to get to the point of knowing my marriage of 16 years was ending. I went through the motions for years and years, not knowing there was any alternative. But the funny thing about changing your life, whether it’s blogging, going back to school, or just getting a job, is that it opens your eyes to what you are truly capable of. Independence. Confidence. Happiness. We all deserve all of those things, and it took me a very long time to see that. Once I realized it, and knew things were not going to change at home, I still had to spend the next year living together as we’d just renewed our lease. Then came the waiting for the official paperwork to be complete. In that time, I got a part-time and then full-time job, moved out, paid my own way for things, kept my children happy, and yes, started dating again. To say it’s been a roller-coaster of stress, emotions, ups and downs and everything in between is an understatement. But at the end of the day, it was all worth it. During that time, the support I had from online and real-world friends and family was amazing. Working more and making sure everything was taken care of took me away from writing even more, and it’s just now, almost 2 years later, that I’m figuring it all out. I still have a lot of work in the whole balancing act of family/work/blog/social life, but I am working on it, and that feels great.

So with all of this time to reflect on priorities and goals and happiness and what’s truly important, the nagging in the back of my mind to get away from phoning it in and get back to writing from the heart has gotten louder and louder. So this is me, answering that call, opening that door, and letting the real me, the real zannaland, back out to play. It would be so easy to give up right now, to say, there are now 5347 more “Disney blogs” out there than when you started 5 years ago. Many of them that report just the facts, great photos, great videos, no personal input – and people love them. But then I think of the people I’ve met over the years who have said, you inspired me to start a blog…you inspired me to apply to the moms panel…you inspired me to share my story…and I think of me, 5 years ago, and what I wanted to achieve here and why I started at all. And I can’t give up on that lady back there in 2009. I can’t let her down. She’s in for the ride of her life, and I’m not going to be the one to end it.

So now, with tears in my eyes as I finally conclude this epic ramble (to the sound of grateful sighs that it’s over, I’m sure) – this is my promise to you, whoever you are reading this – this site will share my thoughts and words, my likes and dislikes, my triumphs and tragedies from now until there’s just no more to write about, or we ALL have a blog. To the mom looking for opinions or recommendations, I’ll give you mine. To the single person or couple looking for kid-free ideas or opinions, I can do that too. For the purse maven looking for the latest releases, don’t worry, I’ve still got you covered. For the PR person wanting me to share your news, if it’s something I’m passionate about, I’m on it, with all my heart. Wanna geek out over 1980’s EPCOT or Diagon Alley at Universal? I’m your girl. In short, I’m not going to label or limit myself but rather give you more of the reason you started reading me in the first place – I hope. 🙂 THANK YOU, for being here with me on this journey. It may have changed courses or had extended layovers along the way, but it’s still going and I’m more excited than ever to be taking you all on the next turn.

The Jungle Book Swings onto Diamond Edition Blu-ray 2/11/14

10 February 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I was recently sent a preview copy of The Jungle Book Diamond Edition, and I have to say I had forgotten what a fun movie this was. Truly a classic that my 5 year old enjoyed as much as I did. He knew some of the characters, but he really hadn’t seen the whole movie that he remembered, but he instantly loved every animal and song. A few days later, he started randomly singing “Bare Necessities” on his own. I love the diverse music within the film, from the background music, which reminds me of the old Adventureland music from the opening of Disneyland, to the swinging jazz numbers – eight original songs from the Sherman Brothers and The Bare Necessities, written by Terry Gylkinson. I have always loved Phil Harris and Sterling Holloway’s voices, so this movie is one of my favorites because of that.

The film itself looks great on Blu-ray, it’s been wonderfully restored. The opening selection screen is a fun addition too. There are some great bonus features for Disney buffs – concept art, deleted scenes, an alternate ending and backstory from Richard Sherman and Diane Disney Miller. There’s also a great featurette from Walt Disney Animation as well as things to keep the kids happy, like “Bear-e-oke” sing a longs. The movie also opens with a lovely preview of Sleeping Beauty, which looks gorgeous on blu-ray and Frozen. Can’t wait for those releases!

