• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About | Press
  • Up the Waterfall
  • Media Kit

ZANNALAND!

Magical Adventures & Memories

  • Latest News
    • Top Stories
    • Disney News
    • Disney Movie News & Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
  • Places to Explore
    • Walt Disney World
    • Universal Orlando Resort
    • Disneyland Resort
    • Orlando Area Resorts
    • Disneyland Resort Paris
    • Disney Cruise Line
  • Things to Do
    • Disney Dining
    • Disney Special Events
    • D23 Expo
    • RunDisney
    • Travel, Theme Parks, and Resorts
    • Florida Theme Parks & Attractions
      • Universal Orlando Resort
      • Medieval Times
      • LEGOLAND Florida
      • Busch Gardens
      • Sea World Orlando
    • Orlando Area Resorts
    • Central Florida Family Entertainment
  • Up the Waterfall Podcast

cast members

New Sweepstakes Offers D23 Members the Chance to Win a Once-In-a-Lifetime Tour

17 July 2013 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share

Hot off the presses, check out this latest bit of news from D23 – a sweepstakes for the ultimate Disney fan (that’s you!) —

 D23-Off-the-Map

In celebration of Disneyland’s 58th anniversary today, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club has launched the “Off the Map Sweepstakes.” Twenty-five lucky D23 Members and their guests will be invited to Disneyland Park to visit four of the park’s little-seen but widely heard of locations: Walt Disney’s private apartment, the Lilly Belle VIP parlor car on the Disneyland Railroad, Circle D Ranch, and the Disneyland Dream Suite.

 

“Our friends at Disneyland will give the winning D23 Members a special glimpse at some of the park’s most amazing hidden gems, special places that most guests never get to see,” said Steven Clark, Head of D23. “Our first ‘Off the Map’ member event in 2012 was such a huge hit that we wanted to reprise it with this special sweepstakes so even more of our members have a chance to visit these truly magical and historical Disneyland locations.”

 

Winners will be able to explore:

·        Walt Disney’s private apartment: Built during the initial construction of Disneyland, Walt Disney’s private apartment is a quaint studio dwelling, filled with Victorian decor, family photos, and antiques selected by the Disney family.

·        Lilly Belle VIP parlor car: Disneyland guests have long taken grand circle tours on the Disneyland Railroad, but few ever enjoy the ride from the elegant Lilly Belle VIP car parlor. Named after Walt’s wife, Lillian, the Lilly Belle is truly a piece of history, built in 1955, and refurbished to its modern state of luxury for America’s bicentennial celebration in 1976.

·        Circle D Ranch:  From the friendly goats at Big Thunder Ranch to the horses who carry guests down Main Street, U.S.A., Circle D Ranch is home to Disneyland’s beloved “four-legged cast members.”

·        Disneyland Dream Suite: This private space above Pirates of the Caribbean was originally planned to be another apartment for Walt Disney, but he passed away before its completion. In 2008, Imagineers used some of Walt’s original ideas and some truly magical surprises of their own to transform it into a fantasy villa like no other.

 

D23 Members may enter the sweepstakes beginning today through August 23 at D23.com. The tour will take place on Wednesday, October 2. Winners will be able to attend with one (1) guest. For complete rules, details, and eligibility please visit D23.com. No purchase required; guests may join D23 for free at D23.com.

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share

Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Special Events, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: bicentennial celebration, cast members, circle d ranch, D23, D23 sweepstakes, disney family, disney fan club, disneyland guests, disneyland park, disneyland railroad, dream suite, family photos, hidden gems, initial construction, lilly belle, member event, parlor car, private apartment, thunder ranch, victorian decor, vip car, Walt Disney

First Official Trailer Plus Photos and Thoughts on Saving Mr. Banks!

11 July 2013 by Suzannah Otis 4 Comments

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share

I cannot properly put into words how excited I am for Saving Mr. Banks. I have been saying, wishing, hoping for years that a movie about the behind-the-scenes-history of the Walt Disney Company. I have been fascinated since I was a small child with the man himself, Walt Disney, and since learning more and more as I grew up (well, physically anyway, mentally I’m probably still about 11 when it comes to Disney), I yearned for more and more knowledge about how things were done back then. It is rare that an empire is built who’s beginnings intrigue us so. I’m sure the first years of Coca-cola and Pepsi, and certainly Apple are interesting as well, but Walt Disney’s singular determination and devotion to making people happy and his never-ending drive to create new and never-been-experienced things is just a part of what makes him so well-loved.

