Gatorland

[BONZO]

Ok folks,


This weeks review is GATORLAND

GATORLAND (http://www.gatorland.com/)


Views and comments please


http://www.gatorland.com/images/thinking-gator.gif

[Clarey]

We havnt been there yet. Hoping to do next year. I heard that it is quite near the airport so I thought we could do on the morning that we leave or will it need more time?

[Stu]

This is one place we keep meaning to go, but never seem to make it.
Maybe next time!

[BONZO]

Clare,

I'd say that this is worth a half day max.


Now, for my own views on the place - but bear in mind the last time we went was back in the 80's - so things may have changed a lot since then.


We didn't like it at all as it appeared to be very unfair to the gator's. See the animals, buy the belt and eat the burger!

The zoo was shoddy as was the rest of the facilities - just didn't cut it for us.

Gatorland was always a half day trip coupled with the Tupperware Museum - but I think that it's shut now.

We wont be going back although I'd like hear comments from anyone that's been recently.

[thatcats]

I wouldn't go there - I think I saw it on a TV programme some time ago and it looked like a cruel exploitation of alligators. I think I'd rather see them in the wild - at a safe distance of course!:omg: :erm:

[Anita]

We enjoyed it we found it very educational
I didn't realise there were so many different types of crocs and gators
if your looking for something different check it out :smile:

[Wendy]

I went in the 80's and liked it - won't bother going again though!

[Enright78]

We went last week, first time in about 5 years! A great half day or so. Much altered since our last trip. Didn't seem cruel at all, most of the gators are in their natural surroundings and the patter of the guides is hilarious. Much realler and more homely than Disney, quite an antidote (or is that sacreligious!!!):p:

[bengunn]

We went in 1992; it was quite good but I would not say that we enjoyed every minute. We did not bother going back last year.

[Fantasia Sam]

It's a definite been there done that don't need to bother doing it again!! Unless I hear tale that they've made lots and lots of changes.

[Hellie]

Have never been, don't really fancy it and I have also seen it on a TV prog and just didn't like the look of it, looked as if the animals were all packed into small enclosures.

[dalmation461]

i haven't been but we thought of going in feburary went to disney for a week for half term mum and dad said we could go to crazy golf on international drive and never even did that

[Juliejoolz]

It's on our list to do this time when we go! Everyone has mixed opinions about this place so decided to do it and see for myself. The kids will enjoy i hope anyway!:jump:

[ayjayoh]

It's a great way to spend half a day.

Get there early.
The first show (Gator Wrestling) starts at 9.30, there were only 12 people at it when we were there.

[angeline]

gatorland has changed since the 80's
It is a good place to chill out. reasonable prices
amazing bird wildlife.
the whole family loved it.
girls sat on an aligator... one they got to pick and had their picture taken.
(jaws secured)
had nightmares at home about debating wether to jump in the lake or not if one of the kids fell in. (impossible for this to happen)
Would go again for a leisurely half day.

[Sean_and_Sue]

We went in 2003, and all of us enjoyed it. Its a leisurely day out, very educational, and the gators wern't enclosed in small places at all. The walk through the gator swamp was really good - lots of diffierent wild birds, turtles etc, and the kids enjoyed trying to spot the gator nests.

Disney, it isn't, but for a change of pace we thought it was a very enjoyable day out.

Love Suexx

[lesley1960]

Some how the idea of seeing someone wrestling an alligator , being allowed to sit on an alligators back while its jaws are wired,buying artifacts or eating the meat doesn't sit well with me.......can't think why

[daz]

Ok for a one off visit but dw thought it was cruel.:confused2

[Suzie&Stuart]

Originally posted by Hellie
Have never been, don't really fancy it and I have also seen it on a TV prog and just didn't like the look of it, looked as if the animals were all packed into small enclosures.


I was in the farming trade for a few years,and the way some animals are kept on farms here makes Gatorland look like a holiday camp for Gators and Crocs.
Try taking a look at a Turkey farm ,egg producers [battery hens],pork farms or what used to be the absolute worst.....veal.[yes ive done the Veal thing,so have first hand experience]

What we have to remember ,is that its a farm first,tourist attraction second.

Weve been,enjoyed what we saw ,but been there ,done that,wouldnt bother again.

