Theme parks, gators, vacation homes – Kissimmee brings local partners to T.O., heads to Western Canada

The wheels on the Kissimmee bus keep on turning.

Experience Kissimmee and six of its regional partners landed in Toronto on Tuesday (Oct. 1) to host two industry events that presented overviews of everything new and next in what’s known as the “Vacation Home Capital of the World.”

The sales mission hosted a partner appreciation lunch at Ripley’s Aquarium in the afternoon, and then a training session for local travel advisors at night. 

And there was a lot to unpack. From developments at Florida’s major theme parks to the destination’s robust home rental market, which continues to grow, attendees had a smorgasbord of information to digest.

Canada is one of Kissimmee's top international markets. “We didn’t pull out during the pandemic. That’s how important it is,” noted Yinglu Tian, senior director of international and domestic sales at Experience Kissimmee, at yesterday’s luncheon.

Located in Florida's Osceola County, just south of Orlando, Kissimmee (which is represented by VoX International in Canada) also unlocks Central Florida’s relaxing side, where eco-activities, like paddle boarding, kayaking and air boat rides, operate and thrive.

Worth noting is Kissimmee’s enhanced connectivity with Western Canada. This season., WestJet will operate direct non-stop flights from Calgary to Orlando (MCO), adding to its Vancouver-Orlando service.

(The Calgary-based carrier also flies to MCO from Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Halifax and St. John’s, Nfld).

The links have prompted Experience Kissimmee to take its annual sales mission to Western Canada for the very first time. Today (Oct. 2), the team will host travel advisors in Vancouver, and then head to Calgary on Thursday (Oct. 3).

“We’re focusing on building awareness of our partners,” Tian explained. “These are smaller partners that agents may not have heard of before.”

The events come as more Canadians look for new things to do in the Orlando/Kissimmee area, said Tian. 

“They’re coming down and looking for things outside of theme parks,” she said.

A Vacation Home Capital

Kissimmee has more than 70,000 accommodation options – including 30,000 vacation homes.

These purpose-built homes (a commissionable product for agents) offer a significant value proposition – especially for families.

Guests get separate bedrooms, sometimes their own private pool, a barbecue, enhanced security and, in Kissimmee's “mansion segment” (homes with 10 to 18 bedrooms), there are other amenities, like in-house bowling alleys, movie theatres, arcade rooms and bedrooms themed around exciting franchises, like Star Wars.

Corporate groups, too, can find value in a vacation home. Many of the rentals sit on championship golf courses and come equipped audio/video fixings.

These gated communities also sit on the doorstop of America’s biggest theme parks.

Kissimmee is minutes away from Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World resorts. Other attractions, like SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment and Legoland Florida Resort, are also within driving distance.

The local vacation homes, which sit in professionally-managed neighbourhoods, are not a resort, but they’re like a resort. Communities typically have a check-in centre, a main pool (some have waterparks), restaurants, bars, a gym and a concierge desk for nearby attractions.

Some brands even offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the major theme parks, eliminating the need to rent a car.

Two rental home partners

Experience Kissimmee’s sales mission, this week, is introducing the Canadian trade to two of its vacation home partners.

There’s UNE Homes, which has more than ten years of experience in the short-term rental market.

This company offers well-equipped accommodations that range from two to 12 bedrooms, from cozy condos to spacious townhomes and villas – all located some 15 minutes from the theme parks.

UNE also promises a smooth booking experience. The company has an advanced platform that includes white-label websites for travel partners.

One Vacation Home is also engaging with advisors this week. This company offers fully-equipped accommodations, from two to nine bedrooms, with the majority of units boasting private pools, in prime locations near theme parks.

The homes are divided into different “resorts,” which offer the type of amenities that one would expect at a family-friendly hotel.

Also appearing this week is Reunion Resort and Golf Club, a 2,300-acre property with three golf courses (Kissimmee's golf courses, by the way, are some of the best in the Sunshine State), seven pools, a waterpark, tennis and pickleball courts, and more.

It’s the only resort in the world to feature three signature golf courses designed by golf icons Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus.

Half-day of activities

Sprawling theme parks bring millions of visitors to Central Florida, and while these big-tickets attractions are still popular, travellers are now diversifying their itineraries, says Experience Kissimmee.

