Gatorland
The roadside-Florida original since 1949: thousands of alligators, the famous Gator Jumparoo, a zip line straight over the breeding marsh, and a giant gaping gator mouth you walk right through to get in.
Updated June 2026
Before the mega-parks, this was the kind of place a Florida road trip was built around. Gatorland opened in 1949 as a little roadside stop on the Orange Blossom Trail between Orlando and Kissimmee, and it has stayed gloriously, defiantly itself ever since: a 110-acre cypress-swamp park with thousands of alligators, a famous gaping gator-jaw entrance you walk straight through, and a self-given title it has more than earned, the Alligator Capital of the World.
It's one of our favorite breaks from the turnstiles and lightning lanes. Half a day here is plenty, the pace is easy, and it lands especially well with curious kids and anyone who wants a dose of real old-Florida between park days. If you're traveling with little ones, pair this with our Orlando with kids guide; for the bigger picture, our things to do in Orlando hub has the rest.
What to see & do
A compact lineup with an outsized personality, from the leaping-gator show to a zip line over the marsh.
A perfect half-day
Beat the heat, catch the big show, and you'll still have your afternoon free.
- Arrive at opening, grab a show schedule at the gate, and walk straight in through the gator mouth for the photo.
- Stroll the breeding-marsh boardwalk and climb the observation tower while the morning is still cool.
- Catch the Gator Jumparoo, then detour to the White Gator Swamp and the walk-through aviary.
- If you booked it, fly the Screamin' Gator Zip Line over the marsh, or ride the Gatorland Express if you'd rather stay grounded.
- Cool off with a snack, hit the gift shop, and you're out by lunch with the rest of your day open.
Where to go next
Gatorland is just the start of an Orlando that isn't all turnstiles.
Orlando With Kids
Where to take the little ones beyond the big parks, Gatorland included.
Free Things to Do
Parks, lakes and lookouts around Orlando that don't cost a dime.
Things to Do
Our full rundown of Orlando, from the marquee parks to the offbeat corners.
Make a Day of It
Pair Gatorland with the other easy, low-key stops the family will actually enjoy.
Book Gatorland tickets
Common questions
How long do you need at Gatorland?
Plan on about half a day, roughly three to four hours, which is enough to walk the breeding-marsh boardwalk, catch a couple of shows like the Gator Jumparoo, see the white gators and ride the train. If you add the zip line or the off-road adventure, give yourself closer to a full morning. It pairs nicely with something else later the same day.
What are the must-see shows and attractions at Gatorland?
The headliners are the Gator Jumparoo, where big gators leap out of the water for food, plus the Gator Wrestlin' show and up-close reptile encounters. Don't miss the breeding-marsh boardwalk and observation tower, the rare leucistic white alligators in the White Gator Swamp, the walk-through aviary, and the Gatorland Express train. The Screamin' Gator Zip Line over the marsh is a popular paid add-on.
Where is Gatorland and how do I get there?
Gatorland is on South Orange Blossom Trail (Highway 441) between Orlando and Kissimmee, about a 20-minute drive south of the main theme-park area and close to Orlando International Airport. It's easiest to reach by car, and parking is free.
Is Gatorland good for kids?
Yes, it's one of the better non-theme-park options for families in Orlando. The animal shows, hands-on encounters, petting zoo, lorikeet aviary and the little train all land well with children, and the flat, walkable layout is easy with strollers. See our Orlando with kids guide for more family-friendly stops to pair it with.
How much are Gatorland tickets and what's included?
General admission covers the shows, the breeding-marsh boardwalk, the white gators, the aviary, the petting zoo and the Gatorland Express train. Thrill add-ons like the Screamin' Gator Zip Line and the Stompin' Gator off-road adventure cost extra, as does hand-feeding. Pricing and hours change, so check the official Gatorland website for current details before you go.
When did Gatorland open?
Gatorland opened in 1949 as a roadside attraction founded by Owen Godwin, originally under a different name, and took the name Gatorland in the mid-1950s. Its famous gaping gator-mouth entrance was added in the early 1960s, and the park has billed itself as the Alligator Capital of the World ever since, making it one of Central Florida's oldest tourist attractions.