Here is a slideshow of Jungle Book concept art:
The Jungle Book is available tomorrow 2/11/14 everywhere. Click to bring it home now for your Disney collection:

*link is an affiliate link, exactly the same as a regular link but a small portion goes back to zannaland to help offset costs here. Thank you!

The Lego Movie Has Laughs For All Ages-Celebrate at Legoland Florida

5 February 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

After seeing several commercials for The Lego Movie in our house, my kids were pretty excited to see it. I thought it was a joke at first; some independent filmmaker deciding to have some fun with Lego. The characters seemed to be poking fun at their own personas and even Lego-building itself. Surely this couldn’t be an official thing, I thought. But I was wrong. It was official and after seeing the film at a screening last Saturday, thanks to Legoland Florida, I have to applaud all involved. Following local theme parks and entertainment like I do, it is very rare to see huge corporations have a sense of humor about their own reputation. The Lego Movie was a refreshing and human take on the cult and culture of Lego-building, covering everything from following the included instructions to the way Lego figures move, to the crossing of Lego themed sets from one ‘universe’ to another. I wont give away all of the ending, but it was definitely a surprise, and made me get a little emotional about the act of play itself, using imagination, and the bonds between parent and child.

As far as kids go, they will love the movie just because of the cool Lego action – things being built, Legos they’ve known and loved actually moving and talking, and that absolutely everything is made out of Lego bricks. Filmed using a combination of stop-motion animation and computer animation, filmmakers took great lengths to make sure the animated parts looked like real Lego figures and bricks. The use of water, smoke and bubbles as well as other special effects make you laugh with the realization that yes, that’s what Legos would look like in that situation.

Parents and adults can relate to all the old-school Lego references, the relationship humor and the personalities we get to know in the movie. Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) is pretty full of himself, as both a superhero and a boyfriend, while Lord Business (voiced by Will Ferrell) plays the stereotypical bad guy perfectly. And surely we all know someone like Uni-Kitty (voiced by Alison Brie), from Cloud Cuckoo Land, the capital of rainbows and puppies – spouting positivity and happiness at every turn while avoiding reality until their pent up emotions and anger within eventually explode…or is that exclusive to the Disney community? Regardless, the characters and jokes are hilarious and they did not skimp on the voice actors, with greats like Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Will Ferrell, Will Arnett, and Elizabeth Banks on board.

I absolutely loved the opening scene, showcasing the “life of a Lego” or at least how “President Business” (voiced by Will Ferrell) deems life should be. Following instructions to a tee, this sequence will make you want to watch the movie again and again to catch new little references or jokes here and there. We follow Emmet, a construction worker who wants desperately to fit in and have friends, so he follows the instructions every day. When he happens to see Wyldstyle (voiced by Elizabeth Banks), his ordinary life changes forever. He discovers President Business is actually Lord Business and he is seeking to destroy the planet with the ultimate weapon – the Kragle (super glue to you and me). Emmet stumbles upon the “piece of resistance” (the only way to stop the Kragle) and Wyldstyle takes him to Vitruvius, the somewhat kooky prophet (voiced by Morgan Freeman) as they attempt to save the world. Emmet finds himself in the process and the ending will have you wanting to run out and build an entire Lego world yourself. Definitely a must see (and see again!).

In coordination with the launch of the first-ever, full length theatrical LEGO^® adventure, “The LEGO^® Movie^TM”, LEGOLAND^® Florida celebrates with a movie-themed weekend in the park on Feb. 8 and 9. Guests can head to their local theatre to watch “The LEGO Movie,” opening nationwide on Friday, February 7, and then come to LEGOLAND Florida to see LEGO come to life amidst more than 50 rides, shows and attractions and special movie-themed fun all geared for families with children ages 2 to 12.

