Kissimmee, Florida by Claire Taylor

The Sunshine State! If one word had to sum up Kissimmee in Orlando it would have to be LOCATION! Close to everything, from the magic of Walt Disney World to other world class theme parks, restaurants, shopping, golf and attractions.

Orlando is the attraction centre of the world, with so many things to do you’ll want to return again and again to see them all.

DISNEY PARKS

(visit www.disneyworld.com )

Magic Kingdom - stop by the home of the world’s most famous mouse, in Mickey’s Toontown Fair. Well worth phoning in advance to book a breakfast with Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore in the Crystal Palace - the look on your children’s faces is magical! If staying in Kissimmee, you'll be just 3.5 miles from Disney main gate, so you can pop back to your accommodation, then return to the park later to enjoy the night time parades with your favourite characters and fireworks.

Epcot - In World Showcase - enjoy the wonders and cuisines of eleven different nations and cap it all off at night with the amazing laser and fireworks spectacular, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.

MGM Studios - the park is filled with must-see shows for the whole family to enjoy, including Playhouse Disney, Bear in the Big Blue House, Beauty and the Beast and the amazing Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. The biggest screamer of all is The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, where random falls send you through thirteen floors of fright.

Animal Kingdom - an adventure involving the real, the imaginary and the extinct. Don’t miss the live Lion King Stage Show and the highly amusing It’s Tough To Be A Bug.

Blizzard Beach Water Park - a highly unusual ski resort where all the snow has melted and turned the place into a mecca for water rides and slides - this is the best waterpark for families with young children.

Typhoon Lagoon Water Park - make sure you take time to snorkel with real live sharks at Shark Reef, or take a relaxing float around the park on Lazy Creek.

Pleasure Island - non-stop street parties and club-hopping through a variety of very cool clubs and live shows.

Westside - a huge shopping and entertainment complex featuring DisneyQuest, an indoor interaction theme park over five floors of high tech entertainment. The amazing Cirque du Soleil is a mix of street theatre and circus artistry, a mesmerizing, unforgettable experience.

 

UNIVERSAL'S PARKS

(visit www.universalorlando.com )

Universal Studios - where Hollywood, movies and TV come alive in numerous excellent rides, shows and attractions.

Islands of Adventure - the all-new theme park definitely designed for the 21st Century. Seuss Landing is where you’ll find The Cat in the Hat, hurtle around The Lost Continent on Duelling Dragons (two looping twisting rollers coasters which intertwine for head-on thrills) and a monster of a water ride in Jurassic Park.

City Walk - a nightime entertainment complex where you might enjoy dinner at Emerils, a cocktail at Jimmy Buffet’s Margeritaville or dance the night away at The Groove. There’s also a 20 screen cinema complex with stadium seating that serves wine and beer during the show. Check out the Hard Rock Café for gigs.

 

OTHER PARKS

SeaWorld - the home of Shamu, the Killer Whale: see him perform, and get soaked in exciting shows throughout the day. Touch and feed dolphins at Key West, watch them perform in a spectacular show in the stadium, pet some perfectly harmless stingrays at Stingray Lagoon and travel underwater through huge tanks of killer sharks in Terrors of the Deep. Enjoy a complimentary cool beer at the Budweiser Hospitality Centre and let the kids splash about in the Shamu Splash Attack water playground. Visit www.seaworld.com

Wet ‘N’ Wild Water Park - for the thrill seekers, an excellent water park in the heart of the action on International Drive. Visit www.wetnwildorlando.com

Wonder Works - Orlando’s only upside down attraction featuring over 100 interactive games and exhibits. Visit www.wonderworksonline.com

Ripley’s Believe It or Not - themed galleries featuring oddities, artefacts, pranks of nature, illusions and much more. Visit www.ripleysorlando.com

 

OUTSIDE ORLANDO 

for those who want to explore outside Orlando, the following are "must see" days out:

Busch Gardens - located in Tampa Bay, about an hour's drive from Orlando on the west coast, is a 335 acre African-themed park featuring cleverly designed animal attractions, thrilling rides and live entertainment. The park is best known for an incredible collection of rollercoasters like Montu, Kumba and the new duelling wooden rollercoaster Gwazi. Free samples of Budweiser Beer help you to cool off during the long hot sunny days. Well worth the journey. Visit www.buschgardens.com

Salvador Dali Museum - while on the west coast, it is worth checking out this world famous museum in St Petersberg, on Tampa Bay.

Kennedy Space Center - the home of America’s Space program, KSC features a variety of exhibits, shows and tours which are both interesting and informative. Don’t miss the stunning IMAX movie, or the Spaceport USA bus tour which takes you right up close to the observation gantry overlooking the launch pads. Visit the Saturn V Center which houses the biggest rockets you’re ever likely to see. If you’re lucky you may even witness an actual shuttle launch whilst you’re there; check local press for details. Only an hour away from Orlando on the east coast of Florida, it’s well worth a visit and could be the most fun you ever had in a science lesson. Visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com

Cocoa Beach - while on the east coast, Cocoa Beach is a lovely day out. Take a picnic and jump the gentle waves or stroll down the beach collecting shells!

Cypress Gardens - a 45 minute drive from Orlando, this is an ideal place for a more relaxing kind of day. Experience the smells, colour and variety of the glorious displays of flowers and fauna in these lush tropical gardens. Some of the finest water skiers perform in spectacular ski shows for your enjoyment and Southern Belles stroll the grounds in period costume. Check out the Wings of Wonder exhibit which features hundreds of free flying butterflies. Visit www.cypressgardens.com

Silver Springs - a 2 hour drive north of Orlando, where there's a great chance to see what Florida has to offer beyond the big theme parks. Jungle Cruise takes you where they used to film the Tarzan movies and The Lost River Voyage is equally relaxing. The world famous glass bottom boats enable you to see loads of fish and the occasional alligator, and Jeep Safari takes you into the backwoods for a look at a variety of critters. A gentle and relaxing day. Visit www.silversprings.com

 

There are so many attractions in and around the Orlando area that we could not feature them all here, but we hope this has given you a flavour of what’s in store when you visit the sunshine State of Florida.

 

---

Your Holiday Matters - approved properties