Gatorland: A 75 Year-Old Hidden Gem

In researching for our trip to Orlando, we wanted to find a place that allowed you to meet capybaras – and so, we came across Gatorland. Set in Orlando, this park recently celebrated its 75th birthday and it’s definitely a hidden gem.

The cost of the park is affordable to start (around $30 a person for admission) and to meet the capybaras it’s an additional $12 per person (I’ve seen some places charge over $300!). The actual meeting was great – we ran over to the petting zoo area to sign up and the cashier told us the time to meet at Capybara Crossing (she even shared some pickle flavored cheese balls with me lol!).

The actual experience was great! We had time to feed, pet, and take photos with the capybaras. They are definitely food motivated, so the more leaves in your hand, the more likely they’ll come to you! I highly recommend this experience! For $12, you can’t beat it.

Moving on to the actual park experience, this place is adorable – shows, food, and little shops. One thing I noticed was how clean it is; the restrooms are constantly being cleaned and the boardwalks are spotless. There are also gators EVERYWHERE. This is a sanctuary for them; sometimes, they don’t even look real.

There are three shows at Gatorland; Up Close Encounters, Gator Jumparoo, and Alligators: Legends of the Swap. The shows are quick (roughly 15-20 minutes each) and you can get all three done before 1pm. I recommend arriving early to each to ensure you have a great view and have a chance to take photos/videos of the shows.

Another thing about Gatorland that I loved was the inclusion of other animals (not just the capybaras!). They had many birds, pumas, foxes, giant tortoises, etc. It was awesome to see these animals up close!

Another experience I wanted to highlight is the Aviary! It’s included with park admission, but you do have the opportunity to purchase honey sticks with bird seeds on them to encourage little parakeets to land on you (this was about $2.99, but you may not even need them!).

Overall, Gatorland was such a great experience! I highly recommend it for families, groups, or anyone that is curious to check out something new in between park days. I would love to come back to visit! 🐊 If you have any questions or want to learn more, please feel free to reach out to me!