Orlando, Florida (2025) - Part 2
Day 3 - March 9th, 2025 – Exploring Day
One of my favorite feelings is getting back to the hotel after a long day on my feet at a Disney Park and going to bed exhausted. But also waking up refreshed the next day is just as satisfying—and that’s exactly how it felt Sunday morning after our day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Feeling accomplished from the day before, we were all excited for a more relaxing Sunday.
Sundays always feel so peaceful to me, they are perfect day to take a step back from the busyness of the week. So, Being in Florida on vacation made it even more special. Sometimes, we all just need a break—and that’s why Sundays I’m very grateful for.
For my family, Sundays always include going to church. It’s something we believe brings the most joy into our lives. So, we woke up around 9:00 a.m., got ready, ate breakfast, and left for a church about 20 minutes northwest of our hotel.
The church we visited was amazing—full of kind people and an excellent reminder for all of us to keep doing good. After church, we loaded up the car and headed straight for Kelly Springs Park, about 30 minutes further north.
🌿 A Refreshing Afternoon at Kelly Springs
Kelly Springs is a natural spring park located in northern Orange County, Florida. Entry is around $5.00, and the park offers a variety of activities like hiking, nature walks, swimming, and picnic areas. It’s known for its crystal-clear water and is a perfect spot to cool off when Florida’s humid sunny season kicks in full blast. It’s also a great place for both visitors and locals a like.
While we were there, we saw lots of people enjoying the picnic tables for group lunches, playing on the sand volleyball courts for a fun competitive friendly game, and laying on the grass to soak up the warm sunshine. The area also has public restrooms, which is great addition, making it super convenient while you're at the springs.
We didn’t swim, but we did wade in the shallow areas to feel the cool, clear water and just to look around at all the lush greenery for a little bit. For those people swimming they had brought their own tubes (which must be less than 5 feet in both length and width to be allowed into the springs) - just keep that in mind if your wanting to float down the springs or relax in the water during your visit.
Tubes aren’t provided at the springs, so if you want to float down the “lazy” river areas— which were beautiful—you’ll need to bring your own or rent one from vendors outside the park. I think it would be fun to float around - the water looked very nice when we were there.
🥯 A Relaxed Sunday: Kelly Springs & Panera Bread
We only spent about an hour at Kelly Springs, but it was just enough time to walk the trails, admire the water, and get a sense of what the springs are all about. The water had a stunning bluish-green tint. I’d love to come back someday, though I’m also perfectly happy with a good hotel pool, that is both clean and on the warmer side.
After the springs, we headed to—guess where—Panera Bread. I know we already ate there at the airport before leaving for Florida, but most of the food near the springs was chain restaurants, and let’s be honest: everyone in my family wanted Panera 😊
Here’s what we ordered:
Mom – Zesty Tuscan Asiago Bagel Stack (seasonal) with an apple on the side
Dad – Same as Mom
Me – Toasted Garden Caprese (+ avocado) with an apple on the side
My little sister – You Pick Two (mac & cheese + Autumn Squash Soup) with a baguette on the side
The food came out quickly, the apples were extra sweet, and we all enjoyed our Sunday afternoon while chatting about the most random things around a tiny four-seat table at a Panera in northern Orange County. Random moments like these, I feel are the most enjoyable memories from trips and what makes life so special.
With being in Florida, I loved how this Sunday was mellow and not overly planned, so after lunch we headed back to the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas were we walked around the property while my dad stayed back at the hotel room to take a nap.
I think we always wear him out at Disney—we like to go, go, go, while he prefers a slower pace - which is just fine. My mom has always had so much energy, and when it comes to Disney, she’s “trained” us to maximize every moment: ride as much as possible, try to eat all the mouthwatering foods, and soak in all the magic. It’s a bit crazy, but also so much fun. That’s how we love to do Disney!
🥞 Games, Snacks & Breakfast for Dinner
We had originally planned a pool day for Sunday, but decided to switch things up to visit the springs and spend more time playing games together at the hotel. The resort pools were packed anyways, and sometimes a loud pool just isn’t that relaxing and enjoyable. So, after everything, we were happy with our choice to try something different and skip the pool this time.
So after the springs and a walk around the resort - we made it back at the room - where we played 5 Kings, one of our favorite family card games, around the dining table. We poured popcorn (which we bought from the resort’s Marketplace) into a bowl and shared some orange and wintergreen Lifesaver mints too. A weird snack combo, I know—but it tasted great and made for a fun, cozy game time together.
