Florida offers countless chapters for your travel tales. From its famous theme parks to the stellar beaches, activities for young or old cover every interest. Yet out of all the perfect pairings of action and relaxation, there's nothing quite like combining stays in Kissimmee and Universal Orlando Resort.
Universal Orlando Resort’s wealth of attractions, which is only growing by the year, sprawl across two fantasy lands of adventure. Yet one base in
Kissimmee is all you need to experience it all. Kissimmee villas are ideally located near Universal Orlando Resort, yet still far enough away for peace and privacy. In part, that's why it is the Vacation Home Capital of the World. Yet that's not news to seasoned Sunshine State explorers. Learn more about how you can bring your travel dreams to your doorstep in this guide to what's new in Kissimmee and Universal Orlando Resort in 2024...
Newest Offerings at Universal Orlando Resort
Jurassic World VelociCoaster
Jurassic World VelociCoaster is a heart-pounding roller coaster experience that takes you through the raptor paddock at breathtaking speeds. In our experience, it is not only fans of the film that will love this ride, however, smaller dinosaur lovers may have to sit it out. There are a number of barrel rolls and steep drops, making it one of the most exhilarating and most anticipated new rides in recent years. Since opening in 2021, VelociCoaster has quickly been established as the apex predator of thrill rides in Orlando.
Epic Universe (Preview)
Slated to open in 2025, with more announcements set to come thick and fast in 2024, Epic Universe is the most hotly anticipated opening pretty much anywhere in the world. This huge park will house a dizzying array of new rides upon completion, as well as cutting-edge attractions, shops, eateries and more. Some of the announced rides include Yoshi’s Adventure - Super Mario World and a Mario Kart ride, plus rumours of a How to Train Your Dragon ride and a Fantastic Beasts experience. No matter what’s in store, you can bet it will be the biggest and best Universal Orlando destination to date.
Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast
Open since August 2023, Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast is an interactive blaster game experience where you’ll compete against family and friends to earn a place among notorious supervillains. This unique attraction combines cutting-edge screen technology, advanced gaming and amazing real-life sets, plus you’ll meet plenty of cute, mischievous Minions along the way. For kids who’ve always preferred Maleficent to Snow White, this is the ride that will let them put their villain to the test.
What's New in Kissimmee
Although
Kissimmee is just a short hop to
Universal Orlando Resort, its main draw is its ideal location in Osceola County, where not only does Kissimmee itself have a range of fun things to entertain everyone, but just a short drive away you can be face to face with alligators, hitting up the shops or cycling around the countryside.
Gatorland
The Alligator Capital of the World is a great alternative to larger theme parks and a gateway to authentic Florida. With thousands of alligators and crocodiles, an aviary, a breeding marsh, reptilian shows, and rare white alligators,
Gatorland has excitement that has been entertaining all ages since 1949.
Thrill-seekers can enjoy the Screamin' Gator Zip Line, voted ‘Best Zip Line in the USA’ by AOL Travel and the wheelchair-accessible Gator Gauntlet, which travels over a breeding marsh filled with 130 giant alligators. Another attraction to raise your heartbeat is the Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure that takes visitors on a wild journey through Florida’s wetlands and splashing through ponds teeming with gators.
To keep the excitement at its peak, Gatorland unveiled a new three-in-one attraction in early 2023. On the Croc Rock Adventure, you’ll climb a 32 ft sandstone replicated rock wall, cross a swinging suspension bridge, and then ride a 350 ft zipline to complete the intrepid course. Will you have the courage to conquer this course?
And when you need to catch your breath, head to the Panther Springs zone to observe Gatorland’s newest wildlife addition – two playful cubs named Yuma and Sakari. If you're eager for a hands-on animal encounter, the all-new Capybara Encounter on Flamingo Island offers the opportunity to interact with these large and lovable rodents as they engage in their daily activities, including swimming and interacting with the local waterfowl, turtles, and flamingos.
Wild Florida
Situated in Osceola County just south of Kissimmee,
Wild Florida offers an unforgettable adventure for visitors of all ages. If you don’t have the chance to visit Gatorland, this is the next best thing. This huge wildlife park boasts an array of exciting activities and attractions.
Families can embark on thrilling airboat rides through the pristine swamps and witness the abundant Florida wildlife in their natural habitat. For those seeking a more interactive experience, the wildlife park features an array of animal encounters where you can get up close and personal with fascinating creatures, including exotic birds and even a petting zoo.
One of Wild Florida’s star attractions is its Drive-Thru Safari Park, which provides a fantastic opportunity to explore Florida's unique and vibrant ecosystem. Recently doubling in size in 2021 to 170 acres, this one-of-a-kind wildlife attraction holds over 150 local and exotic animals, such as white-tailed deer, zebra, springbok, and giraffe.
Plus, for an extra fee, you’ll have the unique opportunity for a giraffe painting experience. The world’s tallest creature channels its inner artist, crafting a masterpiece of colour and patterns on a blank canvas.
New Dining Experiences
One of the toughest parts of any family holiday can be deciding where and what to eat, especially for little ones who can’t decide what to order. The good news is that not only does Kissimmee have dozens of great places to eat, but more are opening all the time.
Portillo’s, known for its great hot dogs, beef sandwiches, salads and more, has recently arrived in Kissimmee, and we’d be surprised if kids can’t decide on something here. If you’d prefer a satisfying, sit-down meal, however, we recommend heading for the new Cowboy Chicken, where the wood-fired rotisserie chicken and a range of delicious sides will ensure everyone walks away full. There are also salads, sandwiches and family-sharing meals, making it perfect for lunch or dinner.
For kids and adults with a sweet tooth, the new Donut Experiment has you covered with made-to-order doughnuts, fresh coffee and ice cream - kids will particularly love watching the customised doughnuts being made in front of them.
Ready to experience it all? Browse our
Kissimmee Villa & Universal Orlando Resort Twin-Centre Holidays deals to find your perfect package.
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