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Search Results for: nicole siscaretti

Disney Parks Blog Trick-or-Meet Up a Spooky Success!

30 September 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

You’re probably used to coming here and reading about how great Disney is in some way or another. Well, after a special event last night, be prepared for me to gush about Disney. I’m speaking of the Disney Parks Blog “Trick-or-Meet Up” which took place last night in the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square after park closing. This was the Disney Parks Blog team’s second-ever tweet-up, the first being the after-hours Star Tours grand re-opening event. I have been lucky enough to attend both and while I had a wonderful time at the Star Tours tweet-up, I have to say, the team really outdid themselves for this Treat-Up.

Guests were encouraged to dress in costume for the event, and many obliged the request. Lots of fun costumes from both attendees and cast members. It was so fun to see creativity in full-force. We all checked in at Blizzard Beach and awaited the all-clear so we could head over in luxury – Disney Cruise Line buses – for the Treat-Up to begin. We were shuttled backstage and entered by the Splash Mountain Frontierland parade gate. Even as a former cast member, these special chances to get behind the magic are always exciting. Of course no photos of this out of respect for the show.

Tom Nicole and Marissa
Thomas Smith from the Disney Parks Blog, Nicole Siscaretti with her prize-winning Stretching Room ballerina girl costume and Marissa May also from the Disney team

We were ushered over to the Hall of Presidents, where those in costume could pose for formal photos before taking a seat. This was a perfectly organized event and I loved the way it was presented. Getting to hear Director of Social Media, Leanne Jakubowski, speak and introduce members of the Disney Parks Blog team in attendance was wonderful. Gary Buchannan, ever the jokester, was dressed as a giant Disney turkey leg, complete with nametag. Also present were Thomas Smith (aka Indiana Jones), Laura Spencer, Marissa May (as Boo!) and Jennifer Fickley-Baker as well as Steven Miller who escaped the Grid for the night in his TRON: Legacy costume. I sometimes take for granted the names and faces I know through my experiences with the Walt Disney World Moms Panel and this blog, but it was so nice to see the team interacting with guests.

Jason Surrell
Jason Surrell entertains and educates in the Hall of Presidents

Jason Surrell, gifted Imagineer and Haunted Mansion fanboy all rolled into one, was our first ghost-host for the evening. Inside the Hall of Presidents, he recounted some of Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion history and differences in the other Haunted Mansion attractions at Disney Parks world-wide. He let us know how important it was for current Imagineers to honor the work of the original designers of the Mansion, noting that Pete Carsillo, who apprenticed under Imagineer Blaine Gibson, took the designs to Mr. Gibson to get his blessing before proceeding. Jason then took questions from the audience which provided more laughs and entertainment for all.

After the presentation, we were each given a pre-filled trick-or-treat bag with a schedule of the evening’s events. We could then head over for drinks and a dessert buffet in the form of Mickey rice krispie treats, chocolate-covered brownie spiders and white chocolate cheesecake eyeballs. Ghoulish delights!

Pete Carsillo
Pete Carsillo explaining the details behind the Haunted Mansion queue (image courtesy of Nicole Siscaretti)

 

Small tours were given of the new interactive Haunted Mansion queue and by two of its designers, Pete Carsillo and Eric Goodman. So far this year, I’ve had the opportunity to meet five Imagineers. I’m not sure what I expected (other than me not being worthy?), but I am consistently shocked by how down to earth, welcoming and genuine they all have been. Pete and Eric are no exception. It was a treat to see how excited they both were by the details, homages and hidden connections within the queue. I can’t wait to go back in the daylight and see some of the details they described.

Haunted Mansion
Haunted Mansion lit up for the evening

 

Throughout the night various characters were roaming Liberty Square: costumed Donald, Daisy, Mickey and Minnie, Dr. Facilier, who is my new favorite face character at Magic Kingdom, a couple of Mansion ghost sisters, Dapper Dans in Ghoulish form, and extra spooky Haunted Mansion cast members. Trick-or-treat stations were also set up in the square giving us even more treats than we’d already received.

