There’s almost always something good going on in Kissimmee.  The Silver Spurs Rodeo host to a variety of concerts,  festivals and events all year long, offering fun, excitement, and entertainment for every member of the family. We have seen Hulk Hogan in person at one of the promotions, he is a Fishing fanatic and an expert angler. He signed our autograph book and we had pictures taken along side him, he is MASSIVE.

The Rodeo Show and Funfair weekends are great family entertainment with live music, lots of free give aways and live demonstrations. It’s a real crowd pleaser, offering a taste of the Wild West and you can watch bronco bucking, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping, and even those funny little rodeo clowns. It is worth getting the Events Calendar, where you’ll find what’s happening all year round.. 

Also, the three downtown areas, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, and Celebration, host numerous uniquely-themed special events throughout the year. You can also head over to Lake Toho in St. Cloud for a day of free family fun revolving around a beach, a playground, and several lakefront fishing spots including a tranquil fishing pier with a gazebo. Take one day of your holiday to slow down the pace and just see what you can do for free.

It will certainly make a change!!!!!

Happy Holidays

Mary & Larry

Kissimmee Lakefront Park is a great place for families to visit for recreation and to enjoy the many popular events, festivals and concerts that are held there throughout the year.

Kissimmee Lakefront Park is situated on Lake Toho which is the second largest lake in Florida.  The park has basketball courts, a playground, a volleyball court and picnic areas with BBQ grills.  There is boating and fishing on the lake for water enthusiasts.   If you are a nature buff, you can take an excursion boat out to Cypress Island which offers visitors some gorgeous nature trails for hiking and exploring.  The beautiful ancient oak and cypress trees are part of the habitat of a number of birds including herons, osprey and owls as well as a good variety of other animals.  You’ll also see sheep, goats, llamas and emus grazing throughout the area.  Your family can enjoy airboat rides, swamp buggy rides, horseback riding, tubing, and water skiing during your visit.

Here are some of the annual events and festivals held at Kissimmee Lakefront Park that are fun for the whole family:

In January, you can attend the annual Sunshine Regional Chili Cookoff.  This event features competitors from all over the U.S. creating their signature chili recipes.  In addition to plenty of food, there is stage entertainment, arts and crafts, and family activities.

Caribbean Fusion is an annual event in March that offers Latin, Caribbean, and Hispanic music, food, arts and crafts.  There are plenty of stage performances and activities for the kids.

Music lovers will find many free concerts to attend at the park including the Concert in the Park series that features a performance by the Orlando Philharmonic and Jazzfest Kissimmee which showcases many jazz artists from the area as well as local high school jazz bands.

The 4th of July celebration offers families a fun day of live music, festival food, rides and of course a spectacular fireworks display to finish off the day!

In December, the Holiday Extravaganza is held.  This very festive event includes live bands, street performers, arts, crafts and food  vendors as well as  ice carving demonstrations. Winter comes to Florida with the 30 ton pile of snow known as “Frosty’s Playground.”  The climax of the Extravaganza is the “Festival of Lights” parade down Broadway followed by fireworks over the lake.

Admission and parking is free at all of these events.

I found Bob’s Balloons on the internet and got us booked in, we were to meet him at 6am at Championsgate. Once there we met Bob and the other couple who were taking the ride, we had absolutely no idea what to expect and we’re both a bit afraid of heights!

We were all taken in Bobs van to a ranch on the other side of US27 where several other companies were already getting set up. We were lucky as the conditions were favourable, it had been too windy for the ballons to go up over the past few days. It was fascinating to watch the whole process of getting these balloons inflated and off the ground. We actually stood inside the balloon as it inflated. The basket was smaller than I expected and we nervously climbed in, we were given instructions for landing and then we gently floated up and joined all the other balloons above the swampland.

We had to go with the direction of the wind which took us parallel to US27 but not over our villa where our neighbours were waiting to wave. The height was no problem at all, it was marvellous to be able to see for miles and miles and it was a beautiful sunrise. I had no idea there was so much swampland at the back of our house.

After about an hour we landed in a field at the side of the highway, we helped to pack the balloon away then we were taken to a fruit stand where we had a champagne brunch on a dock overlooking the lake. It cost $350 for the 2 of us but it was an experience not to be missed.

For new visitors to Florida, it is a hidden Gem away from the hubbub of the Parks, bright lights and glitz.

It has all of the tranquillity you could ever want to enjoy, with a quaint Main Street, Custom Shops, Cinema, a gorgeous Lake, complete with Alligators  and a variety Dining places to sit and enjoy the unique ambiance. Our favourite is The Tavern, with it’s New England Fish menu an absolute must, snow crabs, Maine lobsters are the best.

Throughout the year the Towns folk have Special events for each & everyone and it is all free.

