Kissimmee: Vacation Capital of the World

Experience Kissimmee has described themselves as “where thrill meets chill”, and let me tell you – I couldn’t have described it better! Kissimmee is right in the middle of it all, from the excitement of theme parks to becoming one with nature outdoors, there is something for everyone. Unleash your inner child and unwind in the vacation capital of the world, where you will fall in love with the area and find yourself searching for real estate (seriously… guilty).

Are you a foodie craving a culinary experience from Latin America or maybe a dinner show that will make your jaw drop? Maybe you are an adrenaline junkie looking for a helicopter tour or skydiving? Or perhaps you are a Walt Disney or Universal Studios Florida fanatic? I could go on and on… there is endless opportunities in Kissimmee. Whether you’ve never been or a frequent visitor, no two trips are the same. Kissimmee also boasts some off-the-beaten-path opportunities, some of which I had no idea were even available until our last trip, but more to come on that!

I have compiled a list of the three A’s: Accommodations, Adventures, and Appetite!  If you have any questions about Kissimmee or our trip please shoot me an email!

Accommodations

Many vacationers visiting the area prefer to stay in a Kissimmee vacation rental property because of easy access to the theme parks without the inconvenience of Orlando’s heavy rush hour traffic. My family stayed at Magic Village Views, a modern and cozy townhouse that immediately feels like home. Magic Village Views offers 3 and 4 bedroom villas with exclusive services, bilingual staff, a mile from Disney parks, minutes from a plethora of shopping and dining, a beautiful zero entry pool, and so much more!

Let’s talk about the townhouse itself. O. M. G. It is beautiful! We have stayed at many rentals, and this is one of the most modern and sleek styled home yet. It was spacious, open, immaculately cleaned, well decorated, full equipped with a full kitchen and washer dryer, and an outdoor space that leaves you wishing you could move in permanently. See, I told you… I really did consider it! With 2195 sq. ft. of space in our three bedroom unit with three full bathrooms, this is an amazing option for one or two families. The master bedroom had an amazing space, and a desk which worked out perfectly for my husband who was working on this trip.

The outdoor space has a grill and cooking area, and some have hot tubs – the ultimate relaxation spot after a full day at the parks! Our girls loved swimming, we took a full day to relax and swim and enjoy the amenities of Magic Village Views. We spent 5 nights here, and it did not feel like nearly enough… we will definitely be back!

Adventures

Discovery Cove – All inclusive, nature, fun, no lines, minimal people, dolphins, sting rays… just what is this little slice of Heaven? Discovery Cove is a hidden treasure, so much so that I have a hard time typing this because lets be honest – I want to keep it a hidden treasure! But alas, most people have heard of it, some have been, and many say they want to go. Discovery Cove is unlike anything else in Florida. From the moment you check-in and step out of the lobby, it truly feels like you have flown to your own tropical private island. The staff is exceptionally helpful and kind, and everything around you is pristine.

You can arrive at Discovery Cove at 7:30, after checkin you will be fitted for your wetsuit & pickup snorkel gear. Find your chairs to drop off your things and head to breakfast . Delight your senses in a vast array of breakfast items – fresh fruit, pancakes, French toast, biscuits, eggs, sausage, coffee, tea, pastries…. you name it! Best part? It is all included! That’s right, perks of Discovery Cove. After breakfast, walk directly across the walkway to the sandy area next to the blue bridge. Here is where the flamingos take their morning walk between 9:15-9:30. Get a front row seat to the chaos and fun of the social birds… one of our favorite parts!

After the flamingo mingle we headed to the Aviary to feed the birds. We spent a solid hour plus here because my children fell in love with every single bird (we had to remind them there were other parts to see). Next we headed for our dolphin swim (additional charge). Children must be 6 years old, so my youngest was not able to participate. Luckily, there was ice cream nearby and that was a great distraction (haha!). My 7 year old has been dreaming about this morning, and it was SO much fun. When you are able to do a side-swim with the dolphins you can truly feel just how powerful they are.

Lunch is served at 11:30, and don’t make the mistake I did of overeating (though it will likely be impossible because the food and desserts are all too enticing!). We spent our afternoon relaxing in the lazy river and swimming in the Grand Reef with the sting rays. Beer and wine is included with your ticket (booya!), as is a new pizza bar that serves until 4:30. Our family had a cabana nestled next to the dolphin cove (additional cost), complete with a Cabana host, towel service, snack basket, and mini fridge.

