TOY STORY THREE.

i won on twitter again!
this time it was 4 passes to an advanced private screening of toy story 3 from LA radio station power 106.

i was ecstatic because my 4 year old kept bugging to see it and what better way than to go FREE and before everyone else? since we had to pick up the tickets at the radio station in burbank, we waited till the day of the preview so we could go just hit burbank in one trip (it’s about a 30 minute drive for us without traffic). got to power 106 and had to park in the parking structure across the building (under 20 minutes is FREE! $1 for each 20 minutes after). had to check-in with security at the front desk-he put my name and my 11 year old’s name in the computer and then had to walk us to the elevator. power 106 is on the 8th floor and the waiting area is pretty spiffy – lots of modern deco. free famous stars and straps stickers and la weekly for the taking. i checked in at the window (sorta like the ticket window at the movies), had to show my ID and sign the usual waiver saying power 106 isn’t liable, etc. got our passes and we were on our way YAY!

since it was only 4pm and the movie wasn’t till 730pm we decided to have linner somewhere. we parked at burbank town center, asked for directions to chipotle and it was just outside of the mall about a block away. outside of the mall there’s a few other outside shopping centers that had ross, wasteland, active & urban outfitters. when we turned the corner we noticed that the chipotle was in the same center as amc burbank 16! there was also a buffalo wild wings, zpizza and johnny rockets. after linner we were going to check out the shops but decided to ask AMC what happens during previews and there was already a line! started chitchatting with a “preview pro” and she mentioned that they brought toys because toys for tots was collecting and they might take people with toys first. that’s right, i had read that on the ticket! so c went to pick out some toys at ross and thank god we did! they only let people in with toys first and we ended up getting great seats and in the comfort of the air-conditioned theater on a hot, sunny southern california afternoon! power 106 street team was there and gave away toy story 3 posters, powerhouse cd’s, power 106 folders and had contests. i ended up winning a lotso tshirt for my 4 year old by screaming loud haha

the movie was GREAT.  i’m a toy story fan so i’m glad i wasn’t disappointed!  we watched it in 3D and 3D sure has come a long way…  i’m almost positive that if you have the cash you have to see it in 3D, no question. i really enjoyed the kawaiiesque peas in a pod in the movie and there was a brief totoro sighting in the movie.  makes me wonder if pixar is doing a shoutout to japan or what the deal is.  if you are interested in easter eggs, check out this toy story 3 easter egg guide.

my husband & our boys were also able to preview despicable me because duke’s preschool gave out passes and they loved it too.  they also watched it in 3D.

if you can catch private screenings, do it.  i think it’s the BEST FREE thing ever.  there’s lots of sites (wild about movies) that offer free passes and twitter is another great way to score some.