Mansion Ghost
A ghostly resident

 

Randomly selected guests were given blue wristbands at check-in which provided them with a Haunted Mansion hitchhiking ghost poster, signed by the artist, Tom May. I was one of those selected, as was my friend and cohort, Nicole! While picking up our posters, we got a chance to speak some more with Jason Surrell, whose parents and wife were there with him. Again proving how down to earth and real these amazing creative forces are. The fact that Disney has facilitated these experiences is just wonderful and truly how Walt would have wanted it, I feel. To see the number of young high school and college kids on twitter inspired by these Imagineers makes me excited and confident for the future of Walt Disney’s legacy.

Headless Horseman
The Headless Horseman bids us farewell

 

The evening ended with a private viewing of the Headless Horseman trotting through the square, which is always a thrilling sight. On our way back to the busses, we were each gifted with a hitchhiking ghost poster and a Nightmare Before Christmas Pumpkin King Vinylmation. I was blown away by the generosity of Disney at this free event. The personal level of interaction, the behind-the-scenes tours and feeling like the Disney Parks team was just as happy to be there as we were, made for an A+ event from start to finish. Thank you again, Disney Parks Blog team, Imagineers, and everyone that made last night a thrilling success. I know I’m not alone in hoping there will be a similar holiday tweet-up in the next few months!

Trick or Meet Up
The Disney Parks Blog was so generous!

 

The Disney Parks Blog recently launched their facebook page, with behind-the-scenes videos and tidbits. Be sure to “Like” the page and follow on twitter to get the latest news and updates.

Filed Under: Disney Holidays, Disney News, Disney Special Events, Walt Disney World Tagged With: #WDWTreatUp, Disney Parks Blog, Eric Goldman, Gary Buchanan, Haunted Mansion, Haunted Mansion queue, Jason Surrell, Laura Spencer, Leanne Jakubowski, Marrissa May, Pete Carsillo, Steven Miller, Thomas Smith, Tom May, Trick-or-Meet Up

VIDEO: Magical Disneyland Memories (and a little D23 Expo too)

29 August 2011 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

I mentioned before as a preface to my D23 Expo Primer guest post by Carrie Hayward that I was visiting Disneyland for the first time during our journey out west to see the Expo. Not only was it my first time visiting California and the Disneyland Resort, it was my first time flying since 1997! So, I was a bit nervous, but I survived and actually liked it!

Now usually, I am a photo-holic and take pictures of any and everything when I visit a place for the first time. However in this instance, I was so completely overwhelmed by the experience, that I found myself without photos of a lot of what we saw when I returned home. (I still have quite a few, and I’ll be posting them over the next few weeks.)

Nicole and Zanna on Small World
Nicole and I on "it's a small world" Where else but Disney could we get away with those hats?? (photo by Becky Staudt)

That said, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I’ve seen tons of photos of Disneyland, even ride videos, but nothing compares to walking down Main Street, U.S.A. that first time and seeing it all before you in living, breathing color. So while I’m still sharing our memories here with you, my real purpose in writing this post is to implore, even beg any Disney fan that has not yet made the pilgrimage to the “motherland” to do so. If you’re anything like my friends and me, it will change your life.

Now first, a little backstory. I decided to make this journey westward thanks to an amazing friend of mine, Nicole Siscaretti. She is not only a wonderful, caring person, but she’s also going to be a star some day, so you can watch these videos and say later, “ahh, I knew her when…” Nicole was part of our team for the D23 WDW Scavenger Hunt we did a few months back and it was then that I really got to know what a special person she was. After spending the last few months hanging out and “planning” our conquest of Disneyland (I say that in quotes because this was probably the least planned trip either of us had ever taken), she is like a little sister to me. In addition, she loves making fun videos on her iPhone andlooks WAY better on camera than me, so I’m pleased to be able to share a highlight reel of our Disneyland adventures thanks to her.

