How is Gatorland?

[LovinPooh]

Is it a waste or a good time?

 

[kerrynic78]

We went for the first time about 6 months ago and had a great time! I thought it was going to be really boring and a waste of a day but I can't wait to go back. There were 8 people in our group and everyone really enjoyed it.

 

[garmich]

Is it a waste or a good time?

We went there last August. We wanted to do something different after spending a week at Universal Studios, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, so we went to Gatorland. We had never been to an alligator zoo, so we didn't know what to expect. We actually enjoyed it, especially my two boys who are fascinated by alligators, crocodiles and reptiles. We also had our first taste of alligator meat. We ate the sampler dish which has grilled and fried meat. I though it was pretty good and my kids liked it. And they are extremely fussy eaters. We saw a few shows, the alligator feeding and alligator "wrestling". We were there for almost 4 hours, so it was good half-day excursion. It's a little expensive, but we got in for half price, because we had coupons from the Orlando Area Entertainment Book, which can be purchased online. There are three 2-for-1 coupons in this year's edition.

We also went to another alligator zoo in Christmas, FL called "Jungle Adventures". It's about halfways between Orlando and Titusville, FL. It's smaller and not as nice as Gatorland and it had fewer visitors. But, the one thing that I liked more here than at Gatorland was that they had a live presentation where they allowed you to touch and hold the snakes and young alligators and take pictures of your kids holding them. At Gatorland, you had to pay to hold the gators and have them take a picture of you holding them. And once again, we got in for half-price with 2-for-1 coupons from the Entertainment Book.

And on our next trip, we'll be going to the "Reptile World Serpentarium", in St. Cloud, FL ......for half-price ;-)

 

[daannzzz]

I finally went to Gatorland in May after 9 previous trips to WDW, Universal, Kennedy Space Center, Sarasota etc....
I always made fun of Gatorland but it was really enjoyable. It is an Old Fashioned tourist attraction form day gone by but it is bigger than I expected and there was plenty to see. I only stayed 3 hours but only saw one of the three shows.
Whether you enjoy it depends on if you like reptiles of all kinds and how much you slow down to look at stuff. There is a small but real cute water play area and a "swamp walk" that I rushed through as there was a show starting shortly.

 

[notsosnowwhite]

I want to begin by saying I am not at all an extremist about animal rights, wearing leather or fur, or eating meat. That being said, I've visited Gatorland twice and I have to admit I find myself a little sad when walking past the exhibits. Yes, it is truly an old-fashioned attraction and has it's charms. The alligator jumping show is a hoot. However, many animals are kept in very small, confined spaces and it was a bit depressing to see them like that.

 

[aaronmckie]

However, many animals are kept in very small, confined spaces and it was a bit depressing to see them like that.

I am very sensitive about that was well (but you'd never confuse me for a vegan or a PETA member, either), but I don't remember seeing any confined cages... thankfully (except now that I think about it, they sure do put a lot of gators in small spaces... I'm getting depressed...). I'm sure they are there, but I'd have to say it is kept to a minimum; the main attraction is all the lazy alligators and the beautiful scenery.
It's a fun half-day park, as long as you go into it knowing there are no real attractions per-se, and that the draw is the Florida wildlife.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I am very sensitive about that was well (but you'd never confuse me for a vegan or a PETA member, either), but I don't remember seeing any confined cages... thankfully (except now that I think about it, they sure do put a lot of gators in small spaces... I'm getting depressed...). I'm sure they are there, but I'd have to say it is kept to a minimum; the main attraction is all the lazy alligators and the beautiful scenery.
It's a fun half-day park, as long as you go into it knowing there are no real attractions per-se, and that the draw is the Florida wildlife.

Judy the bear is kept in a small cage but they say that the reason for that is because she was rescued from a life in a small cage and she is not comfortable in open spaces. Other than that I do not remember animals in small cages either.

Want to know what is sad? I have been to Gatorland SO many times I that I even know who Judy is and her name. My kids love it and my son turning 18 this year STILL wants to go back. He wants to do trainer for a day but THAT is not going to happen. My husband hates it but I must admit I do enjoy feeding the 'gators hot dogs.

 

[kerrynic78]

Judy the bear is kept in a small cage but they say that the reason for that is because she was rescued from a life in a small cage and she is not comfortable in open spaces. Other than that I do not remember animals in small cages either.

Want to know what is sad? I have been to Gatorland SO many times I that I even know who Judy is and her name. My kids love it and my son turning 18 this year STILL wants to go back. He wants to do trainer for a day but THAT is not going to happen. My husband hates it but I must admit I do enjoy feeding the 'gators hot dogs.

The first time we went my brother bought a garbage bag full of hot dogs. It was hillarious watching him lug around a garbage bag all day. By the end of the day we were throwing handfuls of them to the gators to get rid of them!

 

[LovinPooh]

Thanks for all the input. i think we will check it out. I like a day in between the Disney parks to just kinda chill out and check stuff out.
Plus I have been dyign to try some gator meat. Just to say I have.

 

[Trish.Glenn]

"Gatorland is so cool" said DD when asked a moment ago and I agree! Very fun and a nice half day activity!

Great family FUN!!

 

[daannzzz]

Here are a few photos from my trip a month ago.

 

[LovinPooh]

great photos! thank you for sharing!

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Oh Gatorland. I went there once when I was small and loved it. My parents bought me a personalized keychain from there and I still have it. Gatorland reminds me of the episode of Leave it to Beaver when Beaver and Wally went to a "Gatorland" and saw all the gators.

 

[madcoco]

Thanks for sharing the pictures. Haven't driven by since before the fire. Have they rebuilt the entryway Gator? Have our own version of Gatorland behind the house. Will post pics of Larry, Moe and Curly. They're around somewhere.

 

[daannzzz]

I have driven by in the past and seen the big gator. I had read about the fire. The fornt area is buing rebuilt but I did not see a big gator.

 

[TwinmomPlusOne]

We loved Gatorland! The kids had a blast, and loved the splashpark when they were ready to run around. For 4 of us, the train, and my dh getting a pic with a gator, we only paid $97 or so. (no coupons)
My first reaction was wow, that's a lot, but when you think about it, I paid $71 for one adult to get into Disney one day. Not too bad after putting it that way.
We will include Gatorland in our return trip to Orlando!

 

[matthew_hull]

Don't forget to visit the bird nesting area at the back of Gatorland. You can see some gorgeous Florida natives there:

Photo