This is a large resort and convention center in Kissimmee, Florida, part of a small chain of four Gaylord resorts which are known for their atriums, the others being in Nashville TN, Grapevine TX (between Dallas and Fort Worth), and Washington DC. This one is comprised of a huge hotel building with three atriums themed to different parts of Florida, a huge convention center building, and two themed outdoor pool areas between the two buildings. The exterior and lobby are an interpretation of the style of 100 year-old Florida mansions. The reason I am featuring it on Zoochat is that each atrium has fish and reptile habitats, with specimens provided by Gatorland, an old area attraction nearby that started in 1949, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The St. Augustine Atrium is the largest of the three atriums, topped by an immense octagonal skylight. Inside are Spanish Colonial facades for a restaurant and Market Square, the entry to a bridge that links the atrium with the convention center. A formal space fronts this called Emerald Plaza, with an arbored Wedding Pavilion and Fountain of Youth on axis with the plaza. A nicely detailed (but completely inaccurate) recreation of the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine forms a rustic centerpiece of the atrium. A lush landscape of water features and rocky caves leads to Gator Springs, a habitat for juvenile American alligators and turtles including Florida cooter, Florida red-bellied turtle, painted turtle, Florida soft-shell, and common map turtle. Their shared habitat is a large rocky pool with a central basking rock, four waterfalls that spill into the pool, and a sandy beach with warming lights. There are two open areas along the surrounding path fronted by rustic railings that view the exhibit, as well as a rocky cave on one side that features a view between a waterfall into the exhibit. I counted eight alligators and about the same number of the five species of turtles collectively, in a nice exhibit with decent informational signage.
The Key West Atrium is a nearby smaller atrium and is themed to the Southernmost town in the lower 48, with several restaurant and shop facades in appropriate style and a fish-filled central lagoon with a large sailing boat that serves as a bar. The lagoon is quite large and appears to be about three feet deep; it has red fish, snook, and tarpon. Despite the fairly large size of these fish, there were sparse numbers visible so it was not very lively, but still a pleasant environment.
The Everglades Atrium is another smaller atrium and is themed to the swamp of the Southern part of the state, with several elevated buildings that form a restaurant and boardwalks that descend down to a lush lower level. A large shallow river-like pool with several species of Everglades fish (I did not note the species) meanders through the bayou-like landscape dotted with simulated cypresses. Sawgrass Place is a swamp shack with seven small herpetariums. Four very common ones are stacked 2X2 on an interior wall and house one species each: Florida pine snake, Florida kingsnake, corn snake (also known as red rat snake), and Everglades rat snake. Just outside on the ‘porch’ are two more small side-by-side tanks, for red-eared slider and a turtle hatchery. Finally, a larger glassed habitat on the ‘porch’ is for grunts, the term for baby alligators. I only spotted one.
This facility is clearly not a zoo or aquarium; these few habitats are simply part of the theme of the hotel, pleasant little diversions. Any visitor can see them; there is no admission, but even as a free attraction it is not worth going out of the way to see for animal fanatics. However, the resort theming and size is very nice and these habitats augment it. None make my top lists of exhibits. I have posted pictures in the United States - Other gallery.
The St. Augustine Atrium is the largest of the three atriums, topped by an immense octagonal skylight. Inside are Spanish Colonial facades for a restaurant and Market Square, the entry to a bridge that links the atrium with the convention center. A formal space fronts this called Emerald Plaza, with an arbored Wedding Pavilion and Fountain of Youth on axis with the plaza. A nicely detailed (but completely inaccurate) recreation of the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine forms a rustic centerpiece of the atrium. A lush landscape of water features and rocky caves leads to Gator Springs, a habitat for juvenile American alligators and turtles including Florida cooter, Florida red-bellied turtle, painted turtle, Florida soft-shell, and common map turtle. Their shared habitat is a large rocky pool with a central basking rock, four waterfalls that spill into the pool, and a sandy beach with warming lights. There are two open areas along the surrounding path fronted by rustic railings that view the exhibit, as well as a rocky cave on one side that features a view between a waterfall into the exhibit. I counted eight alligators and about the same number of the five species of turtles collectively, in a nice exhibit with decent informational signage.
The Key West Atrium is a nearby smaller atrium and is themed to the Southernmost town in the lower 48, with several restaurant and shop facades in appropriate style and a fish-filled central lagoon with a large sailing boat that serves as a bar. The lagoon is quite large and appears to be about three feet deep; it has red fish, snook, and tarpon. Despite the fairly large size of these fish, there were sparse numbers visible so it was not very lively, but still a pleasant environment.
The Everglades Atrium is another smaller atrium and is themed to the swamp of the Southern part of the state, with several elevated buildings that form a restaurant and boardwalks that descend down to a lush lower level. A large shallow river-like pool with several species of Everglades fish (I did not note the species) meanders through the bayou-like landscape dotted with simulated cypresses. Sawgrass Place is a swamp shack with seven small herpetariums. Four very common ones are stacked 2X2 on an interior wall and house one species each: Florida pine snake, Florida kingsnake, corn snake (also known as red rat snake), and Everglades rat snake. Just outside on the ‘porch’ are two more small side-by-side tanks, for red-eared slider and a turtle hatchery. Finally, a larger glassed habitat on the ‘porch’ is for grunts, the term for baby alligators. I only spotted one.
This facility is clearly not a zoo or aquarium; these few habitats are simply part of the theme of the hotel, pleasant little diversions. Any visitor can see them; there is no admission, but even as a free attraction it is not worth going out of the way to see for animal fanatics. However, the resort theming and size is very nice and these habitats augment it. None make my top lists of exhibits. I have posted pictures in the United States - Other gallery.