Destination:
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Overview
Orlando, Florida is such a great destination spot for many reasons. It is located in Central Florida and is very easy to travel to, especially if you or any of your travel buddies are going to be flying in commercial. Orlando has a lot to offer – great restaurants, nightlife, a quick drive to some of Florida’s most popular beaches, and best of all – DISNEY WORLD!
The Flight
For this flight, we flew from Peachtree City, Georgia (KFFC) to Orlando, Florida (KORL) in a Cessna Skylane 182. This trip was 333 nautical miles which took us a little over two hours flight time and 35 gallons.
I was the pilot-in-command for this trip (Mindy) down to Orlando because the weather was less than favorable to get there. The entire state of Florida had a line of storms and rain spanning from the west coast the whole way to the east coast. The only way to complete the flight was to find a way through it.
Kevin is not yet an instrument pilot, but he helped out this flight by working the radios. He can get pretty bored if he doesn’t have something to do, so this worked out perfectly. We also got to use this flight as a great teaching opportunity for him since he has never picked through storms like this before.
When we first leveled off in cruise at 5,000 feet, we had great visibility and the skies were clear. But as we continued southbound, the skies got darker and darker until we got up against the storm line.
In my experience, you can’t really plan a flight through storms in a small piston plane like this until you get up on it and can see what you’re working with. My rule for flying around storms in a plane like this? It must be daylight, I need reliable equipment (we had the Garmin G1000 NXi with XM weather) and if possible, I want to be in visual conditions prior to the “bad stuff” so I can visually see the holes, build ups, and rainfall.
Kevin kept asking how we were going to deviate through it, and being an hour away from it still, I didn’t quite know yet for certain. I saw a hole in the line that I liked and kept my eye on. I also kept watch on the other aircraft in the area that poked through it to see where they decided to go through. Unfortunately, there was only one Bonanza in front of us that we got to see on the traffic map take the plunge through and they decided to go through that hole I was watching, which really helped secure that idea.
Jacksonville Center air traffic control was helpful through the process as well. They gave us a waypoint that got us around the heavy rain and then further allowed us to deviate left and right of course as needed. That worked like a charm. We spent about 10 minutes in the clouds with light rain and then a big reward on the other side when we got out of the crummy weather was a beautiful sunset for us to enjoy until we got into the Orlando area.
But the flight wasn’t easy peasy from then on. It was getting dark very quickly and there were heavy rainfall storms scattered around Orlando. Luckily, they were not in a conjoined line that we would have to directly fly through again because I wouldn’t have. We would’ve needed to divert and land if that was the case because although these storms were smaller and more scattered, they were more powerful and filled with lightning as the sky was turning into night.
Our flight path to join final for runway 25 was perfect. It had us parallel one of the nasty storms but in a safe enough distance away where I was comfortable continuing on. It was now dark and lightning was filling the sky out our left window.
We landed without any issues at Orlando Executive and the Tower asked us about the weather as we came in. We let them know that the storm was near but was doable if it remained that far away.
We taxied in among the blue taxiway lights to Sheltair Aviation. I have been to this facility before and can’t say enough good things about their customer service. It is also a fairly new building, so the facilities are super clean and nice.
Sheltair Aviation FBO
What a dreamboat of an FBO. I have been to more FBO’s than I can count through my work over the years and it is rare to find a facility this nice and caring. The whole process here is easy. Once you park, every plane is treated like royalty – no matter if you are in a 182 like us or the Falcon 50 parked across from us on the ramp. The line guys are there waiting before you shut down and waiting to see how they can help you with your next steps.
Since there was weather in the area, I decided to have them hangar the plane but there were tie-down spaces available if I had wanted to save some money and keep it outside.
I had called to let them know we were coming, but like most places, it is first come first serve. I’ve been here numerous times now, though, and haven’t had an issue with them being fully booked.
Once inside, they took my card number and details and we were out the door in seconds. I love when FBO’s take my card on the front end because when you go to leave, the checkout process is super fast.
Fun fact – Kevin used to work at Sheltair’s Daytona Beach location when we were in college! It was his first job and he was a lineman for the Embry-Riddle planes. Full circle moment to be arriving as a client now!
