Magical Media Retreat: Day 1
What a whirlwind it’s been since I attending the Magical Media Retreat in Anaheim, California. I wanted to sit down and write out a few things about the retreat and my takeaways. There is so much to cover so I’m going to break it into two parts. So here goes…
Day 1:
The retreat started off with an optional day at Disneyland. Most of the attendees went and it was a lot of fun to meet more creatives, enjoy the park without toddlers in tow (even thought that is also FUN but different) and just relax and enjoy the magic that is Disneyland. We met up early for Rope drop at 8 am (it is totally worth it!) and headed over to Big Thunder Mountain. Unfortunately it was closed, so we booked it over to Mickey’s Runaway Railway as our first ride in the park.
Tangent alert: Disneyland is sooooo good with details. It is a designer’s paradise because every little thing (even down to the floor in the lines) is meticulously planned and thought out. I appreciate it so much as a graphic designer and find it super inspiring. Next time you go, look for all of the little details and see what you can discover!
Ok back to the day! We took a refreshment break sponsored by Pilot Pen and wrote postcards to family and friends. Did you know that you can send letters from Disneyland? They have mailboxes in the park and they are not just for show, they will deliver your mail! It was such a fun and special detail to discover.
So next time you go, bring a postcard and a stamp!
Most of the day was spent getting to know one another, hopping on rides, eating all of the yummy treats and enjoying the beautiful weather at the happiest place on earth. It was a moderately busy day, but we didn’t spend much time in line and I ended up hitting all the rides I wanted to. So if you’re looking to visit Disneyland, February is a great month to do it. There is always a chance that you’ll get a rainy day (which can also be to your advantage since most don’t want to brave the weather) but usually it’s not too bad.
Amanda Schied
Have you seen this wall by the Small World ride?? It’s the perfect backdrop for a fun family photoshoot.
After a fun filled afternoon, we headed over to Downtown Disney for dinner at Naples Ristorante e Bar. They have two different dining options: one is at Napolini Pizzeria (quick service, order at the counter) and Naples Ristorante (sit down and chill!). I had been to Napolini with the family a few years back and the pizza was a great quick lunch or dinner option when you’re visiting Disneyland.
Naples Ristorante e Bar is more of the sit down, relax and unwind type vibe. It has a great ambiance, the restaurant is cozy and the food is delicious. The restaurant spoiled us at the retreat with a catered meal of pizza, gluten free pasta (many of our attendees had food allergies so it was so nice they accommodated) and salad.
After dinner, I headed back to Disneyland with my sister and her kids and we closed out the park! Rope drop to close baby! It was quite a day but it was so fun and joyful! Stay tuned for Day 2!
And a huge shout out to our retreat photographer, Amanda Schied for all of the beautiful photos. If you’re in Orange County and looking for a fun family photographer, check her out!
Check out more real time details about the day on Insta.
