Things to Do

Tangled DVD+Prize Pack GIVEAWAY!

28 March 2011 by Suzannah Otis 107 Comments

I recently received the Tangled DVD/Blu-Ray combo pack and I can tell you it’s been playing non-stop in ZannaLand ever since it arrived! I’d forgotten how simply beautiful the animation was in this film, not to mention the wonderful songs and funny lines. It is quickly becoming one of my favorite Disney films, if not the favorite. I know it’s my 10 year old daughter’s fav! (In fact, it’s playing right now as I write this!!)

We’ve been enjoying the bonus features as well, seeing the deleted scenes in a sketched animation format is really cool. Finding out that “The Snuggly Duckling” was almost “The Jaunty Moose” was great! There are some wonderful commentaries as well, so even if by chance you get tired of playing on repeat in your home, you can switch it up and find out some great behind-the-scenes facts about the process.

And who can forget faithful sidekicks Maximus and Pascal??

Tangled is now available on DVD, Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack AND 3D Blu-Ray/Blu-Ray/DVD and Digital Copy 4 disc set —

Thanks to the Tangled promotional team, I can offer a giveaway of a Tangled dvd and a surprise bonus gift (one of the following: a Pascal Beanie Baby, Flynn Ryder or Rapunzel T-Shirts, or Official Disney Paper Lanterns) to one lucky reader!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Rapunzel discovers that she is a strong woman and can take care of herself outside of the tower. Check out the Tangled Widget below and explore your family’s hidden talents. What are your hidden strengths? Comment below sharing your strengths or talents.

Contest now over, thanks to all who entered and spread the word!!

CONGRATULATIONS to Tony Mendyk who was picked from random.org as the winner!

Additional entries:

2. “Like” ZannaLand on facebook. Leave a separate comment letting me know.
3. Follow @zannaland on twitter and tweet the following:

“I just entered to win #Disney’s #Tangled on dvd from @zannaland and you can too! http://bit.ly/tangledgiveaway #giveaway #contest“

Leave a separate comment letting me know. You can tweet as many times as you like, but don’t spam your twitter friends!) 😉
4. Subscribe to ZannaLand posts via email or RSS feed (email box is to the right) and comment letting me know.
5. Share this this contest link on facebook, stumble it, or share it any other way you’d like and comment letting me know. (there are buttons to share on popular sites below this post)

Each entry must be in a separate comment. Winner will be chosen on Friday, April 1 (no April Fool’s joke, I promise!) using random.org and announced on this entry. Item will be mailed directly from the Tangled team. Good luck!!

Jake Character From the Never Land Pirates Joins the Line Up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

19 March 2011 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

My family and I have been enjoying the second Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at Walt Disney World for the past two days. As usual, it has been a pixie-dusted event full of magic, thanks to the keepers of the pixie dust, Laura Spencer and Leanne Jakubowski. Amazing speakers, amazing surprises…and it’s not over yet!

Last night we were treated to dinner inside the Lights, Motors, Action! stunt show stage (aka where the cars actually drive during the show!). The evening was brought to us by the all-new Disney Junior, with special guests Sharkey and Bones -the pirate outfitted duo who sing in between Jake and the Never Land Pirates episodes. We thought it was pretty cool that the actual band was there!

Other Disney characters soon showed up: Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, Donald and Daisy among them. Then another surprise, Jake appeared! I thought I’d share some of the action shots I grabbed last night:

More to come next week from my experiences at Disney’s Social Media Moms Celebration – stay tuned!

The Ballad of Nessie Animated Short to Appear with Winnie the Pooh Movie

17 March 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “THE BALLAD OF NESSIE” is an all new animated short appearing exclusively with the upcoming WINNIE THE POOH theatrical release, which opens in theaters in Spring 2011; the U.S. release date is July 15, 2011.

Here is more about the short: (click to enlarge)

Check out these images from The Ballad of Nessie:

Like WINNIE THE POOH on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/WinniethePooh.

Win a “Prom” Date Premiere With Your Creative Prom Invite Idea!

