Our Little Casita: Our "Warm" Little Getaway

We have close friends that moved to Orlando earlier this year, so of course we were excited to visit them. I mean, seriously, who doesn't love Florida? We started looking for flights a few months ago and decided to focus on traveling during the winter months. We went to Tampa in August a few years ago and it was hot...and humid...very, very humid (duh). We figured traveling to the south during the winter would be a good change.

We toyed with the idea of doing New Year's in Florida but that would have meant no Christmas presents this year for the two of us since the flights were really expensive. The past couple years we've bought things for the house (last year was our king bed), so this year I was looking forward to actually buying things for each other. We looked at flights in early November and early to mid December, and eventually the pricing went down for December. We found Jet Blue rates that were pretty decent and best part = non-stop flights. I have turned into such a travel snob and I would rather pay the extra money to not have to deal with a layover. Flying is such a hassle to begin with; why spend a few extra hours and frustration in a random airport when you're trying to either get to your destination you're excited to explore or when you're on your way back and you just want to be home.

I checked the weather a couple times right before we left and it was 60's and 70's in Orlando. I figured that was close to spring weather for us New Englanders so I packed sundresses, flip-flops, skirts, t-shirts, and a few cardigans and light sweaters.

BIG MISTAKE.

It was freaking cold in Florida. Monday was miserable because of the wind chill. We went to City Walk at Universal Studios and we just looked like complete touristy idiots compared to everyone else, who were dressed in jackets, mittens, and hats. One employee even asked where we were from, probably just to mock us. We warmed up in Margaritaville but I wasn't in the mood to go anywhere else afterwards since I only had my cardigan with me at that point.

Other than that, we had a really good time. It was awesome to just get away for a few days and then come back to a short week of work. I only wished our friends lived closer to us, as I think we would hang out with them all the time!

Some highlights of the trip...
- visited the Orlando Brewery. It was a little sketchy at first but ended up okay :) Beer was alright...it's organic, which is cool, but I didn't think they had much flavor.
- visited Downtown Disney
- spent one full day at Epcot. I have been there a few times now and I think it's my favorite Disney park. I love all the countries, the ride Soaring, and how it's not so focused on the kids.
- played Pirate's Cove mini golf...we were in and out in like 20 minutes because we were the only ones playing...wonder why? Oh yes, the wind chill!
- went to the outlets and OH MY GOD they had a New York & Company outlet!!! It's just like the regular stores, but everything is at least 30% off.

Here are some pics from our trip...