Unlike my trip to California last year, my flights went a lot smoother. Not only was I able to get 8 posts written, I also came away headache-free (I planned ahead this time and loaded up on Aspirin before the flight). I was thrilled to head off to San Francisco, hoping to see not only Pixar Animation studios, but also Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge (and I saw the both!!) and of course the screening of Brave.
When I arrived at the airport I was excited to meet Sippy Cup Mom, a blogger I had never met, as well as some old favorites like Texas Mommy Blogger Crystal, and Jennifer from Simply Stacie (not that the bloggers are old ;), just old friends!).
Disney and Pixar put is up San Francisco's very own Hotel Palomar. Now, while I love a good hotel, the only thing this single mama had her eyes set on was this:
Can you say KING BED!! With NO CHILDREN in it!! Whoot Whoot! I loved this bed, and spent as much time as possible in it. It was so nice to get a break from crying babies, sippy cups under my back, and little feet kicking me in the head. Now don't get me wrong, I missed them and so many things made me think "Man, I wish the kids could see this", but not the bed! The bed made me say "No Bed For You!". I will write a Hotel Palomar review for all my travel fans soon, but for now just picture yourself in that bed!
After checking out my room, and eating some snacks from the Mini-Bar I headed down to do a little San Fran shopping before we went to Pixar and boy was the shopping unlike anything I had ever seen! I have never seen stores as big, messy, or filled to the brim with shoppers. Those Californians know how to get their shopping on, well them and my good friend Rebecca, from Macaroni kid. Now that girl can shop! 🙂
We finally headed to Pixar Animation Studios, when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a lamp and a ball that goes squish should appear!
When we got inside I really was thinking that my kids would be so jealous! So I sent them pictures, just to make sure I was right, and I was!
We really didn't have a lot of time to spend looking around the first night, because we were there to do business. We were there to watch the new Pixar short La Luna, and also screen the first 30 minutes of Brave!
I loved La Launa and the first 30 minutes of Brave. La Luna was such a sweet short about a little boy torn between two battling family members (his father and grandfather) and finding his own way, as they tried to lead him in theirs. It was a sweet story that made me really consider what my children see in terms of my relationships with others, and how that can be a shaping influence, but I shouldn't expect them to be my clone. It was a celebration of family and individuality, but in a real way. Real families don't always get along. I loved the look and feel of the short, it was a classic yet modern look that brought tradition and technology together in a seamless way. Everything about the film was sweet from the big shining eyes of the main character to the clinking sound the stars made, as they landed on the moon. Kids and adults alike will fall in love with La Luna!
Merida is full of personality, and will not take no for an answer, While she rebels in ways that are sure to require consequence, she isn't a mindless girly girl, like many of the characters our girls are bombarded with today. The mother daughter relationship hits the nail on the head. It's loving, and sweet, and frustrating, and annoying. Just like the majority of mother daughter relationships during a girls teen years.
This movie is loaded with fantasy, the reality of family life, and suspense, and after watching it for 30 minutes and ending at a cliff hanger I am excited to find out what will unfold!
Brave opens June 22nd! Hope to see you there!
~Disney and Pixar fully funded my trip to San Francisco. All opinions are my own.
Read more about Pixar's Brave:
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