Gatorland – Orlando, Florida
Have you ever wanted to see an alligator or crocodile up close but really didn’t think it was a good idea to just go into the swamp and look? (wise choice) Well, at Gatorland you can not only see alligators and crocodiles but you will be able to visit the aviary, breeding marsh with the observations tower, a petting zoo, and more. You will also be able to see one-of-a-kind reptilian shows such as Gator Wrestlin’, Gator Jumparoo and the Up-close Encounters Show. Sounds like a really full day of sun and new adventures for your Florida vacation.
Jump on the Gatorland Express train for a ride over to Gator Gully Splash Park where the kids (all ages up to 100) can enjoy a good ol’ fashion squirtfest.
Hopefully you will get there while the white alligators are on display in their newest exhibit. There are four of the world’s largest white leucistic alligators known to roam the planet. These ivory colored reptiles are each 10 to 12 feet in length and weigh over 800 pounds. Their blue eyes are supposed to have the ability to command good fortune for those lucky enough to make eye contact.
Gatorland is one of Florida’s oldest attractions. It is a low tech adventure next to nature. You will enter the park by walking through the gator mouth entrance and then begin the fun and learning experience offered by Gatorland, Located between Orlando and Kissimmee on the South Orange Blossom Trail, this is one of Central Florida’s must sees. It may not have the rides that the theme parks do, but where else are you going to have the opportunity to get up close and personal with alligators? Certainly not at a theme park.
Gatorland was founded by the late Owen Godwin in 1949, and is still privately owned by his family. There are 110 acres including the theme park and wildlife preserve for you to enjoy.
Perhaps you want to try your hand at being a trainer at the park. You actually can by doing the “Trainer for a Day” program. While you are on the Trainer for a Day venture you will work with the littlest alligators and the largest. You will get a back stage tour that gets you up close with tome of the largest alligators and crocodiles. You will get some hands-on-experience with some reptiles and creepy crawlers at the Upclose Encounters Show. Then is is off to work with the Gatorland trainer in the Gator Wrestling Arena. The trainer will keep you safe but use good sense as you should around any wild animal.
The cost to do this is $125. You must be at least 12 and the length of the tour is 2 hours beginning at 8 am. Meet at the gators mouth. Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty, is comfortable but not loose fitting, sunglasses, sneakers or hiking boots.
You will be contacted by one of the staff to confirm your reservations so be sure to give accurate contact information when making your reservations. You can do that at the park or on the internet or on the phone. The reservations must be made at LEAST 24 hours in advance.
You are going to want to do the Gator Night Shine. Here you go into the deepest domains of the alligators, armed with only a flashlight and some hot dogs. You will walk along the winding wooden walkways into the breeding marsh. Turn your flashlight towards the water and you will see hundreds of hungry, glowing, red eyes slowly making their way closer. Remember, they are HUNGRY!
This tour costs $19.99 which includes tax. It lasts 1 to 1.5 hours and begins at dusk. his guided tour is an after-hours special Gatorland event and is restricted to Gatorland’s Breeding Marsh. Gatorland will provide the flashlights, insect repellent, and some alligator food.** Must be purchased atleast 24 hours in advance**
There are around 130 alligators on the Breeding Marsh, several hundred adult animals in the front lake areas and another 
several hundred young alligators in the display pools and the nursery for a total of over 1,000 alligators at Gatorland. There are about 200 crocodiles at Gatorland with new additions being hatched each year.
Scientists think that crocodilians can live about as long as people if they have a good diet and environment. The oldest documented crocodile on record was 77 years old, but it is certainly possible that they can live longer than that. Gatorland® has some alligators in the park that are at least 50 years old and possibly much older.
In the wild, alligators eat insects, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, shellfish, fish, birds and occasionally other alligators. At the park they are fed red meat, fish and chicken along with the hot dogs (which are turkey or chicken and healthy for them) that you give them on your tour.
How do you tell the difference between a crock and an alligator? Crocodiles have a narrower, V-shaped snout while alligators have a broad, flat snout shaped more like a U. Another differences is in the teeth. Alligators actually have more than most crocodiles, but crocodile teeth usually stick out further from the jaw and are more visible. In particular look for the fourth tooth that sticks out from the underside of a crocodile’s jaw and fits into a neat dent or depression on the top side of its snout.
Location:
14501 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32837
Phone: 407.855.5496
Toll Free: 800.393.JAWS
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