Just Keep Swimming to the theater to watch Finding Dory THIS FRIDAY!! #FindingDoryEvent

Disclosure: Disney provided me with an all expenses paid trip to Los Angeles including travel, accommodations and activities. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Red carpet world premiere – impossible to think that this lady from Johannesburg, South Africa would ever be attending such a prestigious, once in a lifetime event, but I got to do just that. 

On June 8^th I was lucky enough to attend the world premiere screening of Finding Dory.  I find it impossible to believe that it has been 13 years since I watched Finding Nemo for the first time and now I’m watching Finding Dory, in Los Angeles, in the same theater as Ellen DeGeneres, Ed Harris, and Kaitlin Olson, to name a few.  Pinch me so I know I’m not dreaming!

We got to get all dressed up, I even wore a dress!! 

Once we arrived we were ushered along the red, well actually blue, carpet.  We got to watch as celebrities walked by, the crowd who had gathered to watch the event went crazy when Ellen and Portia arrived, as was to be expected.  Saying that I was on the same street as Ellen still seems surreal, a memory I’ll never forget.  

After walking the carpet we entered The El Capitan theater to finally watch the movie we had all been waiting so long for.  Enjoy the trailer below as a sneak peak;

Once we had laughed, and cried during the movie we were lucky enough to join the after party which was ON Hollywood Blvd, they shut down the whole street.  There were giant balloons, fish tanks, giant Dory figures, and amazing food.

While we got to walk around the after party, we played games, took selfies with celebrities and posed with the fun and entertaining Finding Dory inspired decorations. 

I got to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience with this amazing group of ladies, many great and wonderful friends!!

Finding Dory Movie Review

Pixar has once again outdone themselves.  The animation truly makes every scene come to life and often you’ll feel as if you too are in the water with the characters as they swim and move around.  

You’ll be introduced to new characters that you’ll love from the very beginning.  Introducing Destiny a whale shark, Bailey a beluga whale, and Hank a mimic octopus, to name a few.  Meet Hank by watching the video below;

Prior to having a child of my own I simply watched movies, I didn’t always think about them having an impact or a meaning behind them.  However, after having Gradie I love movies that tell a fun and entertaining story but also leave you with a much deeper meaning behind them.

Finding Dory is one of those movies, humorous for kids and adults alike, it’ll have you laughing until you cry and just plain crying.  You’ll leave realizing the meanings behind the film that sets in, the messages you can take from the movie and instill in your and your family’s lives. 

• Just Keep Swimming, 3 simple words that have had a profound meaning in so many peoples lives and I look forward to teaching Gradie the importance of this phrase. 
• Family – family takes many shapes and forms.  We have the family we are born into, however we don’t need blood to create a family.  Finding Dory shows us that a family can and does take many forms.  When separated from our loved ones we can take comfort in the fact that those you surround yourselves with can and do take the form of family, filling that void and making you feel love d and accepted. 
• Disabilities – be it learning disabilities or physical disabilities, Finding Dory teaches us that with the love and care of those close to us you are able to overcome.  Dory works through her memory loss, Destiny works through her vision difficulties and Bailey realizes that his ability to use his sonar skills has been there all along, but none of these realizations would have happened had it not been for those around them pushing them.

IF there was ever a fear that a sequel to Finding Nemo was a bad idea, or that it wouldn’t be successful, I am happy to let you know that this sequel is magic, it’s all I could ever have asked for and so much  more!!

I cannot encourage you enough to head out to your local theater on June 17, with your whole family, you will not be disappointed!!

• Like FINDING DORY on Facebook 
• Follow FINDING DORY on Twitter 
• Follow Disney/Pixar on Instagram 
• Follow Disney Studios on Pinterest 
• Visit the official website here 

FINDING DORY swims into theatres everywhere on June 17th!

 

I am excited to share with you a fun giveaway, sponsored by Alex Woo!!  She created these Finding Dory inspired necklaces and TWO lucky readers will each be winning one!!  

Enter via entry form below, see disclosure at bottom of post.

 

 
The giveaway is open to residents of the US only, ages 18 and up. It will end on 6/27/16 at 11:59 PM EST. One winner will be randomly selected using the Giveaway Tools random selector and notified via email. Once notified, the winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or Google. Void where prohibited.