11 March 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Disney.com to Award a Date to Disney’s “Prom” Premiere to Winner of the Prom Ultimate Invite Contest –

Disney.com is looking for the most creative ways to ask someone to prom in its new Prom Ultimate Invite Contest. In the upcoming Disney movie “Prom,” hitting theatres on April 29, lead character Lloyd just can’t seem to score a date to the biggest event of the year. At Disney.com/PROMContest, fans can help Lloyd by uploading videos that show or tell the most creative ways to ask that special someone to prom. The contest participant with the best idea will be awarded a trip for four to Los Angeles to attend the premiere of Disney’s “Prom,” a $500 Macy’s gift card to get red carpet ready and a chance to meet Disney’s “Prom” stars Nicholas Braun or Aimee Teegarden. Contest entries will be accepted until March 31, 2011.

To find out more, go to Disney.com/PROMContest where the band members from Allstar Weekend provide contest details and share their best ideas for asking a date to prom.

Fans can check out the rockin’ music featured in the movie with 30 second clips of “Not Your Birthday” by Allstar Weekend and “Prettiest Thing” by Oh Darling. Then, they can create their own music videos with their favorite songs and photos from the film by going to Disney.com’s Create and make their own “Prom” Music Slideshow.

You can also check out the trailer on our Prom first look post or the synopsis below:

At “Prom,” every couple has a story and no two are exactly alike. Several intersecting stories unfold at one high school as the big dance approaches; Disney’s “Prom” portrays the precarious passage from high school to independence as some relationships unravel and others ignite. For Nova Prescott (Aimee Teegarden), it’s a battle of wills as she finds herself drawn to the guy (Thomas McDonell) who gets in the way of her perfect prom. Fellow seniors Mei (Yin Chang) and Tyler (De’Vaughn Nixon) harbor secrets, while others face all the insecurity and anticipation that surrounds one of high school’s most seminal events. There are hundreds of nights in high school, but there’s only one “Prom.” Featuring an emerging ensemble cast and a powerful soundtrack, Disney’s “Prom” hits theaters April 29, 2011.

2nd Annual Disney Social Media Moms Celebration!

10 March 2011 by Suzannah Otis 30 Comments

It’s hard to believe it’s been one year since the first-ever Disney Social Media Moms Celebration! It was such an amazing event and so much has happened since that time! I thought it would be great to go over some of my favorite moments from last year’s event as well as what I’m looking forward to this year. Then I thought it would be fun for all the 2011 attendees to link their blogs below so we can get to know each other and our blogs before we meet next week! It’ll also be a great way to connect during and after the event as well! Could I use any more exclamation points??!!

Last year I don’t think anyone really knew what to expect from Social Media Moms. One thing we knew, it was Disney, so it was going to be full of extra magic. We were definitely given the royal treatment and perhaps even a little spoiled with such great speakers like Guy Kawasaki, Chris Brogan, Maxine Clark, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Mary Ellen Hooper and Kathy Ireland. I know I l earned so much and became full of blogging passion by the end of the conference. We may have endured an unexpected cold snap, but pixie dust pulled us through and the surprises and special touches seemed to never end. (Feel free to check out my flickr stream of the 2010 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration!)

Chris Brogan and Zanna — Stalking Chris at a recent media event at Disney for another photo. 😉

One of my favorite moments was Chris Brogan’s speech, which makes me SO excited that he’ll be back this year. Another unexpected surprise was bumping into Chef Robert Irvine, who was there filming Dinner: Impossible and cooking for the amazing volunteers that Disney was honoring. Imagine my shock when I had the chance to meet Chef Irvine again later last year and discovered that the picture of Disney Moms Panelist Kathie and I with the Chef was in his desktop screensaver! These are just some of the amazing memories Disney is able to deliver, sometimes without even trying! I was also lucky enough to have the winning seat at our table for the Cinderella Build-a-Bear centerpiece and was able to take that home to share with the family. I cannot wait to see what magic this year brings.

As if knowing some of us were spoiled last year, Disney has upped the ante and given us accommodations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. This will allow me to check off almost all the Deluxe resorts on property (the only one I haven’t stayed at is Yacht Club, but I’ve stayed at Beach Club a million times and toured every hotel on property, so I’m not counting that!) 😉 I am excited to be able to share this experience with my family.

