Although I have sold Florida as a destination many times, I have never had the opportunity to experience it for myself. Therefore, I was thrilled to be invited on a fam trip to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Experience Kissimmee in May this year, allowing me to gain first-hand insight into what Orlando has to offer beyond the theme parks we are all familiar with.
Our adventure began as we flew with Aer Lingus from Manchester into the brand-new Terminal C at Orlando International Airport. From there we travelled on to the Space Coast – 72 miles of coastline, less than an hour east of Orlando – to spend our first two nights at the Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center.
As expected, this hotel embraced a space theme, featuring a rooftop Space Bar that provided stunning views of the launch pads. That evening, I was fortunate enough to witness a rocket launch, which was an unforgettable experience. The bright light and the loud rumbling in the atmosphere left everyone in awe – it was a highlight of the trip!
This memorable experience led nicely to our visit to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex the following day. Having never sold tickets to KSC to my clients before, I was pleasantly surprised by the range of exciting attractions on offer.
The standout attractions for me were seeing the Vehicle Assembly Building from the Bus Tour, which is one of the largest buildings in the world and the Apollo/Saturn V Centre, where I relived the inspirational Apollo 8 launch in the firing room. After that, we moved into an enormous hangar that displayed the real Apollo 14 Command Module and the Saturn V moon rocket, the largest rocket ever flown. I felt emotional standing beneath these remarkable engineering masterpieces.
I also had the privilege to stand beside Space Shuttle Atlantis, which transported astronauts to space for almost 30 years, launching like a rocket and landing like a glider. I also experienced a simulation of the space shuttle’s ascent into orbit. This is the next best thing to flying aboard the space shuttle!
Another highlight was Gateway, where I discovered the cutting-edge innovations of space exploration from NASA and commercial partners. And at Spaceport KSC, I experienced two of the four immersive rides: Exploring Mars and Enchanted Worlds. Both were great fun, interesting and suitable for everyone apart from smaller children.
Meeting veteran astronaut Dr John-David Bartoe at ‘Chat with an Astronaut’ was also memorable; he shared stories from his time aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger and answered questions from the audience. This experience isn’t included with general admission, you need to pay for an extra ticket per adult or child, but it’s not to be missed!
There is so much to explore at Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex that I highly recommend visitors carefully plan their itinerary for one or two days, considering any add-ons they wish to do, such as the Astronaut Training Experience, Chat with an Astronaut and the KSC Explore Bus Tour (this can include visiting the launch pads).
Lastly, it’s worth noting that the visitor complex is a Certified Autism Center with sensory guides located at each attraction entrance.
Since my return from Florida, I’m now recommending this experience to anyone visiting the Orlando area who has even a slight interest in space. The ticket prices are amazing value for money, and I guarantee your clients won’t be disappointed. They will leave with a greater appreciation for the world of space!
Getting to know Kissimmee
The next part of our trip was seeing what the Kissimmee area had to offer. It only took 50 minutes to drive from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to our Encore Villa. Along the way we saw the new Brightline service in operation, which has announced new stations to be built along the line including Port Canaveral and near International Drive.
We visited the charming town of Celebration, established by The Walt Disney Company in the mid-1990s. This picturesque town stood out due to its stunning architecture and delightful mix of boutique shops, cafes and restaurants. I had the opportunity to visit The Inn at Celebration for lunch. Located just a short walk from the town centre, this lakeside boutique hotel has recently undergone an exciting rebranding, featuring refreshed guest rooms, improved dining options, and upgraded meeting facilities. From what I observed, it is a beautiful hotel and being less than six miles from Walt Disney World Resort, it is a place I would consider for a stay.
Behind the hotel, you’ll find Celebration Bike Rental, a family-run business. We enjoyed a 45-minute guided bike tour along scenic lakeside nature trails, where we spotted an alligator and snapping turtles. The route also took us past charming residential streets featuring townhouses and grand estate homes. Although I haven’t ridden a bike in quite some time and felt a bit unsteady at the start, the terrain is flat and I found this tour enjoyable. If I could do it, anyone can!
The Embassy Suites by Hilton and Margaritaville Resort are also both fantastic hotels that offer a wide range of accommodations. Guests can enjoy free access to the Island H20 waterpark and complimentary shuttle buses to the theme parks, which is included in the resort fee that is charged per unit. Additionally, these resorts are just minutes away from the Promenade at Sunset Walk, which features exceptional dining, boutique shopping, live entertainment, and special events.
One evening, we visited Disney Springs and the lively Irish bar, Raglan Road. The atmosphere, entertainment, and food were very enjoyable, and I highly recommend it.
Other highlights included racing on the tracks at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, as well as practicing our golf swings at the Eagles Edge at Omni Championsgate Resort’s Toptracer Driving Range. With its own bar and restaurant, this is a fantastic place to spend an evening while in Kissimmee.
This trip certainly revealed a different range of experiences in Florida beyond the theme parks, showcasing how peaceful the hotel resorts can be during the day, while also benefitting from all the exciting attractions nearby.
