Academy Sports + Outdoors — Local services in Kissimmee

My Outstanding Experience at Academy Sports and Outdoors – A One-Stop Shop for Everything!

Academy Sports and Outdoors has consistently been my go-to destination for all things sports, outdoor gear, seasonal essentials, and beyond—and every visit reinforces why I love this store so much. From the moment I walk in, I’m greeted by a vibrant atmosphere, aisles bursting with variety, and a team that goes above and beyond to make shopping enjoyable. Here’s why Academy deserves all the praise:

A Treasure Trove of Variety Whether I’m stocking up for camping trips, refreshing my workout gear, or hunting for holiday decorations, Academy never disappoints. Their selection is unmatched! Need a new fishing rod? They’ve got entire aisles dedicated to angling. Looking for affordable yet durable fitness equipment? Their BCG and Magellan brands are lifesavers. From hiking boots to kayaks, grilling supplies to team sports gear, Academy truly has something for every hobby, season, and budget. I’ve even found unique seasonal items like patio furniture in summer and cozy winter coats in fall—all priced fairly.

Customer Service That Feels Like Family What sets Academy apart is their incredible staff. On a recent visit, I was searching for a specific tent for a family camping trip. Not only did an employee named [insert name if remembered] help me compare sizes and brands, but they also shared tips for weathering storms (which came in handy during a rainy weekend!). Their patience, knowledge, and genuine enthusiasm make every interaction feel personal. Even during busy seasons, the team works efficiently to keep shelves stocked and checkout lines moving smoothly.

Seasonal Essentials Made Easy Academy understands life’s rhythms. When back-to-school season arrives, they’ve got backpacks, water bottles, and sports gear ready to go. During the holidays, their decorations and gift ideas shine—I’ve snagged everything from Yeti coolers to affordable bikes for my kids. And let’s not forget their amazing deals! I’ve saved big during their Black Friday sales and “Clearance Blitz” events. Plus, their weekly discounts on apparel and outdoor gear keep me coming back.

Gift Card Raffles and Loyalty Perks Academy’s promotions add extra excitement to shopping. I’ve entered their gift card raffles multiple times (fingers crossed for that $500 prize!), and their email newsletters always highlight upcoming sales or bonus discounts for loyalty members. Just last month, I used a “20% Off Outdoor Gear” coupon they sent me—it felt like a reward for being a regular!

The Verdict Academy Sports and Outdoors isn’t just a store; it’s a community hub for adventurers, families, and anyone who values quality without breaking the bank. Their combination of variety, affordability, and top-tier service keeps me loyal. Whether I’m buying everyday essentials or splurging on a new hobby, I know I’ll leave satisfied. If you haven’t checked them out yet, do yourself a favor and visit—you’ll see why it’s my happy place for all seasons!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) *“A store that truly cares about its customers and delivers...

We visited Academy Sports and Outdoors in Kissimmee, FL yesterday and it was a less than stellar experience to say the least. We came in around 5pm and were prepared to buy bikes if we got the help we needed. There were many employees that I saw in the store, but none of them were approaching customers, including the people around the front, door greeter, everyone none of them were acknowledging customers as they entered even. We stood in the bike section for 15 minutes and were still not greeted. My other half was ready to go, but I told her I'd go get someone. I walk towards the front desk of the store where a girl saw me coming and scattered as I approached-the gentleman at the greeter station (guess that's what it is) I asked him if we could get help in bicycles from someone who knew about them. He pointed to the golf aisle (about an aisle over from the bikes) and said there's two guys over there go grab one of them and they can help you, then just looked back at the podium. I approached the aisle and these 2 people were clearly having a personal conversation that had nothing to do with work. I made it all the way over to standing next to them practically (still no hello or even showing that they see I exist) and said, 'excuse me do one of you know about the bikes and can possibly help us?' One of them responded that he guessed he could help us. He came over to the bicycles, and obviously didn't know anything about them. We asked about Hybrid bikes because we read about them and seemed like they would be best for us. He said they had them, but couldn't really find them or tell us anything about them. He left to apparently find some answers, came back and said they had only 2 that were Schwinn's. He still couldn't tell us anything about them, just apologized that he didn't know much and kind of stood there. Disappointed, we just said thank you and we would keep looking. No one acknowledged us as we were leaving either. Very disappointing. For a brand new store first of all you would think they would want to at least be asking people if they needed help or something, anything. They didn't seem interested in really working at all. Prices seem good, but sometimes people have questions they need some semblance of help, and there are many other places out there where you can at least get someone who talks to you when you come in. That our my first and most likely last experience...

I stopped to purchase some chairs at Store #228 Crosslands Kissimmee and there were 2 front end and 2 customer service registers opened and servicing customers accordingly. Upon my turn I approached CS area and Mr. Patrick refuse to ring me up. His first remark was that customer service registers could not be used to ring purchases only returns and I told him you rang the guest before me, he then said that they had made a return and a purchase. His second remark then that it was not my turn. I looked around just to give him the benefit of the doubt and it was obviously my turn. He then said he was not going to ring me up because he needed to start "sorting" returned items. At this time I was in total disbelief of his discrimination towards me. I requested management and Mr. Scott approached me with an unfriendly type of face. His lack of interest in what I have to say was obvious. He was very short and rude when lying about customer service registers never being used for purchases. He then stare at me in silence obviously bothered about having to deal with me. I only got a reaction when I requested both their names and I told him that I used to be a Manager for this chain back in South Carolina. He literally demanded that I gave him the store and employee number in exchange for him providing me with his. He was very upset at having to give me his information and in exchange he forced me to make the line again. I took a video that I will have to upload in another platform as it would not allow me to do it here. The only reason why I did not leave the chairs was because they were a gift for someone that was waiting on me. Scott and Patrick were rude and disrespectful and their lack of empathy and professionalism towards a customer made me write this review hoping no one else has to endure that kind behavior especially when...