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Gatorland is one of the great attractions in Orlando that's not a Disney theme park. It is a privately-owned theme park and wildlife preserve and is billed as the "Alligator Capital of the World." One may even recognize it from being a filming location for the 1984 movie, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. While many people criticize some ethics of zoos, Gatorland buys and rescues troublesome alligators that would have otherwise been killed.
One doesn't need to hike the Anhinga Trail in the Everglades to see the mighty American alligators. Gatorland is home to some of the best shows and collections of hundreds - and even thousands of these powerful predators. Gatorland is perhaps the ultimate place for family educational fun while on vacation in Orlando.
Gatorland - The "Alligator Capital of The World"
Gatorland features thousands of alligators as well as a number of other animals (like snakes, crocodiles, birds, and more).
Gatorland has alligators ranging in size from newly hatched babies to 14-foot monsters. American male alligators can grow up to 3.4 to 4.8 m (11.2 to 15.7 ft) in length and can weigh up to 560 kg (1,230 lb). There are unverified claims of them getting much larger than that too. Females are much smaller normally getting to sizes of 2.6 to 3 m (8.5 to 9.8 ft) in length.
- Largest Alligator At Gatorland: 14 Feet Long
American alligators are found from South Carolina to southern Texas - although Florida is particularly known for them. Once overhunting was catastrophic for the iconic reptiles and drove their populations into being listed as endangered, today they have recovered and are listed as Least Concern.
The park is also a theme park with zip lines, off-road swamp vehicle tours, alligator wrestling shows, a petting zoo, alligator feeding shows, educational programs, and more.
- Filming: Location For Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom
- Baby Gators: Called Grunts
Exhibits, Animals & Attractions At Gatorland
One of the most remarkable gators in their collection includes the largest collection of extremely rare white leucistic alligators.
Attractions At Gatorland:
- Petting Zoos
- Animal Shows
- Screamin' Gator Zip Line
- Stompin' Gator Off-Road Adventure
- Free-Flight Aviary
Their showtimes are repeated several times a day and their timings sometimes vary a little by season.
The Screamin' Gator Zip Line
One of the most hair-raising and exciting attractions at Gatorland is their Screamin' Gator Zip Line. This thrilling ride takes those who dare along 1,200 feet (370 meters) several stories high over the Alligator Breeding March (with 130 giant alligators below) and over the Cuban and Nile Crocodiles.
This heart-pounding adventure has been acclaimed by some as one of the finest zip line rides in the world. One flies over the alligators and crocodiles at speeds of around 30 miles an hour. Reservations for this star attraction are required.
- Cost: $69.99 (Includes All-Day Admission to Gatorland)
Note that participants must wear closed-toe shoes and not be wearing a skirt or dress. Participants must be at least 36″ tall and weigh no more than 275 lbs.
Planning Your Visit To Gatorland
Gatorland is an unmissable part of any Orlando itinerary. If one is planning to visit more than once a year, it is worth it to buy an annual pass. Note that one saves $3 by purchasing a ticket online than by paying in person at the park.
Simple day admission tickets are:
Adult (Aged 13 and Up):
- Day Pass: $32.99
- Annual Pass: $49.99
Child (aged 3-12):
- Day Pass: $22.99
- Annual Pass: $34.99
It is worth upgrading one's ticket to their Gatorland Greater Gator Package for $39.99 per adult and $31.99 per child. The ticket includes three of their most popular experiences valued at $16.00.
The park is open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm daily - regardless of the sunshine or rain or what day it is or if it is a holiday or not. Gatorland can even be a Christmas Day family activity!
- Opening Hours: 10.00 am 6.00 pm
- Days Open: Daily - 365 Days A Year
Orlando is much more than just Disney and Universal, mix things up by exploring the apex predators of Florida's marshes and swamps while there! Another fun thing to do in Orlando is to discover the marshes by airboat tours. There is plenty to keep the whole family entertained for the entire vacation.