Toyota Sienna Design & Drive Blogger Event
I was recently invited to the Toyota Sienna event in Laguna Beach. I was so excited about learning about the new 2011 Toyota Sienna. I myself am possibly looking into getting a new car this fall and the Sienna is one I am eyeing!
On Tuesday May 11th I headed out to Orange County and was driven to the Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach, to meet with other bloggers, and the awesome folks from Golin Harris and the Calty Design Studio. I was so excited to see Kari from A Giveaway Addicted Mommy, and Jennifer from Eighty MPH Mom and I absolutely loved meeting Eileen from Mom Central who is absolutely fabulous and made us laugh all day long.
Tuesday night we all got together for a wonderful evening of chatting and laughter with the most amazing dinner ever. I have to have that squash soup again!
I ended the evening walking the beach with Valerie from Sweeps4Bloggers. Nice evening stroll along the beach.
Wednesday morning all the girls and I met up and had breakfast together at the Splash Cafe. I had a yummy breakfast and made sure to get some coffee in my system for one very busy yet FUN!!! day! We were then all shuttled over to Calty Design Research in Newport Beach for our fun exciting day!
We received an awesome tour from the president of Calty Design Research (Kevin Hunter) who explained about the different aspects of design that take place there. We even got o see Kevin’s very first design with Toyota! We also got to see paint colors and interiors used in Toyota vehicles throughout the years. I of course loved the 70′s! I want something PINK!!
After our quick tour we headed out to one of the courtyard and saw other Toyota cars (which happen to belong to employees, how cool!)
Next we headed out to another courtyard and there was waiting two awesome new 2011 Toyota Sienna’s and they were gorgeous! We got to learn about everything that went into creating these fabulous Mini Vans!
Here are some features that all us moms loved!
The base model Sienna has the following features:
Color-keyed bumpers, and body side moldings, Projector-beam halogen headlamps with auto-off feature, and Daytime Running Lights with manual on/off feature, Black power outside mirrors, P235/60R17 all-season tires on 5-spoke alloy wheels, Dual sliding doors with power windows, Power front and sliding door windows with retained-power, Washer-linked variable intermittent front windshield wipers, Integrated color-keyed rear spoiler with center high mount stop lamp with concealed intermittent rear window wiper, Remote keyless entry, Heavy-duty rear window defogger with timer, Manual rear side quarter windows
LE (In addition to or in place of Sienna standard features):
Color-keyed heated power outside mirrors, Front grille with chrome style surround, Color-keyed door handles, Dual power sliding side doors (V6 models, included in a package on L4 models), Privacy glass, Color-keyed license plate garnish , Roof rails (V6 models, included in the Convenience Package on L4 models), Rear bumper protector, Roof-mounted XM Radio antenna (V6 models, optional on SE, standard on XLE models)
SE (In addition to or in place of LE features):
Projector-beam halogen headlamps with smoked sport trim, auto on/off feature, and Daytime Running Lights with manual on/off feature, Integrated wide angle front fog lamps, Sport Mesh front grille with smoked-chrome style surround, Color-keyed front and rear underbody spoilers and side rocker panels, P235/50R19 all-season tires on 19 in. 6-spoke Super Chrome finished alloy wheels, LED (light emitting diode) tail and stop lamps with smoked sport trim
XLE (In addition to or in place of Sienna and LE standard features):
Gray metallic front grille with chrome style surround, Dual power sliding doors and power rear door, Power tilt/slide moonroof, P235/60R17 all-season tires on 17 in. 7-spoke machine finished alloy wheels, Tow prep. package.
Some of the features available depend on the model (Sienna, LE, SE, XLE or Limited). Many of these features were in the Limited. (Which we got to test drive!)
My favorite features were:
- Dual screen tv in the back
- Backseat leg rests
- Automatic doors (walk up and the doors unlock (must have key on you for it to work of course))
- keyless entry
- push a button and the back closes
- ENORMOUS glove box
- spot for you to place your purse!! Genius I tell you!
- GPS!!!!
- iPod connection!
After lunch we got to see the designers working on a clay car. It was awesome and looked like a very hard but fun job. They then turned it on ups and gave us each a little toy sized clay model car to create! This was so much fun! We all had a blast creating our cars!
After learning, playing and seeing the new Toyota Sienna’s it was time for lunch! (can you believe how much we did before lunch???) Lunch was fabulous and yummy. Lunch was catered by TheSilentChef who is fabulous and I wanted to take him home.
After lunch we were told about a Scavenger hunt! We broke up into four groups – each group was given money, a gift card and a “needs” list for a one of two local charities. Each group got to take a 2011 Sienna out to go on the Scavenger Hunt and shop! My group, which we named Cali Girls, consisted of: Valerie, Kari, Jennifer and I and we were so lucky to be shopping for the Orangewood Children’s Foundation. We signed up to take the 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited and we all were so excited!
Check out those windows!!
We headed to Target and shopped our hearts out!
Check out more pictures at flickr and also my Toyota Sienna Design & Drive Event (Set).
Wow I’m impressed with Toyota..the Scavenger Hunt for Charity is a great idea and seems like great fun!! I may just have to use that idea!!
That sounds like a wonderful event they sponsored. I am still a little wary of Toyota after their vehicles’ safety problems came to light. Did they touch on any of that in their presentation, I would like to hear how they plan on implementing procedures to avoid those types of mishaps in the future.
i bet the scavenger hunt was so much fun! and if i hadnt just gotten a newer vehicle for mothers day i would be telling my boyfriend that i want that van, i mean it comes with foot rests!!!! its like a piece of heaven in a vehicle, and again gorgeous views!
WOW……… what a fabulous trip for you and so jealous you got to meet all of other wonderful bloggers. I am a big fan of all of their blogs as your’s too and so nice to pictures of all of you fanastic ladies! Thank-you so much for sharing!
What a fun event! It sounds like it was well-planned and exceptionally-executed. I love that they incorporated a way to give to charity during your time there too. I’ve always respected the Toyota brand…and this post only increases my admiration.
We own a Toyota Camry and it is a wonderful car – roomy, reliable, etc. We may also eventually look at the Toyota Sienna as our family continues to expand…
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..He’s back (and so am I) =-.
Wow the sienna looks so cool! The leg rests and purse holder..I like those features!
Looks like fun!
Wow, the leg rest is so cool! We bought our first Toyota a couple months ago and are very happy with it so far.
Wow! That is Awesome!
What a great idea for a great cause, looks like you guys had fun!
I find some interesting [url=http://www.ddr21066.com]websites [/url] and want to share it with you.