Michael Baginski News

TRENDING IN 2019: Kissimmee

31 JAN 2019: Eight million overnight visitors can’t be wrong. Boasting an ideal location that is just a “wave of the wand” away from the area’s famed theme parks – Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld/Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens Tampa, Orlando’s neighbour has been dubbed the Vacation Home Capital of the World thanks to its 22,000 rental units, most filled with park-goers.

But Kissimmee also has 45,000 other accommodation options, including luxury resorts and family-friendly hotels and is situated in Osceola County at the headwaters to the Everglades, presenting many opportunities to explore Central Florida beyond the park borders and the area’s ubiquitous outlet malls.

Here then is a brief list of things to know and places to go in Kissimmee and surrounds in the coming year:

ATTRACTIONS

Walt Disney World Resort

  • The highly-anticipated new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is expected to open this fall. Set on the remote planet of Batuu, guests will have the chance to fly the Millennium Falcon, escape The First Order, and explore a remote outpost in a galaxy far, far away with two new attractions in this immersive new land.
  • The first-ever ride-through attraction themed to Mickey Mouse is set to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in fall. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will feature a new cartoon short that takes guests on an unpredictable world of Disney Channel’s Emmy Award-winning “Mickey Mouse” cartoon shorts.

Universal Orlando Resort

  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade plans to unveil a highly-anticipated addition to Universal’s Islands of Adventures in 2019. The new roller coaster, which follows in the footsteps of the former Dragon Challenge attraction, promises to immerse guests in an ‘all-new adventure’ in the ‘next installment’ of the Wizarding World.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort

  • LEGOLAND Florida will welcome an exciting new land in spring, including three new attractions inspired by “The Lego Movie” and “The Lego Movie 2.”

Wild Florida Airboats & Gator Park

  • Wild Florida is set to open a drive-through safari park in the summer. Travelling by personal car along gravel paths or on a guided swamp buggy tour, guests can see more than 100 exotic animals and be surrounded by native Florida wildlife. Plus, the outdoor adventure park will add a high-flying zipline through the safari that spans across untouched cypress swamp, animal exhibits, and scenic landscapes.

SeaWorld Orlando

  • Come spring, families will be able to stroll down Sesame Street for the first time at SeaWorld Orlando. This new land brings the colourful street to life, connecting guests to the fun, laughter, and learning of the beloved television show.
  • Get an Inside Look behind-the-scenes at SeaWorld Orlando during select weekends in January. Visitors can meet the SeaWorld Rescue Team and learn more about their life-saving work.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Opening later this spring, Margaritaville Resort Orlando is a waterside mega-resort destination featuring over 121 hectares of paradise-inspired accommodations and amenities. This tropical haven includes the 184-room Margaritaville Hotel, 300 timeshare units, and 1,000 Margaritaville Cottages ranging from one to nine bedrooms. Plus, the new Sunset Walk shopping, dining, and entertainment district and Island H2O Live! 5.6-hectacre water park will add to the ambience of this island-style experience.

Red Lion Orlando Lake Buena Vista South recently re-opened in the 192 Kissimmee Corridor following a $20-million renovation. The hotel features 410 rooms and state-of-the-art amenities, including a picturesque pool area, lazy river, fitness center, two onsite restaurants and bars, meeting space, tennis and basketball courts, a children’s playground, complimentary Wi-Fi, and free transportation to area theme parks.

DINING

Rock & Brews Restaurant recently opened at Sunset Walk in the new Margaritaville Resort Orlando entertainment district. This is the third restaurant owned by KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. The restaurant specializes in fresh comfort food made from scratch and local craft beer.

Located in Town Centre at Disney Springs, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill offers everything from Mediterranean flavours to innovative takes on comfort food classics, Puck brings the essence of laid-back California dining to Central Florida.

Old Town, the vintage-themed shopping, dining, and attractions complex, will debut three new eateries this spring, including Froggers Bar & Grill, Shoney’s Restaurant, and Bobby’s Garage Bar.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

See 200 of the top cowboys and cowgirls from the US and Mexico compete in seven traditional rodeo events during RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo March 21-24. For the first time ever, the four-day rodeo will coincide with the Country Thunder Music Festival March 22-24, where top country acts like Toby Keith, Luke Combs, and Luke Bryan will perform on the same grounds as the circuit finals.

Join the Florida Blueberry Festival March 28-31 at Island Grove Wine Company at Formosa Gardens. This inaugural festival will feature free music, a wine bar, beer garden, and a Festival Fare Food court with 20 food concessionaries.