Liz, Mickey and Minnie

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Disneyland

It’s finally over, the speechless expressions of disbelief that I had never visited Disneyland, despite having lived in San Diego for almost forty years. Well, thanks to TECHmunch, a terrific food bloggers conference, I have – and it was really, really fun. I couldn’t get over how pretty the Park was and how friendly and helpful the “cast” were to us.

My friend Mimi was my enthusiastic tour guide for the day, and commented several times that she had never seen the Park so uncrowded with no lines, despite a beautiful, sunny day. We walked into Blue Bayou at noon for lunch with no reservation. Lunch was pretty fabulous.

IMG_2782

I would still be a Disneyland “virgin” had it not been for TECHmunch, who offered an incredible package of two nights at the fabulous Grand Californian Hotel, a three-day pass to the Park, the conference itself, all for the price of slightly more than two adult admissions to Disneyland for the day.

Hotel

Babette, our fearless leader, assembled a great group of bloggers who spoke on topics ranging from food styling to cyber safety, how to use Pinterest to drive traffic and the important of finding one’s “niche” as a blogger. The day was rich, stimulating and informative.

TECHmunch

We were wined and dined unlike any conference I have ever attended. Lunch was a buffet of stations, each featuring a signature dish from one of many outstanding Disney restaurants. I swooned over the French macarons – passion fruit, strawberry and cassis.

Macarons

The first twenty of us who had registered for TECHmunch were treated to a private cooking demo by Disney’s executive chef, who oversees her staff of more than three hundred.

Disney chef

All in all, TECHmunch was the best food blogging conference I have attended. I won’t miss another when they return to California.

Thanks, Disneyland, I had a ball, and have the sparkly Minnie ears to prove it…

ears

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28 Responses to Liz, Mickey and Minnie

  1. Wendy Read February 2, 2014 at 4:36 pm #

    Sounds fabulous Liz!!! Wish I could have been there with you..I had heard about this conference from Pam Brandon, but it was not in the cards for me to travel. So glad it was a good one for you!

    • Liz February 2, 2014 at 4:57 pm #

      You would have loved it – watch for TECHmunch – they are in Austin, TX next.

  2. The Wimpy Vegetarian February 2, 2014 at 9:55 pm #

    It sounds like a wonderful conference! I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much!

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 8:07 am #

      I hope you have as much fun in September, Susan.

  3. Elizabeth February 3, 2014 at 6:31 am #

    I love when I go somewhere and it exceeds my expectations. It sounds like it was just the case here. One thing about Disney is that it is a well oiled machine. It works. I am in awe at the marketing in every detail. I am sure that you are rejuvenated from the conference.Thanks for sharing.

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 8:08 am #

      You are so right about Disney – they run a great show.

  4. Laura @ Family Spice February 3, 2014 at 9:16 am #

    Now all this post needs is a picture of you WEARING those sparkling ears!!! Glad you had a great time!

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 9:21 am #

      Ha – I should have taken a “selfie”.

  5. Barbara February 3, 2014 at 9:28 am #

    Such a fun post, Liz! I really enjoyed the conference too and was really happy to see you there!

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 10:00 am #

      Great to see you as well, Barbara – you were “glowing” – stay well.

  6. Oakley @ Frieda's February 3, 2014 at 9:53 am #

    It was so lovely to meet you in person! I’m glad you had a great time at the Park. Gosh, now you’re reminding me of those chocolate treats again… #drool

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 10:01 am #

      I enjoyed meeting you as well, Oakley – please keep in touch.

  7. Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence February 3, 2014 at 11:23 am #

    So bummed I missed this! Looks like it was a really fun conference. And how cute are those macarons ;)?

  8. Lisa @ Whisk & Cleaver February 3, 2014 at 11:38 am #

    I’m so glad we got to hang out last week at the conference!! It was such a fun and informative few days, I’m still taking it all in. Glad your first trip to Disney was such a great one!

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 12:07 pm #

      Me too, Lisa, I always need a few days to absorb what I learn at a conference.

  9. Lynn @ oh-soyummy February 3, 2014 at 12:50 pm #

    Wow first trip to Disneyland?! Better late than never! Besides the awesome food, hope you learned some fun things to apply to your blog! We don’t do many recipes on our blog so it’s great to find inspiration on other people’s! I love making new foods!

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 1:40 pm #

      Great conference and I learned a lot.

  10. Jayne February 3, 2014 at 1:37 pm #

    Sounds like you had a great time! It’s sounded like a great event. So glad you enjoyed Disney (who wouldn’t?) I was looking forward to seeing you in the Minnie ears!

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 1:40 pm #

      It was so fun, Jayne, and no lines or waiting. My friends said I brought them “Beginner’s Luck”.

  11. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious February 3, 2014 at 1:40 pm #

    oh yeah, those macarons were to die for! The cassis…..I am dreaming.

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 2:43 pm #

      And they are so hard to make, at least for me –

  12. Suzanne February 3, 2014 at 1:45 pm #

    What fun Liz, I went to Disneyland as a child, many moons ago. It’s just beautiful there and to think you were at a bloggers conference, really a wonderful location and the food looks great.

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 2:43 pm #

      Suzanne, it was a perfect combo of fun, friends and learning.

  13. Babette February 3, 2014 at 3:28 pm #

    Hi Liz! I didn’t know that you’ve never been to Disneyland. Sweet! So happy to be part of that first memory with you. Thanks again for joining us… looking forward to connecting!

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 4:40 pm #

      Babette, thank you again for such a wonderful event and lots of great experiences.

  14. Jeanne @JollyTomato February 3, 2014 at 5:52 pm #

    LOL – I STILL haven’t been to Disneyland, despite living in SoCal for 17 years and having two kids. I really wanted to go to TechMunch, though – I would have been glad to end my streak there because it sounds like everyone had a great time. Glad to hear it was fun!

    • Liz February 3, 2014 at 5:58 pm #

      You make me feel less like a weirdo – thanks, Jeanne…

  15. Beth (OMG! Yummy) February 5, 2014 at 4:28 pm #

    I so wanted to be there with you but home duty calls. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of it all.

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