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Instagram Lets You Create and Enjoy Insta-Disney!

4 February 2013 by Suzannah Otis 5 Comments

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Instagram zannaland It’s no secret that social media is an amazing way to connect with friends, make new friends, and in the case of bloggers, keep in touch with readers and reach new ones. The major networks are of course, Facebook, twitter, and most recently, Pinterest and tumblr have joined the mainstream. It may seem hard to keep up with all of the outlets out there, so you might decide to be a “Facebook person” or a “twitter person” much like people are dog people or cat people. (Have I mentioned I have a dog and a cat at home?) I do use both, but I will admit to having a definite preference toward twitter. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s much easier for me to follow along on twitter than Facebook’s ever-changing news feed format. I will always update my Facebook page with photos and links from posts here, and if I’m at an event, try to add more photos too. If you click on any of those photos, you’ll most likely see where they originate – Instagram.

Cinderella Castle clock While I’m confessing my social additions, I will shout from the Splash Mountain-top that I am completely addicted to Instagram. Perhaps more shocking, I actually got an iPhone a little over a year ago, predominantly because of wanting to use Instagram. Embarrassing? Maybe, but I own it. Taking photos is something I’ve always loved and Instagram is a great way to get those photos in neat little square packages, and, just for fun, add filters and frames to make the photos unique. Instagram gets a lot of flack online, among those who say “why do you want to make photos taken today look like they were taken in 1978” and complain that Instagram (and other photo apps) mess with a good thing by editing photos too much.

Tilt-shift Big Thunder by @otisney
This tilt-shift Big Thunder Mountain Railroad taken by @otisney on Instagram

 

Well, my personal opinion is that, as a local, I may have taken approximately 1971 photos of Cinderella Castle, and while it never gets old for me, I like to shake things up. Instagram and other photo apps make it easy and fun to focus on one castle spire, or close-up on the clock, do a tilt-shift of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, all sorts of FUN stuff. And, within the Instagram app lies a whole other community, connected by hashtags and common friends, of people that support and enjoy photos as much as you do. It really is a wonderful place. And you can in turn share the photos you create on Instagram over on twitter or Facebook or tumblr or even Flickr and Foursquare. It’s so easy. (And I mentioned fun, right?) One note of caution: many people feel like using social networks in the parks can lead to missing out on what’s going on around you. As someone who is guilty of that, I’ve come up with a sort of solution. I will take photos along the way, but still enjoy everything that’s happening and not get too engrossed in my phone. Then later, when we stop for a break, I’ll edit and post the photos then. It makes for a nice balance where you aren’t spending the entire visit with your head down in your phone.

Over time, I’ve downloaded quite the collection of photo editing apps, for making photos pop or adding some sparkles here and there, and it’s become quite an art form in its own right. Of course other times I just want to share a photo of my cat or my kids being silly. That’s the great part about Instagram, there are no rules. Another great part of the Instagram community are the hashtags, just like on twitter using a tag like this: #disney will allow you to find lots of other photos using that tag, and ensure your photo is seen by more people. It’s also fun to go back and look at hashtags later on and relive the memories you created. My friends, family and I have taken to using “#widdlebabygio” every time we post a photo of my youngest – just looking back on that set of photos puts a huge smile on my face. The use of hashtags then leads to other fun stuff, like photo challenges.

Characters in Flight balloon

Characters in Flight balloon

Prince Eric's Castle

WhimsicalDisneyGram Many people on Instagram start monthly photo-a-day challenges encouraging folks to use their creativity and be committed to posting at least one photo a day, based on the daily topic. This of course branches out into various fandoms, and the Disney fandom on Instagram is huge. My very sparkly and also Instagram-addicted friend, Nicole, from SparklyEverAfter.com and I came up with our very own photo challenge, and this month we’re focusing on the whimsical aspects of Disney (or anything else, you won’t get scolded for using other subject matter!).

Our hashtag for this challenge is #WhimsicalDisneyGram and there you can see all of the daily topics and the photos participants have created. February just started and we’ve already seen some amazing content! So if you haven’t tried Instagram before, give it a go, you just may fall in love! And if you’re already up there, look me up – I’m @zannaland, Nicole is @sparklynicole and you’ll find so many other Disney friends there too! Nicole and I would love to have you take part in our February photo adventure, with more to come each month! No pressure, just drop in and out as you please, and have fun!

I hope to see you ‘gramming soon!

 

Sunset on World of Motion

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Filed Under: Disney Planning, Photos From the Parks, Top Stories, Video Games and Apps Tagged With: #whimsicaldisneygram, android, disney community, Disney parks, Disney photos, Disney pictures, Disney social networking, Instagram, Instagram at Disney, iphone, Nicole Siscaretti, photo apps, Photo challenges, photo editing apps, Photo-a-day, photos, social networks, SparklyEverAfter

Behind the Scenes: Wilderness Lodge Christmas Comes to Life Overnight

13 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation Last evening I stumbled upon the serendipitous event of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Christmas tree installation. I have never, in all of my years of visiting Walt Disney World, ever seen resort holiday decorations being put up, so it was fun to sit back and watch this spectacle. Of course, it’s easy to assume these overnight transformations happen by magic and pixie dust alone, but as I learned last night, it’s actually a huge, multi-cast member operation full of semi-trucks, cranes, ladders and patience!

Below is a slideshow of last night’s events, which continued into the wee hours of the morning. The whole operation began a little after 11pm and I stayed to witness it through 2am, when there was still quite a bit left to assemble on the tree, but so much had already been pixie dusted too. Enjoy the photos of the process!

