“We’re not leaving this market”: Kissimmee sees Canadian outlook improve

Kissimmee is reporting a more positive outlook for the Canadian market as some air capacity returns to Orlando and Canadian travel volumes show signs of improvement, according to DT Minich, president and CEO of Experience Kissimmee.

Canada remained Kissimmee’s largest international market in 2025, generating 841,421 arrivals, which represented a three per cent increase over 2024 and a 10 per cent increase compared with 2019.

“We've been making some headway and things are becoming a little bit more positive,” Minich told PAX during a visit to Toronto on Thursday (Aug 13).

Minich pointed to renewed airline capacity as an encouraging sign. “We're seeing some flight capacity come back to Orlando. Air Canada is bringing back seats and WestJet, and Porter has been a great supporter as well,” he said.

In 2026, 4,877 flights are currently scheduled between Canada and Orlando International Airport (MCO), down 16 per cent year over year.

Toronto accounts for more than half of those flights, at 2,575, followed by Montreal with 1,112. Air Canada, WestJet and Porter are all selling Orlando service, with Porter currently offering flights from Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton. 

Calgary and Vancouver also have year-round connections to Orlando.

Canadian passenger volumes at MCO remain 22 per cent below last year’s levels, according to figures supplied by Experience Kissimmee, although they have increased three per cent since January. 

Canadian return trips have now increased for four consecutive months compared with the same periods in 2025.

Minich said the approaching winter booking season will provide a clearer indication of demand. 

"This is the slow booking time for Canadians to come and the booking windows are not as long as they used to be – they’re much closer in,” he said.

“I know we're not going to be back to the levels that we were at, but we're feeling positive and we're not leaving this market,” he said.

Vacation homes offer value for groups

Vacation homes remain one of Kissimmee’s key selling points, particularly for extended families and groups travelling together, according to Minich. 

The destination has more than 30,000 professionally managed vacation homes, ranging from smaller properties to houses with as many as 20 bedrooms.

With many travellers looking for ways to keep vacation costs under control, Minich said larger groups are sharing accommodation expenses by staying together.

“We’re seeing a lot of multi-family trips, where two or three best friend families are visiting together and they can share the cost,” he said.

The value proposition can also extend to smaller groups. 

According to Minich, a family of four may be able to rent a two- or three-bedroom vacation home with a private pool and barbecue for roughly the same price as a hotel stay.

Minich noted that these properties are professionally managed rather than individually operated short-term rentals. 

Many are commissionable and available through tour operators, giving advisors an opportunity to incorporate them into packages.

For luxury travellers, Kissimmee’s “mega mansions” may include movie theatres, bowling alleys, golf rooms, elevators, outdoor kitchens and large private pools. 

Additional services can range from pre-arrival grocery stocking and private chefs to butlers, housekeeping, nannies and even dog groomers.

Minich highlighted Encore Resort at Reunion as one example of a community combining private homes with shared resort facilities.

Its 800 vacation homes range from three to 11 bedrooms and each has a private pool and barbecue. 

The gated community also includes a restaurant, bar, fitness centre, concierge and water park, as well as transportation to theme parks and outlet malls.

“You've got all the amenities of a resort, but the convenience of your own private home,” Minich said.

New luxury hotel inventory is also under construction, although Minich said it is not expected to open until late 2028 or 2029.

From Epic Universe to the Everglades

Kissimmee also continues to benefit from developments at Central Florida’s theme parks.

“The theme parks are always reinventing themselves,” Minich said.

Universal Epic Universe opened in May 2025 with five themed worlds, including Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic.

At Walt Disney World Resort, Tropical Americas is under construction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. 

The 11-acre land is scheduled to open in 2027 with attractions inspired by Indiana Jones and Encanto.

Experience Kissimmee is also promoting the area’s Hispanic and Latino food culture through its Latin Culinary Trail, which launched in October 2025.

“In Osceola County, where we’re located, 57 per cent of the population is Hispanic,” Minich said. “We feature 40 different restaurants from countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Minich also pointed to nature-based attractions as a factor that distinguishes Kissimmee from nearby Orlando. 

Travellers can paddle Shingle Creek, part of the headwaters of the Kissimmee–Okeechobee–Everglades ecosystem, take an airboat ride or try ziplining and aerial obstacle courses.

“You've got amazing man-made attractions, and you've got amazing Mother Nature-made attractions,” he said.

Experience Kissimmee is continuing its Canadian trade outreach through travel advisor training, Brand USA programming and FAM trips organized with airline partners.

“We'll continue to invest in the Canadian market,” Minich said.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.