Jamesfoto Traveller. July-August 2015

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Spotlighton Orlando,Florida I PW Or l ando2015Speci alEdi t i on•J ul y-August2015


Somet i mesf ac ti ss t r angert hanfic t i on. Whowoul dhav et houghtt hat12y ear sagowhenIs ol dmy fir s tt r av el f eat ur e,t odayIwoul dbej et t i ngofft oOr l ando F l or i dat oat t endt hepr es t i gi ousannual U. S. Tr av el As s oc i at i on’ sI PW Tr av el I ndus t r yTr adeShow2015. Not onl yt hatbutal s ot hi sev entwoul di ns pi r emet ofinal l y c r eat emyownonl i net r av el magaz i net ur ni ngmef r om a t r av el c ont r i but ori nt oat r av el edi t or . Wel c omet ot hei naugur al i s s ueofJ ames f ot oTr av el l er dedi c at edt hi smont ht oI PW Or l ando2015. I ns i dey ouwi l l findaday by dayr ec apofI PW i t s el faswel l ass t or i esaboutt heev ent sandat t r ac t i onsi nOr l ando enj oy edbyov er6, 000t r av el ex hi bi t or sandbuy er sand550 medi adel egat esf r om t heU. S. andar oundt hewor l d. Whet hery ouar eanar mc hai rt r av el erors omeonel ook i ng f ort hei rnex tt r av el adv ent ur eIhopet hes t or i esand pr of es s i onal phot ogr aphyi ns i det hi sands ubs equent i s s ueswi l l educ at e, i ns pi r eandent er t ai nt hewander l us ti n al l ofus . Enj oy .


L a nds c a pe Ma or i Cul t ur e T r a ns por t T our i s mA r a cons Br oc hur eCov er s T our i s m Acv ies Desna onPhot og r a phy


At r adi t i onalNew Zeal andwel comet o Or l andoatWal tDi sneyWor l dset st hescene f ort hef our dayevent .Pr essconf er ences, oneononepr eschedul edandwal kup appoi nt ment sanduni queOr l andot our i sm exper i enceswer ej ustsomeoft he hi ghl i ght satI PW 2015Or l ando.


Thi sy eart he47t hannual I PW t r av el t r adec onf er enc ewas hel di nOr l andoF l or i daov erf ourday si near l yJ une. Thec onf er enc eor gani z erUSTr av el As s oc i at i onannounc ed t hatt hi sy ear ’ sat t endanc ehass etar ec or d, 6, 500 i nt er nat i onal anddomes t i cex hi bi t er sandbuy er sand500 pl usmedi adel egat esi nc l udi ngme. Iwaspar tofanei ght s t r ongdel egat i onr epr es ent i ngNewZeal and. Thes t at i s t i c sf orI PW ar ehuge, USD4. 7bi l l i oni ndi r ec t book i ngst ot heUSov ert henex tt hr eey ear sby8. 8mi l l i on i nt er nat i onal v i s i t or ss pendi ngUSD28bi l l i on. Her ei saday by dayr ec api oft hi sr emar k abl et our i s m c onf er enc e. Depar t ur e: Wel l i ngt on–Br i s bane–LosAngel es–Or l ando I twasagr uel i ng22hourt hr eepl anefli ghtt oOr l andoon Vi r gi nAus t r al i aandDel t aAi r l i nes . Thefli ght swer e c omf or t abl e, t hes t affat t ent i v eandpol i t eandabi gpl us , my bagswer ec hec k edt hr ought oOr l andoandwer ewai t i ng t her ef ormewhenIar r i v ed. Tr ans i tt hr oughbot hBr i s bane andLosAngel eswentwi t houti nc i dental t houghIdi dgetl os t i nLosAngel est r y i ngt ofindt hedomes t i ct er mi nal . Maj or upgr adeswer ehappeni ngt hatdi dn’ taddt oas peedyt r ans i t al t houghIwasi mpr es s edwi t ht hequi c kpr oc es s i ngt hr ough USCus t oms . Ther ei sas epar at equeuef orv i s awai v er c ount r i est hatal l owedmeanex t r ahourt oex pl or et he ai r por tonc eIbec ame“ unl os t ” . Ther ewass omev er yar i d anddr ydes er ts c ener ybet weenLosAngel esandF l or i da, mos tl i k el yAr i z ona. Thehi ghl i ghtwasfly i ngov ert he Mi s s i s s i ppi Ri v erasi tempt i esi nt ot heGul fofMex i c o. I t appear edt obei nfloodandv er ybr owni nc ol our . Ar r i val : Or l andoI nt er nat i onalAi r por t . Ther ewasnodi s put i ngIhadl andedi nOr l ando, i tf el tl i k eI hads t eppedi nt oat hemepar kc ompl et ewi t hamonor ai l , a Hy at tHot el wi t hex t er i orgl as sel ev at or s , s i dewal kmus i c i ans andDi s neybi l l boar dsands ouv eni rs hopsev er y wher e. Wi t hi nmi nut esIwaswhi s k edt ot hehot el s hut t l ear eaby monor ai l f ort hes hor tc ommut et ot heHi l t onOr l ando, my homef ort henex tfiv eday s . Noti nt hec ount r yfiv emi nut esI embar r as s edmy s el f . Opt i ngf ort hef r onts eatf ort hebes t v i ewsIwasc onf r ont edwi t ht hes t eer i ngwheel . “ Wek now wher ey ouar ef r om”c amet hewor dsf r om behi ndov er l aughi ngandc l appi ng.


