Gatorland Orlando Archives - On the Go in MCO

Gator Gully Splash Park Additions at Gatorland

Gator Gully Splash Park is opening with new additions just in time for Spring Break at Gatorland, the “Alligator Capital of the World!”

The new attraction, included with admission, brings more cool-down fun for kids and family members of all ages with the brand-new water features.

“We know how much our guests love our Splash Park and cooling off during their visit, so we are working hard to keep making it better,” said Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland. “Kids, parents and grandparents all have something to enjoy at Gator Gully.”

Visitors will now enjoy a colorful collection of majestic coconut palm sprayers, a radiant butterfly, a zany water dragon, and brand-new gator sculptures to sit on for all the splashes and fun.

Gator Gully Splash Park provides cool-to-the-touch floor panels, shade, and vibrant, oversized Adirondack chairs for parents and grandparents to watch the little ones and have fun.

In addition to the Gator Gully Splash Park improvements, now through March 31, Florida Residents get half-off a single-day admission ticket.

Florida residents must show proof of residency is required and can only be purchased in person at the Gatorland Admission windows.

Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park combining Old Florida charm with exciting experiences, exhibits, and entertainment. Orlando Weekly’s Best of Orlando® 2022 and 2021 Readers’ Poll named Gatorland the Best Attraction That’s Not A Theme Park and Best Zip Line or Ropes Course for Gatorland’s Screamin’ Gator Zip Line. Gatorland was also named by the Orlando Weekly Readers’ Poll in 2022 among the Top 3 Best Local Animal Rescue and Best Place For Family Fun and by Watermark Magazine’s 2023 Wave Awards as Orlando’s Best Hidden Gem.

Originally opened as a roadside attraction in 1949, the park is celebrating its 74^th Anniversary in 2023. This iconic park provides affordably priced family fun featuring thousands of alligators and crocodiles, a breeding marsh with an observation tower, a free-flight aviary, a nature walk, a petting zoo, educational wildlife programs, an award-winning gift shop,

Florida’s best train ride, Gator Gully Splash Park, on-site restaurant, and one-of-a-kind shows, including Gator Jumparoo, Alligators-Legends of the Swamp, and Up-close Encounters. Popular adventure experiences inside the park include the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line and Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure.

For more Gatorland info., visit the official website or call 800-393-JAWS.

Gatorland Gators Ghosts and Goblins 2022

Gatorland, the “Alligator Capital of the World,” is bringing back its popular Gators, Ghosts and Goblins Halloween event for the fourth year in a row of family fun and fright done right. The all-ages, daytime, family-friendly event at Gatorland takes place over three weekends in October from Oct. 15th through 30, 2022.

Swamp Ghost’s Monster Museum returns bigger and badder than ever! Discover the origins of the world’s most infamous monsters and learn what it takes to hunt the creatures of the night!

Learn about legendary creatures like Nessie, Jersey Devil, Chupacabra, Moth Man, and more at Skunk Ape’s Cryptid Kingdom!

Can Bubba save the world from an alien invasion? Find out in our newest haunt zone: Invasion of the Bubba Snatchers!

Then grab your Lederhosen for Frank & Stein’s Ooky Kooky Octoberfest featuring live music from Polkageist, Gatorland’s own undead polka band.

All this, plus multiple themed areas, interactive characters, animal meet-and-greets, and a Children’s Halloween Costume Parade with treat bags for all kids who participate!

There’s also fun shows, specialty vendors, games, candy and more!

“We just love Halloween time at Gatorland and putting on this frightfully fun event for all our guests,” said Mark McHugh, President, and CEO of Gatorland. “It’s our fourth year of everything spooky and kooky at Gators, Ghosts and Goblins. See you there!”

Gatorland Orlando Gators Ghosts Goblins Halloween 2019 — Gatorland Orlando

Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins is included with regular park admission. Guests are welcome to wear costumes, but nothing scary or gory, please. Skunk Ape is easily frightened.

Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park combining Old Florida charm with exciting experiences, exhibits, and entertainment. Orlando Weekly’s Best of Orlando 2022 and 2021 Readers’ Poll named Gatorland the Best Attraction That’s Not A Theme Park and Best Zip Line or Ropes Course for Gatorland’s Screamin’ Gator Zip Line. Gatorland has also been named by the Orlando Weekly Readers’ Poll in 2022 among the Top 3 Best Local Animal Rescue and Best Place For Family Fun.

2022 Gatorland Photography Program

Gatorland is the”Alligator Capital of the World,” but the annual Gatorland Photography Program allows unique access for a limited time.

Gatorland’s Bird Rookery, created in 1991 as an alligator breeding marsh, attracts hundreds of wild birds every Spring.

The unique habitat has grown into one of the largest and most accessible wading bird rookeries in Florida, providing a protected area for nesting, foraging, and roosting for over 20 different species of wild birds, many of which are listed as Endangered or Species of Special Concern.

Gatorland has created a special photographer’s pass program offered on 10 select dates in March, April, and May, allowing early morning entry at 7 am before the park opens to the general public at 10 a.m.

Gatorland’s boardwalks provide birders and photographers with close access to incredible birds to capture stunning photographs.

The 2022 Gatorland Photography Program dates are:

March 19
March 27
April 2
April 10
April 17
April 22
April 30
May 8
May 13
May 21

Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance, and availability is limited so booking right away is recommended.

Reservations can be made online at a cost of $25 plus tax per person per date, and a Birding Seasonal Pass is also available for $125 plus tax per person.

All tickets are date specific and non-transferable. No late stay is offered.

For more information on the Gatorland Photography Pass for the birding season, call the Bird Line at (407) 855-5496, ext. 233 or send a message to Gatorland at dannyperich@gatorland.com.