“The LEGO Movie” Weekend at LEGOLAND Florida includes the following activities:

“The LEGO Movie” Scavenger Hunt – Miniland USA
Movie characters Emmet, Wyldstyle, Lord Business and MetalBeard are lost in Miniland USA. Guests can help find them to save the day! Guests can submit an entry to win a LEGO Prize Pack at www.LEGOLAND.com. See website for official rules.
“The LEGO Movie” Video Game Challenge – Warner Bros. Games Zone
Gaming fans can test their skills and play the latest action-packed video game, “The LEGO Movie.”
Build Your Own World Competition – Imagination Zone
Guests can use their imagination to build their own unique LEGO model. LEGOLAND Florida Master Model Builders will select a winner from each event day to receive a LEGO prize pack. Official rules will be available at the park.
“The LEGO Movie” Mural Build – Imagination Zone
Families can build together and help create a giant LEGO poster of “The LEGO Movie.”
Character Meet & Greets – LEGO City
Fans can walk the red carpet and meet two of the stars of “The LEGO Movie.” Emmet and Wyldstyle.

“The LEGO Movie” Weekend is included with park admission and guests will have complete access to a full day of theme park fun with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida is with the LEGOLAND Florida Resident Annual Pass as low as $99 each. Pass members receive unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and the LEGOLAND Water Park, as well as all other Merlin US attractions (LEGOLAND California & Water Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, Sea Life Centers and Madam Tussauds), free parking and 10% off food and merchandise with no black-out dates. For the most current information on special events, daily operating hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

I’ll be at Legoland Florida this Sunday live-tweeting, instagramming and posting on Facebook so be sure to follow along! Thanks again to Legoland Florida for providing my family with tickets to see the movie, and tickets to their park this weekend. My opinions and thoughts are my own, as always!

Central Florida Theme Park News – March 3, 2014

3 February 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I decided I’d try something new here in addition to opinion and review posts: a news update with all of the things that have happened in the past week or so, to have everything all in one place. So if you missed anything in Central Florida & Theme Park and Resort News, here you go!

Disney Parks let us in on a well-kept secret – that there will be another Disney 24 hour day in both the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and Disneyland, on May 23 from 6am – May 24 at 6am. They also want you to come dressed up as your favorite character as they celebrate Heroes and Villains and hope guests will “Rock their Disney Side.” And, they are also giving away a coast-to-coast trip to the 24 Hour Day:

To enter, just tweet how you plan to “Rock” your Disney Side all season long, tagged with #DisneySideSweepsEntry. If you win, get ready to enjoy a coast-to-coast, 7-day/6-night Disney Parks vacation for 4—with back-to-back stays at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida followed by the Disneyland Resort in California, where you can enjoy the Rock Your Disney Side: 24-Hours event… live and in person! You can find out more, plus the official rules at DisneyParks.com.

140 character hashtag — 140 Character Hashtag – Make sure you look for Mike Wazowski, blocked again! Photo ©Disney

In a galaxy far far away, we got some Star Wars Weekends news:

In order to convince more guests to join the Rebellion, a 5th weekend is now being added to Star WarsWeekends 2014. The new event dates are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 16-June 15, 2014. The theme for this year’s event is, appropriately, “Join the Rebellion.” Official Star Wars Weekends dates are as follows:

Weekend I: May 16 – 18, 2014
Weekend II: May 23 – 25, 2014
Weekend III: May 30 – June 1, 2014
Weekend IV: June 6 – 8, 2014
Weekend V: June 13 – 15, 2014

There will also now be a nightly fireworks display rather than the Hyperspace Hoopla. More info on Star Wars Weekends here.

An all-new runDisney event, the Avengers Half Marathon was announced for Disneyland, November 14-16, 2014. Registration will begin at noon on March 25, so suit up!