For dinner, we had breakfast food to help us feel good the next day at Magic Kingdom - it’s mellow, nutritious, and simply delicious!
Breakfast food is light, easy on the stomach, and let’s be honest it just tastes good. So, that’s why we made fruit-flavored oatmeal and vanilla yogurt parfaits topped with pineberries, apples, and peaches, plus crunchy granola. We also had some milk and vitamin waters making it a well rounded breakfast for dinner night.
We enjoyed our meal out on our little covered patio at the hotel, laughing, planning out our Disney ride strategies, and watching funny videos together. I love Floridas covered patios, they make it perfect to enjoy the beautiful weather without the bugs. So, if you’re planning a trip to Florida try to book a rental or hotel with a covered patio to maximize the time you get spend outside well your there. You certainly won’t regret it!
This Sunday recap might not sound overly exciting, but wow—it was a mellow, meaningful day. It also gave us time to prep our backpacks and get to bed early for our big day at Magic Kingdom the next morning!
Day 4- March 10th, 2025 – Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida
This was another early morning for a Disney rope drop—but even earlier thanks to the daylight-saving time change the day before. We woke up at 5:45 a.m. (EST), which used to be 4:45 a.m. (EST), and technically 2:45 a.m. (MST) back home. That’s crazy! But if you just focus on the current time on the clock, you avoid overthinking Daylight savings everytime. Once you stop overthinking, the time starts to feel normal and life goes on like “clockwork”.
With that in mind, we followed our usual morning routine: got ready, ate cereal for breakfast at the hotel, packed up, loaded the car, and headed to Disney’s Magic Kingdom for a magical day.
🏰 Magic Kingdom & Security
We’re no strangers to Magic Kingdom—we’ve been there five times over the last four years, always making a point to visit this fantastic Disney park whenever we’re in Orlando, Florida.
Each Disney park offers something unique, but there’s something special about Magic Kingdom. It gives you that classic Disney feeling with rides focused on beloved character stories that take you back to your exciting childhood. That’s why we always try to make a stop here when we’re in Orlando. It’s a whole family favorite.
Like I mentioned in the Animal Kingdom Post ; Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are two parks where paying for preferred parking is absolutely worth it. So that’s what we did (it costs around $50 per vehicle per day). The price is on the higher end, but the benefits are enough to slightly overlook the costs?!
So, once you pay for preferred parking at the entrance with a Disney Cast Member, you’ll be instructed to turn on your hazard lights and stay to the right toward the front-most parking lot.
Follow these directions until another Cast Member points out your exact parking spot. You'll be parked quickly and enjoy a short walk to the security area before boarding the Monorail around the lake to the main park.
One thing I love about Walt Disney World’s security process is how quick and efficient it is. You just walk through a metal detector, and you’re on your way. It’s much smoother than Disneyland in California, where you have to unzip your bag and undergo a more thorough search before walking through the scanner without your bags or belongings.
I think Florida has a smarter way of handling security—it helps people stay calm and keeps the lines moving at a quicker pace forward, which really reduces the overall stress feelings in the crowd as it also aids in keeping everyone safe during the whole process.
☔ Navigating Rain & Rides
Once we all got through security, it started to sprinkle—not surprising, considering the forecast showed a 70% chance of rain. Florida weather is pretty wet most of the year. So, when you are packing to visit make sure a poncho, umbrella, or rain jacket is an item that ends up in your bag! You’ll most likely needed it, but I recommend just looking at the weather when you packing, so you end up bring everything you absolutely would ever need.
Side Tip: I highly recommend bringing umbrellas if rain is in the forecast. Ponchos are okay, but they get sweaty in the humidity and don’t dry quickly. Also keep in mind that wet ponchos will make your other belongings damp as you carry them around the rest of the day - that’s not fun!
After visiting Orlando, Florida, during several wet summer months (when thunderstorms hit multiple times a day), we’ve learned that umbrellas are the best solution. They cover you, your clothes, and your backpacks. Plus, they’re easy to shake out, fold up, and hang on your bag to dry after each storm passes.
That being said, nothing will keep you completely dry in the rain—just bring something to shield most of your body and try to time rides or indoor wait times during the heaviest downpours. This will help you avoid taking unwanted showers throughout the day!
With all that information - back the Magic Kingdom adventure - after security we ran to get in line for the Monorail, waiting under a covered area until we boarded and cruised into the park station. There we scanned in our Disney World tickets and entered the park, ready for a day full of magical memories.
