Any thoughts on Gatorland???

[rstanley]

My son REALLY wants to see Gatorland during our upcoming Oct trip since we "missed" it last year

I'd really like to know if it's worth it. And if so how much time should we devote to it? What are the best attractions and what would you avoid?

Time is the dilemna...which is probably the case for most people vacationing in Orlando...We'll actually have a split stay...Clearwater (3 nights)/Orlando (6nights)

During that time we are doing a lot of animal related activities...
1 day fishing in the Gulf
1 day at Busch Gardens
1 day at Discovery Cove (w/Dolphin swim)
1 day at Animal Kingdom

and...while in Orlando we're staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge (with a Savannah view room).

I'm bummed because Gatorland will eat into our day at Epcot...I was planning the morning at Gatorland 9-12:30/1ish and the evening including Illluminations at Epcot. This will be a really long day but we missed Illuminations last year so we definitely need to see that.

I'd love to hear what you think!!!

 

[RabFlmom]

My son REALLY wants to see Gatorland during our upcoming Oct trip since we "missed" it last year

I'd really like to know if it's worth it. And if so how much time should we devote to it? What are the best attractions and what would you avoid?

Time is the dilemna...which is probably the case for most people vacationing in Orlando...We'll actually have a split stay...Clearwater (3 nights)/Orlando (6nights)

During that time we are doing a lot of animal related activities...
1 day fishing in the Gulf
1 day at Busch Gardens
1 day at Discovery Cove (w/Dolphin swim)
1 day at Animal Kingdom



and...while in Orlando we're staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge (with a Savannah view room).

I'm bummed because Gatorland will eat into our day at Epcot...I was planning the morning at Gatorland 9-12:30/1ish and the evening including Illluminations at Epcot. This will be a really long day but we missed Illuminations last year so we definitely need to see that.

I'd love to hear what you think!!!

Haven't been to Gatorland in years and years , but maybe you can appease his appetite for gators by making sure you get to BG when they are feeding the alligators at their pond by the Myombi reserve. They have a man that goes into the lake area with chickens and feeds them. I think there is a program where people can sign up to help feed them. But then again, maybe it is just a few other employees who are in there helping. LOL

I would spend a whole day at Epcot. <g>

 

[rstanley]

Haven't been to Gatorland in years and years , but maybe you can appease his appetite for gators by making sure you get to BG when they are feeding the alligators at their pond by the Myombi reserve. They have a man that goes into the lake area with chickens and feeds them. I think there is a program where people can sign up to help feed them. But then again, maybe it is just a few other employees who are in there helping. LOL

I would spend a whole day at Epcot. <g>

Thanks!! We'll definitely check out the BG feeding!

 

[inkkognito]

Gatorland is very cool, and you can get everything done if you get there early. Here is my full report from our visit a few weeks ago: http://bit.ly/EzGpW

It's very much an "Old Florida" attraction, and feeding the gators is way cool.

 

[Karrie Davis]

We spent a half day there last year. I have a 5 year (4 then) old and a husband that LOVE that stuff. We also drove around and found some snake farm to go to later in the day (can't remember where though). We got there early. We bought the hot dogs to feed the alligators and my son got to sit on the alligator in the one show - It made for a fun holiday card that year - LOL

I think you can definitely mix it with something else - it is small and although a fun place it is really small.

 

[erinch]

after years of my DS wanting to go to Gatorland, we finally went when he was 13, and he didn't feel the magic then. Would have when he was younger. I never would have. Compared to Discovery Cove...well, there's no comparison. If you want older and kind of cheesy, it's okay. I would be trying to bribe my way out of shortening an Epcot day.

 

[rstanley]

after years of my DS wanting to go to Gatorland, we finally went when he was 13, and he didn't feel the magic then. Would have when he was younger. I never would have. Compared to Discovery Cove...well, there's no comparison. If you want older and kind of cheesy, it's okay. I would be trying to bribe my way out of shortening an Epcot day.

Thanks...I think I'll try the bribe and hope it works

 

[erinch]

watch this-- it will show you everything there is at Gatorland. Except think hotter and longer. If it's a must-do for your son, then you win the parent trophy. Or, just an idea, maybe give him the money you would have spent on gatorland admissions, and let him spend it in Mousegear.

 

[rstanley]

watch this-- it will show you everything there is at Gatorland. Except think hotter and longer. If it's a must-do for your son, then you win the parent trophy. Or, just an idea, maybe give him the money you would have spent on gatorland admissions, and let him spend it in Mousegear.

Watch what

 

[dolphindan1]

I really like Gatorland...its a very nice relaxing park...I am a gator lover so that helps...the lake,pond, whatever with all the gators is amazing...I live on a lake in the south and see gators all the time but OMG there is alot in there...also the ones for the gator jumparoo show are huge...some of the biggest I have ever seen...You also get to see the gator trainer do some gator wrestling...plus another reptile show...its a very nice 1/2 to 3/4 day park...

Also Silver Springs in Ocala is very nice...beautiful park

 

[tessiesevin]

Gatorland is one of my most memarable places as a child.