Hot el satI PW wer eas s i gnedbyc ount r y , TheHi l t onOr l ando c hos enf orNewZeal andandAus t r al i andel egat esand ot her s . Ik newwhent hes hut t l es weptupt ot hemai n c onc our s et hi swasgoi ngt obeas t epupf r om t he bac k pac k er sIus ual l yf r equent , andi twasandmor ebes i des . Val et swer eac t ual l yr unni ngt obr i ngc ar sf ordepar t i ng gues t sasIs t eppedi nt ot hemai nl obbyt oc hec ki n. Mar bl e floor s , c handel i er s , r ev ol v i ngdoor sandhi ghc ei l i ngs whi s per edl ux ur y , atl eas tbymydefini t i on. TheHi l t onhas19floor sc ompr i s i ng1, 400gues tr ooms , s ui t esandex ec ut i v er ooms . Myr oom wasont het ent hfloor andf eat ur edt wok i ngs i z edoubl ebedsandal ar geflat s c r eenTV.

Ot herhot el f eat ur esar et wor es or tpool s , al az yr i v er , pr i v at ec abanas , fir epi t s , t enni sc our t s , f ul l s er v i c efit nes s ands pac ent er , ni nehol eput t i nggr een, wat er s l i de, whi r l pool andapool s i debarandf oodout l et . Ther ear es ev endi ni ngopt i onsr angi ngf r om f ul l -s er v i c e r es t aur ant sSpenc er ’ sSt eak hous eorDav i d’ sCl ubt oqui c k s er v i c eatt heMar k et pl ac eorr oom s er v i c e.


Thi si mpr es s i v ec onv ent i onc ent erboos t st womi l l i ons qf eet hous edi nt wobui l di ngs . Or i gi nal l ybui l ti n1983i thasgr own t obec omeoneoft hel ar ges tc ent er si nt heUS. I thos t sup t o200t r ades howsandc onv ent i onseac hy ear . Ihadaper f ec tv i ewoft hec ent erf r om myr oom i nc l udi ng t hehugec ar par k , ac ol our f ul mos ai cwhenf ul l .

Ani nt er es t i ngdet ai l Inot i c edwhenwal k i ngac r os st ot he c ent eri nt hec ov er edwal k waywer et hedel egat esbei ng t r ans por t edf r om t hec arpar ki nc ov er edt wos eat er r i c k s hawsat t ac hedt obi c y c l eswi t har i der . Pedal power i ngenui t yati t ’ sbes t !


Ther ewasanex c l us i v emedi apr es sr oom av ai l abl ef orus ebyI PW medi a. Is pental otoft i met her eedi t i ngmyphot os , c hec k i ngemai l sands c hedul esf ort heday spr es sc onf er enc es . Al l dayf r es hl ybr ewedc oeewasal s oagooddr awc ar d. .