Let’s just say that 70% chance of rain came true. It started falling quickly, so we shared the umbrellas my mom had bought the day before and speed-walked to get in line for Tron.
🕒 Our Magic Kingdom Day Overview - Oh What Fun
The day we visited Magic Kingdom was rainy and chilly, but we came prepared with umbrellas and jackets. Thankfully, we also had great timing for the rides to avoid the heavy rains that made the day do-able.
Here’s an Overview of Our Schedule for the Day at Magic Kingdom:
Arrived at 8:30 a.m. — parked, went through security, and rode the Monorail into the park.
Scanned in our tickets at 8:55 a.m., then walked down Main Street.
At 8:59 a.m., we were allowed past the castle area right before rope drop, so we headed to TRON Light cycle Run in Tomorrowland.
People were jogging, but we kept a steady fast-walking pace under our umbrellas and got in line.
Once inside the queue, we were protected from the rain. We waited 45 minutes for TRON—great timing for that ride!
We went on TRON again right after. This time, it took 65 minutes—still a great wait time for that ride.
After with rain pouring, we hurried to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and waited 35 minutes. By the time we boarded, the rain had stopped and we enjoyed this short, but amazing little ride.
After we rode Haunted Mansion with only a 25-minute wait.
This was followed by lunch at Sleepy Hallow quick service restaurant: fruit waffles, one of our favorite park go-tos!
Then we waited 35 minutes and rode Pirates of the Caribbean during another rainstorm - it was perfect timing once again.
We then crossed the park back to Tomorrowland for:
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (20 mins wait)
Space Mountain (50 mins wait)
TRON for a third time (60 mins wait)
We needed a quick snack at Gaston’s Tavern: Warm Cinnamon Roll, Ham & Gruyere Tart, Crème Brûlée Croissant.
This was followed by a Ride on Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid (35 mins wait) and after we rode the People Movers (25 mins wait).
And unplanned, but just what we needed - we took a 15-minute break on the AstroTurf lawns near the castle.
Well we rested we checked in for our 5:25 p.m. dinner at The Plaza Restaurant.
After our yummy dinner, we visited Main Street Confectionery for candied popcorn for my mama and little sister ( the popcorn is customized with sweet toppings and a variety of drizzles and topped with chocolate candies).
After the dessert stop, we went and watched people get soaked on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain).
Watching people get soaked was a ton of fun and after we stopped at Frontier Trading Post for Disney pins—my little sister got the cutest limited edition Winnie the Pooh pin - she just loved!
We then rode Haunted Mansion again with a 10 minute wait time.
Followed by TRON one last time as the Happily Ever After fireworks ended (66 mins total wait).
Finally we left the park at 10:30 p.m. due to cold winds and tired feet. But, the day was awesome!
🌦️ Bonus: Here’s a More Detailed Recap of Our Rainy Disney Day
The first part of our day, up until about 2:00 p.m., was rainy. Then the rest of the day stayed a bit windy and chilly—but thankfully, it wasn’t wet anymore and we got some sunshine that added a bit of warmth to everything.
Thoughout the day we were able to ride Haunted Mansion twice (once in the morning and once at night). This was perfect because my mom loves this ride, and we got to enjoy the queue with the Haunted Mansion fully on display—once in the daylight and again glowing in the nighttime atmosphere. It’s a great ride for all ages, perfect for a quick rest while sitting down, and it usually has a shorter wait time, making it easy to squeeze into your day.
Fun fact: my mom actually decorates our house for Halloween like the Haunted Mansion—and it’s amazing! So, riding this always gets us excited for Halloween and all the spooky creativity she brings into our home each year. It’s kind of the best thing!
For lunch, we ate at Sleepy Hollow, a quick-service location that serves a variety of foods like waffles, corn dogs, and funnel cakes.
Here’s what we ordered:
Mom – Mickey Waffle with chocolate-hazelnut spread, bananas, berries, and whipped cream
Dad – Same as Mom
Me – Mickey Waffle with bananas, berries, and whipped cream (no chocolate-hazelnut spread)
Little Sis – Same as Mom and Dad
Everyone already knows we love our breakfast food, so we’ve been getting these waffles the last four times we’ve visited Magic Kingdom. They are so doughy and crisp, the berries are wonderfully fresh, and the bananas are soft and sweet.
These waffles are filling, fresh, health-ish, and they hit the magic spot—plus, they’re shaped like Mickey Mouse! If you're visiting Magic Kingdom, definitely try one. Even as a snack, they’re still wonderful bite of food to enjoy throughout the entire day.
