Gatorland is my choice for family affordable fun outside the theme parks!
People ask me all the time where can I go for a fun filled day outside of the theme parks in Orlando. My answer is always Gatorland! For those who do not know, Gatorland has been around Orlando since the 1940s and has been growing at a tremendous rate in the last few years! Gatorland has fun for the entire family ranging from animal interactions, shows, walking trails, zip lines, a train, and a waterpark area for kids! Lets take a closer look at some of the best parts of Gatorland!
Alligators Galore:
Alligators, crocodiles and caiman to be exact! If you are looking to see an alligator, then Gatorland is your best bet to see hundreds of these prehistoric looking animals. I cannot underestimate just how many gators, crocodiles and caiman there are here for you to see. There are various pathways to see these animals in their natural habitats. One of my favorite areas is the breeding marsh which has a ton of large gators along a boardwalk to see swim, sun themselves and more!
Shows:
If you are looking for some amazing animal shows, then Gatorland has some of the best around Orlando. There 3 shows are not only fun, but also educational which teaches you not only about the animals but also safety when you come in contact with them.
My favorite show is the Jumparoo show which showcases the gators natural ability to use their tails to help them explode out of the water to grab food when needed. The show also showcases some humor for families to get into the completive spirit.
The Close Encounter show showcases animals that most do not like such as spiders, scorpions, snakes and more. This show incorporates both humor and education to give an up close and personal look at these animals. This show gives you an inside look at the animals so you don’t have to get close in real life!
Lastly, the Gator Wrestling show showcases gator wrestlers doing what they do best: getting an alligator out of the water and wrestling him to the ground. This show also showcases some of the techniques used by gator wrestlers and gives you an educational look at the power and strength of the gators.
Zip Line:
I have not had a chance to do the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, however it looks like a ton of fun! Your journey will take you along 1,200 feet of high flying, heart pounding adventure from some of the finest zip line towers in the world. Standing over seven stories tall, these amazing towers feature multilevel launch pads and breathtaking views from high above the treetops.
Soar through the air and defy gravity over some of the theme park’s star attractions – including Cuban and Nile crocodiles – before heading over the Alligator Breeding Marsh, complete with one hundred and thirty giant alligators watching from below!
Interactions:
This place has some amazing hands on interactions for the whole family. From the petting zoo to feeding hungry alligators. There are some amazing photo opportunities as well from holding a gator to surviving feeding the gators in the breeding marsh! I love having hands on interactions with animals to give guests a rare opportunity to see these animals up close and also give kids not only a better understanding of the animals but also a love for them!
Overall, Gatorland has a ton of fun and educational things to do for each member of the entire family! If you are looking to get away from the theme parks for the day and find some family fun that will give you memories of a lifetime then this place is for you!!!
To learn more about Gatorland, to purchase tickets and more, visit their website here! Hope to be back to visit the gators and try out the Zip Line and the Keeper for the day tour soon!!!