Stuart

[lesley1960]

Originally posted by Suzie&Stuart
I was in the farming trade for a few years,and the way some animals are kept on farms here makes Gatorland look like a holiday camp for Gators and Crocs.
Try taking a look at a Turkey farm ,egg producers [battery hens],pork farms or what used to be the absolute worst.....veal.[yes ive done the Veal thing,so have first hand experience]

What we have to remember ,is that its a farm first,tourist attraction second.

Weve been,enjoyed what we saw ,but been there ,done that,wouldnt bother again.

Stuart

Your probably right...... however veal in this country is not the white crated veal that is produced in europe......

I buy my meat from organic producers , and as a meat eater I am in no position to question what animal people choose to eat, so if people choose to eat alligator meat , than thats their choice....... but i don't like the idea of turning it into a tourist attraction unless it is shown as a meat and product producing venture ( does that make sense....because it occured to me that we have working farm attractions here and that seems o.k )

[Anne]

Can we keep this thread on Topic please.

[mnis]

Went and was disgusted......
Gator wrestling......hmmmm...gator with its jaws taped together while the audience pay $10 to sit on its back..no thanks

Gator nuggets and chips...hmmm a bit insensitive...my 2 kids refused to eat anything..oldest was really upset

$7 for a bag of frozen hotdogs to feed the gators with.....didnt know the swamps done a roaring trade in burger bars!!

Worst was the shop...back scratchers made from baby alligator feet.......god that was like a sick joke!

Would NEVER go back and wouldnt recommend it to anyone

mnis:angel:

[Suzie&Stuart]

Originally posted by lesley1960
Your probably right...... however veal in this country is not the white crated veal that is produced in europe......



Maybe not now,but it certainly was in the late 70s,early 80s.

I was young and naive then and didnt see the problem,but as time has passed ,I realise how cruel it was.


I think the attraction with Gatorland is that ,it is an opportunity to see these amazing creatures close up.Taking an airboat ride does not guarantee that you will see a Gator,but that is the main reason for the ride IMO.

As for people thinking it gross to eat a Gator.......better watch for the meat origin,should you be in Korea...............or even Australia.

Stuart

[mnis]

Originally posted by Suzie&Stuart

As for people thinking it gross to eat a Gator.......better watch for the meat origin,should you be in Korea...............or even Australia.
Stuart

I agree Stuart...different cultures and all that...however I just felt that something thats so geared towards the younger generation it was quite insensitive...my kids thought it was awesome to see the gators and were amazed by being able to see them up close....but then when they went for some food they felt a bit peturbed by the thought of eating the creatures!!!


mnis:angel:

[Villainlover]

We haven't been for about three years or so but the last time we were there they said that Gatorland was no longer a farm and all the gator nuggets etc were bought in.

There was no sitting on gators the last time I was there but you could have a pic taken with a baby one on your lap and a snake around your neck.

It is a nice change from themeparks and if you have a few hours spare then give it a go. eveyone is different and have very differing perspective on things.

As for cruel well I would have to save my opinions on cruel for a more appropriate thread..maybe on Discovery cove or the like.

[knobbyknowles]

Went in September on my 6th Visit to Orlando but first to Gatorland. I had never fancied it much but really enjoyed it.I would recommend buying the hotdogs to feed the gators, its great fun (they are $5 dollars for two bags) and if you listen to the woman who sells them and break them up last for about half an hours fun. The park is no more cruel than any other "wildlife" park,Disney , Busch and Seaworld included.
The guides are very informative and with the info they told us about gator noises and spotting i found wild gators in the pond behind the villa two days later.
I'm going back in March 05 and this place is now on my must do list.:jump:

Steve:beer:

[Earthbound]

Worth spending a half day there, maybe on the way to the airport if you've got a later flight.
It is just a zoo for gators - don;t expect much else! The shows are a bit corny i.e. jumparoo, wrestling etc - kids will love the shows ($10 to sit on the back of a gator though is steep!!) - the close-up show is not for those who hate creepy crawlies & snakes!!
They say that this is the best half day show in Orlando/Florida - I'm not so sure!!

[2BoysMum&Dad]

I have never seen such a close poll! This has been something on my "to do" list, but reading some of the comments here has made me a bit worried about the place. Still would love to go.

[Earthbound]

Zoe - don't give it more than half a day in your itinerary!!