“They’re not going to theme parks every day,” said Tian. “They’re doing smaller stuff, like shopping and half-day of activities, so they can spend the rest of their day lying around the pool.”

If you’ve booked your clients into a vacation home, a private pool is most likely waiting, conveniently, in their backyard. 

One differentiator in Kissimmee is that it offers the best of both worlds – easy access to theme parks, but also nature and fun-filled attractions.

Notable outdoor activities in the area include kayaking in Shingle Creek, Tree Trek Adventure Park, Gatorland wildlife preserve and Wild Florida, a safari attraction that offers air boat and gator tours. 

Wild Florida, which is participating this week, operates in the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, offering half-hour and full-hour tours, both during the day and at night. 

The tours invite visitors into Florida’s untouched wetlands, where more than 100 species of plants and wildlife live, from alligators to bald eagles to white-tailed deer.

In addition to its Gator Park, the site also offers a 170-acre drive-thru safari experience, where more than 100 exotic and native animals can be seen. 

Indoor fun

And while Florida is all about soaking up the sun, not everything unfolds outdoors. 

Dezerland Park, also featured this week, is an indoor entertainment-filled attraction that’s home to Florida’s largest indoor karting track and largest video and skill arcade, a trampoline park, axe throwing, cross fit fitness, mini golf, bumper cars, cinemas, virtual reality experiences, table games (like ping-pong) and the Orlando Auto Museum, which showcases more than 2,000 movie, celebrity, military and historical vehicles.

Basically, every activity under the sun, indoors. On sweltering hot days (and in Florida, there are many), or if it rains, this can go a long way in keeping kids (and big kids) busy and happy.

Walt Disney World updates

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Kissimmee party without its long-term partner, Walt Disney World, in the house.

Jennifer Rivard, wholesale sales manager for Canada at The Walt Disney Company, was on the scene yesterday to provide updates.

This includes the latest expansion and transformation of EPCOT, the introduction of Guardians of the Galaxy and Moana-themed attractions, a reimagined Splash Mountain, and the recent opening of Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom.

Disney Hollywood Studios will soon begin construction of a new Monsters, Inc.-themed land, and a reimagined show, "The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure," will soon debut at the newly-refreshed Animation Courtyard Theatre.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a Tropical Americas expansion is underway, where new Indiana Jones and Encanto attractions are being built.

A reimagined section of Frontierland is also coming to Magic Kingdom with two Cars attractions, with construction set to begin in early 2025. And a land dedicated to Disney’s villains – “a place where poison apples are aplenty and magic potions can ruin your whole day,” as Disney Parks Blog put it.

To inspire new bookings, Walt Disney World Theme Park has a limited-time promotion, exclusively for Canadian residents, that offers savings of up to 25 per cent. Click here for details.

Visitors can also stay within the boundaries of Osceola County, if they like. Walt Disney World's vibrant “All-Star” value resorts sit within the boundaries of Kissimmee. 

These playful hotels have different themes (sports, music and movies), and all three are situated on the southern portion of Walt Disney World. 

The road ahead

As for the road ahead, Universal Orlando Resort’s new Universal Epic Universe is set to debut in 2025.

Referred to as the “most ambitious theme park yet,” Epic Universe – Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park – promises to transport guests to immersive worlds featuring more than 50 “epic” attractions, entertainment, dining and shopping experiences.

As well, a new slime-tastic hotel is coming to the area. Karisma has shared its plan for Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Orlando, which is slated to open in 2026 in Kissimmee.

A partnership between Lion Star, Everest Place and Paramount, the new property will have more than 400 hotel rooms and condo units combined.

Everest Place, for one, will soon get a taste of Arabian hospitality with the introduction of Mysk, a Middle Eastern brand that's opening soon. It will be Kissimmee’s first five-star hotel.

Time to fly

As for other lift options, Air Canada flies directly to Orlando from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City and Halifax. Porter Airlines offers non-stop flights to Orlando from Toronto, Ottawa, and soon, Halifax.

Low-cost carrier Flair will also connect Orlando with Kitchener-Waterloo starting this month. Toronto Pearson, London, ON and Saint John, NB will then be added this winter.

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