Before sharing her Disneyland video, I must explain one other thing. Nicole actually embarked on a quest that most people don’t even dream of – visiting all 6 Disney Parks in the US in one day. Nicole had asked me to join her and I was all set to do so before a last minute meeting had to happen at 9 on the morning we left for California. So I got to take the easy way out and only went to the 2 west coast parks. Nicole persevered and accomplished her goal. You can see her Six Parks One Day adventure on YouTube!

And now, without further ado, here are just a handful of our amazing Disneyland memories, shared with local Florida friends, west coast friends and new friends from all over! Disney fans may recognize the famous Scott Otis (@otisney on twitter) and the equally famous Michael Crawford from ProgressCityUSA.com (@ProgressCityUSA on twitter), two great friends from whom we were lucky enough to get amazing Disneyland history and backstory as we toured the lands!

I hope you enjoyed our video and if you’ve never been, do make plans to get to Disneyland some day soon, it is simply incredible!

Filed Under: Disney Attractions, Disney Planning, Disneyland Resort, Guest Authors, Walt Disney World Tagged With: #6parks1day, 6 parks one day, California, D23, D23 Expo, Disney California Adventure, Disney videos, Disneyland, Disneyland memories, Disneyland Resort, Disneyland videos, ElecTRONica, expo, fan videos, Fantasmic, first visit to Disneyland, Magical Fireworks, Nicole Siscaretti, njoysiscaretti, Storybook Land Canal Boats, The Magic The Memories and You, World of Color

VIDEO: Fun Overview of LEGOLAND Florida on Opening Day

26 October 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I had some friends along with my family at the Grand Opening of LEGOLAND Florida back on October 15, and my good friend Nicole recorded some of our experiences that day. This is just one short example of the many sights to enjoy at LEGOLAND. I’ll still be spotlighting a few of my favorites in the coming days here on Zannaland but until then, enjoy this video from Nicole!


Filed Under: Florida Theme Parks & Attractions, Guest Authors, LEGOLAND Florida Tagged With: Guest posts, LEGOLAND, LEGOLAND Florida, LEGOLAND Florida Grand Opening, LEGOLAND theme park, Nicole Siscaretti, Polk County FL, video, Winter Haven FL

Mickey, Minnie and the Princesses Move in to Town Square Theater

15 April 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

The same day we checked out the Easter treats in the Magic Kingdom we also ventured over to the all-new recently opened Town Square Theater. The theater is the new home for the character meet and greets that were taking place over in Mickey’s Toon Town Fair before it closed. Formerly Expo Hall, Town Square Theater is adjacent to Tony’s restaurant, to the right as you enter the Magic Kingdom park. There are some lovely details to this new area, so I thought I’d share some photos below:

 

Character greeting sign
Mickey's hand points out that character greetings are this way! (and crushes that lady's head 😉 )

 

Town Square Theater
The Town Square Theater sign, with wait time boards for Mickey and the Princesses
Wait time for Mickey
When we were there, the wait time for Mickey was only 5 minutes

 

Princess wait time
While the Princesses wait was 30 minutes

 

Town Square Fast Passes
Around the corner from Tony's, to the right of the Chapeau, is the Fast Pass distribution area for Town Square Theater

 

Town Square Theater entrance
Atrium inside Town Square Theater leading to the queue

 

Tony's Town Square
Looking over to Tony's from the atrium of Town Square Theater (construction was still going on on the low walls)

 

Town Square queue
The extensive queue area, leading to either Princessess or Mice!

 

Mickey wait time
Inside is another wait time board for Mickey

 

Princess wait time
While the Princesses sign lets you know which princesses are appearing

 

I’ll leave the rest of the experience inside Town Square Theater as a surprise for when you are able to visit but until then, I leave you with some friends, posing with our favorite rodents –

Town Square Theater Mickey and Minnie

 

Thanks to pals and all-around awesome folks Nicole, Cade, and Mike for letting me share their photo with you all!

Filed Under: Disney Attractions, Disney News, Walt Disney World Tagged With: character FastPasses, characters, Disney characters, Magic Kingdom, Main Street USA, Mickey and Minnie, Mickey meet and greet, Princesses Meet and Greet, Storybook Princesses, Town Square Theater, Walt Disney World

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