I’m also super excited that I get to hang out with fellow Moms Panelist and bloggy idol Oh Amanda. I haven’t seen her since Moms Panel training and can’t wait to be in the World with her again! Of course I’m thrilled to see lots of friends and people I met last year AND meet lots of new friends too.

Disney's Wedding Pavilion — Dreaming at the Wedding Pavilion (no, I'm not a natural blonde either)

Another highlight I’m looking forward to is the opening presentation and tour by Disney Fairytale Weddings. I have mentioned before that a Disney wedding was always my dream, since the pavilion opened the year we moved down and I worked at the Magic Kingdom. Sure, I had my reception at the Dolphin, but it’s not quite the same. And yes, it’s now been 14 years since I said “I do” but I still hold out hope that I can have a magical vow renewal on property at some point. Maybe for the 20th… 🙂

Anyway, our pixie dust princesses in charge of the Social Media Moms Celebration have hinted that there will be “special guests” during this presentation. I am crossing my heart and hoping it is the one and only David Tutera. To say I am a fan of him and his show is an understatement. I cry at pretty much every episode and wish he was around when I got married! I will try to hold myself back from hugging him to death in the off chance they let hundreds of mom bloggers near him… 😉 I really think he needs to do a special vow renewal episode, no? I’ve already got a built in flower girl and ring bearer!

Attendees, what are you most excited about the upcoming Social Media Moms Celebration? Did you attend last year or is this your first time? Have you been to Walt Disney World before? Share a bit about you and your blog – don’t forget to link it below! And be sure to say hello if you happen to see a crazy red head trying to camp out in the wedding pavilion!!

If you’d like, check out two posts I did last year for attendees planning for their Disney vacation:

Top 5 Must Sees for First Time Disney Visitors

Solo Parenting Tips to Visit Walt Disney World

Explore my Disney News section as well – including Fast Facts on Disney’s Wild Africa Trek and some Disney Merchandise highlights to be on the lookout for!

Thanks for visiting and see ya real soon!

Mars Needs Moms Gift Pack GIVEAWAY!

24 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis 10 Comments

You may remember the Mars Needs Moms trailer I shared with you back in November. Now in anticipation of the March 11th opening of the movie in 3-D, I’m happy to bring you a giveaway of fun Mars Needs Moms items for Mom AND child! This giveaway gift basket will include:

– MARS NEEDS MOMS T-Shirt (Adult Size)

– MARS NEEDS MOMS T-Shirt (Youth Size)

– MARS NEEDS MOMS Temporary Tattoos (3-pack)

If you’d like a refresher on the Mars Needs Moms story, check out the newest trailer below:

~~To enter, simply:~~

~~1. Comment below with what you think your kids would do if you went to Mars.~~

2. “Like” the Mars Needs Moms facebook page.

3 (optional for an extra entry). Share this giveaway on twitter or facebook. You can use the two buttons at the top of this post, or just copy and paste the link yourself. https://zannaland.com/mars-needs-moms-giveaway Please provide a link in a separate comment below if you have shared this giveaway.

~~Giveaway ends on March 8 and winner will be announced on this post on March 9, 2011.~~

Good luck!

CONGRATULATIONS to Kathie, aka magic2go on twitter (and fellow Walt Disney World Moms Panelist!) for getting randomly chosen as the gift pack winner!! Random.org picked #3 and that’s her! Be on the lookout for your prizes in the mail!

Thanks to everyone for participating. More giveaways to come!

NEW Valentine’s Day Mickey Antenna Topper

9 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I’ve got quite a few Valentine’s Day Mickey antenna toppers from over the years, but Disney has now added another one for me to collect! Thanks go once more to Shelley C. for the photos!

Valentines Mickey antenna topper — Will you Be Mine? 😉

In Epcot for Valentine’s Day? Get Free Bottle Engraving at Guerlain!

