One of my all time favorite attractions is Gatorland Zoo on Highway 441 (South Orange Blossom Trail) about 5 miles south of the airport. Gatorland has been a constant in Central Florida since the 50's and was here long before the major theme parks began to arrive but if you want to see what Florida is really like you'll want to stop there on your trip through Orlando.
Gatorland was started by the late Owen Godwin, a big game hunter, businessman, and philanthropist who started his show by trucking a single large alligator through Florida as a roadside attraction. Gatorland has developed into a Florida wildlife based attraction filled with alligators, crocodiles, flamingos, snakes, bears, tortoises, and all types of native birds species. Like Sea World, it's not just a theme park, they actually breed gators and care for them. Gatorland is the largest alligator farm in the world and for a visitor it's a must see. Everywhere you walk through the marsh walks, cypress trees, and sidewalks you see hundreds of these massive dinosaurs. The sight of them is nothing short of breathtaking when you think how they haven't evolved much in the last 50 million years.
The park hours are 9:00am to 5:00 pm every day. Much less expensive than the larger parks the cost is $22.99/adult ($43.99/annual), and 3-12 is $14.99 (29.99/annual). On their website http://www.gatorland.com/ you can purchase tickets, take a virtual tour, and see what they have to offer. The food and drinks are snack bar style, and they have a great gift shop right inside the front door through the giant gator jaws full of unique souvenirs. Take the kids on the train ride for $2.00 each and visit the gator feeding show. they also have a breeding marsh and rookery where you can stand 50 feet in the air and view hundreds of gators below. They have animal shows where they inform and entertain you and the photo shoots are one of a kind. Recently added is a "Zipline" where you an hook up and fly through the trees and across the water. Ziplines are becoming popular at Florida attractions and great fun for the kids. If you are here in the summer Gatorland has a super splash park where parents and kids can get wet and cool off so join in the fun.
I've been going to Gatorland since I was three years old. I have always loved taking my children and look forward to taking grandchildren some day. The folks at Gatorland take great pains to preserve these majestic animals. The park is always spotless and the entertainment value is surpassed only by the friendliness and courtesy of the staff. We love it and hope you do to.
Gatorland was started by the late Owen Godwin, a big game hunter, businessman, and philanthropist who started his show by trucking a single large alligator through Florida as a roadside attraction. Gatorland has developed into a Florida wildlife based attraction filled with alligators, crocodiles, flamingos, snakes, bears, tortoises, and all types of native birds species. Like Sea World, it's not just a theme park, they actually breed gators and care for them. Gatorland is the largest alligator farm in the world and for a visitor it's a must see. Everywhere you walk through the marsh walks, cypress trees, and sidewalks you see hundreds of these massive dinosaurs. The sight of them is nothing short of breathtaking when you think how they haven't evolved much in the last 50 million years.
The park hours are 9:00am to 5:00 pm every day. Much less expensive than the larger parks the cost is $22.99/adult ($43.99/annual), and 3-12 is $14.99 (29.99/annual). On their website http://www.gatorland.com/ you can purchase tickets, take a virtual tour, and see what they have to offer. The food and drinks are snack bar style, and they have a great gift shop right inside the front door through the giant gator jaws full of unique souvenirs. Take the kids on the train ride for $2.00 each and visit the gator feeding show. they also have a breeding marsh and rookery where you can stand 50 feet in the air and view hundreds of gators below. They have animal shows where they inform and entertain you and the photo shoots are one of a kind. Recently added is a "Zipline" where you an hook up and fly through the trees and across the water. Ziplines are becoming popular at Florida attractions and great fun for the kids. If you are here in the summer Gatorland has a super splash park where parents and kids can get wet and cool off so join in the fun.
I've been going to Gatorland since I was three years old. I have always loved taking my children and look forward to taking grandchildren some day. The folks at Gatorland take great pains to preserve these majestic animals. The park is always spotless and the entertainment value is surpassed only by the friendliness and courtesy of the staff. We love it and hope you do to.
