It’s a balmy Wednesday evening as my plane lands smoothly down in Orlando airport. There are some claps, a sea of Mickey Mouse ears, and a general feeling of anticipation in the air. The sky is a diluted orange, though I can feel the heat, strong through the window, caressing my skin. I’m here to explore Kissimmee, a city in central Florida just south of Orlando. Known as the ‘Vacation Home Capital of the World’ chances are many of you have actually stayed in Kissimmee without actually realising. A primary hub for visitors exploring nearby theme parks and with so many things to see and do, it offers a chance to stay away from the main hustle and bustle of the parks, thrills and spills of Orlando, while still being able to enjoy all the perks.
The journey from Orlando airport to Kissimmee itself is around twenty minutes depending on where you’re staying. You can opt for a hotel, or make the most of the many incredible vacation homes that Kissimmee has to offer – after all, that is what it’s known for! The vacation homes here are also a tier unto themselves. While you have your usual houses, there are also properties which feature everything from bowling alleys, to cinemas, margarita machines, to laser quest and space rockets! I recommend checking out Top Tier at Reunion, a company dedicated to offering a curated selection of the best quality homes, all you know will be of the highest standard.
When travelling as a large group, it tends to work out cheaper getting a house as opposed to hotel rooms and you often get a lot more space and features too. If you do opt for a hotel, I recommend the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Sunset Walk. Less than half an hour drive from the airport, this hotel has a range of beautiful suites, a pool and an on-site restaurant making it ideal for friends or couples that want more space, or families with children.
As I’m visiting solo, I stay in the Embassy Suites and am impressed with the speed and service offered from the moment I check in, as well as the beautifully spacious room that greets me. I throw open the balcony doors to the sounds of birds tweeting in the now dark sky, flick the coffee machine to life and run myself a bath. It’s beautifully relaxing here, though the hotel’s location on Sunset Walk means you’ve got a myriad of shops, restaurants and activities right within walking distance too. A little like Kissimmee itself, it offers the convenience and perks of a more central location, while providing its own little pocket of calm.
One of the main aspects of any trip is the food and I’m pleased to say Kissimmee doesn’t disappoint. Kissimmee is part of Osceola County where over 55% of the population identify as Hispanic or Latino, so the Latin Culinary Trail is a must. A unique food journey which celebrates the areas Hispanic and Latino heritage, the trail puts together more than 20 carefully curated restaurants and food spots, chosen based on their ability to tell a bigger story through food. This could be through their highlighting of underrepresented communities, using local resources in unique ways, or having fascinating histories. There’s an interactive map you can explore of the trail, featuring everything from food trucks and cafes, to restaurants and bars, ideal for offering plenty of opportunities to really immerse yourself in the culture while you’re in Kissimmee.
You can feast on the original Cuban sandwich in Columbia restaurant – the oldest restaurant in Florida – where 4oz of smoked ham, pork loin, salami, pickle chips and swiss cheese sit on a bed of thick, pillowy-soft bread, accompanied by a swirl of yellow mustard. You can sip ice-cold margaritas and crispy tacos in La Mexicana, or you can feast on the vibrant flavors of Latin America in Sajoma Latin Fusion.
There are a plethora of restaurants outside of the Latin Culinary trail too, and of course, if you visit the theme parks, they have endless opportunities to eat and drink. One of the most unique dining experiences in Kissimmee is the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. An extremely popular dinner attraction, it whisks you back to the 11th century for a truly immersive dinner unlike anything you’ve ever done before (or likely will do again!) Dine on a four-course dinner as you watch four houses on horseback joust their way to victory. It’s unique, a little bonkers but really good fun, particularly if you’re a history buff or travelling with children.
Of course, when you are in the area you need to visit the theme parks. Kissimmee is the ideal spot for this, where you can explore everything else the area has to offer, while also being less than half an hours drive from Disney and Universal. During my trip I headed to DisneyWorld – something that had been on my bucket list since a child. Having never even visited Disneyland Paris despite it being a short hop from London, I felt DisneyWorld Orlando was a real must. I started my day in Epcot where I rode the Guardians of the Galaxy Ride and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. I ate my way around the 11 World Showcase Pavilions, marvelling at the intricacies and details in every set, before taking the monorail over to Magic Kingdom. Here is, of course, where the famous Disney castle is – something I couldn’t wait to see – and it didn’t disappoint. It’s one of those moments that makes me remember just why I love to travel. It’s seeing things you’ve heard about, read about, spoken about, finally in the flesh and even if it wouldn’t matter to anyone else, it feels so special just for you in that moment.
The day is going by quickly, but I have time to wander the park, checking out Tiana’s Bayou adventure and TRON Lightcycle/ Run, as well as just immersing myself in the overall magic of DisneyWorld. It’s a real pinch me moment and while I’ve heard people say it’s the most magical place on earth, I’m here to say it really is. It’s impossible to not be happy here. Where there are squeals of joy around every corner, where kids can be kids and the adults can be kids too. The day ends with a large bucket of popcorn (even by U.S. portion sizes) and a watch of the parade. Coloured lights flash and figures of all my favourite films both from now and as a child pass through in a wave of happy nostalgia.
It’s hard to stretch your mind back to a time before Disney firmly planted itself down in this pocket of Florida, but before this, Kissimmee was originally a major cattle and farming hub back in the 1800s. While the landscape has evolved, its roots are still widely celebrated. It’s worth timing your visit to coincide with the Silver Spurs Rodeo, for example, or you can head to one of the many preserved ranches and state parks, such as the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. Wild Florida is also a real must-see when in the area and offers the chance to get down with the local wildlife. You can get your adrenaline pumping on a daytime airboat ride through the swamps, looking out for alligators, wander through the alligator park and zoo, or head to the drive-thru safari. As part of this, don’t miss feeding giraffes, where for a couple of dollars you can hand-feed giraffe lettuce leaves in a truly majestic experience.
For those who perhaps want to escape the heat of the sun, or simply nab a bargain, the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets are an effortless choice. Here, there are over 160 stores including Tommy Hilfiger, Prada, Calvin Klein and more, offering savings of 25%-65%. There’s also a range of dining options here, with larger restaurants, smaller cafes and a food hall to grab a quick bite or simply rest your legs. It’s a fine example of how there really is something for everyone in Kissimmee.
Another fantastic addition to the scene, is the Brightline train, helping connect Orlando and Kissimmee to the rest of the Florida East coast. Here you can easily travel to West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami at a fraction of the cost, and the time that hiring a car would be. It makes travel effortless, enabling you to tack on an additional stop (or a few stops) to your trip, or travel to a neighbouring airport to either get to or from your destination.
Kissimmee is one of those destinations that you feel smug staying in as it feels like a bit of a hidden secret. Where you can benefit from incredible vacation homes and attractions, and where hotels can be cheaper, however you’re still within distance of everything you could need from your holiday and so much more. Many hotels here offer free shuttles to the parks, as well as complimentary parking and spacious rooms. There’s shopping, there’s alligators and there’s more foodie destinations than you could ever work your way through in one trip. There’s culture and history, trailblazing chefs and shop owners and the magic of Disney just a short journey away.
