KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Visitors to Kissimmee can step into a colorful world where thousands of butterfly’s flutter around them at Butterfly Dan’s, a unique eco tour where beauty, science and hands-on learning come together.
“If you want to learn about butterflies and bugs, there may be no better place than this Kissimmee eco tour,” said Butterfly Dan’s manager Brooke Dunwoody.
The attraction features unexpected stops along the way.
“Bugs for protein snacks surprises all ages,” Dunwoody said, noting there is even more to discover beyond insects, including a mini rainforest.
Guests are immersed in a habitat filled primarily with butterflies, where thousands make their home.
“Including the zebra longwing, Florida’s state winged insect,” Dunwoody said.
“The goal in this garden is to bring the colorful creatures to the visitors,” Dunwoody added.
Families can be seen smiling as butterflies glide past and occasionally land nearby, creating memorable moments for children and adults alike.
Visitors also get an up-close look at one of nature’s most remarkable transformations.
“Guests learn about the transformation from egg, caterpillar, chrysalis then to adult butterfly,” said Madison Polk, a butterfly breeder at Butterfly Dan’s.
Polk said it never gets old watching that lifecycle unfold every day.
She also pointed out one of the most sought-after insects currently being raised at the facility — a prized luna moth.
The creator of the butterfly hideaway is owner Dan Dunwoody, who has spent decades raising and shipping butterflies to conservatories and butterfly gardens across the country.
“They are in demand,” he said.
“Butterflies require climate-controlled habitats,” Dunwoody said. “They are sensitive to their environment.”
He said it also takes acres of plants to feed butterflies.
Dunwoody says his fascination with butterflies began when he was in grade school — a lifelong passion that has grown into a destination where visitors can experience wonder firsthand.
Those are the same qualities Dunwoody and his team hope to share with everyone who visits.
Butterfly Dan’s offers self-guided tours for $20 per person, and they last about an hour.
Guided tours are $35 per person.
Visits are by appointment only, and tours must be booked online in advance.
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