I was given complimentary and discounted tickets in exchange for my truthful review of Gatorland. As always, the opinions on this blog are 100% my own.
Florida is for gators! Lots of gators! A couple weeks ago, our family visited Florida and we were looking for adventure. There isn’t any other place that can serve up a day of excitement like GATORLAND. Established in 1949, Gatorland has always been an Orlando area icon. Before Disney and Universal, there was Gatorland.
If you are hesitant at all about the care of the animals at Gatorland, I can assure you the animals are well-treated. In fact, Gatorland is well-known for rescuing alligators and providing an excellent habitat for all of its animals. This place is not just a theme park but a wildlife refuge. You’ll find it be a great educational experience not just for your kids but your whole family.
Gatorland is a 110 acre theme park and wildlife preserve in Orlando that features family friendly exhibits and entertaiment. It provides affordable family fun and features hundreds of alligators nd crocodiles. On top of all of this, there are a lot of activities for the gator enthusiast. Looking for fun in Florida? Here are eight reasons, you must visit Gatorland!
Gatorland Shows
Gatorland boasts three different shows throughout the day: The Gator Jumparoo show, The Gator Wrestlin’ show, and the Up-Close Encounters. What I loved most was how educational all of them were on top of being entertaining. Get ready to laugh a lot at the Upclose Encounters Show. These guys were hilarious and really knew how to get the crowd to participate. I was even picked to be a part of the show! The Gator Jumparoo Show was F-U-N and we watched trained handlers feed the hungry alligators. It was amazing to see these magnificent creatures jump out of the water for food.
The Gator Wrestlin’ Show taught us the history of Florida ranchers and how they would have to jump into the swamps and wrestle gators to keep them from getting their cattle. This show showed us various parts of a gator and how they are unique. It was amazing how much the trainers were able to interact with the gators!
Gatorland Unique Experiences
Want to go behind the scenes? Gatorland offers a few unique experiences that your family will love. One idea is the Adventure Hour which allows you to venture beyond the fence and into the breeding marsh which is home to hundreds of alligators. Best of all, it’s only $10 extra a ticket. During this experience, you’ll be only a few feet from giant alligators and can pose for a photo. On top of this you’ll be able to feed those hungry gators. You’ll be grateful, YOU aren’t dinner.
Gatorland White Gator Swamp
I had never seen a white gator until our visit to Gatorland. It was interesting to see how different they looked from their other green relatives. The Gatorland White Gator Swamp area is a must-stop during your day at the park. Our family got a up close look at these gorgeous gators and went inside their home on a special VIP tour. Yes, that is a REAL gator my son is next to! It was really intersting to hear the difference between an Albino and Leucistic alligator; Gatorland has both!
Gatorland Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure
Get ready for an off-road adventure ride with the Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure. My family boarded 12 foot-high monster truck and then went on a rugged adventure in the Florida swamp land. This brand new ride lasts about 15-minute and includes wacky jokes and singing tour guides. You’ll see areas of the park that are only available on the ride. There is a small fee for this added attraction.
Gatorland Zipline
Looking for adventure? You can zip across alligator infested waters! Gatorland offers 1200 feet of zipping over the gator pond. You can choose the 2 hour experience that takes you over 5 zip lines that are up to 65 feet high a short one time zip. There is even a accessible zip line for guests with mobility challenges, which is the ONLY zipline in the United States that is handicap accessible. My family all zipped and loved the experience. It was thrilling but also completely safe. Make sure you wear closed-toed shoes and make a reservation in advance. This is a small fee for this added attraction.
Gatorland Allie’s Barnyard
Kids of all ages love to snuggle with a goat and feed an animal right from the palm of their hand. We spent some time in the animal petting area at Gatorland and the animals were adorable. We were even able to meet the new Emu who was born just a couple months ago.
Gatorland Gator Gulley Splash Park
The Florida sun can be hot so be sure to bring an extra change of clothes for your little ones. Gatorland not only has a playground but also a nice size splash pad to cool off in. Best of all, it’s free with paid park admission. It looked like all the kids were having a fun time!
Gatorland Express Railroad
Want to take a relaxing trip around Gatorland? Hop on the Gatorland Train. This little steam engine will take you on a lazy loop circling the crocodile exhibits and alligator breading marsh. It’s a great way to start your day and introduce you to Gatorland or wait until later in the day when you need to sit in the shade. The cost is only $2 per person and you can ride it all day! You’ll want to listen carefully as you’ll hear intersting facts along the way.
Why my family LOVED Gatorland
When we go on vacation, our family is looking for something that we can’t do in our own hometown. We like to immerse ourselves into the culture or the area and try something new. Florida is known for their alligator population which makes Gatorland a perfect day trip for aventure seeking families. Best of all is the price. With the price continuing to SOAR at other parks in the Orlando area, Gatorland prices are still low enough for a family on a budget.
Gatorland prices are $29.99 for adults, $19.99 for children (ages 3 – 12), and seniors (ages 55 years+) are $24.99. You’ll save $3.00 on both adult and children tickets when you purchase your tickets online or you can print this Gatorland coupon to save $2.50 off adult tickets at the gate.
Gatorland
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, Florida 32837
407.855.5496
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