The immersive Kissimmee villas that have to be seen to be believed

As well as an enormous games room, with everything from a full-size bowling alley, pool table, and arcade games, there’s also an in-house cinema. Remarkably, that isn’t even the headline act. The home, which is relatively standard looking from the outside (as far as mansions go) actually has a three-storey high, interactive space shuttle and laser tag set up hidden inside it. You heard correctly. A laser game for 12 people set beneath an out-of-this-world soft play-style course, with lighting and smoke effects for added drama. If you shoot enough targets, the rocket will ‘launch’. You almost have to see it to believe it.

Designed by Dreamport Studios, the owner, Erich Neugebauer, says the desire for immersive homes has grown alongside the theme parks, which are increasingly striving to provide new, groundbreaking experiences.

“Guests are now coming to expect the next level of interaction and interactive spaces. What started as wall murals and bunk beds with slides, has evolved to this,” says Erich, who has a Disney background. “These homes are a destination themselves.”

USAirtours say over the last few years there has been a noticeable shift in their villa business and identifiable properties like Morlando are in demand.  “A growing number of passengers are electing to stay in luxury style resorts that rival five-star hotels,” says Mińe Yusef, head of sales.  The rise in bookings has seen their villa product sell up to two and half years in advance, so clients need to get in early for a prime location. 

Jeeves Florida Rentals, the company behind the mega mansion, realises not every visitor will have the group size (the home sleeps 40) or budget for a home like Morlando. Their portfolio also includes more modest and achievable properties in Kissimmee, a top spot for Brits. 

The practicalities of a home are ten-fold, with more privacy, space for adults to unwind and the option to cook. Having a car is highly recommended. Parking at the homes is free and rolling in our own wheels affords us the freedom to explore.

Walk on the wild side

I manage to lure the kids out of the pool and we head to the oldest theme park in Florida, Gatorland. Opening in 1949, this much-loved park has grown from a roadside display to a conservation facility, responsible for over 2,000 alligators, and other animals including wild cats and giant tortoise.

There is a range of activities here, including a splash park for children and the Screamin’ Gator Zipline, which lets thrill-seeking guests dangle over the alligator pond. It is here that I learn something more terrifying than the toothy reptiles is watching your four-year-old jump off a tower seven stories tall, even if she does love every second.

At Boggy Creek Adventures, we take a fascinating ride on the wild side with an airboat trip across Florida’s distinctive everglades.  It is a glimpse at how central Florida was before the tourism train came to town.

For us, Universal Orlando Resort is a must. With the new Minion Land now open, the kids are thrilled to meet their heroes, as well as feast on banana-flavoured, Minon-shaped treats. Universal hosts events throughout the year and we are lucky enough to catch Mardi Gras, a colourful festival of music, parades and full-scale music concerts. This is all included with your regular entry ticket, which is a bonus for international guests. 

Evenings in Kissimmee can be as relaxed or as active as you want. Disney Springs is a great spot for a sundowner, before dinner at Planet Hollywood and seats at Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn to Life, an energetic show telling the story of Disney animation. 

The following night, we stay local at the Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Embracing our role as tourists, we participate in waving flags, heckling the opponents and scoffing food with our hands. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this underrated jamboree, which manages to engage every age group from toddlers to grandparents.

Kissimmee is more than capable of packing fun into every second, but the children are desperate to get ‘home’ to our vacation house. I have to admit I am too. The waterfall-drenched hot tub is calling my name, but my children have other ideas. A games-triathlon has been planned, with bowling, basketball and air hockey – all, incredibly, without leaving the house.

Book it: USAirtours offers 14 nights at Reunion Resort in a four-bedroom villa for four adults and four children, including return flights from London with Virgin Atlantic and two car rentals, from £1,349pp, based on a 6 September departure; usairtours.co.uk

For more information on Kissimmee, visit experiencekissimmee.com

Details on Morlando and other Jeeves Vacation Homes can be found at jeevesfloridarentals.com