Ace and I recently secured our fifth trip to Orlando, a few weeks after our successful stay in Tampa near Tampa International Airport. This time, our focus was on Orlando International Airport (MCO), which is known for being much bigger and much louder—exactly the kind of challenge Ace and I wanted to take on as a team. When I spotted a great deal on a hotel suite, I couldn't resist. It felt like the perfect opportunity to push ourselves further.
From the moment we arrived, the difference was clear. Everything at MCO feels massive—longer hallways, bigger crowds, and higher ceilings that echo with layers of sound. Thankfully, a good friend came along to give us rides and to help us balance the serious work with a little bit of fun.
Our main goal this trip was to navigate the airport and tackle staircases. Airports can be tricky to navigate, and stairs are a huge part of that challenge. Ace and I turned it into a little scavenger hunt, going in search of the best staircases around the terminals.
The biggest discovery came late in the trip when we stumbled upon the staircase in Terminal C—a hidden gem I hadn't even known was there. It turned out to be not only a great training spot but also an amazing photo opportunity. I couldn't help but imagine it as the perfect backdrop for my future book cover.
Since our trip was short—just two nights—we squeezed in as much as possible. One highlight was a side trip to Disney Springs' Dolphin and Swan resorts, where Ace and I continued our stairwork. By chance, we ended up in exactly the right place at exactly the right time to test Ace's skills. While we were working, another person came through with a large dog, assumed to be a service dog. But the moment the other dog noticed Ace, it became completely fixated—lunging, staring, and eventually barking. It was one of those high-pressure moments where everything could have gone wrong. But Ace? He didn't flinch. He stayed calm, steady, and perfectly focused on me, guiding me down the stairs with complete confidence while ignoring the chaos right below from us. Watching him handle that distraction with such poise filled me with pride. It was a textbook example of a high-level dog distraction and Ace passed the test with flying paws.
This trip may have been short, but it was powerful. Every experience, from exploring airport and staircases to handling unexpected challenges, showed me how much Ace continues to grow as a guide—and how much we've grown together as a team.