Celebration FL Archives - There Goes Connie

Of COURSE, there are hundreds of places to eat when you are inside the theme parks of Central Florida, but what about if you stay outside the parks and choose to drive in from several miles away? Well, don’t worry. Between historic downtown Kissimmee (which has 26 eateries), the outskirts of Kissimmee, the charming community of Celebration and the huge Disney Springs complex, you will NOT go hungry.

Allow me to mention just a few that I got to sample personally during a recent visit to the area.

CELEBRATION

Such a pretty town. You can definitely tell it is a “Disney-planned community.” Featuring a large lake, there are shops and restaurants radiating from it. I had lunch at Imperium Food and Wine at 606 Market Street. Large, mouthwatering entrees are served for dinner, while at lunch time, you can find tempting fresh salads, wraps and sandwiches. Check out the huge hunks of beef in my steak salad!!

Afterwards, as I wandered the quaint streets, I noticed several other attractive options, along with a macaron shop (yummy sweets) and even a doggy bakery. 🙂

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN KISSIMMEE

I was surprised to learn that Kissimmee has strong cowboy/cattle-ranching roots. From the horseshoe at the Visitors Center to the colorful statues and figurines around town and even to the street signs, with each block having a different Wild West-type of symbol, you’ll see how the town organizers have woven that theme into the town’s decor.

Even though there are 26 different eateries, representing a surprisingly broad range of cultures, I was not there at meal time. I did, however, pop into to a colorful new ice cream shop — LimbHelados (“helado” is the Spanish word for ice cream)– and enjoyed some delicious samples of fruity, handmade sorbets, sherbets and ice creams.

ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF KISSIMMEE

A huge Margaritaville Resort Orlando is under construction at 8000 Finns Up Circle in Kissimmee. Inside the resort will be what is billed as “the most technologically-advanced water park in the world!” Wow! That’s a mighty bold claim!

Directly across from one of the main entrances to this resort, you’ll find Formosa Gardens, and, in turn, Island Grove Wine Company at Formosa Gardens. The gift shop is filled with wonderful decor/food/jewelry items. The bistro here is a great place for a salad, sandwich, charcuterie, baked treat or what proved to be MY favorite — baked brie. So good.

DISNEY SPRINGS

I had a fabulous dinner at the newly-opened Jaleo by Jose Andres in Disney Springs. You’ll read my full story about Jaleo very soon. In the meantime, here’s a photo of the seafood paella, just to tease you. 🙂

Hotels are everywhere in the Orlando/Kissimmee, Florida, area, but I recently got a close-up look at an amazing 2200+-acre property within a 6-mile drive of Walt Disney World and only 30 miles from the Orlando airport. You might want to consider it for your next visit to Central Florida.

At Reunion Resort and Golf Club, 7593 Gathering Drive in Kissimmee, guests may choose from one, two- or three-bedroom villas or multi-bedroom vacation homes sleeping as many as 36! Many of the vacation homes have private swimming pools, but the resort also gives access to numerous pools, water slides and a 1000-foot lazy river.

An advantage of the homes would be the kitchen facilities and the spacious rooms for gathering and relaxing with families, friends or business associates. Grocery delivery is available from a Publix nearby, or there are two outstanding restaurants within the property grounds — Eleven (appropriately named for the floor where it is located) and Traditions in the newest golf clubhouse.

Speaking of golf, there are THREE signature courses inside the resort — Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson.

Massages, facial and body treatments are offered in the luxurious Boutique Spa, in addition to salon experiences such as hairstyles, manicures and pedicures.

Tennis, pickleball, bocce ball, bike rentals, playgrounds and fitness classes can all be scheduled by guests at Reunion Resort.

A shuttle operates 24-hours a day to transport guests from their lodging choice to any of the restaurants, golf courses, spa treatments or sports activities within the gates.

Here are some photos from the 6-bedroom house where I stayed:

And check out this burger I ordered at the Traditions Clubhouse. Enough for SEVERAL hungry people.

For larger groups, how about this beauty that sleeps 28 people and has its own lazy river:

Or this fabulous home that sleeps 36, has a bowling alley, a golf simulation area, theater room and large pool:

You could host an entire family reunion in one of these homes. We could even have Cousins Camp there. What do you think, Steve Pearson? It’s okay to dream, isn’t it?

Suffice it to say that there are some great choices for lodging when you decide to vacation in the Orlando/Kissimmee area. This one is near Celebration, FL and Disney Springs, giving even MORE dining and shopping possibilities.

Foodie Finds Near Disney World

REUNION RESORT – Fabulous Lodging Options near Disney World

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