Orlando: Magic with the Social Work Crew
Four friends fully committed to the wizarding world experience.
Shared Joy Series
📍Orlando, Florida | 📅 June 12-15, 2024
🛏 Airbnb in Kissimmee, Florida
Some trips are carefully planned.
Some unfold as they go.
This one was a little bit of both, and our first time all traveling together.
In June, Meagan, Leah, Semaj, and I met in Orlando for a long weekend that we labeled our “Social Work Burnout Prevention Summit.” The title made us laugh, but it also fit – we’re all social workers, brought together through different seasons of life. I met Meagan in college, and Leah and Semaj during my MSW program. We had all known each other in different ways, but this was the first time the four of us had taken a trip together as one group.
We arrived on June 12 and met at our Airbnb in Kissimmee. The first night was simple – dinner at the house, settling in, and easing into what it feels like when different friendships overlap in one space.
The next morning started early because Universal Studios was waiting. We were fully committed to the day, moving between The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk. Butterbeer was ordered. Dramatic ride reactions happened. We checked our step counts at some point and just accepted our fate.
Standing in front of Hogwarts together felt like stepping into something bigger than the ordinary rhythm of our everyday lives. The castle in the background, the Florida sunshine, all of us lined up on that wooden bridge. It felt like a moment worth pausing for.
June 14 brought Epcot, which had its own kind of magic. Before we even started walking through the World Showcase, we bought little passports to stamp in every country. It was playful and slightly unserious and completely worth it.
We made our way around the world slowly, sharing bites of food, picking drinks, and taking photos in front of the pavilions. There was a balance to the day – some rushing to get to all the countries and some wandering. The group dynamic found its rhythm.
By the time we stayed for dinner and watched the fireworks that night, it felt like the perfect close to the trip, bright and celebratory.
On June 15, we packed up, tired from the long days, but grateful we made it happen. It felt good to bring different friendships together and create something new.
Four friends.
Two parks.
One Airbnb in Kissimmee.
A lot of steps. A lot of laughter.
Thanks for reading! You can find more moments, memories, and adventure over on Instagram: @_GracefullyWandering
