I’ve been to Orlando for both work and play.
Once considered primarily the home of Mickey and Minnie, the area is booming, with 80 percent of its workers outside the hospitality industry.
On my most recent trip, I enjoyed more leisure than business, although booking rides and racing through the parks to claim a spot on a line for a popular ride or attraction is hard work!
Here are some of my takeaways:
- Use a Disney planner (a human). The great ones know their stuff and can make recommendations based on what type of experience you’re looking for. I can’t imagine planning this trip myself at the same time as getting work done.
- Schedule your visit on “off” times, although I suspect the parks are always pretty nuts. It’s part of the vibe.
- Avoid working during the day if you’re going on a family trip. My room was packed with USB ports and outlets so I could power up while at the parks. I worked only at night when the kids were asleep.
- Embrace the Disney technology. Get a Magic Band+, download the app, and learn how to use it to craft your experience and schedule. As a gadget and tech girl, I loved all the innovations, but I still think they have some work to do on crowd management.
- Transportation around the area was pretty easy — the monorail, buses, boats, and a gondola were among the options.
- The gift shops are strategically placed to encourage overspending. Instead of shopping in-store, I ordered the grands’ souvenirs online, and they were waiting at their house when they returned. (I think the prices may have been slightly lower, too.) Plus, it teaches kids about patience rather than immediate gratification and consumerism.
- Pack a rain poncho, a light backpack or fanny pack, and comfy shoes (and bandaids for blisters).
- I splurged on a dining package, and the food was surprisingly good. The Tusker House buffet was the family’s favorite (regarding food quality and variety and the surprise visits by the Disney character clan). However, it left me not wanting to eat again for six weeks.
- Leave yourself some time to decompress and catch up when you get back. The rides, crowds, and noise can be overwhelming and my brain will be replaying “It’s a Small World” for days to come. (The Orlando airport and the Admirals Club lounge were pretty wild, too, so don’t expect to relax there.)
Unless I’m invited to a conference, I don’t know that I’ll be returning within the next five years. The whole area around the Disney Parks (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios) is intense.
But the memories will live on.
If you have kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews or want to channel your inner child, leave your laptop in the room, put that Magic Band+ on your wrist, and enjoy the magic!