Major changes were announced for the Magic Kingdom’s hub at Walt Disney World. While I was initially very worried about how this would look (and I’m still not really happy about the former Swan Boat landing looking inaccessible now?) it does look as though this new plan will fit into the existing layout and offer benefits as well. According to the Disney Parks Blog:

We’re adding several new elements to the area, including sculpted gardens, additional pathways, expanded restaurant seating and even a special viewing area for fireworks and other performances.

Here’s a flyover video of the changes to come:

…Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was excited to announce the Official Opening Date for Falcon’s Fury: May 1, 2014. Not sure what Falcon’s Fury will look like? Here’s a sneak peek:

GULP. In other Busch Gardens news – Guests can take advantage of an unprecedented offer and receive an Adventure Island Fun Card FREE with the purchase of a Busch Gardens Tampa Fun Card. This new, limited-time offer let’s guests enjoy unlimited thrills at Busch Gardens and the water-soaked fun of Adventure Island for $92 for adults and $87 for children (ages 3-9) with no blackout dates.

…

SeaWorld is offering Residents within a 50-mile radius of Discovery Cove a chance to win a lawn makeover from the Discovery Cove landscape team. Qualifying residents can enter through the Discovery Cove Facebook page by submitting a photo of their front lawn and a short description sharing why they should win the lawn makeover.

The contest runs in three phases and you can find out more at the Discover Cove Facebook link above.

Ihu's Breakaway Falls Dropping May 9 at Aquatica Orlando

In other SeaWorld news: their Ihu’s Breakaway Falls – the tallest, steepest and only multi-drop tower slide of its kind in the southern United States – opens at Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark May 9.

At nearly 80 feet tall, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls is where thrill seekers face their fears and each other. After stepping into one of three clear “breakaway boxes,” they’ll watch each other fall one-by-one as the floor underneath them disappears. They’ll never know who’s going to breakaway first – and the anticipation of who drops next is part of the wild ride!

Fun Facts:

At nearly 80 feet tall, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls has the tallest and steepest 360-degree spirals in the southern United States.

Those who dare to brave Ihu’s Breakaway Falls will experience an almost vertical drop for nearly 40 feet, the steepest in the southern United States.

Ihu’s Breakaway Falls is the longest water thrill slide of its kind featuring three “breakaway boxes” and four completely different slide paths. Once the floor disappears, riders will drop 20-24 feet per second.

Both SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are now offering a special $50 Weekday Ticket, on sale for only 50 days, good for a single weekday admission to either park, now through May 5, 2014, including spring break.

…

Finally, in local resort news, the Hyatt Grand Cypress wants you to party like it’s 1984 with this special offer:

30th Anniversary Celebration Offer

Now through Dec. 21, 2014 (reservations are subject to availability and must be made in advance) Rate & Offer: $198.40 per night, plus $30 food and beverage credit

Special offer code: RTRO

Note: The food and beverage credit is for use during your to stay to enjoy the resort’s award-winning restaurants including Cascade American Bistro, Hemingway’s, or the On the Rocks pool bar.

I recently got a chance to stay at the Hyatt Grand Cypress and was really impressed with how much their was to do and how lovely the accommodations were. I’ll have a full write-up soon!

…

That’s it for the past week – stories to watch for this week are: the premier of the new Festival of Fantasy Parade, which we’ll be covering on March 9th when it travels down the parade route at the Magic Kingdom for the first time. Some Legoland Florida news that fans of the old Cypress Gardens park will enjoy. And of course, more news, photos and food reviews as the 21st Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival officially opens on March 5! Thanks for reading and for your support of Zannaland.com

Disney’s Golden Oak Summerhouse Tour: Markham’s Restaurant

30 January 2014 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

Each time I’ve driven past the entrance signs for Golden Oak, Disney’s multi-million dollar residential home community, I’ve thought “I wish I could just drive around in there…”. Well that desire came true last weekend as a good friend invited us to experience lunch at the resident-exclusive restaurant at the clubhouse. I was quite impressed with the grounds and attention to detail, and the food was some of the best on property. I was given the green light to share some of the photos from our personal tour here with you. After reviewing my photos, I decided to separate this into a four-part series, giving each section of our tour proper attention. Let’s start with the good stuff – the food!