8 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

From Walt Disney World Events:

“The Scent of Love is in the Air”
Guerlain Fragrance Event
February 10-14, 2011
La Signature Shoppe, France Pavilion, Epcot®

Complimentary bottle engraving with any Guerlain fragrance purchase on the last two days of this event – February 13 &14 from 1:00pm-7:00pm

The scent of love is in the air… surprise your valentine this year with a fragrance from Guerlain. La Signature Shoppe in the France Pavilion at the World Showcase at Epcot® has a wide variety of gift giving ideas and fragrance gift set solutions that will bring joy and delight to any recipient.

During this special event guests purchasing a Guerlain fragrance February 13 & 14^th, can have their purchase personalized by our bottle engraver.

Complimentary bottle engraving available with any Guerlain fragrance purchase from 1:00pm-7:00pm on February 13 & 14, 2011 only. Available at the La Signature Shoppe in Epcot® at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Theme Park admission is required.

Make Personalized Valentines and Crafts on Disney.com’s Create!

8 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

What better way to show some love than with your favorite Disney characters, right? Now you can create a valentine on Disney.com/Create with the new Minnie Mouse Digital Painter on Disney.com. You and your family can use stamps to create your own pictures of Minnie and the gang, or draw a unique piece of art using whimsical Valentine-themed pens and fun backgrounds.

: Click to head to Disney.com/Create and make your own masterpiece!

After creating valentines on Disney.com’s Create, you can get even more Minnie Mouse fun at Disney Family.com with cute Valentine’s Day printables for kids and parents to make together. Check out the Mickey & Minnie Cutie Valentine’s Candy Boxes for a unique gift or the Mickey & Minnie Valentine’s Day Flowers to decorate the house with. For more Valentine’s Day fun, check out Disney Family.com.

♥ Happy Valentine’s Day! ♥

Minnie’s Masquerade on DVD With Mickey Mote & Extras-Plus $5 Off!

8 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Minnies Masquerade Plus Mickey Mote — Minnie's Masquerade with Mickey Mote out today-February 8, 2011

This latest release features four playful Minnie-themed adventures previously seen on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse TV show, a never-before-seen episode, and a free paper mask with festive embellishments that kids can personalize. And as a special option for consumers, Disney has packaged a version of the DVD to include the exclusive Mickey Mote – a child-friendly handheld remote control, shaped like Mickey ears, that takes children’s viewing experience to a whole new level of play. The DVD + Mickey Mote Play Set is the ultimate value for moms and equally fun and engaging for kids! The Mickey Mote uses infrared wireless technology and may not be compatible with all devices.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade starring Disney’s Fab Five — Minnie, Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Daisy – takes viewers on an all new adventure as they dress-up in their favorite costumes for Minnie’s Masquerade Ball. In this episode, Minnie needs some help getting everything ready for her party including making royal crowns for their costumes, searching for Sir Goofalot’s lost shoe, stringing up paper lanterns and much, much more. At the ball, Professor Von Drake hosts the great Clubhouse Costume Show and gives out prize ribbons to all the friends who have dressed up in some funny and fancy costumes. All it takes is a heaping helping of imagination…and the right Mouseketools.

About Disney’s Exclusive Mickey Mote:
Disney’s Mickey Mote works with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes the Discovery ModeTM feature – an interactive “Watch & Play” feature on the DVD. All parents have to do is program the remote control – there’s an easy and quick set-up guide in each DVD- and select the Discovery Mode feature on the menu screen. Within minutes, kids will be easily responding to questions, throughout the story, about scenes they just watched by pressing one of four color-coded buttons on the device — a yellow star, green circle, orange triangle or blue square – to click in their responses. Discovery Mode features include two levels of play, which provides more challenging questions as the child grows.
The Mickey Mote can be used with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes the Discovery Mode feature. To date there are more than 11 titles that can be used with the remote control, just take a look at the back of the package to make sure. The Mickey Mote really was easy to program and my little guy loved being able to play along and interact!

Check out a clip of the all-new episode on Minnie’s Masquerade DVD:

Even though I have a little Prince and not a Princess, he absolutely loved this DVD. It totally captured his attention and he wanted to wear a crown and be a Prince, so his big sister made him one out of construction paper to wear. This is a great addition to our family’s collection and toddler-preschool entertainment!

Minnie's Masquerade dvd coupon — Click for a $5 coupon on the DVD playset!