 

Click any photo to view as a slideshow:

Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree
I couldn’t stay until they were done, but here’s a gorgeous photo of the finished lobby from the talented Tom Bricker.
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The tree is raised up to get more branches installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The Bear family is back in place, waiting to be lit up
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Some deer await their new home
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Another view of the tree being installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More decorations waiting to get installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More sections of the tree stand are installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Ready to be raised higher
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The lights in one section are briefly turned on
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Assessing the situation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Raising the tree
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
THEY use antlers in all of their decorating too!
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The first parts of the tree are installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More installation preparation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The crane goes up almost to the ceiling
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Garland installed on every other floor
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The wreath on the fireplace installed
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
A crane is brought in to hang a chain from the ceiling to support the tree
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
A large wreath is installed over the lobby fireplace
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Unwrapping tree parts
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Close-up of the tee pee ornaments
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
More tree parts – look, the famous tee pees!
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
A wreath awaits installation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Smaller trees are brought in and the floor is protected for the cranes to come in
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Wreaths are brought up to higher floors too
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Boxes of wreaths and tree limbs arrive in the lobby
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
The “before” – setting the stage for the Christmas tree installation
Wilderness Lodge Christmas Tree Installation
Outside wreaths are installed

 

More photos like the last one may be found at Tom Bricker’s site DisneyTouristBlog or on his Flickr account.

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Filed Under: Disney Holidays, Disney Resorts, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: behind the scenes, Christmas, Christmas decorations, christmas tree, Disney, Disney Christmas decorations, Disney holiday, Disney holiday resort decor, Disney hotel decorations, holiday decorations, photos, Walt Disney, Walt Disney World, Wilderness Lodge, Wilderness Lodge Christmas tree, Wilderness Lodge Christmas tree installation, Wilderness Lodge tree

Imagineer Trevor Bryant on the New Test Track – Video and Photos

30 April 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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At the Summer to Remember Media Event I had the opportunity to ask Imagineering Show Producer Trevor Bryant to give us the scoop on what the re-imagined Test Track will offer. Take a peek at this video and see what he shared!

Here are some images of the concept art that was displayed as well. I am loving the “Tron”esque, futuristic glow!
Test Track concept art
Test Track concept art

 

Test Track concept art
Test Track concept art - on-ride portion

 

Test Track concept art
Test Track concept art - on-ride portion

 

Test Track concept art
Test Track concept art - guest area

 

Test Track concept art
Test Track concept art - ride icons

 

How do you like the new feel of the attraction, now sponsored by Chevrolet, compared to when it was sponsored by GM?
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Filed Under: Disney Attractions, Disney News, Guest Authors, Walt Disney World Tagged With: attractions, Chevrolet, concept art, Epcot, EPCOT Center, gm, Imagineer, Imagineer interview, New Test Track, photos, rides, test track, Test Track concept art, Test Track refurbishment, trevor bryant, TRON, Walt Disney World

Disney Dream Inaugural Year Dooney & Bourke Bags

4 February 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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We’ve seen the Disney Cruise Line Dooney & Bourke designs for a while now but with the christening of the brand new floating kingdom, the Disney Dream, an entire new design has been created and is now on sale for the inaugural year of sailings. There was some worry that these new bags would only be available for the actual first inaugural sailing but rest assured, when a new ship debuts, its entire first year is considered the inaugural year. How long into the year these styles will last remains to be seen of course! We can also now assume or hope at least that when the Fantasy sails into Port Canaveral, we will be treated to another exclusive design from Dooney & Bourke. I want to extend special thanks to StitchKingdom for the permission to share his photos below. Be sure to visit his site if you don’t already, he has tons of reviews and info on the Dream’s inaugural voyage!

Disney Cruise Line Dream Inaugural Dooney
Dream Inaugural Dooney & Bourke Collette tote - $260

 

Disney Cruise Line Dream Inaugural Dooney wristlet
Dream Inaugural Dooney & Bourke small coin purse - $45
Disney Cruise Line Dream Inaugural Dooney
Dream Inaugural Dooney & Bourke letter carrier - $155 and small coin purse - $45


DCL Inaurugal Dooney & Bourke
Disney Dream Inaugural Dooney & Bourke line up!

The satchel on the left of the table should be $195 if going by Dooney pricing online for the same style. Will confirm when possible!

 

Other Disney Dooney & Bourke collections may be found here on ZannaLand:

Disney Dooney & Bourke Original Cindy Sketch in White – NEW STYLES!

Disney Dooney & Bourke Multi-colored Mickey Black Handbags

Disney Dooney & Bourke Brown Mickey, Navy Mickey, Pink Minnie Purse Designs

Dooney & Bourke Disney Cruise Line Edition and Colored Wristlets

Disney Dooney & Bourke Cindy Sketch in COLORS

Disneyland 55th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Collection

Disney Dooney and Bourke Princess Handbag Designs

Disney Dooney & Bourke Balloon Design in Black and White

Disney Dooney & Bourke Peace Love Mickey Minnie Denim Bags

Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Dooney & Bourke Collection


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Filed Under: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Merchandise, Disney News Tagged With: coin purse, collette, DCL Dooney, Disney, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line Dooney & Bourke, Disney Dooney, Disney Dooney & Bourke, Disney Dream Inaugural, Disney Dream Inaugural Dooney & Bourke, Dooney & Bourke, Dooney and Bourke, fantasy, inaugural sailing, letter carrier, photos, satchel

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