After lunch, we rode Pirates of the Caribbean and we still came to the conclusion that we prefer the version in Disneyland California over the one at Disney World Florida. The California ride is longer, tells more of the story, and has two drops. We feel like we understand and experience the story better there versus the Florida’s version. The Florida’s version isn’t bad—it just doesn’t match the charm of the original one has as much for me.
While at Magic Kingdom, we also love the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor live comedy attraction in Tomorrowland. It’s a hilarious show where the monsters try to generate energy from the audience’s laughter, instead of from screams. They tell jokes, involve the audience in each of the skits, and the show includes classic characters like Mike Wazowski and Roz. The wait is usually short—around 10–20 minutes—so it’s a great attraction to fit into your day. It’ll leave you and your group laughing every time - that I promise! Plus, you can even send in jokes well you wait for the next showing- that could be told during the show by the monsters - it’s kind of fun!
🥐 Afternoon Snacks at Gaston’s Tavern
For a quick snack in the afternoon, we stopped at Gaston’s Tavern for a Warm Cinnamon Roll, Ham & Gruyère Tart, and Crème Brûlée Croissant. Gaston’s has always been a delicious spot, serving up both sweet and savory treats that are fun to try.
My little sister loves the giant Warm Cinnamon Roll, which is filled with a gooey layer of cinnamon-sugar filling and topped with unforgettable brown sugar caramel frosting. These rolls come out warm and are big enough to feed two or more people—they're huge-ish!
My mom wanted to try the Crème Brûlée Croissant, and everyone was pleasantly surprised by the soft croissant dough filled with creamy pastry cream. It was good, but not something our family would necessarily come back for again and again.
I had some of the Ham & Gruyère Tart, which was cheesy, savory, and salty—perfect on the crisp, tart croissant dough. It was easy to eat, great for cutting and sharing, and generously sized so everyone got to try it. We would come back for this at Gaston’s Tavern again.
🌞 A Relaxing Moment in the Plaza
After a couple more rides, we had about 15 minutes before checking in for dinner at The Plaza Restaurant, so we sat down on the Astroturf grass plaza area situated in front of the Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue. This area wasn’t very crowded, so we were able to sit with our legs fully stretched out and soak up a little warmth from the sunshine.
This area is perfect for having picnics if you bring your own food into the park and need a place to eat. It’s also a great resting spot where you can even lay completely down—unlike many other spots in the park. It's ideal for letting toddlers and little kids run around to burn off some of that excess energy so they can last through the rest of the day. 😊
That unplanned moment of relaxing was really nice—it allowed us to slow down and actually enjoy the calm atmosphere in the castle plaza area. Instead of rushing past all the beauty Magic Kingdom has to offer, we took a moment to fully appreciate it in this spot.
🍽️ Dinner at The Plaza Restaurant & a Treat
As I mentioned earlier, we had a 5:25 p.m. dinner reservation at The Plaza Restaurant. We booked it about a month in advance when we finalized our plane tickets and hotel, making the trip officially a go ahead.
Tip: I recommend booking your trip a couple of months in advance—not just to get better prices on flights, car rentals, and hotels, but also so you can make dining reservations right when the 60-day window opens for Disney Parks for food locations.
Dining reservations are required for many of Walt Disney World's best restaurants across all four parks. Planning ahead allows you to choose which park you'll visit each day and secure dining times that work for your group.
If you miss the 60-day window, don’t worry. Disney releases select reservations daily at 6:00 a.m., so try to snag your desired location and time then. I also check availability regularly throughout the day leading up to the trip—people cancel often, and you might find the perfect time open up last minute that fits your needs better. All of this helps make your Disney dining experience smoother and more enjoyable, so plan ahead and you’ll be thankful later.
We choose to book a reservation at The Plaza Restaurant because it is a great casual place to grab dinner. Their menu includes pot roast, sandwiches, burgers, soups, salads, and even milkshakes for dessert.
While there are plenty of indulgent options, we like to go for the “health-ish” choices—items with more nutrients and made from fresher, whole ingredients.
Here’s what we ordered:
Mom/Me – Triple Decker Turkey Club Sandwich, House Salad with ranch, and grapes on the side
Dad – Pot Roast Stack (no fried onion rings), with an extra side of green beans
Little Sis – Crispy Chicken Sandwich with grapes on the side
We all had water with dinner and enjoyed the cute, old-fashioned vibe of the restaurant as we dug into our delicious food. We decided to skip dessert and instead walked down to Main Street Confectionery for some custom candied popcorn that my mom and little sister wanted to try. They got to create their own popcorn, choosing candy toppings and a chocolate drizzle.
