Press Release - Festivals, Natural Attractions Make Kissimmee Fall Getaway Fun

• Manta at SeaWorld, Rip, Ride, Rockit! Coaster, Food & Wine Festival
• State’s first zipline ride, kids FREE at Kissimmee Air Museum, Falcon’s Fire Golf Re-opens
• Kissimmee lodging specials: free night’s stays, discounted theme park tickets

Festivals, Natural Attractions Make Kissimmee Fall Getaway Fun

     KISSIMMEE, FL (Fall 2009) – The weather cools down, the lines are shorter and the festivals and special events are numerous, perfect for couples and mature travelers to take that long-awaited escape to the heart of Florida.
     The appeal of Kissimmee’s close proximity to Orlando’s world famous theme parks takes on a whole new luster when the entertainment giants roll out the welcome mat with themed events and new attractions. But it’s Kissimmee’s accessibility to the state’s authentic charms and natural diversions that really shine in the fall.
     Making Kissimmee a vacation home base is as simple as choosing from among its more than 47,000 accommodations that suit any budget and taste, including well-known chain and luxury brand hotels, vacation homes and villas, campgrounds and more.

Theme Park news
     At Walt Disney World, devotees of autumn’s International Food and Wine Festival are making plans for one of the year’s most anticipated weeks-long festival at Epcot, from now to Nov. 8. A host of delicacies and drink from around the world are found among the international pavilions that make up the park’s World Showcase, including stands that showcase countries and regions not already represented such as Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok. Couples who are interested in learning about wine pairing or enjoying a wine tasting may sign up for seminars scheduled throughout the season, with something for everyone Taste of Puglia to the History of Beer in America. The festival also features concerts from performers including Vanessa Carlton, Richard Marx and Billy Ocean, who take the stage at the festival for the first time, as well as Taylor Dayne, Taylor Hicks and Los Lobos.
     Orlando’s first “flying coaster” is newly opened at SeaWorld Orlando, with Manta taking riders to a height of 140 feet and a maximum drop of just more than 110 feet and reaching a speed of 56 mph. Passengers loading onto Manta are seated normally but are then turned to a face down, laying position before launching. The queue also is a sight unto itself, taking those in line through picturesque aquariums filled with various species of rays and fish.
     New among the theme park offerings is Hollywood, Rip, Ride, Rockit, a high-tech, customizable, multi-sensory entertainment coaster at Universal Studios. Towering 17 stories over the park, the coaster is a ground-breaking combination of audio and special effects engineering, and one-of-a-kind personalization with your choice of music while you ride and a video of your journey to take home. It will feature six near-miss moments, speeds of up to 65 mph and a record-breaking loop.

Where to Play in Kissimmee
     The lush and challenging Falcon’s Fire Golf Club is scheduled to reopen in October, after a $1 million refurbishment project that saw improvements to the greens, fairway bunkers and the property’s clubhouse. One of the region’s mostly highly rated public courses, Falcon’s Fire on Osceola Parkway was closed for these renovations over the summer. Reserve a tee time to be among the first to play on the newly designed course, which stays true to the original but enhances the course’s natural beauty and level of difficulty.
      Two of visitors’ favorite dinner attractions are offering specials, providing excitement and entertainment on a crisp fall evening. Romance is in the air at Arabian Nights, where guests will receive one free admission with one paid adult at regular price. Call 800-553-6116 and mention Kissimmee’s Great Fall Getaway. In addition, get in on all the fun of taking a blast from the past at Capone’s Dinner & Show with half off all tickets for this all-you-can-eat and drink show. Mention the Great Fall Getaway and receive a free glass with paid admission.
     For thrill seekers and nature lovers, fall is the perfect time for visitors to discover the exhilaration of the Zipline Safari at Florida Eco-Safaris at Forever Florida. Joining the horseback and coach safaris, this experience elevates guests 55 feet above the ground for a tree-top nature tour.  Guests enjoy the sensation of flight as they zipline over natural streams, wetlands and through an ancient cypress forest at speeds up to 20 miles per hour. The new Zipline Safari takes guests on a two-and-a-half hour adventure beginning with a short hike along a scenic section of the Florida Trail, one of only eight National Scenic Trails in the US, as they head toward the launching point of the zipline course.  Led by an expert guide, guests “zip” among the trees from platform to platform along a system of seven high-tension cables.  The breathtaking aerial view of the wilderness is the perfect vantage point to spot wildlife and learn about Florida’s ecology and history.  Adding to the adventure, the course also includes two sky-bridges passing over otherwise inaccessible areas of wetland and scrub. Advance reservations are recommended and can be made by calling toll free 1-866-85-4EVER.  For more information, visit FloridaEcoSafaris.com.
     The weather may be getting cooler but with Kissimmee’s balmy weather it’s always a good time to visit a local water park. Wet ‘n’ Wild is offering admission for the remainder of stay free when guests buy a one-day ticket at the regular adult price. The offer is valid for 14 consecutive days beginning the first day of use and is good through Dec. 18.

Where to Stay in Kissimmee
     Kissimmee has long been known for its accommodations to fit any size budget, offering more than 47,000 total lodging options from well-known chain hotels and motels to vacation homes and villas and campgrounds.
     Take advantage of Great Fall Getaway rates at participating Kissimmee accommodations and attractions to unwind from the bustle of the summer and take a breath before the winter holiday season begins.
     Book a room at Holiday Inn Maingate East for just $199 inclusive and receive 2 nights lodging, 2 continental breakfasts each morning in the Trattoria Café and 2 one-day passes to your choice of Walt Disney World waterparks.
     Receive a third night free, $75 in resort dollars, and kids eat free with a packages at Mystic Dunes Resort and Golf Club, which offers one-, two- and three-bedroom villas. At Quality Suites Royale Parc Suites, where guests receive complimentary hot breakfast each day, stay two nights or longer and receive a 15 percent discount on Internet rates for the New Orleans-inspired, all-suite resort.
     If a vacation home would be best suited for a fall getaway, Access Vacation Homes is offering $40 off per night and/or stay seven or more nights and pay for six through Dec. 18. Mention the rate code: Kiss-Getaway when making the reservation. Alexander Florida Holiday Homes also is offering a deal to stay four nights and get the fifth night free, and pay for a 3 day Magic Your Way pass to Walt Disney World and get two days free.
     Restrictions and blackout dates may apply to any of these offers. To view other Great Fall Getaway discounts and deals, visit the Special Offers section of VisitKissimmee.com.
     Enjoy sun and fun this year in the Heart of Florida, choosing from among Kissimmee’s more than 47,000 diverse accommodations where you’ll be right in the middle of the action. For more information about planning a trip to Kissimmee, visit www.VisitKissimmee.com or call 800-333-KISS.

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CONTACT: Public Relations Department
                   Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau
                   407-742-8211
                   media@floridakiss.com
                   www.KissimmeeCVB.com