Thi swaswher emos tofmyappoi nt ment swer eandappoi nt ment ss c hedul edbyex hi bi t er swhowant edt omeetwi t hme andot herwr i t er sandphot ogr apher s .


Thener v ec ent r eofI PW t hi si swher ebus i nes si sc onduc t edbet weenex hi bi t or sandbuy er s . Rowuponr owofc ol our f ul bus yboot hsmak esas pec t ac ul ars c ene.




DayOneofI PW 2015ki ckedoffwi t ht heOpeni ng Cer emonyami dmuchf anf ar e.

EpcotCent er : Lunchont heBoar dwal kandt heSoar i n’Exper i ence.

Or angeCount yOr l andoMayorTer esaJ acobshol dsup t hecutr i bbonwhi l eUSSecr et ar yofCommer cePenny Pr i t zkerhol dsal ar gepai rofsci ssor s.

ThePr essTourl unchwasseti nanI t al i anRest aur anton t heBoar dwal kcal l edTr at t or i aalFor no.Lunchi ncl udeda del i ci ousgl assofi mpor t edI t al i anwi ne.

Myfir stpr essconf er encebyt heUSTr avelAssoci at i on f ol l owi ngbr unchatt heOr l andoEyeent er t ai nment compl exnotf arf r om t heConvent i onCent er .

EpcotWor l dShowcase

Fol l owi ngbr unchIj oi nedsever alot hermedi adel egat es t oboar dacoachf ort heshor tdr i vet oapr esst ourof Di sney’ sPol ynesi anVi l l ageResor tatDi sneyWor l d. Pr essTour :Di sney’ sPol ynesi anVi l l ageResor t Thi sr et r or esor tor i gi nal l ybui l ti n1971i sget t i ngamake over .Wewer egi venat ouroft henew bungal ow sui t es bot honl andandatt heSevenSeasLagoonaswel las i mpr ovement st ot hemai nl obbyi nt heGr eat Cer emoni alHouse. Bef or el unchwedr oppedi natTr aderSam’ sGr ogGr ot t o ani nt er est i ngt i kibari nt hePol ynesi anVi l l ageResor t .A sur pr i si ngt wi stwasaSout hSeasvol cani cer upt i on compl et ewi t hsound,smel landsmokeeffect sand ani mat edt i kigods.

Att hi spoi ntwewer eschedul edt or et ur nt oourhot el s t or estupf ort hefir stoft hr eeexcl usi veI PW par t i es, t oni ght ’ sonei nt heMagi cKi ngdom.Ichoset or emai n behi ndt ospendt heaf t er nooni nEpcotandj oi nt he par t yl at er TheSoar i n’Exper i encecombi nesawr apar oundI MAX i magepr oj ect i ont ogi veyout hei l l usi onofhanggl i di ng overCal i f or ni a.Smoke,seaspr ayandscent saddt ot he i l l usi onaswel lasmovementi nt hesuspendedchai ryou ar eseat edi n. I PW Excl usi vePar t y I i nt heMagi cKi ngdom Wal tDi sneyWor l d TheMagi cKi ngdom wascl osedt ot hepubl i cal l owi ngI PW del egat esf r eeaccesst oal lt heat t r act i onsandr i des.The ni ghtendedwi t haspeci alfir ewor ksdi spl ayat Ci nder el l a’ scast l ecal l ed“ ANi ghtWhenFant asyComes ToLi f e”



Br andUSAPr es sConf er enc e

Medi aMar ket pl ac eAppoi nt ment s Sc hedul edAppoi nt ment swi t hExhi bi t er s

LUNCH Spons or edbyBr andUSA

L unc hent er t ai nmentt odaywasas etoffiv es ongsbyr oc kbandFor ei gner Theaf t er noonwasar epeatoft hemor ni ng’ ss es s i ons ,mor eappoi nt ment s andnet wor ki ngandRev er s eMar ket pl ac eappoi nt ment s .

I PW Exc l us i vePar t yatSeaWor l d

Thepar kwasc l os edt ot hepubl i cal l owi ngI PW del egat esunl i mi t edac c es st oal lat t r ac t i onsandr i des Theev entwasmar r edbyr ai nandas ev er el i ght i ngs t or mt hats hutdownt her ol l er c oas t er ’ sf orat i me.


