I'm finally back from LA and what an experience it was. Beyond my wildest dreams, I was flown out to Hollywood with an amazing group of bloggers to attend the World Premiere of Disney Pixar's CARS 2, but today I want to let you guys in on everything that happened BEFORE the big day.

Day one was all about the cutest bear we've come to love. The NEW Winnie the Pooh Movie hits theaters on July 15th and I'll be one of the first in line with my kids. The movie strikes a perfect balance of creativeness in keeping true to the Classic Tale we've come to love in A.A. Milne's characters, but it also embraces today's times with it's witty humor. While I can't say much about the movie, quite yet, I will let you guys in on the exclusive behind-the-scenes fun we got to experience at the Walt Disney Animation Studios.


Upon arrival, we filled our tummies and got a first hand look into the hallways of the Animation Studio where it was donned with all things Winnie the Pooh:

We were then wisked away to the ABC Building where we had our very own private screening of the NEW Winnie the Pooh Movie. Not really knowing what to expect, I will say this, it exceeded my expectations and I was pleasantly surprised and eager to tell everyone about this new movie. My review will be posted closer to release date.

I had no idea what was to come after our screening, but WOW. We walked back to the Animation Studios where we met with Directors of the film Don Hall & Stephen Anderson. You can just see the passion in their eyes and the excitement that exudes from their faces as the discussed all the behind the scenes work and how the voices were cast. It was quite amazing. It's been over 35 years since Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood gang has hit the big screen. Most of the Pooh films go straight to DVD. We learned all the aspects of how Lasseter and the Directors brought them back in a big way.

"Our mandate was that Winnie the Pooh should find a broad audience - little kids, big kids, teenagers, 20-somethings, and beyond. We felt we needed to take Pooh back to his roots. - Don Hall

I got to fully appreciate all that goes into an animated movie such as this, by meeting with the talent behind film such as Burny Matthinson, Senor Story Artist and animator Lisa Keene. We had a drawing demo with Bruce Smith, supervising animator for Piglet, Kanga, and Roo. Hearing his story of how he came to be an animator gives a while new meaning to the saying Disney is the place where dreams come true.

Lastly, we met with the voices behind Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, played by Jim Cummings, along with Tom Kenny the voice of Rabbit (who's also the voice of Sponge Bog Square Pants). It was a joy to hear how their careers began and their placement in this film. The icing on the cake came when we recorded a voice over for a scene in the movie.

I can rock a good Piglet if I don't say so myself.


Sneak Peek:

I leave you with the Winnie the Pooh Movie trailer. It's truly a creative masterpiece and I ask you to join me in supporting this classic when it hits theaters July 15th.



Being embraced in all the elements of the NEW Winnie the Pooh movie, it brought me back to my own childhood and the love of A.A Milne's creation of the Hundred Acre Wood. I can identify with Piglet in being scared to go my own way, but time and time again I'm covered with love from my own friends and family... my own Pooh Bear, Rabbit, Owl, and Tigger. What about you? Who do you identify most with in the cast of Winnie the Pooh?



Check out more of our Disney Dreamworks Event Coverage:

• Baytown Mom Heads to Hollywood! 
• CARS 2 Prize Pack Giveaway! 
• Wordless Wednesday: Latinas on the Red Carpet for CARS 2 
• Hollywood Day 1: Meeting the Talent of Winnie the Pooh
• Toys News: CARS 2 Toys Hit Store Shelves
• Hollywood Day 2: Screening The Help Movie and Holding an Oscar 
• Movie Talk: Who Do You Call in CARS 2?

Disclosure: This post made possible by Disney, who provided me with an all expense paid trip to LA. Opinions, stated, are always my own and never wavered by products received nor compensated unless, otherwise, stated.

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