Is Gatorland worth going to?

[LUVMYCHOCLAB]

We are going to Orlando in June. We have done the Disney stuff fairly recently so we want to try some other things. Has anyone been to Gatorland and is it worth going to? My DS is 13, is this more for younger children or would he be okay? We are also going to Sea World and thinking of going to Busch Gardens. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

DS would probably love it.

Have you through about IOA - he is also the perfect age for it.

 

[Houston_Disney_Fan]

We found Gatorland to be an excellent place to spend a half-day. Some educational exhibits, lots of "wow" type stuff, the place was clean and well-maintained.

 

[lynn71092]

I agree, you will like Gatorland.
Also, I think IOA would be better than Sea World. We (2 adults) went in November and were pretty disappointed with it, and we've been there before.

 

[Big V]

I think your DS would think Gatorland is cool! Lots of gators and snakes and other cool stuff! You can even EAT some gator there if you want! By the way, tastes like chicken.
I think SeaWorld is another great place to go. It's my 13 year old DD's favorite park.

 

[LUVMYCHOCLAB]

I think we will try Gatorland, we've never had time before. My DS is not much into rides, especially roller coasters. He had a negative experience when he was younger and hit his head while on a rough coaster, and he's not ready to try again. Would it still be worth the money for IOA?

 

[spiceycat]

there are other rides in IOA besides rr - however they are adventeous....

so maybe going back to WDW won't be so bad.

 

[K&KsMom]

My family and I were there last Dec. and hated it. We thought it was dirty and boring. A big let down after being at the parks. I would not recommend this to anyone. The gators were very lazy too!

 

[jeff968]

We were there years ago and it was fun. I have heard it is even better now as they've made many changes so we may visit again in Feb. I want to see Commeck the 100 year old gator and the white gators again.

 

[isla bonita]

My guys have been twice and still talk about it.

 

[kerrynic78]

I have only heard good things from people I know who went there, I'm hoping to get there one day myself.

 

[Ing12]

I have a coupon for Gatorland from the Entertainment Book if anyone wants it. Buy one admission get one free. I could use the Meal and Movie Pass coupon for Universal Studios if anyone has one. It's in any Entertainment book from any city. Thanks

 

[kilee]

I think it was just so-so. However DS was 10 when he went and he LOVED it!! My uncle goes every trip w/ his family too- they really seem to enjoy it there.

 

[mjc05]

I'm a girl and not into creepie-crawlies, but I thought Gatorland was very fun. We went during our October'05 trip and everyone had a blast. The park was very clean and the staff was super friendly. The only thing I thought was kinda "eh" was the train ride, but the guy running the ride was so funny it made up for the "eh" factor.

The shows are very interesting, and audience participation is encouraged- including the four brave souls who were chosen to help hold an albino python during one of the shows. When they were choosing audience members I was sitting on the bleachers praying "please don't pick me".

The gator does taste like a chewy chicken, but it's an experience. If you haven't been, it's worth a trip if you have the spare time, IMHO.

 

[maccalovah]

Would anyone know how much time you should budget to spend at Gatorland? Do you think it would be okay to visit one of the waterparks in the morning, and then spend the afternoon at Gatorland?

 

[quiteblonde]

Would anyone know how much time you should budget to spend at Gatorland? Do you think it would be okay to visit one of the waterparks in the morning, and then spend the afternoon at Gatorland?

It would probably depend on how many of the shows you want to catch. We went and spent about four hours wandering around and looking at all the animals and managed to catch only two of the shows. However, this was probably my fault, I spent way too much time feeding the flamingos.

I think an afternoon visit after a morning at the water parks would be a great idea, Gatorland is a very easygoing place to visit.

 

[lauren0309]

We've been to Gatorland twice. The first time was fun, the second time we were bored very fast. It only takes up about an hour or two of the day.

 

[kristen0147]

I have been thinking about bringing my girls there when we go in March (3DD's 8,7,5). Do you think its a place that little girls would have fun at or is it a "boy" thing?

 

[disneyscuba]

We are going to Orlando in June. We have done the Disney stuff fairly recently so we want to try some other things. Has anyone been to Gatorland and is it worth going to? My DS is 13, is this more for younger children or would he be okay? We are also going to Sea World and thinking of going to Busch Gardens. Any advice would be great. Thanks!

It has been a couple years the last time I went. I know they have done some new stuff there. It's not a whole day thing. I know they use to give discounts after a like 4 pm in the afternoon. Your son would be ok. I have seen kids younger then him there.


Later,

Disneyscuba

 

[CastMemberDWA]

I went twice during the summer of 2004...I was the field trip coordinator for the church here and took some school age children.
I got to attend free - but I would NEVER pay to go. It is not great.

The place is very "hill billy" and dirty. The show where the gators "jump" for dead chickens is insulting- they play music that could have come straight from the movie "Deliverance".

The photos you can take holding a gators mouth has the gator with duct tape around his snout. Safety for you, but inhumane treatment for him.

Only go if you are REALLY interested in reptiles.....otherwise don't bother.
I have never recommended this place to my family/friends who visit here from up north. I am glad I got to go so that I know what it is about - but I will never recommend it to anyone.

A better way to spend "off disney" money on tourist stuff would be the Titantic exhibit on I-Drive. Or the Science Museum...or Leu Gardens.....or any other number of good places.

P.S. The kids on that trip did enjoy it I must admit.

If you have a vehicle - try Silver Springs in Ocala instead. See gators and other interesting stuff! Worth the drive!