OpenAppoi nt mentSc hedul i ngSes s i on Uni v er s al St udi osHol l y woodPr es sConf er enc eVi s i t Cal i f or ni aPr es sConf er enc e USTr av el As s oc i at i onPr es sConf er enc e NYC&CompanyPr es sConf er enc e LUNCH Spons or edbyNYC&CompanyandBr oadwayI nbound Lunc hent er t ai nmentt odayf eat ur edal i neupofmedl ey s f r om popul arBr oadwayhi t sTheLi onKi ng, Al addi n, F i ddl er ont heRoofamongot her s . Thehos twasDav i dHy dePi er c e f r om t heTVs howF r as i er . Theaf t er noonwass penti nopenNet wor k i ngandbus i nes s appoi nt ment s . Theev eni ngwasf r eef orpr i v at eev ent s . Ic hos et ogot ot he Mer l i nEnt er t ai nmentpar t yatt heOr l andoEy eCompl ex . I n bet weendr i nk sIr odet heOr l andoEy eandv i s i t edMadam Tus s audsandSk el et ons–Ani mal sUnc ov er ed.


I PW Exc l us i vePar t y-Uni ver s alOr l andoRes or t . Bus i nes sandNet wor k i ngappoi nt ment s Choos eChi c agoPr es sConf er enc e NewOr l eansCVBPr es sConf er enc e LUNCH Spons or edbyExper i enc eKi s s i mmee Beaut yandt heBeas t , F i ndi ngNemoandafinal eofDi s ney c har ac t er sboughtt hefinal l unc hent er t ai nmentt oac l os e. .

TheI PW final ewashel datUni v er s al St udi oswi t hal l at t r ac t i onsandr i desopent odel egat es . Myf av or i t ewast he Wi z ar di ngWor l dofHar r yPot t erat t r ac t i on, Hogs mead Vi l l ageandDi agonAl l eywi t har i deont heHogwar t s Ex pr es sbet weent het wo. Thi swasas pec t ac ul arendt o I PW 2015f orme




I thadal r eadybeenal ongday , t hemor ni ngs pentonapr es s t ourofDi s ney ’ sPol y nes i anRes or tandr i di ngt heSoar i n’ at t r ac t i onatEpc otandt heaf t er noonpoundi ngt he pav ementatWor l dShowc as eandF ut ur eWor l d. Byt het i meIgott ot hemonor ai l s t at i oni twasal r eady7pm s omyt i mek eepi ngwasont hemar k . Ri di ngt hemonor ai l gi v esy ouani deaj us thowbi gDi s neyWor l di s . Youc an’ twal k bet weenEpc otandt heMagi cKi ngdom ev eni fy ouwant ed t o. Ast hemonor ai l c amei nt ot heMagi cKi ngdom t her ewas al r eadyal i neofI PW del egat esfil i ngi nt ot hepar kandan equal l yl ongl i neofpeopl ec omi ngoutc ompl ai ni ngt hatt hey c oul dn’ ts t ay . F ormei twasamat t erofs l i ppi ngi nt ot her i ght queueandput t i ngonmyI PW i dent i fic at i ont ag. Thel as tt i meIwasi nt heMagi cKi ngdom was30y ear sagoi n LosAngel es . Ic ans t i l l r ememberf eel i ngt hatmagi cwal k i ng t hr ought het ur ns t i l es .Whi l et het ur ns t i l esmaybegonei n Di s neyWor l dt hes amemagi cr emai nsasy ouent erMai n St r eetands eet hatf ami l i arc as t l eappeari nt hedi s t anc e. I t wasl at eaf t er noonandt hes et t i ngs unhadhi ghl i ght edt he uppert ur r et si nagol denl i ght . I tal l l ook edv er yf ami l i arwi t honedi s t i nc tdi ffer enc e. Ther e wer enoqueuesandt her ewer epor t abl ef oodt abl esand wel l s t oc k edbar sonal mos tev er ys t r eetc or ner . I twaspar t y t i meandt heI PW c r owddi dn’ twas t et i meget t i ngs t ar t ed. Thef oodwasdel i c i ous , t hebeerc ol dandt hec ompany i nf ec t i ous . Dur i ngt hedayi twasal l aboutwor kandbus i nes s , nowi twasaboutenj oy i ngagoodt i meamongf r i ends . TheMagi cKi ngdom i shugeandi mpos s i bl et oex per i enc ei n f ourhour ss oIdi dn’ tt r yt o. I ns t eadIenj oy edt hepar t y at mos pher eandt hec ompanyf ort hemos tpar ti n Tomor r owLand. Weal l k newt her ewasgoi ngt obeas pec i al fir ewor k sdi s pl ays oIt r i ednott os t r ayt oof arf r om t he c as t l e. Nos oonerhadt hepar t ygoti nt ohi ghgeart he announc ementc ameov ert hel ouds peak er st omak eour wayt ot hec as t l e.Mous eear swer edi s t r i but edandweal l wai t edex pec t ant l yast hec as t l es l owl yc amet ol i f ei noneof t hemos ts pec t ac ul arfir ewor k sdi s pl ayIhav eev ers een. Thes k i l f ul bl endofl i ght , s oundands t or y t el l i ngwas mes mer i s i ng. Al l t oos ooni twasov erandr el uc t ant l y ev er y ones t ar t edfil i ngoutt owai t i ngbus esf ar ewel l edby Mi c k eyandMi nni eMous e.

