Orlando Sights

Gatorland

#12 of 272 things to do in Orlando

#59 of 2084 things to do in Florida

2 reviews | Write a review

Good for: Nothing

Not good for: Nothing

  • Address
    • 14501 S Orange Blossom Trail Kissimmee
  • Website
  • Phone
    • tel, info: 407 855 5496
    • tel, info: 800 393 5297
  • Price
    • adult/child 3-12 US$20/US$10
  • Hours
    • 09:00-17:00

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Lonely Planet review for Gatorland

With its goofy, gaping alligator jaws as the main entrance, Gatorland is the kind of attraction you'd imagine would be on Clark Griswold's National Lampoon's Vacation itinerary. But that's exactly what makes this mom-and-pop type attraction great! You won't find any fancy roller coasters or drenching log flumes here. Just gators as far as the eye can see - and plenty of 'em.

A warning though: this place probably isn't PETA-approved (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), especially the stunts during the Gator Wrestling' Show, but all ends well with a sleeping gator waking up with a tickle.

Ethical issues aside, Gatorland is just plain fun. The Jumparoo Show has 10ft-long alligators leaping almost entirely out of the water to grab whole chickens from the trainer's hand - like the whale Shamu, only creepy. The Jungle Crocs Show highlights four rare species and gives an entertaining history lesson on the creatures. A splintery wooden boardwalk, mere inches above the water, winds through the hundreds of alligators and crocodiles in the breeding marsh, and a three-story observation tower provides a soaring lookout for the birds of the wildlife habitat. Skip the ho-hum Gatorland Express Train though - you can see more by walking around.

Not that the little ones will be bored, but there's also a petting zoo and playground for the younger set.

Hungry? Gatorland not only breeds alligators for entertainment, but serves 'em up on a platter for folks with adventurous tastebuds (and yes, it does taste like chicken). Grab fresh gator nuggets and smoked gator ribs at Pearl's Smokehouse. The bathrooms by the way get our vote for one of the cleanest in Central Florida.

Indulge your Crocodile Hunter fantasy with the Trainer for a Day package, and learn how to wrangle both crocs and gators hands on.

You can't leave Gatorland without passing through the gift shop, of course. But where else could you pick up a professionally mounted gator head, a brass gator door knocker or a striking pair of alligator skin boots?

 

Traveller reviews for Gatorland (2)

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    Military UNFRIENDLY

    missnicole120 does not recommend this,

    Military UNFRIENDLY - http://www.gatorland.com/blogs/specials - is the location as of 02/03/2011 - they do NOT honor the military coupon posted to their own website. The coupon is out of date (june 2010 expiration). Even so, this is unacceptable. This website MUST be updated for those who make the 16 hour drive especially to see their facility. We even called to confirm before embarking on this vacation. When we arrived. They apparently have changed the pricing. We failed to get the name of the person we talked to, thus no one could help when we arrived onsite. When a coupon is posted to a business public website. First Take the coupon down when its not in use any more! Secondly even if the public makes a mistake, provisions should at least be made for a good review. The management and staff didn't even make an effort. Which is why we are leaving this review as "terrible". Your at your own risk when trying to plan and plot out this trip. At least we suggest have a backup in place when you attempt to visit them. You will need it.

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    Not good for: Nothing

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    for what it is...

    aev5 recommends this,

    it sounds awful and gimmicky, but it can be a lot of fun if you go into it with the mindset of "hey! it's GATORLAND!" The first time my not-quite-my-husband (still hanging around 10 married years later...) took me there with the statement of hey-it's-gatorland I was feeling kind of mortified going in but after wandering around for a while it grew on me. Since then they've put in a couple of extra fun things to do (I have an incredible throwing arm for feeding gators up close), and they've added a very nice boardwalk going through the forest. I guess it's a forest...I'm not sure what they call it in Florida... Anyway ignore the feel of the gift shop and just have fun. Oh and they have a neat little water park to play in as well.

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