10 Reasons To Visit Gatorland

It’s an extremely common question from British visitors to Orlando, and one that’s easy to answer.

The query is, of course, where can I see alligators? And the answer is simple – head for Gatorland, on the Orange Blossom Trail in south Orlando.

It’s hard to imagine anywhere on earth that is more, well, gator-y, and you are absolutely guaranteed a true Florida experience in this classic family-owned roadside attraction that dates back to 1949.

In fact, we’d go as far as to say that this modest 110-acre venue provides just as many Wow! moments as the theme parks themselves, especially as it continues to add new elements and build on those that are already there.

The latest development is the new (in June 2022) Capybara Encounter, featuring the park’s pair of adult capybaras, Ben and Jerry, who have their own hangout on Flamingo Island.

With that in mind, and the fact many visitors have yet to discover this lovely adventure into local wildlife, we thought we would highlight our Top 10 reasons to visit Gatorland:

Reasons to visit Gatorland: 10.

There’s way more than just gators here. There are those cute capybaras and a host of other animals, both Floridian and more exotic (like Ben and Jerry). There’s Marshall the kookaburra from Australia, Osceola and Abiaka the bobcats, Jabari the serval, Lucy the 300lb Galapagos tortoise, a wide variety of snakes and a profusion of birds, including flamingos, emus, storks, budgies and macaws. It’s not a zoo in the traditional sense, but you will see a LOT of animals.

Reasons to visit Gatorland: 9.

There’s even a ride! Yes, in the best tradition of Disney and other theme parks, Gatorland has its own railroad, the Gatorland Express, which completes a circuit of the main areas of the park, including a few glimpses of the backstage sections. It does cost an extra few dollars per person, but you can ride as often as you like and it provides a great introduction to the park. The narration is also suitably entertaining.

Reasons to visit Gatorland: 8.

By Florida law (or so it seems!), every attraction has to finish in the Gift Shop, and Gatorland is no exception. It’s well worth checking out, though, as you’ll find an extensive array of original gift ideas and souvenirs here, plus you can even visit it on its own if you’re just passing. You’ll also find more merchandise and knick-knacks at Gator Joe’s Adventure Outpost Just remember, you can’t bring alligator products back into the UK.

Reasons to visit Gatorland: 7.

The food’s good, too. As well as a Coffee Shop, Gator Jake’s Fudge Kitchen and a Snack Bar, you’ll want to try Pearl’s Good Eats, named for the founder’s wife, Pearl Godwin. In addition to some typical theme park fare, such as hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken tenders, you can sample the local speciality of fried gator nuggets. It’s definitely something you won’t find at Disney and Co, so give this unusual choice a try and tell us if you think it tastes like chicken! There’s a screened-in picnic area next to Pearl’s for your dining comfort.

Reasons to visit Gatorland: 6.

When you need to raise the thrill level of your Orlando holiday, one of the best ways is the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, which offers the chance to go ziplining above the Gator Breeding Marsh and crocodile habitats. With seven-storey towers and multi-level launching points, the views are truly breathtaking, and there are five ziplines in all, covering a total of 1,200ft. It costs an extra $70/person but is genuinely one of the most original experiences in the state.

Reasons to visit Gatorland: 5.

Keeping the adrenaline going, how about Adventure Hour, and the chance for a REAL up-close encounter with the locals? This is a supervised trip INSIDE the Breeding Marsh to feed some of the gators and get the coolest souvenir photo you are ever likely to get. Again, it is an add-on price but, at just $12/person, it offers major bragging rights and an intense thrill.

Reasons to visit Gatorland: 4.

When the kids need to cool down or just let off some steam, Gator Gully is the place to go. This imaginative water playground is ideal for young ’uns, as it features an eye-catching variety of squirt-guns, fountains and massive bucket dump that always spells energetic fun for the right ages. Just remember to bring their swimsuit, or a change of clothes!

Reasons to visit Gatorland: 3.

While the park’s hundreds of gators – from the just-born to grizzled veterans – are rightly the stars of the show, there are crocodiles, too. At the Jungle Crocs of the World exhibit you can get a good look at these near-relatives from Cuba, Australia and the Nile, and marvel at their awesome latent power while trying to spot the key differences between crocs and gators (hint: look at the shape of their snouts).

Reasons to visit Gatorland: 2.

The other extra paid-for experience is another one you’ll really want to try. The Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure is a rollicking 15-minute backroads journey into the swampy land adjacent to the park. Aboard a 12ft-high offroad monster truck, you’ll be bounced around and introduced to various wacky characters who allegedly inhabit this make-believe world of gator imagination.

Reasons to visit Gatorland: 1.

The one element that keeps people coming back time and time again is the Shows. No matter how many times you’ve seen them (as we have), there is something outrageously fascinating about Gatorland’s wranglers getting within a hair’s breadth of multiple sets of bone-crushing jaws. The Up-Close Encounters show features some smaller-scale creatures, but both the Gator Jumparoo and Alligators: Legends of the Swamp demonstrate how insanely powerful the park’s main denizens are, with the kind of antics that make you hope the handlers are extremely well insured.

Perhaps best of all, though, it is all served up with a generous helping of humour, the kind that reflects Florida’s sense of fun and good nature, and which is totally genuine. If you miss Gatorland, you’re missing a major Sunshine State adventure.

To grab your Gatorland tickets, see link to our Attractions page here:

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