T hemonor ai l l e av e sEpc otboundf ort heMagi cKi ngdom.




Ours ec ondex c l us i v eI PW par t ywashel datSeaWor l dwi t h t wov er ydi s t i nc tdi ffer enc es . One, i tr ai nedonourpar t y , l i t er al l y . Andt wo, t her ewasas pec t ac ul arl i ght ni ngs t or m t hats hutdownt her ol l erc oas t er sf ort hebes tpar toft he ni ght . F r om t hes af et yofadoor wayIwat c hedt hel i ght ni ng wi t haweasnat ur et hi st i meputonal i ght s howev er ybi tas goodasi nt heMagi cKi ngdom. Howev erours pi r i t swer en’ t dampened. Al l dr es s edi nbl uepl as t i cr ai nc oat st ur ni ng phot osanappr opr i at es eac ol ourev er y onegoti nt opar t y mode. Agai nt her ewer epor t abl ef oodandbart abl esonev er y s t r eetc or neratl eas tunt i l i ts t ar t edr ai ni ng. Thos ewi t h umbr el l asr emai nedi nt her ai nwhi l eot her sr et r eat edt o i ndoorl oc at i onsal t houghac oupl eofbar sc ar r i edon s er v i ngdr i nk si nt her ai n. Ev ent ual l yIs t ay edatat abl enear t heMant ar ol l erc oas t ert hati nhi nds i ghtwasabadmov e. Notbec aus eoft hec ompanybutev ent ual l yt her ol l er c oas t eropenedandIwass weptal ongwi t hmynewf ound f r i endsont ot hec ar sf ort hefir s tr i det oopenf ort heni ght . Thebar sc amedownandl oc k edmei nt opl ac e. Nots obadI t hought . Sweet . Butt hent hewhol ec art i ppedf or war d l eav i ngushor i z ont al andf ac edown. Don’ tr emembermuc h oft henex tf ewmi nut esex c eptt hef eel i ngoft wi s t i ngand t ur ni ng, bei ngups i dedownandf al l i ngt hr oughawi dear c . I hadmyey ess hutt hewhol et i me. Atl eas tIc ans ayIr odea r ol l erc oas t eri nOr l andoev eni fi twasmyfir s tandl as tt i me. Ev ent ual l yt her ai ns t oppedandIwasabl et oex pl or et he par kal i t t l ebutbyt henev er y one, wetandbedr aggl ed, begant ofil ebac kt ot hebus es . Ther ai ni neffec tgav et he ev eni nganaut hent i cf eel muc hl i k ebei ngonabeac h dur i ngas t or m butapar tf r om t her ol l erc oas t er , Il ov edi t . A s eaofbl uer ai nc oat sr eflec t edi nt hewetf oot pat hsmade f orev oc at i v ephot ogr aphs .


