Hocus Pocus

Hocus Pocus Cottage in Salem, MA Airbnb – Book this Unique Stay for October 20, 2022

28 September 2022 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Being an Orlando local, we have a lot of themed vacation rental homes in the area, but this one-themed to the amazing Sanderson Sisters cottage in Hocus Pocus, really caught my eye! The attention to detail here is incredible. I’m originally from Massachusetts, and love Salem so much, so I would love to stay here myself! This cottage will be available soon for an exclusive $31 stay on October 20th. Read on for all the details and how you can book this Hocus Pocus cottage on Airbnb:

The Sanderson Sisters Invite Brave Souls to Book a Stay at the Hocus Pocus Cottage, Now on Airbnb

For the first time ever, guests can book a recreation of the Hocus Pocus cottage in Salem, Massachusetts for a stay this Halloween season – if they dare.
To mark their highly anticipated return in Disney’s Hocus Pocus 2, the infamous sisters are inviting guests to enter a land of enchantment with a once-in-a-lifetime stay at their creaky old cottage.
Discerning ghouls and goblins can request to book this exclusive $31 stay beginning Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. ET.

It’s all a bunch of Hocus Pocus at the Sanderson Sisters’ cottage, where, for the first time ever, guests can run amok this Halloween season when the soul-stealing, spellbinding trio invites visitors to get into the Halloween ‘spirit’ with an overnight stay at the scene of their scheming.

Nestled in the remote woods of Salem, Massachusetts, the Sanderson Sisters’ cottage has been recreated as though it’s been frozen in time for 300 years – just in time for the siblings’ highly anticipated return in Hocus Pocus 2, streaming on Disney+ beginning Sept. 30 (rated PG, Disney+ subscription required, must be 18+ to subscribe).

“We all know that the Sanderson Sisters’ story might not have ended when we turned to dust, nor did our shenanigans,” said Kathy Najimy, who plays Mary Sanderson in the beloved films. “What better way to celebrate the season than to host guests at the trio’s historic haunt for a night they’ll remember for years to come?”

The Sanderson Sisters will host the timeworn cottage for an exclusive stay on Oct. 20 for two guests, at only $31* a night in celebration of All Hallows’ Eve. Wooden boards that groan under the weight of curious cats and cupboards filled with blood of owl and herb that’s red (and even a hair from Winifred’s head) await those who dare to explore the cottage’s dark corners. Prior to slumbering in the sisters’ humble abode, guests can:

Try their hand at enchantments enshrined in the ancient spellbook that guided the sisters in all their mischief. (Maybe just don’t expect to turn anyone into cats as a result.)
Explore the dark, rich history of Salem with visits to some of the town’s most haunted properties.
View a special screening of Hocus Pocus 2, streaming on Disney+ beginning Sept. 30.

Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Salem, by broomstick or otherwise. Those looking to book should note that this stay requires strict adherence with applicable COVID-19 rules and guidelines.

To support the next generation of the historic city, Airbnb will make a one-time donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, which aims to ensure that success is within reach of every young person who walks through their doors.

Those looking for an especially eerie Halloween season can request to book this stay beginning Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. ET at airbnb.com/hocuspocus2.

*Plus taxes and fees. This one-night stay is not a contest. The cottage is privately owned and operated.

Airbnb is closely monitoring Salem COVID-19 infection rates and government policies and will offer booking guests a refund of the booking fee ($31) and $1,000 USD Airbnb travel credit if Airbnb determines it is necessary to cancel the stay.

How cool is that?? I really wish I was staying there myself!! Let me know if you book this stay!

Disney Halloween Movie Must-See List – Up the Waterfall Episode 40

16 September 2020 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

This week we are discussing favorite Disney Halloween movies that you MUST SEE! Scott and I each share a list of our personal favorites and we try to cram as much in as we can to cover all of the Disney Halloween themed shows, movies and more!

There is a huge catalog of Disney titles, from animated shorts to full-length films to Disney Channel Originals to choose from. We have a good mix of all of them I think, but you’ll have to see if we included your picks too! Did we miss a Halloween classic that’s on your Must-Watch list? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to answer the trivia question too!

You can watch the episode below and see some fun images and video of the movies we discuss. You can of course listen too. We’ll include all the places to listen and connect with us below the video:

As always, we thank you for watching and listening! If you enjoyed, please share with a friend so more folks can learn about our growing podcast! Thank you!

Listen to Up the Waterfall:

You can listen anywhere you download and listen to podcasts, including:

(If there’s a podcast service where you can’t find our show, let us know and we’ll get it added there!)

Watch Up the Waterfall:

Head to our Up the Waterfall YouTube Playlist – where you can see our opening sequence and see some unique images during some episodes.

Feel free to comment below with your opinions on ANY of these movie choices, any questions or info you’d like to add, or if it’s easier, head to the Zannaland Facebook page and join the discussion there with fellow Disney Parks fans!

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Hocus Pocus Show Puts a Spell on Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

21 September 2015 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

Finale of the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular

While Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is an annual tradition for my family, I will admit, I was never really one for the shows that would play each year in front of Cinderella Castle. I know that may be blasphemy for some Disney fans, but I just always wanted to spend our time during the party collecting candy, enjoying the decorations and other unique offerings, and riding attractions with limited waits.

However this year, Disney has changed the way I do MNSSHP! I was able to see the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular at the first party, after being chosen to attend the Disney Parks Blog meet-up. During that event, we were given VIP viewing for the show and the Boo-to-You parade, and as we waited for the brand new show to begin, the anticipation and excitement were palpable. We were surrounded by cast members who were involved in the show’s creation, from costumes to scripts to dancing and music, so it was extra special to see their proud reactions of the amazing show. And amazing is exactly what the show was.

