Palm Springs has long been a destination for the rich and famous to leave city life behind and relax in the balmy climate and pure blue skies of the California desert. Surrounded by four mountain ranges, it’s a true desert oasis offering a broad variety of activities for everyone.
Fantasy’s one-time Palm Springs Valley Bash begins on April 1, 2020 with check-in at the fabled five-star Emerald Desert RV Resort. Although our Rally is jam packed with activities, there’s still time to enjoy the park’s amenities, including a sparkling pool, a putting green and driving range, pickleball courts and a well-equipped gym. There are even spa services and fenced dog parks.
After registering at the park and checking out all its attractions, it’s time for Fantasy Rally Orientation. We'll have some fun playing a Palm Springs Trivia Game, and then get to know each other at Fantasy’s Get Acquainted Social before we retire to prepare for the following day’s activities.
The next day is a busy one spent exploring the Valley’s attractions via motorcoach. We tour the Palm Springs Air Museum, 65,000 square feet of exhibits featuring aircraft from WWII and the Korea and Vietnam wars – then head for lunch and visit celebrity homes – many of which are the famed mid-century modern style. When we arrive back at the RV park, Fantasy WagonMasters provide information on many of the upcoming tours, sharing their own personal travel experiences. It’s a relaxing, enjoyable evening playing Fantasy Bingo and special entertainment.
The next morning, Rally guests are invited to demonstrate their favorite crafts and hobbies. Some will set up tables to sell these creations, and others will simply do some serious browsing. After a delicious lunch at the Park, it’s time for Fantasy’s famed Mystery Charity Auction, with all proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish® Foundation. Guests can bid on mystifyingly wrapped packages, all the time wondering what it is they are trying to win. The Mystery Auction is followed by some amazing travelogues, and of course, door prizes galore.
It’s a special evening at the RV park, with a delicious dessert bar laden with luscious sweets, followed by a Hollywood dance party. It’s quite likely that Clark, Marilyn, Lucy, Clint, Liz, Rock and other famous movie icons will be present, as guests will be dressing as their favorite stars! Lots of photo ops here!
There’s a lot on the menu the following day, beginning with a mimosa brunch. We spend more time viewing Fantasy travelogues and there are more door prizes to be awarded. It’s a great time to meet with Fantasy Founder and CEO Nel Filliger and her Ambassadors, followed by an ice cream social.
We’ll leave the RV park and head to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the world’s largest rotating tram car, with spectacular views of the Chino Canyon below. At the top – elevation 8,516 feet – we enjoy the pristine wilderness of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. It’s hard to believe that there are magnificent pine trees and flowing streams this close to the desert below.
That evening there’s more sustenance with a delicious dinner and a Frank Sinatra impersonator.
Our final day together has been dubbed “Fantasy’s Got Talent”, and indeed we do! Guests and staff can participate, bringing whatever they consider to be talent to the stage. There’s another scrumptious dessert bar, along with a social gathering before Fantasy’s Farewell to Palm Springs Dinner Banquet. At the dinner, Fantasy takes the time to honor some very special guests – frequent Fantasy travelers are awarded a variety of distinctive prizes in appreciation of their ongoing support of the company. And this all kicks off a night of dancing and enjoying the music of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.
Our final morning in Palm Springs is when we say goodbye to fellow Rally goers at our traditional continental breakfast.
The 2020 Palm Springs Valley Bash takes place April 1 through 6. It’s a terrific way for Fantasy guests to reconnect with others they have met on various tours around the world. It will also be an excellent opportunity for RVers who have never traveled with Fantasy to learn more about the tour itineraries, enjoy the desert weather, explore the desert oasis which is Palm Springs and spend some time with the best people in the world – Fantasy RVers.