I PW c l os edwi t ht heex c l us i v efinal epar t yatUni v er s al Or l andoRes or t . I ns t ar kc ont r as tt oSeaWor l di twasafine war mF l or i daev eni ngwi t habeaut i f ul gol dens uns et . Ther e wasal s oaf ul l moonaddi ngt ot hedr amaoft hemov i es . Agai n, l i k et heMagi cKi ngdom Uni v er s al St udi osi shugeand c an’ tbeex per i enc edi naf ewhour s . Iwant edt ov i s i tI s l ands ofAdv ent ur ebutc hos ei ns t eadt owanderar oundCi t yWal k bef or eent er i ngt hegat esi nt oUni v er s al t oex pl or et he Wi z ar di ngWor l dofHar r yPot t er . Att hef ootofHogwar t s Cas t l ei st hev i l l ageofHogs meade. Her ey ouc anboar dt he Hogwar t sEx pr es sandar r i v ei nDi agonAl l eywi t hi t ’ sr oof t opfir ebr eat hi ngdr agonandGr i ngot t sBank . Ourpar t i eswer emadeper s onal byal l t hr eet hemepar k s ac k nowl edgi ngourpr es enc e. Att heMagi cKi ngdom t her e wasabanneratt heent r anc et oMai nSt r eet , atSeaWor l da s i gnwi t hi nt hepengui nenc l os ur eandabov eatUni v er s al St udi osont hes c r eeni nt heLagoon. Ofal l t heev ent sat I PW t hes et hr eewi l l bes omet hi ngf ormet ot el l t he gr andk i dsoneday , howGr andadpar t i eddowni nt heMagi c Ki ngdom, atSeaWor l dandUni v er s al St udi osi nOr l ando ands ur v i v ed.




Tot her i ghtoft hemai nent r ancet oOr l andoEyei sa f asci nat i ngandbeaut i f ulmuseum cal l edSkel et ons: Ani mal sUnvei l ed.Over400r ealani malandhuman skel et onsar ear r angedi n40exhi bi t sandi magi nat i vel y l i tt oaccent uat et hebeaut yanddet ai lofskel et albone.I l ovedi t .Myf avor i t esmal lskel et onwast hemeer kat ,f or meeasi l yi dent i ďŹ abl e.Ot her swer enotwi t houtďŹ r st l ooki ngatt hel abel s.


Si t uat edwi t hi nt hemai nent r ancet oOr l andoEye i st hef as ci nat i ngMadam Tus s audsOr l ando,a chancet or ubs houl der swi t ht hef amous ,pas t andpr es ent .Is pentar oundt wohour sher e wal ki ngt hr ought heexhi bi t st wi ce.Unl i keot her waxmus eumsIhavebeent ot her ei s n’ tabar r i er bet weenyouandt hefigur es . Thi swasal s ot hes ceneofmys econd embar r as s menti nOr l ando.It houghtt he gent l emans t andi ngbyt hepi l l arwasagr umpy l ooki ngs ecur i t yguar dwhowasgoi ngt o chal l engemef ort aki nghi sphot o.I twasi nf acta figur eofVi nDi es el ! Theexhi bi t swer edi vi dedupi nt os epar at ez ones r epr es ent i nghi s t or i calfigur es ,wor l dl eader s pas tandpr es ent ,mus i c,fil m andTVs t ar sand f amouss por t ss t ar s .Iwasi mpr es s edwi t ht he r eal i s m oft hefigur eses peci al l ySt evenSpi el ber g andaGr eas ei ns pi r edJ ohnTr avol t a.Anadded hi ghl i ghtwaswat chi ngdi ffer entpeopl ecomi ng upwi t hal lmannerofpos est obephot ogr aphed wi t ht hei rf avour i t eper s onal i t y.Onei npar t i cul ar wasal adyl yi ngacr os sPr es i dentObama’ sdes k t al ki ngont hephone.Hi l ar i ous .Anot herhi ghl i ght atMadam Tus s audswasani nt er act i vemi ni wor ks hopwher egues t scoul dhaveawaxmoul d cr eat edus i ngt hei rhand.Thepr oces swental l t hewayf r om t hei ni t i alhandmoul dt opour i ng t hewaxandr eal i s t i ccol our i ngt ot hes ki n. Thet i mei tt akest ocompl et eaf ul lfigur ei sf our mont hsofs peci al i s ts cul pt i ng,moul di ngand col our i ng.Eachfigur ecos t s$300, 000t ocr eat e.I n t heMar ketHal latI PW t her ewer et wofigur eson l oan,BeyonceandDavi dBeckham.