We always make an effort to go down, especially on Sundays to sit in the Rocking Chairs on the promenade to chill for a little while and get our energy back for the next attack at The Parks with the Grandchildren. We thought that some visitors would find the time to venture down so we have the events due for this year. We can really recommend the Great American Pie Festival in April. We were fortunate to be here 2 years ago with our two grandsons and they had a fantastic time. Firstly making their own Cherry Pies, then joining in the Fastest Eater competition, we still enjoy the video. 

CELEBRATION TOWN CENTER 2010 SPECIAL EVENTS 

MARCH 27TH & 28TH.           SPRING ART FEATIVAL

APRIL 16TH & 17TH.             CELEBRATION Exotic Car Festival

APRIL 24TH & 25TH              THE GREAT AMERICAN PIE FESTIVAL

JULY 4TH.                              A FLASH BACK 4TH. JULY (Live music, parade, fireworks & 50s theme)

JULY 23RD – 25TH.                SUMMER SIDEWALK SALE (TV SHOW “SURVIVOR” WINNERS & CAST)

OCTOBER 8TH & 9TH.            OKTOBERFEST (Autumn German Themed Street Party)

NOVEMBER 6TH.                   ALFA ROMEO CAR SHOW

NOV. 27TH – DEC. 31          NOW SNOWING NIGHTLY (Snow Falls every hour, Strolling Santa, Photos etc)

DECEMBER 11TH.                  RADIO DISNEY CONCERT (Jump, Jingle & Jam to your favourite Disney Artist)

We hope you are luck enough to catch one of these shows, it really is worth it for a Family Day out.

Have Fun

Mary & Larry

The only surprise here is that this beautiful quiet oasis is situated in downtown Orlando just a few minutes from the I4 and is only a stone throw away from the theme parks, shopping malls and other visitor attractions. The easiest route we have found is to leave the I4 at exit 85 taking Princeton Street east to the intersection with Mills Avenue. Turn right here and then left on to Virginia Drive at the next major intersection. The road curves to the left into Forest Avenue and the entrance to Leu Gardens can be found on your right.

Harry P Leu Gardens is set in fifty acres of land backing on to Lake Rowena. In a previous incarnation it was the lakefront estate of a local citrus entrepreneur before being bought by Harry P Leu in the late 1930s. He then scoured the world for exotic plant species and dedicated the next twenty-five years to completing the transformation of the grounds into the wonderful gardens to be seen today.

Originally the grounds were designated as a drive-through garden but over time it became more obvious that the visitor would rather take their time and get closer to nature. As a result numerous foot trails were laid to complement the existing paved walk-ways and a gazebo together with additional seating areas were provided, all encouraging a more sensory experience to the garden lover.

The paths lead through a canopy of giant oaks, camphors and palms, all of which protect the dazzling displays of camellia from the burning heat of the Florida sun. There is a formal rose garden, home to seventy-five different varieties, as well as separate collections of orchids, azaleas and perennials.

Also, don’t miss the herb and butterfly gardens or, for that matter, the impressive fifty foot high floral clock.

In the Garden House  there are light refreshments, a library full of gardening books and a well-stocked gift shop.

Admission at around seven dollars is extremely good value for money, and if you should be planning a trip to Central Florida then a visit to Harry P Leu Botanic Gardens comes highly recommended.

There are literally HUNDREDS of gators of all shapes and sizes in different enclosures around the park. There were all sorts of other animals, snakes, birds and a petting zoo which our grown up kids loved!

Unfortunately it was such a cold day that some of the exhibits had to be kept indoors so we didn’t get to see them all. It was beautifully sunny and clear though so it was nice to walk through the trails.

I don’t know what it is about gators, they don’t really do much but they are amazing to look at are some of them were huge, including one old boy who had to be kept seperate from the others. There were some white alligators too which we have never seen before.

The shows were very entertaining, we watched gator wrestling, every time I see someone with a gator which doesn’t have it’s snout taped up I think they must be mad, these guys obviously know what they are doing though.

One part of the park is a trail through a completely undeveloped area which is the beginning of the everglades. We were thrilled to actually spot a snake off to the side. In the centre of the park is a viewing tower on different levels, if you go right to the top you can see for miles.

The last thing we did was to watch the gator show, feeding the gators and trying to get them to jump out of the water, they seem to take some motivating maybe they were too well fed or just a bit cold!  The trip took a good half day and was really interesting.

It is a delightful place that appeals to all those who have an appreciation of plants and flowers, be it the horticultural professional or the keen amateur gardener.

The climate in central Florida is conducive to growing a vast array of tropical and temperate varieties that allow an abundance of all year round displays. However, the scorching summer heat and mild winters means that many native American plants, common in suburban gardens further north, would be unable to survive in this environment.

