It’s full steam ahead at Gatorland as the 57-year old theme park
races to re-open the historic park on Friday, November 24, 2006 after surviving
a fire earlier in the month that destroyed the park’s award-winning Gift Shop
and Executive Offices.
The grand reopening will showcase a new entrance located at the southern end of
the attraction, within walking distance of the world famous Gator Wrestlin’
arena. Guests will enter through a newly designed rustic admission gate that
compliments the park’s ole’ fashion charm. There will be four admission windows,
a covered walkway and memory boards where guests will have the opportunity to
leave a personal message for the Gatorland family.
Heres What Happened November 6, 2006ORLANDO, Fla. A three-alarm fire broke
out in one of Central Florida's oldest attractions early Monday morning, killing
three animals but injuring no one at Gatorland.
Flames were reported at the Gatorland attraction located at 14501 South Orange
Blossom Trail in Orlando on Monday at about 6 a.m.
The blaze charred the concrete alligator mouth tourists walked through to enter
the park -- an old Florida icon that has appeared in movies, magazines and
countless tourists' pictures.
"A fire of this magnitude would be dangerous to fight in any situation but now
you have to throw in the fact that there are dangerous animals inside --
alligators that are more than likely spooked by the commotion," Local 6's
Jessica Sanchez said.
Gatorland spokeswoman Michelle Harris said two 8-foot-long pythons kept in a
holding pen near the gift shop were dead, as was a 5-foot-long crocodile.
Another crocodile named Mr. O, who kept in the same area was feared dead, but
was later found alive, she said. He had managed to stay safe by dipping
underwater in a pond, Harris said.
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| the whole family can enjoy the natural Florida experience at
Gatorland, the Alligator Capital of the World. Whether you are watching the
four amazing shows, getting up close and personal with our residents in the
Barnyard petting zoo, feeding a lorikeet in the Very Merry Aviary, cooling off
at Lilly's Pad mini water park or viewing the alligator breeding marsh and wild
bird sanctuary on the self-guided Swamp Walk, you are certain to fill a half day
with lots of fascinating animal experiences that this low tech attraction
offers. Listen for the call of *All Aboard* of the Gatorland train ride. |
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You can feed the gators at Gatorland anywhere in the park,
but probably the most exciting place is the Observation Tower in the Breeding
Marsh. Dozens of alligators may be swarming at any time, waiting for you to
throw them a piece of hot dog.
If you are wondering why we use hot dogs, these are actually a low fat, high
protein turkey or chicken based product that is good for the gators.
Many of the younger alligators were captive born or harvested from the wild as
eggs through the State of Florida egg harvesting program. the larger alligators
were either captive born at Gatorland or collected from the wild in local areas
decades ago. Occasionally nuisance gators are trapped and brought into Gatorland
Orlando Florida. |
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Alligator Island, located in the northern section of
Gatorland's "Gator Lake", is home to the largest reptiles in the park.
Hundreds of alligators inhabit "Gator Lake", and Alligator Island is the
best place to see Gatorland's largest alligators and crocodiles up close and
personal as they soak up the Florida sun. You might even get a chance to see
Alf, a gigantic American Crocodile over 15 feet in length. Weighing over
1,000 pounds, Alf is Gatorland's largest reptile, and a favorite amongst
Gatorland's visitors and staff.
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Gatorland Tickets |
Gatorland in Orlando Florida
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