Like a hungry alligator, cities in Florida can sometimes jump up and surprise you.
Kissimmee has never been known as a luxury destination, but new hotels and posh vacation rentals are changing that picture. Among the new hotels is Ette, an upscale property that includes a high-end restaurant from acclaimed Akira Back, who operates a dining spot at the trendy Bisha Hotel in Toronto.
Experience Kissimmee put on a show for agents and media in an indoor golf centre/entertainment spot in Toronto on 05Oct, with eight hotel and attraction partners on hand to drive home the message.
In between practice shots on a large screen displaying the classic Bay Hill golf course in Orlando, agents were able to chat with Kissimmee tourism reps about a remarkable variety of things to see and do and places to stay.
“It’s totally sophisticated,” said Sue Webb, who heads up VoX International and handles media/public relations for Experience Kissimmee. “You’re close to the theme parks, but you also have lovely hotels and amazing vacation homes. They’ve trademarked the phrase ‘vacation capital of the world,’ because it’s truly spectacular.
“You can rent two-bedroom homes all the way up to 17 or even 20 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom,” Webb said. “It’s not only great for families and extended families, but for corporate retreats. You can have breakfast together or hang by the pool, but at night you have your own bedroom and bathroom.”
Denise Graham, Account Manager for Experience Kissimmee at VoX International, told Open Jaw that it was almost impossible to find a vacation home in the area during the pandemic, even though Kissimmee has gone from 12,000 vacation rentals six years ago to nearly 60,000 today.
“A vacation home is wonderful because one person can swim at the pool while another plays golf and someone else takes the kids to the theme parks. Most are in purpose-built, gated communities.”
Kissimmee offers everything from air boat rides and zip lines to fine dining and world-class shopping she said. There are also 22 18-hole golf courses in the area. The big theme parks are just minutes away, and central Orlando is less than a half-hour drive.
Here’s a brief look at the eight tourism partners who helped put on the show, which featured specialty drinks, wine, local beer and fine appetizers, not to mention prizes that included overnight stays at villas free passes to attractions, and theme park gifts.
Walt Disney Company (Canada) Ltd.
Walt Disney World: The big news at Disney Florida is the Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind ride at Epcot, which is proving a big hit. Coaster cars start off by moving backward and can move individually. There also are six songs from the movie, so each time you go on the ride is likely to be a little different. Jason Stremble, Business Development Manager, Parks and Resorts for Walt Disney Company (Canada) Ltd., said he also loves the Rise of the Resistance Star Wars ride, where guests take a rollicking journey and are captured by Kylo Ren and the First Order. Stremble said agents who complete the Disney online training program can unlock special perks. Walt Disney World will continue to celebrate its 50th anniversary through March of next year.
Merlin Entertainments: This group includes LEGOLAND Resorts, with three theme hotels and, as of February of this year, the popular Peppa Pig theme park. LEGOLAND caters to children 12 and under, and they limit capacity to keep ride waiting times down. There’s also a waterpark and lots of shady areas so kids (and parents) won’t bake in the sun. Merlin Entertainment also operates SEA LIFE Aquarium and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum in Orlando.
Universal Orlando Resort: Universal operates three popular theme parks and is, of course, the home of Harry Potter. “Canadians love us, and we just love our Canadians,” said Jennifer Julian, Sales Manager at Universal Orlando. Julian said the new Jurassic Park River Adventure Ride, complete with a giant T. Rex, is a big hit, as is the Jason Bourne stunt show, called The Bourne Stuntacular. Holiday celebrations begin in November, and Mardi Gras parties will start early in the New Year.
Melia Orlando Celebration: “We like to call ourselves an entertainment centre with hotel rooms,” said representative Eliana Villarta. “We’re not like some hotels, where you just sit there and nothing happens.” Melia Orlando features shows on Friday, Saturday and Sundays, with a different theme each week. Guests might find costumed characters, wild dancers, rock ‘n roll bands, Polynesian shows, painting displays, and other treats. “Parents spend all day at the theme park with their kids, and this is a chance for them to have some fun at night,” Villarta said. There’s an infinity pool with a beach, and the hotel offers spacious suites with fully equipped kitchens.
Wild Florida: Visitors looking for a little action will have plenty to choose from at Wild Florida, which has a drive-through safari, air boat tours, a gator pavilion, a petting zoo, and more. Guests can feed a giraffe (watch out for those big tongues), get up close to colourful macaws, check out venomous snakes and slow down with a visit to the sloth exhibit.
Rentyl Resorts: This company includes seven properties in the Kissimmee area, including Margaritaville Resort Orlando. A spokesperson for Rentyl Resorts said they offer commission to agents, and that advisors also can earn resort credits. Margaritaville Resort is only 10-15 minutes from Walt Disney World, and offers free shuttles to all the major parks. There’s a huge pool with a beach and a variety of units, some with as many as eight bedrooms. It’s a short walk from the resort to Sunset Park, which features more than a dozen restaurants, a water park and a movie theatre complex.
Gatorland: This is a family attraction that offers alligators and a wildlife reserve, as well as swamp tours, zip lines and more on a 125-acre site. Gatorland bills itself as “The Alligator Capital of the World.” There’s also a splash park, a petting zoo, a train ride, crocodiles and more.
Magic Village: This is a vacation home outfit with two properties adjacent to Walt Disney World. Guests will enjoy full hotel services at 250 upscale, three and four-bedroom villas. There’s also a pool, gym and a restaurant, and all units have a full kitchen, a balcony or terrace, flat-screen HDTV’s and free Wi-Fi. Magic Village is part of the Trademark Collection by Wyndham.