Rental Car
Renting from KORL is seamless with Enterprise. Enterprise has a whole section of their business devoted to renting to drop off at FBO’s which I have had major success with!
Once on their FBO site, you can easily make a reservation at participating FBOs and Sheltair at ORL is one of them.
Upon arrival at Sheltair, the rental car was waiting for us just as planned! The line guys even drove it out to the plane so we could unload directly into the car instead of carrying it to the parking lot.
Hotel
There are so many hotel choices in the Orlando area each with great offerings. I would recommend to start off searching by which brand you like to stay at (Hilton, Marriott, etc) and then go from there.
If you don’t have a strict budget, staying at a Disney hotel is my highest recommendation. If I were to pick one, I would suggest to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where out your balcony is an African Safari complete with giraffes, zebras, kudu, and other exotic animals. We are obsessed with visiting Africa, so it is no surprise that this is my favorite spot.
However, not everyone is willing to spend at least $450 per night. During busy season, that can easily be over $600/night.
For us, unfortunately we decided against splurging and decided to go to a more affordable hotel that was still in a prime location across the street from Disney Springs and had a full pool/hot tub/water slide resort in the back. We stayed at the Orlando World Center Marriott. What I love about this hotel is that you really feel like you’re on vacation right when you step in the door. It’s an impressive hotel with just about everything you can think of – a golf course, the huge pool and lounge area, and over 5 places to eat inside the hotel including a Starbucks!
EPCOT at Disney World
I am from Orlando, Florida so I grew up going to Disney. I have been countless times but what I have enjoyed the most as an adult is EPCOT. EPCOT is family friendly if you have children and there are a few rides for them there, but EPCOT is really about the adults – eating and drinking!
There are 11 countries in the “World Showcase”. The World Showcase is a loop around a lake that fully immerses you into the country you are “in”. For example, in the United Kingdom you will see red phone booths and architecture that makes it seem like you are really there. You can order authentic fish & chips and everyone working there is actually from the United Kingdom. It’s truly a one of a kind experience to go to EPCOT.
Me & Kevin travel so much together that sometimes we like to change it up at places we have been to. So, since we are frequent fliers to Disney, we wanted to play a game at EPCOT. It went like this – Kevin picked out one country from the start that I had to try and guess. He would give me a hint on the country and I would guess based off of that hint. We would visit the country that I guessed and once we got there, he would tell me if I was right or wrong. After 3 hints, if I guessed correctly, he would buy me any gift I wanted from that country!
Silly, yes, but kept us very entertained.
Hint 1: English is not an official language of this country.
Well that didn’t narrow it down much. In fact, it narrows it down by only 3 countries if I got my facts straight. I believe that would take out the United Kingdom, Canada, and America. So that left me looking for a needle in a haystack of 8 remaining countries:
- France
- Morocco
- Japan
- Italy
- Germany
- China
- Norway
- Mexico
United Kingdom
Canada
America
I told a wild guess and led Kevin to France. Romantic, I know. Plus, it was early in the morning and I heard that their breakfast at the Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie is the best in the park. And boy did it live up to it’s name!
I ordered the greatest breakfast: A spinach and goat cheese quiche, a hazelnut and chocolate filled beignet, an eclair, and an espresso. I grabbed a few sugars and creamers as I am normally a big baby when it comes to black coffee, but the espresso was so good and smooth on it’s own that I surprisingly didn’t need or want anything added in. My favorite dish of the morning had to have been the quiche. I am much more of a savory lover than sweet and the bake on it was perfect – a golden crispy crust with a soft and fluffy inside.
Then came the news that I did not guess correctly. I figured that I hadn’t guessed right yet considering there was 8 places to choose from, but I’m still happy we ventured here for our morning. On to the next one!
Hint 2: You can find wild monkeys here.
WHAT. What kind of hint is this?! A typical Kevin hint, that’s what.
Well, I literally had to start googling for this hint because I really had no idea. Here is what I came up with:
- Morocco
- Japan
- China
- Mexico
ItalyGermanyNorwayFranceUnited Kingdom
Canada
America
Whew! Down to 4! The odds are getting in my favor and I confidently took Kevin to Japan. We have always wanted to visit Japan and I feel like this would be something Kevin would pick out – and hey – I could use a Pikachu shirt, right?!
