Gatorland

Alligator Capital of the World

So much of Gatorland had changed over the last 50 years, yet its signature entry hadn't. Its unique entry was as much of an attraction as the live alligators inside. As a favorite photo opportunity, there must be hundreds of photographs in albums across the country that show family members standing in the large gaping gator's mouth.

Everything changed on November 6, 2006, when a fire was discovered in the early morning hours. It destroyed the gift shop and offices and scorched the infamous entry. While the park reopened almost immediately with an alternate entry, construction finally began to rebuild the main entrance nearly a year later. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2008, just in time for the attraction's 60th anniversary.

Gatorland's History

Once you step inside you enter a world of part nature preserve and part zoo coupled with rides and shows and educational presentations. All this because of one man's love of alligators and a dream of an attraction that would showcase Florida wildlife.

Owen Godwin, Sr. started in the 1930s with an alligator pit in his backyard and a gift shop selling gator products – key chains, belts and the like – out of his kitchen. It was some 20 years later that he opened what would become the first major attraction in Central Florida – Florida Wildlife Institute. Back then Seminole Indians lived on the property and wrestled alligators as part of the entertainment.

In the early 1950s, Godwin changed the name of the attraction to Snake Village and Alligator Farm. While his family ran the park, he traveled north during the summers with a trailer housing a large 13-foot alligator named Cannibal Jake. These trips allowed Godwin to promote the attraction; and, by charging people a dime to see the alligator, Godwin was able to raise money for improvements to the park.

In 1954 the attraction again gets a new name and becomes Gatorland. Gone are the sideshow-type exhibits and the thatched-roofed gift shop with the sawdust-covered dirt floor. The gift shop's renovation is the first step to capturing a historic place in Florida's growing tourism industry, but it would still be eight years before the signature entrance would invite tourists to take a walk on Florida's wild side.

I'm wild about this attraction because it is a change of pace from Central Florida's theme parks and it is easy on the pocketbook. The fact that the kids will not only have fun but learn something in the process is just a little added bonus.

Gatorland Today

Gatorland's gators are featured in four different shows:

The Gator Jumparoo Show is a must see for the entire family. In this famous one-of-a-kind show, some of the largest alligators in the world actually jump four to five feet out of the water to retrieve food out of a trainers hand.

Gator Wrestlin' done "Florida Cracker" style in a shaded 800-seat stadium. See gator wranglers catch a six to eight foot alligator by hand and climb onto its back. After doing stunts only a few are brave (or stupid) enough to try, the alligator is rolled over and put to sleep. You'll be surprised at all it takes to awake them!

Four exotic and rare species of crocodiles demonstrate their awesome power in the Jungle Crocs show. It's calm here one second and chaos the next!

You never know what kind of animal you'll be encountering next at the Upclose Animal Encounters Show. You'll get to meet fascinating creatures from around the globe as well as Florida's native wildlife - including some of the most dangerous snakes alive.

Alligators are not the only entertainment in this 110-acre park:

The Gatorland Express Railroad has been carrying passengers for almost 40 years. The original Gatorland Iron Horse was retired after 35 years of service and in 2001 the new Gatorland Express departed from its brand new station.

Gatorland's Swamp Walk is a self-guided tour through an unspoiled native Cypress Swamp. A raised wooden walkway snakes its way through the Cypress trees offering visitors a rare look into what much of Central Florida looked like before homesteaders started draining swamps to build their homesteads and farms.

Lilly's Pad Splash Zone is just about the coolest spot for kids. They'll want to bring along a bathing suit or plan to get their clothes really wet! The area also features a playground with slides and play towers and covered seating for parents to watch their children frolic.

A three-story observation tower and raised walkways allow visitors a birdseye view of the Breeding Marsh and Bird Rookery. This natural breeding area for alligators and haven for Florida's birds.

Information and Directions

Gatorland is located on Highway 441 in South Orlando, just north of the Orlando-Kissimmee line. It is only a few minutes from Disney, SeaWorld and Orlando International Airport.

Gatorland is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. rain or shine. Show times vary by season. Admission for adults (13 & over) is $22.95 and children (ages 3-12) is $14.95. Children under three are admitted free. Prices do not include tax. Annual passes are available for $43.95 (adults 13 & over) and $29.95 (ages 3-12). Parking is free.