Set in a natural cypress swamp in a spot where most of the natural habitats are now erased from the landscape by development, Gatorland is a historic Florida attraction.
It is also an immersion into what this part of Central Florida used to be. Walk the boardwalks, marvel at the ancient reptiles, savor the birds, and go “oooh” at snakes.
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Overview
Location: Orlando
Trailhead: 28.355165,-81.40424
Address: 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail. Orlando, Florida 32837
Phone: 407-855-5496
Fees: $30 adult, $20 ages 3-12. Annual passes and Florida resident discounts make this a great place to visit more than once a year.
Additional fees apply for special experiences like Gator Night Shine and the Screamin Gator Zip Line.
Open 10-5 daily.
Location
Along US 441 near Hunter’s Creek, south of Orlando and north of St. Cloud.
Details
Founded in 1949 by Owen Godwin, it’s still a family park and the undisputed Alligator Capital of the World.
It’s not an enormous park, but it’s so packed with wildlife that if you’re an avid photographer, you’ll easily spend most of the day there.
It’s a birder’s delight, too. We arrived at the peak of breeding season, with the birds in bright and showy plumage, and spotted some species that we rarely see, like roseate spoonbills winging their way overhead.
For the best view of the birds, follow the boardwalks along the main ‘gator pond and climb the three-story observation tower for a panorama of the ten acre breeding marsh and bird rookery.
Dad loved the train, of course. Debuting in 1965 as the Iron Horse, the little Gatorland Express circles the park, giving a different perspective on the animal enclosures.
You’ll also find a splash playground for the kids, and lots of optional “Experiences.”
You can shadow a trainer or wrestle an alligator for an additional fee. One of the wildest add-ons is the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line over the alligator pens. See the story below for details.
Explore More
More Activities at Gatorland
Zipping Over Gators at Gatorland
What’s it like to sail over a pondful of alligators on a zip line in Florida? Contributor Sally White of the Adventures of Mom shares her experience on Gatorland’s Screamin’ Gator Zip Line in Orlando.
Gatorland Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure
At the grand opening of Gatorland’s new Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure, we learned the story of Gator Joe and reconnected with the nature we so love at this long-time Florida nature park.