Gatorland is it worth the cost?

[cool chris]

Hi all,
I am thinking of planning in this attraction on our holiday and just wanted to know a couple of things.

1) How does an adult ticket cost?

2) Is it worth this cost?

3) How long would you give for this attraction?

Thanks

chris

 

[LorraineH]

Hi Chris, if you are thinking of Gatorland, make sure you do shop around for your tickets.

We have pre-purchased ours from www.undercovertourist.com and received the tickets within about 5 days of ordering them.

We were charged about £28 on the credit card bill, and that was for 2 x adults, 2 x children (aged 8 and 11).

So it was by far the cheapest we could find. I think it was about £9 per adult, £5 per child.

But go and have a look! Obviously this is our first trip so cannot comment whether its worth it or not, but a day out for the four of us at £28 cant be bad!!!

I dont want to wish your holiday away - but I cant wait for you to come back and let me know what the QII is really like!!!!!!!!


Lorraine

 

[Miffy2003]

I think Gatorland sells itself as "Florida's Finest Half Day Attraction" - ie it's not trying to compete with the Big Boys (WDW/ US / SW) but the actual cost of going there is a fraction of going to one of the Disney parks (unless you have a pass that gives you unlimited access of course!)

I haven't been here myself so I can't tell you what it's like - sorry!!

Cheers

Karen

 

[freddykrueger]

When I went there on my last visit (12 years ago ) I must admit that I had a great time - some of the shows that they put on such as the gators leaping out to grab chickens (dead ones) was breathtaking and the park itself is well laid out.

It is definitely not a full day thing and we spent around 4 hours there - it was time well spent. One of my favourite pastimes was buying fish (frozen) and dropping them on the gators heads....they don't even move!

Seriously though I would recommend trying it at least once and after all you then get to try some gator nuggets!

 

[Claddagh]

I would heartily recommend Gatorland. I honestly didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. For a small attraction there is lots to see and do. I do agree that a half day would be more than enough.

 

[tartangirl]

Originally posted by LorraineH
We were charged about £28 on the credit card bill, and that was for 2 x adults, 2 x children (aged 8 and 11).

So it was by far the cheapest we could find. I think it was about £9 per adult, £5 per child.

At those prices it has to be worth it

 

[cool chris]

thanks lorraine,

the link was good, when do you leave for orlando we go on September 11th for 2 weeks i will of course let you know how the hotel is but im sure it is going to be fine. I'm so looking forward to going back on the incredable hulk coaster in IoA, is there anywhere you are excited about going to?

regards

chris

 

[xsred]

You can also get coupons that give you money off the ticket price, we are going to wait till we get there to buy them and use a coupon.

 

[LorraineH]

Hi again Chris,

We leave on 10th October, just enough time to read your trip report!!

Im looking forward to everything there!! But if I had to chose one thing over everthing, I have to say getting married out there! But breakfast at Cindy's is a very close second!!!!!! We are having a balloon flight and thats really exciting.

Im hoping the Stitch ride will be open, Im looking forward to trying Mission:Space, Im looking forward to seeing the animals at AK (I read somewhere that a baby elephant was born about 2 months ago - and will be in the savannah in about 4 weeks - that would be good to see a baby Dumbo running around!!!)

I just wish I could get my bloomin' refund sorted out for the £1500 I spent with Theme Park Land.

You must be planning like mad now! Have fun with it!!

Lorraine

 

[welshlady]

theme park land

Sorry Lorraine

Can i be nosey and ask why the refund. I am possibly going to buy tickets from them did you have a problem.

Debbie

 

[LorraineH]

Debbie - you're not being nosy!! Thats what these boards are for!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, Theme Park Lane went bust at the end of June. And a few of us DISers had ordered tickets from them. They are ABTA bonded, so I thought it wouldnt be a problem getting back my £1500 (just a bloomin' hassle). But its been a nightmare.

Anyway, they have reopened under the same name, with the same directors. And they are cheap. Thats why we ordered from them in the first place. And ABTA has bonded them again - even though they are well aware that loads of us have lost out.

I cant say whether Theme Park Land have got the same financial difficulties as they did have back in June, but if I were you I'd avoid them like the plague!

Good luck!

Lorraine

 

[welshlady]

Lorraine

Gosh I'm glad I asked. I emailed them today for info about tickets, but had a reply from webpostmaster that there was a delay in my email getting to their address - now I know why.

I will avoid them. thanks for the info.

Debbie

 

[Julia Ann]

We've been to Gatorland 3 times (95/01/03) it has improved a lot since 95 and we always went on our first day cos it is a small park and you can leisurely walk around, see the shows and climatize to the hot weather. We really enjoy it - now we've been 3 times though may not go again for a long while. Apart from looking at the obvious alligators there are a couple of shows, alligator wrestling, (where you can have your photo taken sat on a gator) and a snake show, they get volunteers out of the audience to hold snakes etc. the staff have a good sense of humour and are quite entertaining. I recommend it if you are there for about 2 weeks and enjoy the wildlife.

Have fun.

 

[angel659]

Hi

At those prices its worth going. Perhaps you could share it with a water park.

Not sure I would go, especially sitting on aligator. My luck it would bite me coz I was too heavy lol......

Try it, if you didnt you would always be questioning it.

Regards
Michelle

 

[SimonV]

Yes, definitely go. Try to get there early morning and take the Swamp walk before touring the park proper. It is a real slice of Florida countryside, with the animal 'shows' for good measure (it's the only place where the visitors feel like they're in a cage, rather than vice versa!). If you have kids, pack their swimsuits as it has an excellent mini water park which is great to let them loose to cool down for a while. If you take the time to talk to the handlers, you will learn an awful lot about gators and much more besides. They are a very dedicated bunch (and it's one of the few family-owned attractions left), and it shows.

 

[maureen4200040]

Hi,

If you have a spare morning/afternoon Gatorland is prefect.



Maureen4200040

 

[stevefry]

We went to GatorLand last year for the first time, using the discounts from the 'Entertainment' book.
It made a pleasant afternoon - and a change from our usual itinerary.
I would say go, providing you haven't already been to too many attractions with reptiles in. - I believe it is possible to suffer from gator-fatigue!

Out of interest, one of the sideshows featured (the usual) birds of prey and small-critters act. One of the organisers asked for a volunteer to join them. A middle-aged woman (who was sitting by us) put her hand up and was chosen to participate.
She proceeded down to the stage and was then told to hold out her hands 'palms upwards'. An organiser then placed a large hairy spider in each of her hands!!! - My wife nearly had a fit, because she'd also thought of volunteering, thinking that she'd probably be asked to allow some nice parrot to swoop down onto her arm.

Luckily, the woman wasn't too freaked-out. We originally thought that she might have been a 'plant' as part of the show, but she was seen several times walking around the park with her family during the afternoon, - so probably not.

So don't be too hasty to become part of the act, unless you like surprises!
Steve.

 

[LorraineH]

One of the organisers asked for a volunteer to join them. A middle-aged woman (who was sitting by us) put her hand up and was chosen to participate.

OMG Steve that is sooo scary!!!

We are looking forward to going to Gatorland, and I'm always one of the first to shove my hand in the air to get involved with something or other!!!

I am not scared of gators of snakes (I wouldnt want them in London though - mind you) but SPIDERS - I would have definitely freaked!!!!

Thank you so much for this post, I will absolutely make sure that I'm sitting firmly on my hands during the shows!!



Lorraine