By Harold Merton
When you think of wildlife in Florida we'll bet the first
thing that comes
to your mind is alligators! Gators are synonymous with the Sunshine
State and it is expected that on any visit to Florida one might like
to get a good look at the creatures that hold such an interest among
those of us who are not familiar with them. We have been to Florida
many times and I can count the number of times on my fingers that we
have really seen gators up close. This includes zoos. For this trip
we decided to go to the place that has been famous for gators for over
half a century - Gatorland in Orlando. If you think you may have seen
some gators at zoos or other attractions then you haven't seen anything
until you visit this fabulous attraction on a 110 acre theme park and
wildlife preserve right in the midst of the attraction area of Florida.
Known internationally as the "Alligator Capitol of
The World", Gatorland
is probably a must on your list of prospective attractions. In the 1930s
Owen Godwin Sr. built an alligator pit in the backyard of his Rattlesnake
Hammock home, just south of Sebring, Florida. The pit was a sideline
to his other jobs as a butcher and postmaster. His wife Pearl, sold
gator products - key chains, belts and the like, out of her kitchen.
After making their purchases, customers stepped outside and stared in
amazement at a gator mom with her babies. Watching them, Godwin dreamed
of creating of an attraction that would showcase Florida wildlife. In
1947 after World War II, he purchased a parcel of land off Hwy 17/92
and 441 in nearby Kissimmee. Tourists were beginning to travel to Florida
and the road was then the state's second most travelled highway. It
would be a good place for his attraction.
Years later, the area in the heart of Central Florida's tourist district
became not only home to Gatorland but to Walt Disney World, Universal
Studios and Sea world. Godwin's 16 acre plot was actually a "borrow
pit", having supplied dirt for the new highway. Three people each
invested $100 in Godwin's attraction and it opened as the Florida Wildlife
Institute. Later believing that the word "institute" sounded
more like a government sponsored organization rather than a tourist
attraction, Godwin changed the name to Snake Village and Alligator Farm.
The snake name kept some people from visiting the attraction so more
concentration was placed on crocodiles and alligators.
Success finally came in the form of a huge crocodile Godwin bought from
a Miami breeder.
Known as Bone Crusher, the leathery giant was about 15
feet
long and weighed over 1,000 lbs. Godwin billed him as the world's largest
captive crocodile and offered a $1,000 reward to anyone who could prove
him wrong. They didn't and Bone Crusher remained as a major attraction
for years.
In 1954 Snake Village got a new name - Gatorland and it continues under
that name today. The park is located about a fifteen minute drive from
Walt Disney World Resort and Sea World. It is a 30 minute drive from
downtown Orlando. Gatorland combines "Old Florida" charm with
exciting new exhibits, unique animal encounters and daring entertainment.
It is an affordable family entertainment area with thousands of alligators and crocodiles, a breeding marsh with boardwalk, an observation tower, one-of-a-kind reptilian shows, a miniature water park, aviary, petting zoo and educational programs. You get your money's worth when you visit this attraction. The shows are what bring a lot of visitors to this attraction.
At the Gator Wrestlin' Show you can watch as one of the
bravest daredevils at Gatorland grabs a six to eight foot alligator
by the tail for an "Old Florida" match of man versus beast.
For the adventurous you can join them in the ring for the new Rookie
Wrestlin' Experience.
Other shows at Gatorland will be more than entertaining. At Jungle Crocs
of the World you will be stunned at the lightning fast speed of this
rare and exotic collection of crocodiles. You can experience the furry
of these awesome reptiles as they interact with bite and attitude with
each of the trainers.
You have to take in the Gator Jumparoo, it's the show that has made
Gatorland famous over 20 years ago. You can cheer on your favorite as
dozens of 10 to 13 foot gators compete for lunch. Roused by the clanging
of a dinner bell, the alligators and crocodiles swim into view and congregate
near two wooden platforms. On each platform the entertainer dangles
a fresh store-bought chicken three feet above the water on a strategically
placed pulley system. They jump and grab with lightning speed at the
store-bought chickens hung above the water. You'll find one of the author's
photographs of this with this story.
It is understandable that they have a safety line attached to the trainer
who places the chickens on the wires. This way they cannot be pulled
into the pool if the gator decided to take it while they were preparing
them. This is truly a remarkable experience and one the kids will love
watching from the safety of the fenced audience area. We'll bet that
this will be the first thing they tell their friends about when they
get back home.
You can also see the Up-Close Encounters Snake Show. Snakes, insects
and other exotic birds and animals from all over the world into this
local interactive experience.
At Lilly's Pad Miniature Water Park you can get as wet as you want as
dozens of water jets and pumps spray randomly throughout the safe deck
area. The kids can bring their bathing suits and really enjoy the experience.
A good soaking is guaranteed. In Alligator Alley you can touch, hold
and feed deer, tortoises, emus, llama, goats and birds in their interactive
exhibit of discovery and hands-on fun. A visit there is a great experience
and you can spend many hours enjoying the wildlife and the shows at
the park.
Gatorland expanded several times over the years through the acquisition
of neighboring property. It is now a family-owned Corporation with Mark
McHugh as Chief Executive Office. McHugh came to Gatorland from Sea
World and is the son-in-law of predecessor Frank Godwin who remains
on the board. For over half a century the "Alligator Capital of
The World" has been creating fond memories for millions of visitors.
When Owen Godwin Sr. had a dream for a roadside attraction, he imagined
his backyard alligator pit transformed into a place where families could
enjoy the outdoors and view alligators, reptiles and animals in a safe,
natural environment. Today visitors find his legend throughout the park.
It is obvious that his vision was one that has been heartily accepted
by several generations of visitors to the Orlando area.
Gatorland
14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando, Florida 32837
407.855.5496
1.800. 393.JAWS
www.gatorland.com