After Harry P Leu bought the site from a local citrus entrepreneur back in the 1930s he spent a number of years travelling the world to bring back some of the exotic plants that are on view today. Discover palms, cycads, azaleas and orchids. Enjoy the sight of those annual favourites including seventy-five varieties of wonderfully scented roses and the world’s largest collection of camellias numbering over two thousand specimens.

When to visit is very much down to personal preference, as there is always something in bloom. The camellias, shaded from the harsh Florida sun by varieties of oak, elm and camphor trees, are in flower between November and March but they are considered to be at their best during the winter months of January and February.

Don’t miss the azaleas, red maple, japonica and amaryllis, to name but a few of the enormous varieties that are also in bloom at the same time of year.

The rose garden, which is very much the centrepiece attraction, looks a picture from April through to November but to see it at its perfect best, visit during the winter (December and January), spring (April and May) or during the fall (September and October).

Irrespective of the time of your visit Leu Gardens will showcase a range of seasonal displays, which include some magical winter blooming annuals as well as more drought tolerant varieties during the summer.

This really is a horticultural paradise at any time of year, and being located so close to the downtown Orlando why not take a couple of hours out to enjoy Harry P Leu’s stunning creation.

We spent Christmas in Florida this year and decided to visit the Hotel as there were quite a few things going on inside. It had the Ice Land where you pay to go in and brave the cold (we didn’t as that is what we were getting away from). The braver one’s were actualy invited to go round in their bathing costumes (brrr!)

There were lots of festivities going on along with Carol Singing and hunt the Gnome competition.

The hotel itself had three Atriums - Key West, Everglades and St Augustine, each with its own unique restaurants. We decided to eat in Key West as that had its own Yacht on a lake in the Hotel. The food was fantastic but not in the large portions that you would normally expect in the USA. However, the food was great. We will definitely visit again and go to one of the other restaurants.

The Hotel also had its own 9 hole putting course that was free to use. What a bonus for the two golfers in our party.

Finally, one thing to mention is that it will cost $12 to park there but if you eat in one of the restaurants that fee is refunded.

You can visit Disney Marketplace and enjoy a few hours with the family for no cost at all. Parking is free and there is no admission. Bring your swimsuits and some towels and you and the children can cool off in the ground fountains that randomly shoot up through the sidewalk.  The Lego Imagination Center is a family favorite.  The Lego creations surrounding the store are massive and intriguing especially the giant serpent in the lake right out front.   The largest selection of Legos I have ever encountered is in this store.  Out front, your family will find stations with Lego bases and bins full of all shapes and sizes of Lego blocks.   Here you can build to your heart’s content.  Try building a car and race it against others on the ramp with 4 racing lanes.  Take your little ones over to the toddler play area - they have probably never gone down a Lego slide before!

Check the events calendar for free live family entertainment.  There are free daily performances at the Dock Stage and you  may even catch a street performer who will amaze you with juggling, magic, and other tricks.

Wander through the World of Disney store – it probably has the largest collection of Disney merchandise you will find anywhere.  The children will enjoy the Disney décor and may even catch their favorite characters or Disney actors on the TV.  Step into Ghiradellis and grab a free sample of their delicious chocolate.  Check out the amazing window displays at Disney’s Days of Christmas.

Once Upon a Toy is not to be missed!  Your children will be amazed at Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell flying overhead.  Here, your kids can play with toys and you don’t even have to buy them!  They can build their own Disney-themed Mr. Potato Head and build at the Tinker Toy and Lincoln Log play stations. 

Disney Marketplace opens daily at 9:30 a.m.  From Sunday through Thursday, closing time is at 11:00 p.m.  On Friday and Saturday, it stays open until 11:30 p.m.

Have a great time!

 On the tips of the wings are cameras and still photos or a DVD can be purchased after your flight. They are of a superb quality and you also get the negatives if you want to have them enlarged. A 15 minute flight costs $240 but the actual time is about 1/2 hour that you are in the plane, from taxeing to take off and landing. Of course If you are very brave then why not go for the 30 - 60 minute aerobatics flight where you can actually control the plane to do loops and rolls. What a great photo that would be, upside down at the controls with an aerial view of Kissimmee above you. Awesome !!! The “pilots shop”  is always worth a visit. They have shirts, hats and lots of memorabilia there. You can even buy “Warbird bucks” $100 to give as a present towards that special persons dream flight.

Warbird Adventures used to be known as “Flying Tigers” but in 2004 Hurricane Charley came along and put paid to that and Kissimmee Air museum was formed in its place. Opening times are from 9.00 to 17.00, 6-7 days a week but it does depend on the season so check before you go. You can just turn up but it is “First come, first served” Telephone number 407-870-7366.

My husband and I have watched these planes flying over our villa for the last few years and he has been mesmerised by them so guess what I have bought him for his 60th next year. Boy will he be thrilled.