Central Florida family vacation activities are dominated by Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld. But as family vacation learning becomes more and more popular combining theme park action with learning experiences is becoming easier. In Kissimmee it is possible for families to practice golf; join a tennis clinic; learn to fish; enjoy an art tour or take flight.
Checkout our suggestions for learning while having fun in Kissimmee.
Learn to swing, chip, and putt. Anyone with a set of golf clubs knows that the sport of golf is a journey marked by miles of fairways, roughs, sand traps, always leading to a challenge on the green; almost anyone can benefit from a lesson or two. Parents wishing to build on a family golf tradition have two options in the Kissimmee area - Tee to Green Golf School at Kissimmee Golf club and The Golf Academy at Celebration Golf Club.
At Tee to Green make use of the skills, energy, and patience of a staff that love golf and take advantage of any opportunity to share their passion. They talk about gloves and posture, shoes and balance. The clinic atmosphere is family friendly; most importantly they analyze each golfer with success in mind. Learning points: Tee to Green conducts 1/2 day schools which include afternoon of practice or 18 holes of golf. They also have one- three- and five-day programs year-round which combine video analysis, one-on-one teaching, practice drills and playing. Beginners receive instruction in the game’s fundamentals, including etiquette, rules, scoring, posture, and insider tips. Students learn special golf exercises, how select the ideal club, how to develop swing power, how to chip, and focus a putt. Cost of learning: A series of five lessons begins at $150 and junior rates (for ages 6 - 17) are available upon request.
The Golf Academy at Celebration Golf Club has created several options so that students experience all aspects of the game in an efficient, encouraging atmosphere. Learning points: The structure and outline of each golf school is tailored to the individual or in the case of families to each individual within the family. For example Golf “101” for new golfers includes game fundamentals, grip, swing, posture and techniques for the short game as well as club selection, pitching, lobbing, and putting. Lessons focus on course management skills and how to lower scores. Golf Academy pros analyze individual golf swings using a state of the art video/launch monitor. The Golf “101” program series also includes advanced player levels so every family member will have the right fit. During the summer months there are junior golf camps and Saturday junior golf clinics and they offer private lessons for junior golfers throughout the year. Each lesson maximizes one-on-one time utilizing the practice facility and exclusive three-hole Celebration Junior Course. Cost of learning: Private lessons begin at $95 per hour and private lessons for children younger than 12 cost $35 per 1/2 hour. Golf “101” lesson packages begin at $269 per student.
Learn to swing, serve, and score. Tennis is more fun with a partner – true? And when your partner is your child the opportunities for fun are endless but growing a tennis player takes time and lessons. Victory Tennis, located at Star Island Resort & Club in Kissimmee conducts private and group lessons for all ages and abilities. All lessons are pay-as-you-go with no contracts or commitments so for vacationers it’s easy to set up sessions as part of a vacation plan. In fact if you are undecided about lessons it makes sense to take advantage of their free tennis clinic held each Tuesday 8AM to 9AM or 6PM to 9PM - all ages (yup kids included) and abilities welcome. The evening focuses on basic techniques taught with drills and games so everyone can have fun while learning and improving. It’s easy and the coaches at Victory Tennis love to share their passion for the sport so the atmosphere is lively and energizing. Learning points: Victory’s staff can create a series of sessions so that each family member feels at home on the court. For advanced players they offer instruction on the finer points of hand-eye coordination, balance, footwork and game strategy in addition to match play and/or use of ball machine. For little tykes Quickstart Tennis - designed by the United States Professional Tennis Association - is an option. Geared to ages 3 through 10 the program includes lessons and play designed to move children quickly through the transitional stages to full-court tennis while having fun. Cost of learning: Private lessons start at $40.00 per hour with discounted prices for children. Friday afternoon Pee Wee Tennis for ages 3-12 costs $10.00 per hour.
