Gatorland Petting Zoo

[Minniespal]

We have tickets for Gatorland.

What are your experiences of this park and will we be able to see everything in a half day?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Enright78]

I think that you will find the responses to this a bit mixed!!
But...we quite liked it. We tend to make it our last morning visit. I think you would be pushed to spend more than half a day there but it can be quite interesting and if you do the Swamp walks quite restful!!
We last visited in Oct 2002 and found it fun.
I'd say give it a go!! (though maybe not the gator nuggets!!!)

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Originally posted by Enright78

I'd say give it a go!! (though maybe not the gator nuggets!!!)

Eeuuch. Which bit of the gator do these come from? On second thoughts, perhaps I don't want to know!

Regards

Rob

 

[pegasusEH]

We have been to Gatorland about 3 times and make it our first day. You can easily manage it in half a day and although it's not comparable to the other parks in Florida it's a bit of fun. For us that aren't used to seeing anything other than the odd fully grown alligator in the reptile enclosure at the zoo it makes for an interesting half day.

 

[mike230652]

I think this subject had some VERY mixed responses last time around!!

Never been there on our visits to Florida, but having read the comments re: alligator wrestling ( i.e. torturing the poor things ) etc. it's not a place I'd want to visit.

I can enjoy myself without watching some innocent creature's dignity being sacrificed, thanks!

Just my opinion.

mike230652

 

[SpottyDog]

Don't go pettin owt there !!!!

As you'll have gathered already, it's not everybody's cup of tea and as Mike's suggested there is a theory that it's cruel and degrading to the Gators.

I think it's one of them places you have to either go see yourself or make the pre-judgement that it's not for you anyway on principle.

We went and while I don't think we'd go again it wasn't as 'bad' as I expected. I accept there are 'shows' that might not be in everyone's taste, but the Gators looked more bored than abused to me.
The majority of the park is just swamp land with Gators 'in the wild' and large enclosures of Baby Gators - which are cute anywhere. The tree house and wooden walkway were a pleasant diversion from the hustle and bustle of Orlando main-stream.
There were other minor exhibits and shows - critter holdin and a reptile section - and train ride around the site.

We only spent a couple of hours but didn't feel it was a waste of time or money - just not one to do again.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks you guys for all the info. I will post my Gatorland reports when I get home and let you know what we thought of it.

I was going to give the Gator nuggets a try, hope they taste like chicken!!!!!!

 

[bengunn]

We went in 1992 and it was easily done in half a day. It was interesting but we did not bother to go on our next Florida visit which was last year.

Do it if you have spare time - but who has spare time with all the big parks nowadays?

 

[Mpet]

We went on our last trip. It was Ok although I don't think we'd go again.

A couple of hours is plenty to see most things. Also depending on the time of year, it can be unbearably hot. There is a trail/walkway around the lake which, in parts has little or no shade. If you do that bit, be prepared with hats, fans or anything else that will keep you cool.


Maxine

 

[SidB]

Gatorland Petting Zoo.

Now why does that title worry me............

 

[Julia Ann]

Gatorland is always our first day visit for me and DB. It doesn't take all day so it's nice not to rush the first full day after the travelling and possible welcome talk from rep and then after we go to walmart to buy some supplies.
i find it's a good way also to climatize to the whether by leisurely strolling around the park and also to de-stress (we went 3 weeks after sept 11 so was a bit stressed until we got there!)
The shows are fun (gators fun!) and the staff are quite humerous.

Try it a least once if you like the wild life - the gators are pretty awsome.


xx

 

[SimonV]

It is not everyone's cup of tea, but I always enjoy it, and here is another thread with plenty of other thoughts (including mine!):

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=367637