Discovery Cove really does have it all, this is a must-do when visiting the Kissimmee area. Rarely do you leave a full day adventure feeling relaxed and refreshed. It is an unforgettable experience for the whole family!

Included in your visit to Discovery Cove:

• Breakfast, lunch and unlimited snacks
• Wine and beer for those 21+
• Animal-safe sunscreen
• Towels
• Water gear (wetsuits, vests, floaties and snorkels)
• Bird feed for use in the aviary
• Showers with towels, shampoo, conditioner and body wash
• Hand sanitizer everywhere
• Lounge chairs
• Foot rinses and outdoor showers
• Lockers
• Parking

Catboat Escapes – Okay, so I rave about a lot of things… but Catboat Escapes was probably one of THE most adventurous family fun activities we have done. At Catboat Escapes, you are your own boat captain! These CraigCat two-seater power boats are the perfect way to zip along the Clermont chain of lakes. Located about 50 minutes from Kissimmee, this is well worth the drive. The Clermont chain of lakes has some of the cleanest water in Florida, and you will love weaving in and out of the winding channels into the open waterways where you can can ride at top speeds of 25 mph.

Cruise through 3,000+ year old Cypress trees right in the middle of the water and enjoy this unique and pristine ecosystem including Lake Lousia, Lake Minnehaha, and Lake Minneola. Our tour guide was phenomenal, we boated through some of the most picturesque scenery, saw wildlife (no gators unfortunately), explored on our own, and heard the most joyful and excited screams from our daughters while we rode at top speed. Children need to be 5 to participate in the tour, and it will definitely be one of the most memorable parts of your trip. They have coolers on the boats with water, and bring a hat! Afterwards drive 2 miles down the road to the local brewery and celebrate your vacation!

Universal Studios Florida – Where else can you ride the Hogwarts Express, fight villains with Spider-Man, become a minion, and come face to face with dinosaurs? Universal Orlando is composed of two theme parks, a water park, and Citywalk – a supercharged entertainment, shopping, and dining district. There are also eight on-site hotels, which as a guest gives you early park admission! You can read my full article on our visit to Universal Orlando here!

Relaxation – People, myself included, tend to pack a lot into vacations… so much so we forget that we are actually on vacation! Having a down day is so important and crucial to unwinding with your family. We were so thankful to have a down day in Kissimmee at Magic Village Views. The day was spent with a slow morning of breakfast and tea outside on the patio, swimming in the pool, a life-size game of chess, and playing cards in the family room. Again, highly recommend a day to rest to reenergize for the rest of the trip!

Appetite

The Boathouse – The Boathouse is located in Disney Springs and is an upscale, waterfront dining experience. I have been hearing about this for years, and we finally went! First and foremost, I regret not getting reservation sooner. It has a big reputation, so I went in with big expectations. Well my expectations were blown out of the water (pun intended). With a culinary focus on steaks, chops, and seafood – their execution goes above and beyond. The kids meals are served in a fun paper car/boat, the portions are large, the food is out of this world. Dan and I split several appetizers so we could try it all – and I am still dreaming about it! Must try: Yellowfin Tuna Poke, Firecracker Shrimp, and Maine Lobster Bisque. Make your reservations and pencil this in on your trip to Kissimmee, after dinner head outside and watch live music. Our kids danced the night away. A truly perfect evening!

Estefan Kitchen – Located the Promenade in Sunset Walk ( just down the road from Magic Village View), Estefan Kitchen is owned and operated by Emilio & Gloria Estefan and serves up mouthwatering Cuban cuisine. Flavor and flare is the essence of this beautiful restaurant. Estefan Kitchen is not only a restaurant, but also a nightclub and entertainment venue. Arrive during happy hour and order a half-priced mojito or margarita, order a few appetizers, sit back and relax. The staff here is exceptional, this isn’t just a restaurant… it is an experience. The cherry on top? In the evenings there is live music/performances. During our dinner a lovely singer called my daughters on stage to dance with her. They fell asleep with huge smiles on their faces, a core memory definitely made.

Celebration Town Tavern – Are you in Kissimmee or in the heart of New England? Walking into Celebration Town Tavern is like stepping into a tavern in Boston. Memorabilia lines the walls and everyone is a regular here. This is a very family friendly restaurant located in Celebration, a town originally developed by The Walt Disney Company. Celebration Town Tavern has 99 bottles of beer including domestic and foreign beers of all varieties, so to say you have options is an understatement! The food is authentic to the region and we had a great evening here!

Until next time…