Summerhouse is the resident-only clubhouse located in the center of Golden Oak’s property. Inside is a resident reception area, where residents can get assistance with everything Walt Disney World Resort related, as well as generic concierge-type services for the rest of the Orlando area. Also inside are an entertainment/recreation room, a fitness center with locker rooms, a meeting room, and Tyler’s Lounge, attached to Markham’s restaurant. It is a lovely place to walk around and enjoy, with well-purposed outdoor areas as well.

The Tuscan feel of the Summerhouse lends itself to a luxurious setting without being too conservative. This extends to the dining options as well. I did not feel out of place at all, as a day visitor and not a multi-million dollar resident. As we heard that day, the restaurant has the ability to become a white linen fine dining establishment; creating the ultimate in elegant private dining in the blink of an eye if requested. Staffed by hand-selected Walt Disney World cast members, who have earned their ears at places like Victoria and Alberts, and have completed a separate interview process to be placed at Summerhouse. There is no question that residents will be receiving the best attention possible.

As far as the food itself, Markham’s chefs create things like aged sausages and charcuterie on-site, with the benefit of an herb garden right outside the kitchen. It is one of only 3 restaurants on Disney property designated as Signature Plus (Victoria and Alberts and California Grill being the other two); an internal designation which allows the chefs and leaders more creativity with ordering, creating menus and hosting events, less hindered by operating partners involvement.

Summerhouse herb garden — Summerhouse herb and vegetable garden with lemon trees

I am no food critic, but I do appreciate culinary adventures, and Markham’s does not disappoint. Each dish seems to be carefully hand crafted and created to expose the ultimate in flavor combinations. It was very difficult to choose just one thing to try as it all sounded unique and enticing. In addition to the dishes, they also make their own lemonades and lemonade/tea drinks as well as sodas. Again, it was hard to choose just one thing to try.

If you’re wondering about the names chosen for the Summerhouse lounge and restaurant, as with other areas of Golden Oak, they derive from Disney heritage. Toby Tyler was the 1960 Disney movie about a 12 year old who ran away to join the circus, while Marty Markham was the city kid from the Disney TV serial which ran for one season in 1956 on the Mickey Mouse Club: “The Adventures of Spin and Marty.” You can find more nods to Disney past in the street and neighborhood names, which we will explore in the next post in this series.

Tyler’s Lounge features some artwork celebrating Tokyo’s Hotel MiraCosta as well as some concept art for Epcot’s Italy pavilion in World Showcase. The bar offers pretty much any potent potable you could desire and is staffed by bartenders whose knowledge extends far beyond the “standard drink menu” at any other Disney lounge.

Markham’s is a rustic yet light environment, with reclaimed brick and thick wooden beams throughout. Leather banquettes complement contemporary chairs and decor, mixing old world and modern style. Large windows let the natural light in, keeping it airy and not a bit stuffy, while offering views of the grounds. There are a few nods to Walt Disney within the dining area, but nothing over the top. If you were a resident, and wanted to enjoy each meal here, you could do so comfortably and without pomp. But if you wanted to plan a private event for family or friends and use the dining room, you could do that without hesitation or disappointment. I felt quite at home, and as I write this, I’m missing the lunch I enjoyed that day and wishing for more!

Enjoy the gallery below of Tyler’s Lounge, Markham’s restaurant, and our food choices that day:

[RFG_gallery id=’2′]Stay tuned as I’ll be sharing more from our Golden Oak visit, including a tour inside the rest of the Summerhouse and the unique Triple R meeting room, bursting with treasured Disney artwork.