F oranyfir s tt i mev i s i t ort oF l or i dai ti shar dt or es i s t dr oppi ngy ourbagsaty ourhot el andr us hi ngofft oWal t Di s neyWor l d. Thi si saf t eral l t heent er t ai nmentc api t al of t hewor l d. Per s onal l y , whenar r i v i ngi nanewdes t i nat i onI l i k et ogetaf eel f ort hepl ac e, c hec koutt heur banorr ur al ar eas , meett hel oc al sandex pl or et hec ui s i neatl oc al r es t aur ant s . Oneoft hemedi at our sonofferatt heI PW t our i s m c onf er enc ewast heDownt ownOr l andobust our , aper f ec t s t ar tt owhatwast obec omeav er ybus yf ourday s . Wi t hi nmi nut eswewer ehur t l i ngdownt hef r eewayt owar d t heOr l andos k y l i ne. Apar tf r om t heai r por ts hut t l et omy hot el t hi swasmyfir s tgl i mps eoft heF l or i dac ount r y s i de. Ev er y wher et her ewer epal mt r eesl i ni ngt hef r eewayand bi l l boar dsbec k oni ngy out ot hemanyt hemepar k si nt he ar ea. Hot el sandl ar gebus i nes sc ompl ex ess eem t obet he c ent r epi ec esofl ar get r ac t sofflatl and.

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Thi swasoneoft hos e“ wow, di dn’ tk nowt hatwast her e” moment s . Thes i gns ai dhel i c opt err i dess t ar t i ngat$20. Real l y ?That ’ sc heapev eni nAmer i c andol l ar s . Nex tt hi ngI k newIwasl ook i ngdownonmyhot el wi t hSeaWor l datone ofI nt er nat i onal Dr i v eandUni v er s al St udi osatt heot her end. Thefli ghtwass hor t , ar ound12mi nut esbutpl ent yl ong enoughf ormewhodoes n’ ts ufferhei ght st oowel l . Ther ear eot hert our sav ai l abl et hatv ar yi nl engt handpr i c e, t hel onges tandmos tex pens i v efli esy ouov erWal tDi s ney Wor l dandDownt ownOr l andobutmyl i t t l eex c ur s i onwas s uffic i entt os eeOr l andof r om adi ffer entper s pec t i v e. Ther ei saUSD4f uel c har geaddedt ot hec os tofy ourfli ght . Eac hfli ghtr equi r esami ni mum oft wopas s enger s .

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Ther e was s o muc h mor e Ic oul d hav e ex pl or ed on I nt er nat i onalDr i v e buti twast i me t o head f orone l as t at t r ac t i onbef or emyfli ghthome. TheOr l andoAi r por t . I nt he t r ues pi r i tofOr l andoi tr es embl esat hemepar kc ompl et e wi t h ex t er i orgl as sel ev at or s ,l i v emus i c i ansi nt hec ent r al l obbyandamonor ai l c onnec t i ngv ar i ouspar t soft heai r por t . AsIheadedt owar dmydepar t ur egat eIqui ppedt ooneof t he ai r por ts t aff how beaut i f uland moder nl ook i ng t he ai r por twas .“ Oh i t ’ sal lol d hat .I t ’ sout dat ed.I t ’ sget t i ng pul l eddownandabi ggerbr i ght eroneget t i ngbui l t ” Idi dn’ tdoubtherf orami nut e. Myper s onal adv ent ur eex pl or i ngI nt er nat i onal Dr i v ewas t heper f ec tendi ngt oani nc r edi bl ev i s i tt oOr l ando. I twasa bus i nes st r i py etIs awenought owar r antar et ur nv i s i t , one wher eIc oul dr eal l ybeav i s i t ori nt het r ues ens eoft he wor d.


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