Eight reasons to visit Kissimmee

The opening of the Orlando route, with four direct flights a week from Madrid, is one of Iberia’s most anticipated new developments for the winter season. Kissimmee is just 25 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Home to Florida’s most famous theme parks, a golfing paradise and a year-round calendar of events and festivals, we explore some of the many reasons to visit Kissimmee.

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1 Theme parks

Kissimmee provides direct access to America’s top theme parks. The most famous is Walt Disney World® Resort, with four main parks and two water parks themed on Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Beauty and the Beast and Frozen, among many other titles, in addition to multiple complexes, 25 themed hotels and a surface area exceeding 12,000 hectares. But it’s not the only one: Universal Orlando Resort has two theme parks plus a water park, an entertainment complex, eight hotels and spaces themed on Harry Potter, The Simpsons, ET and Men in Black. These two giants are joined by LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, a dream destination for the little ones designed for families with children up to 12 years old and United Parks & Resorts, which combines aquatic shows with the most impressive roller coasters in the entire city, including Mako, the highest in all of Orlando.
2 Magical accommodation

Kissimmee is known as the Vacation Home Capital of the World®. You’ll find more than 30,000 properties in the city, from one-family homes to mansions and luxury residences. Most of them are located within driving distance of the theme parks, and some have private pools, sports facilities and even themed rooms for the kids. Alternatively, hotels and resorts offer options for all tastes, from gastronomic hotels such as ette hotel – with a Michelin-key recognition –, and his restaurant Salt & The Cellar, headed by famous chef Akira Back – to themed resorts for a magical vacation for the youngsters.
3 Golf destination

Kissimmee has become a golf paradise in Florida, ideal for both amateurs and experienced players. Its resorts combine luxury and sport. For example, Reunion Resort Golf Club boasts three courses designed by legends such as Nicklaus, Palmer and Watson, a unique combination in the world. Celebration Golf Club bears the signature of the Trent Joneses, the famous family of golf course architects. It’s considered a perfect course for women’s golf and has an academy that offers private lessons and courses for younger players. In addition, classics such as Falcon’s Fire and Mystic Dunes draw in golfers with their strategic designs and impeccable greens.
4 Nature trail

Kissimmee’s nature flourishes at Shingle Creek Regional Park, the headwaters of the Everglades. This space combines history with outdoor activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking or cycling routes, canoeing and kayaking. In addition, inside you’ll see Pioneer Village, an open-air museum featuring late 19th-century homes and structures, including replicas of St Peter’s Episcopal Church and the Narcoosee train station. All of them have routes that can be visited.
5 Outdoors

Beyond Shingle Creek Park, Kissimmee has plenty of other activities for nature lovers. With an annual average of 22°C, visitors can choose between incredible hot air balloon trips or airboat rides in Wild Florida Adventure Park, gateway to amazing ecosystems. Kissimmee – which boasts 35 protected species – is home to one of the largest populations of nesting bald eagles in the United States and its 445sqkm of publicly accessible lakes offer views of animals such as whooping cranes, white-tailed deer and river otters.
6 To eat

Kissimmee offers a varied gastronomic offering filled with contrasts, from restaurants headed by renowned chefs inside theme parks, such as Homecomin’ at Walt Disney World – whose menu was designed by Oprah’s personal chef – to international offerings such as the Columbia, a Spanish and Cuban cuisine restaurant that has been open for more than 115 years. There are also more refined proposals, such as the aforementioned Salt & The Cellar, and spectacular options, such as the Kobé Japanese Steakhouse, with its Japanese teppanyaki cuisine where chefs cook directly in front of guests. To taste local seafood in Kissimmee, head to eateries such as Crabby Bill’s on the lakefront, with beautiful views of East Lake Toho.
7 A toast

For fans of good wine and beer, Kissimmee is also a destination full of experiences to discover. Spaces like Celebration Brewing, a family-run brewery offering an entertaining programme of live music, bingo and trivia, as well as a menu of international dishes and tapas. For a more elegant experience, Formosa Winery Tasting House at Formosa Gardens offers tastings, from locally produced varieties (it has its own vineyard) to wines from around the world. Also famous is its brunch, which includes unlimited mimosas.
8 Shopping

Kissimmee has options for every budget, from luxury brands to local boutiques and shopping centres. Shopping complexes such as Disney Springs® are perfect for visiting with the family, as they offer well-known brands, shows and lunch and dinner options. Orlando International Premium Outlets® brings together more than 160 discount stores with brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Lululemon and Bottega Veneta. The jewel in the crown is The Mall at Millenia, a luxury shopping centre featuring exclusive brands such as Hermès, Chanel, Tiffany & Co. and Rolex.