Our admission was covered, however, story, and images are my own #gatorland
Well Howdy folks, we are back. My latest trip to Florida had me all over the great state and enjoying places and entertainment that I can now kick off my Bucket List. Forever as we have driven by swamps in Florida, my kids are always asking if they were going to see alligators and I just told them to keep on looking, so I could keep on driving in peace, lol! This adventure in Orlando, led us to where to see gators up close and personal. We held snakes, gators, and spent the day zip-lining right above their snapping jaws, at a petting zoo and taking in shows. I am quite anxious to share with you the best place to see gators in Orlando as I have personally experienced this and can’t say enough great about this family venue. Allergen Free Dining is available at this family adventure, so let’s go! So where is the best place to see gators in Orlando that no family should miss? Lavishly live a bucket list worthy adventure in Orlando, Florida out loud and get ready for a vacation find like no other.
Best Place To See Gators In Orlando
Now if I used a few Redneck words of wisdom while visiting Gatorland it would be “I’m up to my ass in alligators” cause when you are there, they are everywhere and you are the minority. Or I might say, “You’d call an alligator a lizard” and you know what, they are nothing alike!
Here’s my headliner: Woman and Her Family Walk Alongside Gators, Hold Snakes, Come face-to-face with Panthers, Zip-line Over The Snapping Jaws Of Gators and Walk Through A Swamp. Does that sound adventurous enough for you? You all know me, and I am the biggest chicken of them all, but believe this, I zip-lined above gators(screamed the whole time), walked right by gators (albeit they were in the water I was still walking in their swamp) and then we all got up-close and personal with snakes and gators when we held them. Are you ready for a family adventure that will keep your kids talking and fully entertained? Nature is awesome, wildlife is extremely cool and family time enjoying both makes it crazy good. Gatorland in Orlando has it all and your family will love a day there.
We spent a bit of time with Mike Hileman The Director of Entertainment at Gatorland and we learned a lot! Our thanks to Mike for a truly informative experience and for the dedication to his job as he has been there for over 23 years!
Are you craving the experience of a lifetime? Then go for the Gator Night Shine. You get to visit the Breeding Marsh(yup, loads of alligators, all over the place), with the staff, it is not generally an over-populated experience, which means that if you are looking to really learn about the gators, have questions you want answered this is when to go! You will visit the Gatorland’s Breeding Marsh with flashlights, insect repellent, and some alligator food. Trust me, we were in the Marsh in the day, and Hello to totally intimidating, wildly cool times so I can hardly imagine what it must be like at night to have gators to your left, right and under you!
Tip #1 – Plan to spend the entire day at Gatorland
We spent the a beautiful sunshine-filled day in January here, and I could have easily spent even more time than we did. We spent over 7 hours there and we took in almost all the shows, zip-lined, ate lunch and walked, walked, walked. There is a train (such a great way to see all of Gatorland and rest for a few minutes), and the shows are not too long, just long enough to be entertaining and interesting.
Tip #2 Plan your time around the shows
This was the Gator Wrestlin’ Show and it was fun, educational and quite entertaining. Our host managed to open the jaw of an alligator up and hold it there with his chin. I guess since he had a lot of redneck woman jokes I can easily whip this back on at him and say it with love, “If you are gonna be stupid you better be tough!” The jokes are totally redneck smack-offish and they will make you laugh! He was definitely faster than a hot knife through butter and he focused on the entertainment and the alligator. Can you say totally exhilarating and scary at the same time?
Tip #3 Visit the Swamp Walk
Now off to the swamp for a little jaunt, here is the path you don’t want to miss, follow the signs, beware of snakes and enjoy a truly Florida Swamp Experience!
Tip #4 Don’t Forget To Stop and Fill Your Belly
After a few shows, a little bit of walking and a ton of talking, it was time to eat! We dined at Pearl’s Smokehouse and enjoyed many of the different items on the menu. Be sure to see what to order if you have food allergies such as nuts, seafood and latex on my post for Dining At Gatorland With Food Allergies. It is possible for the WHOLE family to dine here and enjoy the day.
Tip #5 Zip Line Fun Is For Everyone
Next Stop, zip lining over the Alligator Marsh. My only regret is that I don’t have the photo to show you my face on the zip line, but I do have what the Single Zip Line looks like. I have put a few arrows to the lovely predators waiting for you, as you soar high above them, however, you are flying high over a Breeding Marsh so these are only a few of HUNDREDS that live in here- ahhhhh, put those wings on and FLY faster!
Here is something you want to know. For those who are wheelchair bound but are yearning for adventure….. Gatorland is about unveiling their program for those that want to zip line but have not been able to. This is to roll out February 2016 and it is highly anticipated and has been tested on daily.
Tip #6 Stare Down A Few Gators
For your gator-lovin’ eyes, check out all the different sizes of these interesting animals. They hop one one another to sun-suck, they own their territory and survival is of the fittest and the largest. You can see all different sizes throughout Gatorland, each living in their own little environment and sharing love with one another. Check out the great poses the gators gave me! I swear staring at gators is like a train wreck and you just can’t take your eyes off of them because you are afraid you will miss something if you do. Honestly, that gator on the left, scared the crap out of me, staring me down as I photo’d it, it just looks mean:)
Tip #7 Hold Onto The Moments and Look At The Smiles
The hardest thing to get from a teen is a smile and this family adventure, well look….. This moment is priceless!
Visit the gators, the small, the medium, the large, and learn to respect the animal as it is awesome. Photo opportunities are all over the park and don’t just stand at the beginning of Gatorland enamored with all the gators there, there is so much more to be seen, like giant gators, snakes, swamps, breeding marshes, specialty alligators, a train ride all around the park, the petting zoo, and much more.
Tip #8 Grab Those Coveted KID Smiles
Don’t stop snapping photos, because as much as the alligators jaws snap, your kids will smile! At the end of the day, when you bid adieu to Gatorland, you can officially say “See Ya Later Alligator!”
Remember the key to a successful family trip is joining in, teaching through example and of course “not letting your alligator mouth overload you hummingbird ass.” Don’t expect your kids to do what you won’t do, don’t expect your family to take part in things if you are not willing to, it is all a shared experience and that folks is the best way to get those smiles and enjoy all that Gatorland has to offer! Lavishly live family travel out loud and get to the best place to see gators in Orlando, a place we know as Gatorland!