My mom loved this treat because the base is popcorn, which is loaded with fiber and helps balance out the sugar they piled on top.
As many of you know, I don’t love chocolate, but my mom, dad, and little sister loved the popcorn. They said it was decadent and very rich, with all the crushed candies and chocolate drizzle on top. The customizable popcorn is a great quick treat if you want something a little lighter (depending on how you top it) and with some fiber to help balance your blood sugar after all the sweetness.
🎢 More Rain & One Last Ride on TRON
The rest of the evening at Magic Kingdom was cold and windy—especially for Florida. We were all a bit chilly, so we skipped Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain). But we had fun watching from the outside of the ride as boat after boat plunged down the 50-foot drop, soaking everyone in the process. Honestly, just watching was super entertaining. So if you don’t want to ride it or can't, this is a fun way to enjoy the ride from the outside!
Our last ride of the day was TRON Lightcycle Run, which we ended up riding four times total that day! It was nice having a regular queue available instead of the virtual one that only allowed you to ride once unless you pay extra, so we toke full advantage of the regular line now available.
Since TRON Lightcycle Run is one of our favorites, we prioritized it—but everyone’s favorites are different, and that’s something you discover the more you visit the park with the people you enjoy it with.
Overall, our day at Magic Kingdom was a blast! We rode 13 rides, had waffles for lunch, snacked at Gaston’s Tavern, got poured on and wind-blasted, saw the fireworks, enjoyed dinner at The Plaza Restaurant, and—believe it or not—didn't get hit by the EF-2 tornado that touched down just 20 miles north of the park that day. We made a ton of magical memories to last a lifetime at Magic Kingdom - it was a blast!
Day 5 - March 11th, 2025 – Shopping/Travel Day
This was our last day in Orlando, Florida! One good thing comes to an end, and another begins! That’s what makes life so exciting and beautiful.
So, for our last day, we woke up early, got ready, packed up our bags, ate breakfast, and left our Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas hotel for the last time. The check-out time was 10:00 AM, and since this is a busy property, there are no late checkouts—which is a bit of a downside to staying there.
On trips, we try to find hotels that offer late checkouts, ideally between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. We always look at a hotel’s amenities on their website to see if they offer late checkouts, and calling the hotel directly is another great way to find out for sure. That helps us decide where to stay, if this is something that matters to you or your group.
Personally, we like late checkouts so we can sleep in, explore the grounds, visit the pool, or even squeeze in an extra activity—all while keeping our bags safe in our hotel room. It really lowers the stress of trying to find somewhere to store your luggage.
Of course, it all depends on your group’s needs, but late checkouts are a blessing whenever you can get them. They help stretch your last day’s fun just a little bit further.
🌴 Disney Springs Morning
Since we had to check out at 10:00 AM this trip, we headed to Disney Springs. I know we had already been there twice—once to get a cookie on our first day and once for dinner after Animal Kingdom on the second day—but this time, we wanted to actually do some shopping and enjoy a yummy lunch before flying out.
For parking, we chose the Lime Garage again. It’s close to all the main stores and it is a perfect central starting point. Like I mentioned before, you go through security in the garage as you enter the stair/escalator areas that lead into the Springs. It’s an easy and efficient process, and it helps keep everyone safe 😊
Once we got into the Springs, we didn’t have any specific plans, so we just started browsing. In my opinion, this is the best way to enjoy the area! It gives you the freedom to wander through the spectacular scenery—beautiful palm trees, charming buildings, and crystal-clear springs—while shopping along the way.
It’s also kinda cool that the stores at Disney Springs have been carefully selected and invited by Disney to be part of this unique outdoor district, so there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy when you visit.
For us, we stopped at Zara for me and my little sister, Tommy Bahamas for my dad, the World of Disney Store for everyone, and Disney’s Pin Traders for us girls. It was fun to see the different merchandise each store offered. I just feel like shopping is always more fun when you're walking outside in the sunshine?!
💎 Why Disney Springs is a Gem
A few days after we got home, I was talking with my mom and sister about why we love the Springs so much. For us, it really came down to how Disney has combined shopping with nature-inspired beauty.
It’s not just an outdoor shopping mall—it’s a maze of surprises. The layout of the shops and restaurants invites you to explore, with something new around every curve, corner, bend, and bridge.