D23’s Destination D to Be Held in Walt Disney World This July

21 January 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

As a charter member of D23 – I really am grateful for its existence. It brought Walt Disney history to life for me, and really, led to my first visit to Disneyland in 2011 for the D23 Expo (and I’ve now been back 5 times since!). So I’m thrilled that D23 is announcing its next Destination D event will be held here in Walt Disney World again. This was the first D23 event I attended, and it really made me realize how important it is to support those in the company who truly care about its past and work at being stewards for its future. I also couldn’t be more excited that they will be paying homage to the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. My mother actually attended this World’s Fair and it of course holds a special place in my heart. Here is the official news from D23 directly, with info on each event and a full 2014 calendar of events:

DESTINATION D: ATTRACTION REWIND presented by H20 Plus: Walt Disney once said, “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” It’s in that spirit that guests this summer will have the opportunity to visit—or revisit—some of the most beloved Disney attractions of yesteryear.Destination D: Attraction Rewind, held July 26 and 27 at Walt Disney World Resort, will bring Disney archivists, Imagineers, Legends and luminaries together to celebrate fan favorites such as Adventure Thru Inner Space, If You Had Wings, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with rarely seen concept art and images; vintage video clips; and revealing stories. In addition, several presentations will be dedicated to the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair, which spawned beloved attractions like it’s a small world and Carousel of Progress.

MARY POPPINS 50th ANNIVERSARY SCREENING: On August 24, 2014—nearly 50 years to the day on which this beloved classic premiered—D23 will celebrate with a very special screening event.

D23’S DISNEY FANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: For the third year in a row, D23 will hit the road, visiting cities across the U.S. to commemorate dozens of magical Disney milestones celebrating landmark anniversaries this year. Hosted by Disney archivists and the D23 Team, D23’s Disney Fanniversary Celebration events will be held in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando, New York City, Seattle, and other cities in fall 2014. Fanniversary 2014 will revisit some of the most beloved theme park attractions, animated and live-action films, characters, TV series, and more than 90 years of Disney history including Donald Duck, the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair, Sleeping Beauty, Haunted Mansion, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Little Mermaid, and many more. Fanniversary events will be open to the public, with special admission prices and surprises created for D23 Members in attendance.

D23’S LUNCH WITH A LEGEND: A limited number of D23 Members will join Disney Legend Marty Sklar for a private luncheon on The Walt Disney Studios lot, where Marty will talk about his extraordinary 54-year career with Disney. Look for additional “Legendary” lunches later this year.

DISNEY STORE MEMBER MIXERS: After giving members a peek at the reimagined stores in Florida, Kansas, New Jersey, California, and Nevada in 2013, Disney Store will once again invite D23 Members for exclusive mornings of shopping, discounts, games and goodies.

MICKEY’S OF GLENDALE: The Walt Disney Imagineering employee store in Glendale, Calif., will open its doors to D23 Members on April 26, June 21, and other dates throughout the year, with special guests and surprises. Members will have an opportunity to purchase limited-edition merchandise and view the park-like grounds at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts’ creative “think tank.”

SCREENINGS ON THE DISNEY STUDIO LOT: Throughout the year, D23 will continue its popular movie screenings inside the historic Studio Theatre at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. The 2014 roster includes Sleeping Beauty, The Jungle Book, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and The Little Mermaid.

D23 DAY AT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS AND ARCHIVES: D23’s members-only tours of the historic Studio Lot and Walt Disney Archives in Burbank return, highlighting historic moments from Disney film, television, and theme parks—as well as showcasing many of the external locations used for filming Saving Mr. Banks. Tours will take placeMarch 22, May 31, August 2, and November 8.

SIGNATURE EVENTS: Look for the return of some favorites, including the popular holiday offering DISNEY AND DICKENS (in Burbank in December), as well as other D23 traditions.

