You've got three days. Let's see how much pure family fun you can cram in. Ready, set, go!
In Kissimmee, the challenge is: so much fun, so little time. So allow me to help you to fit it all in with this yippee!-conducive itinerary.
In one section, rides and games are tot-sized and throughout, snack stands and restaurants sell kid favorites: cotton candy, popcorn, giant pretzels and pizza.
Day One
Cruise Irlo Bronson Highway (Hwy. 192) and watch the fun pop out: fantastic gift shops, amusement parks, and family restaurants shout for your attention. Head to the Old Town Shopping, Dining and Entertainment Attraction and hit Happy Days Go-Cart Track for a little go-cart action. There's still more race track (including the thrill Turbo Force ride that takes you from 0 to 100 mph in two seconds), plus there's a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, Laser tag, bungee jumping and more. In one section, rides and games are tot-sized and throughout, snack stands and restaurants sell kid favorites: cotton candy, popcorn, giant pretzels and pizza. In between rides, hit the fun shops, selling everything from sports team paraphernalia to magic tricks.
For the brave in the family, spice the fun with fear factor at Old Town Grimm Haunted House. Recommended for kids ages 10 and older, it's an old-fashioned scare mansion with loud noises, ghoulish actors, flashing lights, and spooky special effects. For the less-than-brave, ask for the "light scare" treatment. Old Town also offers a wax museum and creepy Tower of London Experience, and stays open until 11 p.m. for late-night family amusement.
Day Two
After your first active day and late-night out, sleep in and then head to St. Cloud for hometown fun and fulfillment. Take the kids to Lakefront Park to fish for bass and perch. When you finish feeding the fish, head downtown for a bite to eat.
For top night-time dining and entertainment, make reservations at the Medieval Times or Arabian Nights dinner show.
Day Three
Begin the day at Gatorland, where toddlers to teens will have fun at attractions that range from a fountain playground to gator feedings that appeal to gruesome appetites. Plan to stay at least three hours to hit all the shows, climb the observation tower overlooking gators galore, pet farm animals, visit baby gators and munch on a lunch of gator ribs and nuggets (or more conventional snack fare) at Pearl's Smokehouse.
Spend the afternoon in downtown Kissimmee, checking out the traditional hometown with its lovely churches and cowtown heritage. Look for murals portraying local history and sidewalk insets that evoke the importance of cattle to the local economy.
'Fraid we've run out of time, yet still more fun awaits. Perhaps you should consider extending your vacation so you can make it to all the parks, museums and other attractions we couldn't fit in.
Whether you plan a visit around the Circus Sarasota schedule, try your own skills as a trapeze artist or visit the Circus Museums, you’ll be happy you didn’t just spend the day at the beach.
"Downtown" Hollywood is undergoing a modern makeover, but at Hollywood Beach, the Broadwalk wears its history proudly. There's a timeless appeal to the visitors' strolling, shopping, playing and dining before the open sand and the Atlantic Ocean. It's a haven for people and people-watchers of all ages.