The manmade springs, designed to mimic the bright, clear natural springs found in Central Florida, are absolutely breathtaking. They’ve even built bridges and seating areas so you can relax and take in the water. It adds such a peaceful, refreshing vibe to this area.
The Springs also offer a wide range of unique food options that cater to all kinds of tastes. You definitely won’t leave hungry!
Plus, there are a few fun activities mixed into the area, like a dine-in movie theater, a bowling alley, and the Aerophile hot air balloon ride featured right on the lake in the center of the Springs.
Honestly, Disney Springs is amazing and I would recommend this area for anyone who’s looking for something fun and enjoyable to add to their next trip to Orlando.
🥦 Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill – A Fresh, Flavorful Finale to Our Disney Trip
One restaurant we love there is Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill. We’ve eaten there multiple times, and every time the food has been exceptional. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a restaurant under the creative direction of the legendary chef Wolfgang Puck himself.
So, we had to sneak in a quick lunch—and it was perfect because we only waited about 15 minutes before being seated!
Here’s what we ordered:
Mom – Margherita Pizza
Dad – Penne (pasta with Alfredo sauce and Parmesan cheese)
Me – Meatball Panini (minus the meatball) with a side of broccolini
Little Sister – Mac & Cheese (served baked in a cast-iron dish with mozzarella and breadcrumbs)
For the Table – Kid’s Vegetables for Dipping, an extra side of broccolini, and a side of roasted cauliflower
Honestly, it was a lot of food for lunch—but we wanted to try a few things and revisit our go-to favorites since it’ll probably be a while before we come back. Totally worth it, though, because I absolutely love how fresh everything tastes and how the dishes are centered around whole ingredients.
☀️ A Sunny Farewell
After lunch, we headed over to sit by the main water fountain in front of the AMC Theater. Even though the area is always buzzing with people coming and going, it was still peaceful and an absolutely amazing place to sit down for a minute.
I know it might sound silly, but we love the Florida sunshine—especially since we were about to head back to cold, snowy weather in Utah. Sitting in the sun and watching the water sparkle was our kind of perfect afternoon before a 4½-hour flight back to 30-degree snow/rain weather. ❄️☀️
After about an hour of sitting, chatting, and people-watching, we walked back to the Lime Garage, loaded up the car, and started the drive to the airport.
🐊 Alligators, Eagles & The Airport
And then after some driving, right before we got to the airport, we had the most unexpected wildlife experience:
First lake – An active alligator floating on top of the water
Second lake – A huge alligator lying on the sandy bank
Third lake – A large bald eagle standing on the shoreline looking into the water
We were all dying—we couldn’t believe it! Everything happened so quickly, and we weren’t expecting any of it, especially all at once. It was totally surreal. I think it was all luck... or maybe a lucky sign? Forget duck, duck, goose—it was alligator, alligator, bald eagle 😂
Honestly, we’ve seen more alligators near the Orlando International Airport than anywhere else in Florida—including the Everglades! So keep your eyes out when you're driving near water around the airport. You never know what you'll spot!
🍽️ Before the Flight
Once our crazy wildlife moment passed, we returned the rental car, went through security, and hopped on the tram to the Delta gates (Terminal B).
Since we were still full from Wolfgang Puck, we just wanted to eat something light before the flight. We ended up grabbing:
4 Individual Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
4 Fairlife milks (3 chocolate, 1 regular)
Yes, it was super simple—but there weren’t any fresh fruit options, and the pretzels and milk actually hit the spot.
Eating light before a flight is a great tip, especially since you're sitting for longer period of time and your food doesn’t digest as well without movement. Heavy meals is a quick way to ruin a flight.
✈️ From Sunshine to Snow
The flight went really well. My mom, little sister, and I all watched Little Women (2019 version)—a cute and meaningful movie for us, especially growing up in a family of four sisters with our awesome mom. We also had a few snacks: popcorn, fruit snacks, and my little sister even got to have a bite of a Gideon’s triple chocolate cookie we’d bought earlier at Disney Springs. 🍿🍪🎬
Even though the flight was 4½ hours from MCO to SLC, it felt much faster! And once we finally deboarded, grabbed our carry-ons, and took the shuttle to the economy parking lot to pick up our car we were home in no time - all because we love to do carry-ons only —it saves so much time since you don’t have to wait for checked luggage in baggage claim.
Our trip to Florida was amazing—sunshine, warmth, magical Disney days, delicious food, and unforgettable memories. This fun trip may be over, but I can't wait to start planning the next one.
I can’t wait to share more fun adventures ahead—stay tuned! 🌴🎢✈️
