Disneyland and Techmunch LA… What an Experience!

Every year I enjoy a week Week at Marriot Newport Coast Villas with my family. I look forward to this week every year! I recently returned from this fabulous week with another experience under my belt…

Soooooo I not only enjoyed this:

This is my annual dream spot…LOVE IT!

But, I also had another experience which I am sharing today!

TECHmunch LA 2014 at Disneyland Resort

SNEAK PEEK!

This past month I had the opportunity to attend an amazing Food Blogging Conference, TECHmunch LA 2014  at Disneyland! I know, I’m not a proclaimed food blogger (although sometimes I feel it in my blood) but when I heard about this opportunity I immediately knew I must be there. Looking at the agenda I knew I could benefit from it. Turns out that my family was going to be on our annual Newport Coast Vacation that same week which was a short 20 minutes from the conference. I knew that I could take some time out to learn and enjoy the goodness of TECHmunch!

The Conference was a three day event at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort which is on site at Disneyland California Adventures. I wish I could of taken advantage of the whole experience by staying at the Grand Californian but I already was in our lovely vacation timeshare for the week. The Conference started with a Cocktail hour on Wed evening. Thursday was an all day conference sessions taught by some very accomplished bloggers and tech experts. It also included an AMAZING two hour “Taste of Disneyland” lunch. I will go into more detail, with photos, below! Friday was enjoying Disneyland Resort and participating in a Disney Scavenger Hunt which involved photographing all sorts of disney food items and specialties throughout the resort. I didn’t participate in day 1 and 3 because I chose to spend the time with my vacationing family but I sure enjoyed so many photos from those events on social media! The conference came with two 3-day Disneyland Park-hopper passes so my Husband and I as well as my daughters family enjoyed time at Disneyland as well.

OK! I know I had many ask me details about my Conference experience. I pretty much plastered my social media on Thursday with all kinds of wonderful TECHmunch and Disneyland details. 😉

TECHmunch conference is presented by BakeSpace.com and Babette Pepaj. Babette is an amazing lady! Her website is——–>>BakeSpace (check it out!). I sure gained a lot of respect for Babette. She is intelligent, talented, super friendly and fun! IT also had some amazing sponsors. Disneyland does everything GRAND and they definitely spoiled us at the Disney Grand Californian Resort. I can’t believe how many employees they had there seeing that our every need was attended to. Let me tell you, if Disney is involved it’s going to be out of this world!

So here is my experience in pictures. I must admit that The conference was priority #1 and my pictures may have lacked a little. I am kicking myself now that I didn’t do a little better in the photo department. Hopefully you can still enjoy TECHmunch through my experience!

Awesome day filled with goodness!

We had wonderful classes all day on subjects such as Finding your Niche, Branding, Plating Food,  PR, Google, Future of Blogging, and much more! I definitely was inspired, learned, and benefited from these classes! You can refer to TECHmunch website HERE to see more about the wonderful classes, speakers, and sponsors. I also learned that food bloggers are really FUN and FRIENDLY people! Yay!

Then, a highlight of our day was…

“A Taste of Disneyland Lunch Sponsored by Disney”

This was a 2 hour Lunch with food stations from 10 of Disney’s top restaurants and chefs! It was truly an experience that won’t be forgotten! Enjoy the photos!! I’m starting with desserts because it is my blog and I can do that! Hahah 😀

FABULOUS, just fabulous!

I just LOVED how they painted that gold dusting on the cute “Mickey Macaroons”!

These whoopie pies were delicious!

Amazing to watch this creation!

Need I say more? The pictures tell a lot! Yes, I did sample most of it, including the 12 layer cake! I was so enthralled in the chef making the sugar ribbons. It was fun watching him create such beautiful and intricate designs.

The FOOD did not disappoint either. Take a look!

From the response I observed, the Lambchops were a favorite! I am not a big meat lover and not so sure about Lamb but this dish was so delightful! The meat literally melted in your mouth. In fact I want it right now… ahhhhhh Another favorite of mine was the fried pickles from the Carnation Cafe. OMG. Lets just say I will be experiencing those again on my next trip to Disneyland!

They even had a beautiful drink station!

Crushed ice, flavored water, spritzers… Refreshing!

Another highlight of my lunch was visiting with Melody Pepaj (mother of Babette@BakeSpace). What a lovely lady! She allowed us to take this snapshot of her sampling this amazing lunch. Thanks Melody for the cute picture and company!

That is pretty much it for my conference experience. One more photo and a silly tidbit about Disney…

They take care of you at Disney!

OK, this is just because I was amazed by the fact that at the Disneyland Grand Californian there was a little older women who serviced the restroom the whole day. She would hide out in a little room and when people left, she would come out and wipe down the sink and put out new hand towels. That was her job. ALL day long! And by the way who likes those paper towels to dry hand on anyway? Cloths are much better. Thanks Disney! 🙂

Remember when I mentioned my 3 day park-hopper tickets? It was my first experience at Cars Town. I loved it! Radiator Springs was a blast… especially the last few seconds of the ride!

I had a BLAST!

It was also my first experience seeing Olaf at Disneyland. He actually wakes up and talks a bit. My grandson loved it! My family enjoyed Disneyland while I was close by at the conference on Thursday. I joined them to close out a FABULOUS day!

I am truly grateful for this opportunity and taking advantage of this amazing conference!

Thanks for sharing this experience with me!

Jillene