Dates, ticketing information, and more D23 events will be announced throughout the year. Full details on D23’s lineup of 2014 special events can be found on the Fan Club’s website at www.D23.com/events. All events and dates are subject to change.

Current event calendar:

January 31: D23’s Lunch with a Legend — Marty Sklar, Burbank, Calif.
February 15: The Jungle Book, Burbank, Calif.
March 22: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
April 26: Mickey’s of Glendale shopping event, Glendale, Calif.
May 31: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
June 21: Mickey’s of Glendale shopping event, Glendale, Calif.
July 26 & 27: Destination D: Attraction Rewind presented by H20+, Walt Disney World Resort
August 2: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
August 24: Mary Poppins 50th Anniversary Celebration, Los Angeles Area
Fall: D23’s 2014 Disney Fanniversary Celebration, locations to be announced mid-2014
September 13: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Burbank, Calif.
October 11: Sleeping Beauty, Burbank, Calif.
November 8: D23 Day at The Walt Disney Studios and Archives, Burbank, Calif.
November 15: The Little Mermaid, Burbank, Calif.
December: Disney and Dickens, Burbank, Calif.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s more than 90-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.

Fans can join D23 at Gold, Silver, and Free Membership levels at D23.com and at www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us @DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Disney Frozen Themed Guest Suite at Quebec City’s Hotel De Glace

17 January 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

After the recent Tangled guest room photos from Tokyo Disneyland, I thought it was too cool not to share this completely different Disney-themed suite. Not saying I’d want to stay there (I moved to Florida for a reason!) but it sure is pretty to look at! Check out the official press release and photos below of the Hotel de Glace Disney Frozen suite and “activity cave.” Not sure what that means, but hopefully it involves building a snowman, or at the very least – warm hugs.

BURBANK, CA, January 17, 2014 – Today, Walt Disney Studios has unveiled the first images from the Frozen-inspired suite at Quebec City’s famed Hôtel de Glace, in celebration of Disney’s “FROZEN” Blu-ray & Digital HD release.

Created entirely out of sculpted ice and snow and supervised by the film’s art director Michael Giaimo, the “Frozen Suite” is modeled after Anna & Elsa’s bedrooms. The collaboration will also include a “Frozen Activity Cave” bringing the wonder of Disney’s wintry tale to life like never before. The suite will be unveiled this weekend and remain open through March 23.

Bring home Disney’s “FROZEN” on Digital HD & 3D February 25^th and Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD & On-Demand March 18^th— featuring a blizzard of never-before-seen bonus extras with gorgeous animation, memorable characters and unforgettable music. It’s dazzling fun for the whole family!

For more information, check out Disney.com/Frozen, like Frozen on Facebook: facebook.com/DisneyFrozen and follow them on Twitter: Twitter.com/DisneyAnimation.

About Hôtel de Glace:

Located only 10 minutes from downtown Québec City, the Hôtel de Glace is a must-see attraction to discover each winter. The authentic Hôtel de Glace in America, has seduced over a million people around the world since its opening in 2001. With its huge snow vaults and its crystalline ice sculptures, the Hôtel de Glace impresses by its dazzling decor. From January 3rd until March 23rd, 2014, enter this magical universe and live an incredible experience by visiting this ephemeral work of art.

For more information about Quebec City’s Hôtel de Glace, please visit www.hoteldeglace-canada.com.

NEW: Tinker Bell Half Marathon Disney Dooney and Bourke Bag

13 January 2014 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

runDisney just released a sneak peek at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Disney Dooney & Bourke purses available at Disneyland for the race On January 19, 2014! As with WDW runDisney events, there will be a race expo, opening on the 16th for this event, where racers and spectators alike can purchase merchandise. Last year, the Dooneys sold out in a matter of minutes, so keep that in mind! We’ll have more info as it becomes available:

I love the colors and pattern, but Tink has always been my favorite. What do you think?

Don’t forget to check DisneyStore.com for sales of select current releasedDisney 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!