Gatorland- How long?

[puffkin]

Thinking about checking out Gatorland on our upcoming May trip. About how long do you think it will take to visit it. We are pretty average tourists (not stop and smell every rose type but also not full commando). Also, are the coupons you can get at the area hotels better thant ordering in advance online? I think the admission online is $19.99 for adults. TIA!

 

[doombuqqy]

We did it in Feb in less than a day. It was not super crowded, just map out what shows you want to see and their times so you are not back tracking. The show times and locations spread out in a weird fashion. Have a great time.

 

[cindyland]

We got a coupon online (I think it was a visit Florida site), $5 off each ticket. They try to sell you more at the ticket window. We added $2 train ride, that was worth it. We were there about four hours. Saw almost all of the shows (timing was off, we didn't fit in last show), loved the birds at the breeding marsh, parakeets were cute and entertaining. It is a just wonder around place, pretty laid back. I actually got a little bored with watching sleeping alligators, but the variety was great and the great white egrets nesting was the highlight of our trip. Enjoy!

 

[KJMAX1]

If you have a AAA card bring that. They also give discounts for AAA cards.

 

[Wendaeh]

There is a coupon in the Entertainment book for buy one get one admission 1/2 off (up to 2 half off admissions); also Orlando Magicard gives 1 free train ride per ticket purchased. We will be there Tuesday

 

[kathy884]

We love Gatorland and usually spend about three hours at the park (hitting most of the attractions, but not everything -- usually going to one show)

 

[MinnieForMe]

If you don't have small children, you can get through it in a half day. If you have little children be prepared with a bathing suit, towel and bandaides. They have a cute splash park but it's slippery and kids cut their knees every time we go.

My kids also liked feeding the Lorikeets and the Emu (down by the train stop next to the restaurant if you want to call it that).

 

[puffkin]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like a good half day attraction for us. I think DS5 will love it.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

It's lower-key than a lot of WDW stuff, but my kids still really liked it. We were there last Feb., it was really cold, so 3 hours was plenty. In between show, you just go at your own pace. I think my older two (DD15, DS14) wouldn't choose to go again, but DD8 has been begging to--I guess it really piques her interest. I'm really confident that my DS5 will love it--not sure what he remembers from last time (although we have a photo of the little two "wrestling" an alligator).

 

[daannzzz]

I went a couple years ago and arrived around 10:00. It was not crowded and I meandered through all the exhibits. I spent a lot of time on the wooden walk along the river as it was nesting season and there were huge amounts of birds flying, standing nesting all around. I did the swamp walk and then saw the snake and GIANT scorpion show. I did not stay for the other two shows. I was there 3 and a half hours. I thought it was a great day as I had a nice mellow time at Gatorland and had time to swim at the hotel and relax as well.

 

[Michael623]

We went in March and I would say I'm a similar type of tourist as you describe and we were there for about 4.5 hours including lunch. We made sure my son didn't notice the splash area.

Edited to say that I thought the place was awesome and well worth the money.

 

[avgeek81]

I was there last Wednsday. I went with my friend, her husband and 4 yr old son. We got there around 9am and left around 11:30. They are kind of rushers tho. We saw the wrestling and the jumparoo show. We did the swamp walk and saw most of the exhibits. They took the train ride but i sat it out. The back part of the park is closed right now because they are building zip line towers. They are having a deal where Fl residents only pay $10 so it was still worth it

I went two years ago with one of my other friends are we were there from about 12-4. That included eating tho. We saw the wrestling and jumparoo shows and the exhibits. We didnt do the train. The same back part was closed then too, i think they were builing the splash zone.

 

[kaligal]

Ride the train.

 

[kacaju]

Has anyone done the trainer for a day program? My dd17 is very interested in doing this.