Get out the scuba gear because starting on Monday I’ll be swimming with the fishes for my birthday as we take you live to the Monterey Bay Aquarium where we will be joining 24 other swimmingly fabulous bloggers for the #FindingDoryEvent.  While we’re there we’ll be going behind the scenes to learn all about the research that went into the making of this latest adventures of everyone’s favorite fish Dory, which picks up six months after the first movie, with Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) living a quiet life among the clown fishes. After going with Nemo on a class trip to see manta rays migrate back home, her home sickness leads the forgetful Dory on a quest to find where she came from.

Photo @Monterey Bay Aquarium

Did you know that the Monterey Bay Aquarium  served as the backdrop for new movie and it was here that the animators and production team spent untold hours researching the inner workings of an aquarium of this magnitude in order to bring the film version and setting for the new Finding Dory, the Monterey Marine Life Institute, to life? The film picks up six months after Finding Nemo, when Dory suddenly recalls her childhood memories.   Remembering something about “the jewel of Monterey, California”, she is accompanied by Nemo and Marlin, as she sets out to find her family. Arriving at the Monterey Marine Life Institute, it is here that Dory meets Bailey, a white beluga whale; Destiny, a whale shark; and Hank the octopus, who becomes her guide.

Photo @Monterey Bay Aquarium

If you’ve never been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium before, it’s worth a visit to California all on its own. The Aquarium is located right on edge of the Pacific Ocean in beautiful Monterey, California. A part of the of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the waters just off the decks of the aquarium are home to an amazing variety of marine life. The Monterey Bay Aquarium was first opened  in 1984 and plays host to over 2 million visitors each year including my own family who held annual passes to this fascinating glimpse of life under the sea. It is home to thousands of plants and animals, including more than 600 species of underwater life.  

Photo @Monterey Bay Aquarium

The main tank stands 28-foot-high and holds 333,000-US-gallons of fresh sea water allowing for a perfect up close and personal view of the California coastal marine life. It was in this tank, that the aquarium became the first in the world to grow live California Giant Kelp. The Monterey Bay Aquarium also is home to a mammoth 1,200,000-U.S.-gallon tank in the Open Sea galleries, which features one of the world’s largest single-paned windows.

As part of our #FindingDoryEvent experience, we will be treated to an exclusive VIP tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, as well as being among the first to screen some of the very first scenes from the upcoming Finding Dory movie. And if that weren’t enough all on its own, we will be sitting down to talk to the some of the people from the film itself, including 2-time Oscar winning Director Andrew Stanton who is bringing everyone’s favorite amnesic blue tang and clown fish back into our hearts once again.

Photo @InterContinental The Clement

Our host hotel for the event is the luxurious InterContinental The Clement Monterey . This incredible hotel is situated right on the edge of the bay, and is perfectly located right near the Monterey Bay Aquarium and in the heart of Monterey’s historic Cannery Row. With its spacious suites with private balconies, contemporary styling and perfect location, the InterContinental Clement Monterey is tranquil luxury at its very best. Can you think of any other way to celebrate your birthday? 

And now here’s your 1st look at the brand new trailer from Finding Dory:

Finding Dory features returning favorites Marlin, Nemo and the Tank Gang, along with a host of new characters, including a few who will prove to be a very important part of Dory’s life and introduces us to Dory’s parents.

Findng Nemo director Andrew Stanton  returns once again to bring this animated classic to life and  features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton.  Look for Finding Dory to swim into our hearts and theaters June 17, 2016

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It all begins Monday, March 7!  Grab your floaties and get ready for Finding Dory.

Finding Dory swims into theaters June 17

Disclosure: I have been invited by Disney to cover this media event. All material and expenses for this event have been provided courtesy of Walt Disney Studios but all opinions my own