Juliana Leveroni, Media Relations Director, Experience Kissimmee
Jo Bailey, Director of Sales, Tuscana Resort by Aston
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Millennium Falcon Cockpit
Boggy Creek Airboat Adventure
Experience Kissimmee and Vox International transformed a spacious condo at Toronto’s One King West into a Floridian-style retreat to promote the area’s family-friendly lodgings.
“This really reflects the spirit and the feeling of staying in a vacation home in Kissimmee” said Juliana Leveroni, Media Relations Director, Experience Kissimmee. “As you know we are the ‘Vacation Home Capital of the World’ with over 22,000 vacation homes.”
These fully furnished homes, complete with full size kitchens and in-suite laundry – and often swimming pools -- range from two-bedroom condos and villas to 15-room mansions, set on acres of property with all the amenities you would find on a resort.
Feels Like Home
Three vacation home rental properties were represented at the Experience Kissimmee event.
· Reunion Resort & Golf Club
Set on 2,200-acres, it offers visitors luxurious one to three-bedroom villas or three to thirteen-bedroom private vacation homes. The resort also offers amenities including: six dining venues, six clay tennis courts, a full-service boutique spa, 10 community pools, fitness centre and a five-acre water park. It is also the only location in the world featuring three signature championship golf courses designed by golfing legends Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson.
· Tuscana Resort
A Mediterranean inspired villa resort, Tuscana offers two- and three-bedroom condos with complete kitchen, washer and dryer and free internet access. Amenities include a large swimming pool complex with separate children’s pool and jet spa, fitness centre, and 30-seat movie theater. The property is a short drive from major theme parks.
· Westgate Vacation Villas Resort & Spa
Westgate Vacation Villas Resort and Spa provides guests a fully furnished home with accommodations ranging from studios to two-bedroom villas with lofts that sleep up to 10 guests. Amenities include a free shuttle to theme parks, on-site Disney Movie Theater and Shipwreck Island Water Park.
A Galaxy Not Far Away
For most of Eastern Canada, travel to MCO is only a 2.5 – 4 hour plane ride, with service by AC Rouge, WS, TS, WG, and newest addition, low-cost carrier Swoop. Denise Graham, Account Manager for Experience Kissimmee told the media, “Orlando has surpassed Miami as the busiest airport in Florida and the 14th busiest in the United States.” And Kissimmee-Orlando is about to get busier with the rejuvenation of rail travel from MIA to MCO and beyond. Virgin Trains USA high speed rail will reach speeds of 200 km per hour on this route. That’s light years ahead of rail travel in Canada.
Walt Disney World Resort Update
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge made its debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in August. A second attraction, named Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, will open on 5DEC at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
SeaWorld Orlando News
A real-life Sesame Street opened this past spring, connecting park guests to all of the fun, laughter and learning with characters like Big Bird, Burt & Ernie, and who can forget Oscar. The immersive new area features exciting rides, wet and dry play areas and interactive experiences designed to entertain the entire family.
SeaWorld’s seasonal events will also offer new experiences for guests with its first ever Craft Beer Festival happening 3-11 NOV. SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration will return with over three million sparkling lights, from 17NOV-31DEC 2019.
Wetlands And Wildlife
Kissimmee is known as the gateway to the Everglades, notorious for gators, the largest ever recorded being 17 feet 5 inches long. Visitors looking to go beyond the theme parks, but still looking for a thrill, can visit one of many gator reserves and outdoor adventure parks.
With a growing trend of eco-tourism in Florida, outfits like Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park and Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures, offer half-day or full day experiences to see alligators up-close and personal in their natural habitat.
· Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park
In JAN 2020 the park will unveil a new 75-acre drive-through safari where guests can drive their personal cars or ride on a guided swamp buggy tour through the park. Additionally, Wild Florida plans to construct a zip line that will span across cypress swamps, animal exhibits and scenic landscapes.
· Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures
Established 25 years ago, Boggy Creek offers the classic airboat experience, for all ages and budgets. They offer private tours for small groups, sunset and night tours, but if you really want to feel the power of these machines, you can take the controls and drive an airboat alongside a Master Captain.
Experience Kissimmee with Vox International and Partners
Karen Dahdah Columnist
An avid traveller, adventure seeker and travel expert for over 15 years, Karen has toured over 35 countries around the world. She shares her first-hand knowledge of unique and off the beaten path destinations including hidden gems in Asia, adrenaline-rushing African safaris, and the fascinating culture of French Polynesia.
