Gatorland anyone?

[kandb]

We are planning on bringing our 4 year old b/g twins to gatorland on Halloween day. Does anyone know where I can find the cheapest tickets? Do you get a second day for free when you purchase single day tickets? Thanks for the help, Linda

 

[scorpad99]

If you stop at any resturant in Orlando there r discount coupons in the advertizement books, I think it only gives you 2.00 off each person.
We bought the whole package, it gives u a ticket for each kid to sit on a live gator (not worth it, they only give u a second to take your own pic) but you can buy their picture for 15 bucks, i think it was! Extra money to buy a package of hotdogs (5 bucks for 5 dogs, so do yourself a favor and bring a pack of hotdogs from the store for a buck!)
They do have a fun water park area, and the shows r worth seeing, but dont let them trap you into all the extras (it even costs to take the train back to the front, what a rip off, its not too far to walk!)
you will not spend more than 3 hours total there, let alone wanna come back a second day! JMO, no flames here,,,,,,,,,,,,,,but it is a total tourist trap!

 

[caite]

a total tourist trap? well, yes, but in a good way.

yes, it is about a four hour activity. with small, excitable kids, maybe longer. and they certainly do try and make more money from you by selling pictures (hmmmm...very Disney of them) and such. maybe a bit too hard.

but i was just there, for the first time, last week. and speaking as an adult, i really enjoyed it. with kids, especially little kids, i imagine it would be even better. keep in mind, it is a low key place. but i found that rather a nice break after the sometime frenzy of Disney. and btw, the water park area was closed for work when i was there. but the animals and birds and snakes and turtles...well, i found it very interesting. the shows were indeed good.

and then there are the gators. well, there are lots and lots of gators. be sure to take the walks out to the breeding ground swamp and the boardwalk through the forest. you are out there by the lake in the swamp and look down and there are gators just all over the place! i threw some food in the lake and a bunch of then came over, fighting over it and tails thrashing....well, it was interesting. and made me jump back a couple of feet from the very safe fence.

and the kids there seemed to love it. i mean, you can get to sit on a gator's back...yes, for an extra $5. but $5 to sit on a gator! lol..lol

and a perfect way to kill half a day before i flew home, especially since it is pretty close to the airport.
if you have AAA, you get the best discount.

 

[SpeciallyK]

I agree with Caite. It is a tourist trap, but one you are glad that trapped you! LOL! It's hard to explain. It's very "old Florida"... and there is just something very cool to seeing the gators up close. I'd bet that your 4yo would love it IMHO.

 

[tednvon]

Hi, our grandkids loved and I enjoyed being that up close and personal with lots and lots of gators. If the kids have not seen or been around gators they will see them here in all shapes and sizes...and nose to nose with solid screen fence in between...they loved throwing hot dogs to the gators...

I vote give it a try!

Ted

 

[missstcroix]

I am planning on visiting Gatorland for the first time with 10 and 12 year old boys who love all things wildlife and especially gators! I see you say the AAA discount is the best..do the tickets need to be bought from AAA in advance? I also see people mentioning Entertainment book buy one get one free coupons. If anyone has any they are not using I sure would appreciate it!

 

[caite]

no, they gave the AAA discount at the gate.

 

[isla bonita]

My guys have been twice. They loved it. My husband took my nephews and they loved it also. Its a great way to see gators in a safe enviorment.

 

[stevebeme]

How about seeing them in the wild? any suggestions anyone?

 

[Zippiteeee]

I went a few years back and LOVED Gatorland! I can only imagine a 4 yo boy bieng in heaven there. It was like walking swamp lands of florida - so somewhat like seeing them in the "wild"
The shows were pretty interesting. We just went there to "kill sometime" before our plane, but it turned out to be a highlight of our trip.
We got a coupon book at our hotel and there was one for Gatorland in there. Any rest stop or tourist center will have pamphlets for it as well.

 

[hobogary]

At Silver Springs you can see them in the wild.Also usually at KSC and for sure if you drive down to the Everglades park.Also nearly every little zoo and roadside attraction has gators in FL.