Issue #9
An adult spring break at the Four Seasons Orlando, plus how female travelers are driving the industry.
And we’re back! The last month has been a whirlwind, but we didn’t forget about you. I’m excited to share some of our latest adventures with you and more to come.
Mini Guide: Orlando, FL
Perfect for: Families (!!), Group Trips with Friends, and Couples
Ok so Orlando may not be the most exotic destination, but for those based on the East Coast of the US or even in Florida, it’s an easy trip for a quick weekend getaway.
Obviously having little ones is usually what sparks planning a trip to Disney, but it’s definitely not a requirement! We don’t have kids and found it to be a playful trip to escape our day-to-day responsibilities and have some good old fashioned fun connecting with our inner child.
There’s also a whole other world of things to explore and some great restaurants in Winter Park, but we didn’t get a chance to check it out this visit.
Best Time to Visit: October through April
Winter through Spring is really ideal, when the weather is best for hitting up the theme parks. Summer is doable but wouldn’t recommend it.
If you’re mostly interested in eating and drinking, the Epcot food and wine festival runs from September though November.
Budget Meter: $$$ = fairly affordable with options for high/low.
Disney isn’t cheap, but it really depends on so many factors like where you stay, how many kids you have, and your plans for the parks. There are all kinds of ways to spend more money on extras, but you can also do it reasonably and save in other ways.
Parents Tip: the Disney parks let you bring in water, juice, and snacks, plus they have refillable water bottle stations. This can help cut down on unnecessary purchases like bottled water or overpriced chips.
Getting There:
If you’re coming from out of state, Orlando Airport (MCO) is the way to go. Otherwise driving is always a direct option, and there is a new Brightline train station at the airport if you’re coming from South Florida and don’t want to deal with traffic.


Disney Parks:
We did 2 parks in 1 day with the park-hopper pass. We went to Animal Kingdom in the morning, which was great to beat the crowds and see some of the animals before it gets too hot in the afternoon. Expedition Everest was our favorite ride there, with the Avatar Flight of Passage being a close second.
By midday we went to Epcot for lunch at the Cantina in Mexico and were able to get into the Guardians of the Galaxy ride, which was our number 1 favorite of the entire day. Just pure fun and adrenaline. The rest of the afternoon was a combination of more low key rides and exploring the different countries. We raided the souvenir shop in Japan to buy a bunch of Japanese snacks.
Be sure to try the frozen beer in Japan and the “Top Shelf Clasica” margarita at the Cantina - these were the best drinks of the day.
Pro Tip: Highly suggest planning in advance to get the Disney Lightning Lane (aka fast pass) so you spend less time waiting in lines. These limited slots book up in advance, so purchasing while you’re in the parks won’t be an option for the most in-demand rides.


Where to Stay: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
While the resort is of course full of families, the adults only pool was where we posted up for some peace and quiet. There’s a lazy river at the main pool, which was also a highlight and added to the whole adult playground vibe of the weekend.
Highlights included dinners at Ravello (Italian) and Capa (Michelin-starred Spanish steakhouse), both of which were very satisfying. Capa also has views of the Disney fireworks from the terrace each night. The breakfast buffet at Ravello is a very legit spread with a made-to-order eggs station— and I’m not usually a buffet kinda gal.
They also have a new-ish speakeasy called Epilogue that is a themed bar with a fun little scavenger hunt to find its entrance. This was a great pregame the night before our Disney day to get us in the festive spirit.
The spa has a spacious steam room and an individual ‘experience shower’ (which was a bit gimmicky), but the best part was the ice-cold face towel station outside of the steam room. The massage was a perfect way to unwind at the end of the weekend.
Pro Tip: Four Seasons is among the hotels within Walt Disney World Resorts that allow guests who stay there the ability to access the parks 30 minutes before they open to everyone else. We took advantage of this to try the new Avatar World ride at Animal Kingdom (which we still had to wait an hour for even with early access - quite a few guests from other hotels had the same idea).
They also have a free shuttle bus to and from the parks each day. Be sure to check the schedule to line up your plans as they don’t always run around the clock.
Making Headlines:
New European-Style Oasis with Thermal Baths, Swim-Up Bars and Waterslides Set to Open in US (The Sun): Therme Group is planning to build a massive $1 billion wellness resort in Washington, D.C., featuring thermal baths, saunas, and water slides. The resort, expected to open by 2027, aims to offer an affordable, spa-like experience inspired by European thermal bathhouses, catering to both relaxation seekers and families.
Can This Developer Make West Palm Beach Into the Hottest City in America? (WSJ): Billionaire developer Stephen Ross is betting big on West Palm Beach, aiming to turn it into America’s next NYC. Through his company, Related, he is pouring billions into luxury residential towers, high-end offices and cultural venues, positioning the city as a prime destination for wealthy transplants and remote workers.
Delta and Shake Shack Are Expanding Their Partnership to More Flights (T+L): Delta Air Lines has teamed up with Shake Shack to bring the popular burgers to first class passengers on select long-haul flights out of New York (LGA), Atlanta, Seattle, and Los Angeles. Talk about shaking up the in-flight menu.
Female-First Travel: The Ultimate Guide (BBC): Women are dominating the travel space - as we comprise 64% of the world’s travelers and 82% of women are responsible for making a family’s travel decisions. This, combined with the fact that solo female travel is on also the rise, means the industry needs to accommodate this growing segment, and destinations that offer safety and welcoming cultures will be given preference.
On Our Radar:
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda: An African safari is bucket list material on its own, but this Singita lodge takes it to the next level with breathtaking views from every angle.
The Land Rovers: With this fully customized Defender, the journey IS the destination. Will go literally anywhere in this dream car.
Until next time, stay curious.
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