We walked around a bit in the very strange museum they had, listened to the taiko drums entertainment, and found ourselves wanting to try more food. This is where we went wrong. Oh man did we go wrong.
In an effort to try lots of different types of foods, we ordered what we thought were the two most “Japan-style” foods on the menu. A plate of yellowtail, salmon, and tuna sushi on a bed of rice and a chocolate banana boba drink.
I know, it’s so obvious that this is a terrible pair but we saw it as a tasting rather than a meal. Regardless, a poor choice that we laughed about for a while after my stomach finally settled. Have you ever had a chocolate drink to wash down your raw fish? No?
And to top it off – Japan was not the right answer! Ugh.
Hint 3: The country starts with the letter “M”.
Finally, a hint that is worth a darn. Now I have just TWO countries to pick from – hallelujah.
- Morocco
- Mexico
Japan
China
MexicoItalyGermanyNorwayFranceUnited Kingdom
Canada
America
So now, I whisk Kevin away on a mission to one of my favorite places I have ever visited before – Morocco!
This has to be it! He knows how much I love this country, especially all of the colors and textures you will find in the buildings and narrow alleys. And the shopping? The best! Fun colored scarfs and tiles, blankets, henna tattoos, weaved baskets and brass bowls fill up the shops. So many items that would be a perfect talking piece in your home.
We walked around until the feeling of fish swimming in my stomach of chocolate banana went away so that we could try some Moroccan flavors. We hopped in line at the Tangierine Café and order a lamb kebab alongside an order of traditional Moroccan khobz (bread) with hummus and some other dips.
It was all SO good. I highly recommend to grab a full meal in Morocco at EPCOT as the flavors will never disappoint. But what does disappoint me? Being wrong.
Kevin informs me that I made the wrong choice again! Apparently his choice was Mexico. I’m not sure if I believe him or not that it was Mexico all along but I won’t put up a fight as I am ready for some tequila – let’s go!
Mindy loses: It was Mexico!
Straight to La Cava del Tequila where we can find over 200 tequilas to pick from! That’s what I’m talkin’ about. Now why didn’t I choose Mexico earlier?!
The courtyard of Mexico makes it feel like you are transported to Mexico on a warm summer evening. It’s a huge building and it’s dark, it’s moody, and best of all – it is air conditioned. So if you are looking for relief on a hot Florida day, head to Mexico to cool down for a bit.
We waited shortly for a table at La Cava del Tequila and ordered a secret menu item drink called the Alebrije. It’s a passionfruit margarita with mezcal (a deep, smoky flavored liquor similar to tequila). The best part? It comes with a little show! Your drink comes in a souvenir cup, a neon lit ice cube, and passionfruit smoke bubbles that your waiter makes rain down on your table! You’ll have the whole restaurant wondering what in the world you ordered. It’s a fun drink and also tastes incredible if you like mezcal, which honestly, most people do not. But I do….I REALLY love mezcal.
After our brightly lit drinks were consumed, we happily walked over to ride the boat ride in Mexico. It’s a peaceful little ride that lets you enjoy just a few more minutes of air conditioning before you head back out.
Wrapping up at EPCOT
I didn’t “win” our little game, so I didn’t get to pick out something from the gift shop! Wah wah wah…..
But as I waited outside for Kevin for a few minutes, he came out with a gift bag. At first I thought, “HOW SWEET! He got me a gift anyways!” and I was super excited to see if he got me a sugar skull or a margarita glass – who knows!
But no, in typical Kevin fashion, my gift was a Day Of The Dead bride. He gave it to me and said, “Here! It looks just like you!”
Are you interested in purchasing a plane like we flew on this trip? Contact us at ChasinTailwinds@gmail.com for more information on purchasing a new Cessna aircraft.
Want to flight plan like me? Check out Garmin Pilot, available for iPad & iPhones.
Want the aviation headsets we use? Check out Bose Aviation’s A20s and other noise cancelling headsets.
