After the usual airport chaos (because no holiday begins without a mild breakdown at check-in), we hopped on a short Delta flight to Orlando. And when I say short, I mean 35 minutes.. literally long enough for the flight attendant to hand me a drink in a glass (oooh fancy) and a snack, only to snatch it back before I’d even finished chewing. First class? More like first… gulp.

Hello, Orlando ✨

Orlando Airport is huge and dripping in Disney branding. Even the shuttle train had Mickey-approved theming, which was cute, in a slightly brainwashing way. Luggage collected, Uber hailed, and off we went to our villa at Evermore Resort.

Villa Goals

The Evermore Resort villa wasn’t just “nice,” it was MTV Cribs nice. Private pool, BBQ, hammock, sun loungers, arcade machines, and even a foosball table.. basically a house designed for people who never actually want to leave it.

The kids’ room alone slept five, thanks to queen-sized bunk beds (because Florida apparently doesn’t do “normal size” anything).

We soaked up the sun at Evermore’s lagoon. Paddleboards, kayaks, live music, and us pretending we were on Love Island (minus the tan – I left looking like a boiled lobster).

Pro Tip : Villa > Hotel. If you can, book a villa. Private pool, BBQ, hammock, arcade machines..all the space you need to hide from your travel companions.

Conference Life (With Outfits)

The real reason we were in Orlando? Conference time.

Each day had its own theme – red on day one, white on day two, and “dress to impress” on day three.

There were motivational speakers, business success stories, and a lot of clapping at things we didn’t fully understand but nodded along to anyway. Evenings were for takeaways, pool lounging, and the occasional adventure out.

Disney Springs Discovery

One night we wandered over to Disney Springs, which is basically Disney’s way of emptying your wallet before you even step into the parks.

Shops upon shops, shiny things everywhere, and yes, I caved and bought the Starbucks “You Are Here” mug because priorities.

Dinner was at Morimoto Asia (dumplings for me, popcorn shrimp for balance) and, because it was my birthday the next morning, we hit up a cupcake ATM.

Yes, that’s a real thing.

Yes, it was as adorable as it sounds.

Pro Tip: Disney Springs = danger zone. You’ll walk in for a coffee and walk out with 17 bags of overpriced Mickey merchandise. Set a budget. Double it. Then cry.

Birthday Royalty 🥳

On the big day, I was paraded around the conference in a sparkly headband.

Every single person stopped me to say “Happy Birthday” and take photos. Honestly, I’ve never felt more like a D-list celebrity.

To finish the celebrations, we all jumped fully clothed into the villa pool. Genius idea at the time… less genius when packing soggy dresses the next morning.

The “Don’t Book This” Hotel

For the last night, we checked into Embassy Suites.

Imagine a cross between a sleazy motel in an American movie and a Disney-themed cafeteria.

The best part? We couldn’t even cross the road to the outlet mall without risking arrest, so had to Uber… for $20… to travel 200 yards. Bargain.

To top it off, Florida weather unleashed the apocalypse.. thunder, lightning, and sideways rain.

We stood on the balcony watching it all, half expecting Dorothy’s house to fly past.

Pro Tip: Outlet malls aren’t always a bargain. Especially when the Uber to cross one road costs more than the T-shirt you’re buying.

Flight Home (AKA First Class, Round Two ✈️)

By morning, we’d had enough.

Straight to the airport, where we discovered the Delta lounge. Not quite Heathrow fancy, but quiet, free food, and peace – sold.

Florida weather still wasn’t done with us, delaying flights again, but eventually we were escorted (yes, escorted, thank you very much) to our gate.

First class home was a whole different vibe: lie-flat seats, adorable pyjamas (which may or may not now live in my drawer), and meals that sounded fancier than they tasted.

Teriyaki salmon, parsnip soup, raspberry cheesecake… and turbulence so dramatic I thought my soup might actually hit the ceiling.

First class turbulence still feels like turbulence.

You can sip parsnip soup in fancy pyjamas all you like, but when the plane shakes, you’ll still think you’re auditioning for Final Destination 12. Cozy? Ish. Memorable? Absolutely.

We landed back in reality with soggy suitcases, mild jet lag, and the kind of stories you can’t quite explain without saying, “You had to be there.”

Final Thoughts

Orlando gave us villa goals, birthday tiaras, cupcake ATMs, and thunderstorms straight out of a disaster movie.

We came, we conference’d, we shopped (badly), and we survived the turbulence – pyjamas and all.

Would I do it again? Absolutely.

But next time, I’m bringing waterproof luggage, an inflatable flamingo, and a second suitcase just for Disney mugs.

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