From the opening song, “The Season of the Witch” the mood was set for a very different, very visual and audible treat. The projections and lighting on the castle were fantastic, the costumes and dancers even better. Soon the Sanderson Sisters took the stage, and the crowd erupted in applause. From that point on, the show was a mix of lines and actions straight from the movie, to more subtler nods that hardcore fans would recognize. The first two villains who came out to sing just happen to be two of my favorites, Dr. Facilier from Princess and the Frog, and the elusive Oogie Boogie from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. Maleficent rounds out the trio of Disney villains, but also leads an entourage of additional Disney baddies onto the stage. The show culminates with the show-stopping “I Put a Spell on You,” originally sung by Bette Midler in the film version of Hocus Pocus, and the crowd once again went wild, singing along and enjoying every moment. I was left in awe of the level of performance, costumes, music and effects in the show. I immediately wanted to see it again, and again, and again.

I put together a few highlights from the show to give you a feel of what to expect:

Of course, the rest of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party gave us plenty to do, from the much beloved Mickey’s Boo to You parade, to HalloWishes with its eye (and ear)-popping 360-degree perimeter fireworks – themed to Halloween and villains music, to the candy stops and special snacks and merchandise. One disappointment for me this year was on the snack front. Gone is the pumpkin waffle sundae from Sleepy Hollow, which was my favorite thing to ever eat in Magic Kingdom, as well as a few of the other specialty drinks and snacks. What was left was the candy corn soft serve at Storybook Treats, and a few themed cupcakes. I know cupcakes are easy to make and everyone loves them, and perhaps the pumpkin waffles were not an efficient item for the party, but I still missed them nonetheless. Aside from that, if you are able to get to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year, I don’t think it will disappoint. I’ll be back soon with another post about the party, but until then, it’s time to run amok, amok, amok, amok!

Pumpkin photo opp on Main Street, U.S.A.

The castle lighting is always eerily spooky on party nights

The Sanderson Sisters in the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular

Guest Post-Spooky Top 5: Disney Halloween Movies

28 October 2011 by Ryan P. Wilson Leave a Comment

Here’s another great post from Ryan Wilson of the Main St. Gazette – enjoy! ~Zanna

The leaves have been rustling here, and it is getting darker earlier in the evenings, which can mean only one thing, in just a few days princesses, pirates, monsters, cowgirls, and bugs will be descending upon our streets in search of sweet treats! This, of course, makes it the perfect time to watch a spooky movie with the ones you love the most. Here are my top five Disney flickswhich are sure to give you just as many tricks as they do treats!I need to start off with two dishonorable mentions. Arguably, the two most frightening attractions in Walt Disney World and Disneyland are The Haunted Mansion and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Films based upon both of these attractions have been created, with all-star casts attached, but both features fall well short of their potential. Still, for images that remind you of your favorite attraction, or just a bit of family fun, they will do the trick in a pinch.

Number 5 – The Black Cauldron (1985)
The Black Cauldron, it is said, has the power to bring the dead back to life as a warrior horde. The Horned King, a villain who is sure to send shivers down your spine, seeks the cauldron in order to raise just such an army. However, this is a classic fantasy journey, and the scores of undead are met with plenty to smile and laugh about. This animated feature was seven years in the making, and it feels as if it could have used a couple more years cooking in the cauldron, but still manages to deliver the good vs. evil action!

Number 4 – Hocus Pocus (1993)
Set in Salem, MA in the 17th Century and the early 1990s, this film features a trio of inadvertently humorous witches brought back from beyond the grave. The Sanderson sisters, portrayed by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, use their witchy ways to suck the life out of children in order to maintain the young(ish) beauty (if they say so…). After being summoned to the present day, it is up to the children who accidentally brought them back to stop them, along with their talking cat. This film shows that comedy really can be scary!

Number 3 – Animated Shorts
There are tons of animated shorts that would make for the perfect Halloween viewing. These are just a few of my favorites spooky shorts. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949) features Ichabod Crane who has run afoul of the Headless Horseman. Bing Crosby’s narration is sure to give you chills! Night on Bald Mountain (Fantasia– 1940) is the darkest segment of Fantasia and features the heavy Chernabog, the second most memorable character from Fantasia who remains a time-tested, fan-favorite Disney Villain to this day. Chernabog’s beckoning to the dead is sure to frighten even the bravest of souls. Lastly, The Skeleton Dance (1929). This short is the first of the Silly Symphonies and is sure to spark ghoulish grins for the whole family.

Number 2 – Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
This Halloween-Christmas hybrid, which fans watch all the year round, features jack Skellington, the King of the Pumpkin Patch who wishes for something more that scares and finds it in Christmas. While the citizens of Halloween Town may seem terrifying to adults at first glance, the non-menacing way in which they are utilized, along with the terrific songs, call kids back to this film again and again. Though the dastardly Oogie Boogie, may draw out a scream or two, especially from insect-phobic children and moms!

Number 1 – Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
This movie, featuring Jonathan Pryce as the enigmatic Mr. Dark, is the real deal folks. Based upon Ray Bradbury’s novel of the same name, Mr. Dark and his carnival blow into Greentown one fateful autumn evening. They’ve come to town seeking to grant the residents’ wildest wishes… for a price. What secrets are held within the Pandemonium Carnival and can Mr. Dark be stopped by a librarian and two young boys? You’ll have to watch the film to find out, but be warned, it is not for the faint of heart!