June 2016 is a great month to…

  1. Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the first time by night

Earlier this year, Disney announced that it would begin opening Magic Kingdom at night for the first time in its history.  It has now announced the opening dates and details of the new evening experiences visitors can enjoy there from 27 April, with some really stunning videos and exciting details, including the Tree of Life’ centrepiece light show and a new Jungle Book show.

  1. Be one of the first to meet a Wookie

This endearing video shows children’s responses to meeting Chewey at the new Star Wars launch bay in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1th3cjphdKE

Visit this June and you too could be amongst the first to meet a Wookie.

  1. Be Frozen Ever After

It is a busy month at the theme parks this June!  Disney has announced that its new Frozen Ever After ride will open on June 21, 2016.

There is a lot to please Frozen fans this month.  As well as meet and greets with Elsa and Ana in the Royal Summerhaus, and the Live Sing-A-Long-A-Frozen show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Frozen fans can also look forward to the Frozen Games at Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park later this summer.

  1. Reign of Kong

We’re hoping that this month will also give us the first chance to ride the new Reign of Kong at Universal.

Officially, the trailers are still promising the attraction will open ‘Summer 2016’ but reports have suggested the press launch will happen at the end of June.

  1. Make a trip to St Augustine

St Augustine is quite a drive away from Kissimmee – around two and a half hours away.  However, this historical city is well worth the drive.  Officially the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the USA, this town was established by Spanish settlers back in 1565.  Today, strolling along the charming cobbled streets, you can still feel the Spanish vibe in the old town. The Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas are impressive remnants of the city’s past and worth an exploration.

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Throughout June, St Augustine’s Plaza de la Constitucion plays host to a series of concerts – on June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – making the trip even more worthwhile.  Other events this month include:

Drake’s Raid:  June 3 & 4, Colonial Quarter district, St Augustine.

Living History Day at Fort Matanzas:  Fort Matanzas, Rattlesnake Island, St Augustine.

  1. Experience a country festival

You’re also spoilt for choice for cheaper, local entertainment away from the parks this month.  Why not visit the Watermelon Festival on June 4 in Chiefland?  Or perhaps you prefer the idea of stomping on some grapes at Lakeridge Winery’s Harvest Festival in Clermont on June 10 -12?

  1. Go to the Rodeo

One of my colleagues chastised me recently that I don’t recommend this event enough… so this one is for you Peter!  The unmissable Silver Spurs Rodeo is on this month – do go if you get a chance to.  You have an opportunity to see some of the real (amazing) Florida at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee on June 10, 11 and 12.

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7. See some world-class soccer (football)

The Copa Americana is coming to Florida this month.  You can watch some amazing teams play their first round matches:

June 4, 2016                 Costa Rica vs. Paraguay

June 6, 2016                 Bolivia vs. Panama

June 8, 2016                 Brazil vs. Haiti

If you can’t get tickets to any of these fixtures, then later in month the lions play two matches:

June 18, 2016              Orlando City Soccer Home Game against San Jose Earthquakes

June 25, 2016              Orlando City Soccer Home Game against Toronto FC

  1. Make a sandcastle

Located on the Atlantic Coast, New Smyrna Beach is around an hour and a half’s drive away from Kissimmee.

Throughout the summer, it plays host to a range of family friendly activities along its main beach approach, Flagler Avenue.  On June 11, New Smyrna Beach plays host to a Sand Art Festival which is open to amateurs and free to enter.  If you and your family are feeling creative, then you can walk-up on the day to register for your plot of sand.  However, it is an early start – places are limited and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis from 8am.

If you don’t fancy getting up quite that early, simply wandering along the beach, admiring other families’ works of sand art makes for a great day.  Judging will take place between 1pm and 2pm.

  1. Make a splash at one of Orlando’s water parks

If you missed our blog about waterparks in Orlando and Central Florida area, check it out now – we think we can whet your appetite for some watery fun in Orlando’s sweltering June heat.

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10. Enjoy downtown Orlando

While you are staying in Kissimmee and Davenport, it can be all too easy not to venture downtown.  But Orlando has a lot to offer – from its Farmer’s markets to its world-class museums and arts venues.   Movieola gives you one more reason to explore Orlando’s waterfront at Lake Eola Park.  This month you can watch Cinderella on June 24 on Lake Eola’s East Lawn.

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For ideas about other things to do in and around Orlando and Central Florida in June 2016, please visit our Orlando and Central Florida Events page.

We offer a best-price guarantee on all tickets purchased through us – underwritten by our partners at Kissimmee Guest Services – so if you would like tickets for any of these events you can’t do better than get them through us.  Call me on:

(USA) 321 710 8779

(UK) 0333 332 1411