TORONTO — Experience Kissimmee gave their travel industry guests the VIP experience last night at Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO.

Future, Dog, Double Trouble, Cartographer: those are just some of the characters you’ll see at the show, now playing in Toronto

DT Minich, President & CEO of Experience Kissimmee, at Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO (all photos courtesy Chris Kinasz)

DT Minich, President and CEO of Experience Kissimmee, was at the event and used the opportunity to thank everyone who came for doing their part to keep the destination in the eyes and minds of travellers and travel industry professionals. “We hope to see you all in Kissimmee,” he shared, a message meant to be extended also to those not under the Big Top yesterday evening.

ECHO’s venue is the Big Top on Lake Shore Blvd W. in Etobicoke. Premiering May 8, this show runs until Aug. 4, so there’s plenty of time left to catch it.

ECHO is a story about connection, intention and the symbiotic unions crucial for the future. Change, youth, hope, empathy, and the sacred bond between animals and nature, are major themes of the performance.

The showstopper was definitely the giant man operated by a number of performers on the ground, who delighted the crowd right before intermission. And who can forget the two women who suspended themselves ­– and from each other ­– by their hair to end the show? The incredible sight was just about unbelievable.

For those who’ve experienced Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, this Toronto venue may feel like more of a pop-up, but that seemed to act as a benefit for crowd participation. What was surprising was that they allowed spectators to take flash-free photos and videos during the show, which is something that’s not permitted or tolerated in Vegas.

To learn more about Kissimmee, the Vacation Home Capital of the World, visit

ExperienceKissimmee.com (and catch up on Travelweek’s recent interview with DT Minich here).