Gatorland, Orlando: Exploring the 'Alligator Capital of the World'

A severe case of the winter blues and plain old curiosity are what drove me to Gatorland on a cool January afternoon. This Orlando attraction may sound like the name of a miniature golf venue, but the "Alligator Capital of the World" isn't famous for its crocodile-themed putt-putt courses.

Gatorland is a wildlife preserve and theme park, a reptile lover's paradise complete with an observation tower, a "Swamp Walk" and a petting zoo. It's a place where Florida alligators breed, thrive and play in the marshes, and a place where visitors can watch live reptilian shows and enjoy meet-and-greets with their favorite gator.

While I wasn't thrilled about the idea of walking across a wooden walkway as alligators snapped their jaws a few feet from my feet, I did trot carefully over the Breeding Marsh to enjoy the scenic views of the swamp. A staff member informed me that Alligator Island nearby is the home of Alf, an American Crocodile weighing over 1,000 pounds, and a colony of bats. I didn't see Alf during this visit, but did watch many of his friends swimming stealthily around the walkway. Unfortunately for them, I wasn't armed with any "gator chow" - turkey hot dogs available at the park to feed the hungry gators.

Gatorland hosts three different live shows throughout the day. Each show only lasts about fifteen minutes so it's easy to see all three over the course of the day. I only saw one performance during my visit - the Gator Jumparoo Show, where a trainer feeds a jumping alligator - and spent the rest of the day visiting the aviary and the White Gator Swamp.

While it's easy to spend the entire day around the marshes and lagoon, you won't want to miss a visit to Flamingo Island. The island is located right near the gaping alligator-jaw entrance way, and you'll see dozens of flamingos, wild birds and turtles scattered around the lagoon. Make your rounds of the park first and leave this attraction as the last item on your to-visit list.

Whether you're breaking away from Disney for a day or want to try something new in Orlando, Gatorland offers plenty of surprises and memorable experiences for any reptile enthusiast in the traveling party.

Gatorland
14501 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, FL 32837
Hours of operation: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week
(407) 855-5498
www.gatorland.com