Gatorland

Gatorland Breaks Ground on New Fun Spot America Attraction

- Michelle Snow

Gatorland broke ground on a new "Gator Spot" at Fun Spot America in Orlando

Two of Orlando’s most popular attractions are teaming up, and this week, Gatorland broke ground on a new “Gator Spot” at Fun Spot America in Orlando.

Gator Spot will feature rare white alligators, along with regular Florida alligators and crocodiles from Gatorland in a new 15,000-sq-ft area within Fun Spot America on International Drive. It is said it will cost more than $1 million to build.

The press release states, “The interactive attraction will include an impressive array of alligators, an extremely rare leucistic ‘white’ alligator, numerous crocodiles, up-close encounters, photo opportunities and much more.”

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Florida Residents Save 60% on Admission at Gatorland Through December 31, 2014

- Michelle Snow

GatorlandGatorland, one of Orlando’s oldest attractions, is once again offering $9.99 admission rates for Florida residents.

This rate is valid for all ages (kids 2 and under are free) through December 31, 2014. The discounted price saves $15 off the adult admission rates.

Florida residents will also be allowed to apply the cost of their admission towards the purchase of an annual pass with extended benefits that include 30% admission discounts for accompanying guests, 50% off the Adventure Hour, 20% off Rookie Wrestling Experience & in-park photography stations, 20% off Gift Shop purchases and 10% off food & beverages within the park.

For more information, visit gatorland.com.

Gatorland Orlando Offers $9.99 Florida Resident Rate Through September 30, 2014

- Michelle Snow

GatorlandIn honor of kids heading back to school, Gatorland is offering a special Florida resident rate of $9.99 through September 30.

That’s only $9.99 (plus tax) for every Florida resident, regardless of age. That’s a saving of $15 off the regular adult rate! Adults must have a valid Florida I.D.

Florida residents will also be allowed to apply the cost of their admission towards the purchase of an annual pass with extended benefits that include 30% admission discounts for accompanying guests, 50% off the Adventure Hour, 20% off Rookie Wrestling Experience & in-park photography stations, 20% off Gift Shop purchases and 10% off food & beverages within the park.

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Gatorland Offers $9.99 Florida Resident Rate with Free Second Day Through October 31, 2013

- Michelle Snow

Gatorland is once again offering their special $9.99 Florida Resident rate, but they’re sweetening the deal by offering a second day free.

GatorlandYes, if you have a Florida ID, you can get two days at the popular Orlando attraction for only $9.99 (plus tax). And it doesn’t matter what age you are. That means a family of four can visit for about half the cost one ticket at the larger theme parks in the area.

Gatorland is home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles, including four extremely rare leucistic “white” alligators. There is also a free-flight aviary, petting zoo, one of a kind animal shows, natural alligator breeding marsh, Florida panthers, and more.

The offer is valid through October 31.2013. The second day free can be redeemed December 1-20, 2013.

Gatorland is located at 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando.

Gatorland Now Offering Summer Florida Resident Rates

- Michelle Snow

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While the three major Orlando theme parks have raised their rates, Gatorland is doing just the opposite – for the summer, at least.

If you are a Florida resident, you can get admission to Gatorland for only $9.99. This deal is valid for all ages of guests, which makes it a great deal for families.

This price does not include the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, but there is so much to do and see here. In addition to alligators and other reptiles, there is a free-flight aviary, a petting zoo, panthers, and more.

The Florida resident special rate is valid through September 3, 2013.

For more information, visit gatorland.com.

Out and About: South Creek Branch of Orange County Library System Hosts Gatorland Trainer with Animals

- Michelle Snow

As part of the Orange County Library System‘s summer reading program for kids, the South Creek branch invited a trainer from Gatorland to visit and he brought some of reptiles with him for the kids to check out.

He started with a tarantula, and showed a scorpion, a bearded dragon, a Colombian Red-tailed boa, and a couple of gators (of course).

Our family reporter Carol Garreans attended with her kids, and reports that all the children had fun, and the trainer stressed that most of these animals do not make good pets for kids.

She took some photos to share with you readers:

Carol's son Matt holds a baby gator.
Carol’s son Matt holds a baby gator.

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Gatorland Opens New Exhibit Panther Springs

- Michelle Snow

gatorland-pantherGatorland is popular among those who love reptiles, but as of this month, the Orlando-area attraction will now be home to a new exhibit, Panther Springs.

As the name suggests, the exhibit is home to Florida panthers – a pair of siblings named Neiko and Lucy. Shortly after birth at a Florida rescue and rehabilitation center in 2006, the pair were adopted and raised in the loving care of a Florida conservationist until their arrival at Gatorland.

The duo will reside in an open-air exhibit over 2,000-sq-ft in size, featuring a waterfall for enrichment opportunities, numerous napping ledges near guest viewing areas, and a state-of-the-art husbandry center.

Admission to Gatorland is normally $24.99 for adults, but Florida Residents can take advantage of a promotion that drops admission to just $9.99 per person, regardless of age. But hurry, this deal ends April 30, 2013.

The attraction is also running a special deal for Florida Residents that includes admission plus a trip on the park’s Screamin’ Gator Zip Line for only $49.99. This deal runs through June 2, 2013.

Gatorland is located at 14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando. For more information, visit gatorland.com.

Gatorland Offers Florida Resident Special for August 2012

- Michelle Snow

Once again, Gatorland is offering a great deal on admission to their park for Florida residents.

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From now until August 31, 2012, Florida residents of all ages can get in for only $9.99. Regular price is $24.99 for age 13 and up, and $16.99 for ages 3-12.

Tickets may be purchased at the entrance and proof of residency (like a driver’s license) is required.

Gatorland is located at 14501 South Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando (near Kissimmee). Their phone is 407-855-5496.

Gatorland Opens Zipline Attraction with Laser Light Show

- Michelle Snow

It’s been several months in going from ground breaking to ready for guests, but this morning, Gatorland opened the newest attraction in the park: the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line.

It was an early morning grand opening celebration – 5am, to be precise. So early that the park hosted an awesome laser light show in the pre-dawn darkness to celebrate.

From the event, Gatorland President and C.E.O. Mark McHugh talks about the attraction and kicks off the grand opening in a video posted to the park’s Facebook page.

Want to ride the new attraction? Currently they have several time slots throughout the day with a 10-12 guest maximum per slot. The zip line experience does cost extra. With park admission, tickets for a ride on the zip line costs $69.99 per person.

Would you zip line over live gators?

[Photo courtesy Gatorland]

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]

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