When visiting the Central Florida area, many people will want to see alligators! There’s just something about these larger-than-life carnivores that grabs people’s interest. While you can go to some of the gator experiences in Orlando and spend half a day, there’s one attraction that you can spend an entire day at and still have an amazing time! In fact, you might even find you want an annual pass so you can keep coming back! Let me share more about Gatorland – Florida’s all-day gator experience!
Gatorland – Florida’s All Day Gator Experience
We did receive tickets for the family and a few behind-the-scenes experiences to facilitate this post. However, all views are 100% our own.
Did you know Gatorland has a zipline?
The Screamin’ Gator Zipline 1200 feet of zip lines flying high over alligator ponds! You can launch from heights up to 65 feet. You can soar across five zip lines ranging in length from 230 feet to more than 500 feet! You can even walk across a swinging bridge over the main walkway. Speeds can reach up to 30 miles an hour! All equipment is included in the price and you can often find discounts on the Gatorland website.
This experience can take up to two hours and requires you to book ahead. Even better, your zip line experience includes park admission to Gatorland for the day which makes it an incredible value!
You can also get into a gator swamp to hand feed gators!
That’s right! In the Adventure Hour you can pay $10 per person to go behind the fence and feed the alligators. The alligators will be a mere 6-10 feet away from you as you feed them. Even better, there is a guide on hand to answer your alligator questions! This is one of the best-priced animal encounters I have seen at an attraction of its kind in Central Florida!
You will want to reserve this experience at admissions when you arrive or any time before 12:30 PM. Each group will be given a specific time to arrive in order to maintain safe social distancing. You will also be given gloves to handle the gator food with.
Ask before you leave and you can post for a photo with the gators you just fed. This is an amazing photo opportunity and a memory you won’t soon forget.
What did we think?
My daughter was a bit hesitant at first but soon joined in. There’s something so amazing about being this close to these beautiful animals and getting the opportunity to feed them and learn more about them. I HIGHLY recommend adding this to your Gatorland agenda!
There are a variety of shows!
Shows will run throughout the day and offer different focuses on alligators and how they live. Check with Gatorland when you arrive to find out which shows are currently running. Due to current conditions, some shows may be canceled to maintain social distancing. There are three shows that typically run at Gatorland and you will want to check out all of them if you are able as each has its own fun to be had!
Have you ever seen an albino or leucistic alligator?
These unique alligators can be found at Gatorland! In fact, Gatorland owns 3 of the 4 leucistic alligators that are in captivity at this time!
These beauties are believed to be good luck and have a nice shady enclosure where you can cool down in the shade while enjoying these beauties!
See snakes up close!
The snakes of Florida exhibit has some incredible Florida snakes you can see as part of your day at Gatorland. These snakes are behind glass and safe but able to be seen easily through the glass. They are definitely worth stopping by to see.
Visit the petting zoo!
I have to be honest. I love the way this petting zoo is set up! While you can feed the animals for an added fee and you can pet all animals, there is a small fence between you and the animals. This gives the animals the opportunity to choose when they are comfortable with interacting and when they would prefer not to. I will say that if you have feed in your hand, you won’t be short on animals coming after your attention. That said, you don’t have to buy feed to enjoy the petting zoo. You will still have an opportunity to pet a few animals.
Alligator Breeding Marsh
One of our favorite areas in the park was the alligator breeding marsh! This area has 60 alligators you can see from this relaxing walkway. Gators large and small are highly visible as you walk along this bridge throughout this 10 acre pond.
You will see quite a few larger gators lounging and enjoying the day in this area. You can not feed the gators in this area but you can enjoy a nice walk or sit on a few of the covered benches in the shade and watch the alligators move around in the water. I know that I found it so interesting to see how they simply float in spite of their large size!
One fun fact I learned while in this area is that the birds pictured above actually coexist with the alligators beautifully. The protection of the alligators keeps predators from going after the bird’s eggs. If you look close at the picture you can see some tiny eggs in that nest! When you visit Gatorland, make sure to look at these nests which you can see from the walkway easily. You might see eggs.
Gatorland Train
For $2 per person you can ride this train through all of Gatorland and get a tour of the different areas of the park. This is a great option for letting kids cool off on a hot day or as a way to get a different perspective on the park.
Cool off at the splash pad
Are the kids looking to run off some energy and cool off a bit? Don’t forget to make a stop at the Gatorland splash pad! Plenty of fun can be had by the kids in this water play area.
Feed young alligators
For an added fee you can buy feed and use a fishing pole to feed younger alligators. This can be a really fun activity for children. This is a great opportunity for children to feed smaller gators.
There’s even more!
Gatorland has more fun available for you when you visit. There are some opportunities for an added fee such as meet a gator, trainer for a day, and even a stompin’ gator off-road adventure. Within the park, there are restaurants, bird feeding, and a variety of other animals to be seen!
Does Gatorland work with homeschoolers?
I spoke with the amazing people at Gatorland and they shared the following information about their homeschool offerings.
1st option:
Price by age:
3-12 $14
13-18 – $17.50
Adults- $16.00 ($19 with animal food)
Includes:
- Admission
- Train Ride – Unlimited rides all-day
- Animal Chow – 4 croc chow nuggets to feed the Gators and 1 cone for each Child to feed the goats in the petting zoo (does contain peanuts in petting zoo pellets; substitution available upon request)
- Free 15-minute education show at 10:45 am
2nd option: Full animal Experience
Ages:
3-12 $15
13-18 – $18.50
Adults – $16.00 ($20 with animal food)
Includes:
- Admission
- Train Ride – Unlimited rides all-day
- Animal Chow – 4 croc chow nuggets to feed the Gators and 1 cone for each Child to feed the goats in the petting zoo (does contain peanuts in petting zoo pellets; substitution available upon request)
- Jr Jumparoo – Help us in conditioning the 2-5-year old gators to jump out of the water for food. You will receive 1 fish on a pole (larger options available)
MAX of 120 students ^^ - Free 15-minute education show at 10:45 am
3rd option: Science and Animal Education
Ages:
3-12 $17.50
13-18 – $21
Adults – $16.00
Includes:
- Admission
- Train Ride – Unlimited rides all-day
- Education Show – a private 45-minute show that talks about all native and exotic species. At the end of the show, they will have a hands-on experience with 1 of the animals.
Chaperones are FREE Show starts at 11:15 am
Add-ons:
Snake and Gator family photo: $5+ tax per 4×6 photo -or $17 for a USB – Max of 15 people per photo Meet & Greet: $5+ tax per person
Come meet a 3-year Alligator and a few of his friends. You will be able to hold them and ask questions. This option will last up to 30 minutes and is also limited to a max of 75 people. Larger groups will require split times.
Grunt Package: (admission included)
●Child (ages 3-12) $26.99 + tax
●Child (ages 13-18) $30.49 + tax
●Adult $31.99 + tax Package includes: Admission, Train, a pack of croc chow to feed the Gators and get your picture with a LIVE 6ft – 8ft Gator after the Legends show – PHOTO INCLUDED
