Spotlight on Repticon Kissimmee

Jay Tacey

Welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows, everybody! We’re here with a special spotlight on Repticon Kissimmee—happening at Osceola Heritage Park, September 20th and 21st. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect family weekend with animals, this is it! I'm Jay, joined today by Michael, Lisa, and Guy. Should we dive right in to some of the fantastic vendors coming to Kissimmee?

Lisa Parker

Oh, definitely! The lineup this year is, like, wild in the best way. First up, we gotta talk about Gecko Emporium—they’re local to Kissimmee and all about Crested Geckos, if you haven’t seen a Super Dalmatian or Lilly White in person, trust me, you’re in for a treat. And the colors! But what really makes them stand out is the customer connection; Josh gets rave reviews for customer care and sharing gecko care info so everyone feels comfortable.

Guy Mc Farlane

And let’s not forget Adara Arachnids. Amanda, she specializes in regal jumping spiders, which, honestly, are delightful once you meet them. People come in nervous—spiders aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, you know—but she tells stories and gives them these quirky names like “Captain Fluff.” Suddenly those nerves turn into curiosity. By the end of the demo, even adults who wouldn’t go near a web are totally enchanted. That’s what educational engagement looks like.

Jay Tacey

And, err, Bell’s Barnyard Babies is coming in with something completely different—kangaroo joeys, baby skunks, lemurs, and a traveling zoo vibe! If you want to hold a baby animal or get a family photo with a kangaroo—yup, the real thing in Kissimmee. The Bell’s crew sets up a full-on interactive booth and, from what I’ve seen, they’re fantastic with kids and adults. I’ll admit, I got way more excited about holding a little goat than I expected. Where else can you see that variety under one expo roof?

Michael Arnold

It’s such a good balance—reptiles, fuzzy animals, and even invertebrates. You can try a little bit of everything, no pressure. At the last show, I overheard a little kid say, “Mom, I wanna be a gecko scientist!” You just know Kissimmee’s gonna spark all kinds of dreams again.

Jay Tacey

You know, speaking of sparking curiosity, that reminds me of when I was working on interactive zoo habitats, trying to get young visitors as close as possible to natural animal behavior. There’s nothing like seeing a kid’s eyes widen when a gecko licks its eyeball, or a jumping spider does that little head tilt. That’s the heart of expos like Repticon—we’re breaking down those barriers so kids and families can actually touch, see, and learn together. It’s way more memorable than any documentary.

Michael Arnold

The Bell’s Barnyard Babies team is really keeping that energy going, too. They run little educational sessions where you can learn not just animal names, but how to care for them. The staff’s patient with the questions—stuff like what kangaroos eat, or why skunks aren’t always stinky. It’s interactive, so you walk away with actual knowledge, not just a cute selfie. Those little moments—confidence building, understanding diversity in the animal kingdom—that’s what makes these family activities so vital. When learning turns fun, it sticks with you.

Lisa Parker

So much of what makes the show click is the passion behind the tables. Like with Amanda from Adara Arachnids—she’s got those Instagram stories about her regal jumpers, and people actually come to the show asking to meet “Captain Fluff” or “Zara the Jumper.” It turns spiders into, like, local celebrities! And that really helps folks connect, especially when they’ve never even thought about spiders as pets. You suddenly see whole families, not just kids, rooting for these little eight-legged characters.

Jay Tacey

Right, that’s the powerful thing—these vendors aren’t just here to make a sale. Josh at Gecko Emporium, for example, is all about building the local community. He answers every question, no matter how basic. At one expo, I watched him spend 15 minutes walking a new customer through proper gecko care, nutrition, lighting, the works. That’s driven by animal welfare, not the bottom line. And the Bell’s Barnyard team—they travel the state with a whole zoo, and it’s obvious it’s not just business. You can tell it’s driven by love for what they do, and all those positive reviews reflect that.

Guy Mc Farlane

And that’s sort of the Repticon secret sauce, right? These vendors are educators and storytellers and stewards for animal welfare. They build community by breaking down the walls that separate novices from hobbyists. There’s a real culture here of “ask anything, try everything.” That’s how people go from visitors to members of the reptile and exotic animal family. Makes me proud to be part of this community, honestly.

Jay Tacey

So, if you’re planning your trip to Repticon Kissimmee, there are a few things you absolutely don’t want to miss. Set some time aside for the interactive photo booth at Bell’s Barnyard Babies, catch one of the spontaneous gecko demos at Gecko Emporium, and definitely watch for Adara Arachnids’ spider sessions—sometimes Amanda brings the “Instagram famous” jumpers out for everyone to meet. Even if you’re not a spider fan, give it a go. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Michael Arnold

My go-to advice: talk to the vendors, not just shop. If you’re thinking about getting a reptile or exotic pet, tell them about your family, your experience, your worries. Vendors can suggest which animals match your lifestyle, or point out safety and easy-care options. Don’t hesitate to ask the “dumb” questions—everyone starts somewhere, and these people want to help.

Lisa Parker

Yes! And make the most of the kid activities and the educational booths. Bring your questions, bring your curiosity, and honestly, just walk around and soak up the atmosphere.

Guy Mc Farlane

And if you miss anything, don’t stress. There are so many shows across Florida throughout the year. Each event has special guests, featured demos, or one-of-a-kind educational moments, so keep an eye on the schedule and come back next time! Whether you’re new to reptiles or a longtime enthusiast, there’s always more to learn and experience.

Jay Tacey

Alright folks, that’s it for this episode of Repticon Reptile Shows. Thanks to Michael, Lisa, and Guy for sharing stories and making the build-up to Repticon Kissimmee even more exciting. Hope we see all of you there, learning something new! Lisa, Michael, Guy, any last words?

Lisa Parker

Just bring your sense of wonder and don’t be afraid to join in the fun. We’ll make it a show to remember. See you there!

Michael Arnold

Don’t forget your camera—and your questions. Can’t wait to meet everyone and see some smiles, big and small.

Guy Mc Farlane

And from me, get involved, be curious, and enjoy the expo. The community is always growing, and there’s a place for everyone. Cheers, all!

Jay Tacey

Alright, goodbye from the crew here. Stay tuned for future episodes—we’ll keep the stories and animal spotlights coming. Take care, and see you at Repticon!