5k Fun Run offered a look inside Give Kids the World Village

Photos, video and captions by Don Gworek

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is a long-time supporter of the Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee. The charity helps families who have children with life-threatening illnesses. Struggling families are able to a break from their stress and come to Central Florida to enjoy a splendid time in the Village and at the area attractions.

IAAPA helps to organize a fundraising 5k Fun Run race for the Village. This year for the first time, the 5k was held in the Village itself, giving everyone the opportunity to see the amazing facility.

Seeing it in person makes a deep personal impression on you. You can’t help but be moved, and imagine the happy times the families enjoy. Here are some photos of the Village.


The Welcome Center.


Amberville is a large family entertainment center with video games, miniature golf and more. You can also take a miniature train and circle Amberville.


This lion smiles at the entrance, knowing the fun is awaiting you inside Amberville.


Nearby, an elephant poses and waits for kids to play “bridge” and scramble between his legs.


One of the volunteers invited me inside the cafeteria to see it before the families arrived for breakfast.


The ceilings are lined with toys donated by families who have stayed at the Village.


A separate room is lined with donated toy trucks and cars.


Children can also serve themselves at this chew-chew station.


The table tops are embeded with peppermint candies!


Disney cast members at the Epcot’s Japan pavilion folded 1,000 paper cranes to make this lovely artwork in the dining room.


A carousel spins beneath the polka dot mushroom.


The main complex also has little quiet nooks, where you can sit and enjoy the gardens.


Some of the pathways have these fiber optic splashes of pixie dust.


Entrance to the pool complex.


The pool area is as elaborately themed and as much fun as a pool area at any of the theme park resort hotels.


Recognize some characters?


This playground is in one of the neighborhoods of the Village.


Some of the fanciful gingerbread style homes in the Village.


The 5K ran through many of the neighborhoods just after sunrise, when most families where still asleep. Here’s some race video that shows more of what the neighborhoods are like.

Give Kids the World 5k Fun Run - IAAPA 2010
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3 Comments

  1. Hola soy Dayanna como estan yo estuve allá me gustaria escribirles envienme un lugar para conversar con ustedes, yo tengo un lingo recuerdo que nunca jamas se me olvidara.
    los estraño Dayanna de Costa Rica besos

  2. Thank you for sharing this video. I used to live near this complex, but never saw the houses and how it looks inside. This is such an important place for families whose children want to spend a valuable and important time with their families creating memories.