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Disclaimer: Disney, Pixar and ABC have invited me to San Francisco on an all-expenses paid trip, in exchange for my coverage of these events, which includes an exclusive CARS 3 event, visit to PIXAR and more. As always, all opinions are my own.

VROOM! VROOM! Let’s start those engines! Well, not until next week. Though I’ll be taking an airplane from Dallas to San Francisco, it’s all cars, cars, cars once I land. I can’t help but sit here singing “Life is a Highway” at the top of my lungs as I daydream about the trip.

But first, let’s just talk about Disney and PIXAR’s amazingly successful franchise, CARS! Boys and girls, men and women, racecars and luxury vehicles alike, ALL adore the characters and stories that have been shared with us over the years. And now we can add another this summer with CARS 3 in theaters June 16th. Did you see my discussion about the CARS 3 cast and new characters?

CARS and my family go hand in hand (and not just because my uncle worked for a racecar driver).

Last year my family and I stayed at Walt Disney World and resort-hopped (as we often do because the resorts are ALL simply so perfect). One of our stays was at their newest resort, Art of Animation, where they literally have CARS family suites. Not only that, but walking through the grounds was THRILLING as you literally felt like you were inside the movie. Everything from the the sidewalks to the pool area was completely themed CARS!

Then there’s the reason we LOVE Disneyland’s California Adventure theme park so much, CARSLAND, which features Radiator Springs Racers ride, a thrilling race that takes you through everything CARS (but not as thrilling as one race I’ll be taking next week – read on for more)

You can imagine my excitement when I received a pixie-dusted email inviting me to San Francisco Monday, March 27th – Wednesday, March 29th to attend a press event for Disney/Pixar’s CARS 3 at Pixar Animation Studios and the Sonoma Raceway!

Did you see that?

PIXAR!

The PIXAR (As in CARS, TOY STORY, INSIDE OUT, FINDING DORY, MONSTERS, INC., etc) ! You won’t want to miss following along on this unforgettable trip. I’m pinching myself.

Along with 24 other bloggers, I’ll be arriving into San Francisco and attend a reception at Pixar with footage from CARS 3. The CARS 3 Event will be off to an incredible start!

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“), produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short) and co-produced by Andrea Warren (“LAVA” short), “Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.

Let’s take a look…

And then there’s LOU! Disney shorts are so much bigger than you think they’ll be. PIPER (played before FINDING DORY) had me in tears with its beauty. LAVA and FEAST were incredible. So, I have high hopes for LOU.

We’ll have the chance to screen the short film LOU, a six-minute short which will show right before CARS 3 in theaters this June.

My understanding is that it will tackle playground bullying, but I’ll be able to find out much more next week as we get an opportunity to meet Director Dave Mullins and Producer Dana Murray.

One highlight of next week will be press day at the Sonoma Raceway for CARS 3 including interviews with Director Brian Fee, Producer Kevin Reher and various animators! It’s not often that I’ve had the opportunity to chat with an animator, and anyone who knows me can vouch that one of my favorite things to do is draw characters when visiting Disney Parks! This will be a real treat.

From the writers and designers to the animators, director and producers, we’ll have the opportunity to listen as we learn about how this new film came to be, challenges and all. One incredible opportunity is getting to listen to the history of racing from Ray Evernham (Former Crew Chief for Hendrick Motorsports)!

And then…

Cars 3 Racing — NEXT-GEN TAKES THE LEAD — Jackson Storm (voice of Armie Hammer), a frontrunner in the next generation of racers, posts speeds that even Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) hasn’t seen. “Cars 3” is in theaters June 16, 2017. ©2016 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

I’ll get to take a lap around the racetrack in a real racecar, learn how to quickly change out a tire at a pit stop and go on a tour of the garage.

WAIT! WHAT?

Yes, with GoPro at the ready, I’ll be taking a lap around the Sonoma Raceway! I think at this point my husband is incredibly jealous. And me, well, I’m a teeny bit scared! How fast will we go?

Get Social: Pixar Cars on Facebook, on Twitter (#Cars3 and #Lou), and on Instagram.

But there’s more to the Cars 3 Event than just CARS…

I’ll also have the opportunity to screen the upcoming Disneynature film BORN IN CHINA opening in theaters this April 17th and rated G! Perfect for families everywhere!

Narrated by John Krasinski (“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” NBC’s “The Office,” “Amazon’s “Jack Ryan”), Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure film “Born In China” takes an epic journey into the wilds of China where few people have ever ventured. Following the stories of three animal families, the film transports audiences to some of the most extreme environments on Earth to witness some of the most intimate moments ever captured in a nature film.

A doting panda bear mother guides her growing baby as she begins to explore and seek independence. A two-year-old golden monkey who feels displaced by his new baby sister joins up with a group of free-spirited outcasts. And a mother snow leopard—an elusive animal rarely caught on camera—faces the very real drama of raising her two cubs in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on the planet. Featuring stunning, never-before-seen imagery, the film navigates China’s vast terrain—from the frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest—on the wings of red-crowned cranes, seamlessly tying the extraordinary tales together. Opening in U.S. theaters on Earth Day 2017, “Born in China” is directed by accomplished Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan, and produced by Disney’s Roy Conli and renowned nature filmmakers Brian Leith and Phil Chapman.

Let’s take a look:

As with all other Disneynature films, I know I will be impressed by the breathtaking scenery.

Get Social: Disneynature on Facebook, on Twitter (#BornInChina), and on Instagram.

We’ll be heading to PIXAR to learn more about PIXAR in a Box and then it’s time for puppies!

Premiering this April on Disney Junior is the new animated show, PUPPY DOG PALS!

We’ll discover fun-loving pug puppy brothers Bingo and Rolly, whose thrill-seeking appetites take them on adventures in their neighborhood and around the globe. Whether helping their owner, Bob, or assisting a friend in need, the pugs’ motto is that life is more exciting with your best friend by your side.

The series features two 11-minute stories that showcase Bingo and Rolly’s similarities and differences and demonstrate positive lessons about friendship, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity and adventure.

Get Social: Disney Junior on Facebook, DisneyChannelPR on Twitter (#PuppyDogPals), and Disney Junior on Instagram.

We will also have the opportunity to screen the series premiere episode of “The Toy Box,” an eight-episode series hosted by Eric Stonestreet (“Modern Family”) and premiering on Friday, April 7th at 8/7c on ABC.

This is the ultimate toy-competition series, which will provide talented designers with the chance of a lifetime: an opportunity to bring their toy concept to life with industry-giant Mattel and to the shelves of Toys ”R” Us the day after the series finale. Inventors present their toy concepts to a group of mentors that include Pixar Creative Director of Consumer Products Jen Tan, who I’ll have the opportunity to meet.

I CANNOT WAIT to watch this with my daughter!

Get Social: The Toy Box on Facebook, The Toy Box on Twitter (#TheToyBox), and on Instagram.

So…be sure to follow along Monday, March 27th – Wednesday, March 29th for exclusive scoop, photos and more! We’ll be using the hashtags: #Cars3Event, #PuppyDogPalsEvent, #ABCTVEvent, #TheToyBox and #BornInChina!

You’ll want to make sure you are following me and let me know if you have any questions you’d love for me to ask!