Since no one is tackling his complete life story in movie-form, Saving Mr. Banks is the next best thing and when I first heard of its production, I believe tiny hearts formed in my eyes. I will admit I was a bit skeptical about Tom Hanks being able to step outside himself and become Walt Disney, and after seeing the trailer below, I kind of feel the same way, but I am still okay with it as I love Tom Hanks as he is. So if anyone was to portray the beloved Uncle Walt, I feel it is him. And after seeing Jason Schwartzman and B.J. Novak as the Sherman brothers, I am head over heels in love. Emma Thompson of course does an amazing job of the not-so-jolly P.L. Travers and I think is another perfect fit. Let’s watch the trailer below and let me know in the comments what you think!

 


Trailer: Saving Mr. Banks on Disney Video

Thoughts? Here are some more official photos released from the movie studio as well. It was fun to hear that many of the extras cast in the film are actual Disneyland cast members. A lovely touch. More than just excitement for the actors and the film itself, the story of Saving Mr. Banks seems to be a wonderfully heartwarming look at the inner workings of P.L. Travers resistance and final agreement to give over the rights for Mary Poppins. It’s such a wonderful look behind the scenes at a film beloved by all. It’s hard to imagine it almost never was, and knowing that only because of Walt Disney’s persistence and creativity in persuasion do we have such a classic, is a wonderful monument to the man he was. Saving Mr. Banks is set to release on December 20, 2013. See you at the movies! 

 

Saving Mr. Banks
Tom Hanks channeling Uncle Walt.

 

Saving Mr. Banks
Extras in vintage 50’s attire, walk down Main Street, U.S.A. – many of them real Disneyland Cast Members!
Saving Mr. Banks
The first “official” production photo from Saving Mr. Banks was released yesterday.

 

 

P.L. Travers Saving Mr. Banks
This photo seems to be from the filming of the iconic Mary Poppins movie premier, with actors to the left and right of Emma Thompson representing Dick Van Dyke and Jule Andrews. (source: imdb.com)
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share

Filed Under: Disney News, Movies & Books, Top Stories Tagged With: BJ Novak, cast members, Disneyland, disneyland cast, emma thompson, jason schwartzman, mr banks, p l travers, Saving Mr. Banks, Saving Mr. Banks trailer, sherman brothers, tom hanks, Walt Disney, walt disney company

Festival of the Masters 2012 Photo Tour

11 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
John Coulter's artwork for Festival of the Masters
John Coulter’s artwork for Festival of the Masters

The action never stops at Walt Disney World Resort and just when the Halloween events have ended and the International Food and Wine Festival is winding down, the Festival of the Masters shines on the second weekend in November, bringing artists and craftsmen from around the world to Downtown Disney to share their talents. Sponsored by Michaels stores, the Festival of the Masters offers something for everyone, from kids and family crafts, to fine art displays and sales. It is a great way to discover some new favorite artists and see the talent that lies behind Disney’s amazing Cast Members as well.

The Disney art section is always my favorite, with fabulous artists like Will Gay, Noah, Katie Kelly, and so many more, sharing their hard work and interpretation of Disney classics. Be sure to check out the LEGO booths, which offer a chance to create a mosaic tile which becomes part of a larger LEGO mural. There are other interactive stops stretching all across Downtown Disney from the West Side to the Marketplace. Chalk drawings, artist signings and more await. Here are some photo highlights – click any photo to view as a slideshow:

Custom Vinylmation at Festival of the Masters
Custom Vinylmation at Festival of the Masters
Custom Vinylmation at Festival of the Masters
Custom Vinylmation at Festival of the Masters
Noah at Festival of the Masters
Noah at Festival of the Masters
Patriotic Mickey Festival of the Masters
Patriotic Mickey at Festival of the Masters
Fesitval of the Masters Disney art
Fesitval of the Masters Disney art by Greg Trombo
Greg Trombo at Festival of the Masters
Greg Trombo at Festival of the Masters
John Coulter's artwork for Festival of the Masters
John Coulter’s artwork for Festival of the Masters
John Coulter art Festival of the Masters
John Coulter art Festival of the Masters
Katie Kelly's artwork for Festival of the Masters
Katie Kelly’s artwork for Festival of the Masters
Katie Kelly art Festival of the Masters
Katie Kelly art Festival of the Masters
Will Gay decks at Festival of the Masters
Will Gay decks at Festival of the Masters
Will Gay's artwork for Festival of the Masters
Will Gay’s artwork for Festival of the Masters
Fesitval of the Masters Disney art
Will Gay’s artwork for Festival of the Masters
Festival of the Masters artist signing schedule
Festival of the Masters artist signing schedule
Graham Knuttel's sheep sculptures
Graham Knuttel’s sheep sculptures
Graham Knuttel painting at Raglan Road
Graham Knuttel painting sheep at Raglan Road
Festival of the Masters special cupcakes
Festival of the Masters special cupcakes
Festival of the Masters food booth
Festival of the Masters food booth
Epic Mickey 2 Festival of the Masters
Epic Mickey 2 Festival of the Masters
Epic Mickey 2 Festival of the Masters
Epic Mickey 2 Festival of the Masters
Ghirardelli craft Festival of the Masters
Ghirardelli craft Festival of the Masters
Lego Mosaic
Gio showing off his Lego mosaic piece
Lego Mosaic
Gio hammering in his Lego mosaic
Michaels Duct Tape Craft Festival of the Masters
Michaels Duct Tape Craft Festival of the Masters
Michaels frame craft Festival of the Masters
Michaels frame craft Festival of the Masters
Michaels mosaic Mickey
Michaels mosaic Mickey at the Festival of the Masters

 

Disney’s Festival of the Masters presented by Michaels wraps up today at 5pm, so if you are in the area, stroll on over and get your art on!

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share

Filed Under: Disney Special Events, Walt Disney World Tagged With: art displays, cast members, chalk drawings, Disney art, Disney Art Festival, disney world resort, Downtown Disney, fabulous artists, family crafts, Festival of the Masters, FotM, FotM 2012, John Coulter, katie kelly, mosaic tile, Noah fine art, Walt Disney World, walt disney world resort, Will Gay

It Gets Better. Thank you Disney.

21 December 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share

trevor projectAs sad as it is that there is a need for this campaign, it is so very powerful because, it does – get better. As a child, teen, or even young adult, it’s so hard to see beyond the right now, to a place where the people and things that seem so important today, are just a memory. That’s why the It Gets Better project is wonderful, because you can see people just like you, or even people different from you, that had it rough and got through it.

Whether it’s famous people or everyday folks, it gets better. I thought this video was too important not to share here and hope it gets out to as many people as possible. It is the very things that make you different right now, which will make you amazing in the future.

To learn more about The Trevor Project, visit http://www.thetrevorproject.org

HOW TO FIND US:
http://www.twitter.com/trevorproject
http://www.facebook.com/thetrevorproject
http://thetrevorproject.tumblr.com
http://www.youtube.com/thetrevorproject

Share
Tweet
Pin
Share

Filed Under: Fundraising and Charities Tagged With: anti-bullying, cast members, Disney, It Gets Better, itgetsbetter, LGBT support, PSA, suicide prevention, the It Gets Better project, The Trevor project, trevor lifeline

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Subscribe to Our Up the Waterfall Disney History Podcast

Up the Waterfall podcast

Get Some Park Candy!

Park CandyUse code ZANNA at checkout for 10% off your entire order!

FAVORITE VLOG

https://youtu.be/jUQvxcguh9o

Click below to SUBSCRIBE to our latest Vlogs & LIVE Shows!

Recent Posts

  • D23 Events for 2023 – Destination D23 Returns to Walt Disney World
  • Hocus Pocus Cottage in Salem, MA Airbnb – Book this Unique Stay for October 20, 2022
  • LIVE Updates from the 2022 D23 EXPO in Anaheim California
  • Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream I Airplane Makes its West Coast Return for D23 Expo 2022
  • Lilly Singh and Raven-Symoné To Host ‘Disney’s Epic Entertainment Showcase: The Musical: The Extravaganza!’
  • ICE! To Return to Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando for 2022
  • DIS Con 2022 Fan Expo Will Take Place at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney+ to Highlight Upcoming Content Throughout D23 Expo Panels
  • D23 Expo 2022 Full Schedule Lineup – Including Muppets Christmas Carol
  • LEGOLAND Florida Brick-or-Treat presents Monster Party

Zannaland Archives

Recent Vlog

https://youtu.be/aRB70OJelLc
DisneyStore.com

Subscribe to our podcast

Free Shipping on New Kate Spade Collection now at shopDisney.com!

Copyright Zannaland © 2023