Is Gatorland worth going to?

[dolphindan1]

My oldest son and I loved Gatorland. It is a nice getaway form the hustle and bustle of Disney. Do not go in expecting Disney and you will love it. As for duct tape on the gators mouth it is in no way inhumane. the gators are perfectly saf as are the people holdin and taking pictures of the gator. this is normal practice and no more inhumane than a muzzle on a dog. I also agree with Silver Springs. If you can make the hour plus trip go for it. It also is a hustle and bustle getaway and includes alot of nice exhibits. the glass bottom boat rides are great. It is more a park type atmosphere in that the walkways are paved and that its very well maintained, on a epcot level of beauty. both are worth a stop if possible.

 

[webray]

My kids (now in their mid 20's) still talk about gatorland from all their trips when they were younger. They loved it.

 

[snowwite]

I havent been since 1987.Do they still feed the gators? When we went they hooked a raw chicken on a metal clothes line and they jumped up a few feet to get it.I never knew they could move so fast! DS is dying to go.We never seem to have time.Maybe this time.

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

Gatorland is a fun 1/2 day event....I stress 1/2 day! My DS7 loves the gators. So, that being said we went July '04 & '05 (we are going to Seaworld this year) and the only complaint I have is the heat. It was really HOT & HUMID and there is no place to hide at Gatorland. Mix this with the animal smell and I about lost my lunch. However, it is a cute 1/2 day event. Normally, on there website it's a coupon for a couple dollars off.

BTW - there is a Super Target down the road...we always have to make that stop

 

[seobaina]

Hi

I've enjoyed reading your responses and it's good to see that most people seem to like Gatorland, but I have a query... We're coming out to Orlando in April/May, and were planning to do Gatorland, as we'd like to see gators. However, in research we came across a review that said the gators and bear were kept in terrible conditions. I don't mind a shabby place, but I'd be so upset to see animals suffering. Can any of you give me an idea where this idea of cruelty would come from, as you all seem to like the place? Would we be better doing a swamp boat ride, or Silver Springs? Or something else? Oh, we're a group of adults, btw, no kids.

Thanks
Seo

 

[gjw007]

Hi

I've enjoyed reading your responses and it's good to see that most people seem to like Gatorland, but I have a query... We're coming out to Orlando in April/May, and were planning to do Gatorland, as we'd like to see gators. However, in research we came across a review that said the gators and bear were kept in terrible conditions. I don't mind a shabby place, but I'd be so upset to see animals suffering. Can any of you give me an idea where this idea of cruelty would come from, as you all seem to like the place? Would we be better doing a swamp boat ride, or Silver Springs? Or something else? Oh, we're a group of adults, btw, no kids.

Thanks
Seo

Kept in terrible conditions? It is a swamp and the park is built around the swamp. This has to be as close to its natural habitat as possible. There is an area where you enter that has a lot of alligators that don't appear to be part of the swamp but I don't think the alligators were kept in terrible conditions as the area is very big. Even the area where they do the alligator jumping is fairly good size. I don't remember seeing a bear but if there was, if it would be encaged and I don't remember any cages really large enough for a bear to walk about, etc.

 

[seobaina]

I must admit it surprised me, but the review was on another forum. This is it:-
"Having been badgered into going to visit Gatorland by the children who we were travelling with i could not believe what i saw, large alligators with little room to move. obviously that is why lots of them had large bite marks and missing bits, but the worst was yet to come a large brown bear kept in shabby unclean conditions it was was a small shed like building with little shade from the blistering heat this animal was constantly pacing up and down and nodding its head surely this shows this aminal is stressed by its surroundings after seeing this my family and the family we were with made for the exit when asked by a member of staff the reason why she seemed shocked that we said we didnt like the facilities and she said that the americans who visitied did seem to like it more than us brits!!!!"

Thought it might help if you could see what I was refering too.

Seo

 

[ceopamom3]

we visited May of '05, kids age 9, 8 and 7 at the time. I'm not an expert to say if it is humane or not.. The bear's enclosure is small. It was very tourist trappish, and hot and it smells (we did expect some of that).

My kids and my DH are huge animal and reptile fans. I will take them to see Floridas critters in a more natural setting next time. No one in my family wants to return. We spent about a half hour there. Long enough to walk in and out.

Hope this helps - I know it is tough to get lots of different opinions..

 

[magicmouse2]

As a big reptile fan I took my 2 girls to Gatorland 2 years ago. We loved being able to see the Gators but felt that the conditions could have been better. The big swamp is ok but there are some small enclosures with crocs in. It is hillbillyish though I agree. I would not visit again,as I would prefer to go to the everglades to see the gators in a natural environment. Also I did not like the idea that they served gator in the eateries and Croc leather items inthe gift shop. A conservation place would not do that as it is encouraging to buy croc leather goods.

 

[flipfloppershopper]

Where do you get an entertaiment book? Can you get it by mail? Thanks.

 

[seobaina]

Ah, thanks for the feedback. Can anyone suggest a 1/2 day alternative? Maybe the boggy creek boats?

 

[MickeyP]

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?

Yeah, about 15 minutes.

 

[DLBDS]

We're planing a WDW trip for later this year. I went to WDW with relatives as a child and they took me other places too while in Orlando. I distinctly remember a Gatorland-type place and would like to go there (again?). It really made an impression on me. I remember boardwalks with gators underneath, a tree canopy covering most of the area and exotic birds placed here and there. Keep in mind this was approximately 30 years ago and memory fades. I want to take my daughter and husband there.

 

[tinkerbeth]

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

WAHOO! THanks for posting that. I just ordered the Entertainment book so now I KNOW I will get my money's worth because we want to go to Gatorland this trip.

I'm looking forward to figuring out what this "meal and Movie pass" is about too...I don't really get it but people are talkin about it a lot and it sounds like it must be a good dea.

This board is so informative!!!

Beth

 

[Hannathy]

We go to Gatorland every trip! There is no place like it. You really get a feeling of what Florida was before all the Parks came and how powerful the aligators are. The last time we were there my nephew who was at Disney on the college program met us there for the day. It is campy and not immaculate but alligators live in swamps for heavens sake. Gatorland has been very involved in preserving alligators and breeding them which has lead to them being plentiful enough now to eat. You can walk around and see maybe one show in 2 hours or you can spend 4-5 if you want to see everything. My DD loves where you go in and feed the birds and they land on you. Make sure you see the gator jumping show.


Does anyone know which entertainment book the Gatorland coupon is in ?

 

[rebwuerz]

Hi
If no one has spoken up for your entertainment coupon, please I'd really like to have it to take my son there. Please email me at hwuerz@c3bb (have to add com onto the end of it--posting won't let me leave it on)
thank you,
rebwuerz