The Land of Disneyland Seeks To Prove There’s More Here Than Mickey (Like A Tiki Bar, For Example)
Driving through Anaheim is always an interesting experience. It’s like entering a fantasy land, something that doesn’t really exist. Am I dreaming, or is this all real?
This is, of course, because Anaheim is where Disneyland is located and no matter one’s age, it’s easy to think back to being a kid and going to Disneyland (or, in my case, Disney World).
Parts of Anaheim are like a Las Vegas for families. Attractions to the right, attractions to the left. A themed restaurant here, a themed restaurant there. When driving, try and avoid running into the occasional wayward tourist who ventures unexpectedly out into the street.
For locals of Los Angeles, it’s hard to think of Anaheim as do tourists, as a destination. It’s a place to zip in and zip out of for the occasional jaunts to Disneyland or to catch an Angels game. But is perception really reality?
That’s what the Anaheim Visitors & Convention Bureau sought to change when it invited area bloggers to the OC Blogger Bash in early October at the Convention Center.
Mickey Mouse wasn’t there in the “flesh” but Snoopy was present (Knott’s Berry Farm is just down the street).
And it was far from a Mickey Mouse event.
In fact, I was quite impressed with its style and presence. As someone who attends and even puts on a lot of events, I can say it was well organized and orchestrated.
It was mainly a chance for bloggers of all types to meet and mingle and to inspire this activity, there was a band, a fashion show of sorts – models came down the huge escalators in the Convention Center lobby to music – and something everyone could enjoy: Good prizes, very good food from the Convention Center’s catering and a bar.
The setting was elegant, but not overboard. There was a 60s theme and a pair of classic cars in a drive-in setting with the movie Pillow Talk showing, and that added to the atmosphere.
I can’t say I made a lot of networking traction with any fellow bloggers. Most were ladies in areas completely unrelated to bars and party events as covered by the Bars Blogger (fashion, food, even mom and kids blogs) but it was good to meet the organizers and the Convention Bureau PR representative. My investigative party reporting even uncovered the fact there is a tiki bar at the Disneyland Hotel, of all places.
What it did most of all was put Anaheim on the blogging radar screen. There is, apparently, more there than Mickey.
And here’s the olive to my martini, so to speak, from the night. For posting this blog, I won $100 gift cards to Perry Ellis. So at the next OC Blogger bash, I’ll really be styling!
Link: Anaheim Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
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