New Thrills and Chills Pave Way for More Adventure in Kissimmee

KISSIMMEE, Fla. —Kissimmee has “frozen” over! Fall's cooler weather is paving the way for new and exciting thrills throughout the popular Central Florida destination. From visiting an ice palace to cooling off in the waters of natural Florida, a Kissimmee vacation is sure to provide unforgettable memories.

The Walt Disney World Resort announced a brand new “Frozen” attraction at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot that will replace “Maelstrom.” The new ride will take guests to Arendelle and immerse them in many of their favorite moments and music from the film. The pavilion also will include a royal greeting station where guests can meet Anna and Elsa. Beginning in early November, “Frozen” will also have a presence at the Magic Kingdom this holiday season when Queen Elsa uses her powers to transform Cinderella's Castle into an ice palace and “Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party”-goers can see the characters in “Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”

Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince for a magical adventure reliving scenes from the classic ballet. Beginning Nov. 15, ICE! at Gaylord Palms will feature more than two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, four thrilling slides and back by popular demand, masterful ice carvers from Harbin, China creating sculptures on site at the “Frostbite Factory.” New in 2014, adults 21 and older can chill out and enjoy cider poured through an ice luge at “On The Blocks.” This exclusive ice bar presented by Johnny Appleseed invites guests to enjoy ambient lighting, music and fun photo opportunities.

Cool off with a world- and swamp-famous fruit slushy at Wild Florida Airboats' new Chomp House Grill! The restaurant offers great lakeside dining and a place to chow down on real Florida BBQ. Enjoy a scenic view overlooking the wetlands at Wild Florida's Cypress Ballroom with over 2,000 square feet of air-conditioned meeting space and an additional 1,500 square feet of covered deck. Wild Florida also can accommodate unforgettable weddings in a beautiful natural setting.

Get close to Florida's natural beauty by spending the day at The Paddling Center at Shingle Creek. This new eco-attraction offers a variety of ways to enjoy natural Florida from tandem kayaks, single kayaks, aluminum canoes, large paddle boards and even an electric boat. Basic paddling instruction is provided prior to launching and no previous paddling experience is necessary. It is the perfect retreat for the whole family and a serene break from the action-packed theme parks.

The national traveling exhibition “Great Balls of Fire” lands at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and shares the story of the origins of our solar system, asteroids, comets and their possible impacts and risks. Within the exhibit is the “Asteroid Encounter,” in which guests can test their knowledge by blasting off in a “spaceship” to compile data about asteroids and comets.

Take a step back in time and join the Osceola County Historical Society on Nov. 8 for Pioneer Day 2014 as they celebrate the grand opening of the Pioneer Village at its new location in Shingle Creek! The Pioneer Village features exhibits tracing Osceola County's history, which depicts early pioneer life in the state of Florida.

The new Al-Marah Interactive Horse Experience gives horse enthusiasts the chance to interact and learn how to care for some among the most beautiful herd of Arabian horses in the world, on an 80-acre property just minutes from the Kissimmee destination. The four-hour program allows guests to groom, feed, ride and learn about these award-winning animals, regardless of their horsemanship skill level. This unique, hands-on opportunity has limited number of participants per session so that each has a chance to interact with the horses and ask questions of knowledgeable trainers. The cost for the program is $195 for the full experience and $30 to observe (it is free for family to watch until Nov. 17). Participants must be five and older in order to ride. For more information, call 407-301-0800.

The newest American Girl store will be celebrating its grand opening at the Florida Mall on Nov. 15-16, 2014. The 15,000-square-foot store will feature the company's line of contemporary and historical dolls, accessories and a bistro. Families will find local performances during the day, arts and crafts stations, a movie at dark and a free gift while supplies last. Come out and celebrate girls and all that they can be!

The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate now offers a one-of-a-kind sports field complex inclusive of eight regulation size fields in superior condition, professionally maintained and adjacent to the AAA Four-Diamond Resort. This unparalleled complex renders warm-hearted training year-round for major league teams and sports clubs looking for professional fields in close proximity to all the luxurious amenities of a world-class resort.

Get the most out of your vacation this fall and beyond by staying and playing in Kissimmee. With nearly 50,000 total accommodations ranging from high-end resorts, popular hotel chains, vacation home rentals and villas, campgrounds and more, Kissimmee has something to suit any style, any party size and budget. Kissimmee provides easy access to all of Central Florida's world famous theme parks, amusement parks, natural attractions, great shopping options, and unique experiences. Start planning a Kissimmee vacation today by visiting www.ExperienceKissimmee.com.

                                                       ###

MEDIA CONTACT:
Experience Kissimmee
Communications Department
407-742-8211
media@experiencekissimmee.com