I was able to go to Gatorland on a dreary November day in 2020. The park was offering a 50% off ticket for Florida residents, so it was a fair deal. At a normal price of $30 I think it is over priced for what there is, but at $15 I think it is fair. That said, since this is in the Orlando area, it is bound to cost more than a normal zoo might otherwise.
Overall:
Overall the park is laid out well enough, the animals have large enough enclosures, visibility is good, the shows are educational and well done, and the animals seem to be well cared for. I would like to see a few more crocodilian species that they don't have. Below is a list of what I saw, for crocodilians:
American Alligator (normal and white)
American Crocodile
Cuban Crocodile
Nile Crocodile
Saltwater Crocodile
The alligators are the main show here, as you would imagine. They have ponds for 2 year old, 3-5 year old, mixed age smaller, and large. The large ponds have a mix of alligators and at least one American crocodile. The mixed smaller alligator enclosure had alligators and at least one Cuban crocodile.
The white alligator area is very well done. The habitats are nice and they have a shade cover over them. These were some of the better kept/looking habitats, but also some of the newest. There were two separate enclosures for white alligators, each with one (maybe two in one of them....).
The rest of the crocodilians have their own enclosures. There are several saltwater crocodile enclosures, as well as a couple nile croc habitats.
There are also lots of smaller animals like bobcats, snakes, lizards, budgy aviary, etc.
Pros:
Lots of alligators.
well laid out
fun shows
lots of reasonably priced "extras" such as zipline, swamp buggy, alligator feeding.
Free parking
Smallish gift shop
Decent food options
Clean restrooms
Cons:
Limited crocodilian species
Can be a challenge to walk around after a rain (poor drainage)
High entry price
High priced gift shop
All in all I would go back here, especially if they do the 50% off again. However, it has stiff competition in the area. I really wish they would expand the species collection to include some caiman species, and maybe a few more crocodile species as well.
Overall:
Overall the park is laid out well enough, the animals have large enough enclosures, visibility is good, the shows are educational and well done, and the animals seem to be well cared for. I would like to see a few more crocodilian species that they don't have. Below is a list of what I saw, for crocodilians:
American Alligator (normal and white)
American Crocodile
Cuban Crocodile
Nile Crocodile
Saltwater Crocodile
The alligators are the main show here, as you would imagine. They have ponds for 2 year old, 3-5 year old, mixed age smaller, and large. The large ponds have a mix of alligators and at least one American crocodile. The mixed smaller alligator enclosure had alligators and at least one Cuban crocodile.
The white alligator area is very well done. The habitats are nice and they have a shade cover over them. These were some of the better kept/looking habitats, but also some of the newest. There were two separate enclosures for white alligators, each with one (maybe two in one of them....).
The rest of the crocodilians have their own enclosures. There are several saltwater crocodile enclosures, as well as a couple nile croc habitats.
There are also lots of smaller animals like bobcats, snakes, lizards, budgy aviary, etc.
Pros:
Lots of alligators.
well laid out
fun shows
lots of reasonably priced "extras" such as zipline, swamp buggy, alligator feeding.
Free parking
Smallish gift shop
Decent food options
Clean restrooms
Cons:
Limited crocodilian species
Can be a challenge to walk around after a rain (poor drainage)
High entry price
High priced gift shop
All in all I would go back here, especially if they do the 50% off again. However, it has stiff competition in the area. I really wish they would expand the species collection to include some caiman species, and maybe a few more crocodile species as well.