Gatorland Holiday Ho Ho Ho-Down is Back

This holiday season Gatorland, the Alligator Capital of the World, will host the Holiday Ho, Ho Ho-Down event weekends through December 19th.

During the holiday shindig guests will enjoy Family Friendly Holiday Fun, included in the regular price of admission.

Ho Ho Ho-Down highlights include holiday displays, interactive characters, and the most Floridian holiday photo opportunities you’ll ever find!

Throughout the attraction, you can meet a variety of characters including Gator Claus, on his…unique sleigh, merry elves, and the infamous Krampus Croc!

The fun doesn’t stop there, there because there is a bevy of specialty festive food items available for purchase.

Need to do some holiday shopping? Make sure to visit the craft vendors and award-winning Gatorland gift shop to find that perfect holiday gift for anyone on your list!

And of course, don’t forget to visit all the alligators, animals, and awesomeness that a day at Gatorland has to offer!

All this fun and excitement is included with your regular park admission, and right now Florida residents can save a ton!!!

Don’t forget you can keep up with us as we are On the Go in the Parks and more by following @onthegoinmco on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube!

Gatorland Hosts Spooky Gator Night Shine

Gatorland Orlando Gator Night Shine photo

Visitors to Gatorland, the “Alligator Capital of the World,” can see the park in a whole new way with Gator Night Shine any time of year, but it’s especially popular at Halloween time.

Visitors follow a guide for a private small group tour, starting at dusk, following a guide deep into the alligator breeding marsh to see the glowing red eyes of hundreds of alligators, follow their splashes, and hear their bellows. Each guest receives a flashlight and hot dogs to feed the alligators.

Visitors signing up for the 1 1/2 hour tour have the unique opportunity to see and hear Gatorland come alive after dark, with hundreds of wild birds and alligators all around them. They even have an up-close encounter with their guide to see other exotic animals such as boa constrictors, baby alligators, tarantulas, and much more.

Gator Night Shine tickets are $24.99 per person, plus tax. Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance by calling (407) 855-5496, ext. 246 or emailing AdvenureTours@gatorland.com.

Gators Ghosts Goblins 2020 Gatorland Orlando

Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins, Spooky Fun For Everyone day time event is still happening October 31 and November 1.

Come out in costume to this family-friendly Halloween event featuring Gatorland’s famous Social Distancing Skunk Ape, costumed character meet and greets, multiple photo opportunities, a trick or treat trail from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a Halloween themed train ride!

You can also enjoy music and fun at Frank and Stein’s Octoberfest with German beer and food for purchase, a variety of specialty vendors, and additional animal encounters.

All this fun and excitement is included with regular park admission, and right now Florida residents save half off single-day admissions! Children and adults can wear family-friendly costumes if they like. Nothing scary or gory, please – Bubba and Cooter are easily spooked.

Gatorland Orlando Social Distancing Skunk On the Go in the Parks

You can find more information about what’s On the Go in the Parks by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Gatorland Orlando Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins 2020

Gatorland Orlando, the “Alligator Capital of the World”, is bringing back its Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins, Spooky Fun For Everyone family-friendly event again for 2020! The all-ages daytime Halloween event takes place weekends from Oct. 10 through November 1.

Enjoy music and fun at Frank and Stein’s Octoberfest, from an “undead” polka band as well as German beer and food for purchase!

And there’s even more, including costume contests, a variety of specialty vendors, games, and giveaways. All this fun and excitement is included with your regular park admission!

Gatorland Orlando “Gators, Ghosts and Goblins takes place October 10 and 11, 17 and 18, 24 and 25, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

Children and adults can wear family-friendly costumes if they like. Nothing scary or gory, please – Bubba and Cooter are easily spooked.

For additional information and to purchase tickets, call (407) 855-5496 or visit: www.Gatorland.com.

“We are beyond excited to give our guests a way to celebrate Halloween safely,” said Mark McHugh, President and CEO of Gatorland. “Our team has been working very hard to bring our Halloween event back. And of course, our very own Social Distancing Skunk Ape makes things fun and safe for everyone.”

Face masks are required per Orange County Executive Order #2020-23 regarding COVID 19 and must be visible at all times. Please check our updated in park safety procedures at https://www.gatorland.com/plan-your-visit/re-opening-safety/

Gatorland Announces New Halloween Event

Gators, Ghost and Goblins Gatorland Orlando 2019

Park’s Halloween event to feature themed areas, actors, vendors, selfie zones, Frank & Stein’s Octoberfest Pavilion, , and spooky fun for everyone!

Gatorland, the “Alligator Capital of the World,” is getting ready for Halloween with an all-new special event called Gators, Ghost and Goblins that will include spooky fun for everyone on select dates in October.

Included with regular price admission on October 19, 20, 26, 27, and 31, this special event will feature several spooky themed areas throughout the park!

Complete with ghoulish actors and selfie zones, fun shows, a variety of specialty vendors, and “Frank & Stein’s” Octoberfest Pavilion with even more entertainment and themed food and beer for purchase.

The infamous Skunk Ape that Gatorland guests have spotted throughout the years will also be making appearances throughout the day along with the mysterious Swamp Ghost, and his Stompin’ Gator crew.

“Besides the great family entertainment we offer in the park every single day, we love doing fun new things for our guests via special events,” said Mark McHugh, President & CEO of Gatorland. “It’s just another way we are bringing everyone the best of Gatorland during our 70^th Anniversary year.”

Gatorland is a 100-acre theme park combining Old Florida charm with exciting experiences, exhibits, and entertainment. Originally Gatorland opened as a roadside attraction in 1949, and today the park is celebrating its 70^th Anniversary of providing affordably-priced family fun!