Kissimmee, Florida. I don’t think Walt Disney could have picked a better name himself.
I, like jonwhite, found it hard to believe that only 2 people had opted to op on Kissimmee.
If you have been to Orlando, Florida, chances are you stayed in Kissimmee.
It seems likely, unless you have been a regular visitor to Florida, that you would have missed so much, by opting for the Theme Parks, rather than sampling the lesser hyped, but just as much fun, attractions of Kissimmee.
Now there are so many, that you will have to forgive me if I miss any out. In fact, if I do can you post them in the comments on opinion box, or if you’re feeling brave, write your own op on Kissimmee.
Briefly, here is why I claim to know so much about Kissimmee.
My first visit to Orlando was 1986, but this was just for the day as I was staying in Tampa.
Next visit came in 1989, 1 week at the Travel Lodge, Maingate East, H192.
Honeymoon 1998, stayed at Rammada Inn, H192, 2 weeks, bought Time Share at Orange Lake, 3 miles south Disney World.
October 1998, 1 week
October 1999, 1 week
October 2000, 1 week (guess what week we have the Time Share?)
Get on with it! I hear you say. OK
The first place to visit has to be Old Town, H192, can’t miss it, it has a Big Wheel right outside it. This is about 3 miles past Disney, heading east along H192.
Old Town is an old Wild West style shopping mall, but it is so much more. Each shop is different, and there are around 80-100, ranging from; wind chimes, minerals, game cards, Christmas shop, English shop (go in for a laugh), hat shop, baseball cap shop, dress shop, old style photo shop, joke shop, candle shop, clock shop, Irish shop and so many more.
There are also a couple of bars there, and as it takes about3-4 hours to have a good luck round, I tend to be in the bar for a good hour and a half.
There is also a fun fair with some small rides for children and some amazing thrill rides (a catapult thing that shoots you over 100 ft in the air, like a reverse bungee jump!), so you wont get bored.
Now I could go on about Old Town all day, but lets move on to a few more places to visit. (If you have been to Old Town, let me know what you think of it)
1 mile West of Disney, there is a place called Splendid China, a reconstruction of the Great Wall of China, and various other Chinese displays. Here you will find Chinese acrobats and circus performers, and also one of the best all-u-can-eat Chinese buffets ever. You can just go for the food, without paying the entrance fee (which is about £10 if I remember rightly). Only go to the shows if you’re a person interested in Chinese culture.
Gatorland, what more can I say, Gators, and lots of them. A good place to go on a dull or wet day, and you do tend to get a few in Orlando. This is situated about 10 miles East of Disney, H192 and costs about £10 Adults all day ticket.
For discounts and prices always pick up the free brochures and coupon books situated in every hotel lobby, street corner and restaurant in Kissimmee.
Water Mania, for all those water fanatics amongst you, loads of flumes, slides and shoots. Not my cup of tea, as I am not a water babe, despite 9 years in the Navy, I still hate water!
Kids will love this, situated 1 mile east Disney H192, looks very cramped from the road, but I have only heard good reports from all the people who have been there.
Another way to get cheap tickets to Disney attractions is to go to a time Share Presentation.
Now unlike the Tenerife experience, this is totally genuine. You are picked up from your hotel by a taxi, they give you free breakfast (donuts, and juice/coffee.), get to know you, show you round and then say are you interested are would you like your free tickets and go now! (That’s what they said to me!). Totally hassle free and guaranteed to last for the time they advertise, as the state govern time-share sales, and make them stick to the rules.
If you do decide to buy one, haggle, I got mine down from £18, 000 dollars to £9, 000, but it took an hour!
There are many factory outlets near Old Town for cheap jeans, trainers, Ben Sherman’s etc, but we found Wall Mart, 7 miles East Disney H192 to be even cheaper than they were. E.g. Wranglers $15 (about £10), and there are many fine restaurants, the best being Key W Cools, 2 miles West Disney, H192. Here you get to watch them cook your steak & seafood on a char grill pit the size of a small swimming pool. One of the few restaurants to have a wine list that doesn’t just say red or White!
There is so much I could go on about, but unless you’re insomnia, I will stop here.
Thank you, Angus