Things to Do

Downtown Disney Restaurants Pollo Campero and Fresh A-Peel Construction Photos

25 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Over the weekend we met up with friends who have just relocated to central Florida and walked around Downtown Disney. I hadn’t seen the construction progress on Pollo Campero – the new Latin chicken restaurant opening soon – since McDonald’s closed down, so I thought I’d share what looks like a really cool design. Love the colors and the stonework!

EDIT: Thanks to Keith from MouseMisers for clearing up the “Fresh A-Peel” signs that I thought were part of Pollo Campero. We now know that Fresh A-Peel is a new fresh concept named (featuring fresh salads, sandwiches, fruits and healthy snacks) plus vegetarian, gluten-free, sugar-free, low-sodium or organic offerings.

Chef Robert Irvine Loves Helping Others, Meeting Fans and DISNEY!

24 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 10 Comments

As you may have seen on twitter and facebook, a few friends and fans of Chef Robert Irvine of Dinner: Impossible fame were treated to an informal and cozy little meet up at the Crew’s Cup Lounge inside Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. I have to thank Amanda Tinney for informing me of this hush-hush event, put together in part by Marc Bigbie and another facebook fan of the Chef. The meeting was kept quiet for the purposes of not having the chef mobbed by fans, camera flashes and questions (otherwise you can be sure that with three local bloggers in attendance – myself, Amanda, and Leigh Caldwell from ThemeParkMom.com – we would’ve spread the word!).

At first there was question as to whether the chef would make it over, as he was still filming and I guess had been stopped by many fans along the way. A man of his word, Chef Irvine did indeed show up and was extremely kind and appreciative that all of us had waited for him. So often you hear stories of celebrities having a different personality in real life or being too ‘big’ to bother with fans but that couldn’t be further from the truth here. Robert Irvine is as funny and warm-hearted in person as he is on his show. It would’ve been all too easy (and understandable!) for him to say, after a long day of shooting, “Sorry, I can’t make it”. Obviously he didn’t say that and we were so grateful for his time!

Halloween Decor and Treats at Downtown Disney Marketplace and West Side

19 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

Last week we spent some time at Downtown Disney Marketplace and West Side, both of which are brimming with Halloween and Autumn decorations. There are some great photo opportunities at both ends of Downtown Disney so get your cameras ready.

Also now through Halloween night, Happy Haunting is taking place in shops and restaurants throughout Downtown Disney. How cool must it be to go Trick-or-Treating at Downtown Disney?! If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by and enjoy!

Game Review – Disney Sing It: Party Hits for Nintendo Wii

17 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

I was recently sent a review copy of Disney Sing It: Party Hits, the newest karaoke video game in the Disney Sing It franchise. Now available for the PlayStation 3 and Wii, Disney Sing It: Party Hits features 30 songs and videos from today’s hottest artists including Allstar Weekend, Jordin Sparks, Justin Bieber, Nick Jonas & The Administration, Paramore and Selena Gomez. The game also includes vocal exercises and tips from “Sonny With A Chance” and “Camp Rock” star, Demi Lovato, to assist players in improving their vocal skills.

The game requires a microphone and you can select easy, medium or hard levels to test your singing skills. If you need a little help, the vocal exercises are a great tool for budding stars.

Duffy the Disney Bear Arrives in Epcot-Photo Tour of Everything Duffy

14 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 5 Comments

Today saw the arrival of Duffy the Disney Bear to his new home at Epcot’s World Showcase. Fans, media and Disney Cast Members alike queued up to welcome Duffy, get their picture taken and perhaps even pick up a Duffy plush bear to take home. Duffy’s meet and greet area is in a newly constructed *shaded* gazebo overlooking the flagship merchandise shop – “Everything Duffy.”

Walt Disney World Ambassador Vanessa Rosas introduced Vice President of Epcot, Dan Cockerell who then welcomed Mickey (dressed in his sea captain outfit) and Duffy from the nearby Friendship boat landing. After singing the official Duffy song and cutting the ribbon, Duffy headed over to the first of his two appearances: 12:20pm – 2:30pm and 3:45pm – 7:00pm. Be sure to check the official times guide or with Guest Relations to see when Duffy is appearing during your visit.

Speaking with Disney Trading Project Manager and all around cool guy, Steven Miller (who let me know today he’s taking on more projects, including Duffy – awesome!), he expressed the excitement about bringing Duffy on board and the many new things to come in the next few months. He was just shown a mock-up of the promised Duffy Ear Hat and said it looks great. Can’t wait to see it!

It was a good sign for potential success that all the World Showcase-themed costumes were sold out in a matter of hours! More are on the way and “Everything Duffy” Cast Members told us there will be a Halloween costume coming soon along with the other Duffy holiday and celebration costumes we mentioned previously on ZannaLand.

Style Network & HGTV Casting Disney Home and Backyard Makeover Shows

11 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

JayTV.net Casting Call for HGTV:

Searching for FOUR Disney-loving families in Orlando for reality TV backyard makeovers.

Send photos to: [email protected]

AND –

The Style Network is Casting in Florida!

SECRETLY NOMINATE SOMEONE WHO HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE INTERIOR DESIGN THEME TOO FAR!

Do you know someone who has over designed a room?

Do they love their decorating sense, but have just gone overboard with a motif?

Has their design or collection obsession taken over a room?

Are they an over-the-top decorator who thinks that more is better?

