I feel so incredibly fortunate for the amazing, out-of-this-world opportunities that this blogging journey has provided. When I first started blogging five years ago, I would have laughed out loud if you told me about some of the incredible experiences this platform would provide me. I have had so many pinch-me, is-this-really-happening moments over the last few years, thanks to a little dreaming on my end and to YOU all for following along and making it possible. Such was the moment when HSN invited me to attend my first red carpet premiere: Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns. I should have posted this blog months ago, after we attended the premiere at the end of last November, but then the craziness of the holidays happened and I didn’t think it would be something you all were interested in hearing about. But lately, I’ve really been trying to hone in and listen to what YOU all want to see on the blog (fun fact: my top post of all time is actually My Disney World Bachelorette Party!), and I often receive messages and comments from you about posting more Disney and travel-related content (you can read all of my Disney posts here and all of my travel posts here), so this post is a very belated answer to that (so sorry for my tardiness, y’all!).
So at last, here it is. Sharing my first-ever red carpet world movie premiere, which I got to experience with my sister Tiffany, at the Mary Poppins Returns premiere at the Dolby Theatre in LA. From walking at an arm’s distance length to some major Disney legends to getting to see the film alongside the entire cast at the historic Dolby Theatre, this was one of the coolest things this Disney fanatic has ever gotten to do, and I’m so excited to share it with you, albeit a little bit late, here on the blog. Click through to see all of our photos and details from the Disney Mary Poppins Returns world premiere.
HOW WE GOT TO GO TO THE PREMIERE
So as a back story…I was asked by the HSN team to attend the Mary Poppins premiere in LA to help promote their gorgeous Mary Poppins Returns collection, which is still available to shop online (I’ve included photos featuring some of the pieces throughout this post + links to shop beneath the photos of the products!) So a huge thank you to the amazing HSN team for making this girl’s dreams come true!!! If you can’t tell, Tiffany and I were totally geeking out over the entire experience, complete with our very own VIP red carpet passes (like…whaaaat?!)
SHOP OUR LOOKS
MY LILAC VELVET DRESS: For Love and For Lemons // TIFFANY’S HOT PINK DRESS: NBD // MY BOOK CLUTCH: Danielle Nicole
ARRIVING AT THE PREMIERE
It was actually one of the rare evenings where it rained in LA., so the red carpet at the premiere was located under some huge tents leading up to the Dolby Theatre. As we walked in, we checked in and were given our VIP red carpet passes, then directed to the official red carpet path. As we walked into the next tent, our senses were overwhelmed with sights and sounds from the movie. It was absolutely stunning…cherry trees lined the carpet, along with cobbled stone carpets, lamp lights, balloons and live performers that looked as though they were working a carnival. Though we hadn’t seen the movie yet, we knew all was inspired by the new film (and as huge lovers of the original Mary Poppins, we recognized many familiar scenes).
HANGING WITH DISNEY LEGENDS
We were totally un-prepared for what happened next…a Disney rep came to greet us and took us down a narrow path which led to yet another red carpet tent. Suddenly, I started recognizing Disney legends and mega stars casually standing all around us. Tiffany and I totally tried our best to keep our cool and stay calm as we were geeking out on the inside!! We passed by Josh Gad, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Dick Van-Dyke, to name a few. Then as we went over to the HSN product booth, located right next to the E! News booth were they were conducting interviews, I realized Emily Blunt was standing back to back with Tiffany. I was half frozen and star-struck and half way just didn’t want to draw attention to ourselves, so I didn’t get a photo of Emily Blunt, but I did get to very discreetly take a shot of Lin-Manuel Miranda as we were standing in the HSN booth. Y’all- it was SO darn cool!!! I just couldn’t believe I was standing there with so many Disney legends I look up to.
WATCHING THE MOVIE WITH THE STARS
For the next hour or so, Tiffany and I stood at the HSN booth, capturing content for my IG stories to share, and also geeking out over all of the celebrity entrances and happenings all around us. After that, we were whisked into the Dolby Theatre, were everyone had to place their phone in a bag that was locked by security guards. The bags couldn’t be opened again until you left the theatre, so that no videos or images of the film could get out to the public before the official premiere in December. It was very intense y’all! And I so wish I would have had my phone just to show you the look of the theatre. This is the theatre we had watched on television for years…the one where the Grammy’s and Oscars are held. It was STUNNING. They offered free popcorn in commemorative buckets and drinks to all attendees.. Then, we found our seats and waited for the movie to begin. We could see all of the cast from the movie make their way down to the front row. As we waited for the movie to premiere, we casually watchedMatt Daemon speaking just a few rows down from us to Disney CEO Bob Iger. It was just unreal to see all of these stars in real life!! Then, the movie started. I laughed, I cried, I loved every moment. One Of the coolest parts was to hear everyone in the audience clap when a new character was introduced and after every song performed in the movie, almost as if we were watching a live Broadway production. Then, at the end, the director got up on the stage and called out for the entire cast to get up and spoke + thanked everyone in the cast in crew. SO.FREAKING.COOL. y’all!!!
THE HSN MARY POPPINS RETURNS COLLECTION
Here’s a peek at the HSN booth featuring the products from their exclusive Mary Poppins Returns Collection on the red carpet. I am completely obsessed with the Mary Poppins bag inspired by the one in the film. I did receive a few of the items from the collection, but this one sold out too fast!! Luckily, it was restocked!!! So you can shop it for yourselves now here!
THE AFTER PARTY
After we watched the movie, we were all invited to an exclusive after party that was in walking distance of the theatre. Once again, we were just awe-struck as we entered the room, completely decked out in a carnival theme as a nod to the movie. There were balloon artists, cotton candy AKA “candy floss” makers, arts & crafts stations, live performers and so much more. There were also giant dessert tables, buffets of delicious food and a few gorgeous bars so the adults could have some fun too.
Tiffany and I were only in LA for one night for the event, but above are some of the other Mary Poppins-inspired looks I wore during our short but very magical trip. This was truly one of the most amazing experiences, and one I will never forget! Tiffany and I both agreed it will go down in our top 10 coolest moments of our lives. Thank you so much again to HSN for this unforgettable experience. If you ever get a chance to go to a red carpet movie premiere, absolutely GO (especially if it happens to be a Disney one!!) It was such a cool experience. Also, in case you haven’t seen it yet, Mary Poppins Returns is now available on DVD, and it’s an absolute must-see and must-own if you’re a Disney movie collector like me. Just as magic as the first and with the most iconic music that fits right along with the original soundtrack.
Stay tuned for more Disney and travel-related content here on the blog!!
Fairwell xx,
