Finding Your Glimmer: Your Destination of Joy

From the moment I arrive, the air feels different. In many ways, it is quite different in humid, dense Orlando than my home in Chicago. The humidity slaps you across the face even in the coolest months of the year, yet few places in the world bring me the kind of joy that Orlando does. To me, this city is a glimmer — the opposite of a trigger, something that cues unprecedented joy. Orlando is like that for a lot of people I know, particularly queer folks. Between the supportive community, the theme parks, and the homey locations, it’s hard not to visit without a smile on your face. 

Although I love to travel the world and see new places, my vacation of choice is often Orlando. In part because some of my favorite humans on earth live there, so too does my favorite giant mouse. Since we always stay on Disney property when we visit, I wondered whether this was the determining factor to Orlando holding such a special place in my heart.

To test this theory, we stayed at Westgate Vacation Villas Resort for more than half of our latest trip. As we walked to our room shortly after arriving, a family of five bunnies happily munched away on some grass. They were totally unfazed by our presence. As a bunny mom, this felt like a sign.

Little did I know that several animals call the property home — a delightful surprise for someone used to giant mascot animals on an Orlando trip. Down the sidewalk, a waddling of muscovy ducks gathers every morning, happily honking at passersby for fruit. They’re the stars of the property, though the drinks at Los Amigos Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar are a close second. One duck in particular would wait for me in the grass. He wandered up to me, and whenever I would gently talk to him, he’d happily wag his tail before following a little closer to me. Talk about feeling like a Disney princess.

I quickly learned it isn’t just the Disney bubble that makes Orlando magic. Even from the Westgate property in nearby Kissimmee, every day was enchanting — the giant whirlpool tub definitely helps there. As someone who can’t stand summer heat, being too warm in a place like Orlando doesn’t seem to bother me as much. Perhaps it’s because there is not a single place my queer spouse and I have gone in this metropolitan area that makes us feel unsafe. It is a beacon for us when we visit every year to see our pals who live down there. Even crowds, which I normally abhor, aren’t so bad. 

Speaking of crowds, meandering the crowded walkways at Disney Springs can make for an overwhelming time if you get caught up in it — more than 150 stores, eateries, and things to do call this shopping district home. Even after so many visits, I easily get overwhelmed here. Your best bet is to let yourself enjoy spots along the way as you explore rather than going to one destination, which breaks up the time you spend as a salmon in the stream. Rather than treating the shopping destination as EPCOT and snacking your way around, I recommend sitting down for a meal at The Boathouse to get out of the crowd. This nautical-themed eatery was a welcome break with its surf-and-turf menu, adorable drinks like the Duck Duck Razz, as well as incredibly tasty desserts. An important note: when your server says the macadamia turtle pie can feed four people, believe them. It’s the size of your head.

For another away-from-it-all experience, you can head outside and hop aboard one of the nearby Amphicars (for an added fee). The Amphicar was something I never thought much of, to be honest. In Wisconsin, we have Duck boats, and these are very similar — they’re cars that can also operate as boats. Unlike Duck boats, though, these are stylish retro cars rather than military-style vehicles. If you have a driver like Tom, which I hope you do, you’ll have the time of your life. He told us all about the Springs' history, shared delightfully bad dad jokes, and made us laugh more times than I could count. The Amphicars are a fun way to see the Springs from a new perspective — perfect for those of us too chicken to ride the Aerophile hot-air balloon. 

Further afield, away from the bustle of the parks or their adjacent shopping district, is a cozy coffee shop in downtown Orlando. Craft & Common was introduced to me by my best friends. A comfortable little spot perfect for a moment of quiet, even in the city. Stay awhile, enjoy the space, or take your order to go and stroll down to Lake Eola Park, which is only a short walk away. This park is an urban oasis, a nature-filled park framing the serenity of the lake.

I will always love the theme parks that call Orlando home. Yet, the more I visit, the more I’ve learned that the whole metropolitan area is something special. Even if you think you know a place, if it’s somewhere like Orlando, it’s always bound to surprise you. Disney park folks talk a lot about rest days at their resorts, but I’m a big advocate of rest days somewhere else to get to know this city that has been growing on me for the better part of 13 years. You’ll soon discover just how charming Orlando is, and why, even after visiting the area every year for over a decade, it continues to be my glimmer destination.

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