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Kissimmee: A Tale of Two-Day Trips

Gather around friends, vacationers, and trip planners for an unforgettable tale of two-day trips — one that’s full of theme park joy and another all about outdoor fun!

A woman ziplining through the treetops

If your heart is set on a getaway full of theme park thrills and outdoor adventures, you need to visit Kissimmee! It’s the city of excitement, the town of towering twists and turns, and the epicenter of epic experiences. It’s also home to some of the most famous theme parks in the world, including Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Parks & Resorts Orlando , and Universal Studios Florida, as well as Fun Spot America - Kissimmee and Old Town Kissimmee. In fact, if you do the math, there are about a hundred of the world’s best rides and roller coasters right here in Kissimmee.

Beyond these renowned parks, the thrills extend into Kissimmee’s wild, palmetto-dotted surroundings, where outdoor adventures packed with pulse-pumping delights await. So, gather around friends, vacationers, and trip planners for an unforgettable tale of two-day trips — one that’s full of theme park joy and another all about outdoor fun! Keep in mind, that all of our partners are doing their very best to follow safety protocols to keep you and everyone safe and healthy. Be sure to check out their websites for the most updated information on enhanced safety features. 

The Theme Park Adventurers, Day 1: Outer Space and Beyond

This tale is really a choose-your-own-adventure story. No matter which theme parks you visit, the thrills come fast and furiously. But since you’ll want to make the most of these two days of fun, this narrowed-down list of theme park picks makes for the perfect mini vacation. Let’s start the journey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to some of the most exciting rides in all of Florida, and your journey begins with Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. This particular mountain is home to a very grumpy Yeti who doesn’t want any visitors. And he’s ready to do anything to ensure he remains elusive, including tearing up the roller coaster tracks! 

Next, make your way to Pandora — The World of Avatar for a soaring adventure through Avatar Flight of Passage. Based on the box-office smash, Avatar, this 3D thrill ride lets you take the reins on the back of your very own mountain banshee for a thrilling tour of Pandora. By the end of your journey, you’ll feel like a true Na'vi warrior. 

From here, it’s time to say goodbye to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and hello to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where even more excitement awaits. Start by checking into the iconic Tower Hotel for the ride of your life on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Something funny’s going on at this hotel, because even though guests may check out, they never seem to leave...ever! Dropping in for a visit certainly won’t be the only drop you take on this ride.

If you’re craving one more thrill to cap off your day, you’ll definitely find it in a galaxy far, far, away. You’ll be in control of Han Solo’s legendary ship upon the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The best part about this ride, besides the thrill of feeling like a real space cowboy, is that there are roles to play for every member of your crew. Two of you can steer the ship, two defend the ship, and two serve as engineers, repairing any damage. Teamwork makes the dream (vacation) work! 

If you’re not too tired once the sun goes down, make your way to Magic Kingdom Park for a few more rides to end the night or simply stroll down Main Street U.S.A. to enjoy the beautiful, twinkling lights of The Happiest Place on Earth. This dazzling light displays are the perfect way to cap off your first day of fun.

The Theme Park Adventurers, Day 2: Making a Splash

Day two of your two-day theme park adventure includes four more adrenaline-pumping rides, three of which you’ll find at SeaWorld Orlando.  

First up, make your way to Mako, Central Florida’s tallest and fastest roller coaster. This wild ride will take you over nine hills, reaching top speeds of 73 mph, before taking a 20-story plunge over Shipwreck Reef. 

Next, it’s time to unleash your inhibitions and strap into Kraken Unleashed. This floorless roller coaster (that’s right, floorless) loops through the air at top speeds of 65 mph, while your legs dangle and heartbeat races. An absolute monster of a ride, this roller coaster has undoubtedly earned its mythological name. 

How does riding a roller coaster, face down, sound to you? Thrilling? Terrifying? Maybe a little of both? You can find out for yourself on Manta. Designed to replicate what it feels like to be a manta ray zigzagging through the depths of the ocean, this coaster is full of twists, turns, and gravity-defying dives — what more could you ask for from a ride?