Let our celebrity design expert save the day, celebrate their passions, but streamline the space into an inviting and tasteful area.

This is a surprise so Mum’s the word…but you will be in on the surprise and they will thank you forever!

Email us @: [email protected]

How cool would either of those experiences be?! I know I’m wishing I could get the Disney backyard makeover for sure – wonder if I could convince them to drive an hour in my direction!!?? Best of luck to all who apply and if you make it on the show, let me know – I’d love to feature your experience here on ZannaLand in the future!

Vote Now For Your Favorite Disney Dooney & Bourke Photo!

5 October 2010 by Suzannah Otis 320 Comments

First, thank you so much for your patience with this contest – I knew I’d be out of town (in Walt Disney World!) for 5 days (along with quite a few of my readers too!) and wouldn’t get to post the entries I’d received. Now let’s get right to those entries and voting!

Voting will be counted by number of comments for each entry. Only one vote per email address please. Voting will start now and end on Thursday, October 7 at midnight. Voting has ended. The winner will be announced on this entry on Friday, October 8. The winner will then need to let me know which color wristlet they’d like and I’ll head to WDW and pick it up! Thank you to all who participated!

Congratulations to entry #2 from M. Turner for garnering the most votes. I think she got half the internet to vote for her! 😉 If you could contact me and let me know which wristlet you’d prefer (up to $49 in value) I’ll pick it up on our next visit to the parks. Congrats again!

There was some concern about votes since so many came in for one # at one time – but what you cannot see on this end of the post is the email and IP address attached to each comment, which appears in the email I receive with each comment. I do realize that this method of voting was perhaps a bit frustrating and will be working on a new way to vote for any future contests on ZannaLand – I had no idea how passionate you guys could be for a Disney Dooney! Because she came in second place and I personally loved her picture with Buzz and Woody fighting over the Dooney – I’m going to be sending the owner of entry #13 a $25 Disney Gift Card as well, so please let me know where to send that card. Congrats!

Thank you again to all who participated – I loved seeing the creativity here! I look forward to future giveaways here on ZannaLand.

Show Me Your Disney Dooney Photo Contest – Win a Wristlet!

25 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 5 Comments

If there’s one thing most ZannaLand readers are passionate about (in addition to love of Disney of course) it’s the exciting Disney’s Dooney & Bourke collaboration. My good friend Amanda of DisneyEveryDay.com had the fabulous idea that I should ask people to show me their Disney Dooneys! I agreed that this would be a fun thing for fans to take part in – and thought I’d sweeten the deal by giving away a Disney Dooney & Bourke wristlet to the contest winner!

ZannaLand Disney Dooney & Bourke Photo Contest Info:

Take a picture of your Disney Dooney & Bourke – your favorite, your whole collection, by themselves, with people or pets – the ideas are endless and you are only limited by your creativity! Don’t have a Disney D&B? What about a pic of you with a sad face? 😉 Get creative!
Email me your best shot (one per person please), I’ll post all of the entries here, then readers will vote on a winner.
The contest winner will then get to choose what color wristlet they receive (of available wristlets in Walt Disney World up to $49 in value – sorry I can’t produce a Disney Cruise Line or Disneyland wristlet!).

Send one photo entry to [email protected] by Thursday, September 30 2010. I will then post the entries and voting will commence (info to follow on voting). Help spread the word on twitter, facebook and anywhere else you’d like – the more pictures the more fun we’ll have!

Ready to hit me with your best shot? Go!

Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again on Nintendo DS

24 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

With a household of gamers, I had no trouble getting someone to give me their opinion of the new Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again Nintendo DS game I was given to review from Disney Interactive Studios. Here’s what the family thought of the game:

Disney Interactive has delivered a fun game for fans of the popular Disney Channel show Phineas and Ferb; Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again for the Nintendo DS and DSi. The game follows the adventures of the title characters as you guide them through the environments of Danville looking for parts to build various contraptions. There are many mini games to break up the action and keep the game play fresh. You can also download content to share rides and compete against friends.

A personal favorite is a Pac-man style game in which you try to collect screws for a project while steering clear of Candice. After playing through the first level of the game the only complaints were that Perry was relegated to being a “save point” and is not included in the game play elements, although you can play as Agent P. while he battles Dr. D and his robots. Finally, the open style of game play, having no defined path through which to complete a level, may prove to be a little frustrating for younger players. Overall Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again is a fun and satisfying game for fans of Danville’s most famous residents.

Disney’s Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again is available now on Nintendo DS and Dsi. The single-player game is rated E for Everyone and retails for $29.99. For more information including screenshots and game trailer, head over to Disney Interactive Studios Phineas and Ferb: Ride Again page.

Boo to You! Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2010

21 September 2010 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

In addition to meeting Duffy the Disney Bear this past Saturday, some fellow Disney bloggers and I also got a chance to enjoy one of my very favorite special events at Walt Disney World – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party! It’s so so hard for me to decide between this and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party…but MNSSHP as it’s commonly abbreviated has candy AND the Headless Horseman, so it might win.

I’ve reported previously about the fun that is MNSSHP – check out part 1 of my “Boo to You!” Parade pictures, part 2 with the “Boo to You” Villains from the parade and my Headless Horseman video from 2008. Last year and now this year again, the Horseman has slowed to a trot from an eerie gallop (perhaps for safety issues) but it’s still impressive nonetheless! New to the parade this year is the evil Dr. Facilier from Princess and the Frog fame. My favorite are still the gravediggers with their shovels!