Gatorland to Install New Zip Line Attraction

- Michelle Snow

Ever visited Gatorland and thought, “wow, it’d be really cool to get an aerial view of this!”? If so, then you might want to get yourself ready for a new attraction that is scheduled to open this summer.

The Screamin’ Gator Zip Line will take guests on an aerial tour of the park. According to details released at this week’s groundbreaking, the first tower will be located by the Gatorland train station and will send guests over the crocodile exhibit.

The second line goes over the jumping Cuban crocodiles, the third over the giant Nile crocodiles and the fourth, almost 600 feet long, comes out at the south end of the breeding marsh and ends near the gator wrestling area.

The final stretch will be a dual zip line, where guests can race each other. It will run parallel to the parking lot, and be visible to folks driving by on Orange Blossom Trail.

Though pricing hasn’t been set, Mark McHugh, Gatorland’s president and CEO, says he expects it to be between $60 and $70, in addition to the regular admission price, which won’t change.

While I personally have no desire to zip line over alligators and crocodiles, I can see where it’d add that bit of extra thrill to those who do it. Plus, McHugh says this new attraction will probably create about 15 or so jobs, which is a good thing.

A tentative June 2011 opening for the zip line was mentioned, but no specific date, as of now.

What do you think? Would you pay to do this?

[Images courtesy of Gatorland: top – Gatorland president and CEO Mark McHugh; bottom – Bubba and Cooter]

About Michelle Snow

Michelle is the owner and editor of CitySurfing Orlando. She also owns Zengrrl.com, is a freelance writer specializing in travel and entertainment, and has authored/co-authored four guidebooks on Orlando and Florida. She lives in Orlando near Disney, and hears Magic Kingdom fireworks every night.
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