Gatorland, Florida

Florida is home to lots of alligators, and there’s probably no better place to see your fill of them in one day than at Gatorland.

Gatorland was Orlando’s first large attraction, opening back in 1949 when Disney and Universal hadn’t even thought of using the region for theme parks. Back then Seminole Indians would wrestle the gators for the entertainment of tourists, and the classic gator jaws at the park’s entrance (top photo) were photographed tens of thousands of times on Brownie and Polaroid cameras. Because of the extensive development of the Orlando region, there are many fewer gators around Orlando today but there’s still lots of them in the state.

One of the highlights of visiting Gatorland is that you really do get to see and study lots of gators very close-up, but in a safe atmosphere (where you know you’re not prey). Parts of Gatorland are a natural environment, parts are built for tourist entertainment. For example, I had no idea how agile gators were in the water because I’d never seen them move through anything but the murky shallows of the swamps they inhabit. But in clear water, well, see for yourself….

Gatorland is a family-run, family -oriented place that reminded me a little of Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, except with alligators as the theme instead of Peanuts characters. There are three main shows you can see here, all quite a bit of fun:

1) Gator Jumparoo show: Hosted by a few “yahoos” from the south (actually actor-employees), this is where you’ll see alligators jump and compete for chicken hung above the water line.

The gators move quickly and their aim is not too good, so it definitely takes some courage to offer chicken to them because you risk injury to your arm…..

2) Gator Wrestling Show: Trainer pulls a 100-150 lb gator from the water and “wrestles” it (gain control of it — no harm done).

For a few extra dollars, used to help support the massive amounts of food consumed by these animals, anyone can hop on the back of a gator for a chance to have your photo taken with them. It’s safe – the trainers are at hand and a thick rubber band keeps the jaws closed.

3) UpClose Encounters: Included tarantulas, and three snakes, and unsuspecting volunteers from the audience.

There’s a special enclosure for white alligators — either albinos (have pink eyes and no pigment) or leucistic (blue-eyed with no pigment)

A nature swamp walk takes you into the heart of a pristine Florida swamp, where you have the opportunity to see lots of birds, maybe some turtles, snakes, and even wild alligators. It’s a pleasant walk with lots of cypress trees and ferns, and of course, epiphytes (air plants growing on other plants).