Learn to cast, hook, and catch fish. Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee is an impressive body of water and geared to a variety of “green” activities perhaps the best of which is fishing. It’s the spot to catch largemouth bass, crappie, specks, bluegill, shellcrackers, catfish, and pickerel. For anyone with an appreciation of Mother Nature’s quirky sense of humor fishing is fun and makes a terrific day adventure with kids. If freshwater fishing sounds fun but you know absolutely nothing about, Captain Rick Brothers has the perfect outing ideal for families wishing to learn the art of fishing together. Learn how to read the lake; what signs of nature mean fish are at hand; what bait works best for which fish; how to cast; learn not to rock the boat, and learn how to catch a fish in Florida. Located at Big Toho Marina in Lakefront Park near the historic downtown, the The Miss Toho is 24 foot tri-toon, USCG Registered vessel licensed to carry 14 persons, of which six may fish on each trip. Bring your own equipment or use the rods, reels and tackle is provided. Bonus points: None anglers ride free. Cost of learning: Florida freshwater fishing licenses are required for those 16 years or older. Rates for bass fishing in Kissimmee on Lake Toho for 2 anglers ½ day $250, ¾ day $350, full day $450, add $50 per additional angler. Bait is extra.
Learn about Da Vinci, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh and More. Stay at the Mona Lisa Suite Hotel and enjoy time with the masters. Any parent with a passion for art will love the Mona Lisa. The gallery like ambiance of this new hotel includes oversized interpretations of well-known masters' artwork meticulously recreated by professional artists in China. The paintings are showcased on each floor throughout the hotel. Each contemporary room features a hand-painted artist interpretation of a master work and the property's namesake, Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa adorns the hotel lobby. The hotel staff will provide information on the different interpretations and are happy to give a personal tour to guests who are interested in learning more about the artwork and the masters who originally created the masterpieces. The new 240-room Mona Lisa Suite Hotel is an all-suite, luxury hotel located in Celebration, a unique and charming master-planned community within the Metro Orlando area. Cost of learning: The artwork of the Mona Lisa Suite Hotel is complimentary to anyone who visits. Room rates span $229 to $525 per night/double occupancy.
Learn to fly the legendary "Pilot-Maker". In Kissimmee it is possible to actually take the controls of a restored World War II fighter trainer – the T-6 Texan – even with no prior flying experience. What you will need to know the pros at Warbird Adventures will teach you – but not in a simulator. The aircraft used is the T-6 TEXAN also known as the SNJ or Harvard because more than 70% of the Allied pilots received their fighter training in the aircraft. Learning points: After the standard briefing participants are invited to take the controls in the front seat and just follow instructions. The flying adventure can be whatever you want based on your aptitude for the cockpit – thrilling, erratic, and aerobatic or a smooth, straight, and level. If you purchase and schedule two or three flights together, you can go up and fly in formation as well. They’ll show you how it's done! Formation flying really adds to the experience and there is no extra charge for this as long as you schedule your flights together. Cost of learning: Prices span from $220 for a 15-minute basic flight to $500 for a 30-minute flight which also includes aerobatics, still photos, and your own DVD proof. For a 60-minute session with aerobatics, still photos, and DVD the cost is $745.
In addition to theme park thrills, Kissimmee offers visitors plenty of unforgettable “real Florida” learning experiences to make any family vacation or holiday getaway super. Create your own family learning vacation in Central Florida – the choices are many from clinics and classes to excursions and adventures. From golf and tennis to fishing and flying it’s about having fun and learning together. Imagine watching alligators, skimming to marsh on an airboat, seeing a working cattle ranch, taking a sunset cruise, horseback riding and feeding goats. To discover more about Kissimmee’s learning and fun vacation choices log on to www.ChooseKissimmee.com
Planning Details
Scenic/Eco Lake Tours/Fishing Charters, Inc. (407) 908-5688 or www.fishingchartersinc.com
Mona Lisa Suite Hotel 225 Celebration Place Celebration, Orlando, Florida 34747. Toll-free 1-866.404.MONA (6662) or www.monalisasuitehotel.com
Warbird Adventures, Inc. 233 N. Hoagland Blvd. Kissimmee, FL, 34741. (407) 870-7366 or www.warbirdadventures.com/t-6_page.htm
Victory Tennis at Star Island 5000 Avenue of the Stars Kissimmee, FL 34746. Further tennis program information, you may contact John at (407) 997-5155 or www.star-island.com/victorytennis.html
Kissimmee Golf Club 3103 Florida Coach Dr. Kissimmee, FL 34741. Pro Shop (407) 847-2816, (407) 847-2816 or www.teetogreengolfschool.com or www.kissgolfclub.com
Celebration Golf Academy at Celebration Golf Club 701 Golf Park Drive Celebration, Florida 34747. 407.566.GOLF ext. 4 or www.celebrationgolfacademy.com
Content created by FamilyTravelFiles and images provided by Kissimmee/St. Cloud CVB. Copyright 2008.
