In Kissimmee, visitors can catch a glimpse of Florida as it was during the past two centuries. The rail station is a “newcomer”, by those standards. It still has the look and feel of a depot of the 1920s. It is well served daily by Amtrak, and is a popular and convenient choice as a point of arrival and departure to the Disney area. Landscaping and renovations preserve the historic downtown district of this small Florida town. Old Town, just east of I-4 on US 192, features 75 specialty shops as well as restaurants and amusement rides in a turn of the 20th century setting. Hundreds of classic cars cruise the Old Town streets every Friday and Saturday night. Kissimmee hosts the Houston Astros every March for spring training in the Osceola County Stadium and Sports Complex. The arena in Osceola Heritage Park is the site of the Silver Spurs Rodeo and other sporting events. Welcome to the most magical place on Earth. When Walt Disney was asked, “when will it be finished”, he replied, “as long as there is imagination ….never”. This true visionary who embraced the childlike qualities in all of us, transformed this once cattle and citrus community into the most visited site on the planet. Best of all, Kissimmee enjoys year round mild weather. What most visitors planning a Florida vacation think of as Orlando actually includes Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista as well. If you are one of the lucky millions of people who will visit this fabulous “world”, get ready to have the ride of your life. It has been said that if you were to visit every attraction in the area, by the time you finished, a new one will have been built. Visitors from around the world flock to this destination to experience the magic that is not only Disney in the form of Animal Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, and the park that started it all–the Magic Kingdom, but Universal Studios and SeaWorld, just to name a few. Of course, Downtown Disney, a host of water parks, and Pleasure Island, golf courses, a racetrack and restaurants are all included. Dinner theaters provide a unique form of entertainment. There are a variety of venues including a Pirate adventure, Medieval Times, Arabian Nights, (complete with Lipizzaner horses), a Dixie Stampede, and even a Sleuths’ Mystery. What a great way to relax and unwind after an invigorating day at the parks. At every Disney attraction, there is an opportunity to see the world through a child’s eyes. That look of amazement each and every time a Disney character makes an appearance or a child takes that exciting ride for their first time, is an experience to remember and to cherish. The wonders of Orlando, Lake Buena Vista, and Kissimmee are magical, and in these enchanting places, everyone gets to be young and carefree.
How to Get There How to Get There: By Air:
Orlando International Airport
407/825-2001
Offers direct or nonstop service from 60 U.S. cities and two dozen international destinations, serving more than 30 million passengers on the average annually. All major car-rental companies are located at or near the airport.
Airport Transportation
Orlando International is 25 miles east of Walt Disney World and 20 miles south of downtown. At rush hour (7-9am and 4-6pm), the drive can be a torturous hour or more; at other times, it's about 30 to 40 minutes.
Mears Transportation Group
407-423-5566
Has vans that shuttle passengers from the airport (you catch them at ground level) to Disney resorts and official hotels, as well as most other Orlando properties. Their air-conditioned vehicles operate around the clock, departing every 15 to 25 minutes in either direction. Rates vary by destination.
Driving to Walt Disney World
To get from the airport to the attractions, take the North exit out of the airport to Highway 528 West. Follow signs to I-4; it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to get to Walt Disney World if the traffic isn't too heavy (double or worse in rush hour or when there's an accident). When you get to I-4, follow the signs west toward the attractions.
An Alternative: Orlando Sanford International Airport
407-585-4000
Is much smaller than the main airport, but it has grown a bit in recent years. The airport has most of the major car rental desks on site. Mears Transportation shuttles also serve it.
Kissimmee Gateway Airport
301 N. Dyer Blvd., Suite 101
Kissimmee, FL 34741
407-847-4600
Located near Orlando, just eight miles from Walt Disney World and ten miles from the Orlando-Orange County Convention center, Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) accommodates general aviation air service 24 hours a day with two paved airport runways, 5,000 and 6,000 feet. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Kissimmee and its air traffic control tower operates from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
By Car:
Driving here is easy, too! Major interstates--I-95, I-75, and I-10--provide access into Florida from the north, with connections directly into the area via I-4, the Florida Turnpike, and US 192. I-75, I-95, and the Florida Turnpike provide quick access from south Florida.
Heavy traffic and numerous crisscrossing highways make driving in the Orlando area challenging. Be sure to arm yourself with a good map and avoid traveling during rush hours—7-9 am and 4-6 pm—particularly on I-4 north from downtown. The area's most traveled highway, I-4 runs southwest to Tampa and northeast to Daytona Beach. (Official signs say "West" or "East.") I-4 provides access to almost any part of the city and its suburbs.
By Bus:
Greyhound Bus Terminal
103 East Dakin Avenue
Kissimmee, FL 34741
407-847-3911
By Train:
Amtrak
111 Dakin St.
Kissimmee, FL 34741
407-425-9411or 800-872-7245
Getting Around:
Most of the area's east-west highways are toll roads: The Bee Line Expressway skirts the airport on the north, and the East-West Expressway (or Highway 408) passes south of downtown. The Bee Line is the best bet for traveling to Port Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center or Cocoa Beach.
Between the airport and attractions, use I-4 and its connection with the Bee Line Expressway to save time and money
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