Gatorland vs. Legoland?

[cgattis]

We're making a trip the second week of March to see a Braves spring training game for my son's birthday (tix are now on sale if anyone is interested...). We're going again in the fall (to catch the Mine Train and new Harry Potter), so I think we'll only use one park ticket this trip. So, for our first day in Orlando (a Monday, if that matters), WWYD--Gatorland or Legoland?

My son (9) has been asking to go to Legoland since it opened, but I'm not sure it's worth the money, but we have a free child's ticket and could possibly have one for DS12 too. That really makes the price look better. He adores Lego (really both do), but they also ride thrill rides. But they ride carnival rides too and don't compare them. We drove past Gatorland last summer while having our car repaired (props to Starling Chevy in Kissimmee--they rock) and it actually looked pretty cool. I think we could all enjoy the ziplines, even fuddy duddy DH! So, any help here from folks who've done either or both??

 

[KatieCharlotte]

We're LEGOLAND fans, having spent two days each at the Cal and Florida versions. Much more low key than Disney or Universal, but perfect for 3-11 year olds who aren't big thrill seekers. YMMV -- Every member of my family enjoys Legos and could spend a long time just looking at the displays, and my preteen prefers simple rides like driving his own boat rather than big coasters. If you're going to go, I would go now because most teens would find it boring.

We haven't been to Gatorland since they added the ziplines, so I don't know how long/high/fast they are. We thought it was a fun, restful day with the grandparents, and a nice way to have the "old" Florida experience, but we would all choose LEGOLAND instead.

 

[jen19806]

We went to Gatorland a few years ago for a day when my nephews were 4 & 7 and loved it. For us it was nice to have one non-Disney day in an otherwise full on Disneyfied week. Having said that, I think one reason we enjoyed it so much is that we are a big outdoors, hunting family and the boys love shows like Duck Dynasty and Swamp people. You got to throw turkey dogs to gators, they got to hold a baby alligator, see a gator show, they got to go sit on a gator etc. It was much slower paced than a theme park, less crowded. They had a really nice boardwalk through a nature swamp etc. If your family doesn't enjoy that kind of thing, or you are looking for a more high energy vacation, it might not be as fun for you.

 

[kathy884]

Gosh if your son has been asking to go to LEGOLAND, I really wouldn't see Gatorland, as much as we like it, as a substitute for that. Gatorland is more your old time Florida attraction -- alligator wrestling, gators jumping for chickens, etc. They have been successful and have made a few improvements, so it's less tacky than it used to be (the old time tackiness, though, is a bit of it's charm) and it has always been a fun, laid back, three hour attraction. // If it's not intended to be a substitute for LEGOLAND, going there would be fine for you guys I would think, as long as you have some realistic expectations about what it is.

The main fan in our family is my husband, who doesn't like the Disney or Universal world class theme parks and likes going to a place where the most exciting thing that ever happened is that they filmed a scene from and Indiana Jones movie back in the mid 70s there and are still talking about that today, almost 40 years later. Now he thinks that's cool. This place appeals to him big time too because alligators are native to the area. He's not so into man made amusements. // Guess what? We usually when we go to Orlando leave DH home and just do mini trips that don't include this attraction. It's more something that if we are in Orlando for a long stay, might do on a down/resort day.

 

[cgattis]

Well, it's settled....we're goin' to Legoland! I told my son if we could get both kids free, we'd go. Lo and behold, a kid-free-with-adult coupon in last months AND this months Lego magazine. Even buying two full-price adults, that's about as cheap as I think you could get in. So, next question is, anybody know how to get a parking discount?? And, what's the best meal in the park? I know we'll have to eat lunch there. TIA!