Once you experience SeaWorld Orlando’s hottest attractions, you’ll probably want to cool down. And the best way of doing that is by visiting Aquatica SeaWorld’s Waterpark. After all, with more than 40 slides, rivers, and lagoons, you’ll probably get a little wet (okay, you’re definitely going to get a little wet). For a real thrill, take a ride on Dolphin Plunge, a corkscrewing twin slide that makes its way through an underwater world to the home of a playful pod of Commerson’s dolphins. This slide is unlike any other, which is probably why it’s Aquatica’s most popular attraction.

The Outdoor Adventures, Day 1: From the Skies to the Swamps

This two-day trip takes off at Orlando Balloon Rides, where an amazing bird’s-eye view of Central Florida awaits. Setting sail in the skies with a skilled pilot as you watch the world below. There are so many spectacular sights to see including theme parks, orange groves, and authentic pieces of wild Florida that remain untouched by humans to this day. After the hour-long flight, celebrate with a traditional toast before heading up, up, and away to your next destination. Along the way, fuel your fun by stopping in at one of Kissimmee’s smorgasbord of restaurants with outdoor dining options.

After the skies (and a bite), make your way to Gatorland, The Alligator Capital of the World. This iconic destination is home to over 2,000 American alligators across 110 acres. It’s also where you’ll find some of Central Florida’s coolest outdoor experiences, including the Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure. Strap into an off-road vehicle to make your way through several of Florida’s natural ecosystems. Drive over hills, through swamps, and near an authentic gator graveyard before your vehicle safely splashes into a pond full of live alligators. What a rush!  

Get even closer to these prehistoric beasts in the Alligators: Legends of the Swamp arena, where you can pose with the alligators — some of which measure over eight feet in length — and learn more about them from Gatorland’s bravest daredevils. Later in the day, there’s Adventure Hour — a trip into the Alligator Breeding Marsh to hand-feed giant gators. Yes, you read that right. If you’d prefer to see the Alligator Breeding Marsh from above, you can always strap into the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line to fly over 130 alligators and crocodiles at speeds of nearly 30 mph. 

From way up high, to getting down low, on a Kissimmee outdoor adventure, there are so many places to go! And you’ll be taking in even more on day two.

The Outdoor Adventures, Day 2: Off the Beaten Path

The second day of this trip begins at Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park. Be sure to dress for the great outdoors, because you’re going to be swinging, soaring, and climbing your way across a 15-acre tree canopy. Your trek starts with a safety demonstration by trained instructors. Then, you can release your inner Tarzan across nearly 100 unique games and challenges. Oh, and Tree Trek definitely saves the best for last — this adventure concludes with an unforgettable ride on a 425-foot plunging zip line.  

Next, the outdoor thrills continue with an airboat ride at Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures. Here, you’ll depart from a dock into the heart of the Central Florida wetlands. While the trip can be educational, the speedy boat also zips atop the water at nearly 45 mph. Education and acceleration all rolled into one? What a pair! 

Seated on the boat with life jackets and ear protectors on, you’ll glide across the water, taking in the picturesque landscapes along the way. Catch a glimpse of plenty of wildlife, including turtles, herons, egrets, and ducks — plus this is another chance to see alligators in their natural wild habitat. Keep your eyes peeled for these beauties lazily napping on the shoreline, and possibly watching you slyly as they relax.

And just like that, you've filled two days with incredible outdoor adventures you’ll be thinking about long after your vacation is over. 

Start Writing a Two-Day Tale of Your Own

From outdoor escapades across Central Florida to high-speed hijinks at world-famous theme parks, Kissimmee has endless adventures to keep you on your toes - all while keeping you safe and healthy. Start planning your itinerary and a whole lot more by subscribing to our newsletter and saving trip information on our Instagram and Facebook pages.